פחד גבהים [Pachad Gevohim] [English translation]

And I have a fear of heights

Perhaps because I do not possess enough fear of Heaven

Behold this is the only matter in my hands

And not in the hands of Heaven1

Seemingly, my power and might2

Are what caused it to slip from my hands

Opposite my eyes

Does an ax boast over him who hews with it?3

All the more so: a person

upon the kindler of flames of fire?4

And where am I? Where am I?

Amongst all these logical phrases

And my inclinations overpower me by many enumerations

(I) "Still require a little help

a little lot-of-mercy"5

How again my eyes wander

Misleadingly towards a neighbor

In the moment that the Divine Presence

Moves downward upon me with benevolence and mercy

It's like the parable of a camel that went to acquire horns6

To its surprise it saw a ram caught in the thicket7

And where am I? Where am I?

Amongst all these significant signs

Does an ax boast over him who hews with it?

All the more so: a person

upon the kindler of flames of fire?

And where am I? Where am I?

Amongst all these logical phrases

1. Based off the rabbinic saying that "Everything is in the hands of Heaven, except for fear of Heaven." See Talmud Berakhot 33b (https://www.sefaria.org/Berakhot.33b.23) 2. See Deuteronomy 8:17 (https://www.sefaria.org/Deuteronomy.8.17)3. See Isaiah 10:15 (https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.10.15)4. See Psalms 29:7 (https://www.sefaria.org/Psalms.29.7)5. Ribo is referencing another one of his songs: הניסיון הזה (Hanisayon Hazeh)6. See Talmud Sanhedrin 106a (https://www.sefaria.org/Sanhedrin.106a.16)7. See Genesis 22:13 (https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.22.13)

• Artist:Ishay Ribo