I sinned, so Time has weighed me down with chains

Sa‘adia Longo

End of the 16th Century

I sinned, so Time has weighed me down with chains;
   therefore I can’t attend you in your joy.
But though my chariots—my feet—are slow,
   Do not refuse the wish of your anointed (Psalms 132:10).

Translated by
Raymond P.
Scheindlin
.

Credits

Saadia Longo, “I sinned, so time has weighed me down with chains (Hebrew)” (Poem, Salonika, end of the 16th century). Published in: Dov Jarden, “A Collection of Poems by R. Seadya Longo (Hebrew),” Sefunot: Studies and Sources on the History of the Jewish Communities in the East vol. 12 (1971): 81–122:114.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 5.

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Creator Bio

Sa‘adia Longo

b. ca. 1520

Sa‘adia Longo was probably born in Istanbul. He served as a cantor in the Castilian congregation of Salonika. As he testifies in his own writings, Longo engaged in writing poetry from a young age. A collection of his eulogies and poems, Seder zemanim (Order of Times), was published in 1594. Hundreds of his poems and letters remain in manuscript.

Related Guide

Early Modern Jewish Languages

1500–1750

As Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jews migrated eastward, Yiddish and Ladino emerged as distinct languages. Both languages developed literary traditions, as print became more widespread.

Related Guide

Early Modern Literature and the Arts

1500–1750

Jewish literary creativity flourished in the early modern period, dominated by Hebrew poetry that blended religious themes with Renaissance forms.

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