Judging Ourselves / When Jews Judge Themselves, Decrees Against Them are Nullified / When a Jew Judges Himself, He Attains Joy and Rectifies the Covenant When a person is under great pressure, he feels that his existence is bitter and that he is hemmed in on every side. He must cry out to God. He must examine himself and, as he does so, realize that most of his actions are corrupt and blemished — in particular, his evil thoughts and ideas that are so confused, scattered and distracted that it appears as though he has no self-control. He must attain holy judgment so that he will be able to examine his deeds and judge himself. By judging himself, he removes and nullifies all judgments from above, so that no judgment will have the power to undermine him. Then he is able to find good counsel at every moment, and is capable of keeping it. But he finds it hard to follow such good counsel — specifically, the advice of the Tzaddikim — because most of its elements are interdependent, and so it is hard to know where to begin. For instance, if he has blemished the holy covenant, he is far from joy, and because he is far from joy, he finds it difficult to rectify the covenant. He must arouse the power of holy judgment of all the true Tzaddikim and God-fearing people, who often judged themselves more strictly than they deserved and who accepted suffering, troubles and bitter torments for the sake of the Jewish people. He must beseech God to remove powers of judgment so that no decree against Israel may be enforced. With the nullification of these judgments, a person attains joy until it enters into his feet and he dances. This applies particularly to festivals, which are the time of our joy. And when a person is joyful, he guards the holy covenant. Judging Ourselves in Times of Trouble “The troubles of my heart have expanded; extricate me from my straits.” “Distress and anguish have found me. Your commandments are my joy.”
Answer me, HaShem, answer me — for You, HaShem, answer in a time of trouble. Answer me, HaShem, for I have called out to You. Help me and save me for the sake of Your Name.
“My spirit is very frightened, and You, HaShem, how long?” How long will I ([Hebrew name], the son/daughter of [mother’s Hebrew name]), Your servant, the child of Your maidservant, cry out in captivity?
I know myself that most of my actions are corrupt and blemished — in particular, my evil thoughts and ideas that are confused, scattered and distracted, may the Compassionate One protect me from now on. It appears to me as though I have no self-control, Heaven forbid.
How can I attain holy judgment so that I will be able to examine my deeds and judge myself, so that I will find good counsel and strategies at every moment, and be able to keep them?
Through Your true Tzaddikim, You revealed true and wondrous counsel to us. It is all straight and true. It is all beloved, pure and holy. All of it stands at the apex of the world.
Because I have blemished the holy covenant so much, I am far from joy. And because I am far from joy, I find it difficult to repent for having blemished the covenant, and to merit rectifying it.
I fall and plead before You. You are filled with compassion at every moment. You are the King Who loves charity and justice. Help me, save me, guide me and always teach me the ways of holy judgment.
May I know and comprehend how to judge myself every day regarding everything that I have done, and to find a proper approach and counsel, so that from now on I will turn away from all of my evil ways and thoughts, and I will no longer return to foolishness.
May I return to You completely, and always engage in holy judgment to judge myself properly, in accordance with Your will and the will of the true Tzaddikim.
Master of the world, I know that I do not have the power to remove all judgments from myself by means of my own judgment, because I do not engage in this properly.
In the Merit of the Tzaddikim Arouse the power of holy judgment of all the true Tzaddikim and God-fearing people who were involved in this throughout their lives, and who often judged themselves more strictly than they deserved, and who accepted suffering, troubles and bitter torments for the sake of the Jewish people.
Many of them suffered terribly and were killed for the sanctification of Your Name. In their merit and power, chase away, break, sweeten and nullify all judgments against me, my entire family, all those dependent on me, and the entire Jewish people.
Overcoming the Agents of Judgment Nullify all troubles in general — particularly material and spiritual troubles, those that affect the body, the soul and money.
Do not give power to any agents of judgment — which are called “runners” (corresponding to the spiritual level of “feet”) — to exact any judgments against Israel, Heaven forbid, whether all of Israel or any individual in Israel.
May this be so even if judgments and decrees have already been given to the runners and agents of judgment, even if the runners have already set out “confused and rushed by the word of the king” to perform some judgment against Israel, Heaven forbid.
Compassionate God, please have mercy on Your nation, the House of Israel, in the merit of the true Tzaddikim who judged themselves properly, and in the merit of all the martyrs who were killed for the sanctification of Your Name. Take back, nullify and remove from all these agents of judgment the power of judgment that You transferred to them.
The Enforced Conscription of Russian Jewry Have compassion on me, on all those dependent on me, and on the entire Jewish people. Nullify every kind of trouble and judgment in the world, every harsh decree, against us.
(In particular, regarding rumors about harsh and bitter decrees that non-Jewish governments want to enact against the Jewish people, Heaven forbid, in the countries of … )
In particular, the harsh and bitter decree that has already been signed with the seal of the king,4The following references to the conscription of Jewish children were expunged by the Russian censors in several printings of Likutey Tefilot, but were reinstated in later editions. The majority of Likutey Tefilot was written by 1820, but Reb Noson wrote a few prayers after the Cantonist decrees of 1826-1827, which sanctioned forced conscription of young Jewish children into the Czar’s army. that the children of Israel must be conscripted and armed so that they will assimilate among the gentiles and learn their ways, their war strategies, as soldiers.
Master of the entire world, look down from Heaven and see each Jew taken to carry a weapon to fight their wars and desecrate the Shabbat and festivals, forced to nullify the Torah’s commandments.
Woe! Who can imagine the bitterness of this difficult trouble that destroys the faith of the children of Israel! Woe to us who have seen this. Woe! Our eyes are downcast because of this suffering.
Heavens, awaken to our suffering! Heavens, pray on our behalf! Angels of compassion, servants of the Supernal One, appease the face of God with eloquent words. Perhaps He will have pity on this impoverished nation. Perhaps He will have compassion. Perhaps He will have compassion.
Tzaddikim, foundations of the world, all who dwell in the dust, arise to beg on our behalf at this bitter time — fathers of the world, the Seven Shepherds, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph, David, and all the mothers, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah, and the twelve tribes of God, and all the elders and the early and late prophets, and all the Tannaim and Amoraim,5Tannaim are the sages of the Mishnah (c. 10-220 C.E.); Amoraim are the sages of the Gemara (c. 200-500 C.E.). and all the true, holy, God-fearing and wholehearted Tzaddikim in all generations to this day.
Plead at length before God, the elevated and exalted King. May He recall your love and give Your children life. And may He nullify all evil decrees against us.
(In particular, this evil and wicked decree that has already been passed by the gentiles — may it not be so in Israel, so that the remnant of Jacob will not be lost.)
Tzaddikim, do not look at our unworthy actions or at our many transgressions, sins and iniquities. You have already borne many sufferings and troubles for our sake during your lifetimes.
Look at the little bit of good still within us, because many good points are found even in the lowest Jewish sinners — how much more now that there are a few people who are worthy, Godfearing and true Tzaddikim, because no generation is orphaned, and Israel is not widowed. “I came to the end, and I am still with you.”
Have pity, mercy and compas sion and hear the outcry of Your nation, the Jewish people — men, women and children — since the day that this bitter decree was promulgated until a number of people have died and we have grown weaker.
Although we are too feeble to cry out and repent properly, You know how weak we are. We are made of flesh and blood, carved from clay, because we are all the work of Your hand. You know our evil inclination, particularly in these generations that are weak both materially and spiritually.
Have compassion, Master of compassion. Save us, Master of salvations, for there is no one to stand up on our behalf. May Your great Name stand up for us at a time of trouble.
Gaze down from Heaven and see that we have been the object of scorn and derision among the gentiles. We are considered as sheep brought to the slaughter, to be killed and destroyed, to be struck and disgraced. Nevertheless, we have not forgotten Your Name. Please do not forget us.
Look at Your downtrodden nation. See that the essence of their suffering is only because the gentiles want to tear them away from the religion of Israel, Heaven forbid.
(And this evil decree causes many Jews to violate the Torah, and many Jews would prefer to kill themselves with their own hands, Heaven forbid, rather than transgress Your holy Torah, but they fear that perhaps this is not Your will according to our holy Torah.)
Therefore, they continue in darkness, weary and persecuted, groaning and oppressed, hoping to die for Your sake and be no more. And their eyes are worn out the entire day, as they hope to hear of some true salvation.
Their eyes depend on You alone. “Behold, like the eyes of slaves turned to the hand of their master, like the eyes of the maidservant turned to the hand of her mistress, so are our eyes turned to HaShem our God, until He will be gracious to us. Be gracious to us, HaShem. Be gracious to us, because we have suffered much contempt.”
May Your compassion be stirred up for us. In the merit of our forefathers and our rabbis, the true Tzaddikim who plead with You for our sake, always Have pity on us in Your great mercy. Do not pour Your wrath on us.
Redeemer and Savior, Rescuer, Sustainer and Answerer, You have compassion at every moment of trouble and oppression. Guard us, rescue us and redeem us from all troubles and judgments in the world (and in particular, from the troubles and decrees at this time, may the Compassionate One protect us, may the Compassionate One save us).
For a festival The Joy of the Festivals HaShem, have pity on the remnant of Israel, Your nation. Rescue us from all evil and from all harsh decrees in the world. Remove and nullify all judgments from Israel.
With the nullification of the judgments, may we attain great joy. Increase joy until it enters into our feet, so that we will dance a great deal. May we rejoice and be happy in Your salvation, with happiness and singing.
(And in particular, on the joyful festival of … ), may it come to us in peace. Have compassion on us and strengthen us to rejoice with all our might, because the festivals are the time of our joy.
(You are great to save. Have compassion on us and send us the good news soon that all the harsh decrees have been nullified. May we rejoice with the joy of the festivals that comes to us for the good. And may our joy not be diluted, Heaven forbid.
(Have compassion on us for the sake of Your Name. Cause us to rejoice on this festival that comes to us for the good, with great and true joy in Your great and holy Name that is applied to us.
(May the verse be realized, “In Your Name they will rejoice all the day, and in Your righteousness they will be elevated.” May we draw down joy from this holy and awesome festival to the entire year.)
Guarding the Covenant Strengthen me to be joyful always, until I truly guard the holy covenant as is proper for a man of Israel, chosen from all the nations.
I am sure that You will rectify me and all the Jewish people in the power of Your many wonders, favors and kindnesses, and in the power of the true Tzaddikim who have guarded the covenant with an ultimate perfection that cannot be surpassed.
Have pity and compassion on me. Have pity and compassion on my shame. I am so disgraced in my own eyes and despised that it is hard for me to bear myself.
Help me. Save me. Redeem me now for the sake of Your Name. “Guard my soul and save me; may I not be ashamed, for I take refuge in You.” “Give joy to the soul of Your servant because, HaShem, I lift my soul to You!” “Cause me to hear gladness and joy; may the bones that You crushed, exult.”
HaShem, save Your nation, the remnant of Israel. Even if You are filled with anger at them like a pregnant woman filled with her child, may the presence of all their needs inspire You to quickly have compassion on them. Blessed are You, Who hears prayer.
Perform Your will in the heavens above and give comfort to those who fear You down here below. Do that which is good in Your eyes. Blessed are You, Who hears prayer.
The needs of Your nation, the Jewish people, are many, and their minds are limited. Please, HaShem our God, give everyone enough to sustain him. Give every limb what it lacks. Blessed are You, Who hears prayer.
[עַל־פִּי תּוֹרָה קס"ט - וְהָיָה עֵקֶב תִּשְׁמְעוּן]
צָרוֹת לְבָבִי הִרְחִיבוּ מִמְּצוּקוֹתַי הוֹצִיאֵנִי. צַר וּמָצוֹק מְצָאוּנִי מִצְוֹתֶיךָ שַׁעֲשֻׁעָי.
Judging Ourselves / When Jews Judge Themselves, Decrees Against Them are Nullified / When a Jew Judges Himself, He Attains Joy and Rectifies the Covenant
When a person is under great pressure, he feels that his existence is bitter and that he is hemmed in on every side.
He must cry out to God. He must examine himself and, as he does so, realize that most of his actions are corrupt and blemished — in particular, his evil thoughts and ideas that are so confused, scattered and distracted that it appears as though he has no self-control.
He must attain holy judgment so that he will be able to examine his deeds and judge himself. By judging himself, he removes and nullifies all judgments from above, so that no judgment will have the power to undermine him. Then he is able to find good counsel at every moment, and is capable of keeping it.
But he finds it hard to follow such good counsel — specifically, the advice of the Tzaddikim — because most of its elements are interdependent, and so it is hard to know where to begin. For instance, if he has blemished the holy covenant, he is far from joy, and because he is far from joy, he finds it difficult to rectify the covenant.
He must arouse the power of holy judgment of all the true Tzaddikim and God-fearing people, who often judged themselves more strictly than they deserved and who accepted suffering, troubles and bitter torments for the sake of the Jewish people. He must beseech God to remove powers of judgment so that no decree against Israel may be enforced.
With the nullification of these judgments, a person attains joy until it enters into his feet and he dances. This applies particularly to festivals, which are the time of our joy.
And when a person is joyful, he guards the holy covenant.
Judging Ourselves in Times of Trouble
“The troubles of my heart have expanded; extricate me from my straits.” “Distress and anguish have found me. Your commandments are my joy.”
צַר לִי מְאֹד, אָבִי שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם, צַר לִי מְאֹד, אָבִי אָב הָרַחֲמָן, צַר לִי מְאֹד, אָבִי אָבִי, גוֹאֲלִי וּפוֹדִי,
I am under great pressure, my Father in Heaven. I am constricted, my compassionate Father, my Redeemer.
צַר וּמַר, וְאָח וַאֲבוֹי, וְאוֹי וְאַלְלַי מְאֹד, צַר וּמָצוֹק מִכָּל צַד.
My existence is narrow, bitter and hemmed in on every side.
עֲנֵנִי יְהֹוָה עֲנֵנִי, עֲנֵנִי עוֹנֶה בְּעֵת צָרָה עֲנֵנִי, כִּי אַתָּה יְהֹוָה עוֹנֶה בְּעֵת צָרָה. עֲנֵנִי יְהֹוָה כִּי קְרָאתִיךָ, עָזְרֵנִי וְהוֹשִׁיעֵנִי לְמַעַן שְׁמֶךָ.
Answer me, HaShem, answer me — for You, HaShem, answer in a time of trouble. Answer me, HaShem, for I have called out to You. Help me and save me for the sake of Your Name.
לַמְּדֵנִי וְהוֹרֵנִי אֵיךְ אֶזְכֶּה לָדוּן וְלִשְׁפֹּט אֶת עַצְמִי בְּעַצְמִי, עַתָּה בָּעֵת הַזֹּאת, בְּעֵת צָרָה הַזֹּאת, אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי מֻנָּח כְּמוֹ בְּמַכְבֵּשׁ מַמָּשׁ, וְאֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ לָשִׁית עֵצוֹת בְּנַפְשִׁי לְהַצִּיל אֶת עַצְמִי עַל כָּל פָּנִים מֵעַתָּה,
Teach me to judge myself at this time of trouble, when I am crushed and I do not know how to take counsel with myself to rescue myself from now on.
וְנַפְשִׁי נִבְהֲלָה מְאֹד, מְאֹד, וְאַתָּה יְהֹוָה עַד מָתָי עַד מָתַי, עַד מָתַי, עַד אָן יִצְעַק בַּשְּׁבִי אֲנִי (פְּלוֹנִי בֶּן פְּלוֹנִית) עַבְדְּךָ בֶּן אֲמָתֶךָ.
“My spirit is very frightened, and You, HaShem, how long?” How long will I ([Hebrew name], the son/daughter of [mother’s Hebrew name]), Your servant, the child of Your maidservant, cry out in captivity?
אוֹי לִי וַי לִי, כִּי כָלוּ בְּיָגוֹן חַיַּי וּשְׁנוֹתַי בַּאֲנָחָה כָּשַׁל בַּעֲוֹנִי כֹחִי וַעֲצָמַי עָשֵׁשׁוּ.
Woe is me! “My life is worn away with grief and my years with sighing, my strength collapses and my bones have decayed.”
וְעַתָּה אֵיךְ לוֹקְחִים עֵצָה, אֵיךְ אֶזְכֶּה עַתָּה לְפַשְׁפֵּשׁ בְּמַעֲשַׂי וְלִשְׁפֹּט אֶת עַצְמִי עַל כָּל מַעֲשַׂי וְהַנְהָגוֹתַי,
How can I take counsel? How will I examine my deeds and judge myself for all my actions and behavior?
מֵאַחַר שֶׁאֲנִי יוֹדֵעַ בְּעַצְמִי שֶׁרֹב מַעֲשַׂי מְקֻלְקָלִים וּפְגוּמִים מְאֹד, וּבִפְרָט מַחְשְׁבוֹתַי הָרָעוֹת וְרַעְיוֹנַי הַמְבֻלְבָּלִים הַמְפֻזָּרִים וּטְרוּדִים בְּמַה שֶּׁטְּרוּדִים, רַחֲמָנָא לִצְלָן מֵעַתָּה, וְנִדְמֶה בְּדַעְתִּי כְּאִלּוּ אֵינִי בְּיָדִי חַס וְשָׁלוֹם.
I know myself that most of my actions are corrupt and blemished — in particular, my evil thoughts and ideas that are confused, scattered and distracted, may the Compassionate One protect me from now on. It appears to me as though I have no self-control, Heaven forbid.
וְזֶה כַּמָּה שֶׁאֲנִי חוֹתֵר חֲתִירוֹת לְהַצִּיל אֶת עַצְמִי וְלֹא עָלְתָה בְּיָדִי.
I have been striving valiantly to rescue myself for so long, but without success.
עַתָּה אֵיךְ זוֹכִין לְמִשְׁפָּט דִּקְדֻשָּׁה, שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְפַשְׁפֵּשׁ וּלְמַשְׁמֵשׁ בְּדַעְתִּי בְּמַעֲשַׂי, וְלִשְׁפֹּט אֶת עַצְמִי בְּעַצְמִי, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁאֶמְצָא עֵצָה וְתַחְבּוּלָה טוֹבָה בְּכָל־עֵת שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְקַיְּמָהּ,
How can I attain holy judgment so that I will be able to examine my deeds and judge myself, so that I will find good counsel and strategies at every moment, and be able to keep them?
בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁאָשׁוּב וְאָסוּר מְהֵרָה מִמַּעֲשַׂי הָרָעִים וּמִמַּחְשְׁבוֹתַי הָרָעוֹת וְהַפְּגוּמוֹת:
May I quickly turn aside from my evil, wrong and blemished deeds.
מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, חֲמֹל עָלַי וְעָזְרֵנִי וְהוֹשִׁיעֵנִי בִּישׁוּעוֹתֶיךָ הָאֲמִתִּיּוֹת,
You Who are filled with compassion, have mercy on me. Help me and save me with Your true salvation.
כִּי כְּבָר אָמַרְתִּי לְפָנֶיךָ כַּמָּה פְעָמִים, שֶׁכָּל הָעֵצוֹת הָאֲמִתִּיּוֹת וְהַנִּפְלָאוֹת שֶׁגִּלִּיתָ לָנוּ עַל־יְדֵי הַצַּדִּיקֵי אֱמֶת, אִם אָמְנָם כֻּלָּם נְכוֹחִים וִישָׁרִים, כֻּלָּם אֲהוּבִים, כֻּלָּם בְּרוּרִים, כֻּלָּם קְדוֹשִׁים, וְכֻלָּם עוֹמְדִים בְּרוּם עוֹלָם.
Through Your true Tzaddikim, You revealed true and wondrous counsel to us. It is all straight and true. It is all beloved, pure and holy. All of it stands at the apex of the world.
אַךְ מֵעֹצֶם גַּשְׁמִיּוּתֵנוּ וְקַשְׁיוּת עָרְפֵּנוּ קָשֶׁה עָלֵינוּ לְקַיֵּם הָעֵצָה בְּעַצְמָהּ,
But because I am so coarse and stiff-necked, I find it hard to keep this advice.
בִּפְרָט שֶׁרֹב הַדְּבָרִים כָּל אֶחָד נִתְלָה בַּחֲבֵרוֹ וְאֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ מֵהֵיכָן הַהַתְחָלָה,
In particular, most of its elements are interdependent, and I do not know where to begin.
כִּי אֲנִי רָחוֹק מִשִּׂמְחָה מֵחֲמַת שֶׁפָּגַמְתִּי הַרְבֵּה בִּבְרִית קֹדֶשׁ, וְכֵן לְהֵפֶךְ קָשֶׁה וְכָבֵד עָלַי לָשׁוּב עַל פְּגָם הַבְּרִית וְלִזְכּוֹת לְתַקֵּן הַבְּרִית, מֵחֲמַת שֶׁאֲנִי רָחוֹק מִשִּׂמְחָה,
Because I have blemished the holy covenant so much, I am far from joy. And because I am far from joy, I find it difficult to repent for having blemished the covenant, and to merit rectifying it.
כִּי עִקָּר שְׁמִירַת הַבְּרִית עַל־יְדֵי שִׂמְחָה, כַּמְבֹאָר בְּדִבְרֵי חֲכָמֵינוּ זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה בְּכַמָּה מְקוֹמוֹת.
The essential way to guard the covenant is by means of joy, as our sages have explained in a number of places.
וְעַתָּה מֵאַיִן יָבוֹא עֶזְרִי, מֵאַיִן תָּבֹא תְּשׁוּעָתִי, מֵאַיִן אֲבַקֵּשׁ עֵזֶר וּתְרוּפָה לְחוֹלֶה מְדֻכֶּא כָּמוֹנִי.
And now, “From where will my help come?” From where will my salvation come? Where will I find help and healing for a person as depressed and ill as I?
שׁוֹטַטְתִּי בְּאַרְבַּע פִּנּוֹת תְּרוּפָה לֹא מָצָאתִי, שַׁבְתִּי אֵלֶיךָ בְּבֹשֶׁת פָּנִים לְשַׁחֶרְךָ אֵל בְּעֵת צָרָתִי,
I have wandered in the four corners of the world without finding a cure. I return to You shamefaced to petition You, God, in my time of trouble.
וְאֶתְנַפֵּל וְאֶתְחַנֵּן לְפָנֶיךָ מָלֵא רַחֲמִים בְּכָל־עֵת, מֶלֶךְ אוֹהֵב צְדָקָה וּמִשְׁפָּט, שֶׁתְּזַכֵּנִי וְתַעַזְרֵנִי וְתוֹשִׁיעֵנִי וּתְלַמְּדֵנִי וְתוֹרֵנִי בְּכָל־עֵת דַּרְכֵי הַמִּשְׁפָּט דִּקְדֻשָּׁה,
I fall and plead before You. You are filled with compassion at every moment. You are the King Who loves charity and justice. Help me, save me, guide me and always teach me the ways of holy judgment.
שֶׁאֵדַע וְאָבִין וְאַשְׂכִּיל אֵיךְ לָדוּן וְלִשְׁפֹּט אֶת עַצְמִי בְּעַצְמִי בְּכָל יוֹם וָיוֹם עַל כָּל הַדְּבָרִים שֶׁעָשִׂיתִי, וְלִמְצֹא דֶרֶךְ וְעֵצָה נְכוֹנָה וַאֲמִתִּיִּית, שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְקַיְּמָהּ, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁאָשׁוּב מֵעַתָּה מִכָּל דְּרָכַי הָרָעִים וּמִמַּחְשְׁבוֹתַי הָרָעוֹת, וְלֹא אָשׁוּב עוֹד לְכִסְלָה,
May I know and comprehend how to judge myself every day regarding everything that I have done, and to find a proper approach and counsel, so that from now on I will turn away from all of my evil ways and thoughts, and I will no longer return to foolishness.
בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לָשׁוּב בִּתְשׁוּבָה שְׁלֵמָה לְפָנֶיךָ בֶּאֱמֶת, וְלַעֲסֹק תָּמִיד בְּמִשְׁפָּט דִּקְדֻשָּׁה לִשְׁפֹּט אֶת עַצְמִי כָּרָאוּי כִּרְצוֹנְךָ וְכִרְצוֹן הַצַּדִּיקִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים,
May I return to You completely, and always engage in holy judgment to judge myself properly, in accordance with Your will and the will of the true Tzaddikim.
עַד שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה עַל־יְדֵי הַמִּשְׁפָּט שֶׁאֶשְׁפֹּט אֶת עַצְמִי בְּעַצְמִי, לְסַלֵּק וּלְבַטֵּל כָּל הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים וְהַדִּינִים שֶׁלְּמַעְלָה מִמֶּנִּי, שֶׁלֹּא יִהְיֶה כֹּחַ לְשׁוּם מְעַרְעֵר וּמְקַטְרֵג לְעוֹרֵר שׁוּם דִּין וּמִשְׁפָּט עָלַי כְּלָל:
By judging myself, may I remove and nullify all judgments from above, so that no judgment will have the power to undermine me.
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, יָדַעְתִּי כִּי אֵין בִּי כֹחַ לָזֶה לְסַלֵּק כָּל הַדִּינִים וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִים מֵעָלַי, עַל־יְדֵי מִשְׁפָּטִי וְדִינִי, כִּי אֵינִי עוֹסֵק בָּזֶה כָּרָאוּי.
Master of the world, I know that I do not have the power to remove all judgments from myself by means of my own judgment, because I do not engage in this properly.
אַךְ עַל זֶה בָּאתִי לְבַקֵּשׁ וּלְהִתְחַנֵּן לְפָנֶיךָ בַּעַל הָרַחֲמִים, שֶׁדְּבָרַי אֵלֶּה שֶׁאֲנִי מְדַבֵּר לְפָנֶיךָ, יִהְיֶה בִּמְקוֹם הַמִּשְׁפָּט שֶׁאֲנִי צָרִיךְ לִשְׁפֹּט אֶת עַצְמִי.
So I have come to plead before You, Master of compassion, that these words that I am speaking before You should take the place of that judgment.
וּתְעוֹרֵר כֹּחַ הַמִּשְׁפָּט דִּקְדֻשָּׁה שֶׁל כָּל הַצַּדִּיקִים וְהַיְרֵאִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים שֶׁעָסְקוּ בָּזֶה כָּל יְמֵיהֶם, וְדָנוּ וְשָׁפְטוּ אֶת עַצְמָם יוֹתֵר וְיוֹתֵר מִמַּה שֶּׁהָיָה מַגִּיעַ לָהֶם כַּמָּה פְּעָמִים, וְקִבְּלוּ עַל עַצְמָם וְסָבְלוּ יִסּוּרִים וְצָרוֹת וְעִנּוּיִים קָשִׁים וּמָרִים עֲבוּר כְּלָל יִשְׂרָאֵל,
In the Merit of the Tzaddikim
Arouse the power of holy judgment of all the true Tzaddikim and God-fearing people who were involved in this throughout their lives, and who often judged themselves more strictly than they deserved, and who accepted suffering, troubles and bitter torments for the sake of the Jewish people.
וְהַרְבֵּה מֵהֶם מֵתוּ וְנֶהֶרְגוּ עַל קִדּוּשׁ הַשֵּׁם בְּיִסּוּרִים קָשִׁים וּמָרִים מְאֹד. בִּזְכוּתָם וְכֹחָם תְּגָרֵשׁ וּתְשַׁבֵּר וְתַמְתִּיק וּתְבַטֵּל כָּל הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים וְהַדִּינִים מִמֶּנִּי וּמִכָּל בְּנֵי בֵיתִי וּמִכָּל הַנִּלְוִים אֵלַי וּמִכָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל,
Many of them suffered terribly and were killed for the sanctification of Your Name. In their merit and power, chase away, break, sweeten and nullify all judgments against me, my entire family, all those dependent on me, and the entire Jewish people.
וּתְבַטֵּל כָּל הַצָּרוֹת בִּכְלָל וּבִפְרָט בְּגַשְׁמִיּוּת ובְרוּחָנִיּוּת בְּגוּף וָנֶפֶשׁ וּמָמוֹן,
Overcoming the Agents of Judgment
Nullify all troubles in general — particularly material and spiritual troubles, those that affect the body, the soul and money.
וְלֹא תִתֵּן כֹּחַ לְשׁוּם שְׁלוּחֵי הַדִּין הַנִּקְרָאִים, רָצִים, בְּחִינַת רַגְלִין, שֶׁיֵּלְכוּ לַעֲשׂוֹת אֵיזֶה דִין בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, לֹא לִכְלָל יִשְׂרָאֵל וְלֹא לְכָל יָחִיד וְיָחִיד מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל.
Do not give power to any agents of judgment — which are called “runners” (corresponding to the spiritual level of “feet”) — to exact any judgments against Israel, Heaven forbid, whether all of Israel or any individual in Israel.
וַאֲפִלּוּ הַדִּינִים וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִים וְהַגְּזֵרוֹת שֶׁכְּבָר נִמְסְרוּ לָרָצִים וְלִשְׁלוּחֵי הַדִּין חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, וַאֲפִלּוּ אִם כְּבָר יָצְאוּ הָרָצִים מְבֹהָלִים וּדְחוּפִים בִּדְבַר הַמֶּלֶךְ לַעֲשׂוֹת אֵיזֶה דִין וּמִשְׁפָּט בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל חַס וְשָׁלוֹם:
May this be so even if judgments and decrees have already been given to the runners and agents of judgment, even if the runners have already set out “confused and rushed by the word of the king” to perform some judgment against Israel, Heaven forbid.
אָנָּא רַחוּם בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, חֲמֹל עַל עַמְּךָ בֵּית־יִשְׂרָאֵל בִּזְכוּת הַצַּדִּיקִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים שֶׁשָּׁפְטוּ וְדָנוּ אֶת עַצְמָן כָּרָאוּי, וּבִזְכוּת כָּל הַקְּדוֹשִׁים שֶׁנֶּהֶרְגוּ עַל קְדֻשַּׁת שְׁמֶךָ. וְתַחֲזֹר וּתְבַטֵּל וְתִטּוֹל וְתִקַּח מִכָּל שְׁלוּחֵי הַדִּין אֶת כֹּחַ הַמִּשְׁפָּט וְהַדִּין שֶׁמָּסַרְתָּ לָהֶם,
Compassionate God, please have mercy on Your nation, the House of Israel, in the merit of the true Tzaddikim who judged themselves properly, and in the merit of all the martyrs who were killed for the sanctification of Your Name. Take back, nullify and remove from all these agents of judgment the power of judgment that You transferred to them.
וְתֹאמַר לַמַּלְאָךְ הֶרֶף יָדֶיךָ, וְיָשׁוּב חַרְבּוֹ אֶל נְדָנָהּ.
Tell the angel, “Withhold your hand,” so that he will return his sword to its sheath.
כִּי אַתָּה אוֹחֵז בְּיַד מִדַּת מִשְׁפָּט, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, וְתֹאחֵז בְּמִשְׁפָּט יָדִי. וַאֲפִלּוּ כְּשֶׁאַתָּה זוֹרֵק חֵץ, אַתָּה יָכוֹל לְהַחֲזִירָהּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ.
You grasp the trait of judgment, as the verse states, “You grasp my hand with judgment.” Even after You shoot an arrow, You can retrieve it.
רַחֵם עָלַי וְעַל כָּל הַתְּלוּיִם בִּי וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל, וּבַטֵּל מֵעָלֵינוּ כָּל מִינֵי צָרוֹת וְדִינִים שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם, בַּטֵּל מֵעָלֵינוּ כָּל גְּזֵרוֹת קָשׁוֹת,
The Enforced Conscription of Russian Jewry
Have compassion on me, on all those dependent on me, and on the entire Jewish people. Nullify every kind of trouble and judgment in the world, every harsh decree, against us.
וּבִפְרָט כָּל הַגְּזֵרוֹת קָשׁוֹת וּמָרוֹת הַנִּשְׁמָעִין, שֶׁרוֹצִים לִגְזֹר עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל חַס וְשָׁלוֹם,
(In particular, regarding rumors about harsh and bitter decrees that non-Jewish governments want to enact against the Jewish people, Heaven forbid, in the countries of … )
וּבִפְרָט הַגְּזֵרָה קָשָׁה וּמָרָה שֶׁכְּבָר נִגְזָרָה אֶצְלָם וְנֶחְתְּמָה בְּחוֹתַם הַמֶּלֶךְ, שֶׁבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל יִהְיוּ מְצֻיָּנִים וּמְזֻיָּנִים בִּכְלֵי זַיִן לְמַעַן יִתְעָרְבוּ בַּגּוֹיִם וְיִלְמְדוּ מַעֲשֵׂיהֶם, תַּכְסִיסֵי מִלְחָמָה בְּתוֹךְ אַנְשֵׁי חָיִל.
In particular, the harsh and bitter decree that has already been signed with the seal of the king,4The following references to the conscription of Jewish children were expunged by the Russian censors in several printings of Likutey Tefilot, but were reinstated in later editions. The majority of Likutey Tefilot was written by 1820, but Reb Noson wrote a few prayers after the Cantonist decrees of 1826-1827, which sanctioned forced conscription of young Jewish children into the Czar’s army. that the children of Israel must be conscripted and armed so that they will assimilate among the gentiles and learn their ways, their war strategies, as soldiers.
אוֹי אוֹי וַאֲבוֹי! אוֹי לַעֵינַיִם שֶׁכָּכָה רוֹאוֹת, הֲלֹא לְמִשְׁמַע אֹזֶן דָּאֲבָה נַפְשֵׁנוּ.
Woe! Woe to the eyes that see this. Our soul is distraught at what our ears have heard!
מָארֵיהּ דְּעָלְמָא כֹּלָּא, הַבֵּט מִשָּׁמִים וּרְאֵה אֵיזֶה מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל רָאוּי לָזֶה לָשֵׂאת כְּלֵי זַיִן לִלְחוֹם אֶת מִלְחֲמוֹתֵיהֶם, וּלְחַלֵּל שַׁבָּתוֹת וְיָמִים טוֹבִים, שֶׁבְּגֹדֶל הֶכְרֵחִי מֻכְרָח לְבַטֵּל מִצְוַת הַתּוֹרָה.
Master of the entire world, look down from Heaven and see each Jew taken to carry a weapon to fight their wars and desecrate the Shabbat and festivals, forced to nullify the Torah’s commandments.
אוֹי אוֹי אוֹי! מִי יוּכַל לְשַׁעֵר מְרִירַת הַצָּרָה הַקָּשָׁה הַזֹּאת שֶׁמְּבַטֶּלֶת מִבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֱמוּנַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, אוֹי לָנוּ שֶׁרָאִינוּ זֹאת. אוֹי וַאֲבוֹי. עֵינֵינוּ דָּאֲבָה מִנִּי עֹנִי הַצָּרָה הַזֹּאת.
Woe! Who can imagine the bitterness of this difficult trouble that destroys the faith of the children of Israel! Woe to us who have seen this. Woe! Our eyes are downcast because of this suffering.
מָרָא דְּעָלְמָא כֹּלָּא, מִי יָכֹל לִסְבֹּל צָרָה כָּזֹאת. אוֹי אוֹי אוֹי מִי יָכֹל לְשַׁעֵר מְרִירוּת הַצָּרָה הַקָּשָׁה הַזֹּאת. אוֹי מִי יַעֲמֹד בָּזֶה.
Master of the entire world, who can bear such trouble? Woe, who can imagine the bitterness of this harsh trouble? Who can stand this?
אִי שָׁמַיִם, הָקִיצוּ לְצַעֲרֵנוּ, אִי שָׁמַיִם, הַפְגִינוּ בַּעֲדֵנוּ, מַלְאֲכֵי רַחֲמִים מְשָׁרְתֵי עֶלְיוֹן חַלּוּ נָא פְּנֵי אֵל בְּמֵיטַב הִגָּיוֹן אוּלַי יָחוֹס עַם עָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן אוּלַי יְרַחֵם. אוּלַי יָחוֹס, אוּלַי יְרַחֵם, אוּלַי אוּלַי יְרַחֵם, אוּלַי יְרַחֵם,
Heavens, awaken to our suffering! Heavens, pray on our behalf! Angels of compassion, servants of the Supernal One, appease the face of God with eloquent words. Perhaps He will have pity on this impoverished nation. Perhaps He will have compassion. Perhaps He will have compassion.
צַדִּיקֵי יְסוֹדֵי עוֹלָם, קוּמוּ כָּל שׁוֹכְנֵי עָפָר לְהַעְתִּיר בַּעֲדֵנוּ בְּעֵת צָרָה הַמָּרָה הַזֹּאת. אָבוֹת הָעוֹלָם, שִׁבְעָה רוֹעִים, אַבְרָהָם, יִצְחָק, יַעֲקֹב, מֹשֶׁה, אַהֲרֹן, יוֹסֵף, דָּוִד. וְכָל הָאִמָּהוֹת, שָׂרָה, רִבְקָה, רָחֵל וְלֵאָה. וּשְׁנֵים עָשָׂר שִׁבְטֵי־יָהּ, וְכָל הַזְּקֵנִים וְהַנְּבִיאִים רִאשׁוֹנִים וְאַחֲרוֹנִים, וְכָל הַתַּנָּאִים וַאֲמוֹרָאִים, וְכָל הַצַּדִּיקִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים וְהַקְּדוֹשִׁים וְהַיְרֵאִים וְהַתְּמִימִים שֶׁהָיוּ בְּכָל הַדּוֹרוֹת עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה,
Tzaddikim, foundations of the world, all who dwell in the dust, arise to beg on our behalf at this bitter time — fathers of the world, the Seven Shepherds, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph, David, and all the mothers, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah, and the twelve tribes of God, and all the elders and the early and late prophets, and all the Tannaim and Amoraim,5Tannaim are the sages of the Mishnah (c. 10-220 C.E.); Amoraim are the sages of the Gemara (c. 200-500 C.E.). and all the true, holy, God-fearing and wholehearted Tzaddikim in all generations to this day.
עִמְדוּ נָא, עוֹרְרוּ נָא כֻּלְּכֶם מִקָּטֹן וְעַד גָּדוֹל, אַל תַּחֲרִישׁוּ וְאַל תִּשְׁקוֹטוּ, הִתְיַצְּבוּ נָא בְּעֶזְרָתֵנוּ, בְּעֵת צָרָה הַזֹּאת,
Please stand, please awaken, all of you, from small to great. Do not be silent. Please stand to help us at this time of trouble!
הִשְׁתַּדְּלוּ וְהַרְבּוּ תְחִנָּה וּבַקָּשָׁה לִפְנֵי מֶלֶךְ אֵל רָם וְנִשָּׂא, יִזְכֹּר אַהֲבַתְכֶם וִיחַיֶּה זַרְעֲכֶם, וִיבַטֵּל מֵאִתָּנוּ כָּל גְּזֵרוֹת קָשׁוֹת,
Plead at length before God, the elevated and exalted King. May He recall your love and give Your children life. And may He nullify all evil decrees against us.
(וּבִפְרָט גְּזֵירָה רָעָה וּמָרָה הַזֹּאת אֲשֶׁר כְּבָר יָצְאָה מִלִּפְנֵיהֶם, לֹא תְהֵא כָזֹאת בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶלֹּא תֹאבַד שֶׁאֵרִית יעֲקֹב).
(In particular, this evil and wicked decree that has already been passed by the gentiles — may it not be so in Israel, so that the remnant of Jacob will not be lost.)
וְאֵין לָנוּ עַל מִי לְהִשָּׁעֵן כִּי אִם עַל רַחֲמֵי הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ, וְעַל כֹּחֲכֶם הַגָּדוֹל וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ.
We have nothing to rely on but Your compassion and Your great and holy power.
אַל תַּבִּיטוּ עַל מַעֲשֵׂינוּ אֲשֶׁר לֹא טוֹבִים, וְעַל חֲטָאֵינוּ וַעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ וּפְשָׁעֵינוּ הַמְּרֻבִּים וְהָעֲצוּמִים כָּל כָּךְ, כִּי כְּבָר סָבַלְתֶּם יִסּוּרִים וְצָרוֹת הַרְבֵּה בִּשְׁבִילֵנוּ בְּחַיֵּיכֶם.
Tzaddikim, do not look at our unworthy actions or at our many transgressions, sins and iniquities. You have already borne many sufferings and troubles for our sake during your lifetimes.
הַבִּיטוּ אֶל מְעַט דִּמְעַט טוֹב, שֶׁנִּמְצָא בָנוּ עֲדַיִן, כִּי אֲפִלּוּ בְּפוֹשְׁעֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הַגְּרוּעִים נִמְצָאִים כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה נְקֻדּוֹת טוֹבוֹת, מִכָּל שֶׁכֵּן שֶׁגַּם עַתָּה נִמְצָאִים קְצַת כְּשֵׁרִים וִירֵאִים וְצַדִּיקִים אֲמִתִּיִּים, כִּי אֵין דּוֹר יָתוֹם, וּתְהִלָּה לָאֵל לֹא אַלְמָן יִשְׂרָאֵל, הֶקִיצוֹתִי וְעוֹדִי עִמָּךְ:
Look at the little bit of good still within us, because many good points are found even in the lowest Jewish sinners — how much more now that there are a few people who are worthy, Godfearing and true Tzaddikim, because no generation is orphaned, and Israel is not widowed. “I came to the end, and I am still with you.”
חוּס וַחֲמֹל וְרַחֵם וּשְׁמַע קוֹל צַעֲקַת וְשַׁוְעַת עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל, אֲשֶׁר צָעֲקוּ לְפָנֶיךָ אֲנָשִׁים וְנָשִׁים וָטַף מִיּוֹם שֶׁנִּשְׁמַע הַגְּזֵרָה הַמָּרָה הַזֹּאת, עַד אֲשֶׁר כַּמָּה נְפָשׁוֹת מֵתוּ וְנֶחְלְשׁוּ עַל־יְדֵי־זֶה.
Have pity, mercy and compas sion and hear the outcry of Your nation, the Jewish people — men, women and children — since the day that this bitter decree was promulgated until a number of people have died and we have grown weaker.
וְאַף כִּי עַתָּה אָנוּ מִתְרַפִּים מִלִּצְעֹק וְלָשׁוּב כָּרָאוּי, הֲלֹא אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ חֲלִישׁוּת כֹּחֵנוּ, כִּי בָשָׂר וָדָם אֲנַחְנוּ וּמֵחֹמֶר קֹרַצְנוּ, וְאַתָּה יוֹדֵעַ יִצְרֵנוּ כִּי מַעֲשֵׂה יָדְךָ כֻּלָּנוּ, בִּפְרַט בַּדּוֹרוֹת הַחֲלוּשִׁים הָאֵלֶּה בְּגַשְׁמִיּוּת וְרוּחָנִיּוּת.
Although we are too feeble to cry out and repent properly, You know how weak we are. We are made of flesh and blood, carved from clay, because we are all the work of Your hand. You know our evil inclination, particularly in these generations that are weak both materially and spiritually.
רַחֵם רַחֵם, בַּעַל הָרַחֲמִים, הוֹשִׁיעָה הוֹשִׁיעָה, בַּעַל הַיְשׁוּעוֹת, כִּי אֵין מִי יַעֲמֹד בַּעֲדֵנוּ שִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל יַעֲמָד לָנוּ בְּעֵת צָרָה.
Have compassion, Master of compassion. Save us, Master of salvations, for there is no one to stand up on our behalf. May Your great Name stand up for us at a time of trouble.
הַבֵּט מִשָּׁמַיִם וּרְאֵה כִּי הָיִינוּ לַעַג וָקֶלֶס בַּגּוֹיִם נֶחְשַׁבְנוּ כַּצֹּאן לָטֶּבַח יוּבָל, לַהֲרֹג וּלְאַבֵּד וּלְמַכָּה וּלְחֶרְפָּה, וּבְכָל זֹאת שִׁמְךָ לֹא שָׁכָחְנוּ נָא אַל תִּשְׁכָּחֵנוּ.
Gaze down from Heaven and see that we have been the object of scorn and derision among the gentiles. We are considered as sheep brought to the slaughter, to be killed and destroyed, to be struck and disgraced. Nevertheless, we have not forgotten Your Name. Please do not forget us.
רְאֵה אֶת עַמְּךָ מְרוּדִים מְאֹד, רְאֵה כִּי כָל עִקָּר צַעַר יִשְׂרָאֵל הוּא רַק מֵחֲמַת שֶׁרוֹצִים לְהַעֲבִיר אוֹתָם עַל דַּת יִשְׂרָאֵל חַס וְשָׁלוֹם,
Look at Your downtrodden nation. See that the essence of their suffering is only because the gentiles want to tear them away from the religion of Israel, Heaven forbid.
(מֵחֲמַת שֶׁגְּזֵרָה רָעָה זֹאת מְבִיאָה רַבִּים מִבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עוֹבְרִים עַל דָּת, וְרַבִּים מִבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מְרֻצִּים לְהָמִית אֶת עַצְמָם בְּיָדַיִם חַס וְשָׁלוֹם מִלַּעֲבֹר עַל דָּתְךָ הַקָּדוֹשׁ, אַךְ הֵם מִתְיָרְאִים אוּלַי אֵין זֶה רְצוֹנְךָ עַל פִּי דָּת תּוֹרָתֵנוּ הַקְּדוֹשָׁה).
(And this evil decree causes many Jews to violate the Torah, and many Jews would prefer to kill themselves with their own hands, Heaven forbid, rather than transgress Your holy Torah, but they fear that perhaps this is not Your will according to our holy Torah.)
עַל כֵּן הֵם הוֹלְכִים חֲשֵׁכִים עֲיֵפִים וְנִרְדָּפִים נֶאֱנָחִים וְנִדְכָּאִים מְחַכִּים לָמוּת עָלֶיךָ וְאֵינֶנּוּ, וְעֵינֵיהֶם כָּלוֹת כָּל הַיּוֹם לִשְׁמֹעַ אֵיזֶה יְשׁוּעָה אֲמִתִּיִּית.
Therefore, they continue in darkness, weary and persecuted, groaning and oppressed, hoping to die for Your sake and be no more. And their eyes are worn out the entire day, as they hope to hear of some true salvation.
וְעֵינֵיהֶם תְּלוּיוֹת אֵלֶיךָ לְבַד כְּעֵינֵי עֲבָדִים אֶל יַד אֲדוֹנֵיהֶם, כְּעֵינֵי שִׁפְחָה אֶל יַד גְּבִרְתָּהּ כֵּן עֵינֵינוּ אֶל יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ עַד שֶׁיְּחָנֵּנוּ. חָנֵּנוּ יְהֹוָה חָנֵּנוּ כִּי רַב שָׂבַעְנוּ בוּז.
Their eyes depend on You alone. “Behold, like the eyes of slaves turned to the hand of their master, like the eyes of the maidservant turned to the hand of her mistress, so are our eyes turned to HaShem our God, until He will be gracious to us. Be gracious to us, HaShem. Be gracious to us, because we have suffered much contempt.”
יֶהֱמוּ מֵעֶיךָ וְיִכְָמְרוּ רַחֲמֶיךָ עָלֵינוּ, חוּסָה עָלֵינוּ כְּרֹב חֶמְלָתְךָ וְאַל תִּשְׁפֹּךְ חֲרוֹנְךָ עָלֵינוּ, בִּזְכוּת אֲבוֹתֵינוּ וְרַבּוֹתֵינוּ הַצַּדִּיקִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים הַמַּעֲתִּירִים אוֹתְךָ בַּעֲדֵנוּ תָמִיד.
May Your compassion be stirred up for us. In the merit of our forefathers and our rabbis, the true Tzaddikim who plead with You for our sake, always Have pity on us in Your great mercy. Do not pour Your wrath on us.
שׁוּב מֵחֲרוֹן אַפֶּךָ וְהִנָּחֵם עַל הָרָעָה לְעַמֶּךָ:
“Turn back from Your wrathful anger, and reconsider the evil to Your nation.”
גּוֹאֵל וּמוֹשִׁיעַ פּוֹדֶה וּמַצִּיל וּמְפַרְנֵס וְעוֹנֶה וּמְרַחֵם בְּכָל־עֵת צָרָה וְצוּקָה, שָׁמְרֵנוּ וְהַצִּילֵנוּ וּפְדֵנוּ מִכָּל הַצָּרוֹת וּמִכָּל הַדִּינִים שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם (וּבִפְרָט מֵהַצָּרוֹת וְהַגְּזֵרוֹת אֲשֶׁר בָּעֵת הַזֹּאת, רַחֲמָנָא לִצְלָן, רַחֲמָנָא לְשֵׁזְבָן),
Redeemer and Savior, Rescuer, Sustainer and Answerer, You have compassion at every moment of trouble and oppression. Guard us, rescue us and redeem us from all troubles and judgments in the world (and in particular, from the troubles and decrees at this time, may the Compassionate One protect us, may the Compassionate One save us).
חוּסָה יְהֹוָה עַל שְׁאֵרִית יִשְׂרָאֵל עַמֶּךָ וְהַצִּילֵנוּ מִכָּל רָע וּמִכָּל הַגְּזֵרוֹת קָשׁוֹת שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם, וּתְסַלֵּק וְתָסִיר וּתְבַטֵּל כָּל הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים וְהַדִּינִים מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל,
For a festival
The Joy of the Festivals
HaShem, have pity on the remnant of Israel, Your nation. Rescue us from all evil and from all harsh decrees in the world. Remove and nullify all judgments from Israel.
עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה עַל־יְדֵי בִּטּוּל הַדִּינִים לְשִׂמְחָה גְּדוֹלָה, שֶׁתַּגְדִּיל הַשִּׂמְחָה עַד שֶׁתַּגִּיעַ לְתוֹךְ הָרַגְלִין שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לִרְקֹד הַרְבֵּה מִתּוֹךְ שִׂמְחָה. נָגִילָה וְנִשְׂמְחָה בִּישׁוּעָתֶךָ, בְּשִׂמְחָה וְגִלָּה רִנָּה דִּיצָה וְחֶדְוָה,
With the nullification of the judgments, may we attain great joy. Increase joy until it enters into our feet, so that we will dance a great deal. May we rejoice and be happy in Your salvation, with happiness and singing.
(וּבִפְרָט בִּימֵי שִׂמְחָה וְיוֹם טוֹב יְמֵי חַג פְּלוֹנִי) הַקְּדוֹשִׁים הַבָּאִים לִקְרָאתֵנוּ לְשָׁלוֹם. רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ וְחַזְּקֵנוּ לִשְׂמֹחַ בָּהֶם בְּכָל עֹז, כִּי הֵם זְמַן שִׂמְחָתֵנוּ.
(And in particular, on the joyful festival of … ), may it come to us in peace. Have compassion on us and strengthen us to rejoice with all our might, because the festivals are the time of our joy.
רַב לְהוֹשִׁיעַ, רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ וְהַשְׁמִיעֵנוּ בְּשׂוֹרוֹת טוֹבוֹת אֲמִתִּיּוֹת מְהֵרָה שֶׁנִּתְבַּטְּלוּ כָּל הַגְּזֵרוֹת הַקָּשׁוֹת, לְמַעַן נִזְכֶּה, לִשְׂמֹחַ בְּשִׂמְחַת הַחַג הַקָּדוֹשׁ הַבָּא עָלֵינוּ לְטוֹבָה, וְלֹא יִתְעָרְבֵב שִׂמְחָתֵנוּ חַס וְשָׁלוֹם.
(You are great to save. Have compassion on us and send us the good news soon that all the harsh decrees have been nullified. May we rejoice with the joy of the festivals that comes to us for the good. And may our joy not be diluted, Heaven forbid.
רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ לְמַעַן שְׁמֶךָ וְשַׂמְּחֵנוּ בְּחַג הַקָּדוֹשׁ הַזֶּה הַבָּא עָלֵינוּ לְטוֹבָה בְּשִׂמְחָה גְּדוֹלָה, בְּשִׂמְחָה אֲמִתִּיִּית בְּשִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ שֶׁנִּקְרָא עָלֵינוּ,
(Have compassion on us for the sake of Your Name. Cause us to rejoice on this festival that comes to us for the good, with great and true joy in Your great and holy Name that is applied to us.
וִיקֻיַּם מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, בְּשִׁמְךָ יְגִילוּן כָּל הַיּוֹם וּבְצִדְקָתְךָ יָרוּמוּ. עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְהַמְשִׁיךְ הַשִּׂמְחָה מֵהַחַג הַקָּדוֹשׁ וְהַנּוֹרָא הַזֶּה עַל כָּל הַשָּׁנָה כֻּלָּהּ:
(May the verse be realized, “In Your Name they will rejoice all the day, and in Your righteousness they will be elevated.” May we draw down joy from this holy and awesome festival to the entire year.)
וּתְחַזְּקֵנוּ וּתְאַמְּצֵנוּ לִהְיוֹת בְּשִׂמְחָה תָמִיד, עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה עַל־יְדֵי הַשִּׂמְחָה לִשְׁמִירַת הַבְּרִית קֹדֶשׁ בֶּאֱמֶת, כָּרָאוּי לָאִישׁ הַיִּשְׂרְאֵלִי הַנִּבְחָר מִכָּל הָעַמִּים וְהַלְּשׁוֹנוֹת,
Guarding the Covenant
Strengthen me to be joyful always, until I truly guard the holy covenant as is proper for a man of Israel, chosen from all the nations.
וּבְרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים תִּשְׁמֹר אַתָּה בְּעַצְמְךָ אֶת בְּרִיתֵנוּ הַקָּדוֹשׁ מִכָּל מִינֵי פְּגָמִים שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם,
In Your vast compassion, guard my holy covenant from every type of blemish in the world.
וְתַעֲשֶׂה כְּנִפְלְאוֹתֶיךָ וּתְזַכֵּנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ מְהֵרָה לְתִקּוּן הַבְּרִית בְּתַכְלִית הַתִּקּוּן הַנִּבְחָר בֶּאֱמֶת כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב,
Act in accordance with Your wonders. In Your compassion, help me soon rectify the covenant completely, in accordance with Your good will.
כִּי בְּעֹצֶם נִפְלְאוֹתֶיךָ וְטוֹבוֹתֶיךָ וַחֲסָדֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, וּבְכֹחַ וּזְכוּת הַצַּדִּיקִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים שֶׁשָּׁמְרוּ אֶת הַבְּרִית בְּתַכְלִית הַשְּׁלֵמוּת שֶׁאֵין שְׁלֵמוּת אַחֲרָיו, אֲנִי בָּטוּחַ וְנִשְׁעָן, שֶׁתְּתַקֵּן אוֹתִי וְאֶת כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל,
I am sure that You will rectify me and all the Jewish people in the power of Your many wonders, favors and kindnesses, and in the power of the true Tzaddikim who have guarded the covenant with an ultimate perfection that cannot be surpassed.
וְתַהֲפֹךְ הַכֹּל לְטוֹבָה, עַד שֶׁגַּם כָּל הַפְּגוּמִים מְאֹד מְאֹד בִּפְגַם הַבְּרִית יִהְיוּ בִּכְלַל תִּקּוּן הַבְּרִית בֶּאֱמֶת, כִּי מִמְּךָ לֹא יִפָּלֵא כָּל דָּבָר.
Transform everything to the good, until every person whose covenant is blemished will be totally rectified. Who is like You? Nothing is beyond You.
חוּס וַחֲמֹל עָלַי, חוּס וַחֲמֹל עָלַי וְעַל כָּל חֶבְרָתֵנוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל.
A Plea for Compassion
Have pity and mercy on me. Have pity and mercy on me, on all my companions, and on the entire Jewish people.
חוּס וְרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ, חוּס וְרַחֵם עַל בָּשְׁתֵנוּ וּכְלִמָּתֵנוּ, אֲשֶׁר אָנוּ נִבְזִים בְּעֵינֵי עַצְמֵנוּ וְנִמְאָסִים מְאֹד, עַד אֲשֶׁר קָשֶׁה לָנוּ מְאֹד לִסְבֹּל אֶת עַצְמֵנוּ.
Have pity and compassion on me. Have pity and compassion on my shame. I am so disgraced in my own eyes and despised that it is hard for me to bear myself.
עָזְרֵנוּ וְהוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ וּפְדֵנוּ וּגְאָלֵנוּ עַתָּה לְמַעַן שְׁמֶךָ. שָׁמְרָה נַפְשִׁי וְהַצִּילֵנִי אַל אֵבוֹשׁ כִּי חָסִיתִי בָךְ. שַׂמֵּחַ נֶפֶשׁ עַבְדֶּךָ כִּי אֵלֶיךָ יְהֹוָה נַפְשִׁי אֶשָּׂא. תַּשְׁמִיעֵנִי שָׂשׂוֹן וְשִׂמְחָה תָּגֵלְנָה עֲצָמוֹת דִּכִּיתָ.
Help me. Save me. Redeem me now for the sake of Your Name. “Guard my soul and save me; may I not be ashamed, for I take refuge in You.” “Give joy to the soul of Your servant because, HaShem, I lift my soul to You!” “Cause me to hear gladness and joy; may the bones that You crushed, exult.”
הוֹשַׁע יְהֹוָה אֶת עַמְּךָ אֶת שְׁאֵרִית יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּכָל פָּרָשַׁת הָעִבּוּר יִהְיוּ כָּל צָרְכֵיהֶם לְפָנֶיךָ, אֲפִלּוּ בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאַתָּה מִתְמַלֵּא עֲלֵיהֶם עֶבְרָה כְּאִשָׁה עֻבָּרָה יִהְיוּ כָּל צָרְכֵיהֶם לְפָנֶיךָ לְרַחֵם עֲלֵיהֶם מְהֵרָה, בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה שׁוֹמֵעַ תְּפִלָּה.
HaShem, save Your nation, the remnant of Israel. Even if You are filled with anger at them like a pregnant woman filled with her child, may the presence of all their needs inspire You to quickly have compassion on them. Blessed are You, Who hears prayer.
עֲשֵׂה רְצוֹנְךָ בַּשָּׁמַיִם מִמַּעַל וְתֵן נַחַת־רוּחַ לִירֵאֶיךָ מִתָּחַת, וְהַטּוֹב בְּעֵינֶיךָ עֲשֵׂה, בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה שׁוֹמֵעַ תְּפִלָּה.
Perform Your will in the heavens above and give comfort to those who fear You down here below. Do that which is good in Your eyes. Blessed are You, Who hears prayer.
שְׁמַע שַׁוְעַת עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל וַעֲשֵׂה מְהֵרָה בַּקָּשָׁתָם, בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה שׁוֹמֵעַ תְּפִלָּה.
Hear the cry of Your nation, the Jewish people, and quickly fulfill their requests. Blessed are You, Who hears prayer.
שְׁמַע צַעֲקַת עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל וַעֲשֵׂה מְהֵרָה בַּקָּשָׁתָם, בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה שׁוֹמֵעַ תְּפִלָּה.
Hear the outcry of Your nation, the Jewish people, and quickly fulfill their requests. Blessed are You, Who hears prayer.
צָרְכֵי עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל מְרֻבִּים וְדַעְתָּם קְצָרָה, יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ שֶׁתִּתֵּן לְכָל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד כְּדֵי פַּרְנָסָתוֹ, וּלְכָל גְּוִיָּה וּגְוִיָּה דֵּי מַחְסוֹרָהּ, בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה שׁוֹמֵעַ תְּפִלָּה.
The needs of Your nation, the Jewish people, are many, and their minds are limited. Please, HaShem our God, give everyone enough to sustain him. Give every limb what it lacks. Blessed are You, Who hears prayer.
יִהְיוּ לְרָצוֹן אִמְרֵי פִי וְהֶגְיוֹן לִבִּי לְפָנֶיךָ יְהֹוָה צוּרִי וְגוֹאֲלִי.
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing before You, HaShem, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה לְעוֹלָם אָמֵן וְאָמֵן:
“Blessed is HaShem forever, amen and amen.”