Lord, where shall I find Thee?

Judah ha-Levi

Early 12th Century

High and hidden is Thy place;

And where shall I not find Thee?

The world is full of Thy glory.

Found in the innermost being,

He set up the ends of the earth:

The refuge for the near,

The trust for those far off.

Thou dwellest amid the Cherubim,

Thou abidest in the clouds;

Thou art praised by Thine hosts

Yet art raised above their praise.

The whirling worlds cannot contain Thee;

How then the chambers of a temple?

And though Thou be uplifted over them

Upon a throne high and exalted,

Yet art Thou near to them,

Of their very spirit and their flesh.

Their own mouth testifieth for them

That Thou alone art their Creator.

Who shall not fear Thee

Since the yoke of Thy kingdom is their yoke?

Or who shall not call to Thee

Since Thou givest them their food?

I have sought Thy nearness,

With all my heart have I called Thee,

And going out to meet Thee

I found Thee coming toward me,

Even as, in the wonder of Thy might,

In the sanctuary I have beheld Thee.

Who shall say he hath not seen Thee?—

Lo, the heavens and their hosts

Declare the fear of Thee

Though their voice be not heard.

Doth then, in very truth,

God dwell with man?

What can he think—every one that thinketh,

Whose foundation is in the dust—

Since Thou art holy, dwelling

Amid their praises and their glory?

Angels adore Thy wonder,

Standing in the everlasting height;

Over their heads is Thy throne,

And Thou upholdest them all!

Translated by Nina Salaman.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 3: Encountering Christianity and Islam.

Lord, where shall I find Thee?

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