Rejoice, O young man

Judah ha-Levi

Early 12th Century

Rejoice, O young man, in your youth,

and gather the fruit of your joy,

you and the wife of your youth who comes to your house.

Precious blessings of the only Godshall come upon your head together,

and your house shall be at peace from dread,

and all who rise against you shall be cut off,

and when you lie down you shall not be afraid;

you shall lay yourself down and your sleep shall be sweet.

In your honor, my bridegroom, ride on and prosper,

raise up and put forth your beauty;and the heart of your enemies God shall pierce,

and the sins of your youth He will forgive,

and will bless you in all the doings

of your hand and in all your increase.

And remember your Rock and your Creator

when the good comes which He shall bring you;

for children, in the course of the days, shall come to you,

and as your days, so shall your strength be.

Blessed be you in your coming in

and blessed be you in your going out.

Your word will be with men of perfection,

so you be discreet wherever you turn;and your house will be firmly built,

and “Peace,” you shall call, and God shall reply,

and peace shall be your habitation, and with the stones

of the field your covenant.

Your honor shall ascend, and tarry not,

and you shall He call, yea, shall choose,

and your light in the night and the gloom

then shall break through like the dawn;

and for you, from the womb of the morning

the dew of your youth!

Adapted from the translation of Nina Salaman.

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

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