Sonnet: Nedarim 25b
One man lent cash. His friend did not return
The cash but claimed he had. So both men came
To Rava who ruled in a voice most stern:
"Don't tell me. Go to court and say the same."
The borrower arrived at court and leaned
Upon a cane, which secretly alone
He'd stuffed with all the borrowed cash. The fiend!
He handed it to he who'd made the loan
And took the Torah scroll in hand and swore:
"I gave it back." The lender's cheeks did burn
Incensed, he broke the cane. And to the floor
Fell all the coins he'd lent. And thus we learn:
A borrower or lender you may be
But swear so others hear you truthfully.
The cash but claimed he had. So both men came
To Rava who ruled in a voice most stern:
"Don't tell me. Go to court and say the same."
The borrower arrived at court and leaned
Upon a cane, which secretly alone
He'd stuffed with all the borrowed cash. The fiend!
He handed it to he who'd made the loan
And took the Torah scroll in hand and swore:
"I gave it back." The lender's cheeks did burn
Incensed, he broke the cane. And to the floor
Fell all the coins he'd lent. And thus we learn:
A borrower or lender you may be
But swear so others hear you truthfully.
1 Comments:
I love the idea of rendering Talmud in sonnets. Wonderful.
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