A.

Pirkei Avot says that for three things creation was planned,

on these three pillars the world continues to stand

The first is Torah, God’s blueprint, vision and purpose for all,

the book we must study deeply so we can answer our call

Second is Service: We must always think, prompt and prod,

constantly increasing our connection and closeness to God

Third: Chesed — see that others are godly, treat them with kindness

Don’t abuse or ignore people, feigning blindness

B.

God says, “Make me one dwelling place,” then, “I will dwell in them.”

which means — Through this edifice God will be close to all women and men

There’s an awareness that the Mishkan is meant to give

to remind us of the reality in which we should live

Torah, the ideas behind the holy life God requires of us,

the Menorah, candelabrum shines this light we discuss

Avodah, the Altar service, is a way we connect

and then make sure the connection is kept

Shulchan, holy table, where we feed family and friends

and offer hospitality to all the denizens

These three combine into one entity which is grand

and form the tripod on which the world stands

C.

Torah, Prayer, Kindness — without any of these the world falls,

and true reality gets ruined for us all

We must each focus on these three and lend a hand

to find our way together, and make goodness expand

May we work on these values, each intertwined,

forever building on Torah, Prayer and Being Kind

Rabbi Neil Fleischmann, an ordained rabbi from RIETS, has taught Torah for over 30 years, primarily at The Frisch School, where he coached the award-winning poetry team. As an integral part of the Yeshiva Poetry Society, Fleischmann is a passionate advocate for the arts within the Torah world. He was named New York’s funniest rabbi and has performed stand up comedy, as well as presenting as scholar in residence, across the city and country. His literary work includes the haiku collection, “In The Field,” and he has contributed close to 20 poems to the “Stories of Our Lives” anthologies, parts 1 and 2. Currently, Fleischmann is working on a book of parsha poems that combines meaningful content with whimsical formatting. You can reach him at [email protected].