A Israel, en Exilio

Poema por Yehuda HaLevi

Tú que duermes con corazón en vela, ardiente y triste:
¡Sal, despierta y camina a la luz de mi rostro!
¿Levanta, cabalga venturoso!, ¿surgió para ti una estrella!
El que yacía en el pozo ascendió a la cima del Sinaí.
Que no se regocijen quienes dicen "asolada está
Sión", pues allí está mi corazón, allí mis ojos.
Ya me revele o me oculte, me irrite o me aplaque,
¿quién se apiadará más que yo de mis hijos?

Out of Darkness comes Light

In the midst of exile we find the promise of Redemption. The seed of redemption is sown in the soil of exile. The exile might be long, but it will surely bring forth the Redemption.

Even in the mourning of Av, we can see the glimmer of hope already on the horizon.

Another poem by Yehuda HaLevi

To Israel in Exile

O Sleeper whose heart is awake, burning and raging, now wake and go forth,

and walk in the light of my presence.

Rise, and ride on! A star has come forth for you, and he who has lain in the pit will

go up to the top of Sinai.

Let them not exult, those who say, 'Zion is desolate! - for My heart is in Zion and My eyes are there. I reveal Myself and I conceal Myself, now I rage, now I consent - but who has more compassion than I have for My children?

A cry from my soul...

Israel, you have captured my soul, you have enslaved me by your beauty.

I am in a kind of prison since the day we parted.

How can I rejoice when I am far from you oh Jerusalem? How can I enjoy the goodness of your feasts while I am far away? How can I delight in your rest while I am a slave dwelling far from your tents?

I cry for you when I remember the joy that was mine when I was by your side.

Now I celebrate your feasts in a far away land, and I try to comfort my soul as I whisper to myself "Next Year in Jerusalem"...

Day after day I toil for you, the sweat on my brow testifies to my love for you.

I find no rest for my weary soul in the midst of the nations.

Why is the road so long? I reach for you my beloved, do stretch forth your hand in mercy!

Do not turn your eyes away from your lover, I keep them continually before me.

I whisper my prayers to the Almighty thrice daily, pleading as the ancient generations to be granted to see your face and to live and die by your side.

To see once again your walls O Jerusalem! To enjoy the breeze of the Sea by your shore Asher! To drink fully of the sunset in your mountains O Carmiel; To smell the perfume of your flowers O Kinneret; To climb to the top of the ancient Hermon; To rest on the shores of the Yarden; To drink from the wells of Ein Gedi; and admire the sterile beauty of the Negev!

My Beloved! reach for me as I do for you! I shall not rest until I be able to bless the Name of the Lord within your walls O Jerusalem!

Remember your lost sons O Zion, make room in your tent, prepare a feast for that day will be full of laughter and joy when we will make our way to your door, when the exile will be forgotten and all your sons reunited with you.

-JD

Marriage Song

A poem by Yehudah ha-Levi

Fair is my dove, my loved one,
None can with her compare:
Yea, comely as Jerusalem,
Like unto Tirzah fair.

Shall she in tents unstable
A wanderer abide,
While in my heart awaits her
A dwelling deep and wide?

The magic of her beauty
Has stolen my heart away:
Not Egypt's wise enchanters
Held half such wondrous sway.

Even as the changing opal
In varying luster glows,
Her face at every moment
New charms and sweetness shows.

White lilies and red roses
There blossom on one stem:
Her lips of crimson berries
Tempt mine to gather them.

By dusky tresses shaded
Her brow gleams fair and pale,
Like to the sun at twilight,
Behind a cloudy veil.

Her beauty shames the day-star,
And makes the darkness light:
Day in her radiant presence
Grows seven times more bright.

This is a lonely lover!
Come, fair one, to his side,
That happy be together
The bridegroom and the bride!

The hour of love approaches
That shall make one of twain:
Soon may be thus united
All Israel's hosts again!