Es razon de alabar 1

Jerusalem National Sound Archives placement: Y6486b/24

The Ketubah of the Torah was composed in the 18th century, written by Rabbi Judah Leon Kalai. It is customary to sing it at home, with the whole family around the table on the night of Shavuot. The text is a dialogue between God and the people and confirms the giving of the Law in a marriage contract (Ketubah) between the people and the Torah. As in every ketubah, it is stipulated what the groom will give her: love, respect, study and obedience and, for her part, the bride will bring as trousseau and dowry the 613 mitzvot which are the obligations that every Jew must fulfill.

Text:
Es razón de alabar al Dio grande y poderoso,
con temoridad de corazón y alegría y gozo,
en el día el este santo y temeroso.                     
            
Día de shabat recibieron los judios la Ley de la mano de el Dio bendicho
dijeron: - de esta a todos a su comando y a su dicho,
haremos y oiremos todo su buendicho.

Non quiso abajar sobre ningún monte alto,
salvo en Monte de Sinai que se arrebajó tanto,
por que deprenda el hombre y tome la anavá por manto.

Translation:
It is reason to praise the great and mighty God,
with fearfulness of heart and with joy and gladness,
on this holy and awe-inspiring day.

On the day of Shabbat the Jews received the Torah from the hand of the blessed God;
they said: “From this on, we shall always be at His command and at His word,
we will do and we will hear all His good saying.”

He did not wish to descend upon any high mountain,
except upon Mount Sinai, which humbled itself so greatly,
so that man might learn and take humility as his cloak.