Parsha Poetry, Year 2: Vayeira / וַיֵּרָא

בְּרֵאשִׁית / Bereishis / BEREISHIT / Genesis 18:1-22:24: Read it;  hear it; colour it.

Click for printable PDF version.  And don’t forget to read last year’s poem!

Copywork and parsha activities – updated weekly (though not THIS week; sorry!).

Artwork was drawn on demand by the always lovely and supremely talented… Elisheva Chaya!!!

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And so the angels then departed,
Walking slowly, heavy-hearted –
With their parting, courses charted.

“But wait!” cried Avraham, behind,
“I know what you have in mind;
Just hesitate – be kind!”

“Shall not the judge of all the Earth,
From Whom all creatures have their birth,
Weigh their value, judge their worth?”

He begged and pleaded with Hashem,
To spare the lives of all of them –
To find His mercy, not condemn.

“What if I found a tzaddik there?
Living hidden, taking care;
Staying safe, but unaware?”

“Then I’ll not destroy,” He swore,
“Though their sins I must abhor –
I’ll abstain, for you implore.”

“Shall not the judge of all the Earth,
From Whom all creatures have their birth,
Weigh their value, judge their worth?

“What if I find you righteous men?
Forty, thirty, even ten?
When I find them, O, what then?”

“Then I’ll not destroy,” He vowed,
“Though they’ve woven their own shroud –
Voices clamour much too loud.”

With that, Avraham turned away,
Nothing more that he could say;
Left alone, bereft: just pray.

He couldn’t watch the towns below,
Nor to searching did he go –
Left them as they were, just so.

He understood the bitter fact,
Hashem knew, too, upon that pact –
Even ten good men they lacked.

There were no righteous men below
And so the towns would have to go,
Although, said Avraham: “Although.”

“Flee!” the malach told Lot’s clan,
Knowing all the mighty plan;
Facing forward, off they ran.

Though his nephew had been spared,
Avraham grieved as fires flared –
Precious lives lost, he despaired.

As with so much, it was a test;
Avraham passed this and the rest,
And emerged that much more blessed.

After time, he had a son,
After all was said and done;
Gifted his beloved one.

Sometimes good men can only weep,
Terrors over landscapes creep;
Waking nightmares in their sleep.

Tried to save each precious soul,
Cities smoldered into coal
Reminding him who’s in control.

Surely the judge of all the Earth,
From Whom all creatures have their birth,
Weighs their value – judges their worth.