O holy Torah, pray pleadingly before the Rock Who is revered in holiness. Pour forth sweet prayer and recall the actions at Horeb,1Where the Torah was given to Israel. when they uttered: “We shall do and obey” in order to draw near to God.
Seir and Paran rejected Your Torah not wanting to keep it, God arose and investigated them,2If they observed the seven Noachide laws which they had accepted. seeing that they did not, he released them.3Even from the seven Noachide laws. The High One cast them off for not keeping their statutes; in anger and wrath, he executed vengeance against them.
He came accompanied from His myriads,4He came to Mt. Sinai only with some of His angels. and was sanctified in the heavens; from His right hand a fiery law, a flashing flame. With pleasant faces, they joined themselves to Him, they were kissed from His mouth through the Ten Commandments.5They heard the first two commandments from His mouth.
The world became firmly established though it melted due to the stipulation.6God created the world on the condition that Israel accept the Torah. The world’s existence was not secure until after Sinai. As though finding great spoil, [it rejoiced] at [Israel’s acceptance of] Your word. The mysteries of Your precepts were entrusted to Your loved ones, who have ever since honored You.
Though they are wanderers and fugitives, and exceedingly vexed, in the sweetness of Your honey [the Torah] they always delight. They beautify the tradition of both the Written and Oral Law, they prize Your word as more precious than onyx and jasper [stones].
My heart loves those who expound Your Law, who refine it with clarity, who set aside their time to reveal Your hidden secrets. The general and specific principles they perceive and examine, they banish sleep from their bedchambers.7In order to pursue their study of Torah.
Daily they search and ponder in their hearts [to determine] what is forbidden and what is permitted, and verbally expound their decisions. Between the clean and the unclean, they distinguish and teach; despite distress and privation, their eyes are filled with light.
Statutes and Judgements were decided on their word, and yet by hostile judges were they judged. Remember this O Torah, to strengthen those who study you; those who explain your thoughts, grant them aid and support.
Entreat your Creator with words of supplication, for He is your God, your Creator and your Master. If not for the perfect one’s [Israel] constant meditation in the perfect Torah, it would have been cast in a corner, forsaken and desolate.
Heaven and earth stand firm because of her, and by virtue of [Israel’s] pure reverence and [fulfillment of] her lucid commandments. Chant mightily and pour forth supplication, that our prayers go through [to Him] unobstructed by the clouds.
They approach You8lit. Him. with supplication, to be cleansed from their stains [sins], grant their wish, be merciful and gracious. Gather the numberless congregation into the faithful city [Jerusalem], and like a noisy flock in its pasture, may she resound with multitudes of people.
May He rescue the captives from darkness and gloom, and forever encompass them with strength and songs of rescue. And through repentance may they be gently saved from destruction, may He seek the lost and strayed flock.
May He heal the weak, and remove all sickness, may Zion, the glorious city, be filled.9With multitudes of people. Bind up the broken [Israel] and disgrace the haughty [nations], and greatly avenge the city so attached to You.
Angels of mercy!11Some authorities omit this prayer because they object to the idea of praying to angels. Bring our plea for compassion before the Presence of the Lord of mercy. Angels of prayer! Cause our prayers to be heard before Him Who hears prayer. Angels of weeping! Cause our cries to be heard before Him Who listens to cries. Angels of tears! bring our tears before the King Who is appeased by tears. Intercede for us and amplify supplication and entreaty before the King, Almighty, Who is exalted and uplifted. Mention before Him, cause Him to hear of the Torah learning and good deeds of our ancestors who repose in the dust. May He remember their love and give life to their descendants so that the remnant of Jacob will not perish; for the flock of the faithful shepherd has become a disgrace; Israel the unique nation [has become] an example and a byword [of humiliation]. Hasten and answer us, God of our deliverance, and redeem us from all harsh decrees, deliver in Your abundant mercy Your righteous annointed and Your people.
Master in heaven, we beseech You, as a captive implores his captor. All captives are ransomed with money, but Your people Israel [are redeemed] through compassion and supplication. Grant our petition and our request, that we not return empty-handed from before You.
Master in heaven, we beseech You, as a slave implores his master. We are oppressed and live in darkness, our souls are grieved from great affliction. We don’t have the strength to appease You, Master, do it for the sake of the covenant, which You made with our forefathers.
Guardian of the unique nation guard the remnant of the unique people and let not the unique nation perish, who proclaim the Oneness of Your Name, [saying:] Adonoy is our God, Adonoy is One.
Guardian of the holy nation, guard the remnant of the holy people and let not the holy nation perish who repeat the threefold sanctification to the Holy One.
You Who are appeased by pleas for mercy, are conciliated by supplications be appeased and conciliated to an afflicted generation for there is none else to help.
נח. מיוסד על פי תשר"ק. חתום שמעון בר יצחק חזק.
The following prayer was composed by Rabbi Shimon ben Isaac.
תּוֹרָה הַקְּדוֹשָׁה. הִתְחַנְּנִי בְּבַקָּשָׁה. פְּנֵי־הַצּוּר נַעֲרָץ בִּקְדֻשָּׁה: שִׁפְכִי שִֹיחַ עָרֵב. וְזִכְרִי מַעֲשֵֹה חֹרֵב. בְּנַעֲשֶֹה וְנִשְׁמַע נָמוּ לְהִתְקָרֵב:
O holy Torah, pray pleadingly before the Rock Who is revered in holiness. Pour forth sweet prayer and recall the actions at Horeb,1Where the Torah was given to Israel. when they uttered: “We shall do and obey” in order to draw near to God.
רָגְנוּ שֵֹעִיר וּפָארָן, דָּתוֹתֶיךָ לְשָׁמְרָן. עָמַד וּמְדָדָן רָאָה וְהִתִּירָן: קָדוֹשׁ הִתִּיקָם. לְלֹא שָׁמְרוּ חֻקָּם. בְּאַף וּבְחֵמָה עֲשֹוֹת בָּהֶם נָקָם:
Seir and Paran rejected Your Torah not wanting to keep it, God arose and investigated them,2If they observed the seven Noachide laws which they had accepted. seeing that they did not, he released them.3Even from the seven Noachide laws. The High One cast them off for not keeping their statutes; in anger and wrath, he executed vengeance against them.
צָעַד מֵרְבָבוֹת. וְנִקְדַּשׁ בָּעֲרָבוֹת. מִימִינוֹ אֵשׁ דָּת, וְלַהַב שַׁלְהֵבוֹת: פָּנִים מַסְבִּירוֹת. אֵלָיו מִתְחַבְּרוֹת. הֻנָשְׁקוּ מִפִּיו עֲשֶֹרֶת הַדִּבְּרוֹת:
He came accompanied from His myriads,4He came to Mt. Sinai only with some of His angels. and was sanctified in the heavens; from His right hand a fiery law, a flashing flame. With pleasant faces, they joined themselves to Him, they were kissed from His mouth through the Ten Commandments.5They heard the first two commandments from His mouth.
עוֹלָם נִתְבַּסָּס. אֲשֶׁר מִתְּנָאוֹ נִמְסָס. וּכְמוֹצֵא שָׁלָל־רָב עַל־אִמְרָתְךָ שָֹשֹ: סוֹדֵי פִקּוּדַיִךְ. נִמְסְרוּ לְדוֹדַיִךְ. מֵאָז וְעַד־עַתָּה הֵמָּה מְכַבְּדָיִךְ:
The world became firmly established though it melted due to the stipulation.6God created the world on the condition that Israel accept the Torah. The world’s existence was not secure until after Sinai. As though finding great spoil, [it rejoiced] at [Israel’s acceptance of] Your word. The mysteries of Your precepts were entrusted to Your loved ones, who have ever since honored You.
נָדִים וְגַם נָעִים. וּבְרֹגֶז שְֹבֵעִים. בְנֹפֶת צוּפַיִךְ תָּמִיד מִשְׁתַּעֲשְׁעִים: מַסֹּרֶת לְיַפֵּה. בִּכְתָב וּבְעַל־פֶּה. יָקְרוּ אֲמָרֶיךָ מִשּׁוֹהַם וְיָשְׁפֵּה:
Though they are wanderers and fugitives, and exceedingly vexed, in the sweetness of Your honey [the Torah] they always delight. They beautify the tradition of both the Written and Oral Law, they prize Your word as more precious than onyx and jasper [stones].
לִבִּי לְחוֹקְקַיִךְ. בַּעֲלִיל מְזוֹקְקַיִךְ. קוֹבְעֵי עִתּוֹתָם לְפַלֵּשׁ פְּקָקַיִךְ: כְּלָלוֹת וּפְרָטוֹת. לִרְאוֹת וּלְהַטּוֹת. שְׁנָתָם נוֹדֶדֶת בַּחֲדַר הַמִּטּוֹת:
My heart loves those who expound Your Law, who refine it with clarity, who set aside their time to reveal Your hidden secrets. The general and specific principles they perceive and examine, they banish sleep from their bedchambers.7In order to pursue their study of Torah.
יוֹם־יוֹם יִדְרֹשׁוּן. בְּלִבָּם יַחֲרֹשׁוּן. לֶאֱסֹר וּלְהַתִּיר בְּפִיהֶם יְפָרְשׁוּן: טְמֵאוֹת וּטְהוֹרוֹת. לְהַבְדִּיל וּלְהוֹרוֹת. מִלַּחַץ וְדֹחֵק עֵינֵיהֶם מַנְהִירוֹת:
Daily they search and ponder in their hearts [to determine] what is forbidden and what is permitted, and verbally expound their decisions. Between the clean and the unclean, they distinguish and teach; despite distress and privation, their eyes are filled with light.
חֻקִּים וּמִשְׁפָּטִים. עַל־פִּימוֹ שְׁפוּטִים. וְאוֹיְבֵיהֶם פְּלִילִים וּבָהֶם נִשְׁפָּטִים: זִכְרִי זֹאת תְּעוּדָה. הוֹגַיִךְ לְהִתְעוֹדְדָה, וּמְלִיצֵי הֶגְיוֹנַיִךְ לַעֲזֹר וּלְסַעֲדָה:
Statutes and Judgements were decided on their word, and yet by hostile judges were they judged. Remember this O Torah, to strengthen those who study you; those who explain your thoughts, grant them aid and support.
וְחַנְּנִי פְנֵי קוֹנֵךְ. בְּמַעַן חִנּוּנֵךְ. כִּי הוּא אֱלֹהַיִךְ יוֹצְרֵךְ וַאֲדוֹנֵךְ: הֲלֹא אִם אֵין תַּמָּה. הוֹגָה בִּתְמִימָה. הֵן בְּקֶרֶן זָוִית נְתוּנָה וּמִשְׁתּוֹמְמָה:
Entreat your Creator with words of supplication, for He is your God, your Creator and your Master. If not for the perfect one’s [Israel] constant meditation in the perfect Torah, it would have been cast in a corner, forsaken and desolate.
דֹּק וָחֶלֶד עֲבוּרָהּ עוֹמְדִים בִּגְבֻרָה. בְּיִרְאָה הַטְּהוֹרָה. וּבְמִצְוָה בָּרָה: גִּבְרִי רִנּוּנִים. וְשִׁפְכִי תַּחֲנוּנִים. עֲבֹר תְּפִלָּתֵנוּ בְּאֵין־סִכּוּךְ עֲנָנִים:
Heaven and earth stand firm because of her, and by virtue of [Israel’s] pure reverence and [fulfillment of] her lucid commandments. Chant mightily and pour forth supplication, that our prayers go through [to Him] unobstructed by the clouds.
בָּאֵי עָדָיו בְּתַחַן. לְנַקּוֹתָם מִצַּחַן. מַאֲוַיָּם יִתֵּן יִכְמֹר וְגַם יָחוֹן: אֱסֹף עֲדַת מִי־מָנָה. לְקִרְיָה נֶאֱמָנָה. וּכְעֵדֶר בְּתוֹךְ הַדָּבְרוֹ, מֵאָדָם תְּהִימֶנָּה:
They approach You8lit. Him. with supplication, to be cleansed from their stains [sins], grant their wish, be merciful and gracious. Gather the numberless congregation into the faithful city [Jerusalem], and like a noisy flock in its pasture, may she resound with multitudes of people.
שְִבוּיִם יְמַלֵּט. מֵאַשְׁמַנֵּי עֶלֶט. עֲדֵי־עַד יְסוֹבְבָם עֹז, רָנֵּי פַלֵּט: וּבְשׁוּבָה וָנַחַת יִוָּשְׁעוּ מִשַּׁחַת. בַּקֵּשׁ צֹאן אוֹבְדוֹת וְגַם הַנִּדַּחַת:
May He rescue the captives from darkness and gloom, and forever encompass them with strength and songs of rescue. And through repentance may they be gently saved from destruction, may He seek the lost and strayed flock.
רַפְּאוֹת הַנַּחְלָה. יָסִיר כָּל־מַחֲלָה. צִיּוֹן לְמַלְאוֹת עִיר הַמְּהֻלָּלָה: חֲבשׁ הַנִּשְׁבֶּרֶת. זַלְזֵל הַגְּבֶרֶת. קַנֵּא קִנְאָה גְדוֹלָה, לְעִיר הַמְּחֻבֶּרֶת:
May He heal the weak, and remove all sickness, may Zion, the glorious city, be filled.9With multitudes of people. Bind up the broken [Israel] and disgrace the haughty [nations], and greatly avenge the city so attached to You.
מַכְנִיסֵי רַחֲמִים. הַכְנִיסוּ רַחֲמֵינוּ, לִפְנֵי בַּעַל־הָרַחֲמִים. מַשְׁמִיעֵי תְפִלָּה. הַשְׁמִיעוּ תְפִלָּתֵנוּ, לִפְנֵי שׁוֹמֵעַ תְּפִלָּה: מַשְׁמִיעֵי צְעָקָה. הַשְׁמִיעוּ צַעֲקָתֵנוּ, לִפְנֵי שׁוֹמֵעַ צְעָקָה: מַכְנִיסֵי דִּמְעָה. הַכְנִיסוּ דִמְעוֹתֵינוּ, לִפְנֵי מֶלֶךְ מִתְרַצֶּה בִּדְמָעוֹת: הִשְׁתַּדְּלוּ וְהַרְבּוּ תְחִנָּה וּבַקָּשָׁה, לִפְנֵי מֶלֶךְ אֵל רָם וְנִשָּׂא: הַזְכִּירוּ לְפָנָיו הַשְׁמִיעוּ לְפָנָיו, תּוֹרָה וּמַעֲשִׂים־טוֹבִים שֶׁל שׁוֹכְנֵי־עָפָר: יִזְכֹּר אַהֲבָתָם, וִיחַיֶּה זַרְעָם שֶׁלֹּא תֹאבַד שְׁאֵרִית־יַעֲקֹב: כִּי־צֹאן רוֹעֶה־נֶאֱמָן הָיָה לְחֶרְפָּה, יִשְׂרָאֵל גּוֹי־אֶחָד לְמָשָׁל וְלִשְׁנִינָה: מַהֵר עֲנֵנוּ אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׁעֵנוּ, וּפְדֵנוּ מִכָּל־גְּזֵרוֹת קָשׁוֹת, וְהוֹשִׁיעָה בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, מְשִׁיחַ צִדְקָךְ וְעַמָּךְ:
Angels of mercy!11Some authorities omit this prayer because they object to the idea of praying to angels. Bring our plea for compassion before the Presence of the Lord of mercy. Angels of prayer! Cause our prayers to be heard before Him Who hears prayer. Angels of weeping! Cause our cries to be heard before Him Who listens to cries. Angels of tears! bring our tears before the King Who is appeased by tears. Intercede for us and amplify supplication and entreaty before the King, Almighty, Who is exalted and uplifted. Mention before Him, cause Him to hear of the Torah learning and good deeds of our ancestors who repose in the dust. May He remember their love and give life to their descendants so that the remnant of Jacob will not perish; for the flock of the faithful shepherd has become a disgrace; Israel the unique nation [has become] an example and a byword [of humiliation]. Hasten and answer us, God of our deliverance, and redeem us from all harsh decrees, deliver in Your abundant mercy Your righteous annointed and Your people.
מָרָן דְּבִשְׁמַיָא לָךְ מִתְחַנֵּנָן, כְּבַר שִׁבְיָא דְמִתְחַנֵּן לִשְׁבוּיֵהּ: כֻּלְּהוֹן בְּנֵי־שִׁבְיָא בְּכַסְפָּא מִתְפָּרְקִין, וְעַמָּךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּרַחֲמֵי וּבְתַחֲנוּנֵי: הַב־לָן שְׁאֶלְתִּין וּבָעוּתִין, דְלָא־נֶהֱדַר רֵיקָם מִן־קָדָמָךְ:
Master in heaven, we beseech You, as a captive implores his captor. All captives are ransomed with money, but Your people Israel [are redeemed] through compassion and supplication. Grant our petition and our request, that we not return empty-handed from before You.
מָרָן דְבִשְׁמַיָא לָךְ מִתְחַנֵּנָן, כְּעַבְדָּא דְּמִתְחַנֵּן לְמָרֵיהּ: עֲשִׁיקֵי אֲנַן וּבַחֲשׁוֹכָא שָׁרִינָן. מְרִירָן נַפְשִׁין מֵעַקְתִין דִּנְפִישִׁין: חֵילָא לֵית־בָּן לְרַצוּיָךְ. מָרָן. עֲבִיד בְּדִיל קַיָּמָא דִגְזַרְתְּ עִם־אֲבְהָתָנָא:
Master in heaven, we beseech You, as a slave implores his master. We are oppressed and live in darkness, our souls are grieved from great affliction. We don’t have the strength to appease You, Master, do it for the sake of the covenant, which You made with our forefathers.
שׁוֹמֵר יִשְׂרָאֵל שְׁמוֹר שְׁאֵרִית יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאַל יֹאבַד יִשְׂרָאֵל הָאֹמְרִים שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל:
Guardian of Israel, guard the remnant of Israel, and let not Israel perish, who say, “Hear Israel.”
שׁוֹמֵר גּוֹי אֶחָד שְׁמוֹר שְׁאֵרִית עַם אֶחָד וְאַל יֹאבַד גּוֹי אֶחָד הַמְיַחֲדִים שִׁמְךָ יְהֹוָה אֱלֺהֵֽינוּ יְהֹוָה אֶחָד:
Guardian of the unique nation guard the remnant of the unique people and let not the unique nation perish, who proclaim the Oneness of Your Name, [saying:] Adonoy is our God, Adonoy is One.
שׁוֹמֵר גּוֹי קָדוֹשׁ שְׁמוֹר שְׁאֵרִית עַם קָדוֹשׁ וְאַל יֹאבַד גּוֹי קָדוֹשׁ הַמְשַׁלְּשִׁים בְּשָׁלשׁ קְדֻשּׁוֹת לְקָדוֹשׁ:
Guardian of the holy nation, guard the remnant of the holy people and let not the holy nation perish who repeat the threefold sanctification to the Holy One.
מִתְרַצֶּה בְּרַחֲמִים וּמִתְפַּיֵּס בְּתַחֲנוּנִים הִתְרַצֶּה וְהִתְפַּיֵּס לְדוֹר עָנִי כִּי אֵין עוֹזֵר:
You Who are appeased by pleas for mercy, are conciliated by supplications be appeased and conciliated to an afflicted generation for there is none else to help.
אָבִֽינוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ חָנֵּֽנוּ וַעֲנֵֽנוּ כִּי אֵין בָּֽנוּ מַעֲשִׂים עֲשֵׂה עִמָּֽנוּ צְדָקָה וָחֶֽסֶד וְהוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ:
Our Father, our King! be gracious to us and answer us for we have no [good] deeds: deal with us charitably and kindly and deliver us.