Post Seder - 5784

“Pour out Your fury on the nations that do not know You,
upon the kingdoms that do not invoke Your name….
“Pour out Your wrath on them;
may Your blazing anger overtake them…
(Ps 79:6; 69:25 from the Haggadah)

Each year, every year
In this season, twice,
I open the door,
Invite the harbinger
Of peace and reconciliation,

And justice,  and
With itching discomfort,
Heretofore,
I recite
“Pour out Your fury…”

Would that I eschew such anger,
Would that I eschew bitter justice,
Would that we settle
The differences, and in Eliyahu’s
Presence, pursue peace, pursue
Peace.

But this year I would indeed
Seek to pour out, would,
Indeed!, cheer a moment of
Wrath, even if after be chilled by
Regret and mine own guilts.

Pour our Your fury,
Lord,
On the nations and peoples
That seek to wreck
Your people.
Though I’d rather You
Soften the hardened hearts.
Lend us
And them
Your grace, as
You have them
Let your people go.