Rabbi Roodyn

Shabbos Zachor 5781

Last year I decided, for the very first time

To recite a drasha in poetry, and also in rhyme

Today therefore, without much further ado

I humbly present volume two!

Last time, in shul I uttered my dulcet tone

This year however, I’ll do so from home

‘Twas a long time ago, of that I am sure

But the message is timeless and shall never bore

I spoke of heroes, and villains indeed

Of threats in the past and a nation redeemed

Of seeing G-d’s Hand, in a world that seems random

Where faith and belief, work together in tandem

We’ve been on a journey, our lives changed so fast

As we take a look, at the year that’s gone past

We didn’t know then, but will never forget

A disease so real, with lives under threat

Venahafoch hu – a world flipped on its head

Things that were normal, now fill us with dread

Stay at home, don’t dare venture too far

Cover your face in the shops, though not in the car

We know how to behave, on a platform called zoom

A word all so digital, a virtual room

We’ve made wacky backgrounds and learnt how to unmute

We send pics of creations and poses so cute

Our home became our office, and also a school

We can’t escape, so it’s a park and a shul.

We’ve learnt how to do, shopping online

And fill crosswords and puzzles, to pass the time

One year on, oh how things have changed

People so close, are now feeling estranged

Grandparents, grandchildren, so near yet so far

Just manage a wave, as they sit in the car

Our close-knit community, has had to adapt

To find ways to daven, with numbers capped  

Wash your hands often and make sure to do so well

With warm water and soap and that smelly hand gel

Whose turn will it be to attend shul this week?

There’s just not enough room, for it’s distance we seek

With a heavy heart we took, decisions so tough

To shut our doors one more, this time we hope it’s enough

Minyanim, Kiddushim, oh where have they gone

Our shul lies empty, bereft and forlorn

Our beloved shul, under lock and key

When will we reopen?  I can hear your plea

Purim gives us time, to stop and reflect

About Hashem running the world, to maximum effect

A nation forlorn, bereft and confused

Haman’s plan seems inevitable, with hatred infused

Esther risks her life, on behalf of her nation

Takes responsibility, no time for delegation

Who knows if its time, to step up to the plate

That’s why Hashem put you, in a position so great

Her strength and courage, inspire one and all

As Jews we must all listen, to her clarion call

We feel so helpless, with nowhere to go,

But it’s at times like these our faith we do show

Where do we go wrong, oh how did we stray?

Go gather the Jews, we hear her say

From Mefuzar u meforad, so scattered and distant

Lech knos, come together, be strong and persistent

Zachor means remember, think and recall

Events then and now, we consider then all

G-d’s presence concealed, we don’t know why

Yet we know that He’s there, we just have to try

This world’s called olam, His presence it conceals

We have to see beyond and Whom it reveals

Purim is a time to lift up the mask

To see Who’s behind, that’s really our task

There’s always a plan, when the going gets tough

It’s hard to understand and take the smooth with the rough

But one thing that we know, the secret of our nation

We’re in it to win it, with firm dedication

We never give up even though times are hard

We get up, keep going even if we’re scarred

Hold on fast, with faith firm and strong

Revach Ve Hatzala Yaamod, it won’t be long

The day will soon come, lets hope that it’s fast

When all will be clear as we uncover the mask