Lament on the Fire of Salonika

Benjamin ha-Levi Ashkenazi

ca. 1545

And yet she was the jewel of perfection to all far and near

Who had not seen such splendor, all who came from north and south

From all lands and gathered there, the distinguished

Who were drawn to her—sages, princes of old, eminences

Offering ears and faces rapt in talmudic study

Yeshivot with circles of leonine scholars . . .

From whom emanated Torah and every kind of wisdom . . .

Where could you find their like as orators and preachers

Expert in mathematics and geometry, astronomy, and logic—

In theology, too, they were erudite and qualified

To sit in judgment and give rulings on religion and law . . .

The perfect ones who delivered their souls while studying

Like physicians, and those sagacious in knowledge and years

Expert as Galen and Avicenna, and artisans . . .

Teachers providing counsel like stars in their orbits . . .

Those who conducted public affairs, administrators and judges . . .

All the people dwelt truly tranquil and secure in her midst

Finding in her a center of commerce and smorgasbord of delights.

Translated by

Leonard S.

Levin

Credits

Benjamin ha-Levi Ashkenazi, “Lament on the Fire of Salonika (Hebrew)” (Manuscript, Salonika, ca. 1545). Republished in: Joseph Taitatsak, Piske ha-Ga’on Maharit : Teshuvot she’elot(Jerusalem: Bet ha-hotsa’ah shel ’Yad ha-Rav Nisim, 1986 or 1987), 11.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 5.