52: Not to plant a tree in the Temple courtyard

The Book of Knowledge
Laws of Idolatry and Paganism
Not to plant a tree in the Temple courtyard (Deut. 16:21)

            the parking lot of a synagogue

            an enormous redwood has ruptured out of the pavement

            and stretches far higher than we can see the top of

            a RABBI and a CONGREGANT look up at it

RABBI
…
…
…
…
…

CONGREGANT
i’m sorry rabbi

RABBI
this is not what i meant when i said to form roots here

CONGREGANT
i realize that now

            silence

RABBI
are redwoods native to this climate?

CONGREGANT
…
…

RABBI
what do i tell the board?

CONGREGANT
that the Torah is the tree of life

RABBI
…
and?

CONGREGANT
and
so
there
is
uhh
…
…
…
symbolism?

RABBI
symbolism for?

CONGREGANT
for
…
Torah?

            silence

RABBI
and why did you pick my parking spot?

            beat

            the CONGREGANT looks panicked

            jumps onto the tree and climbs it

            with the ease and speed of a squirrel

            CONGREGANT keeps climbing until they are no longer visible

RABBI
huh

            END OF PLAY