Ki Teitzei — when you go out (Deuteronomy 21:10–25:19)
When you go out to war, be nice.
Be nice when you get to the war.
Be nice to the beautiful captives.
Be nice to the trees of your enemies.
When you go out to the war
dress warmly. It is cold at the war.
You don’t want your mother worrying
you’ll catch a cold at the war.
When you go out to the war
don’t forget to write your wives.
Even if you only love one of them.
They both want to hear from you.
When you go out to the war
food will be provided. Weaponry
will be provided. Human enemies
will be provided.
You will not be bored when
you go out to the war. It’s nonstop
war activities. All of this is in
the war brochure.
When you go out to the war
have your affairs in order.
As good as you are at doing war
the worst thing can happen.
When you go out to the war
try to make sense of it. But
not during it. That could affect
your success at the war.
Think about the sense of the war
later. Think about it at night between
the chapters of the war. Think about it
when you come home –
if you come home.
Rick Lupert, a poet, songleader and graphic designer, is the author of 30 books including “Begin the Beget” and “God Wrestler: A Poem for Every Torah Portion.” Visit him at www.JewishPoetry.net
