Proper Rebuke Elicits a Person’s Spiritual Fragrance / Proper Awareness Shields a Person Against Lust / A Spiritually Powerful Person Causes the Side of Evil to Disgorge Holiness / We Must Seek a Teacher Who Possesses Something of the Power of Prophecy / Prophecy Purifies the Imagination, Making Faith Possible Rebuke is a wonderful thing. When a Jew sees that someone else is behaving improperly, he is obligated to correct him. However, not everyone is capable of delivering rebuke properly. In such cases, the rebuke will not help. To the contrary, it will be harmful. A person’s evil deeds and traits exude a foul odor, and improper rebuke intensifies that odor. That weakens the soul of the wrongdoer. Worlds depend on a person’s soul. When his soul weakens, those worlds cease to receive their sustenance. But when a person gives rebuke in a worthy fashion, he grants the soul of the person receiving his rebuke a pleasant fragrance. That fragrance constitutes the soul’s food and sustenance. Such a rebuke corresponds to Moses’ rebuke of the Jewish people after the sin of the golden calf, which granted them a pleasant fragrance. The voice of proper rebuke corresponds to the river that emerged from Eden to water the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:10). This garden is the realm where pleasant fragrances and the fear of God grow. The voice of proper rebuke corresponds to the melody of messianic times, a fourfold melody that will remake the world. When a person delivers proper rebuke, he draws down threads of kindness. These threads combine to create the seventy-two strings of the musical instrument that will play this fourfold song. A person attains that voice — the ability to deliver proper rebuke — when he prays for God’s compassion. That compassion is associated with an expanded awareness. Until then, at times the Side of Evil diverts the energy of compassion to itself so that God’s compassion to us is diminished. Then, even the little compassion that does remain is degraded and tainted by the dynamic of cruelty. And when proper awareness is diminished, it leads to lust. Conversely, when a person’s awareness is whole, it shields him against lust. (More specifically, there are three areas of awareness, each of which draws down a specific type of compassion and serves as a barrier against lust.) When compassion and the mind are damaged, and the blemish of lust exists, a person cannot pray and plead for compassion. Then prayer enters into the realm of judgment, where the Side of Evil swallows it. This situation can be rectified by a spiritually powerful person who is able to pray purposefully on the level of judgment. When he does so, the Side of Evil attempts to swallow his prayer. However, that prayer gets stuck in its throat and the Side of Evil must disgorge it along with all of the holy awareness, compassion and prayer that it had previously swallowed. Moreover, it must even disgorge its own life force. This is the dynamic that occurs on Rosh HaShanah, the Day of Judgment, when prayer is in the realm of judgment. At that time, we extract life force from the Side of Evil. Then the holy awareness that it had swallowed up is restored to us. Also, when prayer gets stuck in the throat of the Side of Evil, non-Jews convert to Judaism. They had been part of the Side of Evil, which now disgorges them, and they return to holiness. The creation of converts increases God’s glory, which is the source of prophecy. When prophecy spreads, the faculty of imagination is purified. And when the faculty of imagination is purified, true faith is rectified. This is because faith depends on imagination. Faith operates where understanding ceases. One does not know but only imagines — and there one requires faith. A true leader possesses something of the spirit of prophecy beyond that found in the masses. That is what makes him worthy of being a leader. We must seek such a leader, calling out to God to help us find him. Because such a leader possesses this spirit of prophecy, the power of imagination of all those who follow him is strengthened. Thus, their holy faith is also strengthened. Via faith, the world will be renewed in the messianic future. Then the dynamics of lovingkindness will blend together. At that time, when people’s awareness will grow, there will be no damage or cruelty, for their expanded awareness will cause compassion to spread. At that time, the world will not function in accordance with nature, but solely in accordance with wondrous providence. The entire world will partake of the quality of the Land of Israel. The essence of the holiness of the Land of Israel is that God’s providence is always present. In the messianic future, it will be universally clear that God created everything. At present, there is a melody of nature. In the future, there will be a new song of wonders, of providence, of lovingkindness. And we attain that via prayer. This corresponds to the lungs. When the lungs are in proper balance, they possess all of these qualities. For the Seventh of Adar, the Hilula of Moses
A Worthy Mentor Who Can Deliver Admonishment I will lift my voice like a shofar and call out to You, Master of the world, Lord Who is One, Ruler over all. Have pity and be gracious in Your vast compassion. Send us a good, worthy and excellent guide who is worthy of truly admonishing Your nation, the Jewish people.
You know that not everyone is fit to give admonishment. And mentors who are unfit and unworthy can, Heaven forbid, weaken our souls with their improper rebuke.
Therefore, we turn to You, HaShem our God and God of our fathers, You Who love Your nation, the Jewish people. Have compassion on us for the sake of Your Name and send us a worthy savior, rabbi and mentor who will admonish us with “a revealed rebuke out of hidden love.”
“May a righteous man strike me with kindness and rebuke me” with his positive admonishment, with the admonishment of Moses — who, with his beneficial rebuke, enhances our souls with a good fragrance, strengthening and reinforcing our souls.
May such a mentor strengthen, bolster and reinforce our souls with powerful holiness, until a beneficial flow of goodness and blessing will be drawn down and pour onto all of the worlds that depend on our souls.
Under the influence of this worthy mentor, may we truly return to You in complete repentance out of love, until all of our sins are transformed into merits.
Pour onto the true mentor the voice of Moses, the voice of the song that will be sung in the messianic future: the simple, double, triple, quadruple song that is incorporated into Your great and holy Name.
That is the song of lovingkindness that will be played in the future upon the seventy-two strings when the righteous will receive their reward. Fortunate is the ear that will hear the sound of that song.
May he arouse the voice that waters the Garden of Eden, the voice that is the river emerging from Eden to water the garden. May that voice be revealed and drawn down onto us.
That is the voice of holy song that will be awakened in the future when Your good lovingkindness will renew Your world, as in the verse, “The world is built upon lovingkindness.”
May I always feel Your holy awesomeness upon me, in all of my 248 limbs and 365 sinews. May Your awesomeness stand before me so that I will not transgress. Help me attain true humility, until I will truly be absorbed into You.
Strengthen Our Soul In Your vast compassion and great lovingkindness, help me by truly nullifying and breaking my desire to eat. May I subjugate the food that sustains the body and instead strengthen, reinforce and consolidate the sustenance of my soul with complete and intense power.
Master of the world, You know how terribly weak our souls are. They have become terribly weakened because of our many significant sins, so that whatever place we lie down is our sickbed, beyond reckoning and communication, to the point that “the strength of the porter has collapsed.”
You Who are filled with compassion at every moment, have pity on all of the parts of our soul — our nefesh, ruach and neshamah. In Your holy awesomeness, strengthen them and reinforce them. Pour onto them the water that waters the Garden of Eden. Draw onto them the good fragrance of the Garden of Eden.
Ultimately, in Your great kindness, may all of our evil deeds be entirely transformed into merits so that they will waft a good fragrance before You. As the verse states, “My nard gave forth its scent” — regarding which our sages said, “The verse does not state released but actively gave.”
May we overcome him with the heel of holiness, which is the holiness of Jacob, “the heel of humility that precedes the fear of HaShem,” which is the sustenance of the soul.
Master of the world, You Who are good to all, help us truly break and nullify the desire for eating and drinking. Have compassion on me for the sake of Your Name. “Guard my soul and save me; may I not be ashamed, for I have taken refuge in You.”
Without delay, help me subjugate the food of the body and augment the food of the soul. May I eat and drink only for the sake of the existence of the soul. As the verse states, “The righteous man eats to satisfy his soul.”
God’s Compassion and Our Compassion Arouse Your vast compassion and intense lovingkindness on our behalf. Pour compassion, mercy and graciousness onto us.
Help us recite our prayers before You with all our heart and soul, with grace, kindness and compassion, like a son approaching his father. May our conversations, prayers and pleadings be sweet to You.
May we arouse Your true compassion toward us. Please view us as an only, precious, beloved son who comes close to his father and does his father’s will with love, kindness and compassion, with mercy and grace. May we pour forth our hearts like water before Your countenance, HaShem.
Have compassion on me, my Father, have mercy on me. My Lord, my Maker, my Creator, my King and my God, do not abandon me. Do not spurn me. May my sighs and groans not be insignificant to You.
What can I do, my Father in Heaven? Because of my many sins, I am thoroughly trapped in the vanities of this world and I do not know how to save my soul. But I lean on You, I rely on You, I am supported by You. Give me life in accordance with Your lovingkindness. Treat me in accordance with Your lovingkindness.
Truthfully, I myself am responsible for everything that I have undergone, including the fact that I do not express myself in utter truth but only with my mouth.
But You are good to everyone. You are filled with compassion at every moment. You have done me vast favors, great acts of lovingkindness and endless wonders.
Save me from now on, my Father in Heaven. Help me soon attain perfect prayer with true intent of the heart, so that I will always pray to You with supplications and beseeching, and increase my pleading at every moment.
In Your vast compassion, rescue me so that the Side of Evil will not be able to derive power from holy compassion and not compromise Your holy compassion, Heaven forbid.
Guard me and rescue me so that I will not be cruel, angry or irritable. May I be good and truly do good for all, in accordance with Your good will. May my heart contain no trace of anger, irritation or cruelty.
Pour compassion onto me so that I will always have compassion on others, in accordance with Your good will. Have compassion on me from Heaven and guard my mind, brain and intellect with great holiness, and rescue me from confused awareness, foolishness and evil thoughts.
Purifying the Mind May I always sanctify my mind and thoughts with great holiness. May I not allow any external or foreign thoughts whatsoever to enter my consciousness and thoughts.
Guard me and rescue me always from smallmindedness. Always pour forth and draw onto me breadth of mind. May my mind grow greater at every moment with great holiness and purity.
In Your vast compassion, help me purify, cleanse and sanctify all aspects of the mind in the three cavities of the skull: wisdom, understanding and knowledge.
The Prayer of the Tzaddik In Your vast compassion, send us the true Tzaddik, the hero and man of great might who possesses the zealousness of HaShem of hosts.
May he pray before You on the level of judgment, with great power and holy might, and execute justice before You, as Pinchas did when he acted zealously regarding the act of Zimri. As the verse states, “Pinchas stood and executed judgment, and the plague came to an end.”
In the merit and power of the prayer of the Tzaddik, the master of power, help us subdue, break and nullify the lust for sexual impropriety in ourselves and in Your entire nation, the House of Israel, from now and forever.
In Your powerful mercy and great love, forgive Your nation of Israel. Give power and might to the prayer of the Tzaddik, the master of power, so that his prayer will be on the level of judgment, confronting the Side of Evil and the “husk” in its very throat.
Then the Side of Evil and the “husk” will be compelled to disgorge and expel from within itself and its belly all of the holiness that it had swallowed.
It will be forced to swiftly, quickly and speedily disgorge and expel from within itself and its belly all of the awareness, pleadings, prayers and various sparks of holiness that it had swallowed as a result of our many transgression and offenses — in particular, those that blemished the covenant.
May the Side of Evil and the “husk” be forced to disgorge a great deal at every moment, until it literally disgorges and expels the essence of its life force from within itself and its belly.
As the verse states, “HaShem will send the staff of Your might from Zion; you will rule in the midst of your enemies.” Then may many genuine converts become Jewish so that Your nation of Israel will grow.
The Power of God’s Sovereignty May all of the nations of the world recognize the power of Your sovereignty. May they all know that “You are He, HaShem, alone,” supernal over all the earth. May Your honor expand. May it be sanctified, elevated and raised over all people, and may all creatures of flesh and blood call out in Your Name.
May all creatures that have a soul, the spirit of life in their nostrils, grant honor and glory to Your Name, so that the honor of HaShem will fill the entire earth.
May Your Godliness and Lordliness be preeminent and universally revealed. May the Name of Your glory bring about a great commotion and fanfare among all people, so that even those who are distant will hear and come and recognize the power of Your sovereignty.
Master of the world, “perfect in knowledge,” perform wonders with us in Your world, which You created for Your honor. “Reveal the honor of Your sovereignty to us quickly. Appear and be exalted over us in the sight of all living creatures. Bring together our dispersed people from among the nations and gather our scattered from the ends of the earth.”
May the voice that proclaims Your Godliness soon be heard in the entire world with a sound of great commotion, like the sound of thunder. “God thunders wondrously; He performs great things” beyond inquiry — who has gazed upon Your great, mighty thunder?
May the verse soon be realized, “Attribute to HaShem, families of the nations, attribute to HaShem honor and might.” “The voice of HaShem is upon the waters, the God of glory has thundered, HaShem is upon the many waters,”
Master of the world, “You crumbled the sea with Your might, You broke the heads of the serpents upon the waters.” “Do not deliver the life of your turtledove to the troops; do not forget forever the life of Your impoverished ones.”
We Seek God’s Compassion Help us and have compassion on us and on Your entire nation, the Jewish people. Arouse the compassion of the true Tzaddik, “a faithful agent” to those who have sent him. May he fight the wars of HaShem on our behalf and extricate us from the teeth of the Side of Evil and the “husks.”
In his great power and might, may he extract from the Side of Evil all of the holiness, all of the prayers, all of the compassion and awareness, and all of the holy sparks that it swallowed due to our many sins — in particular, those that blemished the covenant.
Please, HaShem, have compassion on us. Have pity and mercy on our few days carved out in this world, fleeting as a passing shadow, a dissipating cloud and a blowing breeze.
In Your vast compassion, help us and save us in the merit and power of the true Tzaddikim, the masters of great power and strength. With them, may we emerge from pollution to purity, from darkness to light, from servitude to redemption, from sadness to joy, from mourning to celebration.
Have pity and mercy on our nefesh, ruach and neshamah. Have pity and mercy on us and our children and infants, for there is no suffering in the world like the suffering of the rebuked soul that is far from its Father in Heaven.
The intensity of that suffering is impossible to measure, explain or communicate — neither with the mouth nor in writing, neither in thought nor by allusion. For the suffering of the soul is greater than all sufferings and torments in the world.
It is possible to squander and lose true, eternal, everlasting life, Heaven forbid, as a result of meaningless, delusory acts of this impermanent, decaying world, which quickly flits and flickers by like the shadow of a bird in flight.
Please save us from now on, our Father in Heaven. Please redeem us, strong Redeemer, please restore us, please rescue us, our Rescuer. Our only reliance and hope is in You and in Your children, the true Tzaddikim who are incorporated into You.
Without You, we have no king, redeemer, savior, deliverer, rescuer or sustainer who responds and has compassion at every time of trouble and pressure. We have no king, helper or supporter but You.
“My eyes are raised to the heights, HaShem. I have been oppressed. Be my guarantor.” “Be a guarantor to Your servant for the good — do not let the wicked oppress me! My eyes are worn out for Your salvation and for the word of Your righteousness. Deal with Your servant in accordance with Your lovingkindness, and teach me Your laws.”
A Person is His Own Worst Enemy Like a mute dove, I hope for Your compassion and for Your true salvation. I am like a rose amid the thorns, like a dove “in the clefts of the rock, in the hidden steps.” I have been oppressed by my enemies and persecutors from all sides and directions.
But of all of the foes and murderers that stand against me constantly, I have no foe and murderer equal to myself. I myself am the cruelest of the cruel, because I have had no pity on my days and years. I have had no pity on my body, nefesh, ruach and neshamah.
I have had no pity on my children and infants, and on all of the generations that are destined to come from me until the end of all generations. Instead, I have transgressed, sinned and rebelled before You. I have blackened my deeds from my earliest days until now.
Woe to me, woe to my soul, because of what I have done to myself. If not for Your compassion and kindness, I would have been lost in my privation, Heaven forbid.
What can I say? How can I speak? How can I justify myself? God, You have uncovered my sin. I stand before You in my full guilt. HaShem, You are righteousness, and today I am shamefaced.
HaShem, You are righteous. You have done me so many favors, kindnesses, miracles and wonders, wonders of wonders, each and every day, from the beginning of my life until this day.
I am shamefaced because of all of the transgression, sins, offenses, blemishes, evil thoughts, evil fantasies and polluted deeds that I have committed, and the blemishes that I have caused every day since I began my life upon the earth to this very day.
I have a request of You, HaShem my God and God of my fathers, “great in counsel and mighty in deed,” “Who performs great deeds without limit, miracles and wonders without number.”
You perform new wonders at all times: every day, every hour and every minute. Rescue me from myself. Help me begin from now on to have true compassion on myself.
Help me have compassion on my few days — whose number is assessed, numbered and counted, and which are under Your hand — so that I will no longer commit any act against Your will, and no longer cause any blemishes at all before You.
Regaining Holy Mindfulness Give the command so that all of my holy mindfulness and consciousness that left me because of my many sins will be restored to me. Sanctify my mind and consciousness with the greatest holiness in the world.
Ultimately, may my consciousness spread out to form a barrier against the desire for sexual wrongdoing. May this desire have no power or force to overcome my mind and thoughts at all.
Instead, may I spread out the barriers of my mind and intellect to shield me against this desire, and “foreigners” will have no control over me at all. May I be truly holy and pure, with ultimate holiness and self-restraint, in true accordance with Your good will.
Godly Honor, Prophecy and Healing “And so, HaShem, grant honor to Your nation, praise to those who fear You, robust hope to those who seek You and the ability to pray to those who turn to You.”
Through us, may Your great honor always increase. May the glory of holiness be drawn down, increased, raised high and elevated in the world until, as a result of the revelation of the glory of holiness, an outflow of prophecy will pour down into the world.
Draw onto us and onto Your entire nation, the House of Israel, wisdom, might and holy wealth, until we will all deserve to receive the flow of prophecy and Your Presence.
Quickly send complete healing from Heaven to all of the sick of Your nation, the House of Israel (and in particular, to [Hebrew name], the son/daughter of [mother’s Hebrew name]; God, please heal him/her among the other sick of Your nation, the Jewish people) — a healing of the spirit and a healing of the body.
We have no hope or expectation of any natural healing at all. Rather, we hope in You alone, because You are the Healer of the undeserving, the true Healer. Heal us, HaShem, and we will be healed. Save us, and we will be saved — for You are our praise.
Ingathering of the Exiles In Your vast compassion, bring together our dispersed people from among the nations. Gather our diaspora from the ends of the earth, and bring us together from the four corners of the world.
May we always recite our prayers to You with deep concentration, in the midst of a great and multitudinous gathering. As the verse states, “In the multitude of the nation is the beauty of the King.”
May the House of Prayer increase and expand greatly and extensively. May the true Tzaddikim build many mighty houses without measure, number or limit, constructed of the combinations of prayers of Your nation, the House of Israel, which will multiply and grow in a very great assembly.
May all of the “stones” — the souls — gather together. May holy combinations without end result — so many that the mouth cannot express them and the heart cannot conceive of them.
May many great and beautiful structures without end be built of them. May You take pride and joy in them with a great, new delight that has never arisen before You since the earliest days.
At last, due to the multitude of the holy houses and structures that will increase without number, may all of the oppressed nefashot and neshamot that had gone naked, scattered among the nations, all of the holy stones that had been spilled out at the heads of all of the streets, enter, be gathered together and augment the holy houses.
Be filled with compassion for them. For You alone know the immeasurable, unfathomable extent of their pitiable state. For Your sake, have compassion on them and on us. Gather them again into holiness.
Bring them in and gather them to be with You in Your house. Gather them from outside into the houses of holiness and prayer that will grow and increase beyond number and limit as a result of the gathering of Your nation of Israel, each time with many new companions.
May this lead You to be filled with compassion for us. Forgive, excuse and grant atonement for all of our transgressions, sins and offenses that we committed against You from our youth until this day.
May our prayers and pleading rise so that You will see and accept them like burnt-offerings and sacrifices that will atone for all of our sins and transform them all into merits.
May the verse be realized, “I will bring them to My holy mountain and give them joy in My House of Prayer. Their burnt-offerings and sacrifices will be accepted upon My Altar, for My House shall be called a House of Prayer for all nations.”
Draw complete healing from Heaven onto us and onto Your entire nation, the Jewish people. Erase our offenses like vapor and cloud. As the verse states, “I have wiped away your sins like vapor and your transgressions like a cloud. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.”
As morning breaks, may the sun cause charity and healing to shine upon us. As the verse states, “May the sun of charity with healing in its wings shine upon you who fear My Name.”
In Your vast compassion, enable us to grow truly close to the true Tzaddikim who possess a spirit of prophecy, which is truly Divine inspiration, so that through them, we will purify and rectify the power of our imagination.
Purifying Our Thoughts and Imagination May our imagination not confuse us with deceitful illusions and evil fantasies, Heaven forbid. Instead, may we attain a power of imagination that possesses a completely perfected clarity, purity and lucidity.
In this way, may we attain a truly complete, straight, clear, pure, lucid and proper faith in accordance with Your good will, without any confusion at all.
May we believe in You, HaShem our God and God of our fathers, in the fact that You created Your world, in accordance with Your good will, out of absolute nothingness with the Ten Statements.
In Your vast compassion, rescue us from false leaders, who are like false prophets. May they not confuse our minds at all with false imaginings, Heaven forbid.
Purify and cleanse us of the pollution and filth of the Serpent. Guard us and protect us so that no thought of divination or magic will ever cross our mind.
Attaining Holy Faith May we distance and separate ourselves from the ways of sorcerers and magicians. May we possess no false beliefs at all. Rather, may we always be wholehearted with You, HaShem our God, acting only genuinely and faithfully with a whole heart and true simplicity, in accordance with Your good will.
Have compassion on Your world so that holy faith will spread throughout the world, and all people will believe in the creation of the world without any inquiry into the realm of the Void.
May they all believe that the world is renewed by Your will, You Who created it during the six days of Creation, bringing existence out of absolute nothing. This faith is the foundation upon which the entire world and everything in it exists. As the verse states, “All of His deeds are in [the realm of] faith.”
Help us all truly serve You in complete faith all the days of the world, until we will witness the good that You will do for us at the time that You renew Your world in the future, in accordance with Your good will, performing many acts of lovingkindness on our behalf.
May the verse be realized in us, “To tell of Your lovingkindness in the morning and of Your faithfulness at night.” And, “New each morning, vast is Your faithfulness.”
A Song of Wonders Bring us quickly, swiftly, to the Land of Israel, the good and holy land. Draw Your complete providence onto the Land of Israel and onto the entire world.
Renew Your world so that it will possess the holiness of the Land of Israel, which is guided solely by providence. As the verse states, “It is a land that HaShem your God seeks; the eyes of HaShem your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year until the end of the year.”
Draw Your total providence onto the entire world. May the world and everything in it be renewed. May the entire world be guided by providence alone, without any determinism whatsoever.
May a new song, a song of wonders, be aroused in the world. As the verse states, “A song: Sing a new song to HaShem, for He has performed wonders. His right hand and His holy arm have redeemed on His behalf.” Then we will thank You with a new song for our redemption and for the restoration of our souls.
Ultimately, may we take pleasure in You as we hear the sound of the song and melody that will be awakened in the future — the song that is simple, double, triple, quadruple; that is of a piece with Your unique Name; that will be played upon the seventy-two strings, which is the same numerical value as the word chesed (lovingkindness). May the verse then be realized, “The world will be built upon lovingkindness.”
Master of the world, give me life so that I will live and not die. Give me a good portion in the World to Come. Give me merit! Be gracious to me! Help me and save me so that I will hear the sound of this song and melody that will be awakened in the future when Your world will be renewed.
You Who are filled with compassion, You Who are good and do good, help me from now on so that I will grow strong enough to close my eyes and ears to this world.
May I not look at the vanities of this world at all. May I not listen to the sound of this world at all, and not engage in any speech that does not relate to Your Name and Your service. May I only express song, praise and worship of Your great and holy Name.
May I twist my neck away from this world so that I will not leave any vain breath of the mouth in this world. May none of the vanities of this world have any hold on me at all.
May my eyes, ears, mouth, heart, mind, thought, hands, feet, 248 limbs and 365 sinews, and all of my senses and strength, all truly cling to You and be firmly and strongly connected to You. May they truly be subjugated to Your service forever and ever.
In the future, may I at last hear the sound of this holy and awesome song that will be aroused and played upon the seventy-two strings. Fortunate are the ears that will hear this. Fortunate are those who wait for this, who hope for it, who anticipate it.
“Fortunate is the person whom You choose and draw close.” He will peer through the cracks to see and hear the circle-dance of the Tzaddikim when this great and holy song will play before them forever.
Master of all, You Who raise the lowly, You Who lift up the poor and needy person from the dust and from the ash heap, You Who are good and do good for those who are wicked and those who are good, perform wonders for me during my lifetime so that I will truly attain this goodness.
Have compassion on me, as blemished and distant as I am. Perform a wonder for life on my behalf. Help me quickly so that I will turn aside from evil and always do what is good in Your eyes, until I will truly be attuned to Your good will and see the goodness of HaShem in the land of life, “gazing upon the pleasantness of HaShem and visiting in His palace.”
Coming to the True Tzaddik Help me come close to the true Tzaddik, who has already attained the sound of this song so that he is able to admonish us and Your entire nation, the Jewish people, arousing a good fragrance from the Garden of Eden by means of his beneficial rebuke.
May he have the power to transform our sins to merits and raise us from pollution to purity, from the mundane to the holy. May he draw onto us the fragrance of the Garden of Eden and strengthen our nefesh, ruach and neshamah with strong and proper holiness.
May he subdue all of our enemies and persecutors. May he break, destroy, subdue, uproot and nullify the heel of the Side of Evil, the heel of the wicked Esau, which is the sustenance of the body.
At last, may we all completely break the desire for eating and drinking, which is the sustenance of the body, and intensify and strengthen the sustenance of the soul, which is the good fragrance of the true fear of HaShem.
May the verse be realized, “HaShem is my shepherd, I will not lack.” May we eat and drink in great holiness and purity, on the level of the sustenance of the soul. As the verse states, “The righteous man eats to satisfy his soul.”
May the true Tzaddik wage war on our behalf against Og, king of Bashan — subduing, breaking, uprooting, destroying and nullifying from the world the “husk” of Og, king of Bashan, together with all of the “husks” and Sides of Evil in the world, which are the pollution of the Serpent that pursues the weak members of Your nation of Israel.
HaShem, You know that we have no power to withstand these enemies. Please have pity on a poor and needy nation, on those as weak as we are today. Arouse the heart of the true Tzaddikim to wage war on our behalf against all of our enemies and persecutors in both the physical and spiritual realms.
Purify us from all uncleanness — in particular, from the blemish of the covenant — so that I will not be removed and ejected, Heaven forbid, from the holy camp of Israel, from which all those who are unclean — in particular, those who damage the covenant — are sent away.
Please, HaShem, You Who are filled with compassion, have compassion on me and elevate me soon from uncleanness to purity. Purify me so that I will shield myself by means of my mind and intellect against all salacious fantasies and desires.
At last, may we attain the food of the soul and subdue the food of the body, so that we nullify the body to the spirit. May we truly serve You with fear, dread, awe and love, in accordance with Your good will, from now and forever.
Strengthen and heal the holy lungs. May our lungs and those of Your entire nation, the House of Israel, always be whole — physically and spiritually — and always function in the proper balance.
Rescue us from the vanities of this world, from its empty breath, from the futility of delusion. May we rectify all of the vanities, all of the empty breaths, of the world — purifying them, elevating them and transforming them into breaths of holiness — by speaking genuine words of Torah and prayer in great holiness and purity, in accordance with Your good will.
During the holy days of Rosh HaShanah, may we draw onto ourselves the holiness of prayer that is on the level of judgment — which is engaged in by the true man of power — and that will bring about and be accompanied by holiness and rectifications.
At last, may we attain a complete rectification of the covenant and of the mind that will rectify all of the three states of mindfulness, which are the three barriers spread out against salacious desire, shielding us with true mindfulness and intellect.
May this desire not control us or grasp us at all from now and forever onward. Instead, may we all — I and Your entire nation, the Jewish people — be truly holy and pure, and entirely separated from this desire.
Compassionately send us the inspiration to show true compassion to worthy poor people and to everyone who requires compassion, in accordance with Your good will.
Help us create many penitents and converts in accordance with Your good will, to order to increase Your honor and publicize Your Godliness in the world.
May we at last attain the spirit of true prophecy in great holiness. May we purify the power of our imagination so that it will be clear, pure, lucid and crystalline.
In this way, may we fashion appropriate descriptions and praise of Your great and holy Name with great sanctity. May we bless Your honored Name, which is elevated beyond all blessing and praise.
May our faith in the renewal of the world be intensified and strengthened, so that we will arrive at the future, messianic renewal of the universe, when the entire world will be conducted in accordance with providence and wonders alone, and not in accordance with the way of nature at all.
Then You will subdue the heel of the Side of Evil, which is the heel of the wicked Esau, and “the voice is the voice of Jacob” will intensify and grow stronger to overcome “the hands are the hands of Esau.” Then the verse will be realized, “His hand grasps the heel of Esau.”
During the holy days of Rosh HaShanah, which are days of awe of God, have compassion on us. Draw onto us great and powerful, holy fear, dread and apprehension. In particular, when we hear the sound of the shofar, may great awe enter our heart.
Pour forth that dread, apprehension and fear of You onto us, onto all of Israel and onto all people. “Then all beings will fear You and all created beings will bow down before You, and all of them will form one assembly to do Your will with all their heart.”
Our Father, our King, in Your compassion, help us receive and draw onto ourselves the holiness of Rosh HaShanah with ultimate perfection, with joy and happiness, with great weeping out of joy, and with pervasive holiness of thought, in great fear.
May we fulfill the mitzvah of hearing the sound of the shofar in great holiness, with proper wholeness, with all of its details, particulars, intentions and the 613 commandments that are dependent on it — and with great apprehension and fear. As the verse states, “If a shofar blows in a city, will the people not tremble?”
“Fortunate is the nation that knows the joyful shout; HaShem, they walk in the light of Your face. They rejoice in Your Name the whole day, and they are exalted in Your righteousness, because You are the glory of their strength. In accordance with Your desire, our horn is raised, because HaShem is our shield and the Holy One of Israel is our King.”
“With trumpets and the voice of the shofar, raise your voices before the King, HaShem.” “Sound the shofar on the new moon, on the appointed time for the day of our festival, for it is a law for Israel, the judgment of the God of Jacob.”
May we recite before You the Musaf prayer — with its passages of Malkhuyot (Sovereignty), Zikhronot (Remembrance) and Shofarot (shofarblowing) — with great intent and with great wholeness, until we please You so that You will quickly, swiftly and speedily bring us our righteous Mashiach, who “will be animated by the fear of HaShem.”
Quickly and swiftly redeem us and build our holy and beautiful Temple. May we return to our Land in joy and song, and serve You there in awe, as in the early days and original years.
[עַל־פִּי תּוֹרָה ח' - תִּקְעוּ - תּוֹכָחָה]
לְז' אֲדָר הִילּוּלָא דְּמֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ ע"ה
Proper Rebuke Elicits a Person’s Spiritual Fragrance / Proper Awareness Shields a Person Against Lust / A Spiritually Powerful Person Causes the Side of Evil to Disgorge Holiness / We Must Seek a Teacher Who Possesses Something of the Power of Prophecy / Prophecy Purifies the Imagination, Making Faith Possible
Rebuke is a wonderful thing. When a Jew sees that someone else is behaving improperly, he is obligated to correct him.
However, not everyone is capable of delivering rebuke properly. In such cases, the rebuke will not help. To the contrary, it will be harmful. A person’s evil deeds and traits exude a foul odor, and improper rebuke intensifies that odor. That weakens the soul of the wrongdoer. Worlds depend on a person’s soul. When his soul weakens, those worlds cease to receive their sustenance.
But when a person gives rebuke in a worthy fashion, he grants the soul of the person receiving his rebuke a pleasant fragrance. That fragrance constitutes the soul’s food and sustenance. Such a rebuke corresponds to Moses’ rebuke of the Jewish people after the sin of the golden calf, which granted them a pleasant fragrance.
The voice of proper rebuke corresponds to the river that emerged from Eden to water the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:10). This garden is the realm where pleasant fragrances and the fear of God grow.
The voice of proper rebuke corresponds to the melody of messianic times, a fourfold melody that will remake the world. When a person delivers proper rebuke, he draws down threads of kindness. These threads combine to create the seventy-two strings of the musical instrument that will play this fourfold song.
A person attains that voice — the ability to deliver proper rebuke — when he prays for God’s compassion. That compassion is associated with an expanded awareness.
Until then, at times the Side of Evil diverts the energy of compassion to itself so that God’s compassion to us is diminished. Then, even the little compassion that does remain is degraded and tainted by the dynamic of cruelty.
And when proper awareness is diminished, it leads to lust. Conversely, when a person’s awareness is whole, it shields him against lust. (More specifically, there are three areas of awareness, each of which draws down a specific type of compassion and serves as a barrier against lust.)
When compassion and the mind are damaged, and the blemish of lust exists, a person cannot pray and plead for compassion. Then prayer enters into the realm of judgment, where the Side of Evil swallows it.
This situation can be rectified by a spiritually powerful person who is able to pray purposefully on the level of judgment. When he does so, the Side of Evil attempts to swallow his prayer. However, that prayer gets stuck in its throat and the Side of Evil must disgorge it along with all of the holy awareness, compassion and prayer that it had previously swallowed. Moreover, it must even disgorge its own life force.
This is the dynamic that occurs on Rosh HaShanah, the Day of Judgment, when prayer is in the realm of judgment. At that time, we extract life force from the Side of Evil. Then the holy awareness that it had swallowed up is restored to us.
Also, when prayer gets stuck in the throat of the Side of Evil, non-Jews convert to Judaism. They had been part of the Side of Evil, which now disgorges them, and they return to holiness.
The creation of converts increases God’s glory, which is the source of prophecy.
When prophecy spreads, the faculty of imagination is purified.
And when the faculty of imagination is purified, true faith is rectified. This is because faith depends on imagination. Faith operates where understanding ceases. One does not know but only imagines — and there one requires faith.
A true leader possesses something of the spirit of prophecy beyond that found in the masses. That is what makes him worthy of being a leader. We must seek such a leader, calling out to God to help us find him.
Because such a leader possesses this spirit of prophecy, the power of imagination of all those who follow him is strengthened. Thus, their holy faith is also strengthened.
Via faith, the world will be renewed in the messianic future. Then the dynamics of lovingkindness will blend together. At that time, when people’s awareness will grow, there will be no damage or cruelty, for their expanded awareness will cause compassion to spread.
At that time, the world will not function in accordance with nature, but solely in accordance with wondrous providence.
The entire world will partake of the quality of the Land of Israel. The essence of the holiness of the Land of Israel is that God’s providence is always present. In the messianic future, it will be universally clear that God created everything.
At present, there is a melody of nature. In the future, there will be a new song of wonders, of providence, of lovingkindness. And we attain that via prayer.
This corresponds to the lungs. When the lungs are in proper balance, they possess all of these qualities.
For the Seventh of Adar, the Hilula of Moses
כַּשּׁוֹפָר אָרִים קוֹלִי וְאֶקְרָא, רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, אָדוֹן יָחִיד, מוֹשֵׁל בַּכֹּל, חוּס וְחָנֵּנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, וּשְׁלַח לָנוּ מוֹכִיחַ טוֹב וְרָאוּי וְהָגוּן, מוֹכִיחַ אֲמִתִּי שֶׁיִּהְיֶה רָאוּי לְהוֹכִיחַ אֶת עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל בֶּאֱמֶת.
A Worthy Mentor Who Can Deliver Admonishment
I will lift my voice like a shofar and call out to You, Master of the world, Lord Who is One, Ruler over all. Have pity and be gracious in Your vast compassion. Send us a good, worthy and excellent guide who is worthy of truly admonishing Your nation, the Jewish people.
וְשָׁמְרֵנוּ וְהַצִּילֵנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים מִמּוֹכִיחִים שֶׁאֵינָם הֲגוּנִים וּרְאוּיִים לְהוֹכִיחַ אֶת עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל,
In Your vast compassion, guard us and rescue us from mentors who are unworthy and undeserving of admonishing Your nation, the Jewish people.
כִּי אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ כִּי לַאו כָּל אָדָם רָאוּי לְהוֹכִיחַ, כִּי הַמּוֹכִיחִים שֶׁאֵינָם רְאוּיִים וַהֲגוּנִים, יְכוֹלִים חַס וְשָׁלוֹם לְהַחֲלִישׁ אֶת נִשְׁמוֹתֵינוּ עַל־יְדֵי תּוֹכַחְתָּם שֶׁאֵינָהּ כַּהֹגֶן.
You know that not everyone is fit to give admonishment. And mentors who are unfit and unworthy can, Heaven forbid, weaken our souls with their improper rebuke.
עַל־כֵּן בָּאנוּ לְפָנֶיךָ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, אוֹהֵב עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל, רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ לְמַעַן שְׁמֶךָ, וּשְׁלַח לָנוּ מוֹשִׁיעַ וְרַב וּמוֹכִיחַ הָגוּן שֶׁיִּהְיֶה רָאוּי לְהוֹכִיחֵנוּ בְּתוֹכַחַת מְגֻלָּה מֵאַהֲבָה מְסֻתָּרֶת.
Therefore, we turn to You, HaShem our God and God of our fathers, You Who love Your nation, the Jewish people. Have compassion on us for the sake of Your Name and send us a worthy savior, rabbi and mentor who will admonish us with “a revealed rebuke out of hidden love.”
יֶהֶלְמֵנִי צַדִּיק חֶסֶד וְיוֹכִיחֵנִי בְּתוֹכַחְתּוֹ הַטּוֹבָה, בְּתוֹכָחָה שֶׁל מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ עָלָיו הַשָּׁלוֹם, אֲשֶׁר עַל־יְדֵי תּוֹכַחְתּוֹ הַטּוֹבָה יוֹסִיף וְיִתֵּן רֵיחַ טוֹב בְּנִשְׁמוֹתֵינוּ, וִיחַזֵּק וִיאַמֵּץ אֶת נִשְׁמוֹתֵינוּ עַל־יְדֵי תּוֹכַחְתּוֹ הַטּוֹבָה.
“May a righteous man strike me with kindness and rebuke me” with his positive admonishment, with the admonishment of Moses — who, with his beneficial rebuke, enhances our souls with a good fragrance, strengthening and reinforcing our souls.
וְיִתְחַזְּקוּ וְיִתְאַמְּצוּ וְיִתְגַּבְּרוּ נִשְׁמוֹתֵינוּ עַל־יָדוֹ בְּכֹחַ גָּדוֹל דִּקְדֻשָּׁה, עַד שֶׁיֻּמְשַׁךְ וְיֻשְׁפַּע שֶׁפַע טוֹבָה וּבְרָכָה לְכָל הָעוֹלָמוֹת הַתְּלוּיִם בְּנִשְׁמוֹתֵינוּ,
May such a mentor strengthen, bolster and reinforce our souls with powerful holiness, until a beneficial flow of goodness and blessing will be drawn down and pour onto all of the worlds that depend on our souls.
בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה עַל־יְדֵי הַמּוֹכִיחַ הָרָאוּי לָשׁוּב בִּתְשׁוּבָה שְׁלֵמָה לְפָנֶיךָ בֶּאֱמֶת מֵאַהֲבָה, עַד שֶׁיִּתְהַפְּכוּ כָּל עֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ לִזְכֻיּוֹת.
Under the influence of this worthy mentor, may we truly return to You in complete repentance out of love, until all of our sins are transformed into merits.
וְתַשְׁפִּיעַ עַל הַמּוֹכִיחַ הָאֲמִתִּי קוֹלוֹ שֶׁל מֹשֶׁה שֶׁהוּא קוֹל הַשִּׁיר שֶׁיִּתְעַר לֶעָתִיד, שֶׁהוּא שִׁיר פָּשׁוּט, כָּפוּל, מְשֻׁלָּשׁ, מְרֻבָּע, הַכָּלוּל בְּשִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ,
Pour onto the true mentor the voice of Moses, the voice of the song that will be sung in the messianic future: the simple, double, triple, quadruple song that is incorporated into Your great and holy Name.
שֶׁהוּא שִׁיר שֶׁל חֶסֶד שֶׁיִּתְנַגֵּן לֶעָתִיד עַל שִׁבְעִים וּשְׁנַיִם נִימִין, בָּעֵת שֶׁיַּגִּיעַ קִבּוּל שְׂכָרָן שֶׁל הַצַּדִּיקִים לֶעָתִיד, אַשְׁרֵי אֹזֶן שֶׁיִּזְכֶּה לִשְׁמֹעַ קוֹל הַשִּׁיר הַזֶּה.
That is the song of lovingkindness that will be played in the future upon the seventy-two strings when the righteous will receive their reward. Fortunate is the ear that will hear the sound of that song.
רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, וְתֵן לָנוּ מוֹכִיחַ כָּזֶה שֶׁיּוּכַל לְהוֹכִיחֵנוּ בְּקוֹל הַשִּׁיר הַזֶּה.
In Your vast compassion, have compassion on us and send us such a mentor, someone who can admonish us with the sound of this song.
וִיקֻיַּם בְּהַמּוֹכִיחַ הָאֲמִתִּי מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, קְרָא בְגָרוֹן אַל תַּחְשֹׂךְ כַּשּׁוֹפָר הָרֵם קוֹלֶךָ.
Regarding this true mentor, may the verse be realized, “Call out from the throat, do not restrain yourself. Raise your voice like a shofar.”
וְנִזְכֶּה שֶׁיְּעוֹרֵר וִיגַלֶּה וְיַמְשִׁיךְ עָלֵינוּ הַקּוֹל הַמַּשְׁקֶה אֶת הַגַּן עֵדֶן שֶׁהוּא הַנָּהָר הַיּוֹצֵא מֵעֵדֶן לְהַשְׁקוֹת אֶת הַגָּן,
May he arouse the voice that waters the Garden of Eden, the voice that is the river emerging from Eden to water the garden. May that voice be revealed and drawn down onto us.
שֶׁהוּא קוֹל הַשִּׁיר הַקָּדוֹשׁ הַזֶּה שֶׁיִּתְעַר לֶעָתִיד בְּעֵת שֶׁתְּחַדֵּשׁ אֶת עוֹלָמְךָ בְּחַסְדְּךָ הַטּוֹב, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, עוֹלָם חֶסֶד יִבָּנֶה,
That is the voice of holy song that will be awakened in the future when Your good lovingkindness will renew Your world, as in the verse, “The world is built upon lovingkindness.”
אֲשֶׁר עַל־יְדֵי הַקּוֹל הַזֶּה גְּדֵלִים כָּל הָרֵיחוֹת טוֹבוֹת וְכָל הַיִּרְאוֹת הַקְּדוֹשׁוֹת.
May this voice cause all of the good fragrances and holy awe to grow.
וְתַמְשִׁיךְ עָלֵינוּ יִרְאָה שְׁלֵמָה, יִרְאָה עִלָּאָה, יִרְאַת הָרוֹמְמוּת, וְאִירָא וְאֶפְחַד וְאַזְחִיל (וְאוֹחִיל) וְאֶרְעַד מִמְּךָ תָמִיד.
Draw onto us complete, supernal awe of Your elevated Being. May I experience so much fear of You that I will always grovel and tremble before You.
וְאֶזְכֶּה לְהַרְגִּישׁ יִרְאָתְךָ הַקְּדוֹשָׁה עָלַי תָּמִיד, בְּכָל רְמַ"ח אֵבָרַי וּשְׁסָ"ה גִידַי, וְתִהְיֶה יִרְאָתְךָ עַל פָּנַי לְבִלְתִּי אֶחֱטָא, וּתְזַכֵּנִי לַעֲנָוָה אֲמִתִּיִּית, עַד שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְהִכָּלֵל בְּךָ בֶּאֱמֶת:
May I always feel Your holy awesomeness upon me, in all of my 248 limbs and 365 sinews. May Your awesomeness stand before me so that I will not transgress. Help me attain true humility, until I will truly be absorbed into You.
וּבְכֵן תְּרַחֵם עָלַי בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים וּבַחֲסָדֶיךָ הַגְּדוֹלִים, וּתְזַכֵּנוּ לְבַטֵּל וּלְשַׁבֵּר תַּאֲוַת אֲכִילָה לְגַמְרֵי בֶּאֱמֶת, וְאֶזְכֶּה לְהַכְנִיעַ מְזוֹנָא דְגוּפָא, וּלְגַבֵּר וּלְחַזֵּק וּלְאַמֵּץ בְּכָל עֹז וְתַעֲצוּמוֹת מְזוֹנָא דְנִשְׁמָתָא.
Strengthen Our Soul
In Your vast compassion and great lovingkindness, help me by truly nullifying and breaking my desire to eat. May I subjugate the food that sustains the body and instead strengthen, reinforce and consolidate the sustenance of my soul with complete and intense power.
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, אַתָּה יוֹדֵעַ גֹּדֶל חֲלִישׁוּת נִשְׁמוֹתֵינוּ, אֲשֶׁר נֶחְלְשׁוּ מְאֹד מְאֹד בַּעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ הָרַבִּים וְהָעֲצוּמִים מְאֹד, עַד אֲשֶׁר כָּל מִשְׁכָּבֵנוּ נֶהְפַּךְ בְּחָלְיֵינוּ, אֲשֶׁר אִי אֶפְשָׁר לְהַעֲרִיךְ וּלְסַפֵּר כְּלָל, עַד אֲשֶׁר כָּשַׁל כֹּחַ הַסַּבָּל.
Master of the world, You know how terribly weak our souls are. They have become terribly weakened because of our many significant sins, so that whatever place we lie down is our sickbed, beyond reckoning and communication, to the point that “the strength of the porter has collapsed.”
מָלֵא רַחֲמִים בְּכָל־עֵת, חוּסָה עַל נַפְשֵׁנוּ וְרוּחֵנוּ וְנִשְׁמוֹתֵינוּ, וְחַזְּקֵם וְאַמְּצֵם בְּיִרְאָתְךָ הַקְּדוֹשָׁה, וְתַשְׁפִּיעַ עֲלֵיהֶם וְתַשְׁקֵם מִשַּׁקְיָא דְגִּנְתָא דְעֵדֶן, וְתַמְשִׁיךְ עֲלֵיהֶם רֵיחַ טוֹב, רֵיחַ גַּן עֵדֶן,
You Who are filled with compassion at every moment, have pity on all of the parts of our soul — our nefesh, ruach and neshamah. In Your holy awesomeness, strengthen them and reinforce them. Pour onto them the water that waters the Garden of Eden. Draw onto them the good fragrance of the Garden of Eden.
עַד אֲשֶׁר כָּל מַעֲשֵׂינוּ הָרָעִים כֻּלָּם יִתְהַפְּכוּ לִזְכֻיּוֹת בְּחַסְדְּךָ הַגָּדוֹל, וְיַעֲלוּ רֵיחַ טוֹב לְפָנֶיךָ, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, נִרְדִּי נָתַן רֵיחוֹ. וְאָמְרוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה, עָזַב לֹא נֶאֱמַר אֶלָּא נָתַן.
Ultimately, in Your great kindness, may all of our evil deeds be entirely transformed into merits so that they will waft a good fragrance before You. As the verse states, “My nard gave forth its scent” — regarding which our sages said, “The verse does not state released but actively gave.”
וִיקֻיַּם בָּנוּ מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, יִרְוְיֻן מִדֶּשֶׁן בֵּיתֶךָ וְנַחַל עֲדָנֶיךָ תַשְׁקֵם.
May the verse be realized in us, “They will be sated from the fatness of Your house, and You will give them to drink from the river of Your delights.”
וְתַעַזְרֵנוּ לְהַכְנִיעַ וּלְשַׁבֵּר וּלְבַטֵּל עָקֵב דְּסִטְרָא אַחֲרָא, עָקֵב שֶׁל עֵשָׂו הָרָשָׁע, שֶׁהוּא תַאֲוַת אֲכִילָה וּשְׁתִיָּה, מְזוֹנָא דְגוּפָא,
Help us subdue, break and nullify the “heel” of the Side of Evil, the heel of the wicked Esau, who represents the desire for bodily food and drink.
וּלְהַגְבִּיר עָלָיו עָקֵב דִּקְדֻשָּׁה, שֶׁהוּא קְדֻשַּׁת יַעֲקֹב אָבִינוּ עָלָיו הַשָּׁלוֹם, שֶׁהוּא עֵקֶב עֲנָוָה יִרְאַת יְהֹוָה, שֶׁהוּא מְזוֹנָא דְנִשְׁמָתָא,
May we overcome him with the heel of holiness, which is the holiness of Jacob, “the heel of humility that precedes the fear of HaShem,” which is the sustenance of the soul.
וְיִתְגַּבֵּר וְיִתְעַלֶּה וְיִתְחַזֵּק וְיִתְאַמֵּץ הַקּוֹל קוֹל יַעֲקֹב עַל הַיָּדַיִם יְדֵי עֵשָׂו.
May “the voice is the voice of Jacob” increase, rise, grow stronger and prevail over “the hands are the hands of Esau.”
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, טוֹב לַכֹּל, עָזְרֵנוּ לְשַׁבֵּר וּלְבַטֵּל בֶּאֱמֶת תַּאֲוַת אֲכִילָה וּשְׁתִיָּה, רַחֵם עָלַי לְמַעַן שְׁמֶךָ, שָׁמְרָה נַפְשִׁי וְהַצִּילֵנִי אַל אֵבוֹשׁ כִּי חָסִיתִי בָךְ.
Master of the world, You Who are good to all, help us truly break and nullify the desire for eating and drinking. Have compassion on me for the sake of Your Name. “Guard my soul and save me; may I not be ashamed, for I have taken refuge in You.”
זַכֵּנִי מְהֵרָה לְהַכְנִיעַ מְזוֹנָא דְגוּפָא וּלְהַגְבִּיר מְזוֹנָא דְנִשְׁמָתָא, וְתִהְיֶה כָּל אֲכִילָתִי וּשְׁתִיָּתִי בִּשְׁבִיל קִיּוּם הַנֶּפֶשׁ לְבַד, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, צַדִּיק אוֹכֵל לְשֹׂבַע נַפְשׁוֹ:
Without delay, help me subjugate the food of the body and augment the food of the soul. May I eat and drink only for the sake of the existence of the soul. As the verse states, “The righteous man eats to satisfy his soul.”
וּתְעוֹרֵר רַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים וַחֲסָדֶיךָ הָעֲצוּמִים עָלֵינוּ, וְתַשְׁפִּיעַ עָלֵינוּ רַחֲמִים וְחֶמְלָה
God’s Compassion and Our Compassion
Arouse Your vast compassion and intense lovingkindness on our behalf. Pour compassion, mercy and graciousness onto us.
וַחֲנִינָה, וּתְזַכֵּנוּ לְהִתְפַּלֵּל תְּפִלָּתֵנוּ לְפָנֶיךָ בְּכָל לֵב וָנֶפֶשׁ, בְּחֵן וּבְחֶסֶד וּבְרַחֲמִים, כְּבֵן הַמִּתְחַטֵּא לִפְנֵי אָבִיו, וְיֶעֱרַב לְפָנֶיךָ שִׂיחוֹתֵינוּ וּתְפִלּוֹתֵינוּ וְתַחֲנוּנֵינוּ.
Help us recite our prayers before You with all our heart and soul, with grace, kindness and compassion, like a son approaching his father. May our conversations, prayers and pleadings be sweet to You.
וְנִזְכֶּה לְעוֹרֵר רַחֲמֶיךָ הָאֲמִתִּיִּים עָלֵינוּ, וְנֵחָשֵׁב לְפָנֶיךָ כְּבֵן יָחִיד, כְּבֵן יַקִּיר, כְּבֵן חָבִיב, כְּבֵן הַמִּתְחַטֵּא לִפְנֵי אָבִיו, וְעוֹשֶׂה לוֹ רְצוֹנוֹ בְּאַהֲבָה, בְּחֶסֶד וּבְרַחֲמִים בְּחֶמְלָה וַחֲנִינָה, וְנִשְׁפֹּךְ לִבֵּנוּ כַּמַּיִם נֹכַח פָּנֶיךָ יְהֹוָה,
May we arouse Your true compassion toward us. Please view us as an only, precious, beloved son who comes close to his father and does his father’s will with love, kindness and compassion, with mercy and grace. May we pour forth our hearts like water before Your countenance, HaShem.
כִּי אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ אֶת לְבָבִי הַמַּר וְהַנִּמְהָר, לִבִּי סְחַרְחַר, נַפְשִׁי מָרָה לִי מְאֹד מְאֹד.
You know my bitter, urgent and bewildered heart, and my bitter soul.
רַחֵם עָלַי אָבִי אָבִי, חֲמֹל עָלַי אֲדוֹנִי יוֹצְרִי וּבוֹרְאִי, מַלְכִּי וֵאלֹהָי, אַל תַּעַזְבֵנִי וְאַל תִּטְּשֵׁנִי, אַל יִמְעֲטוּ לְפָנֶיךָ אַנְחוֹתַי וְאֶנְקוֹתַי.
Have compassion on me, my Father, have mercy on me. My Lord, my Maker, my Creator, my King and my God, do not abandon me. Do not spurn me. May my sighs and groans not be insignificant to You.
כִּי בֶּאֱמֶת אִי אֶפְשַׁר לִי לְהִתְאַנֵּחַ וְלִצְעֹק בְּשׁוּם אֹפֶן כְּמוֹ שֶּׁאֲנִי צָרִיךְ לִצְעֹק.
In truth, it is totally impossible for me to groan and cry as I really should.
אֲבָל מָה אֶעֱשֶׂה אָבִי שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם, כִּי נִלְכַּדְתִּי מְאֹד בְּהַבְלֵי הָעוֹלָם הַזֶּה בַּעֲוֹנוֹתַי הָרַבִּים, וְאֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ אֵיךְ לְהַצִּיל אֶת נַפְשִׁי, כִּי אִם עָלֶיךָ לְבַד אֲנִי נִשְׁעָן וְנִתְלֶה וְנִסְמָךְ, כְּחַסְדְּךָ חַיֵּנִי, כְּחַסְדְּךָ עֲשֵׂה עִמִּי,
What can I do, my Father in Heaven? Because of my many sins, I am thoroughly trapped in the vanities of this world and I do not know how to save my soul. But I lean on You, I rely on You, I am supported by You. Give me life in accordance with Your lovingkindness. Treat me in accordance with Your lovingkindness.
כִּי בֶּאֱמֶת אֲנִי בְּעַצְמִי הַחַיָּב מִכָּל הַצְּדָדִים, וְגַם זֶה אֵינִי זוֹכֶה לוֹמַר בֶּאֱמֶת לַאֲמִתּוֹ, כִּי אִם בַּפֶּה לְבַד,
Truthfully, I myself am responsible for everything that I have undergone, including the fact that I do not express myself in utter truth but only with my mouth.
אֲבָל אַתָּה טוֹב לַכֹּל וּמָלֵא רַחֲמִים בְּכָל־עֵת, וּכְבָר עָשִׂיתָ עִמִּי טוֹבוֹת רַבּוֹת וַחֲסָדִים גְּדוֹלִים וְנִפְלָאוֹת עַד אֵין חֵקֶר,
But You are good to everyone. You are filled with compassion at every moment. You have done me vast favors, great acts of lovingkindness and endless wonders.
הוֹשִׁיעֵנִי מֵעַתָּה אָבִי שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם, וְזַכֵּנִי מְהֵרָה לִתְפִלָּה בִּשְׁלֵמוּת, בְּכַוָּנַת הַלֵּב בֶּאֱמֶת, שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְהִתְפַּלֵּל תָּמִיד לְפָנֶיךָ בְּרַחֲמִים וְתַחֲנוּנִים, וְלַאֲפּוּשֵׁי בְּרַחֲמֵי טוּבֵי בְּכָל־עֵת,
Save me from now on, my Father in Heaven. Help me soon attain perfect prayer with true intent of the heart, so that I will always pray to You with supplications and beseeching, and increase my pleading at every moment.
עַד שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְעוֹרֵר רַחֲמֶיךָ הָאֲמִתִּיִּים עָלַי, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לָשׁוּב בִּתְשׁוּבָה שְׁלֵמָה לְפָנֶיךָ בֶּאֱמֶת.
May I at last arouse Your true compassion for me, so that I will truly return to You in complete repentance.
וְתַצִּילֵנִי בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, שֶׁלֹּא יִהְיֶה כֹחַ לְהַסִּטְרָא אַחֲרָא לִינֹק מִן הָרַחֲמָנוּת דִּקְדֻשָּׁה, וְלֹא יִהְיֶה נִפְגָּם הָרַחֲמָנוּת דִּקְדֻשָּׁה עַל־יָדָם חַס וְשָׁלוֹם:
In Your vast compassion, rescue me so that the Side of Evil will not be able to derive power from holy compassion and not compromise Your holy compassion, Heaven forbid.
וְתִשְׁמְרֵנִי וְתַצִּילֵנִי מִן הָאַכְזָרִיּוּת וּמִן הַכַּעַס וּמִן הַקְּפֵּדוֹת, וְאֶזְכֶּה לִהְיוֹת טוֹב וּמֵטִיב לַכֹּל בֶּאֱמֶת כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב, וְלֹא יִהְיֶה בְּלִבִּי שׁוּם כַּעַס וּקְפֵּדוֹת, וְלֹא שׁוּם אַכְזָרִיּוּת כְּלָל,
Guard me and rescue me so that I will not be cruel, angry or irritable. May I be good and truly do good for all, in accordance with Your good will. May my heart contain no trace of anger, irritation or cruelty.
וְתַשְׁפִּיעַ עָלַי רַחֲמִים, שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְרַחֵם עַל הַבְּרִיוֹת תָּמִיד כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב, וְאַתָּה תְּרַחֵם עָלַי מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם, וְתִשְׁמֹר אֶת דַּעְתִי וּמֹחִי וְשִׂכְלִי בִּקְדֻשָּׁה גְּדוֹלָה, וְתַצִּילֵנִי מִבִּלְבּוּל הַדַּעַת וּמִכְּסִילוּת וּמִמַּחֲשָׁבוֹת רָעוֹת.
Pour compassion onto me so that I will always have compassion on others, in accordance with Your good will. Have compassion on me from Heaven and guard my mind, brain and intellect with great holiness, and rescue me from confused awareness, foolishness and evil thoughts.
וְאֶזְכֶּה לְקַדֵּשׁ אֶת דַּעְתִּי וּמַחֲשַׁבְתִּי בְּכָל־עֵת בִּקְדֻשָּׁה גְּדוֹלָה, וְלֹא אַנִּיחַ לִכְנֹס בְּדַעְתִּי וּמַחֲשַׁבְתִּי שׁוּם מַחֲשָׁבָה חִיצוֹנָה וְזָרָה כְּלָל.
Purifying the Mind
May I always sanctify my mind and thoughts with great holiness. May I not allow any external or foreign thoughts whatsoever to enter my consciousness and thoughts.
וְתִשְׁמְרֵנִי וְתַצִּילֵנִי תָמִיד מִמֹּחִין דְּקַטְנוּת, וְתַשְׁפִּיעַ וְתַמְשִׁיךְ עָלַי תָּמִיד מוֹחִין דְּגַדְלוּת, וְיִהְיֶה שִׂכְלִי הוֹלֵךְ וְגָדוֹל בְּכָל־עֵת בִּקְדֻשָּׁה וּבְטָהֳרָה גְּדוֹלָה.
Guard me and rescue me always from smallmindedness. Always pour forth and draw onto me breadth of mind. May my mind grow greater at every moment with great holiness and purity.
וְאֶזְכֶּה בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, לְזַכֵּךְ וּלְטַהֵר וּלְקַדֵּשׁ אֶת כָּל הַשְּׁלֹשָׁה מֹחִין שֶׁלִּי שֶׁבִּשְׁלֹשָׁה חַלְלֵי הַגֻּלְגֹּלֶת, שֶׁהֵם חָכְמָה בִּינָה וָדַעַת,
In Your vast compassion, help me purify, cleanse and sanctify all aspects of the mind in the three cavities of the skull: wisdom, understanding and knowledge.
עַד אֲשֶׁר הַשְּׁלֹשָׁה מֹחִין שֶׁלִּי יִהְיוּ לִי מְחִצּוֹת פְּרוּסוֹת בִּפְנֵי הַתַּאֲוָה הָרָעָה הַכְּלָלִית שֶׁהִיא תַּאֲוַת נִאוּף:
May these three aspects of my mind constitute barriers against the universal evil desire, which is the lust for sexual wrongdoing.
וּתְרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, וְתִשְׁלַח לָנוּ צַדִּיק אֲמִתִּי גִּבּוֹר וּבַעַל כֹּחַ גָּדוֹל, אֲשֶׁר יְקַנֵּא קִנְאַת יְהֹוָה צְבָאוֹת,
The Prayer of the Tzaddik
In Your vast compassion, send us the true Tzaddik, the hero and man of great might who possesses the zealousness of HaShem of hosts.
וְיִתְפַּלֵל לְפָנֶיךָ תְּפִלָּה בִּבְחִינַת דִּין, בְּכֹחַ וּגְבוּרָה גְּדוֹלָה דִּקְדֻשָּׁה, וְיַעֲשֶׂה פְּלִילוּת עִמְּךָ כְּמוֹ פִּינְחָס בְּעֵת שֶׁקִּנֵּא עַל מַעֲשֶׂה זִמְרִי, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, וַיַּעֲמֹד פִּינְחָס וַיְפַלֵּל וַתֵּעָצַר הַמַּגֵּפָה.
May he pray before You on the level of judgment, with great power and holy might, and execute justice before You, as Pinchas did when he acted zealously regarding the act of Zimri. As the verse states, “Pinchas stood and executed judgment, and the plague came to an end.”
וְתַעַזְרֵנוּ בִּזְכוּת וְכֹחַ תְּפִלַּת הַצַּדִּיק הַבַּעַל כֹּחַ, לְהַכְנִיעַ וּלְשַׁבֵּר וּלְבַטֵּל תַּאֲוַת נִאוּף מֵעָלֵינוּ וּמֵעַל כָּל עַמְּךָ בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם.
In the merit and power of the prayer of the Tzaddik, the master of power, help us subdue, break and nullify the lust for sexual impropriety in ourselves and in Your entire nation, the House of Israel, from now and forever.
וְתַחְמֹל עַל עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּחֶמְלָתְךָ הַחֲזָקָה וּבְאַהֲבָתְךָ הַגְּדוֹלָה, וְתִתֶּן כֹּחַ וּגְבוּרָה לִתְפִלַּת הַצַּדִּיק הַבַּעַל כֹּחַ הַזֶּה, שֶׁתְּפִלָּתוֹ בִּבְחִינַת דִּין תַּעֲמֹד לְהַסִּטְרָא אַחֲרָא וְהַקְּלִפָּה בְּבֵית הַבְּלִיעָה שֶׁלָּה,
In Your powerful mercy and great love, forgive Your nation of Israel. Give power and might to the prayer of the Tzaddik, the master of power, so that his prayer will be on the level of judgment, confronting the Side of Evil and the “husk” in its very throat.
עַד שֶׁתִּהְיֶה מֻכְרַחַת הַסִּטְרָא אַחֲרָא וְהַקְּלִפָּה לְהָקִיא וּלְהוֹצִיא מִקִּרְבָּהּ וּבִטְנָהּ כָּל הַקְּדֻשּׁוֹת שֶׁבָּלְעָה,
Then the Side of Evil and the “husk” will be compelled to disgorge and expel from within itself and its belly all of the holiness that it had swallowed.
וְכָל הַדַּעַת וְהָרַחֲמָנוּת וְהַתְּפִלּוֹת, וְכָל מִינֵי נִיצוֹצוֹת הַקְּדֻשָּׁה שֶׁבָּלְעָה עַל־יְדֵי חֲטָאֵינוּ וּפְשָׁעֵינוּ הָרַבִּים, וּבִפְרָט עַל־יְדֵי פְּגָם הַבְּרִית, הַכֹּל תִּהְיֶה מֻכְרַחַת לְהָקִיא וּלְהוֹצִיא מִקִּרְבָּהּ וּבִטְנָהּ חִישׁ קַל מְהֵרָה,
It will be forced to swiftly, quickly and speedily disgorge and expel from within itself and its belly all of the awareness, pleadings, prayers and various sparks of holiness that it had swallowed as a result of our many transgression and offenses — in particular, those that blemished the covenant.
וִיקֻיַּם מְהֵרָה מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, חַיִל בָּלַע וַיְקִאֶנּוּ מִבִּטְנוֹ יֹרִשֶׁנּוּ אֵל.
May the verse quickly be realized, “Although it has swallowed wealth, it will vomit it up; God will cast [the wealth] out of its belly.”
וְתִהְיֶה מֻכְרַחַת הַסִּטְרָא אַחֲרָא וְהַקְּלִפָּה לִתֵּן הֲקָאוֹת הַרְבֵּה בְּכָל־עֵת וּבְכָל שָׁעָה, עַד אֲשֶׁר תָּקִיא וְתוֹצִיא גַם עַצְמוּת חַיּוּתָהּ מַמָּשׁ מִקִּרְבָּהּ וּבִטְנָהּ,
May the Side of Evil and the “husk” be forced to disgorge a great deal at every moment, until it literally disgorges and expels the essence of its life force from within itself and its belly.
כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, מַטֵּה עֻזְּךָ יִשְׁלַח יְהֹוָה מִצִּיּוֹן, רְדֵה בְּקֶרֶב אֹיְבֶיךָ. וְיִתְגַּיְרוּ גֵרִים רַבִּים אֲמִתִּיִּים וְיִתּוֹסְפוּ עַל עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל,
As the verse states, “HaShem will send the staff of Your might from Zion; you will rule in the midst of your enemies.” Then may many genuine converts become Jewish so that Your nation of Israel will grow.
וְיַכִּירוּ כָּל אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם כֹּחַ מַלְכוּתֶךָ, וְיֵדְעוּ כֻּלָּם כִּי אַתָּה הוּא יְהֹוָה לְבַדֶּךָ עֶלְיוֹן עַל כָּל הָאָרֶץ, וְיִתְגַּדֵּל וְיִתְקַדֵּשׁ וְיִתְרוֹמֵם וְיִתְנַשֵּׂא וְיִתְעַלֶּה כְּבוֹדְךָ עַל כָּל בָּאֵי עוֹלָם, וְכָל בְּנֵי בָשָׂר יִקְרְאוּ בִשְׁמֶךָ,
The Power of God’s Sovereignty
May all of the nations of the world recognize the power of Your sovereignty. May they all know that “You are He, HaShem, alone,” supernal over all the earth. May Your honor expand. May it be sanctified, elevated and raised over all people, and may all creatures of flesh and blood call out in Your Name.
וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁמַת רוּחַ חַיִּים בְּאַפָּיו, כֻּלָּם כְּאֶחָד יִתְּנוּ כָבוֹד וְהָדָר לִשְׁמֶךָ, וּכְבוֹד יְהֹוָה יִמָּלֵא כָל הָאָרֶץ.
May all creatures that have a soul, the spirit of life in their nostrils, grant honor and glory to Your Name, so that the honor of HaShem will fill the entire earth.
וְיִתְפַּרְסֵם וְיִתְגַּלֶּה אֱלָהוּתְךָ וְאַדְנוּתְךָ לְכָל בָּאֵי עוֹלָם, וְיִהְיֶה רַעַשׁ גָּדוֹל וּפִרְסוּם שֵׁם כְּבוֹדְךָ בֵּין כָּל בְּנֵי אָדָם, וְיִשְׁמְעוּ רְחוֹקִים וְיָבוֹאוּ וְיַכִּירוּ כֹחַ מַלְכוּתֶךָ:
May Your Godliness and Lordliness be preeminent and universally revealed. May the Name of Your glory bring about a great commotion and fanfare among all people, so that even those who are distant will hear and come and recognize the power of Your sovereignty.
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, תְּמִים דֵּעִים, עֲשֵׂה נִפְלָאוֹת עִמָּנוּ בְּעוֹלָמְךָ אֲשֶׁר בָּרָאתָ לִכְבוֹדֶךָ, וְגַלֵּה כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתְךָ עָלֵינוּ מְהֵרָה, וְהוֹפַע וְהִנָּשֵׂא עָלֵינוּ לְעֵינֵי כָּל חָי, וְקָרֵב פְּזוּרֵינוּ מִבֵּין הַגּוֹיִם, וּנְפוּצוֹתֵינוּ כַּנֵּס מִיַּרְכְּתֵי אָרֶץ,
Master of the world, “perfect in knowledge,” perform wonders with us in Your world, which You created for Your honor. “Reveal the honor of Your sovereignty to us quickly. Appear and be exalted over us in the sight of all living creatures. Bring together our dispersed people from among the nations and gather our scattered from the ends of the earth.”
וְקוֹל פִּרְסוּם אֱלָהוּתְךָ יִשָּׁמַע מְהֵרָה בְּכָל הָעוֹלָם בְּקוֹל רַעַשׁ גָּדוֹל, כְּמוֹ קוֹל רְעָמִים, יַרְעֵם אֵל בְּקוֹלוֹ נִפְלָאוֹת, עֹשֶׂה גְדוֹלוֹת עַד אֵין חֵקֶר, כִּי מִי יִתְבּוֹנֵן רַעַם גְּבוּרוֹתֶיךָ,
May the voice that proclaims Your Godliness soon be heard in the entire world with a sound of great commotion, like the sound of thunder. “God thunders wondrously; He performs great things” beyond inquiry — who has gazed upon Your great, mighty thunder?
וִיקֻיַּם מְהֵרָה מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, הָבוּ לַיהֹוָה מִשְׁפְּחוֹת עַמִּים הָבוּ לַיהֹוָה כָּבוֹד וָעֹז. וְנֶאֱמַר, קוֹל יְהֹוָה עַל הַמַּיִם אֵל הַכָּבוֹד הִרְעִים יְהֹוָה עַל מַיִם רַבִּים,
May the verse soon be realized, “Attribute to HaShem, families of the nations, attribute to HaShem honor and might.” “The voice of HaShem is upon the waters, the God of glory has thundered, HaShem is upon the many waters,”
וְתִמָּלֵא הָאָרֶץ דֵּעָה אֶת יְהֹוָה כַּמַּיִם לַיָּם מְכַסִּים:
“The earth will be filled with the knowledge of HaShem like water covers the sea.”
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, אַתָּה פוֹרַרְתָּ בְּעָזְךָ יָם שִׁבַּרְתָּ רָאשֵׁי תַּנִּינִים עַל הַמָּיִם, אַל תִּתֵּן לְחַיַּת נֶפֶשׁ תּוֹרֶךָ, חַיַּת עֲנִיֶּיךָ אַל תִּשְׁכַּח לָנֶצַח.
Master of the world, “You crumbled the sea with Your might, You broke the heads of the serpents upon the waters.” “Do not deliver the life of your turtledove to the troops; do not forget forever the life of Your impoverished ones.”
עָזְרֵנוּ וְרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל, וּתְעוֹרֵר רַחֲמֵי הַצַּדִּיק הָאֱמֶת צִיר נֶאֱמָן לְשׁוֹלְחָיו, שֶׁיִּלְחוֹם בַּעֲדֵנוּ מִלְחֲמוֹת יְהֹוָה, וְיוֹצִיא אוֹתָנוּ מִבֵּין שִׁנֵּיהֶם שֶׁל הַסִּטְרָא אַחֲרָא וְהַקְּלִפּוֹת,
We Seek God’s Compassion
Help us and have compassion on us and on Your entire nation, the Jewish people. Arouse the compassion of the true Tzaddik, “a faithful agent” to those who have sent him. May he fight the wars of HaShem on our behalf and extricate us from the teeth of the Side of Evil and the “husks.”
וּבְכֹחוֹ וּגְבוּרָתוֹ הַגְּדוֹלָה יוֹצִיא מֵהַסִּטְרָא אַחֲרָא כָּל הַקְּדֻשּׁוֹת וְכָל הַתְּפִלּוֹת, וְכָל הָרַחֲמָנוּת וְהַדַּעַת, וְכָל הַנִּיצוֹצוֹת הַקְּדוֹשִׁים שֶׁבָּלְעוּ מִן הַקְּדֻשָּׁה בַּעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ הָרַבִּים, וּבִפְרָט עַל־יְדֵי פְּגָם הַבְּרִית.
In his great power and might, may he extract from the Side of Evil all of the holiness, all of the prayers, all of the compassion and awareness, and all of the holy sparks that it swallowed due to our many sins — in particular, those that blemished the covenant.
אָנָּא יְהֹוָה, רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ, חוּס וַחֲמֹל עַל מְעַט יָמֵינוּ הַחֲרוּצִים בְּזֶה הָעוֹלָם הָעוֹבֵר, כְּצֵל עוֹבֵר, וּכְעָנָן כָּלֶה, וּכְרוּחַ נוֹשָׁבֶת.
Please, HaShem, have compassion on us. Have pity and mercy on our few days carved out in this world, fleeting as a passing shadow, a dissipating cloud and a blowing breeze.
וְעָזְרֵנוּ וְהוֹשִׁיעֵנו בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, בִּזְכוּת וְכֹחַ הַצַּדִּיקִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים בַּעֲלֵי כֹּחַ וּגְבוּרָה גְּדוֹלָה, שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה עַל־יָדָם לָצֵאת מִטֻּמְאָה לְטָהֳרָה, מֵאֲפֵלָה לְאוֹרָה, מִשִּׁעְבּוּד לִגְאֻלָּה, מִיָּגוֹן לְשִׂמְחָה, מֵאֵבֶל לְיוֹם־טוֹב.
In Your vast compassion, help us and save us in the merit and power of the true Tzaddikim, the masters of great power and strength. With them, may we emerge from pollution to purity, from darkness to light, from servitude to redemption, from sadness to joy, from mourning to celebration.
חוּס וַחֲמֹל עַל נַפְשֵׁנוּ וְרוּחֵנוּ וְנִשְׁמוֹתֵינוּ, חוּס וַחֲמֹל עָלֵינוּ וְעַל עוֹלָלֵנוּ וְטַפֵּנוּ, כִּי אֵין צָרָה בָּעוֹלָם כְּצָרַת הַנֶּפֶשׁ הַנְּזוּפָה, הָרְחוֹקָה מֵאָבִיהָ שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם,
Have pity and mercy on our nefesh, ruach and neshamah. Have pity and mercy on us and our children and infants, for there is no suffering in the world like the suffering of the rebuked soul that is far from its Father in Heaven.
אֲשֶׁר עֹצֶם הַצָּרָה הַזֹּאת אִי אֶפְשָׁר לְהַעֲרִיךְ וּלְבָאֵר וּלְסַפֵּר, לֹא בַּפֶּה וְלֹא בִּכְתָב, וְלֹא בְּמַחֲשָׁבָה וְלֹא בִּרְמִיזָה, כִּי צָרַת הַנֶּפֶשׁ עוֹלָה עַל כָּל הַצָּרוֹת וְהַיִּסּוּרִין שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם,
The intensity of that suffering is impossible to measure, explain or communicate — neither with the mouth nor in writing, neither in thought nor by allusion. For the suffering of the soul is greater than all sufferings and torments in the world.
כִּי יְכוֹלִין לְהַפְסִיד וּלְאַבֵּד חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, חַיִּים אֲמִתִּיִּים, חַיֵּי עוֹלָם נִצְחִיִּים, בְּחִנָּם, עַל־יְדֵי הֶבֶל מַעֲשֶׂה תַּעְתּוּעִים שֶׁל עוֹלָם הַזֶּה הַכָּלֶה וְהַנִּפְסָד, הַפּוֹרֵחַ וְשָׁט מְאֹד כְּצֵל עוֹף הַפּוֹרֵחַ,
It is possible to squander and lose true, eternal, everlasting life, Heaven forbid, as a result of meaningless, delusory acts of this impermanent, decaying world, which quickly flits and flickers by like the shadow of a bird in flight.
וּכְבָר הִפְסַדְנוּ וְאִבַּדְנוּ מַה שֶּׁאִבַּדְנוּ.
We have already squandered and lost so much.
הַצִּילֵנוּ נָא מֵעַתָּה, אָבִינוּ שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם, גְאָלֵנוּ נָא גּוֹאֵל חָזָק, פְּדֵנוּ נָא, הַצִּילֵנוּ נָא, פּוֹדֶה וּמַצִּיל, כִּי אֵין לָנוּ שׁוּם סְמִיכָה וְתִקְוָה כִּי אִם עָלֶיךָ וְעַל בָּנֶיךָ הַצַּדִּיקִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים הַנִּכְלָלִים בְּךָ.
Please save us from now on, our Father in Heaven. Please redeem us, strong Redeemer, please restore us, please rescue us, our Rescuer. Our only reliance and hope is in You and in Your children, the true Tzaddikim who are incorporated into You.
וּמִבַּלְעָדֶיךָ אֵין לָנוּ מֶלֶךְ גּוֹאֵל וּמוֹשִׁיעַ, פּוֹדֶה וּמַצִּיל וּמְפַרְנֵס וְעוֹנֶה וּמְרַחֵם בְּכָל עֵת צָרָה וְצוּקָה, אֵין לָנוּ מֶלֶךְ עוֹזֵר וְסוֹמֵךְ אֶלָּא אָתָּה.
Without You, we have no king, redeemer, savior, deliverer, rescuer or sustainer who responds and has compassion at every time of trouble and pressure. We have no king, helper or supporter but You.
דַּלּוּ עֵינַי לַמָּרוֹם, יְהֹוָה עָשְׁקָה לִי עָרְבֵנִי, עֲרֹב עַבְדְּךָ לְטוֹב, אַל יַעַשְׁקוּנִי זֵדִים. עֵינַי כָּלוּ לִישׁוּעָתֶךָ וּלְאִמְרַת צִדְקֶךָ. עֲשֵׂה עִם עַבְדְּךָ כְחַסְדֶּךָ וְחֻקֶּיךָ לַמְּדֵנִי.
“My eyes are raised to the heights, HaShem. I have been oppressed. Be my guarantor.” “Be a guarantor to Your servant for the good — do not let the wicked oppress me! My eyes are worn out for Your salvation and for the word of Your righteousness. Deal with Your servant in accordance with Your lovingkindness, and teach me Your laws.”
כְּחַסְדְּךָ עֲשֵׂה עִמִּי, כְּחַסְדְּךָ חַיֵּנִי וְאֶשְׁמְרָה עֵדוּת פִּיךָ.
Treat me in accordance with Your lovingkindness. “In accordance with Your kindness, give me life, and I will guard the testimony of Your mouth.”
כְּיוֹנָה אִלֶּמֶת אֲנִי מְצַפֶּה לְרַחֲמֶיךָ וְלִישׁוּעָתְךָ הָאֲמִתִּיִּית, כְּשׁוֹשַׁנָּה בֵּין הַחוֹחִים, כְּיוֹנָה בְּחַגְוֵי הַסֶּלַע בְּסֵתֶר הַמַּדְרֵגָה, כֵּן לָחֲצוּנִי אוֹיְבַי וְצָרַי וְרוֹדְפַי מִכָּל הַצְּדָדִים וּמִצִּדֵּי צְדָדִים, וּמִכָּל הַשּׂוֹנְאִים וְהָרוֹצְחִים הָעוֹמְדִים עָלַי בְּכָל־עֵת,
A Person is His Own Worst Enemy
Like a mute dove, I hope for Your compassion and for Your true salvation. I am like a rose amid the thorns, like a dove “in the clefts of the rock, in the hidden steps.” I have been oppressed by my enemies and persecutors from all sides and directions.
אֵין לִי שׁוּם שׂוֹנֵא וְרוֹצֵחַ כָּמוֹנִי בְּעַצְמִי, כִּי אֲנִי אֲנִי הוּא הָאַכְזָר הַגָּדוֹל שֶׁבְּכָל הָאַכְזָרִים, אֲשֶׁר לֹא חַסְתִּי עַל יָמַי וּשְׁנוֹתַי, וְלֹא חַסְתִּי עַל גּוּפִי וְנַפְשִׁי וְרוּחִי וְנִשְׁמָתִי,
But of all of the foes and murderers that stand against me constantly, I have no foe and murderer equal to myself. I myself am the cruelest of the cruel, because I have had no pity on my days and years. I have had no pity on my body, nefesh, ruach and neshamah.
וְלֹא חַסְתִּי עַל עוֹלָלַי וְטַפַּי וְעַל כָּל הַדּוֹרוֹת הָעֲתִידִים לָצֵאת מִמֶּנִּי עַד סוֹף כָּל הַדּוֹרוֹת, וְחָטָאתִי עָוִיתִי וּפָשַׁעְתִּי לְפָנֶיךָ, וַהֲרֵעוֹתִי אֶת מַעֲשַׂי מְאֹד מֵעוֹדִי עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה.
I have had no pity on my children and infants, and on all of the generations that are destined to come from me until the end of all generations. Instead, I have transgressed, sinned and rebelled before You. I have blackened my deeds from my earliest days until now.
אוֹי לִי, אוֹי לְנַפְשִׁי, כִּי גָמַלְתִּי לִי מַה שֶׁגָּמַלְתִּי, לוּלֵא רַחֲמֶיךָ וַחֲסָדֶיךָ אָז אָבַדְתִּי בְעָנְיִי חַס וְשָׁלוֹם.
Woe to me, woe to my soul, because of what I have done to myself. If not for Your compassion and kindness, I would have been lost in my privation, Heaven forbid.
מָה אוֹמַר מָה אֲדַבֵּר מָה אֶצְטַדָּק, הָאֱלֹהִים מָצָא אֶת עֲוֹנִי, הִנְנִי לְפָנֶיךָ בְּאַשְׁמָה רַבָּה, לְךָ יְהֹוָה הַצְּדָקָה, וְלִי בֹּשֶׁת הַפָּנִים כַּיוֹם הַזֶּה.
What can I say? How can I speak? How can I justify myself? God, You have uncovered my sin. I stand before You in my full guilt. HaShem, You are righteousness, and today I am shamefaced.
לְךָ יְהֹוָה הַצְּדָקָה עַל־כָּל הַטּוֹבוֹת וְהַחֲסָדִים וְהַנִסִּים וְהַנִּפְלָאוֹת, פִּלְאֵי פְּלָאוֹת אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָ עִמִּי בְּכָל יוֹם וָיוֹם מֵעוֹדִי עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה,
HaShem, You are righteous. You have done me so many favors, kindnesses, miracles and wonders, wonders of wonders, each and every day, from the beginning of my life until this day.
וְלִי בֹּשֶׁת הַפָּנִים עַל כָּל הַחֲטָאִים וְהָעֲווֹנוֹת וְהַפְּשָׁעִים וְהַפְּגָמִים וּמַחֲשָׁבוֹת רָעוֹת וְהִרְהוּרִים רָעִים וּמַעֲשִׂים עֲכוּרִים שֶׁעָשִׂיתִי וּפָגַמְתִּי בְּכָל יוֹם וָיוֹם, מִיּוֹם הֱיוֹתִי עַל הָאֲדָמָה עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה.
I am shamefaced because of all of the transgression, sins, offenses, blemishes, evil thoughts, evil fantasies and polluted deeds that I have committed, and the blemishes that I have caused every day since I began my life upon the earth to this very day.
אֲבָל עַל זֶה בָּאתִי לְבַקֵּשׁ מִמְּךָ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהַי וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתַי, גְּדוֹל הָעֵצָה וְרַב הָעֲלִילִיָּה, עוֹשֶׂה גְּדוֹלוֹת עַד אֵין חֵקֶר, נִסִּים וְנִפְלָאוֹת עַד אֵין מִסְפָּר.
I have a request of You, HaShem my God and God of my fathers, “great in counsel and mighty in deed,” “Who performs great deeds without limit, miracles and wonders without number.”
עוֹשֶׂה נִפְלָאוֹת חֲדָשׁוֹת בְּכָל־עֵת וּבְכָל יוֹם וּבְכָל שָׁעָה וּבְכָל רֶגַע וָרֶגַע, שֶׁתַּצִּילֵנִי מִמֶּנִּי בְּעַצְמִי, וּתְזַכֵּנִי שֶׁאַתְחִיל מֵעַתָּה לְרַחֵם עַל עַצְמִי בְּרַחֲמָנוּת אֲמִתִּי,
You perform new wonders at all times: every day, every hour and every minute. Rescue me from myself. Help me begin from now on to have true compassion on myself.
לְרַחֵם עַל מְעַט יָמַי הַמְּנוּיִים וְהַסְּפוּרִים וְהַקְּצוּבִים בְּמִסְפָּר תַּחַת יָדֶיךָ, לְבַל אֶעֱשֶׂה עוֹד שׁוּם דָּבָר נֶגֶד רְצוֹנְךָ כְּלָל, וְלֹא אֶפְגֹּם עוֹד שׁוּם פְּגָם נֶגְדְּךָ כְּלָל,
Help me have compassion on my few days — whose number is assessed, numbered and counted, and which are under Your hand — so that I will no longer commit any act against Your will, and no longer cause any blemishes at all before You.
אִם אָוֶן פָּעַלְתִּי לֹא אוֹסִיף, וְלֹא אָשׁוּב עוֹד לְכִסְלָה.
I have sinned, but I will no longer return to my foolishness.
וּתְצַוֶּה לְהָשִׁיב לִי כָּל הַמֹּחִין וְהַדַּעַת דִּקְדֻשָּׁה שֶׁנִּסְתַּלְקוּ מִמֶּנִּי בַּעֲוֹנוֹתַי הָרַבִּים, וּתְקַדֵּשׁ אֶת מֹחִי וְדַעְתִּי בִּקְדֻשָּׁה גְּדוֹלָה בְּכָל הַקְּדֻשּׁוֹת שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם,
Regaining Holy Mindfulness
Give the command so that all of my holy mindfulness and consciousness that left me because of my many sins will be restored to me. Sanctify my mind and consciousness with the greatest holiness in the world.
עַד שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה שֶׁיִּהְיוּ הַמֹּחִין שֶׁלִּי מְחִיצוֹת פְּרוּסוֹת בִּפְנֵי תַאֲוַת נִאוּף, וְלֹא יִהְיֶה שׁוּם שְׁלִיטָה וַאֲחִיזָה לַתַּאֲוָה הַזֹּאת לַעֲלוֹת עַל דַּעְתִּי וּמַחֲשַׁבְתִּי כְּלָל,
Ultimately, may my consciousness spread out to form a barrier against the desire for sexual wrongdoing. May this desire have no power or force to overcome my mind and thoughts at all.
רַק אֶזְכֶּה לִפְרֹס מְחִיצוֹת הַמֹּחִין וְהַשֵּׂכֶל לְהָגֵן בִּפְנֵי הַתַּאֲוָה הַזֹּאת, וְאַל יִשְׁלְטוּ בִי זָרִים כְּלָל. וְאֶזְכֶּה לִהְיוֹת קָדוֹשׁ וְטָהוֹר בֶּאֱמֶת בְתַכְלִית הַקְּדֻשָּׁה וְהַפְּרִישׁוּת כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב בֶּאֱמֶת:
Instead, may I spread out the barriers of my mind and intellect to shield me against this desire, and “foreigners” will have no control over me at all. May I be truly holy and pure, with ultimate holiness and self-restraint, in true accordance with Your good will.
וּבְכֵן תֵּן כָּבוֹד יְהֹוָה לְעַמֶּךָ, תְּהִלָּה לִירֵאֶיךָ וְתִקְוָה טוֹבָה לְדוֹרְשֶׁיךָ, וּפִתְחוֹן פֶּה לַמְיַחֲלִים לָךְ.
Godly Honor, Prophecy and Healing
“And so, HaShem, grant honor to Your nation, praise to those who fear You, robust hope to those who seek You and the ability to pray to those who turn to You.”
וּתְזַכֵּנוּ שֶׁיִּתְגַּדֵּל כְּבוֹדְךָ הַגָּדוֹל עַל יָדֵינוּ תָמִיד, וְיֻמְשַׁךְ וְיִתְגַּדֵּל וְיִתְרוֹמֵם וְיִתְעַלֶּה כָּבוֹד דִּקְדֻשָּׁה בָּעוֹלָם, עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה עַל־יְדֵי הִתְגַּלּוּת הַכָּבוֹד דִּקְדֻשָּׁה שֶׁיֻּשְׁפַּע שֶׁפַע הַנְּבוּאָה בָּעוֹלָם,
Through us, may Your great honor always increase. May the glory of holiness be drawn down, increased, raised high and elevated in the world until, as a result of the revelation of the glory of holiness, an outflow of prophecy will pour down into the world.
וְתַחֲזוֹר לָנוּ הַשְׁפָּעַת הַנְּבוּאָה שֶׁנִּסְתַּלְּקָה מֵאִתָּנוּ בַּעֲוֹנוֹתֵנוּ, וִיקֻיַּם מְהֵרָה מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, וְנִבְּאוּ בְּנֵיכֶם וּבְנוֹתֵיכֶם.
Restore the flow of prophecy that had left us because of our sins. May the verse soon be realized, “Your sons and daughters will prophesy.”
וְתַמְשִׁיךְ עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל עַמְּךָ בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל חָכְמָה וּגְבוּרָה וַעֲשִׁירוּת דִּקְדֻשָּׁה, עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה כֻלָּנוּ לִהְיוֹת רְאוּיִם לְקַבֵּל הַשְׁפָּעַת הַנְּבוּאָה וְהַשְׁרָאַת הַשְׁכִינָה:
Draw onto us and onto Your entire nation, the House of Israel, wisdom, might and holy wealth, until we will all deserve to receive the flow of prophecy and Your Presence.
וּתְרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, וְתִרְפָּאֵנוּ רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה לְכָל מַכּוֹתֵינוּ וּלְכָל תַּחֲלוּאֵנוּ וּלְכָל מַכְאוֹבֵינוּ,
In Your vast compassion, have compassion on us. Heal us completely of all of our wounds, illnesses and pains.
וְתִשְׁלַח מְהֵרָה רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם לְכָל חוֹלֵי עַמְּךָ בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל (וּבִפְרָט לִפְלוֹנִי בֶּן פְּלוֹנִית) אֵל נָא רְפָא נָא לוֹ בְּתוֹךְ שְׁאָר חוֹלֵי עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל, רְפוּאַת הַנֶפֶשׁ וּרְפוּאַת הַגּוּף,
Quickly send complete healing from Heaven to all of the sick of Your nation, the House of Israel (and in particular, to [Hebrew name], the son/daughter of [mother’s Hebrew name]; God, please heal him/her among the other sick of Your nation, the Jewish people) — a healing of the spirit and a healing of the body.
כִּי אֵין לָנוּ שׁוּם תִּקְוָה וּסְמִיכָה עַל שׁוּם רְפוּאָה בְּדֶרֶךְ הַטֶּבַע כְּלָל כִּי אִם עָלֶיךָ לְבַד, כִּי אַתָּה רוֹפֵא חִנָּם, רוֹפֵא אֱמֶת, רוֹפֵא נֶאֱמָן וְרַחֲמָן אָתָּה. רְפָאֵנוּ יְהֹוָה וְנֵרָפֵא הוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ וְנִוָּשֵׁעָה כִּי תְהִלָּתֵנוּ אָתָּה:
We have no hope or expectation of any natural healing at all. Rather, we hope in You alone, because You are the Healer of the undeserving, the true Healer. Heal us, HaShem, and we will be healed. Save us, and we will be saved — for You are our praise.
וְרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, וְקָרֵב פְּזוּרֵינוּ מִבֵּין הַגּוֹיִם וּנְפוּצוֹתֵינוּ כַּנֵּס מִיַּרְכְּתֵי אָרֶץ, וְקַבְּצֵנוּ יַחַד מֵאַרְבַּע כַּנְפוֹת הָאָרֶץ, וְיִתְגַּדֵּל וְיִתְרַבֶּה וִיתּוֹסֵף קִבּוּץ עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל,
Ingathering of the Exiles
In Your vast compassion, bring together our dispersed people from among the nations. Gather our diaspora from the ends of the earth, and bring us together from the four corners of the world.
בְּתוֹסְפוֹת מְרֻבָּה בְּכָל עֵת וָעֵת, וְיִתּוֹסְפוּ שְׁכֵנִים רַבִּים עַל קִבּוּץ הַקָּדוֹשׁ שֶׁל עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּכָל עֵת.
May this holy gathering of Your nation, the Jewish people, constantly increase and expand, as many companions are constantly added to it.
וְנִזְכֶּה תָמִיד לְהִתְפַּלֵּל תְּפִלּוֹתֵינוּ לְפָנֶיךָ בְּכַוָּנָה גְּדוֹלָה, בְּקִבּוּץ גָּדוֹל וָרָב, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, בְּרָב עָם הַדְרַת מֶלֶךְ.
May we always recite our prayers to You with deep concentration, in the midst of a great and multitudinous gathering. As the verse states, “In the multitude of the nation is the beauty of the King.”
וְיִתְרַבֶּה וְיִתְגַּדֵּל בֵּית הַתְּפִלָּה בְּרִבּוּי גָדוֹל וְעָצוּם וָרָב, וְהַצַּדִּיקִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים יִבְנוּ בָּתִּים רַבִּים וַעֲצוּמִים בְּלִי שִׁעוּר וָעֵרֶךְ וּמִסְפָּר, עַד אֵין קֵץ וְתַכְלִית, מִצֵּרוּפֵי תְפִלּוֹת עַמְּךָ בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, אֲשֶׁר יִתְרַבּוּ וְיִתְגַּדְּלוּ בְּקִבּוּץ גָּדוֹל מְאֹד.
May the House of Prayer increase and expand greatly and extensively. May the true Tzaddikim build many mighty houses without measure, number or limit, constructed of the combinations of prayers of Your nation, the House of Israel, which will multiply and grow in a very great assembly.
וּתְקַבֵּץ כָּל הָאֲבָנִים וְהַנְּפָשׁוֹת יַחַד וּתְצָרֵף מֵהֶם צֵרוּפִים קְדוֹשִׁים לְאֵין קֵץ, מַה שֶּׁאֵין הַפֶּה יָכוֹל לְדַבֵּר וְהַלֵּב לַחְשֹׁב,
May all of the “stones” — the souls — gather together. May holy combinations without end result — so many that the mouth cannot express them and the heart cannot conceive of them.
וְיִהְיוּ נִבְנִים מֵהֶם בִּנְיָנִים נָאִים גְּדוֹלִים וְרַבִּים עַד אֵין קֵץ, וְתִתְפָּאֵר וְתִשְׁתַּעֲשַׁע בָּהֶם בְּשַׁעֲשׁוּעִים גְּדוֹלִים חֲדָשִׁים אֲשֶׁר לֹא עָלוּ לְפָנֶיךָ מִימוֹת עוֹלָם,
May many great and beautiful structures without end be built of them. May You take pride and joy in them with a great, new delight that has never arisen before You since the earliest days.
עַד אֲשֶׁר מֵרִבּוּי הַבָּתִּים וְהַבִּנְיָנִים דִּקְדֻשָּׁה שֶׁיִּתְרַבּוּ לְאֵין קֵץ, תַּכְנִיס וּתְקַבֵּץ וְתֶאֱסוֹף לְתוֹךְ הַבָּתִּים דִּקְדֻשָּׁה אֶת כָּל הַנְּפָשׁוֹת הָעֲשׁוּקוֹת וְהַנְּשָׁמוֹת דְּאָזְלִין עַרְטִלָּאִין, הַמְפֻזָרִים בֵּין הַגּוֹיִם, אֶת כָּל הָאֲבָנִים הַקְּדוֹשׁוֹת הַנִּשְׁפָּכִים בְּרֹאשׁ כָּל חוּצוֹת,
At last, due to the multitude of the holy houses and structures that will increase without number, may all of the oppressed nefashot and neshamot that had gone naked, scattered among the nations, all of the holy stones that had been spilled out at the heads of all of the streets, enter, be gathered together and augment the holy houses.
כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, תִּשְׁתַּפֵּכְנָה אַבְנֵי קֹדֶשׁ בְּרֹאשׁ כָּל חוּצוֹת,
As the verse states, “The holy stones have been spilled at the head of every street.”
וּמֵעַתָּה תְּרַחֵם עֲלֵיהֶם, עַל כָּל הַנְּפָשׁוֹת הָאֵלֶּה הָעֲשׁוּקִים בַּעֲוֹנוֹתֵיהֶם וּבַעֲוֹנוֹת אֲבוֹתֵיהֶם אִתָּם,
From now on have compassion on all of these souls that are oppressed by their sins and the sins of their fathers.
וְתִמָּלֵא רַחֲמִים עֲלֵיהֶם, כִּי אַתָּה לְבַד יוֹדֵעַ עֹצֶם הָרַחֲמָנוּת שֶׁעֲלֵיהֶם עַד אֵין שִׁעוּר וָעֵרֶךְ, רַחֵם עֲלֵיהֶם וְעָלֵינוּ לְמַעַנְךָ, וְתַחֲזֹר וּתְקַבְּצֵם בִּקְדֻשָּׁה שֵׁנִית,
Be filled with compassion for them. For You alone know the immeasurable, unfathomable extent of their pitiable state. For Your sake, have compassion on them and on us. Gather them again into holiness.
וְתַכְנִיסֵם וְתַאַסְפֵם אִתְּךָ הַבַּיְתָה, וְתַאַסְפֵם מִחוּץ לִפְנִים לְתוֹךְ בָּתֵּי הַקְּדֻשָּׁה וְהַתְּפִלָּה שֶׁיִּתְרַבּוּ וְיִתְגַּדְּלוּ וְיִתּוֹסְפוּ עַד אֵין קֵץ וְתַכְלִית, עַל־יְדֵי קִבּוּץ עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל יַחַד בְּתוֹסְפוֹת שְׁכֵנִים הַרְבֵּה בְּכָל־עֵת:
Bring them in and gather them to be with You in Your house. Gather them from outside into the houses of holiness and prayer that will grow and increase beyond number and limit as a result of the gathering of Your nation of Israel, each time with many new companions.
וְעַל־יְדֵי זֶה, תִמָּלֵא רַחֲמִים עָלֵינוּ, וְתִמְחֹל וְתִסְלַח וּתְכַפֵּר לְכָל חַטֹּאתֵינוּ וַעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ וּפְשָׁעֵינוּ, שֶׁחָטָאנוּ וְשֶׁעָוִינוּ וְשֶׁפָּשַׁעְנוּ לְפָנֶיךָ מִנְּעוּרֵנוּ עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה,
May this lead You to be filled with compassion for us. Forgive, excuse and grant atonement for all of our transgressions, sins and offenses that we committed against You from our youth until this day.
וְיַעֲלוּ וְיֵרָאוּ וְיֵרָצוּ לְפָנֶיךָ תְּפִלּוֹתֵינוּ וּתְחִנּוֹתֵינוּ כְּעוֹלוֹת וְכִזְבָחִים לְכַפֵּר עַל כָּל עֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ, וְתַהֲפֹךְ כָּל עֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ לִזְכֻיּוֹת.
May our prayers and pleading rise so that You will see and accept them like burnt-offerings and sacrifices that will atone for all of our sins and transform them all into merits.
וִיקֻיַּם מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, וַהֲבִיאוֹתִים אֶל הַר קָדְשִׁי וְשִׂמַּחְתִּים בְּבֵית תְּפִלָּתִי, עוֹלוֹתֵיהֶם וְזִבְחֵיהֶם לְרָצוֹן עַל מִזְבְּחִי, כִּי בֵיתִי בֵּית־תְּפִלָּה יִקָּרֵא לְכָל הָעַמִּים.
May the verse be realized, “I will bring them to My holy mountain and give them joy in My House of Prayer. Their burnt-offerings and sacrifices will be accepted upon My Altar, for My House shall be called a House of Prayer for all nations.”
וְתַמְשִׁיךְ רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם לָנוּ וּלְכָל עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְתִמְחֶה פְּשָׁעֵינוּ כָעָב וְכֶעָנָן, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, מָחִיתִי כָעָב פְּשָׁעֶיךָ וְכֶעָנָן חַטֹּאתֶיךָ, שׁוּבָה אֵלַי כִּי גְאַלְתִּיךָ,
Draw complete healing from Heaven onto us and onto Your entire nation, the Jewish people. Erase our offenses like vapor and cloud. As the verse states, “I have wiped away your sins like vapor and your transgressions like a cloud. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.”
וְתַעֲבִיר וּתְסַלֵּק כָּל הָעֲנָנִים הַמַּחֲשִׁיכִים אֶת אוֹר הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ הַקְּדוֹשָׁה, וְתוֹצִיאֵנוּ מֵאֲפֵלָה לְאוֹרָה, מֵחֹשֶׁךְ לְאוֹר גָּדוֹל,
Remove all of the clouds that darken the light of the holy sun. Bring us out from dimness to brightness, from darkness to a great light.
וּכְאוֹר בֹּקֶר יִזְרַח שֶׁמֶשׁ צְדָקָה וּמַרְפֵּא עָלֵינוּ, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, וְזָרְחָה לָכֶם יִרְאֵי שְׁמִי שֶׁמֶשׁ צְדָקָה וּמַרְפֵּא בִּכְנָפֶיהָ,
As morning breaks, may the sun cause charity and healing to shine upon us. As the verse states, “May the sun of charity with healing in its wings shine upon you who fear My Name.”
וִיקֻיַּם מְהֵרָה מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, וּבַל־יֹאמַר שָׁכֵן חָלִיתִי הָעָם הַיּוֹשֵׁב בָּהּ נְשֻׂא עָוֹן:
May the verse quickly be realized, “A neighbor will not say, ‘I am sick.’ The nation that dwells in [Jerusalem] will be cleansed of sin.”
וּתְזַכֵּנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, לְהִתְקָרֵב לְצַדִּיקִים אֲמִתִּיִּים שֶׁיֵּשׁ לָהֶם בְּחִינַת רוּחַ נְבוּאָה, רוּחַ הַקֹּדֶשׁ בֶּאֱמֶת, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה עַל־יָדָם לְבָרֵר וּלְתַקֵּן הַכֹּחַ הַמְדַמֶּה,
In Your vast compassion, enable us to grow truly close to the true Tzaddikim who possess a spirit of prophecy, which is truly Divine inspiration, so that through them, we will purify and rectify the power of our imagination.
וְלֹא יְבַלְבֵּל אוֹתָנוּ הַמְדַמֶּה חַס וְשָׁלוֹם בְּדִמְיוֹנוֹת כּוֹזְבִים וּבְבִלְבּוּלִים רָעִים חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, רַק נִזְכֶּה שֶׁיִּהְיֶה הַכֹּחַ הַמְּדַמֶּה בָּרוּר וְזַךְ וָצַח אֶצְלֵנוּ בְּתַכְלִית הַתִּקּוּן,
Purifying Our Thoughts and Imagination
May our imagination not confuse us with deceitful illusions and evil fantasies, Heaven forbid. Instead, may we attain a power of imagination that possesses a completely perfected clarity, purity and lucidity.
בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה עַל־יְדֵי־זֶה לֶאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה וִישָׁרָה וּבְרוּרָה זַכָּה וְצַחָה וּנְכוֹנָה בֶּאֱמֶת כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב, בְּלִי שׁוּם בִּלְבּוּלִים כְּלָל.
In this way, may we attain a truly complete, straight, clear, pure, lucid and proper faith in accordance with Your good will, without any confusion at all.
וְנִזְכֶּה לְהַאֲמִין בְּךָ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, כִּי אַתָּה בָּרָאתָ עוֹלָמְךָ בִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב יֵשׁ מֵאַיִן הַמֻּחְלָט בַּעֲשָׂרָה מַאֲמָרוֹת.
May we believe in You, HaShem our God and God of our fathers, in the fact that You created Your world, in accordance with Your good will, out of absolute nothingness with the Ten Statements.
וְתַצִּילֵנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, מִמַּנְהִיגִים שֶׁל שֶׁקֶר שֶׁהֵם נִקְרָאִים נְבִיאֵי הַשֶּׁקֶר, וְלֹא יְבַלְבְּלוּ אֶת דַּעְתֵּנוּ כְּלָל בְּדִמְיוֹנוֹת כּוֹזְבִים חָלִילָה.
In Your vast compassion, rescue us from false leaders, who are like false prophets. May they not confuse our minds at all with false imaginings, Heaven forbid.
וּתְזַכֵּךְ וּתְטַהֵר אוֹתָנוּ מִטֻּמְאַת וְזֹהֲמַת הַנָּחָשׁ, וְתִשְׁמְרֵנוּ וְתַצִּילֵנוּ שֶׁלֹּא יַעֲלֶה עַל דַּעְתֵּנוּ שׁוּם נִחוּשׁ וְקֶסֶם כְּלָל,
Purify and cleanse us of the pollution and filth of the Serpent. Guard us and protect us so that no thought of divination or magic will ever cross our mind.
וְנִתְרַחֵק מִדַּרְכֵי הַמְנַחֲשִׁים וְהַקּוֹסְמִים בְּכָל מִינֵי הַרְחָקוֹת, וְלֹא יִהְיֶה לָנוּ שׁוּם אֱמוּנוֹת כּוֹזְבִיּוֹת כְּלָל. רַק נִזְכֶּה תָמִיד לִהְיוֹת תָּמִים עִם יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ, וּלְהִתְנַהֵג רַק בִּתְמִימוּת וּבִפְשִׁיטוּת בֶּאֱמֶת וּבֶאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה הָאֲמִתִּית כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב.
Attaining Holy Faith
May we distance and separate ourselves from the ways of sorcerers and magicians. May we possess no false beliefs at all. Rather, may we always be wholehearted with You, HaShem our God, acting only genuinely and faithfully with a whole heart and true simplicity, in accordance with Your good will.
וְתַעֲבִיר וְתַעֲקֹר וּתְשַׁבֵּר וּתְכַלֶּה כָּל דֵּעוֹת הַמִּינִים וְהַכּוֹפְרִים וְהָאֶפִּיקוֹרְסִים מִן הָעוֹלָם,
Remove, uproot, break and destroy all of the viewpoints of the heretics, atheists and freethinkers.
וּתְרַחֵם עַל עוֹלָמְךָ שֶׁתִּתְפַּשֵּׁט הָאֱמוּנָה הַקְּדוֹשָׁה בָּעוֹלָם, וְיַאֲמִינוּ כָּל בָּאֵי עוֹלָם בְּחִדּוּשׁ הָעוֹלָם, וְלֹא יֵלְכוּ אַחַר חֲקִירַת הַתֹּהוּ כְּלָל,
Have compassion on Your world so that holy faith will spread throughout the world, and all people will believe in the creation of the world without any inquiry into the realm of the Void.
רַק יַאֲמִינוּ כֻּלָּם בְּהָאֱמֶת, שֶׁהָעוֹלָם הוּא מְחֻדָּשׁ בִּרְצוֹנוֹ יִתְבָּרַךְ אֲשֶׁר בְּרָאוֹ בְּשֵׁשֶׁת יְמֵי בְּרֵאשִׁית, יֵשׁ מֵאַיִן הַמֻּחְלָט, אֲשֶׁר עַל יְסוֹד אֱמוּנָה זוֹ קַיָּם וְעוֹמֵד כָּל הָעוֹלָם וּמְלוֹאוֹ, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, וְכָל מַעֲשֵׂהוּ בֶּאֱמוּנָה.
May they all believe that the world is renewed by Your will, You Who created it during the six days of Creation, bringing existence out of absolute nothing. This faith is the foundation upon which the entire world and everything in it exists. As the verse states, “All of His deeds are in [the realm of] faith.”
וְנִזְכֶּה כֻּלָּנוּ לְעָבְדְּךָ בֶּאֱמֶת וּבֶאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה כָּל יְמֵי עוֹלָם, עַד אֲשֶׁר נִזְכֶּה לִרְאוֹת בַּטּוֹב אֲשֶׁר תַּעֲשֶׂה לָנוּ בָּעֵת שֶׁתְּחַדֵּשׁ אֶת עוֹלָמְךָ לֶעָתִיד בִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב. וְתַעֲשֶׂה עִמָּנוּ חֲסָדִים רַבִּים,
Help us all truly serve You in complete faith all the days of the world, until we will witness the good that You will do for us at the time that You renew Your world in the future, in accordance with Your good will, performing many acts of lovingkindness on our behalf.
וִיקֻיַּם בָּנוּ מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, לְהַגִּיד בַּבֹּקֶר חַסְדֶּךָ וֶאֱמוּנָתְךָ בַּלֵּילוֹת, וְנֶאֱמַר, חֲדָשִׁים לַבְּקָרִים רַבָּה אֱמוּנָתֶךָ:
May the verse be realized in us, “To tell of Your lovingkindness in the morning and of Your faithfulness at night.” And, “New each morning, vast is Your faithfulness.”
וּתְבִיאֵנוּ מְהֵרָה חוּשָׁה לְאֶרֶץ־יִשְׂרָאֵל, אֶרֶץ הַטּוֹבָה וְהַקְּדוֹשָׁה. וְתַמְשִׁיךְ הַשְׁגָּחָתְךָ הַשְּׁלֵמָה עַל אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל וְעַל כָּל הָעוֹלָם כֻּלּוֹ,
A Song of Wonders
Bring us quickly, swiftly, to the Land of Israel, the good and holy land. Draw Your complete providence onto the Land of Israel and onto the entire world.
וּתְחַדֵּשׁ אֶת עוֹלָמְךָ בִּקְדֻשַּׁת אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁמִּתְנַהֶגֶת עַל־יְדֵי הַשְׁגָּחָה לְבַד, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, אֶרֶץ אֲשֶׁר יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ דּוֹרֵשׁ אוֹתָהּ, תָּמִיד עֵינֵי יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ בָּהּ מֵרֵאשִׁית הַשָּׁנָה וְעַד אַחֲרִית שָׁנָה.
Renew Your world so that it will possess the holiness of the Land of Israel, which is guided solely by providence. As the verse states, “It is a land that HaShem your God seeks; the eyes of HaShem your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year until the end of the year.”
וְתַמְשִׁיךְ הַשְׁגָּחָתְךָ הַשְּׁלֵמָה עַל כָּל הָעוֹלָם כֻּלּוֹ, וְיִתְחַדֵּשׁ הָעוֹלָם וּמְלוֹאוֹ, וְיִתְנַהֵג כָּל הָעוֹלָם כֻּלּוֹ עַל־יְדֵי הַשְׁגָּחָה לְבַד בְּלִי שׁוּם הַנְהָגָה עַל־פִּי דֶרֶךְ הַטֶּבַע כְּלָל,
Draw Your total providence onto the entire world. May the world and everything in it be renewed. May the entire world be guided by providence alone, without any determinism whatsoever.
וְתַעֲשֶׂה נוֹרָאוֹת וְנִפְלָאוֹת מֵחָדָשׁ בְּעוֹלָמֶךָ, אֲשֶׁר לֹא נִבְרְאוּ בְכָל הָאָרֶץ וּבְכָל הַגּוֹיִם.
Perform new, awesome and wondrous deeds “that were not yet created upon all the earth and among all of the nations.”
וְיִתְעוֹרֵר שִׁיר חָדָשׁ בָּעוֹלָם, שִׁיר שֶׁל נִפְלָאוֹת, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, מִזְמוֹר שִׁירוּ לַיהֹוָה שִׁיר חָדָשׁ כִּי נִפְלָאוֹת עָשָׂה, הוֹשִׁיעָה לּוֹ יְמִינוֹ וּזְרוֹעַ קָדְשׁוֹ. וְנוֹדֶה לְךָ שִׁיר חָדָשׁ עַל גְּאֻלָּתֵנוּ וְעַל פְּדוּת נַפְשֵׁנוּ.
May a new song, a song of wonders, be aroused in the world. As the verse states, “A song: Sing a new song to HaShem, for He has performed wonders. His right hand and His holy arm have redeemed on His behalf.” Then we will thank You with a new song for our redemption and for the restoration of our souls.
וְנִזְכֶּה לָשִׁיר וּלְזַמֵּר וּלְרַנֵּן וּלְנַגֵּן לְפָנֶיךָ נִגּוּנִים וְשִׁירוֹת וְתִשְׁבָּחוֹת חֲדָשׁוֹת, שִׁירִים שֶׁל נִפְלָאוֹת שֶׁלֹּא כְּדֶרֶךְ הַטֶּבַע,
We will sing, make melody and burst into song before You with new melodies, songs and praises, songs of wonders that transcend nature.
עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְהִתְעַנֵּג עַל יְהֹוָה וְלִשְׁמֹעַ קוֹל הַשִּׁיר וְהַנִּגּוּן שֶׁיִּתְעַר לֶעָתִיד, שֶׁהוּא שִׁיר פָּשׁוּט כָּפוּל מְשֻׁלָּשׁ מְרֻבָּע, הַכָּלוּל בְּשִׁמְךָ הַמְיֻחָד שֶׁיִתְנַגֵּן עַל שִׁבְעִים וּשְׁנַיִם נִימִין כְּמִנְיָן חֶסֶד, וִיקֻיַּם מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, עוֹלָם חֶסֶד יִבָּנֶה:
Ultimately, may we take pleasure in You as we hear the sound of the song and melody that will be awakened in the future — the song that is simple, double, triple, quadruple; that is of a piece with Your unique Name; that will be played upon the seventy-two strings, which is the same numerical value as the word chesed (lovingkindness). May the verse then be realized, “The world will be built upon lovingkindness.”
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, תֵּן לִי חַיִּים וְאֶחְיֶה וְלֹא אָמוּת, תֶּן לִי חֵלֶק טוֹב לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. זַכֵּנִי זַכֵּנִי, חָנֵּנִי חָנֵּנִי, עָזְרֵנִי וְהוֹשִׁיעֵנִי שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לִשְׁמֹעַ קוֹל הַשִּׁיר וְהַנִּגּוּן הַזֶּה שֶׁיִּתְעַר לֶעָתִיד בָּעֵת שֶׁתְּחַדֵּשׁ אֶת עוֹלָמֶךָ.
Master of the world, give me life so that I will live and not die. Give me a good portion in the World to Come. Give me merit! Be gracious to me! Help me and save me so that I will hear the sound of this song and melody that will be awakened in the future when Your world will be renewed.
מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, טוֹב וּמֵטִיב, עָזְרֵנִי מֵעַתָּה שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְהִתְגַּבֵּר וְלִסְתֹּם עֵינַי וְאָזְנַי מֵחֵיזוּ דְהַאי עָלְמָא,
You Who are filled with compassion, You Who are good and do good, help me from now on so that I will grow strong enough to close my eyes and ears to this world.
לִבְלִי לְהִסְתַּכֵּל עַל הַבְלֵי עוֹלָם הַזֶּה כְּלָל, וְלִבְלִי לִשְׁמֹעַ קוֹל זֶה הָעוֹלָם כְּלָל, וְלִבְלִי לְדַבֵּר שׁוּם דִּבּוּר שֶׁאֵינוֹ נוֹגֵעַ לְשִׁמְךָ וְלַעֲבוֹדָתֶךָ, שֶׁיַּגִּיעַ מֵהֶם שִׁיר וָשֶׁבַח וּתְהִלָּה לְשִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ.
May I not look at the vanities of this world at all. May I not listen to the sound of this world at all, and not engage in any speech that does not relate to Your Name and Your service. May I only express song, praise and worship of Your great and holy Name.
וְאֶזְכֶּה לַעֲקֹם צַוָּארִי מִזֶּה הָעוֹלָם לִבְלִי לְהָנִיחַ שׁוּם הֶבֶל וְרוּחַ הַפֶּה כְּלָל בְּזֶה הָעוֹלָם, וְלֹא יִתְאַחֵז בִּי שׁוּם הֶבֶל מֵהַבְלֵי הָעוֹלָם הַזֶּה כְּלָל,
May I twist my neck away from this world so that I will not leave any vain breath of the mouth in this world. May none of the vanities of this world have any hold on me at all.
וְאֶזְכֶּה לְשַׁעְבֵּד כָּל קוֹמַת גּוּפִי וְיָדַי וְרַגְלַי אֵלֶיךָ, לִבְלִי לַעֲשׂוֹת בָּהֶם שׁוּם דָּבָר שֶׁאֵינוֹ נוֹגֵעַ לַעֲבוֹדָתְךָ,
May I subjugate the entire anatomy of my body, with my hands and feet, to You, so that I will not do anything unrelated to serving You.
רַק עֵינַי וְאָזְנַי וּפִי וְלִבִּי וְדַעְתִּי וּמַחֲשַׁבְתִּי וְיָדַי וְרַגְלַי וּרְמַ"ח אֵבָרַי וּשְׁסָ"ה גִּידַי וְכָל חוּשַׁי וְכֹּחִי, כֻּלָּם יִהְיוּ מְדֻבָּקִים וּמְקֻשָּׁרִים אֵלֶיךָ בֶּאֱמֶת בְּקֶשֶׁר אַמִּיץ וְחָזָק, וּמְשֻׁעְבָּדִים לַעֲבוֹדָתְךָ בֶּאֱמֶת לְעוֹלְמֵי עַד וּלְנֵצַח נְצָחִים,
May my eyes, ears, mouth, heart, mind, thought, hands, feet, 248 limbs and 365 sinews, and all of my senses and strength, all truly cling to You and be firmly and strongly connected to You. May they truly be subjugated to Your service forever and ever.
עַד שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לִשְׁמֹעַ לֶעָתִיד קוֹל הַשִּׁיר הַזֶּה הַקָּדוֹשׁ וְהַנּוֹרָא שֶׁיִּתְעַר לֶעָתִיד, אֲשֶׁר יִתְנַגֵּן עַל שִׁבְעִים וּשְׁנַיִם נִימִין, אַשְׁרֵי אָזְנַיִם שֶׁיִּשְׁמְעוּ זֹאת, אַשְׁרֵי הַמְחַכִּים וְהַמְצַפִּים וְהַמְקַוִּים לָזֶה,
In the future, may I at last hear the sound of this holy and awesome song that will be aroused and played upon the seventy-two strings. Fortunate are the ears that will hear this. Fortunate are those who wait for this, who hope for it, who anticipate it.
אַשְׁרֵי תִּבְחַר וּתְקָרֵב, שֶׁיִּזְכֶּה לְהָצִיץ מִן הַחֲרַכִּים לִרְאוֹת וְלִשְׁמֹעַ מְחוֹל הַצַּדִּיקִים בָּעֵת שֶׁיִּתְנַגֵּן לִפְנֵיהֶם הַשִּׁיר הַגָּדוֹל וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ לְעוֹלְמֵי עַד.
“Fortunate is the person whom You choose and draw close.” He will peer through the cracks to see and hear the circle-dance of the Tzaddikim when this great and holy song will play before them forever.
אֲדוֹן כֹּל, מַגְבִּיהַּ שְׁפָלִים, מֵקִים מֵעָפָר וּמֵאַשְׁפָּה דַּל וְאֶבְיוֹן, טוֹב וּמֵטִיב לָרָעִים וְלַטּוֹבִים, עֲשֵׂה עִמִּי פְּלָאוֹת בְּחַיַּי, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לַטּוֹב הַזֶּה בֶּאֱמֶת,
Master of all, You Who raise the lowly, You Who lift up the poor and needy person from the dust and from the ash heap, You Who are good and do good for those who are wicked and those who are good, perform wonders for me during my lifetime so that I will truly attain this goodness.
כִּי אַתָּה לְבַד יָדַעְתָּ אֶת עֲרֵבוּת נְעִימוּת מְתִיקוּת יְדִידוּת תְּשׁוּקַת הַתִּקְוָה הַזֹּאת, אֲשֶׁר אִי אֶפְשָׁר לְהַשִּׂיג וְלִתְפֹּס בַּמֹּחַ כְּלָל נְעִימוּת הַשִּׁיר הַזֶּה,
Only You know the agreeable, pleasant, sweet and amiable yearning of this hope. The mind cannot attain or grasp the sweetness of this song at all.
כִּי אִם אַתָּה לְבַד יָדַעְתָּ, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, עַיִן לֹא רָאָתָה אֱלֹהִים זוּלָתְךָ יַעֲשֶׂה לִמְחַכֵּה לוֹ.
Only You understand. As the verse states, “No eye but Yours, God, has seen what You do for the person who hopes in You.”
רַחֵם עַל פָּגוּם וְרָחוֹק כָּמֹנִי, וַעֲשֵׂה עִמִּי פֶּלֶא לְחַיִּים, וְעָזְרֵנִי וְזַכֵּנִי מְהֵרָה לָסוּר מֵרָע וְלַעֲשׂוֹת הַטּוֹב בְּעֵינֶיךָ תָמִיד, עַד שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לִהְיוֹת כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב בֶּאֱמֶת וְלִרְאוֹת בְּטוּב יְהֹוָה בְּאֶרֶץ הַחַיִּים, לַחֲזוֹת בְּנֹעַם יְהֹוָה וּלְבַקֵּר בְּהֵיכָלוֹ,
Have compassion on me, as blemished and distant as I am. Perform a wonder for life on my behalf. Help me quickly so that I will turn aside from evil and always do what is good in Your eyes, until I will truly be attuned to Your good will and see the goodness of HaShem in the land of life, “gazing upon the pleasantness of HaShem and visiting in His palace.”
תּוֹדִיעֵנִי אֹרַח חַיִּים שֹׂבַע שְׂמָחוֹת אֶת פָּנֶיךָ נְעִימוֹת בִּימִינְךָ נֶצַח:
“Let me know the way of life, the satiety of joy before Your countenance, the pleasantness at Your right hand forever.”
וּתְזַכֵּנוּ לְהִתְקָרֵב לְצַדִּיק אֲמִתִּי, אֲשֶׁר כְּבָר זָכָה לְקוֹל הַשִּׁיר הַזֶּה, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁיִּהְיֶה רָאוּי לְהוֹכִיחַ אוֹתָנוּ וְאֶת כָּל עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל, לְעוֹרֵר רֵיחַ הַטּוֹב שֶׁל גַּן־עֵדֶן עַל־יְדֵי תוֹכַחְתּוֹ הַטּוֹבָה,
Coming to the True Tzaddik
Help me come close to the true Tzaddik, who has already attained the sound of this song so that he is able to admonish us and Your entire nation, the Jewish people, arousing a good fragrance from the Garden of Eden by means of his beneficial rebuke.
שֶׁיִּהְיֶה לוֹ כֹחַ לַהֲפֹךְ כָּל עֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ לִזְכֻיּוֹת, וּלְהַעֲלוֹתֵנוּ מִטֻּמְאָה לְטָהֳרָה מֵחֹל לְקֹדֶשׁ, וְיַמְשִׁיךְ עָלֵינוּ רֵיחַ גַּן־עֵדֶן, וִיחַזֵּק אֶת נַפְשֵׁנוּ וְרוּחֵנוּ וְנִשְׁמוֹתֵינוּ בִּקְדֻשָּׁה חֲזָקָה וּנְכוֹנָה,
May he have the power to transform our sins to merits and raise us from pollution to purity, from the mundane to the holy. May he draw onto us the fragrance of the Garden of Eden and strengthen our nefesh, ruach and neshamah with strong and proper holiness.
וְיַכְנִיעַ לְפָנֵינוּ אֶת כָּל צָרֵינוּ וְרוֹדְפֵנוּ, וִישַׁבֵּר וִיכַלֶּה וְיַכְנִיעַ וְיַעֲקֹר וִיבַטֵּל אֶת עָקֵב דְּסִטְרָא אַחֲרָא, שֶׁהוּא עָקֵב שֶׁל עֵשָׂו הָרָשָׁע, שֶׁהוּא מְזוֹנָא דְגוּפָא,
May he subdue all of our enemies and persecutors. May he break, destroy, subdue, uproot and nullify the heel of the Side of Evil, the heel of the wicked Esau, which is the sustenance of the body.
עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה כֻלָּנוּ לְשַׁבֵּר לְגַמְרֵי תַאֲוַת אֲכִילָה וּשְׁתִיָּה שֶׁהוּא מְזוֹנָא דְגוּפָא, וּלְהַגְבִּיר וּלְחַזֵּק מְזוֹנָא דְנִשְׁמָתָא שֶׁהוּא רֵיחַ טוֹב שֶׁל יִרְאַת יְהֹוָה הָאֲמִתִּיִּית.
At last, may we all completely break the desire for eating and drinking, which is the sustenance of the body, and intensify and strengthen the sustenance of the soul, which is the good fragrance of the true fear of HaShem.
וִיקֻיַּם בָּנוּ מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, יְהֹוָה רוֹעִי לֹא אֶחְסָר, וְתִהְיֶה כָּל אֲכִילָתֵנוּ וּשְׁתִיָּתֵנוּ בִּקְדֻשָּׁה וּבְטָהֳרָה גְּדוֹלָה בִּבְחִינַת מְזוֹנָא דְנִשְׁמָתָא, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, צַדִּיק אוֹכֵל לְשֹׂבַע נַפְשׁוֹ.
May the verse be realized, “HaShem is my shepherd, I will not lack.” May we eat and drink in great holiness and purity, on the level of the sustenance of the soul. As the verse states, “The righteous man eats to satisfy his soul.”
וְיִלְחוֹם בַּעֲדֵנוּ מִלְחֶמֶת עוֹג מֶלֶךְ הַבָּשָׁן, לְהַכְנִיעַ וּלְשַׁבֵּר וְלַעֲקֹר וּלְכַלּוֹת וּלְבַטֵּל קְלִפַּת עוֹג מֶלֶךְ הַבָּשָׁן מִן הָעוֹלָם, עִם כָּל הַקְּלִפּוֹת וְהַסִּטְרִין אוֹחֲרָנִין שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֵם זוֹהֲמַת הַנָּחָשׁ, הָרוֹדְפִים אַחַר חֲלוּשֵׁי כֹחַ שֶׁבְּעַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל,
May the true Tzaddik wage war on our behalf against Og, king of Bashan — subduing, breaking, uprooting, destroying and nullifying from the world the “husk” of Og, king of Bashan, together with all of the “husks” and Sides of Evil in the world, which are the pollution of the Serpent that pursues the weak members of Your nation of Israel.
אָנָּא יְהֹוָה, אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ כִּי אֵין בָּנוּ כֹחַ לַעֲמֹד בִּפְנֵיהֶם, חוּסָה עַל עַם עָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן, עַל חֲלוּשֵׁי כֹחַ כָּמוֹנוּ הַיּוֹם. וּתְעוֹרֵר אֶת לֵב הַצַּדִּיקִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים שֶׁיִּלָּחֲמוּ בַּעֲדֵנוּ עִם כָּל צָרֵינוּ וְרוֹדְפֵינוּ בְּגַשְׁמִיּוּת וּבְרוּחָנִיּוּת.
HaShem, You know that we have no power to withstand these enemies. Please have pity on a poor and needy nation, on those as weak as we are today. Arouse the heart of the true Tzaddikim to wage war on our behalf against all of our enemies and persecutors in both the physical and spiritual realms.
וּתְטַהֲרֵנוּ מִכָּל הַטֻּמְאוֹת וּבִפְרָט מִפְּגַם הַבְּרִית, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁלֹּא אֶתְרַחֵק וְלֹא אֶשְׁתַּלֵחַ חַס וְשָׁלוֹם חוּץ לְמַחֲנֵה יִשְׂרָאֵל הַקְּדוֹשָׁה, אֲשֶׁר כָּל הַטְּמֵאִים וּבִפְרָט הַפּוֹגְמִים בַּבְּרִית מִשְׁתַּלְּחִים מִשָּׁם.
Purify us from all uncleanness — in particular, from the blemish of the covenant — so that I will not be removed and ejected, Heaven forbid, from the holy camp of Israel, from which all those who are unclean — in particular, those who damage the covenant — are sent away.
אָנָּא יְהֹוָה, מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, רַחֵם עָלַי וְהַעֲלֵנִי מְהֵרָה מִטֻּמְאָה לְטָהֳרָה, וְזַכֵּנִי שֶׁאָגֵן בַּעֲדִי עַל־יְדֵי הַמֹּחִין וְהַשֵּׂכֶל בִּפְנֵי כָּל הַהִרְהוּרִים וְתַאֲוַת נִאוּף,
Please, HaShem, You Who are filled with compassion, have compassion on me and elevate me soon from uncleanness to purity. Purify me so that I will shield myself by means of my mind and intellect against all salacious fantasies and desires.
שֶׁיִּהְיוּ הַמֹּחִין שְׁלֹשָׁה מְחִיצוֹת פְּרוּסוֹת בִּפְנֵי הִרְהוּרִים וְתַאֲוָה הַזֹּאת, עַד שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לִקְדֻשַּׁת הַבְּרִית בֶּאֱמֶת,
May my mind comprise the three barriers stretched out against these fantasies and this desire, until I will truly attain the holiness of the covenant.
וְתֶאֱסֹף אוֹתִי לְתוֹךְ מַחֲנֵה יִשְׂרָאֵל מַחֲנֵה הַקְּדֻשָּׁה. וְנִזְכֶּה לְקַיֵּם מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, וְהָיָה מַחֲנֶיךָ קָדוֹשׁ,
Bring me into the holy camp of Israel. May we realize the verse, “Your camp should be holy.”
עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לִמְזוֹנָא דְנִשְׁמָתָא, וּלְהַכְנִיעַ מְזוֹנָא דְגוּפָא לְבַטֵּל הַגּוּף לְגַבֵּי הַנֶּפֶשׁ, וּלְעָבְדְּךָ בֶּאֱמֶת בְּאֵימָה בְּפַחַד בְּיִרְאָה וְאַהֲבָה אֲמִתִּית כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם:
At last, may we attain the food of the soul and subdue the food of the body, so that we nullify the body to the spirit. May we truly serve You with fear, dread, awe and love, in accordance with Your good will, from now and forever.
וּתְחַזֵּק וְתַבְרִיא אֶת הָרֵאָה הַקְּדוֹשָׁה, שֶׁתִּהְיֶה הָרֵאָה בִּשְׁלֵמוּת תָּמִיד אֶצְלֵינוּ וְאֵצֶל כָּל עַמְּךָ בֵּית־יִשְׂרָאֵל, בְּגַשְׁמִיּוּת וּבְרוּחָנִיּוּת, וְתִתְנַהֵג תָּמִיד בְּמֶזֶג הַשָּׁוֶה כָּרָאוּי,
Strengthen and heal the holy lungs. May our lungs and those of Your entire nation, the House of Israel, always be whole — physically and spiritually — and always function in the proper balance.
וְתַצִּילֵנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ מִכָּל מִינֵי חָלְיֵי הָרֵאָה וּמִכָּל הָחֳלָאִים שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם.
In Your compassion, rescue us from every type of lung disease and from all diseases in the world.
וְנִזְכֶּה שֶׁיִּתְתַּקֵּן וְיֻמְשַׁךְ עָלֵינוּ קְדֻשַּׁת כָּל הַדְּבָרִים שֶׁהִזְכַּרְתִּי לְפָנֶיךָ עַל־יְדֵי הָרֵאָה הַקְּדוֹשָׁה.
May the holiness of all of these matters that I have mentioned before You grow stronger and be drawn onto us by means of the holy lungs.
וְתַצִּילֵנִי מֵהַבְלֵי עוֹלָם הַזֶּה, מֵהֶבֶל מַעֲשֵׂה תַּעְתּוּעִים, וְנִזְכֶּה לְתַקֵּן כָּל הַהֲבָלִים שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם, לְבָרְרָם וּלְהַעֲלוֹתָם וּלְהָפְכָם לַהֲבָלִים שֶׁבִּקְדֻשָּׁה, לְדַבֵּר דִּבּוּרֵי תוֹרָה וּתְפִלָּה בֶּאֱמֶת בִּקְדֻשָּׁה וּבְטָהֳרָה גְּדוֹלָה כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב:
Rescue us from the vanities of this world, from its empty breath, from the futility of delusion. May we rectify all of the vanities, all of the empty breaths, of the world — purifying them, elevating them and transforming them into breaths of holiness — by speaking genuine words of Torah and prayer in great holiness and purity, in accordance with Your good will.
לְרֹאשׁ־הַשָּׁנָה
For Rosh HaShanah
וּתְזַכֵּנוּ לְקַבֵּל רֹאשׁ־הַשָּׁנָה בִּקְדֻשָּׁה וּבְטָהֳרָה גְּדוֹלָה וּבִשְׁלֵמוּת גָּדוֹל.
The Ability to Celebrate Rosh HaShanah
Grant me the ability to celebrate Rosh Ha- Shanah in tremendous holiness and purity, and with great perfection.
וְנִזְכֶּה בִּימֵי רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה הַקְּדוֹשִׁים לְהַמְשִׁיךְ עָלֵינוּ קְדֻשַּׁת הַתְּפִלָּה בִּבְחִינַת דִּין שֶׁל הַבַּעַל כֹּחַ הָאֲמִתִּי עִם כָּל הַקְּדֻשּׁוֹת וְהַתִּקּוּנִים הַנַּעֲשִׂין עַל־יְדֵי־זֶה,
During the holy days of Rosh HaShanah, may we draw onto ourselves the holiness of prayer that is on the level of judgment — which is engaged in by the true man of power — and that will bring about and be accompanied by holiness and rectifications.
עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְתִקּוּן הַבְּרִית בִּשְׁלֵמוּת וּלְתִקּוּן הַדַּעַת, לְתַקֵּן כָּל הַשְּׁלֹשָׁה מֹחִין שֶׁבְּרֹאשֵׁנוּ שֶׁיִּהְיוּ שְׁלֹשָׁה מְחִיצוֹת פְּרוּסוֹת בִּפְנֵי תַּאֲוַת נִאוּף, לְהָגֵן בְּפָנֵינוּ עַל־יְדֵי הַדַּעַת וְהַשֵּׂכֶל הָאֱמֶת
At last, may we attain a complete rectification of the covenant and of the mind that will rectify all of the three states of mindfulness, which are the three barriers spread out against salacious desire, shielding us with true mindfulness and intellect.
שֶׁלֹּא תִהְיֶה לַתַּאֲוָה הַזֹּאת שׁוּם שְׁלִיטָה וַאֲחִיזָה בָּנוּ כְּלָל מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם, רַק נִזְכֶּה כֻלָּנוּ אֲנִי וְכָל עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל לִהְיוֹת קְדוֹשִׁים וּטְהוֹרִים בֶּאֱמֶת וְלִפְרֹשׁ מִתַּאֲוָה הַזֹּאת לְגַמְרֵי.
May this desire not control us or grasp us at all from now and forever onward. Instead, may we all — I and Your entire nation, the Jewish people — be truly holy and pure, and entirely separated from this desire.
וְנִזְכֶּה לִתְפִלָּה בִּשְׁלֵמוּת, וְתִהְיֶה תְפִלָּתֵנוּ תָמִיד רַחֲמִים וְתַחֲנוּנִים לִפְנֵי הַמָּקוֹם בָּרוּךְ הוּא,
May we attain perfect prayer. May our prayer always consist of petitions and pleading to You.
וְתַשְׁפִּיעַ עָלֵינוּ רַחֲמִים, שֶׁיִּהְיֶה לָנוּ רַחֲמָנוּת אֲמִתִּי, עַל עֲנִיִּים הֲגוּנִים וְעַל כָּל מִי שֶׁצְּרִיכִין לְרַחֵם עָלָיו כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב.
Compassionately send us the inspiration to show true compassion to worthy poor people and to everyone who requires compassion, in accordance with Your good will.
וְתַעַזְרֵנוּ שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לַעֲשׂוֹת בַּעֲלֵי תְשׁוּבָה וְגֵרִים הַרְבֵּה בָּעוֹלָם כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב, וּלְגַדֵּל כְּבוֹדְךָ וּלְפַרְסֵם אֱלָהוּתְךָ בָּעוֹלָם,
Help us create many penitents and converts in accordance with Your good will, to order to increase Your honor and publicize Your Godliness in the world.
עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְרוּחַ נְבוּאָה אֲמִתִּיִּית בִּקְדֻשָּׁה גְּדוֹלָה, לְבָרֵר הַכֹּחַ הַמְדַמֶּה, שֶׁיִּהְיֶה הַכֹּחַ הַמְדַמֶּה בָּרוּר וְזַךְ וָצַח אֶצְלֵינוּ בְּזַכּוּת וּבִבְהִירוּת גָּדוֹל,
May we at last attain the spirit of true prophecy in great holiness. May we purify the power of our imagination so that it will be clear, pure, lucid and crystalline.
בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְסַדֵּר תְּאָרִים וּשְׁבָחִים לְשִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ כָּרָאוּי בִּקְדֻשָּׁה גְּדוֹלָה, וּנְבָרֵךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹדֶךָ הַמְרֹמָם עַל כָּל בְּרָכָה וּתְהִלָּה.
In this way, may we fashion appropriate descriptions and praise of Your great and holy Name with great sanctity. May we bless Your honored Name, which is elevated beyond all blessing and praise.
וְתִתְגַּבֵּר וְתִתְחַזֵּק אֱמוּנַת חִדּוּשׁ הָעוֹלָם, עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְחִדּוּשׁ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁלֶּעָתִיד, וְיִתְנַהֵג כָּל הָעוֹלָם כֻּלּוֹ עַל־יְדֵי הַשְׁגָּחָה וְנִפְלָאוֹת לְבַד שֶׁלֹּא כְּדֶרֶךְ הַטֶּבַע כְּלָל,
May our faith in the renewal of the world be intensified and strengthened, so that we will arrive at the future, messianic renewal of the universe, when the entire world will be conducted in accordance with providence and wonders alone, and not in accordance with the way of nature at all.
וְיִתְעַר שִׁיר חָדָשׁ בָּעוֹלָם, שִׁיר שֶׁל נִפְלָאוֹת, וְיִפְצְחוּ הָרִים רִנָּה,
Then a new song will be awakened in the world, a song of wonders, and the mountains will burst out in song.
וְתַכְנִיעַ אֶת עָקֵב דְּסִטְרָא אַחֲרָא שֶׁהוּא עֲקֵבוֹ שֶׁל עֵשָׂו הָרָשָׁע, וְיִתְגַּבֵּר וְיִתְחַזֵּק הַקּוֹל קוֹל יַעֲקֹב עַל הַיָּדַיִם יְדֵי עֵשָׂו, וִיקֻיַּם מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, וְיָדוֹ אוֹחֶזֶת בַּעֲקֵב עֵשָׂו.
Then You will subdue the heel of the Side of Evil, which is the heel of the wicked Esau, and “the voice is the voice of Jacob” will intensify and grow stronger to overcome “the hands are the hands of Esau.” Then the verse will be realized, “His hand grasps the heel of Esau.”
וְיֻמְשַׁךְ עָלֵינוּ הַנָּהָר הַיּוֹצֵא מֵעֵדֶן לְהַשְׁקוֹת אֶת הַגָּן, וְעַל־יְדֵי־זֶה נִזְכֶּה לְהַעֲלוֹת רֵיחַ טוֹב לְפָנֶיךָ:
May the river that emerges from Eden to water the garden be drawn onto us. And by means of that, may we send up a good fragrance to You.
וּתְזַכֵּנוּ לְיִרְאָה שְׁלֵמָה בֶּאֱמֶת תָּמִיד,
May we attain a constant, true, complete fear of You.
וּבִפְרָט בִּימֵי רֹאשׁ־הַשָּׁנָה הַקְּדוֹשִׁים שֶׁהֵם יְמֵי יִרְאָה, תְּרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ וְתַמְשִׁיךְ עָלֵינוּ יִרְאָה וָפַחַד וְאֵימָה דִקְדֻשָּׁה גְּדוֹלָה וַעֲצוּמָה, וּבִפְרָט בְּעֵת שְׁמִיעַת קוֹל שׁוֹפָר תְּזַכֵּנוּ שֶׁיָּבוֹא בְּלִבֵּנוּ יִרְאָה גְּדוֹלָה,
During the holy days of Rosh HaShanah, which are days of awe of God, have compassion on us. Draw onto us great and powerful, holy fear, dread and apprehension. In particular, when we hear the sound of the shofar, may great awe enter our heart.
וְתַשְׁפִּיעַ פַּחְדְּךָ וְאֵימָתְךָ וְיִרְאָתְךָ עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל וְעַל כָּל בָּאֵי עוֹלָם, וְיִירָאוּךָ כָּל הַמַּעֲשִׂים, וְיִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לְפָנֶיךָ כָּל הַבְּרוּאִים, וְיֵעָשׂוּ כֻלָּם אֲגֻדָּה אֶחָת לַעֲשׂוֹת רְצוֹנְךָ בְּלֵבָב שָׁלֵם.
Pour forth that dread, apprehension and fear of You onto us, onto all of Israel and onto all people. “Then all beings will fear You and all created beings will bow down before You, and all of them will form one assembly to do Your will with all their heart.”
אָבִינוּ מַלְכֵּנוּ, זַכֵּנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ לְקַבֵּל וּלְהַמְשִׁיךְ עָלֵינוּ קְדֻשַּׁת רֹאשׁ־הַשָּׁנָה בְּתַכְלִית הַשְּׁלֵמוּת, בְּשִׂמְחָה וּבְחֶדְוָה וּבִבְכִיָּה גְּדוֹלָה מִתּוֹךְ שִׂמְחָה, וּבִקְדֻשַּׁת הַמַּחֲשָׁבָה בְּיוֹתֵר בְּיִרְאָה גְּדוֹלָה,
Our Father, our King, in Your compassion, help us receive and draw onto ourselves the holiness of Rosh HaShanah with ultimate perfection, with joy and happiness, with great weeping out of joy, and with pervasive holiness of thought, in great fear.
וְנִזְכֶּה לְקַיֵּם מִצְוַת שְׁמִיעַת קוֹל שׁוֹפָר בִּקְדֻשָּׁה גְּדוֹלָה בִּשְׁלֵמוּת כָּרָאוּי, עִם כָּל פְּרָטֶיהָ וְדִקְדּוּקֶיהָ וְכַוָּנוֹתֶיהָ וְתַרְיַ"ג מִצְוֹת הַתְּלוּיִם בָּהּ, וּבְאֵימָה וּבְיִרְאָה גְּדוֹלָה, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, אִם יִתָּקַע שׁוֹפָר בְּעִיר וְעָם לֹא יֶחֱרָדוּ,
May we fulfill the mitzvah of hearing the sound of the shofar in great holiness, with proper wholeness, with all of its details, particulars, intentions and the 613 commandments that are dependent on it — and with great apprehension and fear. As the verse states, “If a shofar blows in a city, will the people not tremble?”
וְנֶאֱמַר, אַשְׁרֵי הָעָם יוֹדְעֵי תְרוּעָה יְהֹוָה בְּאוֹר פָּנֶיךָ יְהַלֵּכוּן. בְּשִׁמְךָ יְגִילוּן כָּל הַיּוֹם וּבְצִדְקָתְךָ יָרוּמוּ. כִּי תִפְאֶרֶת עֻזָּמוֹ אָתָּה וּבִרְצוֹנְךָ תָּרוּם קַרְנֵנוּ. כִּי לַיהֹוָה מָגִנֵּנוּ וְלִקְדוֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל מַלְכֵּנוּ.
“Fortunate is the nation that knows the joyful shout; HaShem, they walk in the light of Your face. They rejoice in Your Name the whole day, and they are exalted in Your righteousness, because You are the glory of their strength. In accordance with Your desire, our horn is raised, because HaShem is our shield and the Holy One of Israel is our King.”
וְנֶאֱמַר, בַּחֲצוֹצְרוֹת וְקוֹל שׁוֹפָר הָרִיעוּ לִפְנֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ יְהֹוָה. וְנֶאֱמַר, תִּקְעוּ בַחֹדֶשׁ שׁוֹפָר בַּכֶּסֶא לְיוֹם חַגֵּנוּ. כִּי חֹק לְיִשְׂרָאֵל הוּא, מִשְׁפָּט לֵאלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב.
“With trumpets and the voice of the shofar, raise your voices before the King, HaShem.” “Sound the shofar on the new moon, on the appointed time for the day of our festival, for it is a law for Israel, the judgment of the God of Jacob.”
וְנִזְכֶּה לְסַדֵּר לְפָנֶיךָ מַלְכֻיּוֹת וְזִכְרוֹנוֹת וְשׁוֹפָרוֹת בְּכַוָּנָה גְּדוֹלָה וּבִשְׁלֵמוּת גָּדוֹל, עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְרַצּוֹת אוֹתְךָ שֶׁתָּבִיא לָנוּ אֶת מְשִׁיחַ צִדְקֵנוּ חִישׁ קַל מְהֵרָה, וִיקֻיַּם מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, וַהֲרִיחוֹ בְּיִרְאַת יְהֹוָה,
May we recite before You the Musaf prayer — with its passages of Malkhuyot (Sovereignty), Zikhronot (Remembrance) and Shofarot (shofarblowing) — with great intent and with great wholeness, until we please You so that You will quickly, swiftly and speedily bring us our righteous Mashiach, who “will be animated by the fear of HaShem.”
וּתְמַהֵר וְתָחִישׁ לְגָאֳלֵנוּ וְתִבְנֶה לָנוּ אֶת בֵּית קָדְשֵׁנוּ וְתִפְאַרְתֵּנוּ, וְנָשׁוּב בְּגִילָה וְרִנָּה לְאַרְצֵנוּ, וְשָׁם נַעֲבָדְךָ בְּיִרְאָה כִּימֵי עוֹלָם וּכְשָׁנִים קַדְמוֹנִיּוֹת.
Quickly and swiftly redeem us and build our holy and beautiful Temple. May we return to our Land in joy and song, and serve You there in awe, as in the early days and original years.
הֲשִׁיבֵנוּ יְהֹוָה אֵלֶיךָ וְנָשׁוּבָה חַדֵּשׁ יָמֵינוּ כְּקֶדֶם.
“Return us to You, HaShem, and we will return; renew our days as of old.”
יִהְיוּ לְרָצוֹן אִמְרֵי־פִי וְהֶגְיוֹן לִבִּי לְפָנֶיךָ יְהֹוָה צוּרִי וְגוֹאֲלִי. אָמֵן וְאָמֵן:
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing before You, HaShem, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Amen and amen.