Oh Yisra'el…

Oh Yisra'el…

Oh Yisra'el my heart grows dim;
the news is looking terribly grim.
What are we doing on this whim?
Why are we out on such a limb?
Why do we fight
with such brute might?
It’s vicious and it’s just not right!

We stand for freedom - ask for peace,
we want the hatred to decrease.
We boast of wanting war to cease
and yet the killings still increase!
We justify
how we apply
the way we fight with blinded eye.

The terrorists are making gains.
We need to stop and use our brains.
Control our fear - pull back the reins;
they’ve got us by their balls and chains!
We look so cruel -
a martyr’s fool
as we stand up and lose our cool…

We wonder why we’re shamed and cursed.
We ponder why they think the worst.
We feel compelled and feel coerced
for it was they who lobbed one first!
But damage done
with bomb and gun
comes back to haunt us, every-one.

The terrorists hide in the crowd
They use their people for a shroud…
They’re wedged in conflict and have vowed
To die amongst the meek and proud.
These evil ways
set minds ablaze
igniting those caught in the craze.

We should fight back – but not like this!
We’re sinking in a deep abyss!
Our wanton killing now consists
of innocents not on the lists.
We know the ache
that pogroms make
they harm the guiltless in their wake.

My comrades and my fellow Jews
we have so very much to lose;
but most of all our hearts and views -
To do what’s right is ours to choose!
Let’s reach within
beyond the din
to God - where peace must first begin…

Let’s all remember where we’re from
lest we forget how far we’ve come.
Our outrage has now struck us dumb!
For Godly neighbors don’t succumb
to vengeance waged
by those enraged -
Far better ways can be engaged.

And so on this I ask your aid.
Please work t’ward peace – let anger fade
into a world where debts are paid.
How long for peace, have all sides prayed?
We must dispense
a new defense -
We've got to use some commonsense!