Rabbi Weill's Blog

Frequently, following Wednesday evening minyans, I offer “Folk-Rock-Torah.” It consists of my reading a bit of original “light verse” that alludes both to that week’s Torah portion and to a song. As I’m reciting the verse, people try to guess the song. Then, using Youtube or Spotify, I play the song. We on the minyan – via Zoom – sing and sway along. You should check it out! My Folk-Rock-Torah song for this week’s Torah portion, Mishpatim, is Johnny Cash’s Walk the Line.  My little poem refers to lyrics in the song (“very easy to be true”), to another Johnny Cash song (A Boy Named Sue), and to his nickname (the Man in Black). Here’s the verse. A link to the song is below it.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Jeffrey Weill

Folk Rock Torah: Mishpatim

The first ten commandments were the great revelation

Absorbed at Mount Sinai by the Israelite nation

But mitzvot one through ten needed clarification

And parshat Mishpatim offered elaboration

Hundreds more mitzvoth the Holy Book brought us

And Moshe Rabbeinu then ably taught us

These laws, without question, God’s holy design

To aid us in faithfully walking the line

But, yes, it is true we all sometimes stumble

We trip, we slip, we fall, and we fumble

But let’s take a cue from the cool man in black

After falling, repent, and then get back on track

Though easily said, ‘tis harder to do

But nonetheless very easy to be true

This goes for me, you, and a boy named Sue

Be true to God, and He’ll be true to you.

I Walk the Line - YouTube