Poem Analysis - If I Forget Thee Jerusalem

Introduction: A Prayer of Remembrance and Sacrifice

Yehuda Amichai's "If I Forget Thee, Jerusalem" is a deeply personal and passionate exploration of loyalty, memory, and sacrifice. The poem oscillates between unwavering commitment and a painful reckoning with what that commitment demands. Its tone is initially reverent, echoing a biblical oath, but shifts to one of unsettling self-denial, culminating in a haunting acceptance of silence or a "terrible" voice. The poem creates a powerful sense of internal conflict, making the reader question the true cost of unwavering devotion.

The Weight of History and Allegiance

While this analysis does not explore specific historical information, it is important to acknowledge that Amichai, as an Israeli poet, inevitably writes from a position deeply entwined with the history and significance of Jerusalem. The poem's title directly alludes to Psalm 137, a lament for the Babylonian exile and a vow of remembrance to Jerusalem. Amichai's poem both embraces and complicates this historical context, suggesting a more personal and perhaps more fraught relationship with the city.

Jerusalem: Memory, Sacrifice, and Self-Denial

The poem's central theme is undoubtedly the complex relationship between memory, sacrifice, and identity, all centered around Jerusalem. The opening lines establish a powerful, almost frightening, vow: forgetting Jerusalem warrants the forgetting of one's own right hand, a symbol of skill and ability. This highlights the immense importance of Jerusalem, suggesting that forgetting it would equate to a loss of self. This theme is then developed further in the second stanza where the speaker declares "I shall remember Jerusalem/And forget the forest". The forest may symbolize nature, beauty, personal peace, and the "forgetting" shows that the memory of Jerusalem trumps all. The poem shows the gradual disintegration of the speakers identity as his dedication rises.

Love and Loss as Reflected in Relationships

Another major theme presented in the poem is how deep devotion to something, like a city, can eclipse and even destroy personal love and relationships. The mention of "my love" in the second stanza is particularly striking. Her actions – opening her hair and closing the window – seem designed to comfort the speaker, but the poem notes she "will forget my right,/Will forget my left," echoing the initial vow. Love becomes secondary or even a tool used in the pursuit of a higher dedication. In the final stanza, the speaker escalates this idea by asserting he will "forget my mother," indicating a willingness to sever the deepest personal bonds for the sake of Jerusalem.

Silence, Voice, and the Cost of Devotion

The concluding lines introduce the chilling theme of silence and voice, or the complete destruction of one's personal identity. The speaker anticipates his "voice change/For the second and last time/To the most terrible of voices –/Or silence." This transformation suggests that unwavering devotion to Jerusalem may require the sacrifice of one's own voice, either literally or figuratively. The choice between a "terrible" voice and silence hints at the immense psychological toll this devotion takes. Is the "terrible" voice a lament? A warning? A prophecy? This ambiguity leaves the reader pondering the long-term consequences of such intense dedication.

Recurring Images: Hands, Water, and Forgetting

The poem is laden with recurring symbols and vivid images that reinforce its central themes. The repeated emphasis on the "right" and "left" hands symbolizes skill, ability, and ultimately, the self. The act of "forgetting" is also recurrent, highlighting the painful sacrifices the speaker is willing to make. Water, mentioned in the line "I shall forget all water," potentially symbolizes life, sustenance, and perhaps even cleansing. By vowing to forget water, the speaker signals a willingness to embrace a desolate or barren existence for the sake of Jerusalem. These interconnected images create a haunting portrait of unwavering, yet potentially destructive, devotion.

Conclusion: A Troubling Prayer

"If I Forget Thee, Jerusalem" is not simply a straightforward declaration of loyalty. It is a complex and troubling exploration of the personal cost of unwavering devotion. Through its potent imagery, shifting tones, and unsettling conclusion, the poem challenges us to consider the ethical and psychological implications of absolute commitment, leaving the reader to grapple with the profound sacrifices the speaker is willing to make, and question whether such sacrifices ultimately serve or diminish the very cause they are intended to uphold. The poem lingers in the mind, prompting a deeper reflection on the relationship between memory, identity, and the demands of history.