Ya viene la tasa con el contante, ya sale la novia a los chadrakes, a recibir un buen kusake, con piedras preciosas y diamantes. El quince del mes la luna creciente, amor alegrente, amor con su gente, nunca l'alcanzó a besar la frente. Amor este amor de buene gana Tomates novia, estrella Diana A recibir novia de sangre liviana El quince del mes... Ni se lo que va ni lo que viene, ni se lo que va ni lo que viene, tomo a mi hija y se contiene, le di a mi hija y se contiene. El quince del mes...
Here comes the copper cup with the coins,
here comes the bride to the balcony,
to receive a good sash,
with precious stones and diamonds. On the fifteenth of the month
the waxing moon,
love brings joy,
love with its people,
he has never reached
to kiss her forehead. Love, this love of good will,
take it, bride, bright as the star Diana,
to receive the bride of good nature,
On the fifteenth of the month… Neither do I know what goes nor what comes,
I take my daughter, and he restrains himself (proudly);
I gave my daughter, and he restrains himself (with pride) On the fifteenth of the month…
Jerusalem National Sound Archives placement: Y 6486b/42 Referenced and notated in: El ciclo de la vida, pg. 243, Editorial Alpuerto, 2013 Susana Weich-Shahak. The carved copper bowl was used to pour water for the bride’s bath, along with the dowry money. The bride emerges onto the balconies to receive the kushake, a silver belt adorned with precious stones and diamonds, worn over her dress or a velvet skirt threaded with gold. The groom takes pride after having secured the bride. The modest bride is likened to the star Diana, a common metaphor in Sephardic love poetry.
This website was created by Orit Perlman with the collaboration and blessings of Dr. Susana Weich-Shahak in 2025