Mira, ver de madrugar y d’alevantarte, primo hecho ke harás: la kara lavarte y dempués andarte a la santa kehilá a demandar piadá, te irás al hecho, te verás provecho. Sedaká kuando darás kon kara riente, lo poko ke le darás lo toma kontente y tu buen presente ke al probe darás, faltura tú no verás, t´eskapa d´un mal fuerte, mismo de la muerte. Mancebo te hicites, por tomar esposa , no te engañes de paras ni de facha hermosa: sea venturosa y dulce en el hablar, sea de kasta alta, si es de familia te salva la vida.
Look, you'll see the dawn And you will rise first thing you'll do: wash your face and then go to the holy synagogue to ask for mercy, you'll have a profession you'll see the benefit. You will give charity with a smiling face, even the little you give will be received with content and your good gift that you give to the poor, you won't miss it will save you from illness, even from death. You become a young man, to take a wife, don't be deceived by her looks or her beautiful appearance: let her be fortunate and sweet in speech, let her be of high lineage, if she's from a good family she'll save your life.
From Ventanas Altas de Saloniki, 2013. This is a song of good advice to the Bar Mitsvah boy as he grows into manhood: to be hard working and an early riser; he should take care of his hygiene (la kara lavarte), then pray (andarte a la santa kehila) and be a successful at his job (te iras al echo, te veras provecho), etc. The poem is structured like a Purim copla, with asymmetrical 9 lines in each verse.
This website was created by Orit Perlman with the collaboration and blessings of Dr. Susana Weich-Shahak in 2025