The Tzaddik Must Repent on Behalf of the Jewish People / Punishment of Sinners Hurts the Tzaddik and Hurts God Himself, as it were / One Who Looks at the Tzaddik’s Face Can Gain Greater Insight into Himself / The Day After Yom Kippur is Called “God’s Name” The Tzaddik must repent on behalf of the Jewish people. In other words, when people throw off the yoke of obedience of God, the Tzaddik must engage in repentance for them. This may be compared to a horse that went wild. The owner beat the horse with his fist, but that hurt his hand. He whipped the horse, but the horse ran away. He tied the horse to a tree and whipped him, but he grew tired. And he didn’t want to shoot the horse. The wild horse is the sinner and the owner is the Tzaddik. Punishing the sinner hurts the Tzaddik himself. In fact, it will even hurt God, as it were. When a person is punished, he is uprooted from his life force. The name is the life force, as in the verse, “a living soul is its name” (Genesis 2:19). And God’s Name is partnered with our name, as it were. Therefore, when the Jewish people suffer some punishment, that hurts God Himself, as it were. There is a simple element from which the four elements that compose the world derive. The Tzaddik corresponds to that simple element, and man as a whole, including his character traits, is composed of these four elements. When a person looks at a Tzaddik’s face, he looks at the simple element from which his own character traits are derived. Thus, he can gain greater insight into himself. On the first Yom Kippur, which followed the sin of the golden calf, God was reconciled to the Jews and told them to make the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Directly following Yom Kippur, Moses admonished the Jews to keep the Shabbat and not think that making the Mishkan overrode the prohibitions of the Shabbat. Shabbat is the Name of God. The day after Yom Kippur, the Name of God was revealed. Thus, that day is called Shem HaShem, “God’s Name.” We Seek God’s Mercy Compassionate God, gracious God — that is Your Name. And Your Name is called upon us. “HaShem, act for the sake of Your Name.” “If our sins have testified against us, HaShem, act for the sake of Your Name.” “For the sake of Your Name, HaShem, forgive our sinfulness, for it is great.”
“May HaShem answer us on a day of trouble. May the Name of the God of Jacob elevate us.” “Do not let the poor turn back in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise Your Name.”
“Not to us, HaShem, not to us — but give honor to Your Name, for Your kindness, for Your truthfulness.” “For the sake of Your Name, HaShem give me life. In Your righteousness, take my soul out of trouble. “HaShem, Your Name is forever. HaShem, Your remembrance is for generations.”
Gaze and see “whom You have treated so.” Please see our impoverishment and battle on our behalf, because troubles have surrounded us — collectively and individually.
We are so very far from You, as everyone knows in his soul. In the midst of this, such harsh and bitter decrees have been promulgated against us that it is impossible to bear them, and we do not have the merit or good deeds with which to appease You.
Because of our many sins, our power has diminished so far that we cannot even cry out or call to You properly. How will we appease our Master, our King?
Therefore, at present, we cannot open our mouths and we have no way to come to You. We have no support or haven but Your Name alone. We come before You in Your Name, HaShem our God and God of our fathers. In Your great compassion, You placed Your Name upon us from the days of our forefathers.
Please act for the sake of Your great Name that is partnered with our Name, and for the sake of the names of all of the true Tzaddikim, who are one with Your Name.
Have pity, mercy and compassion on us. Soften, lighten and nullify all judgments and decrees against us and against Your nation, the House of Israel — in particular, the harsh and bitter decree that was recently passed.17 This refers to the Cantonist decree of 1827 calling for the forced conscription of twelve-year-old Jewish boys into the Czar’s army for a period of twenty-five years. If there weren’t enough twelve-year-old boys in a village, the draft officers would take boys as young as eight or nine years of age. The Cantonist decree was abolished in 1856.
Have compassion on us for the sake of Your Name. Remove that decree and eradicate it quickly, because there is no one to stand up on our behalf. Your great Name will stand on our behalf at a time of trouble.
You have revealed to us that You do not desire to kill us or punish us, Heaven forbid, for “in all of their suffering, He suffers,” and, “punishment for the righteous man is not good.”
Your Name is partnered with us. All punishments, Heaven forbid, touch upon You, as it were, and upon the true Tzaddikim — in particular, this harsh and bitter decree that fundamentally threatens our holy religion. The complaint and hatred of its creators are not against us, but against You and Your holy, pure and perfect Torah.
Have compassion, have compassion, You Who are filled with compassion, for Your Name is called upon us. Do not cast us aside. In Your compassion, be moved on our behalf at this time of trouble. “Rescue us from the hand of our enemy and we will serve You.”
The Tzaddikim Atoned for Us Have compassion on us in the merit of the great, true Tzaddikim who bore many harsh sufferings and repented fully for the sake of all Jews.
The multitude of their sufferings, and the great repentance that they engaged in on behalf of the entire Jewish people, are capable and worthy of atoning for and granting forgiveness for sins and offenses committed by all Jews, from beginning to end.
Because of our many sins at present and due to our acute weakness, we have no one on whom to rely except them and the power of their great repentance that they performed on our behalf, since their holy name is called upon us.
We rely solely on the merit of their holy names — which are Your Name that is called upon us — to come to You and ask You to have pity, mercy and compassion on such a poor and weak generation.
Hurry and swiftly uproot, shatter and nullify [the harsh decree that came out against us to take the children of Israel to the army, as well as] all of the decrees that have been issued and those that they intend to promulgate, Heaven forbid.
Have mercy on the remnant of Your nation, the Jewish people, for the sake of Your Name and the name of the Tzaddikim that is called upon us. For You are our King, the King of our fathers; our Redeemer, the Redeemer of our fathers; our Rock, the Rock of our salvation; our Redeemer and Rescuer. Your Name is eternal and we have no other God but You, forever.
For Yom Kippur Forty Days of Divine Favor Act for the sake of Your Name and sanctify Your Name. Be with us and help us, so that we will quickly and truly return to You with all our heart. May this be particularly so on the extremely awesome, holy and imposing days of the month of Elul, Rosh HaShanah, the Ten Days of Repentance and Yom Kippur.
On the last day, You were appeased with him fully and told him joyfully, “I have forgiven in accordance with your word!” And that day was established as a day of forgiveness and absolution for generations. That is the holy, awesome, exalted and unique day of the year, Yom Kippur.
May we return to You on these days in true, complete repentance, and truly and wholeheartedly resolve to walk in Your ways, fulfill Your commandments and truly engage in Your Torah all the days of our lives.
May we pray with complete concentration and pour out our hearts like water before the countenance of HaShem. May our eyes pour forth streams of water because of our transgressions, sins and offenses, and the multitude of our troubles.
May we reconcile with You and appease You, so that You will forgive, absolve and grant atonement for all of the transgressions, sins and offenses that we committed before You.
Just as You joyfully told Moses on Yom Kippur, “I have forgiven!” so may You be reconciled with and appeased by Your nation, the Jewish people, on Yom Kippur and tell them with great joy and gladness, “I have forgiven!” May Your Name be magnified forever.
The Days Following Yom Kippur And may the day after Yom Kippur be fit to be called “God’s Name” in ultimate truth, as a result of the Name of God having been magnified upon it forever, in consequence of the forgiveness and absolution of Yom Kippur, and in consequence of the nullification of all of the decrees and troubles against us.
Then, in particular, Your great Name will be whole — as You informed us through Your holy sages [may their memory be for a blessing], may their merit shield us.
As a result, may we receive the days of Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah with great joy and gladness, with holiness and purity, fear and love.
May we fulfill all of the awesome mitzvot that apply to these days with great perfection and intense joy in Your great and holy Name. “I will rejoice and exult in You. I will sing to Your supernal Name.” “They will acknowledge Your great and awesome Name, which is holy.”
Have compassion on us, our Father, our King, for the sake of Your Name alone. Nullify all harsh decrees against us. Bring us back to You in complete repentance.
Rescue us from every sort of punishment in body, soul and financial matters — in this world and the next. Give us a good and long life, children, life, sustenance, wealth, honor, and all good forever — in this world and the next. Do all of this for the sake of Your Name, for we trust only in Your holy Name. May we be glad and rejoice in Your salvation. “God, with Your Name, save me and with Your might, avenge me.”
“Help us, God of our salvation, for the sake of the glory of Your Name. Rescue us and atone for our transgressions for the sake of Your Name. Save us, HaShem our God, and gather us from the nations to thank Your holy Name, to rejoice in Your praise.”
May the verses be realized in us, “He saved them for the sake of His Name, to make His might known,” and, “You, God Lord, act with me for the sake of Your Name, for Your kindness is good; rescue me.”
And, “All of the nations surround me; in the Name of HaShem, I will cut them off. They surround me, indeed, they surround me; in the Name of HaShem, I will cut them off. They surround me like bees; they will be extinguished like a thorn fire. In the Name of HaShem, I will cut them off.”
“We will not turn back from You. Give us life and we shall call in Your Name.” “Our help is in the Name of HaShem, Maker of Heaven and earth.” “They will know that it is You alone Whose Name is HaShem, supernal over all the earth.”
“May the Name of HaShem be blessed from now and forever.” “Bring forth my soul from imprisonment to thank Your Name; because of me, the righteous will crown You, because You will recompense me.”
“Blessed is HaShem, God, God of Israel, Who alone does wonders. And blessed is the Name of His glory forever, and may His glory fill the entire earth. Amen and amen.”
[עַל־פִּי תּוֹרָה ס"ו - הַצַּדִּיק הוּא מֻכְרָח לַעֲשׂוֹת תְּשׁוּבָה בְּעַד יִשְׂרָאֵל]
אֵל רַחוּם שְׁמֶךָ, אֵל חַנּוּן שְׁמֶךָ, בָּנוּ נִקְרָא שְׁמֶךָ, יְהֹוָה עֲשֵׂה לְמַעַן שְׁמֶךָ, אִם עֲוֹנֵינוּ עָנוּ בָנוּ יְהֹוָה עֲשֵׂה לְמַעַן שְׁמֶךָ. לְמַעַן שִׁמְךָ יְהֹוָה, וְסָלַחְתָּ לַעֲוֹנֵינוּ כִּי רַב הוּא.
The Tzaddik Must Repent on Behalf of the Jewish People / Punishment of Sinners Hurts the Tzaddik and Hurts God Himself, as it were / One Who Looks at the Tzaddik’s Face Can Gain Greater Insight into Himself / The Day After Yom Kippur is Called “God’s Name”
The Tzaddik must repent on behalf of the Jewish people. In other words, when people throw off the yoke of obedience of God, the Tzaddik must engage in repentance for them.
This may be compared to a horse that went wild. The owner beat the horse with his fist, but that hurt his hand. He whipped the horse, but the horse ran away. He tied the horse to a tree and whipped him, but he grew tired. And he didn’t want to shoot the horse.
The wild horse is the sinner and the owner is the Tzaddik. Punishing the sinner hurts the Tzaddik himself. In fact, it will even hurt God, as it were.
When a person is punished, he is uprooted from his life force. The name is the life force, as in the verse, “a living soul is its name” (Genesis 2:19). And God’s Name is partnered with our name, as it were. Therefore, when the Jewish people suffer some punishment, that hurts God Himself, as it were.
There is a simple element from which the four elements that compose the world derive. The Tzaddik corresponds to that simple element, and man as a whole, including his character traits, is composed of these four elements.
When a person looks at a Tzaddik’s face, he looks at the simple element from which his own character traits are derived. Thus, he can gain greater insight into himself.
On the first Yom Kippur, which followed the sin of the golden calf, God was reconciled to the Jews and told them to make the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Directly following Yom Kippur, Moses admonished the Jews to keep the Shabbat and not think that making the Mishkan overrode the prohibitions of the Shabbat.
Shabbat is the Name of God. The day after Yom Kippur, the Name of God was revealed. Thus, that day is called Shem HaShem, “God’s Name.”
We Seek God’s Mercy
Compassionate God, gracious God — that is Your Name. And Your Name is called upon us. “HaShem, act for the sake of Your Name.” “If our sins have testified against us, HaShem, act for the sake of Your Name.” “For the sake of Your Name, HaShem, forgive our sinfulness, for it is great.”
יַעֲנֵנוּ יְהֹוָה בְּיוֹם צָרָה יְשַׂגְּבֵנוּ שֵׁם אֱלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב, אַל יָשׁוֹב דַּךְ נִכְלָם עָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן יְהַלְלוּ שְׁמֶךָ,
“May HaShem answer us on a day of trouble. May the Name of the God of Jacob elevate us.” “Do not let the poor turn back in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise Your Name.”
לֹא לָנוּ יְהֹוָה לֹא לָנוּ כִּי לְשִׁמְךָ תֵּן כָּבוֹד עַל חַסְדְּךָ עַל אֲמִתֶּךָ. לְמַעַן שִׁמְךָ יְהֹוָה תְּחַיֵּנִי בְּצִדְקָתְךָ תּוֹצִיא מִצָּרָה נַפְשִׁי, יְהֹוָה שִׁמְךָ לְעוֹלָם יְהֹוָה זִכְרְךָ לְדוֹר וָדוֹר.
“Not to us, HaShem, not to us — but give honor to Your Name, for Your kindness, for Your truthfulness.” “For the sake of Your Name, HaShem give me life. In Your righteousness, take my soul out of trouble. “HaShem, Your Name is forever. HaShem, Your remembrance is for generations.”
הַבִּיטָה וּרְאֵה לְמִי עוֹלַלְתָּ כֹּה, רְאֵה נָא בְעָנְיֵנוּ וְרִיבָה רִיבֵנוּ, כִּי צָרוֹת סְבָבוּנוּ בִּכְלָל וּבִפְרָט,
Gaze and see “whom You have treated so.” Please see our impoverishment and battle on our behalf, because troubles have surrounded us — collectively and individually.
כִּי אָנוּ רְחוֹקִים מִמְּךָ כְּמוֹ שֶׁאָנוּ רְחוֹקִים, כַּאֲשֶׁר יוֹדֵעַ כָּל אֶחָד בְּנַפְשׁוֹ, וּבְתוֹךְ כָּךְ יָצְאוּ עָלֵינוּ גְּזֵרוֹת קָשׁוֹת וּמָרוֹת כָּאֵלּוּ, אֲשֶׁר אִי־אֶפְשָׁר לְסוֹבְלָן, וּזְכוּת וּמַעֲשִׂים טוֹבִים אֵין בָּנוּ לְרַצּוֹתְךָ בָּהֶם.
We are so very far from You, as everyone knows in his soul. In the midst of this, such harsh and bitter decrees have been promulgated against us that it is impossible to bear them, and we do not have the merit or good deeds with which to appease You.
וּבַעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ הָרַבִּים כָּשַׁל כֹּחֵנוּ אֲפִלּוּ לִצְעוֹק וְלִזְעוֹק אֵלֶיךָ כָּרָאוּי, וּבַמֶּה נִתְרַצֶּה אֶל אֲדוֹנֵנוּ מַלְכֵּנוּ.
Because of our many sins, our power has diminished so far that we cannot even cry out or call to You properly. How will we appease our Master, our King?
עַל־כֵּן עַתָּה אֵין לָנוּ שׁוּם פִּתְחוֹן פֶּה וְלֹא שׁוּם דֶּרֶךְ לָבוֹא לְפָנֶיךָ, וְלֹא שׁוּם מִשְׁעָן וּמִבְטָח, כִּי אִם בְּשִׁמְךָ לְבַד, בְּשִׁמְךָ בָּאנוּ לְפָנֶיךָ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, אֲשֶׁר בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים קָרָאתָ שִׁמְךָ עָלֵינוּ מִימוֹת אֲבוֹתֵינוּ,
Therefore, at present, we cannot open our mouths and we have no way to come to You. We have no support or haven but Your Name alone. We come before You in Your Name, HaShem our God and God of our fathers. In Your great compassion, You placed Your Name upon us from the days of our forefathers.
שֶׁתַּעֲשֶׂה לְמַעַן שִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל הַמְשֻׁתָּף בִּשְׁמֵנוּ, וּלְמַעַן שֵׁם כָּל הַצַּדִּיקִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים אֲשֶׁר הֵם שְׁמֶךָ,
Please act for the sake of Your great Name that is partnered with our Name, and for the sake of the names of all of the true Tzaddikim, who are one with Your Name.
וְתָחוֹס וְתַחֲמֹל וּתְרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ וְתַמְתִּיק וְתָקֵל וּתְבַטֵּל כָּל הַדִּינִים וְכָל הַגְּזֵרוֹת מֵעָלֵינוּ וּמֵעַל עַמְּךָ בֵּית־יִשְׂרָאֵל, וּבִפְרָט הַגְּזֵרָה הַקָּשָׁה וְהַמָּרָה שֶׁיָּצְאָה בְּסָמוּךְ.
Have pity, mercy and compassion on us. Soften, lighten and nullify all judgments and decrees against us and against Your nation, the House of Israel — in particular, the harsh and bitter decree that was recently passed.17 This refers to the Cantonist decree of 1827 calling for the forced conscription of twelve-year-old Jewish boys into the Czar’s army for a period of twenty-five years. If there weren’t enough twelve-year-old boys in a village, the draft officers would take boys as young as eight or nine years of age. The Cantonist decree was abolished in 1856.
רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ לְמַעַן שְׁמֶךָ וּתְסִירָהּ וּתְבַטְּלָהּ מֵעָלֵינוּ מְהֵרָה, כִּי אֵין מִי יַעֲמוֹד בַּעֲדֵנוּ שִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל יַעֲמוֹד לָנוּ בְּעֵת צָרָה,
Have compassion on us for the sake of Your Name. Remove that decree and eradicate it quickly, because there is no one to stand up on our behalf. Your great Name will stand on our behalf at a time of trouble.
כִּי כְבָר גִּלִּיתָ לָנוּ כִּי אֵין טוֹב בְּעֵינֶיךָ לַהֲמִיתֵנוּ אוֹ לְהַעֲנִישֵׁנוּ חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, כִּי בְּכָל צָרָתָם לוֹ צָר וּכְתִיב: גַּם עֲנוֹשׁ לַצַּדִּיק לֹא טוֹב,
You have revealed to us that You do not desire to kill us or punish us, Heaven forbid, for “in all of their suffering, He suffers,” and, “punishment for the righteous man is not good.”
כִּי שִׁמְךָ מְשֻׁתָּף בָּנוּ, וְכָל הָעוֹנָשִׁים חַס וְשָׁלוֹם נוֹגְעִים בְּךָ כִּבְיָכוֹל וּבְהַצַּדִּיקֵי אֱמֶת, בִּפְרַט גְּזֵרָה קָשָׁה וּמָרָה כָּזֹאת אֲשֶׁר עִקָּרָהּ עַל דָּתְךָ הַקָּדוֹשׁ, כִּי לֹא עָלֵינוּ תְּלֻנָּתָם וְשִׂנְאָתָם כִּי אִם עָלֶיךָ וְעַל דַּת תּוֹרָתְךָ הַקְּדוֹשָׁה וְהַטְּהוֹרָה וְהַתְּמִימָה:
Your Name is partnered with us. All punishments, Heaven forbid, touch upon You, as it were, and upon the true Tzaddikim — in particular, this harsh and bitter decree that fundamentally threatens our holy religion. The complaint and hatred of its creators are not against us, but against You and Your holy, pure and perfect Torah.
רַחֵם רַחֵם, מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, כִּי שִׁמְךָ נִקְרָא עָלֵינוּ, אַל תַּנִּיחֵנוּ. יֶהֱמוּ מֵעֶיךָ וְרַחֲמֶיךָ עָלֵינוּ בְּעֵת צָרָה כָּזֹאת, הַצִּילֵנוּ מִיַּד אוֹיְבֵנוּ וְנַעַבְדֶךָּ.
Have compassion, have compassion, You Who are filled with compassion, for Your Name is called upon us. Do not cast us aside. In Your compassion, be moved on our behalf at this time of trouble. “Rescue us from the hand of our enemy and we will serve You.”
רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ בִּזְכוּת הַצַּדִּיקִים הַגְּדוֹלִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים שֶׁסָּבְלוּ יִסּוּרִים קָשִׁים הַרְבֵּה וְעָשׂוּ תְשׁוּבָה שְׁלֵמָה עֲבוּר כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל,
The Tzaddikim Atoned for Us
Have compassion on us in the merit of the great, true Tzaddikim who bore many harsh sufferings and repented fully for the sake of all Jews.
אֲשֶׁר רִבּוּי יִסּוּרֵיהֶם וּתְשׁוּבָתָם הַגְּדוֹלָה שֶׁעָשׂוּ עֲבוּר כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל הוּא כְדַאי וְהָגוּן לְכַפֵּר וְלִסְלוֹחַ עֲוֹנוֹת וּפְשָׁעִים שֶׁל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵרֹאשׁ וְעַד סוֹף,
The multitude of their sufferings, and the great repentance that they engaged in on behalf of the entire Jewish people, are capable and worthy of atoning for and granting forgiveness for sins and offenses committed by all Jews, from beginning to end.
כִּי רַק אַתָּה לְבַד יוֹדֵעַ גֹּדֶל הַכֹּחַ הַנּוֹרָא וְהַנִּשְׂגָּב שֶׁל תְּשׁוּבָתָם הַנִּפְלָאָה שֶׁעָשׂוּ עֲבוּר כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל.
Only You know the great, awesome and elevated power of the wondrous repentance in which they engaged for the sake of all Jews.
וּבַעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ הָרַבִּים עַתָּה, וּבַחֲלִישׁוּתֵינוּ הֶעָצוּם, אֵין לָנוּ שׁוּם סְמִיכָה כִּי אִם עֲלֵיהֶם וְעַל כֹּחַ תְּשׁוּבָתָם הַגְּדוֹלָה שֶׁעָשׂוּ עֲבוּרֵנוּ, כִּי שְׁמָם הַקָּדוֹשׁ נִקְרָא עָלֵינוּ. וּבִזְכוּת שְׁמוֹתָם הַקְּדוֹשִׁים אֲשֶׁר הֵם שִׁמְךָ אֲשֶׁר נִקְרָא עָלֵינוּ,
Because of our many sins at present and due to our acute weakness, we have no one on whom to rely except them and the power of their great repentance that they performed on our behalf, since their holy name is called upon us.
עַל זֶה לְבַד תָּמַכְנוּ יְתֵדוֹתֵינוּ עַתָּה לָבוֹא לְפָנֶיךָ שֶׁתָּחוֹס וְתַחְמֹל וּתְרַחֵם עַל דּוֹר עָנִי כָּזֶה, דּוֹר חָלוּשׁ כָּזֶה,
We rely solely on the merit of their holy names — which are Your Name that is called upon us — to come to You and ask You to have pity, mercy and compassion on such a poor and weak generation.
וּתְמַהֵר וְתָחִישׁ לַעֲקוֹר וּלְשַׁבֵּר וּלְבַטֵּל (הַגְּזֵרָה הַקָּשָׁה שֶׁיָּצְאָה עָלֵינוּ לִיקָח בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לְחַיִל עִם שְׁאָר) כָּל הַגְּזֵרוֹת שֶׁיָּצְאוּ כְּבָר וְשֶׁרוֹצִים לְהוֹצִיא חַס וְשָׁלוֹם.
Hurry and swiftly uproot, shatter and nullify [the harsh decree that came out against us to take the children of Israel to the army, as well as] all of the decrees that have been issued and those that they intend to promulgate, Heaven forbid.
חֲמֹל עַל שְׁאֵרִית עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל לְמַעַן שִׁמְךָ וְשֵׁם הַצַּדִּיקִים שֶׁנִּקְרָאִים עָלֵינוּ, כִּי אַתָּה הוּא מַלְכֵּנוּ מֶלֶךְ אֲבוֹתֵינוּ גוֹאֲלֵנוּ גוֹאֵל אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, צוּרֵנוּ צוּר יְשׁוּעָתֵנוּ, פּוֹדֵנוּ וּמַצִּילֵנוּ מֵעוֹלָם הוּא שְׁמֶךָ, וְאֵין לָנוּ עוֹד אֱלֹהִים זוּלָתֶךָ סֶלָה:
Have mercy on the remnant of Your nation, the Jewish people, for the sake of Your Name and the name of the Tzaddikim that is called upon us. For You are our King, the King of our fathers; our Redeemer, the Redeemer of our fathers; our Rock, the Rock of our salvation; our Redeemer and Rescuer. Your Name is eternal and we have no other God but You, forever.
לְיוֹם כִּפּוּר
עֲשֵׂה לְמַעַן שְׁמֶךָ וְקַדֵּשׁ אֶת שְׁמֶךָ, וֶהְיֵה עִמָּנוּ וְעָזְרֵנוּ שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה מְהֵרָה לָשׁוּב אֵלֶיךָ בֶּאֱמֶת וּבְלֵב שָׁלֵם, וּבִפְרָט בַּיָּמִים הַנּוֹרָאִים הַקְּדוֹשִׁים וְהַמְּאוּיָמִים מְאֹד מְאֹד, שֶׁהֵם יְמֵי אֱלוּל וְרֹאשׁ־הַשָּׁנָה וַעֲשֶׂרֶת יְמֵי תְשׁוּבָה וְיוֹם־הַכִּפּוּרִים,
For Yom Kippur
Forty Days of Divine Favor
Act for the sake of Your Name and sanctify Your Name. Be with us and help us, so that we will quickly and truly return to You with all our heart. May this be particularly so on the extremely awesome, holy and imposing days of the month of Elul, Rosh HaShanah, the Ten Days of Repentance and Yom Kippur.
שֶׁהֵם אַרְבָּעִים יְמֵי רָצוֹן, שֶׁבָּהֶם נִתְרַצֵּתָ לְמֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ עָלָיו הַשָּׁלוֹם וְנָתַתָּ לוֹ אֶת הַלּוּחוֹת (שְׁנִיּוֹת) הָאַחֲרוֹנִים,
These are forty days of Divine favor, during which You were reconciled to Moses and gave him the [Second] Tablets.
עַד שֶׁבַּיּוֹם הָאַחֲרוֹן נִתְרַצֵּתָ לוֹ בִּשְׁלֵמוּת וְאָמַרְתָּ לוֹ בְּשִׂמְחָה 'סָלַחְתִּי כִּדְבָרֶךָ', וְנִקְבַּע לְיוֹם מְחִילָה וּסְלִיחָה לְדּוֹרוֹת, הוּא יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים הַקָּדוֹשׁ וְהַנּוֹרָא וְהַנִּשְׂגָּב יוֹם אֶחָד בַּשָׁנָה.
On the last day, You were appeased with him fully and told him joyfully, “I have forgiven in accordance with your word!” And that day was established as a day of forgiveness and absolution for generations. That is the holy, awesome, exalted and unique day of the year, Yom Kippur.
וְהַכֹּל עָשִׂיתָ לְמַעַן שִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ שֶׁנִּקְרָא עָלֵינוּ.
You did all of this for the sake of Your great and holy Name that is called upon us.
רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ וְעָזְרֵנוּ וְהוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְקַבֵּל הַיָּמִים הַקְּדוֹשִׁים הַנּוֹרָאִים הַלָּלוּ בִּקְדֻשָּׁה וּבְטָהֳרָה גְּדוֹלָה,
Have compassion on us. Help us and save us, so that we will receive these holy, awesome days with great holiness and purity.
וְנִזְכֶּה לָשׁוּב בָּהֶם בִּתְשׁוּבָה שְׁלֵמָה בֶּאֱמֶת, וּלְקַבֵּל עָלֵינוּ בֶּאֱמֶת וּבְלֵב שָׁלֵם לֵילֵךְ בִּדְרָכֶיךָ וּלְקַיֵּם מִצְוֹתֶיךָ וְלַעֲסֹק בְּתוֹרָתְךָ בֶּאֱמֶת כֹּל יְמֵי חַיֵּינוּ,
May we return to You on these days in true, complete repentance, and truly and wholeheartedly resolve to walk in Your ways, fulfill Your commandments and truly engage in Your Torah all the days of our lives.
וּלְהִתְפַּלֵּל בְּכַוָּנָה שְׁלֵמָה וְנִשְׁפּוֹךְ לִבֵּנוּ כַּמַּיִם נֹכַח פְּנֵי יְהֹוָה, פַּלְגֵי מַיִם תֵּרַד עֵינֵינוּ עַל חַטֹּאתֵינוּ וַעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ וּפְשָׁעֵינוּ וְעַל רִבּוּי צָרוֹתֵינוּ,
May we pray with complete concentration and pour out our hearts like water before the countenance of HaShem. May our eyes pour forth streams of water because of our transgressions, sins and offenses, and the multitude of our troubles.
עַד אֲשֶׁר נִזְכֶּה לְרַצּוֹת וּלְפַיֵּס אוֹתְךָ שֶׁתִּמְחֹל וְתִסְלַח וּתְכַפֶּר לָנוּ עַל כָּל חַטֹּאתֵינוּ וַעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ וּפְשָׁעֵינוּ שֶׁחָטָאנוּ וְשֶׁעָוִינוּ וְשֶׁפָּשַׁעְנוּ לְפָנֶיךָ,
May we reconcile with You and appease You, so that You will forgive, absolve and grant atonement for all of the transgressions, sins and offenses that we committed before You.
וּתְעַקֵּר וּתְשַׁבֵּר וּתְבַטֵּל כָּל הַגְּזֵרוֹת שֶׁאֵינָם טוֹבוֹת מֵעָלֵינוּ, הֵן אוֹתָם שֶׁכְּבָר נִגְזְרוּ הֵן אוֹתָם שֶׁרוֹצִים לִגְזוֹר חַס וְשָׁלוֹם,
Uproot, shatter and nullify all evil decrees against us — both those that have already been decreed and those that they wish to decree, Heaven forbid.
עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה שֶׁיִּתְגַדֵּל וְיִתְקַדֵּשׁ שִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל עַל יָדֵינוּ תָמִיד.
May Your great Name be magnified and sanctified through us always.
וּכְשֵׁם שֶׁעָנִיתָ לְמֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ וְאָמַרְתָּ לוֹ בְּיוֹם־הַכִּפּוּרִים בְּשִׂמְחָה, 'סָלַחְתִּי' כֵּן תִּתְרַצֶּה וְתִתְפַּיֵּס לְעַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּיוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים, וְתַעֲנֶה וְתֹאמַר לָהֶם 'סָלַחְתִּי' בְּשִׂמְחָה וְחֶדְוָה רַבָּה,
Just as You joyfully told Moses on Yom Kippur, “I have forgiven!” so may You be reconciled with and appeased by Your nation, the Jewish people, on Yom Kippur and tell them with great joy and gladness, “I have forgiven!” May Your Name be magnified forever.
וְיִגְדַּל שִׁמְךָ עַד עוֹלָם, עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה בְּמָחֳרָת יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים שֶׁיִּהְיֶה רָאוּי לִקְרוֹתוֹ 'שֵׁם יְהֹוָה' בֶּאֱמֶת לַאֲמִתּוֹ, עַל־יְדֵי שֶׁיֻּגְדַּל בּוֹ שֵׁם יְהֹוָה לָנֶצַח עַל־יְדֵי הַמְּחִילָה וְהַסְּלִיחָה שֶׁל יוֹם־הַכִּפּוּרִים, וְעַל־יְדֵי בִּטּוּל כָּל הַגְּזֵרוֹת וְכָל הַצָּרוֹת מֵעָלֵינוּ,
The Days Following Yom Kippur
And may the day after Yom Kippur be fit to be called “God’s Name” in ultimate truth, as a result of the Name of God having been magnified upon it forever, in consequence of the forgiveness and absolution of Yom Kippur, and in consequence of the nullification of all of the decrees and troubles against us.
שֶׁאָז דַּיְקָא שִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל בִּשְׁלֵמוּת כַּאֲשֶׁר הוֹדַעְתָּ לָנוּ עַל־יְדֵי חֲכָמֶיךָ הַקְּדוֹשִׁים (זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה) זְכוּתָם יָגֵן עָלֵינוּ:
Then, in particular, Your great Name will be whole — as You informed us through Your holy sages [may their memory be for a blessing], may their merit shield us.
וְנִזְכֶּה עַל־יְדֵי־זֶה לְקַבֵּל יְמֵי חַג הַסֻּכּוֹת וּשְׁמִינִי עֲצֶרֶת וְשִׂמְחַת תּוֹרָה בְּשִׂמְחָה וְחֶדְוָה גְּדוֹלָה, בִּקְדֻשָּׁה וּבְטָהֳרָה בְּיִרְאָה וְאַהֲבָה,
As a result, may we receive the days of Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah with great joy and gladness, with holiness and purity, fear and love.
וּלְקַיֵּם כָּל הַמִּצְוֹת הַנּוֹרָאוֹת הַנּוֹהֲגוֹת בַּיָּמִים הָאֵלּוּ בִּשְׁלֵמוּת גָּדוֹל וּבְשִׂמְחָה עֲצוּמָה בְּשִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ, אֶשְׂמְחָה וְאֶעֶלְצָה בָךְ אֲזַמְּרָה שִׁמְךָ עֶלְיוֹן. יוֹדוּ שִׁמְךָ גָּדוֹל וְנוֹרָא קָדוֹשׁ הוּא.
May we fulfill all of the awesome mitzvot that apply to these days with great perfection and intense joy in Your great and holy Name. “I will rejoice and exult in You. I will sing to Your supernal Name.” “They will acknowledge Your great and awesome Name, which is holy.”
רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ אָבִינוּ מַלְכֵּנוּ לְמַעַן שִׁמְךָ לְבַד, בַּטֵּל מֵעָלֵינוּ כָּל גְּזֵרוֹת קָשׁוֹת, וְהַחֲזִירֵנוּ בִּתְשׁוּבָה שְׁלֵמָה לְפָנֶיךָ,
Have compassion on us, our Father, our King, for the sake of Your Name alone. Nullify all harsh decrees against us. Bring us back to You in complete repentance.
וְהַצִּילֵנוּ מִכָּל מִינֵי עוֹנָשִׁים בְּגוּף וָנֶפֶשׁ וּמָמוֹן בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה וּבָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, וְתֵן לָנוּ חַיִּים טוֹבִים וַאֲרֻכִּים, בָּנֵי חַיֵּי וּמְזוֹנֵי וְעוֹשֶׁר וְכָבוֹד וְכָל טוּב לָנֶצַח בָּזֶה וּבַבָּא. וְהַכֹּל לְמַעַן שְׁמֶךָ, כִּי בְשֵׁם קָדְשְׁךָ לְבַד בָּטָחְנוּ, נָגִילָה וְנִשְׂמְחָה בִּישׁוּעָתֶךָ. אֱלֹהִים בְּשִׁמְךָ הוֹשִׁיעֵנִי וּבִגְבוּרָתְךָ תְדִינֵנִי.
Rescue us from every sort of punishment in body, soul and financial matters — in this world and the next. Give us a good and long life, children, life, sustenance, wealth, honor, and all good forever — in this world and the next. Do all of this for the sake of Your Name, for we trust only in Your holy Name. May we be glad and rejoice in Your salvation. “God, with Your Name, save me and with Your might, avenge me.”
עָזְרֵנוּ אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׁעֵנוּ עַל דְּבַר כְּבוֹד שְׁמֶךָ, וְהַצִּילֵנוּ וְכַפֶּר עַל חַטֹּאתֵינוּ לְמַעַן שְׁמֶךָ. הוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ וְקַבְּצֵנוּ מִן הַגּוֹיִם לְהוֹדוֹת לְשֵׁם קָדְשֶׁךָ לְהִשְׁתַּבֵּחַ בִּתְהִלָּתֶךָ.
“Help us, God of our salvation, for the sake of the glory of Your Name. Rescue us and atone for our transgressions for the sake of Your Name. Save us, HaShem our God, and gather us from the nations to thank Your holy Name, to rejoice in Your praise.”
וִיקֻיַּם בָּנוּ מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב: וַיּוֹשִׁיעֵם לְמַעַן שְׁמוֹ לְהוֹדִיעַ אֶת גְּבוּרָתוֹ. וְנֶאֱמַר: וְאַתָּה אֱלֹהִים אֲדֹנָי עֲשֵׂה אִתִּי לְמַעַן שְׁמֶךָ, כִּי טוֹב חַסְדְּךָ הַצִּילֵנִי,
May the verses be realized in us, “He saved them for the sake of His Name, to make His might known,” and, “You, God Lord, act with me for the sake of Your Name, for Your kindness is good; rescue me.”
וְנֶאֱמַר: כָּל גּוֹיִם סְבָבוּנִי בְּשֵׁם יְהֹוָה כִּי אֲמִילַם. סַבּוּנִי גַם סְבָבוּנִי בְּשֵׁם יְהֹוָה כִּי אֲמִילַם. סַבּוּנִי כִדְבוֹרִים דֹּעֲכוּ כְּאֵשׁ קוֹצִים בְּשֵׁם יְהֹוָה כִּי אֲמִילַם.
And, “All of the nations surround me; in the Name of HaShem, I will cut them off. They surround me, indeed, they surround me; in the Name of HaShem, I will cut them off. They surround me like bees; they will be extinguished like a thorn fire. In the Name of HaShem, I will cut them off.”
וְנֶאֱמַר: וְלֹא נָסוֹג מִמֶּךָּ תְּחַיֵּנוּ וּבְשִׁמְךָ נִקְרָא, וְנֶאֱמַר: עֶזְרֵנוּ בְּשֵׁם יְהֹוָה עֹשֵׂה שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ, וְנֶאֱמַר: וְיֵדְעוּ כִּי אַתָּה שִׁמְךָ יְהֹוָה לְבַדֶּךָ עֶלְיוֹן עַל כָּל הָאָרֶץ,
“We will not turn back from You. Give us life and we shall call in Your Name.” “Our help is in the Name of HaShem, Maker of Heaven and earth.” “They will know that it is You alone Whose Name is HaShem, supernal over all the earth.”
וְנֶאֱמַר: יְהִי שֵׁם יְהֹוָה מְבוֹרָךְ מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם, הוֹצִיאָה מִמַּסְגֵּר נַפְשִׁי לְהוֹדוֹת אֶת שְׁמֶךָ, בִּי יַכְתִּירוּ צַדִּיקִים כִּי תִגְמוֹל עָלָי.
“May the Name of HaShem be blessed from now and forever.” “Bring forth my soul from imprisonment to thank Your Name; because of me, the righteous will crown You, because You will recompense me.”
בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהִים אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עוֹשֵׂה נִפְלָאוֹת לְבַדּוֹ. וּבָרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹדוֹ לְעוֹלָם וְיִמָּלֵא כְבוֹדוֹ אֶת כָּל הָאָרֶץ אָמֵן וְאָמֵן:
“Blessed is HaShem, God, God of Israel, Who alone does wonders. And blessed is the Name of His glory forever, and may His glory fill the entire earth. Amen and amen.”