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I forget what day it is

I have lost count among the dead
when was yesterday? All around lay the naked murdered on their body strewn piled up deathbeds.
It was just a moment ago that the Seventh Day was the Sabbath.
I must remember and count again. I must hold on to our Traditions and habits.

Where is the Seventh Day in the crematorium?
In which barrack, in which corner, in which room?
I cup my hand to hold the mirage of my Kiddush cup.
Oh’ my soul, is in mourning. I cannot look up.

Papa. Mama. Your ashes flow before my eyes.
And all I can do is wail and chant my lamenting cries.
Before they had hauled us into the cattle cars
we blessed the Shabbath behind the Ghetto bars.

Is today Shabbos in Auschwitz or Treblinka or Sobibor or Majdanek?
I must go on. My strength I revive from looking back
at our Sabbath table with Papa, Mama, my many sisters and brothers –
when the Sabbath Queen enclosed us as a Protective Mother.

Oh. What day is it today?
I will count again though my lips are too weak to say.
Today is the Seventh Day in the camp of death
I will declare to all, LaChaim — To Life — with my dying breath!

About the Author

Rabbi Avi Schwartz is an individual who has made contributions in various fields. He is the son of Motke Eish HaGarzen, also known as Motke the Axeman, a legendary figure in the Palmach. Motke Eish HaGarzen led a group of 21 Palmach Warriors who successfully conquered Har Tzion (Mount Zion), rescuing 1,700 Jewish men, women, and children from the Jordanian onslaught in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. Rabbi Schwartz himself is a Black Hat Rabbi and activist, dedicated to upholding Jewish traditions and values. Alongside his religious pursuits, he has also found success as a filmmaker and writer, with his works featured on platforms such as Red Coral Universe Apple TV, Tubi of Fox Corporation, and Netflix. Notably, Rabbi Schwartz's movie "The Quest" has received high praise from none other than Pat Boone, a Music and Hollywood Icon. Boone, known for his illustrious career as a singer, actor, and television personality, has publicly commended Rabbi Schwartz's film, acknowledging its quality and significance. This endorsement from Pat Boone further solidifies the impact and recognition of Rabbi Schwartz's work within the entertainment industry. Beyond his artistic endeavors, Rabbi Schwartz has been at the forefront of the battle against the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. He has developed two groundbreaking apps, "Fight BDS" and "BDS Myth Busters," aimed at countering BDS propaganda and raising awareness about the realities of the movement. The notable Hollywood icon and anti-BDS activist, Roseanne Barr, sponsors the app "BDS Myth Busters." Additionally, Rabbi Schwartz holds the position of Vice President of Digital Marketing and serves as the Director of Energycite, a revolutionary technology in energy conservation. His involvement in this field highlights his commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Furthermore, Rabbi Schwartz has established the Torah Teen Palmach Center, a transformative initiative that trains teenagers to become future leaders in the spirit of the Palmach. Through this center, he imparts invaluable leadership skills and instills the values of courage, determination, and resilience in the next generation.