- published: 20 Oct 2010
- views: 34400
Exilarch (Hebrew: ראש גלות Rosh Galut, Aramaic: ריש גלותא Reish Galuta lit. "head of the exile", Arabic: رأس الجالوت Ra'as aljaloot, Greek: aechmalotarches / Αἰχμαλωτάρχης - "leader of the captives") refers to the leaders of the Diaspora Jewish community in Babylon following the deportation of King Jeconiah and his court into Babylonian exile after the first fall of Jerusalem in 597 BCE and augmented after the further deportations following the destruction of the kingdom of Judah in 587 BCE. The people in exile were called golah (Jeremiah 28:6, 29:1) or galut (Jeremiah 29:22).
The Greek term has continued to be applied to the position, notwithstanding changes to the position over time, which was at most times purely honorific. The origin of this dignity is not known, but the princely post was hereditary in a family that traced its descent from the royal Davidic line. It was recognized by the state and carried with it certain prerogatives. The first historical documents referring to it date from the time when Babylon was part of the Parthian Empire. The office lasted to the middle of the 6th century, under different regimes (the Arsacids and Sassanids). During the end of 5th century and the beginning of 6th century Mar-Zutra II formed a politically independent state where he ruled from Mahoza for about seven years. He was eventually defeated by Kavadh I, King of Persia. The position was restored in the 7th century, under Arab rule. Exilarchs continued to be appointed through the 11th century. Under Arab rule, Muslims treated the exilarch with great pomp and circumstance.
when the sun was strong
and shadows grew so long
she stole her way
into your empty heart
and she moved like ice
she oh oh oh oh
she was cool and blue like ice
no flaws on her and no imperfections
she changed your direction
what could you do
she was fleet of foot
a little sleight of hand
your life became
an hourglass with no sand
wrapped up safe inside
a place where you could hide
she cradled you
just like in your mother's arms
and she moved like ice
she oh oh oh oh
she was cruel and blue like ice
no flaws on her and no imperfections
she changed your direction
what could you do
and she moved like ice
she oh oh oh oh
she was cruel and blue like ice
halfway between
heaven and her hands
was a place for you to land
what could you do
she was someone so undefined
(so hard to define)
she was someone so hard to find
(so hard to define)
you in those lost and uncertain hours
you were so safe in those ivory towers
and she moved like ice
she oh oh oh oh
she was cruel and blue like ice
no flaws on her and no imperfections
she changed your direction
what could you do
and she moved like ice
she oh oh oh oh
she was cruel and blue like ice
halfway between
heaven and her hands
was a place for you to land
what could you do
and she moved like ice
she oh oh oh oh
she was cruel and blue like ice
no flaws on her and no imperfections
she changed your direction
what could you do
and she moved like ice
she oh oh oh oh
she was cruel and blue like ice
halfway between
heaven and her hands
was a place for you to land
what could you do