Even before the clouds were stretched above, and the soil was joined together on earth,1Before God created heaven and earth. in Your Presence seven things were [already] gathered: the Torah; the Divine Throne; and [Repentance] the remedy for rebellious children.
The beauty of Paradise; and the flames of Hell; and a Place of atonement [the Altar] by virtue of the offerings [brought thereon]; and the glorious name of the Moshiach which has been desecrated through our sins. All these were created two thousand years before the creation of the inhabited earth.
They are arranged above the firmament, appearing with sparkling lustre, firmly rooted before Him Who dwells over the Cherubim. His throne was placed in the firmament, standing firmly— the seat of the King Whose awe is upon all that surround Him.
From His right hand [He gave us the Torah] a fiery law engraved in writing, which was set on His knees with loving caress. Situated on the south, was the Garden of Eden, on the north was the blazing hell.
Facing east was Jerusalem built with hewn stones, concealing within it the Almighty’s Sanctuary on earth; set in its center was the Altar, that atoned the guilty, it lay on the hewn, foundation stone.2From which God shaped the world.
The name of Yinon [Moshiach] was engraved on it, also the ineffable four-letter Name was etched in letters. There in the center before Him Who blesses His people with rain repentance is joined [with the other six objects], it is the remedy for the sick and grieved.3Because of their sins and transgressions.
It is ready to cleanse the filth, and to provide clean garments, and to pour good [fragrant] oil on the heads of the penitent. Therefore, we come before You, young and old, [pleading with You] to cleanse us from the stench [of sin], and cast away the record of our iniquity.
With prayer, they approach You Your rebellious children; they seek You every day with words of prayer. Let our words be considered as the burning of sacrificial blood and fat, and accept the murmuring of our lips as the sacrificial pieces of bullocks and lambs. Cause our sins to sink into the earth. there where water drips.4Causing the earth to be soft and absorbent. Bring us near to You, under the wings of Your abundant mercy.
For in Your abundant mercy we trust, and on Your righteousness, we rely, and for Your pardon, we hope, and for Your deliverance, we yearn. You are a King Who loves righteousness from of old, Who passes over the iniquities of His people, and removes the sins of those who fear Him. You made a covenant with the Patriarchs, and will keep [Your] oath with their descendants. You are He Who descended in the cloud of Your glory, on Mount Sinai, and disclosed the ways of Your goodness to Moses, Your servant. The ways of Your kindliness, You revealed to him; and You made known to him that You are Almighty, Merciful, Gracious, Slow to anger, Abounding in kindness, and full of beneficence, guiding the entire world with the quality of mercy. And so it is written: “And He said: ‘I will cause to pass all My goodness before you, and I will proclaim the Name, Adonoy in your presence; I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will be compassionate to whom I will be compassionate.’”
You are Almighty, Slow to Anger, Lord of Mercy, You are called, and the way of repentance, You have taught us. The greatness of Your mercy and kindliness, remember this day and every day for the descendants of Your loved ones. Turn to us with compassion for You are the Lord of Mercy. With supplication and prayer we approach Your Presence, as You made known to [Moses,] the modest one of old. From Your fierce anger turn, as it is written in Your Torah. In the shadow of Your wings, may we be sheltered and lodged, as on the day [of which it is said:] “When Adonoy descended in the cloud.” Remove [our] transgression, and blot out [our] iniquity, as on the day [of which it is said:] “And He stood with him there.” Give ear to our cry and listen to our speech, as on the day [of which it is said:] “And He proclaimed the Name, Adonoy” And there it is said:
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קהל וחזן:
Congregation and Chazzan:
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וַיַּעֲבֹר יְהֺוָה עַל פָּנָיו וַיִּקְרָא:
“And Adonoy passed before him [Moses] and proclaimed:
Adonoy, Adonoy, Almighty, Merciful, Gracious, Slow to Anger, and Abundant in Kindness and Truth. Keeper of kindness for thousands of generations, Endurer of iniquity and transgression, and sin, And Acquitter of those who repent.” “And pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for Your inheritance.”
Pardon us our Father, for we have sinned, forgive us our King, for we have transgressed. For You, my Master, are good and forgiving, and abounding in kindness to all who call upon You.
Seek Adonoy while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. “Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says Adonoy of hosts. He who knows shall return, and God will relent and turn from His fierce anger, and not destroy He who knows shall return and repent, and leave a blessing after him. Rend your hearts, not [merely] your clothes, and return to Adonoy, your God. For He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abundant in kindness, and relenting of evil.
As a father has compassion on his children so do You have compassion on us, Adonoy. Deliverance is Adonoy’s; upon Your people is Your blessing. Selah! Adonoy of Hosts is with us, a stronghold for us is the God of Jacob. Selah! Adonoy of Hosts! fortunate is the man who trusts in You. Adonoy, deliver us! the King will answer us on the day we call.
“Please pardon the sins of this nation in accordance with the greatness of Your lovingkindness; and as You forgave this people from when it left Egypt until now.” And there it is said:
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הקהל אומרים:
The Congregation says:
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וַיֹּאמֶר יְהֹוָה סָלַֽחְתִּי כִּדְבָרֶֽךָ:
“And Adonoy said, I have pardoned [them] as you have asked.”
Incline Your ear, my God, and hear, open Your eyes and behold our desolate places, and the city which is called by Your Name; for it is not on account of our righteousness that we let fall our supplication before You, but because of Your great mercy. My Master, hear! My Master, pardon! My Master, listen and take action, do not delay! For Your sake, my God, because Your Name is proclaimed over Your city and over Your people.
מו. ע"פ א"ב. חיבר רבנו שלמה בר יצחק (רש"י)
The following prayer was composed by Rabbi Solomon ben Isaac (Rashi).
אָז טֶרֶם נִמְתְּחוּ נִבְלֵי־שְׁכָבִים. בָּאָרֶץ עַד לֹא דֻבְּקוּ רְגָבִים: גַּבָּךְ שִׁבְעָה דְּבָרִים הָיוּ מְגֻבָּבִים. דַּת וָכֵס וּרְטִיַּת בָּנִים שׁוֹבָבִים:
Even before the clouds were stretched above, and the soil was joined together on earth,1Before God created heaven and earth. in Your Presence seven things were [already] gathered: the Torah; the Divine Throne; and [Repentance] the remedy for rebellious children.
הוֹד גַּן־עֵדֶן וְעֶלֶק הַבְהָבִים. וּמְקוֹם כַּפָּרָה עַל־יְדֵי מַקְרִיבִים: זֹהַר שֵׁם יִנּוֹן מְחוֹלָל מֵחוֹבִים. חֻבְּרוּ אַלְפַּיִם קֹדֶם בְּרִיאַת יִשּׁוּבִים:
The beauty of Paradise; and the flames of Hell; and a Place of atonement [the Altar] by virtue of the offerings [brought thereon]; and the glorious name of the Moshiach which has been desecrated through our sins. All these were created two thousand years before the creation of the inhabited earth.
טְכוּסִים עַל־רָקִיעַ בּוֹטִים כִּשְׁבִיבִים. יְעוּרִים וּמְשֹׁרָשִׁים פְּנֵי יוֹשֵׁב הַכְּרוּבִים: כִּסֵּא הָיָה מֻנַּח בָּרָקִיעַ בְּיִצּוּבִים. לְמוֹשַׁב מֶלֶךְ וְנוֹרָא עַל־סְבִיבִים:
They are arranged above the firmament, appearing with sparkling lustre, firmly rooted before Him Who dwells over the Cherubim. His throne was placed in the firmament, standing firmly— the seat of the King Whose awe is upon all that surround Him.
מִימִינוֹ אֵשׁ־דָּת חֲקוּקָה בִּכְתָבִים. נְתוּנָה עַל בִּרְכּוֹ בְּשַׁעֲשׁוּעַ אֲהָבִים: סָדוּר עַל־הַדָּרוֹם גַּן־רְטוּבִים. עָרוּךְ עַל־הַצָּפוֹן תֹּפֶת שַׁלְהֵבִים:
From His right hand [He gave us the Torah] a fiery law engraved in writing, which was set on His knees with loving caress. Situated on the south, was the Garden of Eden, on the north was the blazing hell.
פְּנֵי־הַמִּזְרָח יְרוּשָׁלַיִם הַבְּנוּיָה בְּמַחֲצָבִים. צָפוּן בְתוֹכָהּ מִקְדַּשׁ־אֵל בְּיִשּׁוּבִים: קָבוּעַ בְאֶמְצַע מִזְבֵּחַ כִּפּוּר חַיָּבִים. רְבוּצָה עָלָיו אֶבֶן שְׁתִיַּת חֲטוּבִים:
Facing east was Jerusalem built with hewn stones, concealing within it the Almighty’s Sanctuary on earth; set in its center was the Altar, that atoned the guilty, it lay on the hewn, foundation stone.2From which God shaped the world.
שֵׁם יִנּוֹן עָלֶיהָ חָקוּק בְּמִכְתָּבִים. תֹּאַר שֵׁם־הַמְּפֹרָשׁ בְּתָוֵי גִּלּוּבִים: שָׁמָּה בַּתָּוֶךְ לִפְנֵי מַאֲזִין מֵאֶשְׁנַבִּים. לִוּוּי תְּשׁוּבָה אֶרֶךְ לְנִדְוִים וְכֹאֲבִים:
The name of Yinon [Moshiach] was engraved on it, also the ineffable four-letter Name was etched in letters. There in the center before Him Who blesses His people with rain repentance is joined [with the other six objects], it is the remedy for the sick and grieved.3Because of their sins and transgressions.
מְעֻתֶּדֶת לְכִבּוּס צוֹאִים, וּלְהַלְבִּישׁ מוּטָבִים. הָרֵק שֶׁמֶן הַטּוֹב עַל־רֹאשׁ שָׁבִים: בְּכֵן אָתָאנוּ לְךָ עֲלָמִים וְשָֹבִים. רַחֵץ מִצַּחַן וְהַשְׁלֵךְ טִמּוּס סְאָבִים:
It is ready to cleanse the filth, and to provide clean garments, and to pour good [fragrant] oil on the heads of the penitent. Therefore, we come before You, young and old, [pleading with You] to cleanse us from the stench [of sin], and cast away the record of our iniquity.
בִּתְפִלָּה יְקַדְּמוּךָ בָּנִים־שׁוֹבָבִים. יוֹם־יוֹם לְדָרְשֶׁךָ בְּפִיץ־נִבִים: יֵחָשֵׁב אֲמָרֵינוּ כְהֶקְטֵר דָּמִים וַחֲלָבִים. צִפְצוּפֵנוּ יְקַבַּל כְּפִסּוּגֵי פָרִים וּכְבָשִׂים: חֲטָאֵינוּ הַצְלֵל בְּקַרְקַע נִטְפֵי־מַרְזֵבִים. קָרְבֵנוּ אֵלֶיךָ בִּרְחִיפַת רַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים:
With prayer, they approach You Your rebellious children; they seek You every day with words of prayer. Let our words be considered as the burning of sacrificial blood and fat, and accept the murmuring of our lips as the sacrificial pieces of bullocks and lambs. Cause our sins to sink into the earth. there where water drips.4Causing the earth to be soft and absorbent. Bring us near to You, under the wings of Your abundant mercy.
כִּי עַל רַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים אָנוּ בְטוּחִים, וְעַל צִדְקוֹתֶיךָ אָנוּ נִשְׁעָנִים, וְלִסְלִיחוֹתֶיךָ אָנוּ מְקַוִּים, וְלִישׁוּעָתְךָ אָנוּ מְצַפִּים: אַתָּה הוּא מֶלֶךְ, אוֹהֵב צְדָקוֹת מִקֶּדֶם, מַעֲבִיר עֲוֹנוֹת עַמּוֹ, וּמֵסִיר חַטֹּאת יְרֵאָיו: כּוֹרֵת בְּרִית לָרִאשׁוֹנִים, וּמְקַיֵּם שְׁבוּעָה לָאַחֲרוֹנִים: אַתָּה הוּא, שֶׁיָּרַדְתָּ בַּעֲנַן כְּבוֹדֶךָ עַל הַר סִינַי, וְהֶרְאֵיתָ דַּרְכֵי טוּבְךָ לְמֹשֶׁה עַבְדֶּךָ: וְאָרְחוֹת חֲסָדֶיךָ גִּלִּיתָ לוֹ, וְהוֹדַעְתּוֹ כִּי אַתָּה אֵל רַחוּם וְחַנּוּן, אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם וְרַב חֶסֶד וּמַרְבֶּה לְהֵטִיב, וּמַנְהִיג אֶת־כָּל־הָעוֹלָם כֻּלּוֹ בְּמִדַּת הָרַחֲמִים: וְכֵן כָּתוּב: וַיֹּאמֶר אֲנִי אַעֲבִיר כָּל־טוּבִי עַל־פָּנֶיךָ וְקָרָאתִי בְשֵׁם יְהוָה לְפָנֶיךָ. וְחַנֹּתִי אֶת אֲשֶׁר אָחֹן, וְרִחַמְתִּי אֶת־אֲשֶׁר אֲרַחֵם:
For in Your abundant mercy we trust, and on Your righteousness, we rely, and for Your pardon, we hope, and for Your deliverance, we yearn. You are a King Who loves righteousness from of old, Who passes over the iniquities of His people, and removes the sins of those who fear Him. You made a covenant with the Patriarchs, and will keep [Your] oath with their descendants. You are He Who descended in the cloud of Your glory, on Mount Sinai, and disclosed the ways of Your goodness to Moses, Your servant. The ways of Your kindliness, You revealed to him; and You made known to him that You are Almighty, Merciful, Gracious, Slow to anger, Abounding in kindness, and full of beneficence, guiding the entire world with the quality of mercy. And so it is written: “And He said: ‘I will cause to pass all My goodness before you, and I will proclaim the Name, Adonoy in your presence; I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will be compassionate to whom I will be compassionate.’”
אֵל אֶֽרֶךְ־אַפַּֽיִם אַתָּה. וּבַֽעַל הָרַחֲמִים נִקְרֵֽאתָ. וְדֶֽרֶךְ תְּשׁוּבָה הוֹרֵֽיתָ: גְּדֻלַּת רַחֲמֶֽיךָ וַחֲסָדֶֽיךָ. תִּזְכֺּר הַיּוֹם וּבְכָל־יוֹם לְזֶֽרַע יְדִידֶֽיךָ: תֵּֽפֶן אֵלֵֽינוּ בְּרַחֲמִים. כִּי אַתָּה הוּא בַּֽעַל הָרַחֲמִים: בְּתַחֲנוּן וּבִתְפִלָּה פָּנֶֽיךָ נְקַדֵּם. כְּהוֹדַֽעְתָּ לֶעָנָיו מִקֶּֽדֶם: מֵחֲרוֹן אַפְּךָ שׁוּב. כְּמוֹ בְּתוֹרָתְךָ כָּתוּב: וּבְצֵל כְּנָפֶֽיךָ נֶחֱסֶה וְנִתְלוֹנָן. כְּיוֹם וַיֵֽרֶד יְהֺוָה בֶּעָנָן: תַּעֲבֺר עַל־פֶּֽשַׁע וְתִמְחֶה אָשָׁם. כְּיוֹם וַַיִּתְיַצֵּב עִמּוֹ שָׁם: תַּאֲזִין שַׁוְעָתֵֽנוּ וְתַקְשִׁיב מֶֽנוּ מַאֲמַר. כְּיוֹם וַיִּקְרָא בְשֵׁם יְהֹוָה, וְשָׁם נֶאֱמַר:
You are Almighty, Slow to Anger, Lord of Mercy, You are called, and the way of repentance, You have taught us. The greatness of Your mercy and kindliness, remember this day and every day for the descendants of Your loved ones. Turn to us with compassion for You are the Lord of Mercy. With supplication and prayer we approach Your Presence, as You made known to [Moses,] the modest one of old. From Your fierce anger turn, as it is written in Your Torah. In the shadow of Your wings, may we be sheltered and lodged, as on the day [of which it is said:] “When Adonoy descended in the cloud.” Remove [our] transgression, and blot out [our] iniquity, as on the day [of which it is said:] “And He stood with him there.” Give ear to our cry and listen to our speech, as on the day [of which it is said:] “And He proclaimed the Name, Adonoy” And there it is said:
קהל וחזן:
Congregation and Chazzan:
וַיַּעֲבֹר יְהֺוָה עַל פָּנָיו וַיִּקְרָא:
“And Adonoy passed before him [Moses] and proclaimed:
יְהֺוָה יְהֺוָה אֵל רַחוּם וְחַנּוּן אֶֽרֶךְ אַפַּֽיִם וְרַב־חֶֽסֶד וֶאֱמֶת: נֹצֵר חֶֽסֶד לָאֲלָפִים נֹשֵׂא עָוֹן וָפֶֽשַׁע וְחַטָּאָה וְנַקֵּה: וְסָלַחְתָּ לַעֲוֺנֵֽנוּ וּלְחַטָּאתֵֽנוּ וּנְחַלְתָּֽנוּ:
Adonoy, Adonoy, Almighty, Merciful, Gracious, Slow to Anger, and Abundant in Kindness and Truth. Keeper of kindness for thousands of generations, Endurer of iniquity and transgression, and sin, And Acquitter of those who repent.” “And pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for Your inheritance.”
סְלַח־לָֽנוּ אָבִֽינוּ כִּי־חָטָֽאנוּ. מְחַל־לָֽנוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ כִּי־פָשָֽׁעְנוּ: כִּי־אַתָּה אֲדֺנָי טוֹב וְסַלָּח וְרַב־חֶֽסֶד לְכָל־קוֹרְאֶֽיךָ:
Pardon us our Father, for we have sinned, forgive us our King, for we have transgressed. For You, my Master, are good and forgiving, and abounding in kindness to all who call upon You.
דִּרְשׁוּ יְהוָה בְּהִמָּצְאוֹ, קְרָאֻהוּ בִּהְיוֹתוֹ קָרוֹב׃ שׁוּבוּ אֵלַי וְאָשׁוּבָה אֲלֵיכֶם אָמַר יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת: מִי־יוֹדֵעַ יָשׁוּב וְנִחַם הָאֱלֹהִים, וְשָׁב מֵחֲרוֹן אַפּוֹ וְלֹא נֹאבֵד׃ מִי יוֹדֵעַ יָשׁוּב וְנִחָם, וְהִשְׁאִיר אַחֲרָיו בְּרָכָה׃ וְקִרְעוּ לְבַבְכֶם וְאַל־בִּגְדֵיכֶם וְשׁוּבוּ אֶל־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם כִּי־חַנּוּן וְרַחוּם הוּא אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם וְרַב־חֶסֶד וְנִחָם עַל־הָרָעָה׃
Seek Adonoy while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. “Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says Adonoy of hosts. He who knows shall return, and God will relent and turn from His fierce anger, and not destroy He who knows shall return and repent, and leave a blessing after him. Rend your hearts, not [merely] your clothes, and return to Adonoy, your God. For He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abundant in kindness, and relenting of evil.
כְּרַחֵם אָב עַל בָּנִים כֵּן תְּרַחֵם יְהֹוָה עָלֵֽינוּ: לַיהֹוָה הַיְשׁוּעָה, עַל עַמְּךָ בִרְכָתֶֽךָ סֶּֽלָה: יְהֹוָה צְבָאוֹת עִמָּֽנוּ מִשְׂגָּב לָֽנוּ, אֱלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב סֶֽלָה: יְהֹוָה צְבָאוֹת, אַשְׁרֵי אָדָם בֹּֽטֵֽחַ בָּךְ: יְהֹוָה הוֹשִֽׁיעָה, הַמֶּֽלֶךְ יַעֲנֵֽנוּ בְיוֹם קָרְאֵנוּ:
As a father has compassion on his children so do You have compassion on us, Adonoy. Deliverance is Adonoy’s; upon Your people is Your blessing. Selah! Adonoy of Hosts is with us, a stronghold for us is the God of Jacob. Selah! Adonoy of Hosts! fortunate is the man who trusts in You. Adonoy, deliver us! the King will answer us on the day we call.
קהל ואח"כ חזן:
The Chazzan repeats after the congregation:
סְלַח נָא לַעֲוֹן הָעָם הַזֶּה, כְּגֹֽדֶל חַסְדֶּֽךָ. וְכַאֲשֶׁר נָשָֽׂאתָה לָעָם הַזֶּה. מִמִּצְרַֽיִם וְעַד הֵֽנָּה. וְשָׁם נֶאֱמַר:
“Please pardon the sins of this nation in accordance with the greatness of Your lovingkindness; and as You forgave this people from when it left Egypt until now.” And there it is said:
הקהל אומרים:
The Congregation says:
וַיֹּאמֶר יְהֹוָה סָלַֽחְתִּי כִּדְבָרֶֽךָ:
“And Adonoy said, I have pardoned [them] as you have asked.”
הַטֵּה אֱלֹהַי אָזְנְךָ וּשְׁמָע, פְּקַח עֵינֶֽיךָ וּרְאֵה שֹׁמְמֹתֵֽינוּ, וְהָעִיר אֲשֶׁר נִקְרָא שִׁמְךָ עָלֶֽיהָ כִּי לֹא עַל צִדְקֹתֵֽינוּ, אֲנַֽחְנוּ מַפִּילִים תַּחֲנוּנֵֽינוּ לְפָנֶֽיךָ, כִּי עַל רַחֲמֶֽיךָ הָרַבִּים: אֲדֹנָי שְׁמָֽעָה, אֲדֹנָי סְלָֽחָה, אֲדֹנָי הַקְשִֽׁיבָה וַעֲשֵׂה, אַל תְּאַחַר. לְמַעַנְךָ אֱלֹהַי, כִּי שִׁמְךָ נִקְרָא עַל עִירְךָ וְעַל עַמֶּֽךָ:
Incline Your ear, my God, and hear, open Your eyes and behold our desolate places, and the city which is called by Your Name; for it is not on account of our righteousness that we let fall our supplication before You, but because of Your great mercy. My Master, hear! My Master, pardon! My Master, listen and take action, do not delay! For Your sake, my God, because Your Name is proclaimed over Your city and over Your people.