לכשאשתנה [Liksheshtaneh] [English translation]

When I shall change1

I will be a better person

I will also understand to yield and honor

When it shall…

When it shall be built2

I will bring Olot and Zevachim3

And an assembly of angels will accompany me en route

When it shall …

When it shall …

How that, (it's) easy to say "tomorrow"

Yet what will be about today?

What will be about now?

And how that …

(when) The situation toughens a little

(we) Don't remember tomorrow

(we) Want more (of) today

(we) Want just now

When I shall be free

I will have all the time

I will also be able to apportion some to humans

When it shall …

And when Adar begins4

I will increase rejoicing

(it's) Uncertain whether I will believe in myself5

Until then and ever

When it shall … how that …

(it's) Easy to say "tomorrow"

Yet what will be about today?

What will be about now?

And how that …

(when) The situation toughens a little

(we) Don't remember tomorrow

(we) Want more (of) today

(we) Want just now

When I shall change I will be a better person

1. A combination of 3 prefixes together that is hard to translate. In a plain sense it means

"when." However, I believe that Ribo means to use many prefixes to better convey the feeling of procrastination. The only time this form appears in classical Jewish literature is Ethics of the Fathers 2.4 (www.sefaria.org/Pirkei_Avot.2.4) (Also see further www.sefaria.org/Klein_Dictionary%2C_%D7%9C%D6%B4%D7%9B%D6%B0%D7%A9%D6%B6...)2. i.e. The temple3. Types of sacrifices brought in the temple4. A Jewish month. Ribo is referencing the Talmud Ta'anit 29a (www.sefaria.org/Taanit.29a.18)5. lit. "to myself"

• Artist:Ishay Ribo