Who’s afraid of Jerusalem?
Who loathes and despises her?
Who execrates her, heart and tongue?
Who says, What am I doing in this city of black hats
And maniacs
This city of blood and enmity
Where Hillel the Elder pursues peace
Amid the broken cups and carnage?
Who hates Jerusalem
For the love wherewith he loved her once in secret
Courtyard shadows of the vine
Twilight, jasmine blue?
How cruel is the hatred of Jerusalem
A very flame
Many waters cannot quench it.
After the terrorist attack at Café Hillel in September 2003
From “And So Said Jerusalem, Poems and Hymns” (Devarim/Carmel, Jerusalem 2009).
Translation from the Hebrew by Betsy Rosenberg (sponsored by the “Museum On The seam,” Jerusalem).
The Forward welcomes reader comments in order to promote thoughtful discussion on issues of importance to the Jewish community. In the interest of maintaining a civil forum, the Forward requires that all commenters be appropriately respectful toward our writers, other commenters and the subjects of the articles. Vigorous debate and reasoned critique are welcome; name-calling and personal invective are not. While we generally do not seek to edit or actively moderate comments, the Forward reserves the right to remove comments for any reason.
When Hank Greenberg Met Jackie Robinson
Columbia Seeks To End 'Whites Only' Fellowship
Reform Rabbi Urges Hebrew Union College To Reconsider Decision on Intermarriage
Ultra-Orthodox Men Ditch All-Black Attire as Fashion Trumps Tradition
Israel's Shas, Right-Wing Kingmaker Party, Takes Sharp Turn to Left
Copyright © 2013, Forward Association, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
You've successfully signed up!
Spoken-word artist and author, Kevin Coval, performs his piece "Hero Israel" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm5FM_VVB3A