Parshat Pikudei

My youngest grandson, Eli, was called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah, at Beth Or, on March 16, 2024. Inspired by Parshat Pikudei (Exodus 38:21-40:38), and the confident d’var Eli delivered to the congregation, I share this poem.

Finding Yourself

You wander through wilderness

harsh glare, deep shadow

a landscape parched and lonely,

but you are neither alone

nor lost

Your journey, step-by-step

in that Sinai of imagination

heat and sand, wadi and mountain,

desert is not your destination

home near as family

Your eyes open to millennia

threads of blue, purple and scarlet,

to gifts hand-crafted with love

generous as talents of silver and gold

jewels priceless as belonging

Character is like the mishkan,

detailed piece-by-piece

patient intention shapes your path

burdens become blessings,

you are the mensch you want to be

by Steve Pollack