At that moment the Holy One kissed him, and took away his soul with a kiss. God wept, and cried, as it were: ‘Who will rise up for Me against the evil-doers? who will stand up for Me against the workers of iniquity?’[45] The Holy Spirit said: ‘And there hath not arisen a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses.’[46] The heavens wept, and said: ‘And the upright among men is no more.’[47] When Joshua sought his master and found him not, he wept, and said: ‘Help, O Lord, for the godly man hath ceased; for faithfulness hath failed from the children of men.’[48] The ministering angels said: ‘He executed the righteousness of the Lord.’[49] Israel said: ‘And His ordinances with Israel.’[50] All of them together said: ‘He entereth into peace, they rest in their beds, each one that walketh in his uprightness.’[51] The memory of the righteous is blessed, and his soul shall be in the life of the world to come. VI. ELEAZAR BE-RABBI KALIR [Opinions differ as to the time and birthplace of this liturgic poet. The latest researches, however, tend to prove that he flourished in Palestine toward the end of the seventh century. He was a very prolific poet, about two hundred of his poems being still extant in the various Mahzorim. His muse is doleful, bewailing the misfortunes of the Jewish people. His style, though chiefly biblical in construction, teems with newly-coined words.] 1. A Complaint[52] ‘Why is the glory of kingdoms cast down and still without dominion?’ ‘Bel she set up as king, and walked after him, against the law of God. Over her was then set the mistress of kingdoms,[53] until God’s rule shines forth.’ She burned my dwelling-place, and crushed my saints, and yet her kingdom was prolonged. She spreads on all sides, she bends her bow against me, and extends her yoke. She terrified and crushed the tender people; and yet she still holds sway. She laid bare and waste my temple’s foundation; her guile is very deep. She lifted up her head, and took crafty counsel; her hands are exalted. Her cunning burns in her, she soars to the sky, and is girt with sovereignty. She rent my curtains, and destroyed my tent; she harrowed and ploughed my land. She props herself with dominion, is girt with sovereignty, and me she harasses. She plans rebellion, and hastes to serve strange gods;—God’s kingdom she profanes. She tortures the King’s sons, and says before the King: ‘Who in heaven is king over me?’ She vaunts against the King’s throne: ‘There is no king save me, none else besides me reigns.’ O highest King, reject Thou her from sovereignty;—restore Thy dominion to Thyself. 2. The Patriarchs and Matriarchs Intercede on Behalf of Their Exiled Children[54]