770

Right before the Musaf prayers on Yom Kippur the cantor recites a heart moving prayer, it begins with the words "I am the pauper of deed". The theme of the prayer is that he feels totally inadicute for the awesome responsibility to lead the congregation in prayer.

I think of these words today, as I read a poem written by R. yehuda Halevi, were he describes his yearning for zion.
His words stir the soul.

I feel the need to translate a stanza into English. I am totally unfit for this great task to capture in a few words the intensity of emotion that can melt a heart of stone.

________

I can’t help but think of 770 when I hear these words.


אֶבְחַר לְנַפְשִׁי לְהִשְׁתַּפֵּךְ בְּמָקוֹם אֲשֶר
רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים שְׁפוּכָה עַל בְּחִירָיִךְ

מִי יִתְּנֵנִי מְשׁוֹטֵט בַּמְּקוֹמוֹת אֲשֶׁר
נִגְלוּ אֱלֹהִים לְחוֹזַיִךְ וְצִירָיִךְ


I will chose for my soul to pour out in the place where
the spirit of G-d pored onto your chosen ones.

Who will place me, to (I wish I could), wander in the places that
G-d was revealed to your Seers and your delegates.