'Love Of Jerusalem' by Yehuda Amichai

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There is a street where they sell only red meat
And there is a street where they sell only clothes and perfumes. And there
is a day when I see only cripples and the blind
And those covered with leprosy, and spastics and those with twisted lips.Here they build a house and there they destroy
Here they dig into the earth
And there they dig into the sky,
Here they sit and there they walk
Here they hate and there they love.But he who loves Jerusalem
By the tourist book or the prayer book
is like one who loves a women
By a manual of sex positions.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Love Of Jerusalem: A Masterpiece of Israeli Literature

If you love poetry, you can't miss Yehuda Amichai's "Love of Jerusalem." This collection of poems is a love letter to the city of Jerusalem, a hymn to its history, its people, its beauty and its contradictions.

Who is Yehuda Amichai?

Yehuda Amichai is one of the most important poets of the 20th century. Born in Germany in 1924, he emigrated to Palestine in 1936, where he grew up in Jerusalem. He fought in the Israeli War of Independence and later became a teacher and a writer. He published over twenty books of poetry, as well as prose and plays. He was awarded many prizes, including the Israel Prize, the highest honor in Israeli culture. He died in 2000, leaving behind a rich legacy of poetry that explores the human condition with deep sensitivity, humor and wisdom.

Why "Love of Jerusalem" is a masterpiece?

"Love of Jerusalem" is a masterpiece for many reasons. First, it captures the essence of Jerusalem like no other book. It is a celebration of the city's unique blend of ancient and modern, of East and West, of religious and secular. It shows how Jerusalem is a city of contradictions, where beauty and ugliness, joy and sorrow, hope and despair, coexist in a fragile balance. It is a city that has been destroyed and rebuilt many times, and yet it endures, as a symbol of the human spirit's resilience.

Second, "Love of Jerusalem" is a masterpiece because of its poetic language. Amichai's poetry is both simple and profound. He writes in a clear, direct style, without resorting to obscure or cryptic metaphors. His poems are easy to read, but they stay with you long after you have finished reading them. He uses Hebrew and English words interchangeably, reflecting his own bilingual background and the multicultural nature of Jerusalem.

Third, "Love of Jerusalem" is a masterpiece because of its universal themes. Amichai's poetry is not just about Jerusalem, but about human nature in general. He explores love, loss, memory, identity, war, peace, politics, religion, and many other topics that are relevant to people all over the world. He does not preach or moralize, but rather invites the reader to reflect on their own experiences and emotions.

What are some of the best poems in "Love of Jerusalem"?

It is hard to choose just a few poems from "Love of Jerusalem," as they are all so good. However, here are some of my favorites:

"Jerusalem, 1967"

This poem was written after the Six-Day War, when Israel captured East Jerusalem from Jordan. It reflects the euphoria of victory, but also the anxiety of what comes next.

We have returned to Jerusalem
and we are like dreamers.
We see the city from afar
and we can scarcely believe our eyes.

The Temple Mount is in our hands
and the Western Wall is before us.
We touch the stones with our fingers
and we taste the salt of tears.

But what will happen tomorrow?
What will happen to the Old City?
Will we be able to live together
with those who used to be our enemies?

Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
how beautiful you are,
but how many sorrows
you have seen and will see.

We pray for peace, we pray for love,
we pray for reconciliation.
We pray for the day when all people
will come to Jerusalem, not as conquerors,
but as friends and brothers.

This poem captures the complex emotions of a people who have achieved a long-awaited dream, but are also aware of the challenges ahead. It is a prayer for peace and reconciliation, and a reminder that Jerusalem is a city that belongs to all its inhabitants, not just one group.

"Tourists"

This poem is a humorous and ironic take on the phenomenon of tourism, which is a major industry in Jerusalem.

The tourists come to Jerusalem
and they want to visit everything.
They want to see the Western Wall
and the Dome of the Rock
and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

They want to walk in the footsteps
of Jesus and Mohammed and Abraham.
They want to experience the exotic
and the mystical and the ancient.

But they don't want to see
the garbage on the streets
or the poverty in the alleys
or the tension in the air.

They don't want to know
that Jerusalem is a city
like any other city
with its joys and its sorrows.

They want to take pictures
and buy souvenirs
and go back to their hotels
and say they have been to Jerusalem.

But they haven't really seen
the city of Jerusalem,
the real Jerusalem,
the Jerusalem of the people.

They have seen only a mirage,
a dream, a fantasy,
a postcard of Jerusalem.

This poem is a critique of the superficiality of tourism, and a call for a more authentic encounter with the city and its inhabitants. It also reflects Amichai's own ambivalent attitude towards tourism, which he saw as both a source of income and a distortion of the city's true essence.

"The Place Where We Are Right"

This poem is one of Amichai's most famous and powerful poems. It is a meditation on the nature of truth and its relationship to human conflict.

From the place where we are right
flowers will never grow
in the spring.

The place where we are right
is hard and trampled
like a yard.

But doubts and loves
dig up the world
like a mole, a plow.
And a whisper will be heard in the place
where the ruined
house once stood.

This poem challenges the idea that there is only one truth, and that it can justify violence and oppression. It suggests that truth is a complex and dynamic process, shaped by personal experience, emotion, and imagination. It also implies that the way to overcome conflict is not by imposing a single truth, but by creating a space for doubt, love, and dialogue.

Conclusion

"Love of Jerusalem" is a masterpiece of Israeli literature that deserves to be read and reread by anyone who loves poetry and cares about the human condition. It is a book that celebrates the beauty and complexity of Jerusalem, while also challenging its readers to reflect on their own beliefs and values. It is a book that speaks to the heart and the mind, and that leaves a lasting impression on the soul.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Love Of Jerusalem: A Masterpiece by Yehuda Amichai

Jerusalem, the city of gold, has always been a source of inspiration for poets, writers, and artists. Its rich history, diverse culture, and spiritual significance have captivated the hearts and minds of people from all over the world. Among the many works of literature that celebrate the beauty and complexity of Jerusalem, Yehuda Amichai's Poetry Love Of Jerusalem stands out as a masterpiece of modern Hebrew poetry. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this remarkable poem and discover why it continues to resonate with readers today.

The poem begins with a simple yet powerful statement: "We have come to Jerusalem". This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of the city and its people. Amichai's love for Jerusalem is evident in every line, as he describes the city's streets, buildings, and landmarks with vivid imagery and a deep sense of nostalgia. He writes:

"We have come to Jerusalem, Where the stones are soft and the water is hard, Where the sun is hot and the air is dry, Where the hills are high and the valleys are deep."

These lines paint a picture of a city that is both beautiful and challenging, a place where the natural environment is harsh but the people are resilient. The contrast between the soft stones and hard water, the hot sun and dry air, and the high hills and deep valleys, creates a sense of tension and complexity that mirrors the city's history and culture.

Throughout the poem, Amichai uses a variety of images and metaphors to describe Jerusalem and its people. He compares the city to a lover, writing:

"Jerusalem, my love, You are a woman with a thousand faces, A woman with a thousand names."

This comparison highlights the city's diversity and complexity, as well as its enduring allure. Just as a lover has many facets and qualities, so too does Jerusalem, with its rich history, diverse population, and spiritual significance.

Amichai also uses religious imagery to describe Jerusalem, referencing the city's importance to Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. He writes:

"Jerusalem, my holy city, You are a temple of stone and a mosque of prayer, A church of love and a synagogue of tears."

This imagery highlights the city's spiritual significance and its role as a center of worship and pilgrimage for people of different faiths. It also emphasizes the idea that Jerusalem is a place of unity and diversity, where people of different backgrounds and beliefs can come together in peace and harmony.

Another recurring theme in the poem is the idea of memory and history. Amichai writes:

"Jerusalem, my ancient city, You are a book of memories and a map of dreams, A city of prophets and a land of kings."

These lines suggest that Jerusalem is not just a physical place, but also a repository of memories and stories that have been passed down through generations. The city's rich history and cultural heritage are an integral part of its identity, and they continue to shape the lives of its inhabitants today.

Amichai also explores the theme of love in the poem, both romantic love and love for the city itself. He writes:

"Jerusalem, my love, You are a city of passion and a city of pain, A city of joy and a city of sorrow."

These lines suggest that love is a complex and multifaceted emotion, just like the city itself. Love for Jerusalem is not just a simple feeling of affection, but a deep and complex emotion that encompasses both joy and pain, passion and sorrow.

In terms of language and style, Amichai's Poetry Love Of Jerusalem is a masterful work of poetry. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter, which gives it a natural and flowing feel. The language is simple and direct, yet rich in imagery and metaphor. Amichai's use of repetition, particularly in the opening and closing lines of the poem, creates a sense of unity and continuity that mirrors the city's history and culture.

In conclusion, Yehuda Amichai's Poetry Love Of Jerusalem is a remarkable work of poetry that celebrates the beauty and complexity of one of the world's most fascinating cities. Through vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and a deep sense of nostalgia, Amichai captures the essence of Jerusalem and its people, highlighting the city's diversity, spirituality, and enduring allure. Whether you are a lover of poetry, a student of literature, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of language, this poem is a must-read.

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