Clearly There Were Jews and There Were Jews

December 9, 2018

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is Hanukkah, which began at sundown on December 2^nd and will end at sundown on December 9^th.

I welcome comments on my poems at https://nicholasgordon.blogspot.com .

A Chanukah poem about how the attempt by the Syrian King Antiochus IV to persecute the Jews ironically led to the miracle that helped sustain Judaism:

Clearly there were Jews and there were Jews --

Hellenized, not Hellenized, not caring.

Assimilation let one pick and choose,

Not wedded to the faith that one was wearing.

Until a king sought Judaism's end,

Kindling a flame that burned inside,

A miracle that would the faith defend --

Here for us, a faith that else had died.

© by Nicholas Gordon

If you enjoyed this poem, please like, comment on, or share it so that it might be seen and enjoyed by others. To see this poem on my site, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/clearl.html. For more Hanukkah poems, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/chanukahpoems.html .

This week’s theme: Hanukkah

12/3: Happiness Comes Wholly from the Heart

12/4: Before You Light the Candles, Say the Blessing

12/5: Time to Light the Hanukkah Lights

12/6: Bees Swarm Along the Fragile Edge of Darkness

12/7: Chanukah Itself’s the Miracle

12/8: Before Chaos, There Was Perfect Light

12/9: Clearly There Were Jews and There Were Jews