Today, this Wednesday…Of ashes and Of hearts…

We recognize the sacred beliefs of many in our community as Lent starts, as well as the St. Valentine’s story that engulfs this day, however it is actualized. You can research the Roman priest, the emperor Claudias, 3^rd century AD, the martyrdom, the honoring, February 14^th, the Christian Church…the reality, the fables, the commercialization of this day…Today is not just another Wednesday. With that said,

aaduna will do what it does best…present creative work. 

https://youtu.be/C_CSjcm-z1w

A Poem for Valentine’s Day 20-chai

by Daniel Ross Goodman

Pleasanter than sugar,

finer than wine,

with beautiful middot

and a soul most divine,

amiable and cheerful,

and sunny and humble,

when she was diverted to Harrisburg

she didn’t even grumble;

unselfish and considerate,

and sensitive and caring,

she embodies the virtue

of constantly sharing;

loving to her family

and joyful with her friends,

the boundaries of her goodness

recognize no ends;

intelligent and eloquent,

compassionate and thoughtful,

as spiritually gifted

as a prophet or apostle;

nicer than tulips,

more fragrant than perfume,

her eyes are like lilacs

that have just freshly bloomed;

and her lovely smile

is like a rose-laden bouquet;

I hope she finds true love

on this Valentine’s Day.

* * *

Daniel Ross Goodman (photo provided)

Daniel Ross Goodman, a writer, rabbi, and Ph.D. candidate at the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) of America in New York, is studying English & Comparative Literature at Columbia University. A contributor to the Books & Arts section of The Weekly Standard, he has published in numerous academic and popular journals, magazines, and newspapers, including The Wall Street Journal, Tablet, Journal of Religion & Film, Religious Studies Review, Public Discourse, South Texas Law Review, Haaretz, Harvard Divinity School Bulletin, and aaduna. His first-published work of fiction, a short story (“The End of Days,” Bewildering Stories, 2015), won two awards, the Spitzer Prize and the Mariner Award. He is the 2014 and 2015 recipient of the Whizin Prize in Jewish ethics. He also holds a law degree, and graduated as the Valedictorian of the BMP Program of Jewish Studies of Yeshiva University.

CLICK HERE to read interview with bill berry, via "Conversations" published in aaduna's spring 2017 anniversary issue:  (http://aaduna.org/spring2017/conversations/)

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