A Rabbinic Dirge () for the Destruction of the Temple
Then for our sins was the Temple destroyed,
for our transgressions was the sanctuary burned down.
In the land1 conjoined to it, dirges were strung together,
and the hosts of heaven raised a lamentation.
The tribes of Jacob, too, wept bitterly,
and even the constellations dripped tears.
The banners of Yeshurun covered their heads,
the Pleiades and Orion darkened their faces.
The patriarchs pleaded, but God would not hear,
the children cried out, but the Father did not respond.
And the voice of the turtledove [Moses] was heard on high,
but the Faithful Shepherd did not incline an ear.
The holy seed have put on sackcloth;
the host of heaven have made sackcloth their covering.
The sun has dimmed and the moon has grown dark;
the stars and constellations have withdrawn their brightness.
The Ram [Aries], the first [of the constellations], wept bitterly,
For his lambs had been led to the slaughter.
The Bull [Taurus] caused wailing to be heard in the heights,
For we were all pursued [with yokes] on our necks.
The constellation Twins [Gemini] appeared divided,
For the blood of brothers had been shed like water.
The Crab [Cancer] sought to fall to earth,
For we had fainted from thirst.
The heavenly heights were shaken by the sound of the Lion [Leo],
For our roaring had not ascended to heaven.
Virgins and youths alike were killed;
For this the Virgin [Virgo] darkened her face.
The Scales [Libra] upturned and begged for mercy,
For death had been meted out to us rather than life.
The Scorpion [Scorpio] was arrayed in fear and trembling,
For with sword and famine had our Rock judged us.
Tears flowed down like streams of water,
For the sign in the Bow [Sagittarius]2 was not given to us.
Waters rose over our heads,
And though the Pitcher [Aquarius] was full, our throats were dry.
We brought sacrificial offerings, but they were not accepted.
The Kid [Capricorn] [grieved] that our sin-offering of the goat had ceased.
Compassionate mothers boiled their own children [for food],
And the constellation Fish [Pisces] averted its eyes.
We neglected the Sabbath with wayward hearts;
The Almighty neglected all our righteous deeds.
Bestir Yourself for Zion with mighty zeal,
And shine Your brilliant light upon [the city that was once] great with people!
Notes
[Var.: “city”; the reference is to the heavenly Jerusalem, where the angels were composing dirges on the destruction of Jerusalem (Lamentations Rabbah, Proem 24).—Trans.]
[The rainbow, sign of God’s covenant that the world would not again be destroyed.—Trans.]
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 2: Emerging Judaism.
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