Hymn for the First Meal
Isaac Luria
ca. 1565
Prepare the feast
of perfect faith,
the delight of the Holy King.
Prepare the feast of the King.
This is the feast
of the Field of Holy Apples;
the Lesser Presence and Ancient Eminence
assemble with Her for the feast.
*
I sing in hymns
of praise to enter
the gates to the Field
of Holy Apples:
we call for Her now
with a newly set table,
and a fine candelabrum
that casts its light.
The Bride approaches
through left and right:
She passes wearing
Her jewels and gown.
She’s embraced by Her husband
in the sphere of foundation;
He gives Her great pleasure
as His strength is pressed.
Cries and vexation
are laid to rest,
as faces grow joyous—
and spirits with souls.
Great joy comes
once and then twice,
and lights for Her shine
as blessings increase.
Draw near, my companions
and make preparations
for sundry pleasures,
for fish and meat—
to take on souls
and new understanding,
along the three branches
and thirty-two paths.
Seventy crowns
are Hers, and the King
above crowns all
in the Holy Shrine.
All worlds are formed
and within Her impressed,
but all shine forth
as the Ancient One strikes.
May it be His Will
that Her grace be about us,
who delight in His Name
with honey and cakes.
*
To the south I set
the mysterious lamp,
and the table with bread
I arrange to the north,
with wine in the cup,
and bundles of myrtle,
to strengthen the weakened
bride and groom.
We’ll make them wreaths
of well-chosen words—
seventy crowning
Wisdom’s gates.
By six loaves
the Shekhinah is graced,
linked all around
to the sacred shrine,
as the impure powers
are distanced and stilled,
and the menacing demons
bound and annulled.
*
To break the bread
like an olive or egg,
two yods are taken,
clear and obscure,
and the purest oil
is pressed from stones;
rivers are drawn
in a whisper through Her—
for secret things
have here been uttered,
although unseen
and in mystery dressed
to adorn the Bride
with supernal secrets,
within this holy
messengers’ feast.
Translated by .
Peter
Cole
Credits
Isaac Luria, “Hymn for the First Meal,” from The Poetry of Kabbalah, ed. and trans. Peter Cole, co-ed. Aminadav Dykman (New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2012), pp. 149–53. Used with permission of Yale University Press.
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 5.
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