Critic by Ora Binur, Maariv
26.10.2005 (Hebrew)

Author: Nava Semel, from the collections: "Awake in my Sleep" and "The Courage to be Afraid" (Sifriyat Poalim Publihing House, Tel aviv 2001, 2004). Translated by Linda Zisquit and Nava Semel

When did the first man begin to fear?

The first man was not afraid from the tempting snake
Adam did not shrink from the Angel with the sword
Banishing him out of Garden of Eden
He did not even fear the voice of the Lord
Who chased him out of his perfect world
Only when Adam's first child was born
The first man felt fear
For the first time
He was really scared
Suddenly
Adam realized he had something to lose.

Blood Brothers

If only Cain would not have killed Abel
They would forever remain
The best of brothers
Two perfect friends
Now till the Bible ends.
If only Cain would have said
Forgive me
Down on his knees
He would bury his stone
Replace his fury with grace
The world would be such a different place.

Sara, Sara

I'd like to visit the bible
The book of Genesis; chapter twenty one
Just for second
And soon I'll be gone.
I must tell Sara before it's too late
Don't banish Hagar, the woman you hate.
She and her boy, the two must be saved
Though you are the mistress
And she's but a slave.
So they won't cross the desert
Angry and lost
Hold all your horses
Please, at all costs.
Let Izaak and Ishmael be
Happy brothers, great friends
From now on, till the Bible ends.
Let them play and rejoice
For the rest of their lives
Allow them to grow
With no hatred
No knives.
Sara, Sara
Let Hagar's son be like yours
Don't lock up your doors
And you will spare us
The blood and the wars.