Sweetening Judgments in the Heavenly Courts / Making Converts To gain spiritual redemption, a person gives a pidyon nefesh (literally, “soul-redemption”), a monetary gift to a Tzaddik, with the request that he pray on that person’s behalf. The Tzaddik then sweetens the judgment to which that person is subject. There are twenty-four Heavenly courts, each one with its own type of judgment that must be sweetened in a particular manner. Sometimes, bringing a pidyon nefesh to a Tzaddik does not help. This may be because the Tzaddik does not know the “redemption” germane to each of the twenty-four Heavenly courts. And even when he does know it, he may not know how to implement it. However, there is a universal “redemption” that corresponds to and sweetens the judgments of all twenty-four Heavenly courts. The Tzaddik must perform this “redemption” at a time of favor, such as at the time of Minchah on Shabbat afternoon. However, only one Tzaddik in a generation knows that redemption. And at times even this universal “redemption” does not achieve its designated purpose, because Heaven applies it to another goal: making converts. That was the work of Moses, both in his lifetime and after his death. In his lifetime, he worked to convert the “mixed multitude,” and after his death, he was buried opposite the idolatrous site of Beit Pe’or in order to sweeten the idolatry there and convert its adherents. Appropriately, he passed away at the time of Minchah on Shabbat afternoon. Redemption in the Heavenly Courts “HaShem redeems the spirit of His servants; all those who take refuge in Him will not be condemned as guilty.” “He has redeemed my soul in peace against those who fight me, from the many people arrayed against me.” “God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave; He will take me.”
Master of the world, King, Redeemer, Savior, Rescuer, Sustainer, You Who answer us compassionately at every time of trouble and oppression, we have no one on whom to rely but You.
Redeem our souls from all of the holy decrees and judgments of the twenty-four Heavenly courts — whether before or after such decrees have been finalized.
Redeem our spirit from all of these judgments. Sweeten and nullify all judgments, sufferings and decrees that are passed there regarding Your nation, the House of Israel — whether pertaining to their body, soul or money, regarding all of them or some of them.
Even a person who does know how to bring about some redemption and nullify the judgment of a particular court does not know how to nullify all of the judgments of all twenty-four courts. As a result, he may at times fail to bring about a redemption.
Redemption and Minchah on Shabbat Afternoon Have compassion on us in the merit of the great Tzaddikim who correspond to the level of Moses, and who have the power to bring about a redemption that will nullify all of the judgments in all twenty-four courts.
Rescue me from every type of sickness, pain, discomfort and poverty in the merit of Moses, who passed away on the Shabbat at the time of Minchah, and in the merit of all of the Tzaddikim who are on his level, who know how to bring about a redemption that will sweeten the judgments within all twenty-four courts.
Destroying Heresy Arouse Your compassion to crush and uproot all heresy from the world — particularly, from all of Your people, the House of Israel, wherever they may be.
Bring a constant flow of Divine favor into the world. Transform destruction into Divine favor in the merit of Moses, who dedicated himself all the days of his life to transform people by raising them from corruption and heresy and connecting them to Your supernal will.
Even now, after he has passed away, he continues to stand and pray on behalf of all those who are in exile and far from faith, in order to transform them and bring them close to You, to nullify all heresy and atheism, and to raise the world from destruction to Divine favor — in particular, to inspire non-Jews to convert, and sinful Jews to repent.
In a Time of Heresy HaShem, You Who devise thoughts so that no one will be exiled from You, You Who turn Your heart to every generation, have compassion on us in the merit of Moses and of all of the Tzaddikim who correspond to his level, who work to sweeten the judgments of all twenty-four Heavenly courts in order to nullify all decrees in all worlds, to eradicate heresy, to inspire people to become converts, and to draw faith into the world.
Have pity on us at this time of trouble, when heresy and atheism are so widespread that there is no way to turn aside from them. Almost every day, a number of people are trapped in the web of the heretics, who educate young people in the evil ways of secular studies, such as non-Jewish languages.
We can rely only on You, our Father in Heaven, and in the power of Moses and all of the great Tzaddikim, who know how to draw down favor, sweeten all judgments, and transform destruction into favor.
May Holy Faith Spread Teach us how to arouse all of these Tzaddikim to engage in our rectification and in the rectification of the entire world. May they not remain silent at a time as bitter and grotesque as that of our generation, which has no equal throughout all of history. O heavens, act on our behalf! O heavens, awaken to the troubles of Israel!
We can rely only on You, our Father in Heaven, and on the merit of our fathers and rabbis, the holy Tzaddikim, without whose prayers on our behalf we would not be able to exist for even a moment.
Teach us how to arouse them and add to their strength so that they will be able to sweeten all of the judgments and decrees in all twentyfour Heavenly courts and transform all heresy from destruction to favor, so that holy faith will spread in the world and converts and penitents will increase.
With the Help of the Tzaddikim God, You Who are filled with compassion, “great in counsel and mighty in deed,” Master of wonders, act in accordance with Your wonders and empower Your awesome Tzaddikim to bring about redemptions and engage in extraordinary and miraculous prayer.
In this way, may they nullify all of the judgments and decrees of all twenty-four Heavenly courts that affect our physical and spiritual wellbeing — our bodies, souls and finances. And may they also sweeten anger against the entire world as they remove idolatry and heresy, transform destruction into favor, and inspire many people to become converts and penitents.
We are living in a time of evil and bitter troubles that have touched our spirit, so that every individual feels a pain that is so overwhelming that “the strength of the porter has collapsed.”
In addition to that, we perceive, although more distantly, the measureless troubles of the Jewish people — particularly their spiritual misfortunes, due to the fact that modern thinkers and evil, accursed heretics are working to extend their influence.
And we suffer as well from increased dispute among good Jews, altercations among Torah scholars and those who are attached to them. “There is no peace for those who go out and for those who come in.”
Gaining Salvation and Goodness With the power of the acts of redemption that sweeten the judgments of the twenty-four Heavenly courts, may we gain salvation and goodness, and may we inspire people to return to You with holy faith.
I hope in Your salvation at every moment, as a servant stands before his master and a son before his father, “until HaShem will gaze down and see from Heaven.” Have compassion on me, on those who depend on me, on my children, on my descendants and on all Israel.
Quickly nullify all judgments. Rescue us from all suffering. Eradicate all heresy and confusions in the realm of faith that affect not only the Jewish people, but the entire world.
Strengthen and revive us. Keep us faithful to You always. Help us swiftly return to You with all our hearts. May we never turn aside from Your will, either to the right or the left.
“Redeem me from the oppression of man, and I will keep Your laws.” “I will place my spirit in Your hand. You have redeemed me, HaShem, God of truth.” “I will proceed in my simplicity; redeem me and be gracious to me.” “Approach my soul, redeem it against my enemies, deliver me.”
“With HaShem is kindness, and much redemption is with Him; He will redeem Israel from all of its sins.” “Arise, help us, and redeem us for the sake of Your kindness.” “God, redeem Israel from all of its oppressors.”
[עַל־פִּי תּוֹרָה רט"ו - דַּע שֶׁיֵּשׁ עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבָּעָה מִינֵי פִּדְיוֹנוֹת]
לְז' אֲדָר הִילּוּלָא דְּמֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ פּוֹדֶה יְהֹוָה נֶפֶשׁ עֲבָדָיו וְלֹא יֶאְשְׁמוּ כָּל הַחוֹסִים בּוֹ. פָּדָה בְשָׁלוֹם נַפְשִׁי מִקְּרָב לִי כִּי בְרַבִּים הָיוּ עִמָּדִי. אַךְ אֱלֹהִים יִפְדֶּה נַפְשִׁי מִיַּד שְׁאוֹל כִּי יִקָּחֵנִי סֶלָה.
Sweetening Judgments in the Heavenly Courts / Making Converts
To gain spiritual redemption, a person gives a pidyon nefesh (literally, “soul-redemption”), a monetary gift to a Tzaddik, with the request that he pray on that person’s behalf. The Tzaddik then sweetens the judgment to which that person is subject. There are twenty-four Heavenly courts, each one with its own type of judgment that must be sweetened in a particular manner.
Sometimes, bringing a pidyon nefesh to a Tzaddik does not help. This may be because the Tzaddik does not know the “redemption” germane to each of the twenty-four Heavenly courts. And even when he does know it, he may not know how to implement it. However, there is a universal “redemption” that corresponds to and sweetens the judgments of all twenty-four Heavenly courts. The Tzaddik must perform this “redemption” at a time of favor, such as at the time of Minchah on Shabbat afternoon. However, only one Tzaddik in a generation knows that redemption. And at times even this universal “redemption” does not achieve its designated purpose, because Heaven applies it to another goal: making converts.
That was the work of Moses, both in his lifetime and after his death. In his lifetime, he worked to convert the “mixed multitude,” and after his death, he was buried opposite the idolatrous site of Beit Pe’or in order to sweeten the idolatry there and convert its adherents. Appropriately, he passed away at the time of Minchah on Shabbat afternoon.
Redemption in the Heavenly Courts
“HaShem redeems the spirit of His servants; all those who take refuge in Him will not be condemned as guilty.” “He has redeemed my soul in peace against those who fight me, from the many people arrayed against me.” “God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave; He will take me.”
תְּרַנֵּנָה שְׂפָתַי כִּי אֲזַמְּרָה לָךְ וְנַפְשִׁי אֲשֶׁר פָּדִיתָ.
“My lips will rejoice as I sing to You together with my spirit, which You have redeemed.”
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, מֶלֶךְ גּוֹאֵל וּמוֹשִׁיעַ, פּוֹדֶה וּמַצִּיל וּמְפַרְנֵס וְעוֹנֶה וּמְרַחֵם בְּכָל־עֵת צָרָה וְצוּקָה, אֵין לָנוּ מֶלֶךְ אֶלָּא אָתָּה.
Master of the world, King, Redeemer, Savior, Rescuer, Sustainer, You Who answer us compassionately at every time of trouble and oppression, we have no one on whom to rely but You.
רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ לְמַעַן שְׁמֶךָ, בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים וְהַגְּדוֹלִים, וְתָאִיר עָלֵינוּ עֵת רָצוֹן תָּמִיד בִּזְכוּת אֲבוֹתֵינוּ הַקְּדוֹשִׁים, וְתַמְתִּיק וּתְבַטֵּל כָּל הַדִּינִים מֵעָלֵינוּ וּמֵעַל כָּל עַמְּךָ בֵּית־יִשְׂרָאֵל,
In the merit of our holy fathers, illumine us with Your favor. Sweeten and nullify all of the judgments against Your nation, the House of Israel.
וְתִפְדֶּה נַפְשֵׁנוּ מִכָּל הַגְּזֵרוֹת וְהַדִּינִים שֶׁנִּגְזְרוּ בְּכָל עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבַּע בָּתֵּי דִינֶיךָ הַקְּדוֹשִׁים שֶׁיֵּשׁ לְךָ לְמַעְלָה, בֵּין שֶׁהוּא קֹדֶם גְּזַר דִּין בֵּין שֶׁהוּא לְאַחַר גְּזַר דִּין,
Redeem our souls from all of the holy decrees and judgments of the twenty-four Heavenly courts — whether before or after such decrees have been finalized.
מִכֻּלָּם תִּפְדֶּה נַפְשֵׁנוּ, וְתַמְתִּיק וּתְבַטֵּל כָּל הַדִּינִים וְהַיִּסּוּרִין וְהַגְּזֵרוֹת שֶׁנִּגְזְרוּ בָּהֶם מֵעָלֵינוּ וּמֵעַל כָּל עַמְּךָ בֵּית־יִשְׂרָאֵל, בֵּין בְּגוּף בֵּין בְּנֶפֶשׁ בֵּין בְּמָמוֹן, בֵּין בִּכְלָל בֵּין בִּפְרָט.
Redeem our spirit from all of these judgments. Sweeten and nullify all judgments, sufferings and decrees that are passed there regarding Your nation, the House of Israel — whether pertaining to their body, soul or money, regarding all of them or some of them.
כִּי גָלוּי וְיָדוּעַ לְפָנֶיךָ שֶׁאֵין אִתָּנוּ יוֹדֵעַ עַד מָה, אֵיךְ לַעֲשׂוֹת פִּדְיוֹן וּלְבַטֵּל כָּל הַדִּינִים שֶׁנִּגְזְרוּ בְּבָתֵּי דִינֶיךָ הַקְּדוֹשִׁים,
No one but the Tzaddik of the generation knows how to bring about a redemption that will nullify all of the judgments of Your holy courts.
וַאֲפִלּוּ מִי שֶׁיּוֹדֵעַ לַעֲשׂוֹת אֵיזֶה פִּדְיוֹן לְבַטֵּל אֵיזֶה דִין שֶׁבְּאֵיזֶה בֵּית דִּין, עֲדַיִן אֵינוֹ יוֹדֵעַ לְבַטֵּל כָּל הַדִּינִים שֶׁבְּכָל הָעֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבַּע בָּתֵּי דִינִים. וְעַל־יְדֵי־זֶה אֵין מוֹעִיל הַפִּדְיוֹן שֶׁלּוֹ.
Even a person who does know how to bring about some redemption and nullify the judgment of a particular court does not know how to nullify all of the judgments of all twenty-four courts. As a result, he may at times fail to bring about a redemption.
עַל כֵּן רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ בְּכֹחַ וּזְכוּת הַצַּדִּיקִים הַגְּדוֹלִים הַיְּחִידִים בְּדוֹרוֹתָם, שֶׁהֵם בִּבְחִינַת מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ, שֶׁיֵּשׁ לָהֶם כֹּחַ לַעֲשׂוֹת פִּדְיוֹן לְבַטֵּל כָּל הַדִּינִים שֶׁבְּכָל הָעֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבַּע בָּתֵּי דִּינִים. וְחוּסָה וַחֲמֹל עָלֵינוּ בְּכֹחַ וּזְכוּת הַצַּדִּיקִים הָאֵלּוּ,
Redemption and Minchah on Shabbat Afternoon
Have compassion on us in the merit of the great Tzaddikim who correspond to the level of Moses, and who have the power to bring about a redemption that will nullify all of the judgments in all twenty-four courts.
וְתָאִיר עָלֵינוּ מֵצַח הָרָצוֹן תָּמִיד כְּמוֹ בְּשַׁבָּת בְּמִנְחָה, שֶׁהוּא הִסְתַּלְּקוּת מֹשֶׁה שֶׁהוּא עֵת רָצוֹן.
Always illuminate us with Your Divine favor — specifically, at the time of Minchah on Shabbat afternoon.
וְעַל־יְדֵי־זֶה תִפְדֶּה נַפְשֵׁנוּ וְתַצִּילֵנוּ מִכָּל הַצָּרוֹת, וְתַמְתִּיק וּתְבַטֵּל כָּל הַגְּזֵרוֹת וְהַדִּינִים שֶׁנִּגְזְרוּ בְּכָל הָעֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבַּע בָּתֵּי דִּינֶיךָ הַקְּדוֹשִׁים.
Redeem our spirits and rescue us from all troubles. Sweeten and nullify all of the decrees and judgments of all twenty-four holy courts.
וְתַצִּילֵנוּ מִכָּל מִינֵי חֳלָאִים וּמַכְאוֹבִים וּמֵחוּשִׁים (וּבִפְרָט לִפְלוֹנִי בֶּן פְּלוֹנִית וְכוּ'), וּמֵחֶסְרוֹן הַפַּרְנָסָה וּמִכָּל מִינֵי צַעַר וְיִסּוּרִין שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם, מִכֻּלָּם תַּצִּילֵנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים וְהַגְּדוֹלִים, בְּכֹחַ וּזְכוּת מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ שֶׁנִּסְתַּלֵּק בְּשַׁבָּת בְּמִנְחָה, וּבְכֹחַ כָּל הַצַּדִּיקִים שֶׁהֵם בִּבְחִינַת מֹשֶׁה, שֶׁיּוֹדְעִים לַעֲשׂוֹת פִּדְיוֹן לְהַמְתִּיק הַדִּין שֶׁבְּכָל הָעֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבַּע בָּתֵּי דִינִים:
Rescue me from every type of sickness, pain, discomfort and poverty in the merit of Moses, who passed away on the Shabbat at the time of Minchah, and in the merit of all of the Tzaddikim who are on his level, who know how to bring about a redemption that will sweeten the judgments within all twenty-four courts.
וּתְעוֹרֵר רַחֲמֶיךָ הַגְּדוֹלִים וַחֲסָדֶיךָ הַמְּרֻבִּים, וּתְשַׁבֵּר וּתְמַגֵּר וְתַכְנִיעַ וְתַעֲקֹר וּתְבַטֵּל כָּל הַכְּפִירוֹת מִכָּל הָעוֹלָם כֻּלּוֹ, וּבִפְרָט מִכָּל עַמְּךָ בֵּית־יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּכָל מָקוֹם שֶׁהֵם.
Destroying Heresy
Arouse Your compassion to crush and uproot all heresy from the world — particularly, from all of Your people, the House of Israel, wherever they may be.
וּבְרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים תְּעוֹרֵר וְתַמְשִׁיךְ עֵת רָצוֹן בָּעוֹלָם תָּמִיד, וְתַהֲפֹךְ הַשְּׁמַד לְרָצוֹן, בְּכֹחַ וּזְכוּת מֹשֶׁה שֶׁהוּא עוֹמֵד בֵּין שְׁמַד לְרָצוֹן, אֲשֶׁר מָסַר נַפְשׁוֹ כָּל יְמֵי חַיָּיו לַעֲשׂוֹת גֵּרִים לְהוֹצִיאָם מִשְּׁמַד וּכְפִירוֹת וּלְהַעֲלוֹתָם וּלְקַשְּׁרָם לְרָצוֹן הָעֶלְיוֹן,
Bring a constant flow of Divine favor into the world. Transform destruction into Divine favor in the merit of Moses, who dedicated himself all the days of his life to transform people by raising them from corruption and heresy and connecting them to Your supernal will.
וְגַם עַתָּה אַחַר הִסְתַּלְּקוּתוֹ, עֲדַיִן הוּא עוֹמֵד וּמִתְפַּלֵּל עַל כָּל הַנִּדָּחִים וְהָרְחוֹקִים מֵאֱמוּנָתְךָ, לְגַיְרָם וּלְקָרְבָם אֵלֶיךָ וּלְבַטֵּל כָּל הַמִּינוּת וְהַכְּפִירוֹת מִן הָעוֹלָם וּלְהַעֲלוֹת מִשְּׁמַד לְרָצוֹן וְלַעֲשׂוֹת גֵּרִים וּבַעֲלֵי תְשׁוּבָה הַרְבֵּה בָּעוֹלָם:
Even now, after he has passed away, he continues to stand and pray on behalf of all those who are in exile and far from faith, in order to transform them and bring them close to You, to nullify all heresy and atheism, and to raise the world from destruction to Divine favor — in particular, to inspire non-Jews to convert, and sinful Jews to repent.
אָנָּא יְהֹוָה, רַחֲמָן מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, חַסְדָּן מָלֵא חֲסָדִים, חוֹשֵׁב מַחֲשָׁבוֹת לְבַל יִדַּח מִמְּךָ נִדָּח, אֲשֶׁר מַחְשְׁבוֹת לִבְּךָ לְכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר. רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ בְּכֹחוֹ וּזְכוּתוֹ הַגָּדוֹל, וּבְכֹחַ כָּל הַצַּדִּיקִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים שֶׁהֵם בִּבְחִינַת מֹשֶׁה, שֶׁעוֹסְקִים גַּם כֵּן בָּזֶה לְהַמְתִּיק הַדִּין מִכָּל הָעֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבַּע בָּתֵּי דִינִים, וּלְבַטֵּל כָּל הַגְּזֵרוֹת שֶׁבְּכָל הָעוֹלָמוֹת, וּלְבַטֵּל כָּל הַכְּפִירוֹת, וְלַעֲשׂוֹת גֵּרִים וּלְהַמְשִׁיךְ אֱמוּנָה גְּדוֹלָה בָּעוֹלָם.
In a Time of Heresy
HaShem, You Who devise thoughts so that no one will be exiled from You, You Who turn Your heart to every generation, have compassion on us in the merit of Moses and of all of the Tzaddikim who correspond to his level, who work to sweeten the judgments of all twenty-four Heavenly courts in order to nullify all decrees in all worlds, to eradicate heresy, to inspire people to become converts, and to draw faith into the world.
רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ לְמַעֲנָם וּלְמַעַנְךָ, וְחוּסָה עָלֵינוּ בְּעֵת צָרָה הַגְּדוֹלָה הַזֹּאת, אֲשֶׁר הַמִּינוּת וְהַכְּפִירוֹת מִתְפַּשְּׁטִים בָּעוֹלָם חַס וְשָׁלוֹם מְאֹד מְאֹד, אֲשֶׁר אֵין דֶּרֶךְ לִנְטוֹת יָמִין וּשְׂמֹאל, וְכִמְעַט בְּכָל יוֹם נִתְפָּסִין כַּמָּה נְפָשׁוֹת בְּרֶשֶׁת הַכּוֹפְרִים, הַמְחַנְּכִים נְעָרִים בְּלִמּוּדָם הָרָע שֶׁנִּתְפַּשֵּׁט עַכְשָׁיו לִלְמֹד חָכְמוֹת וּלְשׁוֹנוֹת וְכוּ',
Have pity on us at this time of trouble, when heresy and atheism are so widespread that there is no way to turn aside from them. Almost every day, a number of people are trapped in the web of the heretics, who educate young people in the evil ways of secular studies, such as non-Jewish languages.
אֲשֶׁר אֵין לָנוּ עַל מִי לְהִשָּׁעֵן כִּי אִם עַל אָבִינוּ שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם, וְעַל כֹּחַ מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ וְכָל הַצַּדִּיקִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים הַגְּדוֹלִים, שֶׁיּוֹדְעִים לְהַמְשִׁיךְ עֵת רָצוֹן וּלְהַמְתִּיק כָּל הַדִּינִים שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם וְלַהֲפֹךְ מִשְּׁמַד לְרָצוֹן.
We can rely only on You, our Father in Heaven, and in the power of Moses and all of the great Tzaddikim, who know how to draw down favor, sweeten all judgments, and transform destruction into favor.
רַחֵם וְחוּס וַחֲמֹל עָלֵינוּ לְמַעַנְךָ וּלְמַעֲנָם, וְלַמְּדֵנוּ וְהוֹרֵנוּ אֵיךְ לְעוֹרֵר אֶת כָּל הַצַּדִּיקִים הָאֵלּוּ שֶׁיַּעַסְקוּ בְּתִקּוּנֵנוּ וּבְתִקּוּן כָּל הָעוֹלָם, וְאַל יַחֲרִישׁוּ וְאַל יִשְׁקוֹטוּ בְּעֵת צָרָה הַמָּרָה וְהַזָּרָה אֲשֶׁר בְּדוֹרוֹתֵינוּ אֵלֶּה, אֲשֶׁר לֹא הָיְתָה כָּזֹאת מִימוֹת עוֹלָם. אִי שָׁמַים, הַפְגִּינוּ בַּעֲדֵנוּ, אִי שָׁמַיִם, הָקִיצוּ לְצָרוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל.
May Holy Faith Spread
Teach us how to arouse all of these Tzaddikim to engage in our rectification and in the rectification of the entire world. May they not remain silent at a time as bitter and grotesque as that of our generation, which has no equal throughout all of history. O heavens, act on our behalf! O heavens, awaken to the troubles of Israel!
כִּי בַּעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ הָרַבִּים, בְּצוֹק הָעִתִּים הָאֵלֶּה, אֵין מִי שֶׁיַּרְגִּישׁ מְרִירוּת מַכְאוֹב הַצָּרָה הַגְּדוֹלָה הַזֹּאת בְּלִבּוֹ הֵיטֵב.
Due to our many sins, no one clearly appreciates the bitter painfulness of these oppressive times.
וַאֲפִלּוּ מִי שֶׁמַּרְגִּישׁ מְעַט מְרִירוּת הַצָּרָה הַזֹּאת, אֵין יוֹדֵעַ אֵיךְ לְהִתְפַּלֵּל וּלְהַמְתִּיק הַדִּין וּלְבַטְּלוֹ.
And even if a person does appreciate some of the bitterness, he still does not know how to pray, to sweeten judgment and to nullify it.
עַל מִי לָנוּ לְהִשָּׁעֵן עַל אָבִינוּ שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם, וְעַל כֹּחַ וּזְכוּת אֲבוֹתֵינוּ וְרַבּוֹתֵינוּ הַצַּדִּיקִים הַקְּדוֹשִׁים הָעוֹמְדִים עֲדַיִן וּמִתְפַּלְּלִים עָלֵינוּ, אֲשֶׁר אִלְמָלֵא תְפִלָּתָם לֹא הָיִינוּ יְכוֹלִים לְהִתְקַיֵּם חַס וְשָׁלוֹם אֲפִלּוּ רֶגַע אֶחָד.
We can rely only on You, our Father in Heaven, and on the merit of our fathers and rabbis, the holy Tzaddikim, without whose prayers on our behalf we would not be able to exist for even a moment.
רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ וְלַמְּדֵנוּ אֵיךְ לְעוֹרְרָם וּלְהָקִיצָם וּלְהוֹסִיף בָּהֶם עֹז וְחַיִל מִלְּמַטָּה, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁיּוּכְלוּ לִפְעֹל בַּקָּשָׁתָם מְהֵרָה, לְהַמְתִּיק כָּל הַדִּינִים וְהַגְּזֵרוֹת שֶׁבְּכָל הָעֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבַּע בָּתֵּי דִינִים, וְלַהֲפֹךְ כָּל הַכְּפִירוֹת מִשְּׁמַד לְרָצוֹן, וְתִתְפַּשֵּׁט הָאֱמוּנָה הַקְּדוֹשָׁה בָּעוֹלָם וְיִתְרַבּוּ גֵרִים וּבַעֲלֵי תְשׁוּבָה בָּעוֹלָם:
Teach us how to arouse them and add to their strength so that they will be able to sweeten all of the judgments and decrees in all twentyfour Heavenly courts and transform all heresy from destruction to favor, so that holy faith will spread in the world and converts and penitents will increase.
מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, גְּדוֹל הָעֵצָה וְרַב הָעֲלִילִיָּה אֲדוֹן הַנִּפְלָאוֹת, עֲשֵׂה כְּנִפְלְאוֹתֶיךָ, וְתִתֵּן כֹּחַ לְצַדִּיקֶיךָ הַגְּדוֹלִים וְהַנּוֹרָאִים, שֶׁיִּפְעֲלוּ שְׁתֵּי הַפְּעֻלּוֹת יַחַד עַל־יְדֵי פִּדְיוֹנֵיהֶם וּתְפִלּוֹתֵיהֶם הַנּוֹרָאוֹת וְהַנִּפְלָאוֹת מְאֹד מְאֹד,
With the Help of the Tzaddikim
God, You Who are filled with compassion, “great in counsel and mighty in deed,” Master of wonders, act in accordance with Your wonders and empower Your awesome Tzaddikim to bring about redemptions and engage in extraordinary and miraculous prayer.
שֶׁיִּזְכּוּ לְבַטֵּל כָּל הַדִּינִים וְהַגְּזֵרוֹת שֶׁל כָּל הָעֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבַּע בָּתֵּי דִינִים, בְּגַשְׁמִיּוּת וְרוּחָנִיּוּת, בְּגוּף וָנֶפֶשׁ וּמָמוֹן, וְגַם יִזְכּוּ לְהַמְתִּיק הַחֲרוֹן אַף וּלְבַטֵּל הָעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וְהַכְּפִירוֹת מִן הָעוֹלָם, וְלַהֲפֹךְ מִשְּׁמַד לְרָצוֹן, וְלַעֲשׂוֹת גֵּרִים וּבַעֲלֵי תְשׁוּבָה הַרְבֵּה בָּעוֹלָם,
In this way, may they nullify all of the judgments and decrees of all twenty-four Heavenly courts that affect our physical and spiritual wellbeing — our bodies, souls and finances. And may they also sweeten anger against the entire world as they remove idolatry and heresy, transform destruction into favor, and inspire many people to become converts and penitents.
כִּי אַתָּה כֹל תּוּכָל וְלֹא יִבָּצֵר מִמְּךָ מְזִמָּה, וְאַתָּה עוֹשֶׂה נִפְלָאוֹת גְּדוֹלוֹת לְבַדֶּךָ, וּבְרַחֲמֶיךָ הָעֲצוּמִים, אַתָּה יָכוֹל לְהוֹשִׁיעֵנִי בְּכָל הַיְשׁוּעוֹת יַחַד בִּדְרָכֶיךָ הַנִּפְלָאִים:
“You can do everything; no purpose can be withheld from You.” You alone do great wonders. Save us in Your mighty compassion and Your wondrous ways.
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, תֶּן לָנוּ אֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה, בַּטֵּל מֵעָלֵינוּ כָּל מִינֵי כְּפִירוֹת וּבִלְבּוּלֵי אֱמוּנָה,
Seeking Peace from a Time of Troubles
Master of the world, grant us perfect faith. Remove every sort of heresy and confusion regarding our belief.
בַּטֵּל מֵעָלֵינוּ כָּל גְּזֵרוֹת קָשׁוֹת. רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ בְּרַחֲמִים רַבִּים בְּרַחֲמִים פְּשׁוּטִים, שֶׁאֵין בָּהֶם תַּעֲרוֹבֶת דִּין כְּלָל, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה מְהֵרָה מְהֵרָה לָשׁוּב בִּתְשׁוּבָה שְׁלֵמָה לְפָנֶיךָ בֶּאֱמֶת.
Rescind all difficult decrees. Be kind to us without any admixture of judgment, so that we will return to You quickly and completely.
רַחֵם רַחֵם, חֲמֹל חֲמֹל, בְּעֵת צָרָה הַזֹּאת כִּי רַע וָמַר מְאֹד, רַע וָמַר, רַע וָמַר, רַע וָמַר, כִּי נָגַע עַד הַנֶּפֶשׁ, וְלֹא דַי לָנוּ בִּמְרִירוּת נַפְשֵׁנוּ, כַּאֲשֶׁר יוֹדֵעַ כָּל אֶחָד בְּנַפְשׁוֹ אֶת נִגְעֵי לְבָבוֹ וּמַכְאוֹבָיו, אֲשֶׁר כָּשַׁל כֹּחַ הַסַּבָּל,
We are living in a time of evil and bitter troubles that have touched our spirit, so that every individual feels a pain that is so overwhelming that “the strength of the porter has collapsed.”
אַף גַּם אָנוּ רוֹאִים מֵרָחוֹק צָרוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּלִי שִׁעוּר, וְהָעִקָּר צָרוֹת נַפְשׁוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל, אֲשֶׁר הַפִּילוֹסוֹפִים וְהַכּוֹפְרִים הָרְשָׁעִים הָאֲרוּרִים רוֹצִים לְהִתְפַּשֵּׁט חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, כַּאֲשֶׁר נִגְלֶה לְפָנֶיךָ,
In addition to that, we perceive, although more distantly, the measureless troubles of the Jewish people — particularly their spiritual misfortunes, due to the fact that modern thinkers and evil, accursed heretics are working to extend their influence.
וְנִתּוֹסֵף לָזֶה עֹצֶם הַצָּרָה מֵרִבּוּי הַמַּחֲלֹקֶת שֶׁבֵּין עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל הַכְּשֵׁרִים, אֲשֶׁר נִתְרַבָּה קַטֵּגוֹרְיָא בֵּין הַתַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים וּבֵין כָּל הַנִּלְוִים אֲלֵיהֶם, וְלַיּוֹצֵא וְלַבָּא אֵין שָׁלוֹם:
And we suffer as well from increased dispute among good Jews, altercations among Torah scholars and those who are attached to them. “There is no peace for those who go out and for those who come in.”
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, אַתָּה לְבַד יוֹדֵעַ שֶׁבְּכֹחַ הַהַמְתָּקָה וְהַפִּדְיוֹן הַנֶּאֱמַר בְּהַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת שֶׁמַּמְתִּיק הַדִּין שֶׁל כָּל הָעֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבַּע בָּתֵּי דִינִים, אֲשֶׁר הַצַּדִּיקִים הַגְּדוֹלִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים יוֹדְעִים סוֹד זֶה הַפִּדְיוֹן הַנִּפְלָא, עַל בּוּרְיוֹ, וּלְמַעְלָה לְמַעְלָה. בְּכֹחַ זֶה יֵשׁ לָנוּ תִקְוָה עֲדַיִן לְצַפּוֹת לִישׁוּעָה וּלְכָל טוֹב, אַף גַּם לְקָרֵב נְפָשׁוֹת אֵלֶיךָ תִּתְבָּרַךְ, לְהַכְנִיסָם בָּאֱמוּנָה הַקְּדוֹשָׁה, עַתָּה גַּם עַתָּה.
Gaining Salvation and Goodness
With the power of the acts of redemption that sweeten the judgments of the twenty-four Heavenly courts, may we gain salvation and goodness, and may we inspire people to return to You with holy faith.
עַל כֵּן עֲדַיִן אֲנִי עוֹמֵד וּמִתְפַּלֵּל לְפָנֶיךָ וּמִתְחַנֵּן וּמִתְחַבֵּט מוּל רַחֲמֶיךָ וַחֲסָדֶיךָ, וּמְצַפֶּה לִישׁוּעָתְךָ בְּכָל־עֵת וָרֶגַע, כְּעֵין עֶבֶד אֶל אֲדוֹנָיו וּכְעֵין הַבֵּן אֶל אָבִיו, עַד יַשְׁקִיף וְיֵרֶא יְהֹוָה מִשָּׁמָיִם וְיָחוֹס וִירַחֵם עָלַי וְעַל כָּל הַתְּלוּיִם בִּי, וְעַל בָּנַי וְיוֹצְאֵי חֲלָצַי וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל,
I hope in Your salvation at every moment, as a servant stands before his master and a son before his father, “until HaShem will gaze down and see from Heaven.” Have compassion on me, on those who depend on me, on my children, on my descendants and on all Israel.
וְיוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ מְהֵרָה וְיַמְתִּיק וִיבַטֵּל מֵעָלֵינוּ כָּל הַדִּינִים שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם, וְיִפְדֵּנוּ וְיַצִּילֵנוּ מִכָּל הַצָּרוֹת וּמִכָּל הַיִּסּוּרִין שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם, וִיבַטֵּל כָּל הַכְּפִירוֹת וְכָל בִּלְבּוּלֵי אֱמוּנָה מֵעָלֵינוּ וּמִכָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל וּמִכָּל הָעוֹלָם כֻּלּוֹ,
Quickly nullify all judgments. Rescue us from all suffering. Eradicate all heresy and confusions in the realm of faith that affect not only the Jewish people, but the entire world.
וִיחַזְּקֵנוּ וִיחַיֵּינוּ וִיקַיְּמֵנוּ בֶּאֱמוּנָתוֹ הַקְּדוֹשָׁה תָמִיד. וִיסַבֵּב סִבּוֹת לְטוֹבָה, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לָשׁוּב אֵלָיו יִתְבָּרַךְ, בֶּאֱמֶת וּבְתָם לֵבָב, חִישׁ קַל מְהֵרָה, וְלֹא נָסוּר מֵרְצוֹנוֹ עוֹד יָמִין וּשְׂמֹאל.
Strengthen and revive us. Keep us faithful to You always. Help us swiftly return to You with all our hearts. May we never turn aside from Your will, either to the right or the left.
וִיקֻיַּם בִּי מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, פָּדָה נַפְשׁוֹ מֵעֲבֹר בַּשָּׁחַת וְחַיָּתוֹ בָּאוֹר תִּרְאֶה.
Redeem my soul from perishing in the pit so that my living spirit may behold the light.
פְּדֵנִי מֵעֹשֶׁק אָדָם וְאֶשְׁמְרָה פִּקּוּדֶיךָ. בְּיָדְךָ אַפְקִיד רוּחִי פָּדִיתָה אוֹתִי יְהֹוָה אֵל אֱמֶת. וַאֲנִי בְּתֻמִּי אֵלֵךְ פְּדֵנִי וְחָנֵּנִי. קָרְבָה אֶל נַפְשִׁי גְאָלָהּ לְמַעַן אוֹיְבַי פְּדֵנִי.
“Redeem me from the oppression of man, and I will keep Your laws.” “I will place my spirit in Your hand. You have redeemed me, HaShem, God of truth.” “I will proceed in my simplicity; redeem me and be gracious to me.” “Approach my soul, redeem it against my enemies, deliver me.”
כִּי עִם יְהֹוָה הַחֶסֶד וְהַרְבֵּה עִמּוֹ פְדוּת. וְהוּא יִפְדֶּה אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל מִכֹּל עֲוֹנוֹתָיו. קוּמָה עֶזְרָתָה לָּנוּ וּפְדֵנוּ לְמַעַן חַסְדֶּךָ. פְּדֵה אֱלֹהִים אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל מִכֹּל צָרוֹתָיו.
“With HaShem is kindness, and much redemption is with Him; He will redeem Israel from all of its sins.” “Arise, help us, and redeem us for the sake of Your kindness.” “God, redeem Israel from all of its oppressors.”
וַאֲנִי תְפִלָּתִי לְךָ יְהֹוָה עֵת רָצוֹן אֱלֹהִים בְּרָב חַסְדֶּךָ עֲנֵנִי בֶּאֱמֶת יִשְׁעֶךָ:
“HaShem, my prayer comes before You at a time of favor; God, in Your vast kindness, answer me, in the truth of Your salvation.”