[Be-Ahavah U-Be-Emunah – Devarim 5770 – translated by R. Blumberg]
Forgive me, Rav Berger,
Forgive me, Rav Meltzer,
I’m really trying,
I’m really striving
to get my son into your institution.
I don’t know exactly what’s involved,
But I’m not succeeding.
Could it be my name?
My accent?
My skin color?
But I WANT to be a Sephardi!
I want to very much!
Forgive me Rav Krieger,
Forgive me, Rav Veltzer,
I’m really trying
to have my daughter marry one of you.
I don’t know exactly what’s involved,
But I’m not succeeding.
And I don’t know why.
Maybe it’s my name?
My accent?
My skin color?
But I very much want
To remain a Sephardi.
You teach, “Love your fellow Jew.”
You teach of a “Jewish soul”.
So maybe you can explain
Why there’s an ethnic rift?
Why am I called
“The Second Class Israeli”?
I want to be a first-class Israeli.
So I’m sometimes
A bit confused.
I don’t know how you do it.
Forgive me, Rav Weiner,
Forgive me, Rav Peltzer
But you say that all Israel
Have a share in Heaven.
So I wanted to know.
Please give me a clue,
A recommendation
On how to get there?
But I’m not succeeding!
Maybe it’s my name?
My accent or skin color?
But I very much want
To remain a Sephardi.
What’s better to be?
Ashkenazic or Sephardic?
Or perhaps Yemenite?
What should my name be?
My accent?
My skin color?
For I’m very happy
To be a Sephardi.