Friday, January 06, 2006
From a Jewish Mystic
Once again, Ivan Granger has posted an irresistible "love poem to god" on his poetry-chaikhana site. Further, his own "thought for the day" plus his commentary bring additional insight and richness to the poem. Thanks, Ivan, for this and all the other wonderful gifts you offer in service to the Divine.
Where I wander -- You!
By Levi Yitzchak of Berditchov
(1740 - 1810)
(English version by Perle Besserman)
Where I wander -- You!
Where I ponder -- You!
Only You everywhere, You, always You.
You, You, You.
When I am gladdened -- You!
And when I am saddened -- You!
Only You, everywhere You!
You, You, You.
Sky is You!
Earth is You!
You above! You below!
In every trend, at every end,
Only You, everywhere You!
(-- from The Way of the Jewish Mystics, Edited by Perle Besserman)
============
Thought for the Day:
All your loss, hurt and hope --
gather them up
into a great pure ache
until the Beloved has no choice but to kiss
your naked heart.
============
A beautiful poem today filled with the ecstatic recognition that God is in everything, IS everything...
Levi Yitzchak of Berditchov is a greatly beloved figure in Eastern European Jewish history. He introduced Hassidism to Poland as part of a spritual reform movement that confronted the more rigid, intellectual, and unengaged forms of Judaism that dominated rabbinical practice in the region. Rabbi Levi was a student of the Hassidic master Dov Baer, the Maggid of Mezhirech, who was the chief disciple of the Baal Shem Tov. Rabbi Levi's teachings emphasized joy, intensely devout prayer, and the importance of recognizing good in all people.
A chant that can open the heart and eyes:
Only You everywhere, You, always You.
You, You, You.
Ivan
Where I wander -- You!
By Levi Yitzchak of Berditchov
(1740 - 1810)
(English version by Perle Besserman)
Where I wander -- You!
Where I ponder -- You!
Only You everywhere, You, always You.
You, You, You.
When I am gladdened -- You!
And when I am saddened -- You!
Only You, everywhere You!
You, You, You.
Sky is You!
Earth is You!
You above! You below!
In every trend, at every end,
Only You, everywhere You!
(-- from The Way of the Jewish Mystics, Edited by Perle Besserman)
============
Thought for the Day:
All your loss, hurt and hope --
gather them up
into a great pure ache
until the Beloved has no choice but to kiss
your naked heart.
============
A beautiful poem today filled with the ecstatic recognition that God is in everything, IS everything...
Levi Yitzchak of Berditchov is a greatly beloved figure in Eastern European Jewish history. He introduced Hassidism to Poland as part of a spritual reform movement that confronted the more rigid, intellectual, and unengaged forms of Judaism that dominated rabbinical practice in the region. Rabbi Levi was a student of the Hassidic master Dov Baer, the Maggid of Mezhirech, who was the chief disciple of the Baal Shem Tov. Rabbi Levi's teachings emphasized joy, intensely devout prayer, and the importance of recognizing good in all people.
A chant that can open the heart and eyes:
Only You everywhere, You, always You.
You, You, You.
Ivan
