22 December 2012

If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget...

The rest of that psalm (the exact fate of the right hand) is disputed in its various English translations, but a recent case of forgetting Jerusalem should put an end to doubts:


Translation.

Above the picture:

December 3, 2012: "Russian Foreign Ministry condemns the Israeli plan of building in Jerusalem."

December 4, 2012: "The head of Russian Foreign Ministry, Sergey Lavrov, broke his hand in Istanbul."

Below:

"If If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand dry off wither."

Israeli Ministry of Health warns: fighting Jews may be hazardous for your health!

P.S. Thanks to Dick Stanley for the correct translation.

10 comments:

KatieNorcross said...

Did anyone ever tell Sergey Lavrov what would happen if he started after the Jews?

Dick Stanley said...

I thought it was "may my right hand wither." That's the JPS English translation of the traditional Hebrew text. But, in his case, broken works nicely.

Rob Miller said...

Baruch Hashem! I hope someone sends him the psalm.

SnoopyTheGoon said...

I guess no one bothered.

SnoopyTheGoon said...

Thanks for the right word, Dick. I was groping in the dark... and yes, his head - but Russian FMs are known for their hard-headedness.

SnoopyTheGoon said...

I am sure he has the Bible handy for visits to all kinds of places. Probably stolen in one of the US motels, too ;-)

David All said...

Well, talk about sending the Russians a message!. Afraid though that the Russians will not listen until Putin's hand is broken!

Dick Stanley said...

Curious, really, how the King James Version got from "wither" to "lose its cunning" which doesn't seem to relate at all.

Probably in the same way the commandment not to "murder" became not to "kill," which has unnecessarily burdened generations of Christian soldiers.

SnoopyTheGoon said...

Oh, maybe. nose. This way every morning when he shaves the mirror will remind him...

SnoopyTheGoon said...

The vagaries of translation...