My love, have you forgotten?

Judah ha-Levi composed this popular poem—formatted here by the translator as a prose paragraph—as a reshut (introduction) to the Nishmat prayer (“May the soul [breath] of every living being”). Subtly changing the wording of Psalms 77:10, the poem begins with the community asking if God’s ancient love for Israel has been lost. Judah notes Israel’s unwavering commitment to God, while the nation sufers under a variety of persecutors. Throughout the text, Judah contrasts “then” with “now.” This poem is sung in many Sephardic communities today on the seventh day of Passover, among other occasions.