Ya se va el haham para tefila, a traer a la bulisa pita con halva. Alvantes bulisa vo la comeres. El mazal y la ventura alta me la tenes. Ya se va el haham para Kuskunĝuc a traer a la bulisa camisa de bunĉuk. Alvantes , bulisa, vo la meteres. El mazal y la ventura alta me la tenes Ya se va el rabino para el Beshisten, a mercar a la bulisa manilla enteĵen. Alvantes, bulisa, vo la strenarés. El mazal y la ventura alta me la tenes!
The haham is leaving for tefila, to bring the wife pita with halva. Come on, wife you'll eat it. Good luck and fortune you have given me. The wise man is leaving for Kuskunĝuc to bring the wife a lace shirt. Come on, wife you'll wear it. Good luck and fortune you have given me. The rabbi is leaving for Beshisten, to buy for the wife a bracelet. Come on, wife, you will wear it. Good luck and fortune you have given me!
From Morenika Izmirlia - Judeo-Spanish songs from Smyrna, 2020 The song Las compras del rabino (Ya se va el haham) presents the Rabbi's purchases on his trips to different places to bring gifts for his wife: pita with halva (almond candy), a lace shirt and a metal bracelet, all of which she, so fortunate, will enjoy. As normative in Ladino speech, we find the repetition of a concept in two words, one in Hebrew (mazal) and one in Ladino (ventura), to stress the good wishes for “good luck”.
This website was created by Orit Perlman with the collaboration and blessings of Dr. Susana Weich-Shahak in 2025