Regarding Moshe’s calling, Hashem has several things to say,

Within this undertaking, there are numerous points at play.

When God first called on Moshe, it was with an inclusive plan,

God picked Moshe because he was a universal man.

Three times, Moshe met a moral need,

Proved that he was fit and destined to lead.

God picked Moshe to free the Jews,

On  Har Sinai, at the sneh (burning bush), He presented the news.

Hashem selected Moshe in a specific way,

It’s meaningful to analyze what God had to say.

He doesn’t refer to Israel as an enchanted Jewish land,

He tells Moshe, “Listen, you have to understand:

I don’t well tolerate people getting pushed around,

So, I want you to be my man on the ground.

You will ensure, in a diplomatic, natural way,

That ‘enslaved’ is not a state in which the Jews stay.”

Now again in Vaera, to Moshe, God appears,

And it’s interesting to note the updated words Moshe hears:

It’s a differently flavored assignment, the mood has changed,

Hashem took the original blueprint and rearranged …

What is emphasized as key.

Look closely, it’s clear to see,

Here is a different arrangement which God has made,

With the three Avot now prominently displayed.

This time, it’s about Hashem’s relationship with the Jews,

And this calls for a second installment of giving the news,

This round’s emphasis is a more personal one,

It’s more than a general, moral task being done.

Things move from universal to more local,

It’s regarding this that God is now vocal.

May we always view life issues through a global lens,

While focusing on Torah as the way we purify, cleanse.

Yes, there must be universal and local too:

Each of us must remember, I am a Jew.

We care about the world, we really do,

And yet, we believe we were chosen, that’s true.

May we be blessed to see in a universal/local way

And to work on this balance every single day.

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].