A dark message couched in nourishing words

The article explores the rare occurrence and appeal of poetry in the Torah, particularly in the portion Ha’azinu. It notes that while poetry's message can be obscure, its sound and structure create an abstract beauty. The author contrasts the appreciation for poetry among Sephardic Jews, who continue to compose piyyutim, with the near-zero interest among devout Ashkenazi Jews. Moses's final poetic verses in Ha’azinu are presented as a dark message of rebellion and punishment, couched in nourishing words, with the hope that the "music of his words" would sustain the Israelites over time, despite the dire predictions.