Nitzavim-Vayeilech — standing-and [Moses] went (Deuteronomy 29:9–31-30)
Know before whom you stand.
They are goldmines.
They are every possibility.
They have history and secrets,
baggage and joys.
Know before whom you stand
where they have come from
what brought them to this spot
in front of you, in front of
the words you will tell them.
Choose those words carefully.
Know before whom you stand
especially with your opinions
and your important information
and your historical context
and your instructions from Above.
What is coming out of your mouth
into their ears – do you have any idea
what it will be like in those ears?
Those ears connected directly
to those hearts. Those goldmines
those possibilities.
Know before whom you stand.
Make it your business to know
so they know you know.
You are on their side. You
are standing there for them.
You won’t be there forever
so someone better listen.
You can’t do this
without each other.
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
