Blessings Abound

Roots

Jun 25, 2025, 10:55 PM

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After October 7, 2023, and again during the just ended Iran war, several friends and family members in the United States asked if I might consider leaving Israel — at least for a while — for my safety. This time, I answered with a poem.

Roots
In this land,
My heart has grown roots,
Drawing nourishment
From the ancient wells
Of water and love
Buried deep beneath
The hills and the sands
That our mothers
And fathers roamed
In search of God.

Tear me from the soil
And my soul will
Wither and fade.
I will walk lifeless
Among the living,
A shadow, not the man,
Until I can plant myself,
Once again,
On sacred soil.

No, do not ask
Me to leave my home.
For I am
What I am
Because the stones sing
Their ancient melodies
Into my eyes,
Into my bones,
Into my pulse,
Into my life.

About the Author

Alden Solovy is traveling teacher, preacher, poet in the tradition of the piytan. Studying for the rabbinate with HUC-JIR, he's the author of seven volumes of Torah and tefillah inspired poetry, prayer, and midrash. "These Words: Poetic Midrash on the Language of Torah" was a 2023 Silver Medalist in the Independent Book Publishers Awards and "Enter These Gates: Meditations for the Days of Awe" was a 2024 Finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. His work is anthologized in more than 20 volumes of prayers and meditations. Alden has taught in institutions in Israel, Europe, and North America. He is the founder of ManKind Project Israel. Read his work at www.ToBendLight.com.