Why Torah Limericks?

Over the course of the past two years, I have taken up the hobby (more of an obsession really) of writing a Limerick for every Torah weekly portion in the Jewish calendar. I'm not exactly sure WHY I have done this. But, I've enjoyed it- and from the feedback I've received on my facebook page, others have enjoyed them as well. After a few weak attempts to get them published in a book form, I've decided that I'd try out the format of a blog to share my efforts.
One of the things I've enjoyed most about the facebook posts is when others have posted their responses to my limericks with their own. Feel free to do so on this blog as well.


The rules of this blog are but few
To post, here is what you must do:
Find a rhyme exegetical
Doctrinal or heretical
Be you Christian, Muslim or Jew.


I look forward to the conversation.
LET THE LIMERICKS BEGIN!!!!!

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Ki Tetze

This week's parasha - Ki Tetze  - has the unique distinction of containing more commandments than any other parasha in the torah.  The groups of laws found here include family laws, laws concerning executed criminals, domestic laws, laws about marital and sexual misconduct, forbidden relationships, as well as a lot of other social, cultic, poverty, and family legislation. 

One of the most interesting laws concerns that of the "rebellious child" who refuses to listen to his parents.  The text teaches that, if your child (son, actually) refuses to listen to you, and is out of control, he must be presented to the elders of the city, pronounced uncontrollable, and stoned to death.....

As you can imagine, the Rabbis had a difficult time with this mitzvah - as do we all - and they stated unequivocably in the Talmud that this never happened... 

"There never was, nor will there ever be, a child who meets all of the legal qualifications of the 'wayward and rebellious son.' Why then was this law written? That you may study it and receive reward [for the Torah learning, despite its lack of practical application]." (Sanhedrin 71a)

Of course, like everything else in the Talmud, there was one Rabbi who stated:  not only did this happen - but I saw the boy's grave.......

Anyway - here's the Limerick:

If you have a rebellious child
Who won’t listen, gets drunk and is wild
We’re taught to disown him
So the elders can stone him
(But not once was a case like this filed)
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2 comments:

  1. Mike LevinSeptember 4, 2011 at 8:02 AM

    As with other text calling for capital punishment, the Rabbis found ways to make the enforcement nearly impossible.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AvieSeptember 7, 2011 at 11:33 AM

    A beautiful captive could be yours in a fight
    But after a month she’s a horrible sight
    She sits and cries for home all day
    If you wish you can send her away
    But selling her just wouldn’t be right

    ReplyDelete

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