The charm of the original ode lies in how Tosafos Yom Tov skillfully evoked subtle poetic allusions to well-loved Biblical verses and Midrashic phrases, whose pictorial and spiritual associations cannot be conjured up by their equivalents in any other language. In the tradition of the early medieval paytanim, or liturgical poets, our author’s contrived verbal riddles challenge the reader to navigate his way by following the above-described clues to his classical sources. Interestingly, the initial Hebrew letters of all the stanzas together spell the author’s name. In addition, every line ends with the letter yud – not to signify the first person, but to create a mesmerizing rhyme scheme.

My hands trust Him Who responds when I call upon Him,

When I beg and request and plead that He forgive in abundance,

For I am abashed by my transgressions: I have sinned, and am guilty of numerous iniquities.¹ 43:10, which associates the feelings of shame for one’s sins with knowledge of the Future Beis HaMikdash.

footnotes: ¹ See Yechezkel

Even before I called and opened my lips, He answered me;² 65:24.

footnotes: ² Cf. Yeshayahu

The God of my father stood by me for my heart’s requests;

He graced me with understanding, granted me knowledge, and made me wise.

A man who loved the Temple Mount stood here and measured its bounds.

He shone like copper, and his hand held a flaxen cord and a measuring rod.³ 40:3.

footnotes: ³ See Yechezkel

God called the prophet Yechezkel: “Behold, O venerable one! I have brought you here

To measure the bounds of My home and abode, to banish impurity

So that I may dwell here forever – here, where they began to fulfill My commands.”⁴ 43:9. As Tosafos Yom Tov explains in the introduction, the repentance of the Jewish people and their observance of God’s commands will cause the Divine presence to rest in the Future Beis HaMikdash forever.

footnotes: ⁴ See Yechezkel

The prophet first came to the Gate of Eison⁵ 40:15 and sec. 2 above. and to the twelve stairs,⁶ 40:6 and sec. 2 above.

footnotes: ⁵ See Yechezkel ⁶ See Yechez­kel

And God showed him the entrance hall and the cells and the pillars and the narrow windows.⁷ 40:6-11, 14-16, and sections 4-7 above.

footnotes: ⁷ See Yechezkel

Gates were positioned throughout the northern and southern facades.

He measured them, and they were like the one at the first entrance,⁸ 40:23-24 and sections 9-10 above.

footnotes: ⁸ See Yechezkel

With thirty chambers rising fifty cubits from the floor.⁹ 40:17 and sec. 12 above.

footnotes: ⁹ See Yechezkel

Smoke rose from the courtyard’s four corners, where God’s sacrifices were prepared,¹⁰ 46:22 and sec. 13 above.

footnotes: ¹⁰ See Yechezkel

Opposite the inner gates that were located as the prophet had been shown.

Before the Divine presence he saw a platform for the conductor of His musical praises,¹¹ 42:12 and sec. 26 above.

footnotes: ¹¹ See Yechezkel

And a high altar,¹² 40:47 and sec. 37 above. and carving space for the sacrifices that were offered;¹³ 40:39 and sec. 31 above.

footnotes: ¹² See Yechezkel ¹³ See Yechezkel

He saw chambers aloft, and compartments for those who serve in this House.¹⁴ 42:13 and sec. 71 above.

footnotes: ¹⁴ See Yechezkel

Facing them, he saw the walkways of the Entrance Hall, with its corridors¹⁵ 41:15 and sec. 50 above. and two mighty columns:¹⁶ 40:48-49 and sections 47-48 above.

footnotes: ¹⁵ See Yechezkel ¹⁶ See Yechezkel

The entire structure of the Sanctuary, with its wicket entrances¹⁷ 44:1-2 and sec. 52 above. for the men in charge, engraved like sapphire.

footnotes: ¹⁷ See Yechezkel

Here the High Priest stepped whispering into the Holy of Holies,¹⁸ 41:4 and sec. 59 above. the chamber of my birth.

footnotes: ¹⁸ See Yechezkel

Its gold-paneled walls were ornamented with cherubs;

its doors were engraved with young lions and palm trees.¹⁹ 41:18-20.

footnotes: ¹⁹ See Yechezkel

On the three sides of the Sanctuary were side-chambers,²⁰ 41:5-7 and sec. 65 above. affixed in it like the curtains of a tent.

footnotes: ²⁰ See Yechezkel

And facing them twenty cubits away were chambers;²¹ 41:10 and sec. 70 above. and to the east of the courtyard,

footnotes: ²¹ See Yechezkel

Extending to the west, the kohanim prepared the sin-offerings.

These sights will always remain my evidence of the Holy Temple

Until it is rebuilt and the Divine presence will forever abide in our midst,

Hastening the arrival of Mashiach, and of the messenger Eliyahu, who will proclaim our Redemption,

with the Resurrection of which the prophet speaks, when the dead bodies will arise.