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Let my right hand forget what it's supposed to do?

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Originally posted by: Crono
It might just be talking about war, as in holding a sword.
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I was thinking possibly something about crossing his heart but then I realized that Catholics not Jewish people
 
Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged
Originally posted by: Quintox
What does this phrase mean? Not a 'joke' thread, I really don't understand the phrase -- I'm guessing some biblical thing?

From Jerusalem - Matisyahu
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Matthew 6:3. I'm sure the context around it would help with the understanding.
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I thought that at first too, but it doesn't fit with the context of the song. That passage is talking about giving in secret, so only God sees, not so people would praise you.

EDIT: Ok, I get the exact reference now. It's Psalm 137, vs 5 in particular:

"If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
May my right hand forget her skill."

The psalm is one remembrance and mourning over the city of Jerusalem, which was devastated by Babylon (and again and again by other civilizations). That verse means that the psalmist would rather die (an unskilled fighter would undoubtedly fall in battle) than forget. The idea of never forgetting is a recurring theme among the Jewish people, and no wonder considering everything that has happened to them over thousands of years of history.
 
"Jerusalem If I forget you"

The presence of "if" in this line indicates that when the requirements of the statement are met some other thing must follow. When the artist forgets Jerusalem...

"Let my right hand forget what it's supposed to do".

The occurrence described in this line is unlikely to happen. That's the point of it, really.


Seems as though he's just saying that he's as likely to forget Jerusalem as he is to forget how to use his right hand. A more common way to say it would be "I'll forget Jerusalem when pigs fly".

 
Originally posted by: Crono
Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged
Originally posted by: Quintox
What does this phrase mean? Not a 'joke' thread, I really don't understand the phrase -- I'm guessing some biblical thing?

From Jerusalem - Matisyahu
Click to expand...

Matthew 6:3. I'm sure the context around it would help with the understanding.
Click to expand...

I thought that at first too, but it doesn't fit with the context of the song. That passage is talking about giving in secret, so only God sees, not so people would praise you.

EDIT: Ok, I get the exact reference now. It's Psalm 137, vs 5 in particular:

"If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
May my right hand forget her skill."

The psalm is one remembrance and mourning over the city of Jerusalem, which was devastated by Babylon (and again and again by other civilizations). That verse means that the psalmist would rather die (an unskilled fighter would undoubtedly fall in battle) than forget. The idea of never forgetting is a recurring theme among the Jewish people, and no wonder considering everything that has happened to them over thousands of years of history.
Click to expand...

Gotcha. It was just a quick search. That one makes much more sense though 🙂
 
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