<meta name="Title" content=""> <meta name="Keywords" content=""> <meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <link rel="File-List" href="file://localhost/Users/Steven/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_filelist.xml"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:documentproperties> <o:template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:revision>0</o:Revision> <o:totaltime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:pages>1</o:Pages> <o:words>660</o:Words> <o:characters>3765</o:Characters> <o:company>Hampshire College</o:Company> <o:lines>31</o:Lines> <o:paragraphs>7</o:Paragraphs> <o:characterswithspaces>4623</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:version>12.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Arial; panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Garamond; panose-1:2 2 4 4 3 3 1 1 8 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:windowtext;} p.MsoFooter, li.MsoFooter, div.MsoFooter {mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-link:"Footer Char"; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; tab-stops:center 3.0in right 6.0in; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:windowtext;} p {mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:black;} span.FooterChar {mso-style-name:"Footer Char"; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-locked:yes; mso-style-link:Footer; mso-ansi-font-size:12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} @page Section2 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section2 {page:Section2;} @page Section3 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section3 {page:Section3;} --> </style> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <div class="Section1"> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">This week's <span style="font-style: italic;">parashah</span> (portion) is <i style="">Yitro</i> (<i style="">Shemot</i>/Exodus 18:1-20:23). It begins with the return of <span style="font-style: italic;">Yitro</span>/Jethro, described in the text as "Moses' father-in-law" and not as Zipporah's father). He comes to Moses with his wife Zipporah and their sons. Upon arriving, the two men embrace.<span style=""> </span>But we read of no reunion between Moses and Zipporah.
<br />
<br />Later, after Yitro advises Moses on how to better govern the people by choosing able and honest men to help him, the people arrive at Mount Sinai and prepare to receive the word of God. Then, in one of the Torah's most dramatic of moments, God speaks the Ten Commandments (literally, the 'ten utterances') from the mountain.<span style=""> </span>But before God speaks to the people, God instructs Moses on how the people must prepare themselves for revelation:</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">And God said to Moses, “Go to the people and warn them to stay pure today and tomorrow.<span style=""> </span>Let them wash their clothes.<span style=""> </span>Let them be ready for the third day; for on the third day the Eternal will come down, in the sight of all the people, on Mount Sinai "<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Moses came down from the Mountain to the people and warned the people to stay pure and he said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; Do not go near a woman.”</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">From the ‘non-reunion’ of Moses and Tzipporah through these verses and beyond, women are either forgotten or excluded from the entire narrative. <span style=""> </span>Throughout the past decades many writers, mostly women, have added the voices of the women back to the story.<span style=""> </span>As a man who considers himself to be a feminist, I would like to add my voice to those who have attempted to rediscover women’s voices in the text. I cannot presume to know how a woman might have felt being excluded from the community. It is true that as a Jew and as a gay man I know what it feels like to be excluded. However, as a man, and particularly a white man, I am still part of the oppressive pseudo-majority, regardless of my own personal beliefs. So I believe it is my duty to try my best to do discover the women's voices within me as my own kind of <span style="font-style: italic;">tikun</span>/repair to the brokenness that we have created.</span><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">
<br /><span style="color: black;">Shabbat Shalom,</span></span><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Garamond; color: black;">Steven</span><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p>
<br /></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><u><span style="font-family: Garamond;">The Words of the Women at Sinai <o:p></o:p></span></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Garamond; color: black;">Dedicated to Judith Plaskow, Merle Feld, R. Jill Hammer, R. Ruth Sohn, R. Elyse Goldstein, R. Sue Levi Elwell and so many others who have given voice to the women of the Torah.<span style=""> </span>May we all, men and women alike, continue to discover the voices of those who have been forgotten, oppressed and marginalized within our tradition - as well as other traditions - throughout history and until this day.<span style=""> </span>Only then can we truly say that God will be One and God's name One for us all.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="">
<br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Garamond; color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Garamond; color: black;"> </span> <div class="Section2"> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">I am Zipporah<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">I am my beloved's <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">My beloved is mine<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">No <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">I was my father's <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">I am now my husband's <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">No one is mine<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">I do not exist <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Alone <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Joyous reunion <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">I am not there <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">The men embrace <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Father-in-law to Son-in-law <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Ignoring the essential ingredient <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Catalyst <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Of their relationship<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Without daughterwife <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">They are nothing <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">But two strangers <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">They do not care <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Alone <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Together <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">With each other<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">I am indispensable<span style=""> </span>dispensable<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">I am only the mother of boys <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Who will grow <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">To be <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Like them <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>Perhaps <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p>
<br /></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">I am Miriam<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">I am a prophetess <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">A visionary <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">It says so in the Torah <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Yet <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">You must not come near<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>I am impure <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>I am polluting<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>I am powerful <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Do not come near <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Do not touch me <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Do not touch my fruit <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Lest your spirit die <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Leaving you <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Unable to receive <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Revelation <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Redemption <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Divinity <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p> </o:p>
<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">We are women <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Fit <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>For giving birth <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Raising sons <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>Saving brothers from death <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Able <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>To lead the women in song <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Not <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>To lead us all to freedom</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">We remain<span style=""> </span>behind <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>With the children <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>The others <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>Standing <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>in the margins <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>Watching<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>the men <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Waiting <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">To clean up
<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">We are sisters <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Standing <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>At Sinai <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Hearing <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>God's voice <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Together <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Separate
<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">We call to you <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>The men <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">We challenge you <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>To come near <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">To embrace us <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p>
<br /></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Then<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>We can<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Listen <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Hear <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">The Divine voice <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Together
<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Prepare for the third day <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Do not go near a woman <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p>
<br /></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Those words <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Not from God <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>From Moses <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">We do not<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>Hear them <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">We do not <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>Recognize them <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">They have <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>No power<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Unless we will it <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p>
<br /></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Listen <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">to us <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Listen <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">to God <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Pay Attention<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">We cry out <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">To them <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">In vain <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p>
<br /></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">They do not hear <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Us <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">They only hear <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Him <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>and him <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p>
<br /></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Again <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">We join together <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">As One <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">As sisters <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">As always <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Far from the noise <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>The thunder <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>The lightning <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Clear of all <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>The smoke <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>The men</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Yet<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">We can hear <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">The small voice<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>The True Voice <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">From behind the clouds <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>Within us <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">The voice <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">They will never hear <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Unless they listen <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>With their hearts <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>Not their ears <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>With Love <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Not fear <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style=""> </span>Embracing <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Not trembling <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p>
<br /></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">So much we can teach them <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">If they would only listen <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Let us in <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Perhaps some day <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Then <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">We will all receive <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Redemption <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">As <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">One <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Forever standing <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Together <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">At Sinai <o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Garamond;">
<br /> </span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->
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Posted By Rabbi Steven Nathan to <a href="http://mindfultorah.blogspot.com/2010/02/parshat-yitro-voices-of-women-at-sinai.html">Mindful Torah</a> at 2/05/2010 07:16:00 PM