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Jewish
12th Century

About Judah Halevi

Timeline (1075? - 1141)

| View All Poems by Judah Halevi | Next Poem >>

English version by
T. Carmi

Original Language
Hebrew

Lord, Where Shall I Find You?

Themes
  Heart
  Light
  Sky
  Sound
 

 

Recommended Books

Between Mysticism and Philosophy: Sufi Language of Religious Experience in Judah Ha-Levi's Kuzari, by Diana Lobel
Music of a Distant Drum: Classical Arabic, Persian, Turkish & Hebrew Poems, Translated by Bernard Lewis
Ninety-Two Poems and Hymns of Yehuda Halevi, Translated by Franz Rosenzweig
The Penguin Book of Hebrew Verse, Edited by T. Carmi
Philospher and Prophet: Judah Halevi, the Kuzari, and the Evolution of His Thought, by Yochanan Silman

More >>

Lord, where shall I find You? Your
place is lofty and secret. And where
shall I not find You? The whole earth is
full of Your glory!

You are found in man's innermost
heart, yet You fixed earth's boundaries.
You are a strong tower for those who
are near, and the trust of those who are
far. You are enthroned on the cherubim,
yet You dwell in the heights of heaven.
You are praised by Your hosts,
but even their praise is not worthy of
You. The sphere of heaven cannot
contain You; how much less the
chambers of the Temple!

Even when You rise above Your hosts
on a throne, high and exalted, You are
nearer to them than their own bodies
and souls. Their mouths attest that they
have no Maker except You. Who shall
not fear You? All bear the yoke of Your
kingdom. And who shall not call to You?
It is You who give them their food.

I have sought to come near You, I have
called to You with all my heart; and
when I went out towards You, I found
You coming towards me. I look upon
Your wondrous power and awe. Who
can say that he has not seen You? The
heavens and their legions proclaim
Your dread -- without a sound.

 

 

-- from The Penguin Book of Hebrew Verse, Edited by T. Carmi

Amazon.com

 

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Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2008 by Ivan M. Granger.
All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or publishers.