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The Purpose of This World

Poetry of Yehoshua November

By Yehoshua November

Class Handouts:

The Purpose of This World - Yehoshua November

Topics: Atheism & Agnosticism

Advice for people who are angry with G-d.

The Purpose of This World

When some Jews cannot explain the sorrow of their lives
they take a vow of atheism.
Then everywhere they go,
they curse the God they don’t believe exists.

But why, why don’t they grab Him by the lapels,
pull His formless body down into this lowly world,
and make Him explain.

After all, this is the purpose of creation–
to make this coarse realm a dwelling place for His presence.

From the book G-d's Optimism by Yehoshua November

By Yehoshua November More articles... |

Yehoshua November’s poetry collection, G-d’s Optimism, is a finalist for the L.A. Times Book Prize in Poetry and the winner of the 2010 MSR Poetry Book Award. His work has been selected as the winner of the Bernice Slote Award and has also been nominated twice for the Pushcart Prize. His poems have appeared in a number of literary journals, including Prairie Schooner, The Sun, Margie, Provincetown Arts, and New Works Review. November teaches writing at Rutgers University and Touro College.

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Reader Comments
Latest Comments:

Posted: May 17, 2012

Thanks !

Very enjoyable and meaningful. This is the first poem i have heard from you. I hope that Chabad.org will offer us more of your words. i see that you have other poems, but i like to hear or read what is currently on Chabad.org.

" Grabbing G-d by the lapels " is a fabulous metaphor for those of us who wrestle with our belief. When my belief is strong, i do grab G-d into my presence. I like the idea of lapels. You have given me something to hang on to, double entendre intended.

Yasher koach Yehoshua.

Posted By Anonymous

Posted: July 12, 2011

Your poetry

I write a little poetry as well. I enjoy having my poetry read and hearing the comments about my poems. That is why I am complimenting you on your poetry. Because I know how important it is to you or you would not be sharing your thoughts with us.

Posted By Anonymous, Calvert City, KY

Posted: June 27, 2011

I Like This

I like this poem, the first of your poems I have read/heard (and I intend reading the rest of them). Though sorrow comes in varying degrees of intensity, even an intensity that is debilitating and crippling and to the point of death, it is interesting how you point out the irony yet ask the question 'but why, why don't they...'. You have left such people with a challenge and offer a more hopeful alternative that they should at least try. It seems people don't wrestle with G-d as did King David, evident in so many of the Psalms. Though one is not to judge another, this 'grabbing G-d by the lapels' (very graphic) is what could be offered to the sorrowing. I think it would be a very hard thing though for the deeply sorrowing to do, for they are often without strength, but at least the last sentence offers hope.....and if only people would equate G-d's presence with light, peace and blessing. Thank you Yehoshua November. Shalom.

Posted By Anonymous, Aust