Shema Palestine

Sh’ma Yisra’eil
I was once in a class
Adonai Eloheinu
Where I was critical of Israeli snipers
Adonai echad.
Targeting women and children
Barukh sheim
At their homes, apart from any action
k’vod malkhuto
And I was accused of Antisemitism
l’olam va’ed.
Because government is so conflated with faith.

The catapult of entry
Is brokered on othered capital.

Sh’ma Yisra’eil
I explained that I practiced Judaism,
Adonai Eloheinu
That a military that advocates murder, arresting children,
Adonai echad.
A Chief Rabbi that advocates rape
Barukh sheim
Does not represent a people
k’vod malkhuto
Yet, I was told I needed to educate myself,
l’olam va’ed.
Because, apparently, human rights abusers

Warrant having their side represented
As a matter of the course towards justice

Sh’ma Yisra’eil
When we live in a world
Adonai Eloheinu
Where rapists, murderers, and child abusers
Adonai echad.
Are presumed to be justified
Barukh sheim
Even among leftists
k’vod malkhuto
All reason has been forfeited
l’olam va’ed.
For a system that rejects

Accountability. Knowing no place in our time,
We have to direct all effort to find hope

Sh’ma Yisra’eil
In the solitude of Othered persuasion
Adonai Eloheinu
Where veterans of resistance
Adonai echad.
Can articulate hope. What is sacred
Barukh sheim
For human progress
k’vod malkhuto
Treats the adjourned
l’olam va’ed.
Like ideal endorsements

Like a vacuum in time. Towards the end
Of human experience. I have known no rest.