[Opinions differ as to the time and birthplace of this liturgic poet. The latest researches, however, tend to prove that he flourished in Palestine toward the end of the seventh century. He was a very prolific poet, about two hundred of his poems being still extant in the various Mahzorim. His muse is doleful, bewailing the misfortunes of the Jewish people. His style, though chiefly biblical in construction, teems with newly-coined words.]
1. A Complaint[52]
‘Why is the glory of kingdoms cast down and still without dominion?’ ‘Bel she set up as king, and walked after him, against the law of God. Over her was then set the mistress of kingdoms,[53] until God’s rule shines forth.’
She burned my dwelling-place, and crushed my saints, and yet her kingdom was prolonged. She spreads on all sides, she bends her bow against me, and extends her yoke. She terrified and crushed the tender people; and yet she still holds sway. She laid bare and waste my temple’s foundation; her guile is very deep. She lifted up her head, and took crafty counsel; her hands are exalted. Her cunning burns in her, she soars to the sky, and is girt with sovereignty. She rent my curtains, and destroyed my tent; she harrowed and ploughed my land. She props herself with dominion, is girt with sovereignty, and me she harasses. She plans rebellion, and hastes to serve strange gods;—God’s kingdom she profanes. She tortures the King’s sons, and says before the King: ‘Who in heaven is king over me?’
She vaunts against the King’s throne: ‘There is no king save me, none else besides me reigns.’
O highest King, reject Thou her from sovereignty;—restore Thy dominion to Thyself.
2. The Patriarchs and Matriarchs Intercede on Behalf of Their Exiled Children[54]
Jeremiah went about by the fathers’ graves, and said: ‘Beloved ones, how can ye lie at rest, while your children are banished, pierced through with the sword? Where is then your merit in a land laid waste?’ The patriarchs all cried with bitter lamentations, because they were bereft of their children; with an imploring voice they moaned to the Dweller of the skies: ‘Where is Thy pledge: “But I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their ancestors”?’[55]
‘They changed My glory for vanity; they had no dread of Me, they feared Me not; when I hid My face from them, they longed not, and waited not for Me. How shall I then refrain Me when they say: “He is not our God”?’[56]
The father of the multitude[57] cried in their behalf, and implored the Most High God: ‘In vain was I tried ten times for their sake, since I now behold their destruction. Where is Thy promise: “Fear not, Abram”?’[58]
‘Ah, they have erred and gone astray from Me, and consecrated themselves to strange gods; they counselled to hew out cisterns for them—but broken cisterns are theirs. How shall I refrain Me, when they break the ten commandments?’
And thus cried Isaac wofully unto the Dweller of the skies: ‘In vain was I appointed to be slain, since my seed is crushed and ruined. Where is Thy pledge: “But I will establish My covenant with Isaac”?’[59]
‘They rebelled against the prophet Jeremiah, and defiled mount Moriah; I am weary of hearing the complaint which rises to Me from the earth. And how shall I refrain Me since Zechariah is slain?’
And then spoke he who was born for study,[60] like jackals shedding tears: ‘My little ones whom I reared with care, why did they fly away so soon? Why was I punished a thousandfold for my blood-guilt?’
Then spoke the faithful shepherd,[61] covered with ashes, wallowing in dust: ‘The flocks that were entrusted to my care, why were they cut off before their time? Where is Thy pledge: “They shall not be widowed”?’[62]
The wailing voice of Leah, tabering upon her breasts, was then heard; her sister Rachel, too, bemoaned her sons; Zilpah struck her face; Bilhah lamented, lifting up her hands.
‘Return, O perfect ones, unto your rest; I will fulfil all your desires. For your sakes was I sent to Babylon;—I will return your children’s captivity.’
