Bob Schwartz

Sane Space

Ben Zoma wise renegade
Among the Talmudists
Contemplated the space between
Creation’s waters gathered above and below
And went crazy.
Contemplate the space between
The demands of Israel and Gaza
You will go crazy too except
Long before Ben Zoma
On the second day
God called that space sky.

Ben Zoma sat at the Temple Mount, lost in thought. His rebbe Yehoshua ben Chananya came by, but Ben Zoma did not notice or rise in respect. R. Yehoshua roused him from his reverie and asked what he was doing. Gazing at the space between the upper and lower waters, he replied. R. Yehoshua explained to his disciples: Ben Zoma is still outside.

© 2023 by Bob Schwartz