Poetry

El Maleh Rachamim Prayer for the Victims of October 7

An English translation of a prayer written by Rabbi Tamar Elad-Applebaum and Rabbanit Sarah Segal-Katz on the 50th day of the war. This prayer was originally composed for the “Dinah Gathering” held in Jerusalem in November 2023. Since then, it has been embraced by communities on yahrzeit observances and other sacred occasions.

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New Mother’s Retreat

I am full but emptiness will still gust through me I am full but longing will drip a moment before the new mother’s retreat.

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121

Instructor

And that’s me – your teacher, Here before you and what I demand Is to step back a little from yourself,

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108

Her Own Indications

Her hand is choice where his should be uprootedSo often checking, according to seasonFor the sense that evades any reason. Her weariness is constantly between her lipsAt the hour time traps the sunsetsThat pass from one crown to anotherFrom scarlet to white hot, from turmeric to swearing by some object. Her own indications give herA […]

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105

Threads

I rose early tied by a cord to your wellbeing Which is unknown, To forty hidden days To the fear of gathering clues that go to waste.

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143

Hidden Treasure

If you’re going to pay city taxes At least find a see-saw, Stand in line beside the girls With ponytails and wait

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Indentations in the Cot

Before a baby comes into the cot, They leave her in the field To listen to the jackals and peacocks, To store up dew and sweltering

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233

Tearing

I’ve no defences for her and her hands don’t fortify me.

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143

Abyss within Abyss

I hoped a hope

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141

Longing

You advise me that we are going Wandering. I organise a demonstration in protest But go as you command.

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125

Non-Spoken-About Spiritual Conversion – From Bachelorhood to Marriage

One thinks that a vacuum is formed. They say that you’ll live with the understanding that bachelorhood is a corridor to the next stage, to marriage. Then you find yourself there for a long time.

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All This

Mornings she practises constant walking And purifying her mind, How to overcome the forces of the attack

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Wreathing

Maybe it’s time to say they should stop chilling prayers

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When you said, You didn’t tell

When you said, In sorrow you’ll bring forth childrenYou didn’t tellHow you can split with joyTo be a channel into the worldTo overflow and grow with heart’s ease. When you said, He shall rule over youYou didn’t tellThat rule was also given to babesWho tread the daysAnd the cleaving of one fleshThat is all honeycomb. […]

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176

Sabbath Eve, Just Before the Year 2000

Tonight, it’ll happen, you say The hopes will smithereen, People are already counting backward

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Dilation

Grasping the gates,Hunched overFielding cries after the pain caught within herSomething is opening.How she waited for that very flooded heel,the coming of the pains in her spineAnd now dilationFrom one end of the world to another she’s burstingAnd only thus turns about on her hingeSo she can turn back afterWhen the living flesh will be […]

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143

Impediments in the Temple

To part from the longing

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107