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Holiday Poem: last turn

without a leg to stand on
I’ve got to keep spinning
just to remain upright
keeping you in suspense
which side of mine will He show you
nun, gimmel, hei, shin
as the nine flames illuminating me
slowly dim

until then
you can only guess
your fortune


The eighth and final day of Hanukkah is known as Zot, or Zos, Chanukah, which is a paraphrase from a verse (Numbers 7:84) in the Torah portion that is read that day. According to Jewish tradition, Zos Chanukah is the final “seal” of the High Holy Day season and is considered an auspicious time for repentance and the fulfillment of prayers.

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