In the Jewish parliament
The walls are burning.
People are learning Talmud,
arguing over commentaries.
Suddenly–quiet, please!
A gentile comes in
And says in gentile-ese:
Gentlemen,
That’s the kind of world this is.

The learners split into equal parties
Forbidding, permitting, and deriving.
What did the gentile mean when he said
“The kind of world it is”? They grab their heads.
Oh, dearest God, the kind of world this is!

The right says:
It may not suit the gentile
But let’s start shooting in a little while.
From the center aisle:
Yes, we agree, a little bit.
Right then the left shouts:
Let’s get out of here
And not do it shoot-’em-up style.

Shouts the gentile: Gentlemen, please,
That’s the kind of world this is.
And all sing: Dearest God, the kind of world this is.

(1933)