The covenant / Sexual purity / Happiness / Faith and truth / Earning a living / Mezuzah / Envy / Strife Since the essence of a person is expressed in his face, the experience of true closeness to God is described as gazing at the light emanating from His “face” or “countenance.” The way to open ourselves to this light is through faith and the search for truth. Experiencing it is characterized by spiritual joy and contentment. We are placed in this material world as a test, so that we may earn our closeness to God through overcoming obstacles and temptations. A person who mistakenly views material gratification as the main purpose of this life is cut off from the light of God’s countenance, and instead becomes attached to the dark “face” of the Other Side, the realm of unholiness. This attachment is characterized by the anxiety and depression experienced by so many for whom money-making is the main goal of life, and who lack the trust that God can provide everything they need. The key to detaching oneself from this unholy “face” is scrupulous fulfillment of God’s covenant with the Jewish people (the mark of which is circumcision), which involves purity and self-restraint in material life, and especially in the realm of sexual morality. Observance of the covenant opens us to the light of God’s countenance and saves us from sinking into the pursuit of materialism. By virtue of being circumcised, every Jew has an aspect of tzaddik within him. However, opposition from others can easily push one down into materialism. Those confronted by opposition, such as people seeking to lead a spiritual life in the face of mockery and even outright persecution, must make a special effort to hold themselves from succumbing to materialistic temptations. Developing our faith and trust that God controls everything can save us from struggles and anxiety in earning a living. One of the signs that we have truly attached ourselves to God and overcome our materialistic inclinations is our readiness to spend money in connection with fulfillment of the mitzvot. The mitzvah of affixing a mezuzah on our doors affirms God’s sovereignty over our material environment. This mitzvah is thus a guard against the sin of envy, which people fall into when they are not satisfied with the portion God has given them. Our God and God of our fathers! Living God and King of the world! God of life, our portion and our Rock! Command that our precious flesh be saved from destruction, for the sake of the covenant You have inscribed in our flesh. Master of the world, how much goodness You have shown us! You have taken pity on our souls and planned from afar how to bring us to the ultimate good. You made Your covenant with Abraham, Your beloved one, and established it with Isaac and his offspring, Israel, and his descendants in every generation.
In order to rectify our souls and those of our children, You commanded us to enter the covenant of Abraham our father and circumcise our flesh by removing the foreskin on the eighth day.
“Who can express the mighty acts of God and proclaim all His praise?” Who can glorify and praise You, thank You and bless You for all the kindness and goodness You have shown us in “sanctifying the beloved one from the time he was in the womb” and sealing the sign of the covenant in his descendants!
Therefore, I have come to plead with You, HaShem my God and God of my fathers, kind and loving Father, Who saves from death and redeems from destruction.
For the sake of Your covenant that You have sealed in my flesh, have mercy on my soul! Rise up and help me! Save me for the sake of Your kindness. Help me observe the holy covenant, and sanctify and purify myself until I attain complete perfection.
Protect me and help me guard myself from all evil. Let me never think forbidden thoughts during the day, so as not to come to impurity at night. In Your vast compassion, save me from doing anything that goes against the covenant. Do it for Your sake if not for mine. Do it for the sake of all the truly pure and holy tzaddikim and pious Jews who overcame their evil inclination for the sake of Your glory, and stood firm in the face of the hardest tests. They subdued their desires and sanctified Your Name until they attained the ultimate level of holiness and purity.
For their sake, and for the sake of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, have pity on me! Help me and save me! Sanctify me and purify me, so that I too will truly guard the covenant in accordance with Your will.
I have sinned in thought, word and deed, with my eyes, my ears and the rest of my senses. Who could possibly enumerate all my sins or spell them out, even in the most general terms?
I want to beg Your forgiveness — but where should I start? With my latest sins or the older ones? With the obvious sins or those that are hidden? Should I make a general plea, or should I start going into details? Should I begin with my serious sins or the more minor ones?
My soul is so very, very bitter. I don’t know how I can continue living for even a short while, so bitter is my heart because I have blemished the holy covenant, which is the very source of life.
Master of the world, You know that all my days and years will not be enough to confess, plead with You and make amends for even a single impure thought.
Who can repair the damage and make amends, and conciliate and appease You for such sins? The wrong we have done has lengthened our exile, and we have still not returned to our Land.
In what language, words and approach can I begin to confess to You, my God and God of my fathers? Where can I find pure, holy words to express what I need to say to You?
“I am dumbstruck. Even about the good I keep silent, because of my inner pain. … I am dumbstruck. I cannot open my mouth, for You have done it!” I have sinned so much that my face is blackened and my eyes have become darkened.
Because of my many sins, I suffer from constant sadness and depression. I have no true joy, even when performing a holy act, or when I pray or learn Torah. I am completely remote from true joy.
For I have abused the light of the countenance of the living King and spoiled all kinds of holy joy. My sins have cast a shadow over the radiant light of holiness.
As You well know, HaShem, and as You revealed to us through Your true sages, the main reason people come to sin — especially sexual sins — is due to sadness and depression. And now, my Father in Heaven, living and enduring God, where can I find a remedy for my terrible wounds? “I lift up my eyes to the mountains: from where will my help come?”
Master of the entire world, don’t give my soul over to destruction. “What gain is there from my blood, if I go down to destruction? Will dust acknowledge You and tell of Your truth?”
No words in the world can express what is in my heart. The pain of my soul is more than that of someone sinking hopelessly into the mire or drowning in the deepest waters.
If King David and the other true tzaddikim used poetic language like this to speak about one single, minor, insignificant lapse — one that people like ourselves find it hard to even see as a sin — then what can I possibly say? How can I speak?
If only I could at least express myself in holy words springing from a truly broken heart, just as their words came from their lips in total sincerity — and this despite the fact that they had really not done the least wrong, whereas the damage I have done is so serious.
If so, there is no hope for me, and I have nothing I can rely on except the merit of the true tzaddikim, the “foundation of the world,” on whom the entire House of Israel depends. Their tremendous holiness and merit are sufficient to lift up even someone like myself and bring me closer to You.
On their great power alone I rely, even in the midst of this great and bitter exile. They are my foundation and support as I cry and scream to You from the place I am in.
I have come before You to stretch out my hands to You and raise my eyes to Your holy dwelling place. I am fixing my gaze and pinning my hopes on Your abundant kindness. Have pity on me and lift me out of this mud and mire, out of the depths of the sea. Raise me from the lowly condition I have descended to on account of all the bad things I’ve done and my wrongful thoughts.
Lift my soul out of this desolation, emptiness, darkness and abyss. Compassionate God, cleanse me of all impurity, and redeem me and rescue me from all the unholy forces that have taken hold of me.
Sanctify me with every kind of holiness. Save me with every kind of salvation and rescue. Be with me constantly. Help me truly bind myself to You in a strong, powerful bond.
Help me bind my 248 limbs, my 365 sinews, my nefesh, my ruach and my neshamah in such a strong bond that they will all be held together firmly and tightly by one single holy thought: that I want to truly serve You and fear You. May I turn from evil completely, so as to avoid all forms of sin and transgression, all evil thoughts and fantasies, all distractions, all breaches of the covenant, and all wrongdoing. Forgive me and pardon me for all my sins and transgressions from my youth until today. Repair all the damage I have caused until now. From now on help me be genuinely holy and pure, the way You want. Help me sanctify myself even in what is permissible. Let me practice selfrestraint with genuine holiness, until I quickly come to true observance of the holy covenant. Shine down on me from Your holy dwelling place, and bless me with constant happiness and joy. Let me be happy at all times. “I will rejoice in HaShem! My soul will delight in my God.” Let me constantly rejoice and exult in Your saving power.
Shine the light of Your countenance upon me, and grant that I should bask in the radiant light of happiness and joy, the light of the face of the living King.
You Who bring joy to the downcast, send me joy from Your heights and bring my sad, pain-ridden soul to happiness. “Bring joy to the soul of Your servant, for to You, HaShem, I lift up my soul.” “Teach me the path of life: in the light of Your countenance is joyous satisfaction, pleasantness in Your right arm of kindness forever!”
Have pity on me and save me from any kind of denial of God, and from all flaws in my faith. May I never have any doubts, questions or misgivings about You or the way You run the world, about Your true tzaddikim and the truly pious Jews of this generation, about any holy, pure Torah works, or indeed about anything holy. Let me just believe in You, in Your true tzaddikim, Your holy Torah, and Your entire nation, the Jewish people, with true, perfect, flawless faith. Never let a single skeptical thought enter my mind.
May I truly serve You at all times with perfect faith, until I am worthy of attaining a revelation of Your Godliness and come to know Your exaltedness. Help me gaze upon the light of HaShem’s countenance, “to behold the pleasantness of HaShem and frequent His Sanctuary.”
May the verse be fulfilled in me, “From my flesh I see God.” Let me perceive Your Godliness and apprehend Your greatness, and know You in this world and in the World to Come, in truth and perfect faith, the way You want.
Earning a living In Your vast compassion and tremendous kindness, help me break my lust for money. Let me have no desire or yearning for money whatsoever. Let me detest illicit gain and have an absolute hatred for money.
Whenever I have to engage in business, help me conduct my business affairs with perfect faith and honesty. May I always keep my word and never try to change what I have said, not even for the sake of an enormous profit. All the money in the world should not sway my heart from the truth or from faith in You, causing me to change or exchange one of my words. And everything that I say while doing business, let me fulfill exactly as I say it. Save me from making myself crazy to make money or being preoccupied with pursuing a living, wasting so much energy and effort. Compassionately shine Your blessings upon me, and plant firm faith and perfect trust in my heart. Let me trust in God alone, and truly know and believe that “it does not come from the east or the west or the mountainous desert.” Whatever strength one has does not come from himself; “my strength and the force of my hand” are powerless to amass wealth. Everything comes only from You. “Wealth and glory are from You, and You hold sway over everything.”
Master of the world, have pity on me! Be kind to me! Help me! Save me from the lust for money, which is literally idol worship — and not just one kind of idol worship, for it encompasses the seventy idolatrous cults of the seventy nations.
Such a person separates himself from truth and holy faith — which are the light of the face of the living King, the shining face — binding himself instead to the dark face of death, sadness and depression.
Such a person is constantly filled with worry and anxiety. All his days are consumed by anger and suffering, and he has no life at all — not in this world and not in the World to Come. Have mercy on me, my children, and Your entire nation, the House of Israel. Save us from this evil lust for money, which has become so widespread in the world today on account of our sins.
Protect us in the merit of the true tzaddikim, the “eternal covenant of salt,” and save us in their merit from this lust for money. Inspire us with wisdom, understanding and knowledge, so that concerns about money should not consume all the days of our lives.
Have mercy on us and compassionately hear our cries. Act for Your sake and for the sake of Your Shekhinah, which has gone into exile among the nations on account of our sins. Act for the sake of the true tzaddikim, who truly guarded the covenant and completely broke the desire for money.
“My head hurts! My arm hurts!” — over those who have fallen into this idolatrous lust for money, which is the root of all idolatry. You Who hear prayers, groans and cries, hear our voices from the deepest depths! Hear how we groan and cry out to You to help us and save us in Your vast compassion from the lust for money.
“HaShem, hear my voice. Let Your ears be attentive to the sound of my pleas!” Lift me up and help me stand firm and strong in faith and trust in You. Let me genuinely believe in You with complete faith, until I break my lust for money entirely.
Keep my mind free of all worries about making a living. May I not place my reliance on any specific means or projects. Just let me put all my trust in You, and strengthen myself in trust in HaShem alone.
And You, in turn, have compassion on me, and send me abundant goodness and blessing from the root and source of holy blessings. Send me my livelihood before I even need it, through easy means and without any effort or anxiety on my part. Grant me an abundance of holy wealth and let me be happy with my portion always.
Don’t put me in need of the gifts of flesh and blood or their loans. In Your compassion, save me from ever being a debtor: may I never have to take loans from others.
Just have mercy on me and bless me. Grant me my livelihood through easy means, without my having to take any loans from other people. Send abundant blessing and success to all the work of my hands.
Grant that I should be able to spend a minimum of time on my business activities, so that I will be able to devote myself to Torah and Divine service all the days of my life — I, my children and descendants, and Your entire nation, the House of Israel, from now on and forever.
The mitzvah of mezuzah Kind, compassionate God, let me fulfill the mitzvah of mezuzah perfectly in accordance with Your will, with all its details and fine points, its underlying intentions, and the 613 mitzvot that depend on it. Let me perform this mitzvah wholeheartedly and with great joy. Through the holy mitzvah of mezuzah, help me, guard me and protect me, so I can break the lust and desire for money completely. May I never have the least appetite for money or material possessions.
Certainly may I never entertain the least bit of envy of other people’s money or possessions. May I never envy anyone else’s house, field, manservant, maidservant, ox, donkey or anything else belonging to them.
Help me repent completely and sincerely for all the envious thoughts and desires I have had in the past, and let me make amends for all the damage I have caused through this great sin of “Do not covet.”
From now on help me totally rid my mind and heart of all such thoughts, and all longings for money and material possessions. Bring me to perfect truth and faith.
In Your vast compassion, sanctify me through the awesomely holy mitzvah of mezuzah. Guard me when I go out and when I come in, in life and peace, from now on and forever. Fill me with a spirit of holiness and purity, so that I will attain the holiness of the covenant and truly break my appetite for money. Through the mitzvah of mezuzah that You have compassionately bestowed upon us, grant me a good, long life, happiness and joy. Bless all the work of my hands. Guard me, my soul, the money I have acquired in holiness and for holy purposes, and all the goods and possessions You have blessed me with at all times.
Strife Rise up and help us! Save us from all kinds of hatred and strife, physical and spiritual. In Your vast compassion, remove all conflict from the world and spread peace among Your nation, the Jewish people, forever. Reveal the truth in the world.
Save us, all our friends, and Your entire nation, the House of Israel, yearning as we are to serve You. Do not allow any of those who oppose and fight against the truth to throw us down, God forbid.
Master of the entire world, You know the secrets of all Your creatures. You know how many different enemies are ranged against us at all times. You alone know what they are thinking. They want to drive us away and cast us down from Your service, as You alone know. Our sins have left us so weak that we are powerless to stand against them, physically and spiritually.
We have so many opponents ranged against us — people who are far wealthier and far greater in Torah and good deeds than we are. How can weak people like ourselves stand up against them? Where can we find help to be saved from them? They have already managed to pull us down through their opposition; all this is revealed to You.
And now, what can I do, my Father in Heaven? Deep in my heart, I am well aware that I am not worthy of coming close to You after all the wrong I have done. It is only because of my unworthiness that they are stirring themselves to slander and denounce me.
But the secrets of my heart are revealed to You: despite my past, I am yearning to repent and come back to You. True, I have demeaned Your glory, but You are gracious and abundantly forgiving.
And how have I sinned against them? In what way have I demeaned their honor? “I have not demanded anything of them and they have not demanded anything of me.” Then why are they fighting against someone as weak and bruised in his heart as I? “They have chased after the one You have smitten, and they gloat over the pain of Your slain ones.”
Master of the world, Your way is to champion the persecuted and have compassion on the weak and weary. Have pity on us! Be merciful and kind to us! For we are a remnant of orphans without a father. We have no one to defend us. We have no one to rely on except You, our Father in Heaven, and on the merit and power of the true tzaddikim, who observed the covenant to perfection, with the utmost holiness, according to Your will. Act for Your sake and theirs, if not for ours.
Arouse the true tzaddikim to intervene for us and plead our case. Let them fight our battles for us and draw down the holy light of their faces upon us.
Drive away all those who hate and are opposed to the truth. Humble them and bring them down to the dust. Put it into their hearts to repent so they will return to the truth. Reveal the truth to them, no matter where they may be, so they too will come to understand the greatness and holiness of the true tzaddikim and follow their pathways.
Let them roll in the dust of their feet and thirstily drink in their words. Let them devote themselves to the holy writings left behind as a blessing by all the true tzaddikim, so that we may all repent and return to You sincerely and wholeheartedly, as You desire.
Have pity on us and save us, and compassionately fulfill my requests. Remove from us foe, plague, sword, famine and misery, and remove the accuser from before us and behind us.
Buying mitzvot Help me spend money liberally in order to fulfill each and every mitzvah. Don’t let me spare any money at all when it comes to a mitzvah.
Let me spend money generously for each and every mitzvah, and indeed for anything that is truly Your will. May I never feel that money spent on a mitzvah or something holy is ever wasted.
Let me buy my mitzvot even at a high price, and spend lavishly on them — happily and joyously. Let me carry out Your mitzvot and do Your will at all times with my body, my soul and my money.
Help me come to perfect faith and truth, radiant holiness and joy. Fulfill in me and my children the verse, “This is the generation of those who search for Him, those who seek out Your face, Jacob, selah.”
Bring me to perfect trust, as it is written, “Trust in HaShem to eternity, for in God, HaShem, is the strength of the worlds.” Compassionate God, help me attain everything I have requested of You. May I, my children, and Your entire nation, the House of Israel, truly observe the holy covenant and completely break the desire for money. Remove all sadness and depression from us, and take away misery and groaning.
Grant that we all be happy at all times. Remove all strife from the world. May the verse be fulfilled, “Men of blood and treachery will not live out half their days, but I will trust in You.”
Let us be counted as true tzaddikim who genuinely guard the covenant, as it is written, “Your people are all tzaddikim. They will inherit the earth forever. They are the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, My pride.” Draw upon us, our children, and Your entire nation, the House of Israel, goodness, blessing, life, peace, happiness and joy, exultation, song, pleasure and delight, from now and forever. “Light is sown for the righteous and joy for the upright.” “Rejoice in HaShem and be happy, you righteous ones, and rejoice, all you pious ones.” Amen, selah.
[עַל־פִּי תּוֹרָה כ"ג - צִוִּיתָ צֶדֶק עֵדֹתֶיךָ וֶאֱמוּנָה מְאֹד]
אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, אֱלֹהִים חַיִּים וּמֶלֶךְ עוֹלָם, אֵל חַי חֶלְקֵנוּ צוּרֵנוּ, צַוֵּה לְהַצִּיל יְדִידוּת שְׁאֵרֵינוּ מִשַּׁחַת לְמַעַן בְּרִיתְךָ אֲשֶׁר שַׂמְתָּ בִּבְשָׂרֵנוּ. רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, מָה רַב טוּבְךָ אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָ עִמָּנוּ, אֲשֶׁר חָמַלְתָּ עַל נַפְשֵׁנוּ וְחָשַׁבְתָּ מֵרָחוֹק לְהֵטִיב אַחֲרִיתֵנוּ, וְנָתַתָּ בְּרִיתְךָ בֵּינְךָ וּבֵין אַבְרָהָם אוֹהַבְךָ, וַהֲקֵמוֹתָ בְּרִיתְךָ אֶת יִצְחָק וְאֶת זַרְעוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאֶת זֶרַע זַרְעוֹ לְדוֹרוֹתָם,
The covenant / Sexual purity / Happiness / Faith and truth / Earning a living / Mezuzah / Envy / Strife
Since the essence of a person is expressed in his face, the experience of true closeness to God is described as gazing at the light emanating from His “face” or “countenance.” The way to open ourselves to this light is through faith and the search for truth. Experiencing it is characterized by spiritual joy and contentment.
We are placed in this material world as a test, so that we may earn our closeness to God through overcoming obstacles and temptations. A person who mistakenly views material gratification as the main purpose of this life is cut off from the light of God’s countenance, and instead becomes attached to the dark “face” of the Other Side, the realm of unholiness. This attachment is characterized by the anxiety and depression experienced by so many for whom money-making is the main goal of life, and who lack the trust that God can provide everything they need.
The key to detaching oneself from this unholy “face” is scrupulous fulfillment of God’s covenant with the Jewish people (the mark of which is circumcision), which involves purity and self-restraint in material life, and especially in the realm of sexual morality. Observance of the covenant opens us to the light of God’s countenance and saves us from sinking into the pursuit of materialism. By virtue of being circumcised, every Jew has an aspect of tzaddik within him. However, opposition from others can easily push one down into materialism. Those confronted by opposition, such as people seeking to lead a spiritual life in the face of mockery and even outright persecution, must make a special effort to hold themselves from succumbing to materialistic temptations.
Developing our faith and trust that God controls everything can save us from struggles and anxiety in earning a living. One of the signs that we have truly attached ourselves to God and overcome our materialistic inclinations is our readiness to spend money in connection with fulfillment of the mitzvot. The mitzvah of affixing a mezuzah on our doors affirms God’s sovereignty over our material environment. This mitzvah is thus a guard against the sin of envy, which people fall into when they are not satisfied with the portion God has given them.
Our God and God of our fathers! Living God and King of the world! God of life, our portion and our Rock! Command that our precious flesh be saved from destruction, for the sake of the covenant You have inscribed in our flesh. Master of the world, how much goodness You have shown us! You have taken pity on our souls and planned from afar how to bring us to the ultimate good. You made Your covenant with Abraham, Your beloved one, and established it with Isaac and his offspring, Israel, and his descendants in every generation.
וְחַסְתָּ עַל תִּקּוּן נַפְשׁוֹתֵינוּ וְנֶפֶשׁ זַרְעֵנוּ, וְצִוִּיתָ אוֹתָנוּ לִכְנֹס בִּבְרִיתוֹ שֶׁל אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ לָמוּל אֶת בְּשַׂר עָרְלָתֵנוּ בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁמִינִי,
In order to rectify our souls and those of our children, You commanded us to enter the covenant of Abraham our father and circumcise our flesh by removing the foreskin on the eighth day.
מִי יְמַלֵּל גְּבוּרוֹת יְהֹוָה יַשְׁמִיעַ כָּל תְּהִלָּתוֹ, מִי יְפָאֵר מִי יְהַדֵּר מִי יְהַלֵּל מִי יְשַׁבֵּחַ, מִי יוּכַל לְהוֹדוֹת לְךָ וּלְבָרֶכְךָ וּלְשַׁבֵּחֲךָ וּלְפָאֶרְךָ עַל כָּל הַחֶסֶד וְהַטּוֹבָה הַגְּדוֹלָה וְהַנּוֹרָאָה הַזֹּאת אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָ עִמָּנוּ, אֲשֶׁר קִדַּשְׁתָּ יְדִיד מִבֶּטֶן וְצֶאֱצָאָיו חָתַמְתָּ בְּאוֹת בְּרִית קֹדֶשׁ:
“Who can express the mighty acts of God and proclaim all His praise?” Who can glorify and praise You, thank You and bless You for all the kindness and goodness You have shown us in “sanctifying the beloved one from the time he was in the womb” and sealing the sign of the covenant in his descendants!
עַל־כֵּן בָּאתִי לְהַפִּיל תְּחִנָּתִי לְפָנֶיךָ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהַי וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתַי, אַב הַחֶסֶד אָב הָרַחֲמָן, הַגּוֹאֵל מִמָּוֶת וּפוֹדֶה מִשַּׁחַת,
Therefore, I have come to plead with You, HaShem my God and God of my fathers, kind and loving Father, Who saves from death and redeems from destruction.
עֲשֵׂה לְמַעַן בְּרִיתְךָ אֲשֶׁר חָתַמְתָּ בִּבְשָׂרֵנוּ, וַחֲמֹל עַל נַפְשׁוֹתֵינוּ וְקוּמָה בְּעֶזְרָתֵנוּ וְהוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ לְמַעַן חַסְדֶּךָ, שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְקַדֵּשׁ וּלְטַהֵר עַצְמֵנוּ בִּקְדֻשַּׁת הַבְּרִית, בְּתַכְלִית הַשְּׁלֵמוּת בֶּאֱמֶת כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב,
For the sake of Your covenant that You have sealed in my flesh, have mercy on my soul! Rise up and help me! Save me for the sake of Your kindness. Help me observe the holy covenant, and sanctify and purify myself until I attain complete perfection.
וְתָגֵן עָלֵינוּ וְתַעַזְרֵנוּ שֶׁנִּהְיֶה נִשְׁמָרִים מִכָּל דָּבָר רָע, שֶׁלֹּא נְהַרְהֵר בַּיּוֹם שׁוּם הִרְהוּר בָּעוֹלָם וְלֹא נָבוֹא לִידֵי טֻמְאָה בַּלַּיְלָה. וְתַצִּילֵנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים מִכָּל מִינֵי פְּגַם הַבְּרִית שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם, וַעֲשֵׂה לְמַעַנְךָ וְלֹא לְמַעֲנֵנוּ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַעַן כָּל הַצַּדִּיקִים וְהַחֲסִידִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים הַקְּדוֹשִׁים וְהַטְּהוֹרִים, אֲשֶׁר הִתְגַּבְּרוּ עַל יִצְרֵיהֶם לְמַעַן כְּבוֹדֶךָ, וְעָמְדוּ בְּנִסְיוֹנוֹת גְּדוֹלוֹת וְנוֹרָאוֹת, וְכָפוּ אֶת יִצְרָם וְקִדְּשׁוּ אֶת שְׁמֶךָ, עַד שֶׁזָּכוּ לִקְדֻשַּׁת הַבְּרִית בְּתַכְלִית הַשְּׁלֵמוּת כִּרְצוֹנֶךָ.
Protect me and help me guard myself from all evil. Let me never think forbidden thoughts during the day, so as not to come to impurity at night. In Your vast compassion, save me from doing anything that goes against the covenant. Do it for Your sake if not for mine. Do it for the sake of all the truly pure and holy tzaddikim and pious Jews who overcame their evil inclination for the sake of Your glory, and stood firm in the face of the hardest tests. They subdued their desires and sanctified Your Name until they attained the ultimate level of holiness and purity.
וּלְמַעֲנָם וּלְמַעַן אֲבוֹתֵינוּ אַבְרָהָם יִצְחָק וְיַעֲקֹב עֲשֵׂה, וְחוּסָה עָלֵינוּ וְעָזְרֵנוּ וְהוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ וְקַדְּשֵׁנוּ וְטַהֲרֵנוּ בִּקְדֻשָּׁתְךָ הָעֶלְיוֹנָה, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה גַּם כֵּן לִשְׁמִירַת הַבְּרִית בֶּאֱמֶת כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב.
For their sake, and for the sake of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, have pity on me! Help me and save me! Sanctify me and purify me, so that I too will truly guard the covenant in accordance with Your will.
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, מָה אוֹמַר מָה אֲדַבֵּר מָה אֶצְטַדָּק, וּבְאֵיזֶה דֶרֶךְ וּבְאֵיזֶה עֵצָה וּבְאֵיזֶה תַחְבּוּלָה אוּכַל לְהַתְחִיל לְפָרֵשׁ אֶת לְבָבִי לְפָנֶיךָ,
Master of the world, what can I say? How can I speak? How can I justify myself? How can I begin to express what is in my heart?
וּבְאֵיזֶה דֶרֶךְ וּבְאֵיזֶה זְכוּת אוּכַל לְרַצּוֹת וּלְפַיֵּס אוֹתְךָ עַל כָּל הַחֲטָאִים וַעֲוֹנוֹת וּפְשָׁעִים, שֶׁחָטָאתִי וְשֶׁעָוִיתִי וְשֶׁפָּשַׁעְתִּי לְפָנֶיךָ מִנְּעוּרַי עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה,
How can I possibly apologize to You and appease You for all the sins and transgressions I have committed from my youth until today?
בְּמַחֲשָׁבָה דִּבּוּר וּמַעֲשֶׂה, בִּרְאִיַּת הָעַיִן וּבִשְׁמִיעַת הָאֹזֶן וּבִשְׁאָר חוּשִׁים. מִי יוּכַל לְסַפְּרָם, מִי יוּכַל לְפוֹרְטָם אֲפִלּוּ בְּדֶרֶךְ כְּלָל.
I have sinned in thought, word and deed, with my eyes, my ears and the rest of my senses. Who could possibly enumerate all my sins or spell them out, even in the most general terms?
וְעַל אֵיזֶה מֵהֶן אֲבַקֵּשׁ קֹדֶם, עַל הַחֲדָשׁוֹת אוֹ עַל הַיְשָׁנוֹת, עַל הַנִּגְלוֹת אוֹ עַל הַנִּסְתָּרוֹת, עַל הַכְּלָל אוֹ עַל הַפְּרָט, עַל הַגְּדוֹלוֹת אוֹ עַל הַקְּטַנּוֹת,
I want to beg Your forgiveness — but where should I start? With my latest sins or the older ones? With the obvious sins or those that are hidden? Should I make a general plea, or should I start going into details? Should I begin with my serious sins or the more minor ones?
כִּי גַם הַפְּגָמִים הַקְּטַנִּים שֶׁבִּקְטַנִּים בְּעֶרְכִּי, הֵם פְּגָמִים עֲצוּמִים וְנוֹרָאִים לְפִי עֹצֶם גְּדֻלָּתְךָ וְרוֹמְמוּתֶךָ:
For even what to me seem like very minor lapses are really the most terrible blemishes, considering Your greatness and exaltedness!
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, פְּתַח פִּיךָ לְאִלֵּם כָּמוֹנִי, לִמְרֻחָק כָּמוֹנִי, לְנִרְדָּף כָּמוֹנִי, עָזְרֵנִי לְפָרֵשׁ אֶת לְבָבִי הַמַּר לְפָנֶיךָ,
Master of the world, open Your mouth to me, dumb, friendless outcast that I am. Help me pour out my bitter heart to You.
כִּי נַפְשִׁי מָרָה לִי מְאֹד מְאֹד, עַד אֲשֶׁר אֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ אֵיךְ אֲנִי יָכוֹל לִחְיוֹת וּלְהִתְקַיֵּם אֲפִלּוּ שָׁעָה אַחַת מֵעֹצֶם מְרִירוּת לִבִּי, כִּי פָּגַמְתִּי בְּהַבְּרִית קֹדֶשׁ, בִּמְקוֹר הַחַיִּים.
My soul is so very, very bitter. I don’t know how I can continue living for even a short while, so bitter is my heart because I have blemished the holy covenant, which is the very source of life.
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ כִּי כָל יָמֵינוּ וּשְׁנוֹתֵינוּ לֹא יַסְפִּיקוּ לְהִתְוַדּוֹת וּלְהִתְחַנֵּן וְלַעֲשׂוֹת תִּקּוּנִים לְתַקֵּן אֲפִלּוּ פְּגַם מַחֲשָׁבָה וְהִרְהוּר אֶחָד,
Master of the world, You know that all my days and years will not be enough to confess, plead with You and make amends for even a single impure thought.
כִּי אַתָּה לְבַד יָדַעְתָּ עַד הֵיכָן עַד הֵיכָן מַגִּיעַ פְּגָם הַהִרְהוּר חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, מִכָּל שֶׁכֵּן וְכָל שֶׁכֵּן פְּגָם טִפַּת קֶרִי אַחַת לְבַטָּלָה חַס וְשָׁלוֹם,
You alone know the full extent of the damage caused by impure thoughts, and all the more so the damage caused by even a single drop of wasted seed.
מִי יוּכַל לְתַקֵּן זֹאת, מִי יוּכַל לַעֲשׂוֹת תִּקּוּנִים עַל זֶה, וּלְרַצּוֹת וּלְפַיֵּס אוֹתְךָ עַל זֶה אֲשֶׁר עַל־יְדֵי־זֶה הֶאֱרַכְנוּ (אֶת) הַגָּלוּת וַעֲדַיִן לֹא שַׁבְנוּ לְאַרְצֵנוּ.
Who can repair the damage and make amends, and conciliate and appease You for such sins? The wrong we have done has lengthened our exile, and we have still not returned to our Land.
וְעַתָּה מָה אוֹמַר וּמָה אֲדַבֵּר,
And now, what can I say? How can I speak?
וּבְאֵיזֶה לָשׁוֹן וּבְאֵיזֶה דִּבּוּרִים וּבְאֵיזֶה אֹפֶן אַתְחִיל לְהִתְוַדּוֹת לְפָנֶיךָ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהַי וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתַי, וְאֵיךְ אֲקַבֵּל דִּבּוּרִים קְדוֹשִׁים וּטְהוֹרִים לְפָרֵשׁ שִׂיחָתִי לְפָנֶיךָ,
In what language, words and approach can I begin to confess to You, my God and God of my fathers? Where can I find pure, holy words to express what I need to say to You?
נֶאֶלַמְתִּי דוּמִיָּה הֶחֱשֵׁיתִי מִטּוֹב וּכְאֵבִי נֶעְכָּר. נֶאֶלַמְתִּי לֹא אֶפְתַּח פִּי כִּי אַתָּה עָשִׂיתָ. כִּי הֻשְׁחֲרוּ פָנֵינוּ מִפְּנֵי חַטֹּאתֵנוּ וְנֶחְשְׁכוּ עֵינֵינוּ מִפְּנֵי עֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ,
“I am dumbstruck. Even about the good I keep silent, because of my inner pain. … I am dumbstruck. I cannot open my mouth, for You have done it!” I have sinned so much that my face is blackened and my eyes have become darkened.
עַד אֲשֶׁר בַּעֲוֹנוֹתַי הָרַבִּים מִתְגַּבֵּר עָלַי הָעַצְבוּת וְהַמָּרָה שְׁחוֹרָה בְּכָל עֵת, וְאֵין לִי שׁוּם שִׂמְחָה אֲמִתִּית אֲפִלּוּ בָּעֵת שֶׁאֲנִי זוֹכֶה לַעֲשׂוֹת אֵיזֶה דָבָר שֶׁבִּקְדֻשָּׁה בַּעֲבוֹדָתְךָ וּבְיִרְאָתְךָ וּבְתוֹרָתֶךָ, וַאֲנִי רָחוֹק מִשִּׂמְחָה אֲמִתִּית בְּתַכְלִית הָרִחוּק,
Because of my many sins, I suffer from constant sadness and depression. I have no true joy, even when performing a holy act, or when I pray or learn Torah. I am completely remote from true joy.
כִּי פָּגַמְתִּי בְּאוֹר פְּנֵי מֶלֶךְ חַיִּים, פָּגַמְתִּי בְּכָל מִינֵי שִׂמְחָה דִקְדֻשָּׁה, פָּגַמְתִּי בְּאַנְפִּין נְהִירִין,
For I have abused the light of the countenance of the living King and spoiled all kinds of holy joy. My sins have cast a shadow over the radiant light of holiness.
עַד אֲשֶׁר עַל־יְדֵי עֲוֹנוֹתַי הָרַבִּים מִתְעוֹרְרִים בְּכָל עֵת הָאַנְפִּין חֲשׁוּכִין עָלֵינוּ חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, שֶׁהֵם עַצְבוּת וּמָרָה שְׁחוֹרָה, שֶׁהֵמָּה הָיוּ בְּעוֹכְרֵינוּ,
As a result of my many sins, the dark face of unholiness rears up against me constantly in the form of sadness and depression. This has been my ruin.
וְהֵמָּה הֵם רֹב עִקָּר הַמְּנִיעוֹת וְהַבִּטּוּלִים מֵעֲבוֹדָתְךָ בֶּאֱמֶת, וְעַל יָדָם בָּאוּ לָנוּ כָּל הַפְּגָמִים וְכָל הַמִּכְשׁוֹלוֹת וְכָל הַחֲטָאִים שֶׁחָטָאנוּ וְשֶׁעָוִינוּ וְשֶׁפָּשַׁעְנוּ נֶגְדֶּךָ,
For depression is the main obstacle to serving God. It has been the main cause of all my sins and transgressions.
כַּאֲשֶׁר אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ, וְכַאֲשֶׁר גִּלִּיתָ לָנוּ עַל־יְדֵי חֲכָמֶיךָ הָאֲמִתִּיִּים, שֶׁעִקָּר כָּל הָעֲוֹנוֹת וּבִפְרָט פְּגָם הַבְּרִית, בָּאִין עַל־יְדֵי עַצְבוּת וּמָרָה שְׁחוֹרָה חַס וְשָׁלוֹם. וְעַתָּה אָבִי שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם, אֵל חַי וְקַיָּם, מֵאַיִן אֲבַקֵּשׁ עֵזֶר וּתְרוּפָה לְמַכּוֹתַי הָאֲנוּשׁוֹת מְאֹד, אֶשָּׂא עֵינַי אֶל הֶהָרִים מֵאַיִן יָבוֹא עֶזְרִי.
As You well know, HaShem, and as You revealed to us through Your true sages, the main reason people come to sin — especially sexual sins — is due to sadness and depression. And now, my Father in Heaven, living and enduring God, where can I find a remedy for my terrible wounds? “I lift up my eyes to the mountains: from where will my help come?”
מֵאַיִן אֲבַקֵּשׁ הַצָּלָה וּמָנוֹס, מֵאַחַר שֶׁכָּל אֶחָד תָּלוּי בַּחֲבֵרוֹ, שִׂמְחָה וּשְׁמִירַת הַבְּרִית.
Where should I seek help? Where can I find refuge? The fact is that joy and guarding the covenant each depend on the other.
וּמֵאַחַר שֶׁלֹּא זָכִיתִי עֲדַיִן לִשְׁמִירַת הַבְּרִית בִּשְׁלֵמוּת בֶּאֱמֶת כָּרָאוּי, מֵהֵיכָן אֲקַבֵּל שִׂמְחָה,
If I have not yet merited to truly guard the covenant, how can I come to joy?
וּמֵאַחַר שֶׁאֲנִי רָחוֹק מִשִּׂמְחָה דִקְדֻשָּׁה, אִם כֵּן אֵיפוֹא מֵהֵיכָן אֲקַבֵּל כֹּחַ וּגְבוּרָה לִזְכּוֹת לִשְׁמִירַת הַבְּרִית.
And considering how far I am from holy joy, where will I get the strength and determination necessary to guard the covenant?
עַל כֵּן אֶזְעַק וַאֲשַׁוֵּעַ, בְּקוֹל מַר אֶצְעַק אֵלֶיךָ, בְּקוֹל צְעָקָה בְּקוֹל אֲנָחָה בְּקוֹל דִּמְעָה אֶתְחַנֵּן לְפָנֶיךָ,
Therefore, all I can do is cry out and scream to You — cry and scream bitterly, groaning and pleading.
בְּכָל מִינֵי תַחֲנוּנִים אֲנִי מַפִּיל תְּחִנָּתִי לְפָנֶיךָ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהַי וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתַי,
With all kinds of supplications I appeal to You, HaShem my God and God of my fathers!
בְּכָל מִינֵי בַּקָּשׁוֹת אֲנִי מְבַקֵּשׁ לִפְנֵי כִסֵּא כְבוֹדֶךָ,
With all kinds of requests I beg You before Your throne of glory!
בְּכָל מִינֵי קוֹלוֹת אֲנִי קוֹרֵא אֵלֶיךָ, חוּס וַחֲמֹל עָלַי, חוּס וְרַחֵם עָלַי, חוּס וְחָנֵּנִי, חָנֵּנִי וּפְדֵנִי,
With all kinds of cries I call out to You: Have pity! Have mercy! Be kind to me! Save me!
פּוֹדֶה וּמַצִּיל הַצִּילֵנִי, גּוֹאֵל חָזָק לְמַעַנְךָ פְּדֵנִי, שׁוֹמֵעַ אֶנְקַת אֶבְיוֹנִים שְׁמַע צַעֲקָתִי וְאַנְחָתִי,
Savior and Redeemer, save me! For Your sake, redeem me! You Who hear the cries of the needy, hear my screams and groans!
מָרָא דְעַלְמָא כֹּלָּא, אַל תִּתֵּן לַשַּׁחַת נַפְשִׁי, כִּי מַה בֶּצַע בְּדָמִי בְּרִדְתִּי אֶל שַׁחַת הֲיוֹדְךָ עָפָר הֲיַגִּיד אֲמִתֶּךָ.
Master of the entire world, don’t give my soul over to destruction. “What gain is there from my blood, if I go down to destruction? Will dust acknowledge You and tell of Your truth?”
הַצִּילֵנִי מִטִּיט וְאַל אֶטְבָּעָה אִנָּצְלָה מִשּׂוֹנְאַי וּמִמַּעֲמַקֵּי מָיִם.
“Save me from the mire. Don’t let me sink! Save me from my enemies and from the depths of the waters.”
כִּי אֵין שׁוּם לָשׁוֹן בָּעוֹלָם שֶׁאוּכַל לְפָרֵשׁ שִׂיחָתִי עַל יָדוֹ, כִּי צָרוֹת נַפְשִׁי גָּדְלוּ וְשָׂגְבוּ יוֹתֵר מִמֻּטְבָּע בִּיוֵן מְצוּלָה וְאֵין מַעֲמָד, יוֹתֵר מִיּוֹרֵד בְּעִמְקֵי מָיִם.
No words in the world can express what is in my heart. The pain of my soul is more than that of someone sinking hopelessly into the mire or drowning in the deepest waters.
וְאִם כָּל לְשׁוֹנוֹת כָּאֵלּוּ דִּבְּרוּ הַמְשׁוֹרְרִים דָּוִד הַמֶּלֶךְ וּשְׁאָר צַדִּיקִים אֲמִתִּיִּים עַל עַצְמָם, עַל פְּגָם קַל אֶחָד שֶׁהוּא פְּגָם קַל שֶׁבַּקַּלִּים, דַּק מִן הַדַּק, שֶׁאֵין פְּגָם כָּזֶה נִתְפַּס בְּדַעְתֵּנוּ כְּלָל, אָנֹכִי מָה אֶעֱנֶה אַבַּתְרַיְהוּ, אָנֹכִי מָה אוֹמַר וּמָה אֲדַבֵּר.
If King David and the other true tzaddikim used poetic language like this to speak about one single, minor, insignificant lapse — one that people like ourselves find it hard to even see as a sin — then what can I possibly say? How can I speak?
וְהַלְוַאי הָיִיתִי זוֹכֶה עַל כָּל פָּנִים לְדַבֵּר דִּבּוּרִים הַקְּדוֹשִׁים בְּלֵב נִשְׁבָּר בֶּאֱמֶת, כְּמוֹ שֶׁיָּצְאוּ דִּבְרֵיהֶם מִפִּיהֶם בֶּאֱמֶת לַאֲמִתּוֹ, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁבֶּאֱמֶת לֹא פָּגְמוּ כְּלָל, וְאָנֹכִי פָּגַמְתִּי בֶּאֱמֶת הַרְבֵּה מְאֹד בְּלִי שִׁעוּר וָעֵרֶךְ.
If only I could at least express myself in holy words springing from a truly broken heart, just as their words came from their lips in total sincerity — and this despite the fact that they had really not done the least wrong, whereas the damage I have done is so serious.
עַל כֵּן אֵין לִי שׁוּם תִּקְוָה וּמִבְטָח וּמִשְׁעָן, כִּי אִם עַל זְכוּת צַדִּיקֵי אֱמֶת צַדִּיקֵי יְסוֹדֵי עוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר עֲלֵיהֶם כָּל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל נִשְׁעָן, אֲשֶׁר עֹצֶם קְדֻשָּׁתָם וּזְכוּתָם מַסְפֶּקֶת לְהָרִים וּלְהַגְבִּיהַּ וּלְקָרֵב אֲפִלּוּ אוֹתִי אֵלֶיךָ.
If so, there is no hope for me, and I have nothing I can rely on except the merit of the true tzaddikim, the “foundation of the world,” on whom the entire House of Israel depends. Their tremendous holiness and merit are sufficient to lift up even someone like myself and bring me closer to You.
וְעַל כֹּחָם הַגָּדוֹל לְבַד נִשְׁעָנְתִּי, וְעַל תָּקְפָּם וְחָזְקָם אֲנִי נִסְמָךְ אֲפִלּוּ בַּגָּלוּת הַגָּדוֹל וְהַמַּר הַזֶּה, וַעֲלֵיהֶם תָּמַכְתִּי יְתֵדוֹתַי לִקְרֹא אֵלֶיךָ וְלִצְעֹק אֵלֶיךָ מִמָּקוֹם שֶׁאֲנִי שָׁם,
On their great power alone I rely, even in the midst of this great and bitter exile. They are my foundation and support as I cry and scream to You from the place I am in.
וּבָאתִי לְפָנֶיךָ לִשְׁטֹחַ אֶת כַּפַּי אֵלֶיךָ וּלְהָרִים עֵינַי לִמְעוֹן קְדֻשָּׁתֶךָ וּלְהִסְתַּכֵּל וּלְיַחֵל לַהֲמוֹן חֲסָדֶיךָ, שֶׁתָּחוֹס וּתְרַחֵם עָלַי וְתַעֲלֶה אוֹתִי מִטִּיט הַיָּוֵן, מִמְּצוּלוֹת יָם, מִכָּל הַמְּקוֹמוֹת וְהָעִנְיָנִים שֶׁיָּרַדְתִּי לְתוֹכָם עַל־יְדֵי מַעֲשַׂי הָרָעִים וּמַחְשְׁבוֹתַי הַמְגֻנּוֹת.
I have come before You to stretch out my hands to You and raise my eyes to Your holy dwelling place. I am fixing my gaze and pinning my hopes on Your abundant kindness. Have pity on me and lift me out of this mud and mire, out of the depths of the sea. Raise me from the lowly condition I have descended to on account of all the bad things I’ve done and my wrongful thoughts.
מִתֹּהוּ וָבֹהוּ וְחֹשֶׁךְ וּתְהוֹם תַּעֲלֶה נַפְשִׁי, וּמִכָּל מִינֵי טֻמְאוֹת תְּטַהֲרֵנִי, וּמִכָּל מִינֵי קְלִפּוֹת וְסִטְרִין אַחֲרָנִין תִּפְדֵּנִי וְתַצִּילֵנִי בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים,
Lift my soul out of this desolation, emptiness, darkness and abyss. Compassionate God, cleanse me of all impurity, and redeem me and rescue me from all the unholy forces that have taken hold of me.
וּבְכָל מִינֵי קְדֻשּׁוֹת תְּקַדְּשֵׁנִי, וּבְכָל מִינֵי יְשׁוּעוֹת וְהַצָּלוֹת תּוֹשִׁיעֵנִי וְתַצִּילֵנִי, וְתִהְיֶה עִמִּי תָמִיד, וְתַעַזְרֵנִי שֶׁאֲקַשֵּׁר עַצְמִי בְּקֶשֶׁר אַמִּיץ וְחָזָק אֵלֶיךָ בֶּאֱמֶת,
Sanctify me with every kind of holiness. Save me with every kind of salvation and rescue. Be with me constantly. Help me truly bind myself to You in a strong, powerful bond.
וַאֲקַשֵּׁר יַחַד כָּל רְמַ"ח אֵבָרַי וּשְׁסָ"ה גִידַי, וְנַפְשִׁי וְרוּחִי וְנִשְׁמָתִי, בְּקֶשֶׁר אַמִּיץ וְחָזָק, שֶׁיִּהְיוּ כֻלָּם מְקֻשָּׁרִים יַחַד וַאֲחוּזִים וּדְבוּקִים בְּמַחֲשָׁבָה קְדוֹשָׁה אַחַת לַעֲבוֹדָתֶךָ וּלְיִרְאָתֶךָ בֶּאֱמֶת, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לִהְיוֹת סוּר מֵרָע בֶּאֱמֶת, שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְהִנָּצֵל מִכָּל מִינֵי חֲטָאִים וַעֲוֹנוֹת וּפְשָׁעִים, וּמִכָּל מִינֵי הִרְהוּרִים וּמַחֲשָׁבוֹת רָעוֹת, וּמִכָּל מִינֵי בִּלְבּוּלִים, וּמִכָּל מִינֵי פְּגָם הַבְּרִית חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, וּמִכָּל מִינֵי פְּגָמִים שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם. וְתִמְחֹל וְתִסְלַח לִי עַל כָּל חֲטָאַי וַעֲוֹנוֹתַי וּפְשָׁעַי שֶׁחָטָאתִי וְשֶׁעָוִיתִי וְשֶׁפָּשַׁעְתִּי לְפָנֶיךָ מִנְּעוּרַי עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, וּתְתַקֵּן כָּל הַפְּגָמִים שֶׁפָּגַמְתִּי עַד הֵנָּה. וּמֵעַתָּה תַעַזְרֵנִי וּתְזַכֵּנִי לִהְיוֹת קָדוֹשׁ וְטָהוֹר בֶּאֱמֶת כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב, וּתְזַכֵּנִי לְקַדֵּשׁ עַצְמִי בַּמֻּתָּר לִי. וְאֶזְכֶּה לִפְרִישׁוּת בִּקְדֻשָּׁה גְּדוֹלָה בֶּאֱמֶת כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב, עַד שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה חִישׁ קַל מְהֵרָה לִקְדֻשַּׁת הַבְּרִית בֶּאֱמֶת. וְתַשְׁפִּיעַ עָלַי מִמְּעוֹן קְדֻשָּׁתְךָ שִׂמְחָה וְחֶדְוָה תָמִיד, וְאֶזְכֶּה לִהְיוֹת בְּשִׂמְחָה תָּמִיד, שׂוֹשׂ אָשִׂישׂ בַּיְהֹוָה תָּגֵל נַפְשִׁי בֵּאלֹהַי. וְאֶזְכֶּה לָגִיל וְלִשְׂמֹחַ בִּישׁוּעָתְךָ תָּמִיד,
Help me bind my 248 limbs, my 365 sinews, my nefesh, my ruach and my neshamah in such a strong bond that they will all be held together firmly and tightly by one single holy thought: that I want to truly serve You and fear You. May I turn from evil completely, so as to avoid all forms of sin and transgression, all evil thoughts and fantasies, all distractions, all breaches of the covenant, and all wrongdoing. Forgive me and pardon me for all my sins and transgressions from my youth until today. Repair all the damage I have caused until now. From now on help me be genuinely holy and pure, the way You want. Help me sanctify myself even in what is permissible. Let me practice selfrestraint with genuine holiness, until I quickly come to true observance of the holy covenant. Shine down on me from Your holy dwelling place, and bless me with constant happiness and joy. Let me be happy at all times. “I will rejoice in HaShem! My soul will delight in my God.” Let me constantly rejoice and exult in Your saving power.
וְתָאִיר עָלַי בְּאוֹר פָּנֶיךָ, וּתְזַכֵּנִי לְפָנִים מְאִירוֹת, לְאַנְפִּין נְהִירִין, לְפָנִים שֶׁל שִׂמְחָה דִקְדֻשָּׁה, לְאוֹר פְּנֵי מֶלֶךְ חַיִּים.
Shine the light of Your countenance upon me, and grant that I should bask in the radiant light of happiness and joy, the light of the face of the living King.
מְשַׂמֵּחַ נַפְשׁוֹת עֲגוּמִים, שְׁלַח עָלַי שִׂמְחָה מִמְּעוֹנֶךָ וְשַׂמַּח נַפְשִׁי הָאֻמְלָלָה וְהָעֲלוּבָה מְאֹד, שַׂמֵּחַ נֶפֶשׁ עַבְדֶּךָ כִּי אֵלֶיךָ יְהֹוָה נַפְשִׁי אֶשָּׂא. תּוֹדִיעֵנִי אֹרַח חַיִּים שֹׂבַע שְׂמָחוֹת אֶת פָּנֶיךָ נְעִימוֹת בִּימִינְךָ נֶצַח:
You Who bring joy to the downcast, send me joy from Your heights and bring my sad, pain-ridden soul to happiness. “Bring joy to the soul of Your servant, for to You, HaShem, I lift up my soul.” “Teach me the path of life: in the light of Your countenance is joyous satisfaction, pleasantness in Your right arm of kindness forever!”
וְזַכֵּנוּ אָבִינוּ אָב הָרַחֲמָן, יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהִים אֱמֶת, וֶהְיֵה בְּעֶזְרֵנוּ שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָעֲצוּמִים לֶאֱמֶת וֶאֱמוּנָה.
Truth and faith
Compassionate Father! “HaShem, God of truth!” In Your tremendous compassion, help me attain truth and faith.
חוּסָה עָלַי בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים וְהַצֵּל אוֹתִי מִכָּל מִינֵי כְּפִירוֹת וּמִכָּל מִינֵי פְּגָם אֱמוּנָה, שֶׁלֹּא יַעֲלֶה בְלִבִּי שׁוּם הִרְהוּר וְשׁוּם קֻשְׁיָא וְשׁוּם עַקְמִימִיוּת שֶׁבַּלֵּב עָלֶיךָ יִתְבָּרַךְ, וְעַל הַנְהָגוֹתֶיךָ, וְעַל צַדִּיקֶיךָ הָאֲמִתִּיִּים, וְעַל כְּשֵׁרֵי הַדּוֹר הָאֲמִתִּיִּים, וְעַל כָּל סִפְרֵי תוֹרָתְךָ הַקְּדוֹשִׁים וְהַטְּהוֹרִים, וְעַל כָּל הַדְּבָרִים שֶׁבִּקְדֻשָּׁה. רַק אֶזְכֶּה לְהַאֲמִין בְּךָ וּבְצַדִּיקֶיךָ הָאֲמִתִּיִּים וּבְתוֹרָתְךָ הַקְּדוֹשָׁה וּבִכְלָלִיּוּת עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל הַקָּדוֹשׁ, בֶּאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה בֶּאֱמֶת בְּלִי שׁוּם בִּלְבּוּל וּנְטִיָּה כְּלָל, וְלֹא יַעֲלֶה עַל דַּעְתִּי שׁוּם הִרְהוּר עֲלֵיהֶם כְּלָל,
Have pity on me and save me from any kind of denial of God, and from all flaws in my faith. May I never have any doubts, questions or misgivings about You or the way You run the world, about Your true tzaddikim and the truly pious Jews of this generation, about any holy, pure Torah works, or indeed about anything holy. Let me just believe in You, in Your true tzaddikim, Your holy Torah, and Your entire nation, the Jewish people, with true, perfect, flawless faith. Never let a single skeptical thought enter my mind.
וְאֶזְכֶּה לַעֲבֹד אוֹתְךָ תָּמִיד בֶּאֱמֶת וּבֶאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה, עַד שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה שֶׁיִּתְגַּלֶּה לִי הַשָּׂגַת אֱלָהוּתְךָ וִידִיעַת רוֹמְמוּתְךָ יִתְבָּרַךְ. וְאֶזְכֶּה לַחֲזוֹת בְּאוֹר פְּנֵי יְהֹוָה לַחֲזוֹת בְּנֹעַם יְהֹוָה וּלְבַקֵּר בְּהֵיכָלוֹ,
May I truly serve You at all times with perfect faith, until I am worthy of attaining a revelation of Your Godliness and come to know Your exaltedness. Help me gaze upon the light of HaShem’s countenance, “to behold the pleasantness of HaShem and frequent His Sanctuary.”
וִיקֻיַּם בִּי מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, וּמִבְּשָׂרִי אֶחֱזֶה אֱלוֹהַּ, שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לַחֲזוֹת אֱלָהוּתְךָ וּלְהַשִּׂיג גְּדֻלָּתְךָ יִתְבָּרַךְ, וּלְהַכִּיר אוֹתְךָ בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה וּבָעוֹלָם הַבָּא בֶּאֱמֶת וּבֶאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב:
May the verse be fulfilled in me, “From my flesh I see God.” Let me perceive Your Godliness and apprehend Your greatness, and know You in this world and in the World to Come, in truth and perfect faith, the way You want.
וּבְכֵן תַּעַזְרֵנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים וַחֲסָדֶיךָ הָעֲצוּמִים, וּתְזַכֵּנוּ לְשַׁבֵּר תַּאֲוַת מָמוֹן מֵאִתָּנוּ, שֶׁלֹּא יִהְיֶה לִי שׁוּם תַּאֲוָה וְשׁוּם חֶמְדָּה וְשׁוּם הִשְׁתּוֹקְקוּת לְמָמוֹן, וְנִזְכֶּה לִהְיוֹת שׂוֹנֵא בֶּצַע לִשְׂנֹא אֶת הַמָּמוֹן בְּתַכְלִית הַשִּׂנְאָה.
Earning a living
In Your vast compassion and tremendous kindness, help me break my lust for money. Let me have no desire or yearning for money whatsoever. Let me detest illicit gain and have an absolute hatred for money.
וְתַעַזְרֵנוּ בָּעֵת שֶׁאָנוּ מֻכְרָחִים לַעֲסֹק בְּאֵיזֶה עֵסֶק וּמַשָּׂא וּמַתָּן, שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לַעֲשׂוֹת הַמַּשָּׂא וּמַתָּן בֶּאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה, וּנְקַיֵּם דְּבָרֵינוּ תָמִיד וְלֹא נַחֲלִיף וְלֹא נְשַׁנֶּה דִּבּוּרֵנוּ לְעוֹלָם אֲפִלּוּ בִּשְׁבִיל הוֹן רָב, וְכָל הוֹן דְּעַלְמָא לֹא יוּכַל לְהַטּוֹת לְבָבֵנוּ חַס וְשָׁלוֹם מִן הָאֱמֶת וְהָאֱמוּנָה לְשַׁנּוֹת אוֹ לְהַחֲלִיף אֵיזֶה דִבּוּר מִדְבָרֵינוּ חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, וּכְכָל הַיּוֹצֵא מִפִּינוּ בִּשְׁעַת הַמַּשָּׂא וּמַתָּן כֵּן נַעֲשֶׂה וּנְקַיֵּם תָּמִיד בְּלִי שׁוּם שִׁנּוּי בָּעוֹלָם. וְתַצִּילֵנִי בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, שֶׁלֹּא אֶהְיֶה נִבְהָל לְהוֹן, וְלֹא אַטְרִיד אֶת דַּעְתִּי לִרְדֹּף אַחַר הַפַּרְנָסָה חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, בִּיגִיעוֹת גְּדוֹלוֹת וּבְטִרְחוֹת עֲצוּמוֹת חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, רַק תַּשְׁפִּיעַ עָלַי בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ וְתִטַּע וְתִקְבַּע בְּלִבִּי אֱמוּנָה וּבִטָּחוֹן שָׁלֵם בֶּאֱמֶת, וְאֶהְיֶה בּוֹטֵחַ בַּיהֹוָה לְבַד. וְאֵדַע וְאַאֲמִין בֶּאֱמֶת, כִּי לֹא מִמּוֹצָא וּמִמַּעֲרָב וּמִמִּדְבַּר הָרִים כִּי לֹא בְּכֹחוֹ יִגְבַּר אִישׁ, וְאֵין יְכוֹלֶת כְּלָל בְּכֹחִי וְעֹצֶם יָדִי לַעֲשׂוֹת חַיִל וַעֲשִׁירוּת כְּלָל, רַק הַכֹּל מֵאִתְּךָ לְבַד וְהָעשֶׁר וְהַכָּבוֹד מִלְּפָנֶיךָ וְאַתָּה מוֹשֵׁל בַּכֹּל.
Whenever I have to engage in business, help me conduct my business affairs with perfect faith and honesty. May I always keep my word and never try to change what I have said, not even for the sake of an enormous profit. All the money in the world should not sway my heart from the truth or from faith in You, causing me to change or exchange one of my words. And everything that I say while doing business, let me fulfill exactly as I say it. Save me from making myself crazy to make money or being preoccupied with pursuing a living, wasting so much energy and effort. Compassionately shine Your blessings upon me, and plant firm faith and perfect trust in my heart. Let me trust in God alone, and truly know and believe that “it does not come from the east or the west or the mountainous desert.” Whatever strength one has does not come from himself; “my strength and the force of my hand” are powerless to amass wealth. Everything comes only from You. “Wealth and glory are from You, and You hold sway over everything.”
וְאַאֲמִין בֶּאֱמֶת וּבֶאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה, שֶׁאַתָּה יָכוֹל לְהַזְמִין לִי פַּרְנָסָתִי בִּשְׁלֵמוּת בְּסִבָּה קַלָּה, בְּלִי שׁוּם יְגִיעוֹת וְטִרְחוֹת וְטִרְדוֹת כְּלָל,
Let me have true faith that You have the power to send me my livelihood simply and easily, without any need for effort and exertion on my part.
וְלֹא אֲבַלְבֵּל אֶת מַחֲשַׁבְתִּי בִּשְׁבִיל טִרְדַּת הַפַּרְנָסָה כְּלָל, רַק אֶזְכֶּה לִהְיוֹת חָזָק בְּמִדַּת הָאֱמוּנָה וְהַבִּטָּחוֹן בְּךָ יִתְבָּרַךְ תָּמִיד:
Let me keep my mind free of all worries about making a living, and may I always be strong in my faith and trust in You.
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, חוּס וְחָנֵּנִי וֶהְיֵה בְּעֶזְרִי וּמַלְּטֵנִי וְהַצִּילֵנִי מִתַּאֲוַת מָמוֹן שֶׁהִיא עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה מַמָּשׁ, וְלֹא עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה אַחַת לְבַד כִּי אִם שִׁבְעִים עֲבוֹדוֹת זָרוֹת שֶׁל כָּל הַשִּׁבְעִין אֻמּוֹת,
Master of the world, have pity on me! Be kind to me! Help me! Save me from the lust for money, which is literally idol worship — and not just one kind of idol worship, for it encompasses the seventy idolatrous cults of the seventy nations.
כַּאֲשֶׁר גִּלִּיתָ לָנוּ עַל־יְדֵי חֲכָמֶיךָ הָאֲמִתִּיִּים, שֶׁכָּל מִי שֶׁנּוֹפֵל לְתַאֲוַת מָמוֹן חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, כְּאִלּוּ עוֹבֵד כָּל הָעֲבוֹדוֹת זָרוֹת שֶׁל כָּל הַשִּׁבְעִין אֻמּוֹת,
As You have revealed to us through Your true sages, whoever falls into the lust for money, it is as if he worshipped the idols of all seventy nations.
וְהוּא מֻפְרָשׁ וּמֻבְדָּל מֵאֱמֶת וֶאֱמוּנָה הַקְּדוֹשָׁה, מֵאוֹר פְּנֵי מֶלֶךְ חַיִּים, מֵאַנְפִּין נְהִירִין, וְנִתְקַשֵּׁר בְּפָנִים חֲשׁוּכִין, בְּסִטְרָא דְמוֹתָא חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, בְּעַצְבוּת וּמָרָה שְׁחוֹרָה,
Such a person separates himself from truth and holy faith — which are the light of the face of the living King, the shining face — binding himself instead to the dark face of death, sadness and depression.
וְהוּא מָלֵא דְאָגוֹת וִיגוֹנוֹת תָּמִיד, וְכָל יָמָיו כַּעַס וּמַכְאוֹבִים, וְאֵין לוֹ שׁוּם חַיּוּת לֹא בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה וְלֹא בָּעוֹלָם הַבָּא: חוּס וַחֲמֹל עָלַי וְעַל זַרְעִי וְעַל כָּל עַמְּךָ בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְהַצֵּל וּמַלֵּט אוֹתָנוּ מִתַּאֲוָה רָעָה הַזֹּאת שֶׁל מָמוֹן, אֲשֶׁר נִתְפַּשְּׁטָה עַכְשָׁיו מְאֹד בָּעוֹלָם בַּעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ,
Such a person is constantly filled with worry and anxiety. All his days are consumed by anger and suffering, and he has no life at all — not in this world and not in the World to Come. Have mercy on me, my children, and Your entire nation, the House of Israel. Save us from this evil lust for money, which has become so widespread in the world today on account of our sins.
וְתָגֵן עָלֵינוּ בִּזְכוּת צַדִּיקֵי־אֱמֶת, בְּרִית מֶלַח עוֹלָם, וְתַצִּילֵנִי בִּזְכוּתָם מִתַּאֲוָה זֹאת שֶׁל מָמוֹן, וְתַמְשִׁיךְ עָלֵינוּ חָכְמָה וּבִינָה וָדַעַת מֵאִתְּךָ שֶׁלֹּא יְבַלֶּה הַמָּמוֹן חַס וְשָׁלוֹם אֶת יְמֵי חַיֵּינוּ.
Protect us in the merit of the true tzaddikim, the “eternal covenant of salt,” and save us in their merit from this lust for money. Inspire us with wisdom, understanding and knowledge, so that concerns about money should not consume all the days of our lives.
חוּס וַחֲמֹל עָלֵינוּ וּשְׁמַע קוֹל צַעֲקָתֵנוּ בְּרַחֲמִים, וַעֲשֵׂה לְמַעַנְךָ וּלְמַעַן שְׁכִינַת עֻזְּךָ אֲשֶׁר נָדְדָה בַגּוֹיִם בַּעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ, וּלְמַעַן הַצַּדִּיקִים אֲמִתִּיִּים שֶׁזָּכוּ לִשְׁמִירַת הַבְּרִית בֶּאֱמֶת וְלִשְׁבִירַת תַּאֲוַת מָמוֹן בְּתַכְלִית.
Have mercy on us and compassionately hear our cries. Act for Your sake and for the sake of Your Shekhinah, which has gone into exile among the nations on account of our sins. Act for the sake of the true tzaddikim, who truly guarded the covenant and completely broke the desire for money.
וּשְׁמַע קוֹל צַעֲקַת הַשְּׁכִינָה וּכְנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל, אֲשֶׁר צוֹעֶקֶת ק"ם (מֵאָה וְאַרְבָּעִים) קָלִין,
Hear the cry of the Shekhinah, the Congregation of Israel, which screams 140 cries —
קַלַּנִי מֵרֹאשִׁי קַלַּנִי מִזְּרוֹעִי, עַל אֵלּוּ הַנּוֹפְלִים לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה זֹאת שֶׁל תַּאֲוַת מָמוֹן חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, אֲשֶׁר שָׁם תְּחוּבִים כָּל הָעֲבוֹדוֹת זָרוֹת. שׁוֹמֵעַ תְּפִלָּה שׁוֹמֵעַ אֲנָחָה שׁוֹמֵעַ צְעָקָה שְׁמַע קוֹלֵנוּ בְּרַחֲמִים, מֵעִמְקֵי עֲמָקִים, אֲשֶׁר אָנוּ מִתְאַנְּחִים וְצוֹעֲקִים אֵלֶיךָ, שֶׁתַּעַזְרֵנוּ וְתַצִּילֵנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים מִתַּאֲוַת מָמוֹן.
“My head hurts! My arm hurts!” — over those who have fallen into this idolatrous lust for money, which is the root of all idolatry. You Who hear prayers, groans and cries, hear our voices from the deepest depths! Hear how we groan and cry out to You to help us and save us in Your vast compassion from the lust for money.
אֲדֹנָי שִׁמְעָה בְקוֹלִי תִּהְיֶינָה אָזְנֶיךָ קַשֻּׁבוֹת לְקוֹל תַּחֲנוּנָי, שֶׁתַּעֲלֶה וְתָקִים אוֹתִי לִהְיוֹת חָזָק וְאַמִּיץ לַעֲמֹד עַל מַעֲמַד הָאֱמוּנָה וְהַבִּטָּחוֹן לְהַאֲמִין בְּךָ בֶּאֱמֶת וּבֶאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה, עַד שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְשַׁבֵּר תַּאֲוַת מָמוֹן לְגַמְרֵי,
“HaShem, hear my voice. Let Your ears be attentive to the sound of my pleas!” Lift me up and help me stand firm and strong in faith and trust in You. Let me genuinely believe in You with complete faith, until I break my lust for money entirely.
וְלֹא אַטְרִיד אֶת דַּעְתִּי כְּלָל בְּפַרְנָסָתִי, וְלֹא אֶסְמֹךְ עַל שׁוּם סִבָּה וְעַל שׁוּם עֵסֶק כְּלָל, רַק אָשִׂים בִּטְחוֹנִי עָלֶיךָ, וְאֶסְמֹךְ וְאֶתְחַזֵּק בְּבִטָּחוֹן בְּהַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ לְבַד.
Keep my mind free of all worries about making a living. May I not place my reliance on any specific means or projects. Just let me put all my trust in You, and strengthen myself in trust in HaShem alone.
וְאַתָּה תְרַחֵם עָלַי וְתַשְׁפִּיעַ עָלַי בְּטוּבְךָ הַגָּדוֹל שֶׁפַע טוֹבָה וּבְרָכָה מִמְּקוֹר וְשֹׁרֶשׁ הַהַשְׁפָּעוֹת שֶׁבִּקְדֻשָּׁה, וְתַזְמִין לִי פַּרְנָסָתִי קֹדֶם שֶׁאֶצְטָרֵךְ לָהּ בְּסִבָּה קַלָּה בְּלִי שׁוּם יְגִיעָה וְעַצְבוּת כְּלָל. וְאֶזְכֶּה לְשֶׁפַע עֲשִׁירוּת דִּקְדֻשָּׁה לִהְיוֹת שָׂמֵחַ בְּחֶלְקִי תָמִיד,
And You, in turn, have compassion on me, and send me abundant goodness and blessing from the root and source of holy blessings. Send me my livelihood before I even need it, through easy means and without any effort or anxiety on my part. Grant me an abundance of holy wealth and let me be happy with my portion always.
וְאַל תַּצְרִיכֵנִי לֹא לִידֵי מַתְּנַת בָּשָׂר וָדָם וְלֹא לִידֵי הַלְוָאָתָם, וְתַצִּילֵנִי בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ שֶׁלֹּא אֶהְיֶה בַּעַל חוֹב כְּלַָל לְעוֹלָם, וְלֹא אֶצְטָרֵךְ לִלְווֹת מֵאֲחֵרִים כְּלָל,
Don’t put me in need of the gifts of flesh and blood or their loans. In Your compassion, save me from ever being a debtor: may I never have to take loans from others.
וְלֹא אֶרְדֹּף אַחַר מוֹתָרוֹת חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, לִלְוֹת מֵאֲחֵרִים חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, בִּשְׁבִיל לְהַנְהִיג מַשָּׂא וּמַתָּן גָּדוֹל,
Let me not chase after unnecessary luxuries, or borrow from others to finance extravagant business ventures.
רַק תְּרַחֵם עָלַי וְתַשְׁפִּיעַ עָלַי בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ וְתַזְמִין לִי פַּרְנָסָתִי בְּסִבָּה קַלָּה בְּלִי שׁוּם הַלְוָאָה מֵאֲחֵרִים כְּלָל, וְתִשְׁלַח בְּרָכָה וְהַצְלָחָה וְהַרְוָחָה בְּכָל מַעֲשֵׂי יָדַי.
Just have mercy on me and bless me. Grant me my livelihood through easy means, without my having to take any loans from other people. Send abundant blessing and success to all the work of my hands.
וּתְזַכֵּנִי לִהְיוֹת מְמַעֵט בְּעֵסֶק, רַק לַעֲסֹק בַּתּוֹרָה וַעֲבוֹדַת יְהֹוָה בֶּאֱמֶת כָּל יְמֵי חַיַּי, אֲנִי וְזַרְעִי וְזֶרַע זַרְעִי וְכָל עַמְּךָ בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם:
Grant that I should be able to spend a minimum of time on my business activities, so that I will be able to devote myself to Torah and Divine service all the days of my life — I, my children and descendants, and Your entire nation, the House of Israel, from now on and forever.
וְחָנֵּנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, וְזַכֵּנוּ לְקַיֵּם מִצְוַת מְזוּזָה בִּשְׁלֵמוּת הָרָאוּי כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב, עִם כָּל פְּרָטֶיהָ וְדִקְדּוּקֶיהָ וְכַוָּנוֹתֶיהָ וְתַרְיַ"ג מִצְוֹת הַתְּלוּיִּים בָּהּ, וּבְלֵב טוֹב וּבְשִׂמְחָה גְּדוֹלָה, וְתַעַזְרֵנוּ וְתִשְׁמְרֵנוּ וְתָגֵן בַּעֲדֵנוּ עַל־יְדֵי מִצְוַת מְזוּזָה הַקְּדוֹשָׁה, שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה עַל־יְדֵי־זֶה לְשַׁבֵּר לְגַמְרֵי תַּאֲוַת וְחֶמְדַּת הַמָּמוֹן, שֶׁלֹּא יִהְיֶה לָנוּ שׁוּם חֶמְדָּה וְתַאֲוָה לְשׁוּם מָמוֹן וּלְשׁוּם חֵפֶץ שֶׁל הָעוֹלָם הַזֶּה,
The mitzvah of mezuzah
Kind, compassionate God, let me fulfill the mitzvah of mezuzah perfectly in accordance with Your will, with all its details and fine points, its underlying intentions, and the 613 mitzvot that depend on it. Let me perform this mitzvah wholeheartedly and with great joy. Through the holy mitzvah of mezuzah, help me, guard me and protect me, so I can break the lust and desire for money completely. May I never have the least appetite for money or material possessions.
מִכָּל שֶׁכֵּן וְכָל שֶׁכֵּן שֶׁלֹּא יַעֲלֶה עַל דַּעְתֵּנוּ שׁוּם חֶמְדָּה חַס וְשָׁלוֹם לְמָמוֹן וְחֶפְצֵי חֲבֵרֵנוּ, וְלֹא נַחְמֹד וְלֹא נִתְאַוֶּה בֵּית רֵעֵנוּ, שָׂדֵהוּ עַבְדּוֹ וַאֲמָתוֹ שׁוֹרוֹ וַחֲמוֹרוֹ וְכָל אֲשֶׁר לְרֵעֵנוּ.
Certainly may I never entertain the least bit of envy of other people’s money or possessions. May I never envy anyone else’s house, field, manservant, maidservant, ox, donkey or anything else belonging to them.
וְנִזְכֶּה לַעֲשׂוֹת תְּשׁוּבָה שְׁלֵמָה בֶּאֱמֶת עַל כָּל הַמַּחֲשָׁבוֹת וְהַחֶמְדּוֹת שֶׁהָיָה בְלִבֵּנוּ עַד עַתָּה לְמָמוֹן וְחֶפְצֵי חֲבֵרֵנוּ, וְנִזְכֶּה לְתַקֵּן בֶּאֱמֶת כָּל הַפְּגָמִים, שֶׁפָּגַמְנוּ עַל־יְדֵי הָעָוֹן הַגָּדוֹל הַזֶּה שֶׁל לֹא תַחְמֹד.
Help me repent completely and sincerely for all the envious thoughts and desires I have had in the past, and let me make amends for all the damage I have caused through this great sin of “Do not covet.”
וּמֵעַתָּה נִזְכֶּה לְשַׁבֵּר וּלְבַטֵּל כָּל אֵלּוּ הַמַּחֲשָׁבוֹת וְהַחֶמְדּוֹת וְהַתַּאֲווֹת שֶׁל מָמוֹן וַחֲפָצִים וְלֹא יַעֲלוּ עוֹד בְּלִבֵּנוּ כְּלָל, וְנִזְכֶּה לֶאֱמֶת וֶאֱמוּנָה בִּשְׁלֵמוּת.
From now on help me totally rid my mind and heart of all such thoughts, and all longings for money and material possessions. Bring me to perfect truth and faith.
וּבְרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים תְּקַדֵּשׁ אוֹתָנוּ בִּקְדֻשַּׁת מִצְוַת מְזוּזָה הַקְּדוֹשָׁה וְהַנּוֹרָאָה, וְעַל־יְדֵי־זֶה תִּשְׁמֹר צֵאתֵנוּ וּבֹאֵנוּ לְחַיִּים וּלְשָׁלוֹם מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם. וְתַמְשִׁיךְ עָלֵינוּ קְדֻשָּׁה וְטָהֳרָה, שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לִקְדֻשַּׁת הַבְּרִית וְלִשְׁבִירַת תַּאֲוַת מָמוֹן בֶּאֱמֶת, וְנִזְכֶּה לְחַיִּים טוֹבִים וַאֲרֻכִּים וּלְשָׂשׂוֹן וְשִׂמְחָה עַל־יְדֵי הַמְּזוּזָה הַקְּדוֹשָׁה, אֲשֶׁר זִכִּיתָ אוֹתָנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ, וּתְבָרֵךְ אֶת כָּל מַעֲשֵׂי יָדֵינוּ וְתִשְׁמֹר אוֹתָנוּ וְאֶת נַפְשֵׁנוּ וְאֶת מָמוֹנֵנוּ דִּקְדֻשָּׁה וְאֶת כָּל חֲפָצֵינוּ אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה מַשְׁפִּיעַ לָנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ בְּכָל עֵת,
In Your vast compassion, sanctify me through the awesomely holy mitzvah of mezuzah. Guard me when I go out and when I come in, in life and peace, from now on and forever. Fill me with a spirit of holiness and purity, so that I will attain the holiness of the covenant and truly break my appetite for money. Through the mitzvah of mezuzah that You have compassionately bestowed upon us, grant me a good, long life, happiness and joy. Bless all the work of my hands. Guard me, my soul, the money I have acquired in holiness and for holy purposes, and all the goods and possessions You have blessed me with at all times.
וְתִשְׁמֹר וְתַצִּיל אוֹתָם מִכָּל מִינֵי הֶזֵּק שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם, וְתַצִּילֵנוּ מִגְּנֵבוֹת וַאֲבֵדוֹת וּמִכָּל מִינֵי הֶפְסֵד שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם, כִּי אֵל שׁוֹמְרֵנוּ וּמַצִּילֵנוּ אָתָּה.
Protect my possessions from any form of damage. Save me from theft, loss and damage of any kind, for You are our Guardian and Savior.
וְקוּמָה בְעֶזְרָתֵנוּ וְהַצֵּל אוֹתָנוּ מִכָּל מִינֵי שׂוֹנְאִים וּמַחֲלֹקֶת בְּגַשְׁמִיּוּת וּבְרוּחָנִיּוּת, וּתְבַטֵּל בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים אֶת כָּל מִינֵי מַחֲלֹקֶת מִן הָעוֹלָם, וְתָשִׂים שָׁלוֹם בֵּין עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל לְעוֹלָם, וּתְגַלֶּה הָאֱמֶת בָּעוֹלָם.
Strife
Rise up and help us! Save us from all kinds of hatred and strife, physical and spiritual. In Your vast compassion, remove all conflict from the world and spread peace among Your nation, the Jewish people, forever. Reveal the truth in the world.
וְתַצִּיל אוֹתָנוּ וְאֶת כָּל חֶבְרָתֵנוּ וְאֶת כָּל עַמְּךָ בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל הַחֲפֵצִים לְעָבְדְּךָ בֶּאֱמֶת, שֶׁלֹּא יִהְיֶה כֹּחַ לְשׁוּם חוֹלְקִים וּמִתְנַגְּדִים אֶל נְקֻדַּת הָאֱמֶת לְהַפִּיל אוֹתָנוּ חַס וְשָׁלוֹם:
Save us, all our friends, and Your entire nation, the House of Israel, yearning as we are to serve You. Do not allow any of those who oppose and fight against the truth to throw us down, God forbid.
רִבּוֹנוֹ דְעַלְמָא כֹּלָּא, יוֹדֵעַ כָּל סִתְרֵי יְצוּרִים, אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה מִינֵי שׂוֹנְאִים וְאוֹיְבִים עוֹמְדִים עָלֵינוּ בְּכָל עֵת, אַתָּה לְבַד יָדַעְתָּ אוֹתָם וְאֶת מַחְשְׁבוֹתָם, וְהֵם חֲפֵצִים לְגָרֵשׁ וּלְהַפִּיל אוֹתָנוּ חַס וְשָׁלוֹם מֵעֲבוֹדָתְךָ בֶּאֱמֶת כַּאֲשֶׁר אַתָּה לְבַד יָדָעְתָּ. וּלְפִי גֹדֶל חֲלִישׁוּתֵנוּ עַל־יְדֵי עֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ הָרַבִּים, אֵין לָנוּ שׁוּם כֹּחַ לַעֲמֹד כְּנֶגְדָּם בְּגַשְׁמִיּוּת וּבְרוּחָנִיּוּת,
Master of the entire world, You know the secrets of all Your creatures. You know how many different enemies are ranged against us at all times. You alone know what they are thinking. They want to drive us away and cast us down from Your service, as You alone know. Our sins have left us so weak that we are powerless to stand against them, physically and spiritually.
כִּי רַבִּים קָמִים עָלֵינוּ, רַבִּים מְאֹד, גְּדוֹלִים בַּתּוֹרָה, גְּדוֹלִים בְּעֹשֶׁר, גְּדוֹלִים בְּמַעֲשִׂים טוֹבִים הַרְבֵּה יוֹתֵר מֵאִתָּנוּ, וְאֵיךְ יוּכְלוּ חֲלוּשֵׁי כֹּחַ כָּמֹנוּ לַעֲמֹד בִּפְנֵיהֶם, וּמֵאַיִן נְבַקֵּשׁ עֵזֶר לְהִנָּצֵל מֵהֶם, כִּי כְּבָר הִפִּילוּ אוֹתָנוּ הַרְבֵּה עַל־יְדֵי מַחְלֹקְתָם כַּאֲשֶׁר לְפָנֶיךָ נִגְלָה הַכֹּל.
We have so many opponents ranged against us — people who are far wealthier and far greater in Torah and good deeds than we are. How can weak people like ourselves stand up against them? Where can we find help to be saved from them? They have already managed to pull us down through their opposition; all this is revealed to You.
וְעַתָּה מָה אֶעֱשֶׂה אָבִי שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם, כִּי בֶּאֱמֶת אֲנִי יוֹדֵעַ בְּנַפְשִׁי, שֶׁאֵינִי כְּדַאי וְרָאוּי לְהִתְקָרֵב אֵלֶיךָ בֶּאֱמֶת, כִּי פָּגַמְתִּי נֶגְדְּךָ הַרְבֵּה מְאֹד, וּמֵחֲמַת זֶה הֵם נִתְעוֹרְרִים עָלַי לְהַלְשִׁין וּלְקַטְרֵג חַס וְשָׁלוֹם.
And now, what can I do, my Father in Heaven? Deep in my heart, I am well aware that I am not worthy of coming close to You after all the wrong I have done. It is only because of my unworthiness that they are stirring themselves to slander and denounce me.
אֲבָל לְפָנֶיךָ נִגְלָה תַעֲלוּמַת לִבִּי, כִּי אַף־עַל־פִּי־כֵן אֲנִי חָפֵץ וּמִתְגַּעְגֵּעַ לָשׁוּב אֵלֶיךָ בֶּאֱמֶת,
But the secrets of my heart are revealed to You: despite my past, I am yearning to repent and come back to You. True, I have demeaned Your glory, but You are gracious and abundantly forgiving.
וְאִם אָמְנָם פָּגַמְתִּי בִּכְבוֹדֶךָ, אַתָּה חַנּוּן הַמַּרְבֶּה לִסְלֹחַ. אֲבָל מַה חָטָאתִי נֶגְדָּם וּמַה פָּגַמְתִּי בִּכְבוֹדָם, לֹא נָשִׁיתִי וְלֹא נָשׁוּ בִי, וּמַדּוּעַ הֵם חוֹלְקִים עַל חֲלוּשֵׁי כֹּחַ, נִכְאֵי לֵבָב כָּמוֹנוּ, כִּי אַתָּה אֲשֶׁר הִכִּיתָ רָדָפוּ וְאֶל מַכְאוֹב חֲלָלֶיךָ יְסַפֵּרוּ:
And how have I sinned against them? In what way have I demeaned their honor? “I have not demanded anything of them and they have not demanded anything of me.” Then why are they fighting against someone as weak and bruised in his heart as I? “They have chased after the one You have smitten, and they gloat over the pain of Your slain ones.”
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, דַּרְכְּךָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ לְבַקֵּשׁ אֶת הַנִּרְדָּפִים וּלְרַחֵם עַל הַחֲלוּשִׁים וְהָעֲיֵפִים, חוּס וַחֲמֹל עָלֵינוּ, חוּס וְרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ, יֶהֱמוּ מֵעֶיךָ וַחֲנִינוֹתֶיךָ עָלֵינוּ, כִּי נִשְׁאַרְנוּ יְתוֹמִים וְאֵין אָב וְאֵין מִי יָקוּם בַּעֲדֵנוּ, וְאֵין לָנוּ עַל מִי לְהִשָּׁעֵן כִּי אִם עַל אָבִינוּ שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם, וְעַל זְכוּת וְכֹחַ הַצַּדִּיקֵי אֱמֶת שֶׁזָּכוּ לִשְׁלֵמוּת הַבְּרִית בְּתַכְלִית הַשְּׁלֵמוּת, בְּתַכְלִית הַמַּעֲלָה, בְּתַכְלִית הַקְּדֻשָּׁה כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב, וּלְמַעַנְךָ וּלְמַעֲנָם עֲשֵׂה וְלֹא לָנוּ.
Master of the world, Your way is to champion the persecuted and have compassion on the weak and weary. Have pity on us! Be merciful and kind to us! For we are a remnant of orphans without a father. We have no one to defend us. We have no one to rely on except You, our Father in Heaven, and on the merit and power of the true tzaddikim, who observed the covenant to perfection, with the utmost holiness, according to Your will. Act for Your sake and theirs, if not for ours.
וּתְעוֹרֵר אֶת הַצַּדִּיקֵי אֱמֶת שֶׁיַּמְלִיצוּ טוֹב בַּעֲדֵנוּ, וְהֵם יִלָּחֲמוּ לְפָנֵינוּ, וְיַמְשִׁיכוּ אוֹר קְדֻשַּׁת פְּנֵיהֶם הַקְּדוֹשִׁים אֵלֵינוּ,
Arouse the true tzaddikim to intervene for us and plead our case. Let them fight our battles for us and draw down the holy light of their faces upon us.
וּתְגָרֵשׁ מִפְּנֵיהֶם וּמִפָּנֵינוּ כָּל מִינֵי שׂוֹנְאִים וּמִתְנַגְּדִים אֶל הָאֱמֶת, וְתַכְנִיעֵם וְתַשְׁפִּילֵם עַד עָפָר, וְתִתֵּן בְּלִבֵּיהֶם שֶׁיָּשׁוּבוּ אֶל הָאֱמֶת, וּתְגַלֶּה לָהֶם הָאֱמֶת בְּכָל מָקוֹם שֶׁהֵם, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁיִּזְכּוּ גַּם כֵּן לֵידַע מִמַּעֲלַת וּגְדֻלַּת קְדֻשַּׁת הַצַּדִּיקִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים, וּלְהִתְדַבֵּק וּלְהִתְקָרֵב לְדַרְכֵיהֶם, וּ
Drive away all those who hate and are opposed to the truth. Humble them and bring them down to the dust. Put it into their hearts to repent so they will return to the truth. Reveal the truth to them, no matter where they may be, so they too will come to understand the greatness and holiness of the true tzaddikim and follow their pathways.
לְהִתְאַבֵּק בַּעֲפַר רַגְלֵיהֶם, וְלִשְׁתּוֹת בַּצָּמָא אֶת דִּבְרֵיהֶם, וְלַעֲסֹק בְּסִפְרֵיהֶם הַקְּדוֹשִׁים, שֶׁהִנִּיחוּ אַחֲרֵיהֶם בְּרָכָה כָּל הַצַּדִּיקִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים, לְמַעַן נִזְכֶּה כֻּלָּנוּ לָשׁוּב אֵלֶיךָ בֶּאֱמֶת וּבְלֵב שָׁלֵם כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב.
Let them roll in the dust of their feet and thirstily drink in their words. Let them devote themselves to the holy writings left behind as a blessing by all the true tzaddikim, so that we may all repent and return to You sincerely and wholeheartedly, as You desire.
חוּס וְחָנֵּנוּ וְרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ וְהוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ וּמַלֵּא מִשְׁאֲלוֹתֵינוּ בְּרַחֲמִים, וְהָסֵר מֵעָלֵינוּ אוֹיֵב דֶּבֶר וְחֶרֶב וְרָעָב וְיָגוֹן וְהָסֵר שָׂטָן מִלְּפָנֵינוּ וּמֵאַחֲרֵינוּ:
Have pity on us and save us, and compassionately fulfill my requests. Remove from us foe, plague, sword, famine and misery, and remove the accuser from before us and behind us.
וְעָזְרֵנוּ שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְפַזֵּר מָמוֹן בִּשְׁבִיל עֲשִׂיַּת כָּל מִצְוָה וּמִצְוָה, וְלֹא יִהְיֶה שׁוּם מָמוֹן חָשׁוּב אֶצְלֵנוּ נֶגֶד שׁוּם מִצְוָה,
Buying mitzvot
Help me spend money liberally in order to fulfill each and every mitzvah. Don’t let me spare any money at all when it comes to a mitzvah.
וְנִזְכֶּה לְהוֹצִיא מָמוֹן הַרְבֵּה בִּשְׁבִיל כָּל מִצְוָה וּמִצְוָה וּבִשְׁבִיל כָּל דָּבָר וְדָבָר שֶׁהוּא רְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב בֶּאֱמֶת, וְלֹא נַרְגִּישׁ בְּלִבֵּנוּ כְּלָל הֶפְסֵד הַמָּמוֹן בִּשְׁבִיל שׁוּם מִצְוָה וְדָבָר שֶׁבִּקְדֻשָּׁה שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם.
Let me spend money generously for each and every mitzvah, and indeed for anything that is truly Your will. May I never feel that money spent on a mitzvah or something holy is ever wasted.
וְנִקְנֶה אוֹתָם בְּדָמִים יְקָרִים וּנְפַזֵּר עֲלֵיהֶם מָמוֹן הַרְבֵּה בְּשִׂמְחָה וְחֶדְוָה גְּדוֹלָה, וְנִזְכֶּה לְקַיֵּם מִצְוֹתֶיךָ וּרְצוֹנְךָ תָּמִיד בְּגוּף וָנֶפֶשׁ וּמָמוֹן,
Let me buy my mitzvot even at a high price, and spend lavishly on them — happily and joyously. Let me carry out Your mitzvot and do Your will at all times with my body, my soul and my money.
וְנִזְכֶּה לֶאֱמֶת וֶאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה, וּלְפָנִים דִּקְדֻשָּׁה, לְאַנְפִּין נְהִירִין, לְפָנִים שֶׁל שִׂמְחָה. וִיקֻיַּם בָּנוּ וּבְזַרְעֵנוּ מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, זֶה דּוֹר דּוֹרְשָׁיו מְבַקְּשֵׁי פָנֶיךָ יַעֲקֹב סֶלָה.
Help me come to perfect faith and truth, radiant holiness and joy. Fulfill in me and my children the verse, “This is the generation of those who search for Him, those who seek out Your face, Jacob, selah.”
וְנִזְכֶּה לְמִדַּת הַבִּטָּחוֹן בִּשְׁלֵמוּת בֶּאֱמֶת כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, בִּטְחוּ בַּיהֹוָה עֲדֵי עַד כִּי בְּיָהּ יְהֹוָה צוּר עוֹלָמִים: רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, וְעָזְרֵנוּ שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְהַגִּיעַ לְכָל מַה שֶׁבִּקַשְׁנוּ מִלְּפָנֶיךָ, שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה אֲנִי וְזַרְעִי וְכָל עַמְּךָ בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל לִקְדֻשַּׁת הַבְּרִית בֶּאֱמֶת, וּלְשַׁבֵּר תַּאֲוַת מָמוֹן לְגַמְרֵי, וּלְהַרְחִיק וּלְבַטֵּל מִמֶּנּוּ כָּל מִינֵי עַצְבוּת וּמָרָה שְׁחוֹרָה, וְתָסִיר מִמֶּנּוּ יָגוֹן וַאֲנָחָה,
Bring me to perfect trust, as it is written, “Trust in HaShem to eternity, for in God, HaShem, is the strength of the worlds.” Compassionate God, help me attain everything I have requested of You. May I, my children, and Your entire nation, the House of Israel, truly observe the holy covenant and completely break the desire for money. Remove all sadness and depression from us, and take away misery and groaning.
וּתְזַכֵּנוּ כֻּלָּנוּ לִהְיוֹת בְּשִׂמְחָה תָמִיד, וּתְבַטֵּל כָּל מִינֵי מַחֲלֹקֶת מִן הָעוֹלָם, וִיקֻיַּם מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, אַנְשֵׁי דָמִים וּמִרְמָה לֹא יֶחֱצוּ יְמֵיהֶם וַאֲנִי אֶבְטַח בָּךְ. וְ
Grant that we all be happy at all times. Remove all strife from the world. May the verse be fulfilled, “Men of blood and treachery will not live out half their days, but I will trust in You.”
נִזְכֶּה כֻלָּנוּ לִהְיוֹת בִּכְלַל צַדִּיקִים אֲמִתִּיִּים שׁוֹמְרֵי הַבְּרִית בֶּאֱמֶת, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, וְעַמֵּךְ כֻּלָּם צַדִּיקִים לְעוֹלָם יִירְשׁוּ אָרֶץ נֵצֶר מַטָּעַי מַעֲשֵׂה יָדַי לְהִתְפָּאֵר. וְתַמְשִׁיךְ עָלֵינוּ וְעַל זַרְעֵנוּ וְעַל כָּל עַמְּךָ בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁפַע טוֹבָה וּבְרָכָה וְחַיִּים וְשָׁלוֹם וְשָׂשׂוֹן וְשִׂמְחָה, גִּילָה רִנָּה דִּיצָה וְחֶדְוָה מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם. אוֹר זָרוּעַ לַצַּדִּיק וּלְיִשְׁרֵי לֵב שִׂמְחָה. שִׂמְחוּ בַיהֹוָה וְגִילוּ צַדִּיקִים וְהַרְנִינוּ כָּל יִשְׁרֵי לֵב. אָמֵן נֶצַח סֶלָה וָעֶד:
Let us be counted as true tzaddikim who genuinely guard the covenant, as it is written, “Your people are all tzaddikim. They will inherit the earth forever. They are the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, My pride.” Draw upon us, our children, and Your entire nation, the House of Israel, goodness, blessing, life, peace, happiness and joy, exultation, song, pleasure and delight, from now and forever. “Light is sown for the righteous and joy for the upright.” “Rejoice in HaShem and be happy, you righteous ones, and rejoice, all you pious ones.” Amen, selah.