Yeshaya Douglas Ballon
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Shofar

Shofar

A gift to my father
decoratively displayed
it hung from a silver chain
another piece of Judaica on the living room wall.

Waiting
— 
    to fulfill its destiny
    instrument of sound
    holy vibrations
    stirring alarms
    evoking ancient times
    battles
    births
    hallelujahs
    grandfathers weeping at scattered stones

Waiting
— 
    for the one day 
    when I would put it to my lips
    and sing its ancient song.

Tekiah!
Shevorim!
Teruah!
Tekiah gedolah!


Playing tunes
sacred and profane
for decades
until slowly, and suddenly
the blessing I had bestowed
the gift I had given
returned.
Re-turned.
Turning the sounds around.
The vibrations
coming into my heart
reaching my soul
as if never heard before.

  • May you hear the shofar wherever you are, whoever sounds it—feeling not just nostalgia for tekiahs past, but new stirrings that reach the deepest part of your heart and soul.
  • May forgotten gifts in your life find true meaning and beauty as you discover them and share them with the world; and may you feel their vibrations return to you with ever-growing love, harmony, and peace.​
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Yeshaya Douglas Ballon 
Spiritual Mentoring 

  • SPIRITUAL MENTOR
    • Spiritual Direction
    • Jewish Spiritual Direction
    • J. Article
    • INDIVIDUAL
    • GROUP
    • Sage-ing Mentorship
  • AUTHOR/POET
    • Unthinkable Dreams
    • A Precious Heritage
    • Cutting Room Floor
    • The Blog
    • ETHICAL WILLS
    • Poetry
  • ARTIST
  • BAKER
    • Recipe
    • References >
      • A brief history of challah
    • "Challettes"
    • Babka!
    • Bagels >
      • Claire's Bagel Recipe
    • Pizza
  • Contact