About the Composition of the Qina

This qina was authored by HaRav Y'hoshua Bukh, a member of Beth HaWa'adh (Machon Shilo's Beth Din).

It is written after the style of the paytan (liturgical poet) Rabbi El'azar HaKalir who was active in the Land of Israel during the 7^th century.
The first six words are taken directly from the qina “Ekha Yashva Havasselet HaSharon” ("Woe How the Rose of Sharon Sits Alone") by R. El'azar HaQalir, a beautiful poem of 24 stanzas bewailing the loss of the 24 mishmaroth of Kohanim in the Beth HaMiqdash. Here the words convey a double meaning: praise for Am Yisrael and a blatant hint about the man who orchestrated this tragedy.

Certain words and phrases are borrowed from R. El'azar HaQalir's qina and the first chapter of Meghilath Ekha. All words employed, except for one, are found in T'nakh. 

The last line of each stanza ends with the name of a destroyed yishuv (may they be speedily rebuilt).

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