Lyrics

2. They Saw a Jew Approaching
© All rights reserved by Issachar Tal van Kekem

As they walked on, they saw a man approaching.
An infidel perhaps, with harm in thought?!
“Chas ve chalilah, brother, we are rabbis: we have never fought!”
Or a Jew then, a brother in the faith?
A living one then, not a ghost - not a wraith!

Then, Baruch haShem, they saw a Jew indeed approaching,
Carrying a child on his back
The Jew smiled at them, and called out:
“Strangers, may you never lack!”

Chorus:
“I come from an exalted settlement
Without a warlord, without battlement
But with a teacher, a holy preacher, eminent,
Vigorous and inspired
And deeply admired
By every resident!

We are all ardent students, and we are all God-fearing
And now that the Festival is nearing
We desire to wave the Four Species in all directions
To stir our recollections
To intensify our reflections
To deepen our introspections”

“What do you call your town, oh brother, our friend?
And how far is it from here?”
“We live at Ramin – that name means ‘Exalted’, linked closely to Divinity,
And the distance, my brother, is… infinity…
So, away
You are advised to stay, for our teacher, he inflames,
Scorches with the fire of his wisdom, every word a fiery coal:
Strangers to Ramin all forget their names,
Can no longer bear the sorrow in their soul”

Chorus:

When the moon nears the sun
The Holy One arouses the North,
Who draws Her close, tenderly.
North is Gevurah supporting Shechinah
While South arouses
And the moon unites with East
South is Chesed, East is Tif’eret
Woman approaches Husband
Shechinah prepares for the unison with Tif’eret