Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel - Intimate Hymn
Ivan M. Granger September 29th, 2008
Intimate Hymn
by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
English version by Rabbi Zalman M. Schachter-Shalomi
From word to word I roam, from dawn to dusk.
Dream in, dream out — I pass myself and towns,
A human satellite.
I wait, am hopeful, as one who waits at the rock
For the spring to well forth and ever well on.
I feel as bright as if I tented somewhere in the Milky Way.
To urge the world to feel I walk through lonesome solitudes.
All around me lightning explodes sparks from my glance
To reveal all light, unveil faces everywhere.
Godward, onward to the final weighing
overcoming heavy weight with thirst.
Constantly, the longings of all born call out, “Is anyone around?”
I know each one is HE, but in my heart there writhes a tear;
When of men and rocks and trees I hear;
All plead “Feel us”
All beg “See us”
God! Lend me your eyes!
I came to be, to sow the seed of sight in the world,
To unmask the God who disguised Himself as world–
And yes, I wait to be the first to announce “The Dawn.”
- from “Human, God’s Ineffable Name,” by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, freely rendered by Rabbi Zalman M. Schachter-Shalomi. Available from the Reb Zalman Legacy Project
/ Photo by Ahron de Leeuw /
God! Lend me your eyes!
Today marks the beginning of Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) and the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days leading into Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement).
I thought this was a perfect time to feature a poem by the great 20th century Jewish spiritual leader and social activist, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel.
To unmask the God who disguised Himself as world–
Have a beautiful day!
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Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel |
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As we work our way back to him, God wants so much for us to simultaneously enjoy this creation. We are the ones limiting our vision by embracing shadows as real. This poem is a great reminder of what we can have at any time. All Great Saints remind us, we can consistently live In this glorious awareness simply by stepping into the present moment –The now of this existence. Thank you for this alive reminder
Ivan,
Every morning I look forward to discovering a new poem and your beautiful words. Thank your for the gifts you open us to.
Warmest regards,
Letitia
Very dear Ivan I have been offline for some days and did not know your father had died. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I hope and trust that your connection with him was such that you feel no pain of regret about the condition of your relationship. Both my parents are dead and I am blessed to feel almost a deeper connection with them now they are no longer incarnate - not in a mediumistic way - it just feels that their essence is within and all around me. Also, because I know that especially my mother was not a happy soul I feel she has now attained a freedom and lightness she always longed for. I send blessings to you, your deceased father, and your family. Love from Helen