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The philosopher and the scientist

Sit, brows furrowed
Over the pages of worried Hebrew
While the poet watches.
“Nikarin divrei emet”
“True words are recognizable”
Talmud Bavli, Sotah 9b
Wisdom, resting beside stories
Of women suspected of adultery and
Forced to drink bitter waters
A magic potion
To discern truth.

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2 Comments

Julie:

This reminds me of another great Talmudic poem from Rabbi Mendel Greenjeans.

There once was a rabbi from Krakow
Who read his Talmud at the plow
He fell fast asleep
And ran over a sheep
But you should see what he did with the sow.

Posted by

brimm

June 1, 2012, 2:23 pm

Oy vey.
What rhymes with oy vey?

Posted by

Julie Pelc Adler

Post authorJune 1, 2012, 2:57 pm

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