The stars above and the mortals below

Abraham Ibn Ezra

Mid-12th Century

About This Entry

This poem provides an introduction to the blessings surrounding the Shema‘. It is a muwashshah, or “girdle poem” (shir ezor). Abraham’s poem is based on Psalm 19 and includes many astronomical references; the seven rulers, for instance, are the seven known planets of the medieval period, and they follow their divinely set course.

The stars above and the mortals below
All come from one Father whose name is a blessing forever.
“God awesome in splendor; all greatness is His due!”
An army proclaims it making haste on its rounds.
They camp in circles connected like curtains;
Appearing to veer to the left or the right,
God steadies them and they hang suspended while He remains concealed above.
God turned their circular shapes into homes fo seven rulers.
They proceed in a straight path, but if they stray
He supports them with his right arm and they are drawn by His love.
Their movements make music, their way of saying thanks;
They do it willingly and permit no one to interfere.
The breath of God holds them aloft, it renews their strength.
They rotate themselves in the pursuit of God who guides them.
Wreathed by His glory crown, they are embraced by His love.
He raises and sets them, reveals and conceals.
Their phases, high and low, witness to the living God their maker.
Dear are the cherubs, cherished like God’s sons;
Designated by His fingers, they approach His throne;
Sometimes, they spawn thunder or bring down rain.
They emanate from His light and appear in varied shapes.
They bear the chariot throne while His Name supports them.
Translated by Leon J. Weinberger.

Credits

Abraham Ibn Ezra, “One Father,” from Twilight of a Golden Age: Selected Poems of Abraham Ibn Ezra, ed. and trans. Leon J. Weinberger (Tuscaloosa, Ala.: University of Alabama Press, 1997), 140–41. Used with permission of the publisher.

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

Engage with this Source

This poem provides an introduction to the blessings surrounding the Shema‘. It is a muwashshah, or “girdle poem” (shir ezor). Abraham’s poem is based on Psalm 19 and includes many astronomical references; the seven rulers, for instance, are the seven known planets of the medieval period, and they follow their divinely set course.

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Related Guide

Early Medieval Liturgical Poetry (Piyyut)

7th to 12th Century

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