Tag Archives: poem

"Without Saying Why" is a liturgical poem that asks the reader to contemplate the uniqueness of God in a way that makes room for the whole kaboodle of life: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

This Jewish liturgical poem is intended to be read or recited before the Shabbat-morning nishmat prayer and is in the tradition of such poems in which the poet searches for God early in the morning, perhaps even before sunrise, when only birds are out and about.

Here is a poem about the diversity and mystery of light, to help you add a little more light to the whole spectrum of your Passover festivities.

This dark poem about redemption follows the mi chamocha and is designed to encourage readers to ask their own tough questions and perhaps take a stab at some answers. The Jewish tradition demands no less!

Called a zulat (after the Hebrew word meaning "but," "besides," "aside from," except," "other than"), this poem can be read on its own or preceding the line in the kriyat shema that goes "There is no God but [besides/aside from/except/other than] You"--Ayn Elohim zulatecha.

Called a me'ora ("light"), this poem can be read on its own or just before the first benediction/blessing preceding the shema, which reads: "Praised are You, O Lord, Creator of lights" (Baruch ata Adonai, Yotzer ha-meorot). Enjoy!

This type of piyyut--Jewish liturgical poem--is an ofan (literally, "wheel") and is meant to be inserted into the kedusha blessing in the daily and shabbat morning prayer service (optionally--you normally won't see one).

Note for davvenologists and poets: This type of piyyut--Jewish liturgical poem--is a guf ha-yotzer.

A poem by Henry Rasof to expand your Shabbat and weekday prayer experience.

BJN welcomes Henry Rasof to our ranks of posters. Please enjoy his liturgical, acrostic poem.

A new poem by Lisa Bergstein-Tremback.

Chanukah, oh Chanukah! A fresh poem on an ancient holiday.

Lisa Tremback offers a poetic tribute to her friend and mentor, Ron Goodman.