Yaala Yaala - R. Israel Najara

About the PiyutThis Piyut, authored by Rabbi Israel Najara, the great 16th century poet, is a love song describing the love between the dod (lover) and the raaya (wife). The raaya is referred to here as Yaala. This Piyut has received a number of different musical settings and is widely sung among all the various Mizrachi communities. The most common melody is that of Ezra Aharon, written in the 20th century. It is commonly sung on the occasion of the birth of a daughter or at a Bat Mitzvah celebration. This Piyut is also found among the traditional bakashot of the Shabbat on which the Bo Torah portion is read in some Moroccan communities, although it is also sung on many other occasions due to its moving lyrics and captivating melody.

Hebrew TextYaala yaala boi legani / henetz rimon parcha gafni

Yavo dodi yachish tzeadav / veyochal et pri megadav

Im yedidi archu nedudav / eich yechida eshev al kani

Shuvi elai, at bat ahuva / shuvi at, vaani ashuva , ,

Hineh imi zot ot ketuvah / ki betochech eten mishkani

Rei dodi nafshi padita / ulevat meaz oti kanita , ,

Atah li ven amim zerita / veeich tomar ki ahavtani

Ayumati letov zeritich / velithila uletov saritich ,

Ki ahavat olam ahavtich / al ken oshivech al duchani

Lu yehi chidvarecha yedidi / atah maher teesof nedudi ,

Uletoch tziyon neche gedudi / vesham akriv lach et korbani

Chizki raya chikech keyen tov /ki tzitz yishi raaanan veratov

Ulesirayich echrot veechtov / vchish eshlach lach et segani

English TranslationMy doe come to my gardenThe pomegranates are in bloom and my vines have floweredCome my beloved hasten your stepsEat of the choicest fruitsIf my lovers wanderings have been extendedHow shall I sit alone in my positionReturn to me you are the loved oneReturn to me and I shall return to youBehold I have with me a written wordThat you shall be my dwelling placeMy darling my beloved you have redeemed my soulAnd have since taken me to be your wifeAnd now among other nations you have dispersed meSo how can you say that you love meMy awesome one it is for the good that I dispersed youFor your glory and your benefitFor my love for you is eternalThus I will seat you upon my daisMay that it be as you say my loveNow quickly gather me from my wanderingsAnd into Zion lead my regimentAnd there I will sacrifice my offering to youBe strengthened my wife your mouth is like choicest wineFor the bud of my salvation fresh and moistYour enemies I will fell and cut downAnd I will speedily send to you my deputy (the messiah)

Recording by Berry Sakharof, Matisyahu, and Daniel Zamir