The Temple period was a different time,

which I’m now thinking about in rhyme.

Back then animal sacrifices seemed sublime,

but now some people think it should change on a dime.

On this topic, there is so much to say,

with everyone framing things their own way.

Many people want to see this concept face a defeat,

while being dishonest about the meat that they eat.

At least in the setting of the Temple’s space,

there’s a spiritual context that we can’t erase.

The eating of meat, something we would do,

was shared between God, and me and you.

The animal sacrifices people berate,

were a way to take meat and elevate

it to the context within which it was brought—

not just to satisfy our desires the animal was caught.

There are several general approaches of old,

that are not embraced in our traditional fold.

Like fasting regularly or rolling in the snow—

practices from which, today, we don’t know.

So what of sacrifices in the Temple, may it come soon,

maybe we’ll be sacrificing to a somewhat different tune.

Or, perhaps, we’ll find the way to reconcile,

animal sacrifices with our time and style.

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 nfleischmann1@gmail.com.