Inscriptions, 16: "The lamps are burning in the synagogue"

Charles Reznikoff

“The lamps are burning in the synagogue,

in the houses of study, in dark alleys. . .”

This should be the place.

This is the way

the guide-book describes it. Excuse me, sir,

can you tell me

where Eli lives, Eli the katzev—

slaughterer of cattle and poultry?

One of my ancestors.

Reb Haskel? Reb Shimin? My grandfathers.

This is the discipline that withstood the siege

of every Jew;

these are the prayer-shawls that have proved

stronger than armour.

Let us begin then humbly. Not by asking:

Who is This you pray to? Name Him;

define Him. For the answer is:

we do not name Him.

Once out of a savage fear, perhaps;

now out of knowledge—of our ignorance.

Begin then humbly. Not by asking:

shall I live forever?

Hear again the dear dead greeting me gladly

as they used to

when we were all among the living?

For the answer is:

if you think we differ from all His other creatures,

say only if you like with the Pharisees, our teachers,

those who do not believe in an eternal life

will not have it.

In the morning I arise and match again

my plans against my cash.

I wonder now if the long morning-prayers

were an utter waste of an hour

weighing, as they do, hopes and anguish,

and sending the believer out into the street

with the sweet taste of the prayers on his lips.

How good to stop

and look out upon eternity a while;

and daily

in the morning, afternoon, and evening

be at ease in Zion.