Pray tell-<\/p>\n
Tale signs of entrance:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Even some predators pray.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve seen them, smelled them,<\/p>\n
In their imitation shawls and<\/p>\n
Counterfeit tears: they close their<\/p>\n
Eyes, sway back and forth, and mumble<\/p>\n
Some incoherent supplication that is more<\/p>\n
Bargain than plea<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
But not every letter whispered is a prayer;<\/p>\n
And not every liturgy is tagged for heaven \u2013<\/p>\n
Some people just like to hear their own voices<\/p>\n
As they speak lofty words but say lowly things.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Praying \u2013 like preying \u2013 is not difficult at all.<\/p>\n
Knowing what to pray for, well now, that\u2019s a<\/p>\n
Whole different matter \u2013 or spirit \u2013 altogether.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I implored G-d<\/i><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Humility prays to Reality.<\/p>\n
For what does a true leader pray?<\/p>\n
Why does the faithful servant beg<\/p>\n
Of his Master something he has already<\/p>\n
Been denied?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Let us put our ears to Heaven\u2019s keyhole and,<\/p>\n
If not eavesdrop, at least listen in (and perhaps<\/p>\n
Hear something for a change)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Let me please cross
\n<\/i><\/p>\n
And see the good Land<\/i><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Here we are, finally, at the end of the desert<\/p>\n
And the beginning of the Promised Land:<\/p>\n
At the conclusion of being pampered by<\/p>\n
Heaven\u2019s bread and Glory\u2019s clouds, and<\/p>\n
At the threshold of working Earth\u2019s magic<\/p>\n
And earning what is rightfully ours \u2013 at the<\/p>\n
Journey\u2019s sunset and the destination\u2019s sunrise \u2013<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
At our biggest challenge yet \u2013 transforming the<\/p>\n
Holy Land into something divine, building a<\/p>\n
Permanent home for Heaven, living in harmony<\/p>\n
Even with those from whom we differ, much more<\/p>\n
Challenging than drinking sweetened water and<\/p>\n
Walking through split seas.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
(Playing our own music to a sacred tune<\/p>\n
Isn\u2019t as easy as listening to a recording)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Now, the musicians about to cue up the symphony \u2013<\/p>\n
And the maestro barred from the ultimate stage.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
So he prays, he implores, entreats, begs G-d:<\/p>\n
Please, let me cross over, let me just walk the<\/p>\n
Land, let me in to everything we\u2019ve worked for<\/p>\n
And everything we will work for.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Do you for a moment think Moshe wanted<\/p>\n
To enter the Land for his own sake, just to feel<\/p>\n
Accomplished or perhaps good about himself?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Moshe is a selfless leader \u2013 and, by definition,<\/p>\n
A selfless leader does things for the good of the<\/p>\n
Nation, even at his own great expense.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Moshe wanted to enter the Land for the people:<\/p>\n
At their greatest challenge, their change of reality,<\/p>\n
Moshe implored G-d to let him be with the people,<\/p>\n
Help the people, inspire the people, lead the people.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Moshe knew we would struggle; he wanted to ease our burden.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
But G-d said:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ascend to the top of the summit
\n<\/i><\/p>\n
And raise your eyes<\/i><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
You cannot enter the Land; only see it.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The purpose of the Land, to change things<\/p>\n
Bottom up, a grassroots growth, cannot be<\/p>\n
Brought about by you: the people must<\/p>\n
Work it without your physical presence but<\/p>\n
Your spiritual vision \u2013 you may not enter<\/p>\n
The Land, but you definitely will enter<\/p>\n
Their hearts, their souls.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Moshe prayed for we the people to<\/p>\n
Fulfill our destiny and truly enter the<\/p>\n
Land<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Let us answer his prayers.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Mendel Jacobson is a writer, poet and journalist living in Brooklyn. His weekly poetry can be seen at jakeyology.blogspot.com<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Pray tell- Tale signs of entrance: Even some predators pray. I\u2019ve seen them, smelled them, In their imitation shawls and Counterfeit tears: they close their Eyes, sway back and forth, and mumble Some incoherent supplication that is more Bargain than plea But not every letter whispered is a prayer; And not every<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":168,"featured_media":43973,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[101],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11960","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arts-media"],"yoast_head":"\n