fbpx

Agreement at the Well – A poem for Parsha Vayera

I’d like to make peace at the well...
[additional-authors]
November 2, 2023
Photo © Mikhail Gnatkovskiy Dreamstime.com

And now, swear to me here by God, that you will not lie to me or to my son or to my grandson… ~ Genesis 21:23

I’d like to make peace at the well
and have that agreement perpetuated
to everyone who comes next

so long as blood and DNA flows.
I’d like the peace we make to be
a forever constitution

never amended, never questioned
just the foundational agreement that
this handshake cannot be un-shook.

I’d like to have peace for breakfast
and let that be the traditional food
our culture is known for.

When I say our culture I mean
everyone who breathes on this
spinning rock.

When I say this spinning rock
why do we always forget
it’s the same one for all of us

despite our disagreements
despite the lines we’ve drawn
despite the different sizes

of our bank accounts.
Let’s meet at the well
everyone of us in this

forever chain.


Rick Lupert, a poet, songleader and graphic designer, is the author of 27 books including “God Wrestler: A Poem for Every Torah Portion.

Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Latest Articles

The Essence of Prayer

While prayer and meditation seem similar, they are different. Prayer involves praying to a higher being. Meditation is more about focusing on yourself and your inner dialogue. Together, they can help you become more centered.

How We Got Here

Part history, part memoir, part farewell letter to her native land, “Stained Glass” tells its agonizing story with restrained anger, but more so, deep sadness.

Casting Our Votes

No endorsements. Just three possibilities to consider as we prepare to navigate an increasingly complicated political landscape before we cast our votes for these three critical offices.

Where Independence Begins: What Israel Understands About Freedom

Israel’s path to independence unfolded under conditions where the outcome remained uncertain until it was achieved. No external mechanism could deliver it cleanly or without cost. It took shape through sustained effort in an environment defined by risk.

Lies in the Air, Facts on the Ground

We sing no matter what. When the hostages were held in Gaza, we sang in their honor. When another week of bad news hits us, we sing. Our singing is our fact on the ground.

The Holy See Who Won’t See

People who should know better seem to know absolutely nothing when the stakes are at their highest. The Pope, who is the final arbiter on Catholic teachings, appears to be only vaguely familiar with both Christian and papal history.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.