Selichot Nusach Lita Linear · Fast of Gedaliah, Chapter 11
1
נד. לרבינו יואל ב"ר יצחק הלוי
This prayer is based on the Midrash of the ten martyrs who were killed by the Romans. It was written by Rav Yoel ben Yitzchok HaLevi.
2
יָקְרוּ רֵעֶיךָ
Your “friends”1“Friends,” the righteous are considered God’s “friends.” are dear,
3
רַב מְחוֹלֵל.
Master, Creator
4
אֶדּוֹם לַיהֹוָה וְאֶתְחוֹלֵל.
I shall wait for God and hope [for His help]
5
בְּאוֹיֵב
[that You take vengeance] from the enemy
6
אֲשֶׁר בְּעַמִּי מִסְתּוֹלֵל.
that maltreats My nation.
7
וְעַל זֹאת יִתְפַּלֵּל:
For this shall one pray.
8
יִתְפַּלֵּל כָּל־חָסִיד
Let every pious person pray
9
וְיִלְבַּשׁ שַׂקִּים.
and let him don sackcloths2As a sign of suffering.
10
לְפַתֵּחַ רַגְלֵי
to free the legs
11
אֲסוּרֵי בְזִקִּים.
of those who are tied in chains.
12
וְעַתָּה הִנֵּה עֲבָדֶיךָ לוֹקִים.
As of now Your servants are still smitten.
13
וְאֵלּוּ הֵן הַלּוֹקִין:
“These are flogged.”2*“These are flogged.” Each verse ends with a punishment meted out by the בֵּית דִין—the Jewish court.
14
חָטָאנוּ צוּרֵנוּ
We have sinned to You, our Rock,
15
סְלַח לָנוּ יוֹצְרֵנוּ:
forgive us, our Creator.
16
לוֹקִין וְחוֹבְטִין בְּשׁוֹטִים
They smite and strike with whips
17
יְחִידָתִי.
[the people known as] My one nation.3I.e. Israel.
18
שִׁקֻּוַי בִּבְכִי מָסָכְתִּי.
My drink was blended with tears.
19
מִבּוֹר תַּחְתִּיּוֹת שִׁמְךָ קָרָאתִי.
From the deepest pits I called Your Name:
20
אַיֵּה אֵפוֹא תִקְוָתִי:
Where [and when will I find] my hope?
21
תִּקְוָתִי לְשָׁלוֹם
My hope was for peace.
22
וּמֵחֲדָרִים אֵימוֹת.
[But within our] homes there is fear.
23
וּפָנַי לֹא הִסְתַּרְתִּי מִכְּלִמּוֹת.
I did not hide from disgrace.4For I was accustomed to it.
24
הַצְּבִי יִשְׂרָאֵל
Beloved Israel
25
חָלָל עַל־בָּמוֹת.
is slaughtered upon the hills and mountains.
26
אֵלּוּ הֵן הָאֲשָׁמוֹת:
“These are the sin-offerings.”2*“These are flogged.” Each verse ends with a punishment meted out by the בֵּית דִין—the Jewish court.
27
חָטָאנוּ צוּרֵנוּ
We have sinned to You, our Rock,
28
סְלַח לָנוּ יוֹצְרֵנוּ:
forgive us, our Creator.
29
אֲשָׁמוֹת עָצְמוּ
The sins have overpowered
30
וְנַחֲלָתְךָ יְעַנּוּ.
and they [therefore] torture Your inheritance.5I.e. Israel is tortured by the nations.
31
וְכַצֹּאן לַטֶּבַח נֶחְשַׁבְנוּ.
And we are considered as sheep for slaughter.
32
וְטוּבֵינוּ נִתְפְּשׂוּ בַּעֲווֹנֵינוּ.
The best of us are trapped for our sins.6I.e. the righteous are punished for the sins of the rest.
33
אֲבָל אֲשֵׁמִים אֲנַחְנוּ
We are truly at fault
34
עַל־אַחֵינוּ:
for [that which happens to] our brothers.
35
אַחֵינוּ הַיְּהוּדִים הָאֻמְלָלִים.
Our brothers, the unfortunate Jews,
36
כֹּל שֻׁפַּךְ דָּמָם כִּגְלָלִים.
all their blood is spilled as waste,
37
וְנִדַּשׁ בְּשָׂרָם
and their flesh is beaten
38
אֶת־הַקּוֹצִים וְהַחֲרוּלִים.
with thorns and bramble.
39
אֵלּוּ הֵן הַנִּסְקָלִין:
“These are those who are stoned.”2*“These are flogged.” Each verse ends with a punishment meted out by the בֵּית דִין—the Jewish court.
40
חָטָאנוּ צוּרֵנוּ
We have sinned to You, our Rock,
41
סְלַח לָנוּ יוֹצְרֵנוּ:
forgive us, our Creator.
42
נִסְקָלִין לְעֵינֶיךָ עֲלָמוֹת
Your young are stoned before Your eyes
43
עֲלֵי־מָוֶת.
on [sanctifying Your Name7“Sanctify Your name’—קִדוּשׁ הַשֵׁם—the act of giving one’s life for God. by] death,
44
וְהֵכִין לוֹ אוֹיֵב
and the enemy has prepared for him
45
כְּלֵי־מָוֶת.
instruments of death,
46
וַיֹּאמֶר אָכֵן
and has said: “Truly
47
סָר מַר־הַמָּוֶת.
the bitterness of death has reached you.”8I.e. your end has come.
48
וְקִוִּינוּ לָאוֹר
We hoped for light,
49
וְשָׂמָהּ לְצַלְמָוֶת:
but, He turned it to darkness of death.
50
לְצַלְמָוֶת בִּמְקוֹם־חֹשֶׁךְ
In the place of deep darkness,
51
קוֹלָם מְצַפְצְפִים.
their voice [still] chirps.9‘In … chirps,” i.e. despite great despair we don’t cease to pray.
52
וּמִקּוֹל הַקּוֹרֵא
And from the [great] sound of the crier
53
נָעוּ אֵבָרַי וּמִתְרוֹפְפִים.
my limbs tremble and turn weak.
54
עָמְדוּ בְנִסָּיוֹן
They withstood tests
55
וְנִמְצְאוּ צְרוּפִים.
and were found to be purified.
56
אֵלּוּ הֵן הַנִּשְׂרָפִין:
“These are those who are burned.”2*“These are flogged.” Each verse ends with a punishment meted out by the בֵּית דִין—the Jewish court.
57
חָטָאנוּ צוּרֵנוּ
We have sinned to You, our Rock,
58
סְלַח לָנוּ יוֹצְרֵנוּ:
forgive us, our Creator.
59
נִשְׂרָפִין בְּסִפְרֵיהֶן
They10The children who studied Torah. were burned [together] with their books,
60
כְּרָכוּם עַל־מוֹקְדָם יַחַד.
they were burned together on the pyre
61
וְהִקְדִּישׁוּ אֶת־קְדוֹשׁ יַעֲקֹב
and they sanctified the Holy of Jacob
62
הַמְיֻחָד.
Who is the only One.
63
וַיַּעֲנוּ כָּל־הָעָם קוֹל אֶחָד.
The entire nation answered as one
64
וְהוּא בְאֶחָד:
that He is One.
65
בְּאֶחָד יָצְאוּ נִשְׁמָתָם
At [the word] One their souls departed
66
רַכִּים וַעֲנֻגִּים.
[they who were] gentle and tender,
67
וּלְזֶה הַיּוֹם נַפְשׁוֹתָם עוֹרְגִים.
and for this day their souls thirsted.11They always desired to give their lives for God.
68
מָסְרוּ עַצְמָם
They gave themselves up
69
לְחָרְמִין וְלַהַרָגִין.
to destroyers and murderers.
70
אֵלּוּ הֵן הַנֶּהֱרָגִין:
“These are those who die by the sword.”2*“These are flogged.” Each verse ends with a punishment meted out by the בֵּית דִין—the Jewish court.
71
חָטָאנוּ צוּרֵנוּ
We have sinned to You, our Rock,
72
סְלַח לָנוּ יוֹצְרֵנוּ:
forgive us, our Creator.
73
נֶהֱרָגִין רָבוּ.
The killed have become many
74
תַּלְמִיד עִם־רָב.
the student with his master.
75
נְשָׁכָם
They were bitten
76
נָחָשׁ שָׂרָף וְעַקְרָב.
by the snake, poisonous serpent, and scorpion
77
וְדָמָם עַל־צְחִיחַ סֶלַע נִתְעָרָב.
and their blood mixed on the barren rock
78
וְנָפַל מִמֶּנּוּ רָב:
when many [of Israel] fell.
79
רַב וְצָעִיר וַאֲנָשִׁים צַדִּיקִים.
Old and young and righteous people
80
הַנְּעִימִים
that are beloved to one another
81
בְּחַיֵּיהֶם
in their lifetime
82
וּבְמוֹתָם לֹא־פוֹרְקִים.
and not separated in their death;
83
עֻלָּךְ מְקַבְּלִים
they accept Your yoke
84
מוּמָתִים תַּשְׁנוּקִים.
[then] are killed by strangulation.
85
אֵלּוּ הֵן הַנֶּחֱנָקִין:
“These are those who are strangled.”2*“These are flogged.” Each verse ends with a punishment meted out by the בֵּית דִין—the Jewish court.
86
חָטָאנוּ צוּרֵנוּ
We have sinned to You, our Rock,
87
סְלַח לָנוּ יוֹצְרֵנוּ:
forgive us, our Creator.
88
נֶחֱנָקִין יָצְאוּ לְפָעֳלָם
The strangled went for their reward
89
וְלִמְעוֹנָתָם יִרְבָּצוּן.
and to their dwelling they come to rest.12I.e. they come to their share in the World to Come.
90
הָאוֹיֵב מְחָרֵף וּלְשִׁמְךָ יְנַאֲצוּן.
[Yet], the enemy insults and abuses Your Name.
91
וּמִבְּשָׂרִי
And [from] the wounds of] my flesh
92
לֹא יִשְׂבְּעוּן
they were not satisfied
93
וְיִמְחָצוּן.
and they [continue] to wound us,
94
וְגַם אֶת־הַמֵּת יֶחֱצוּן:
“And also the dead do they divide.”13Even after having murdered, they ruthlessly defile the body.
95
יֶחֱצוּן נְתָחִים נְתָחִים
They slice chunks of flesh
96
אֲמוּלִים.
from the circumcised14I.e. the nation that is circumcised—Israel.
97
וּשְׁטָחוּם עֲרֻמִּים
naked, they scattered them
98
בְּדָמִים מְגֻלָּלִים.
and rolled them in [their] blood;
99
וְיִלְעֲגוּ לָמוֹ
and ridiculed them
100
וְאֵין מַכְלִים.
and there was none to embarrass them.15I.e. the murderous nations.
101
אֵלּוּ הֵן הַגּוֹלִים:
“These are those who are exiled.”2*“These are flogged.” Each verse ends with a punishment meted out by the בֵּית דִין—the Jewish court.
102
חָטָאנוּ צוּרֵנוּ
We have sinned to You, our Rock,
103
סְלַח לָנוּ יוֹצְרֵנוּ:
forgive us, our Creator.
104
גּוֹלִים,
Those who are exiled,
105
נִתְנַכְּלוּ לָמוֹ מְדָנַי.
their enemies conspire against them
106
דְּרֹשׁ אֶל־הַמֵּתִים
to [coerce them] to consult the dead16‘Consult the dead’—a pagan practice.
107
הַנִּקְלָה בְּעֵינַי.
[something] which is a perversion in My eyes.
108
וְנָמוּ הוֹצֵא אֶת־הַמְקַלֵּל
[When they saw that their efforts were fruitless], they said: “Remove the curser [of idols],”
109
שַׁלַּח מֵעַל פָּנַי.
remove him from my presence.”17To be put to death.
110
מִי־יִתֵּן מוּתֵנוּ בְּיַד יְהֹוָה:
Oh! would that we died at the hands of God.18Rather than at the hands of our enemies.
111
יְהֹוָה בְּיָדְךָ מִמְתִים
God, in Your hands are the dead
112
חֹמֶר וְצָבוּר.
in piles and bundles.
113
וְסִדְּרוּ מַעַרְכוֹת־אֵשׁ
And they [the enemies] arranged pyres
114
לְחוֹבַת צִבּוּר.
to do evil to the throngs.
115
וְדָמָם לְפָנֶיךָ יְהִי צָבוּר.
Let their blood be gathered before You!19I.e., avenge their blood.
116
אֵלּוּ הֵן חַטֹּאת הַצִּבּוּר:
“These are the public sin-offerings.”2*“These are flogged.” Each verse ends with a punishment meted out by the בֵּית דִין—the Jewish court.
117
חָטָאנוּ צוּרֵנוּ
We have sinned to You, our Rock,
118
סְלַח לָנוּ יוֹצְרֵנוּ:
forgive us, our Creator.
119
צִבּוּר אֵשׁ שָׁלְחוּ בְיָדוֹ
The congregation,20Of Israel. set themselves afire
120
לְהִבָּדֵק.
to be tested,21To test their own commitment to God.
121
וְלֹא אֵחֲרוּ הַבָּנִים
and the youngsters did not procrastinate
122
לְקַדֵּשׁ
from sanctifying [His Name]
123
מִלְּדַקְדֵּק.
by questioning [God’s motives].
124
וְהוֹצִיאָם
They were removed
125
מִלִּשְׁכַּת הַטְּלָאִים
from the Chamber of Sheep22‘They removed … sheep’—they offered even their young as sacrifices.
126
בְּלִי בֶדֶק.
without examination,23I.e. without the necessary inspection of the sacrifices; meant here to express the lack of hesitation in sanctifying His Holy Name.
127
כִּי שָׁם יִזְבְּחוּ זִבְחֵי צֶדֶק:
for there they sacrificed righteous sacrifices.
128
צֶדֶק וּמִשְׁפָּט תַּעֲטֶה
Wrap Yourself in righteousness and justice,
129
לִנְקֹם נִקְמָתִי.
to avenge me,
130
כִּי הִשְׁמִידוּ הַיּוֹרֵשׁ
for they have devastated the inheritor24The righteous of Israel who inherit and pass down the ways of Israel to future generations.
131
וְכִבּוּ גַּחַלְתִּי.
and [thus] extinguished my ember.
132
לָמָּה כְּאֵבִי נֶצַח
Why is my pain constant,
133
אֲנוּשָׁה מַכָּתִי.
my wound so serious?
134
וְאִלּוּ
And were it only
135
לַעֲבָדִים וְלִשְׁפָחוֹת נִמְכַּרְנוּ
that we were sold to slavery
136
הֶחֱרַשְׁתִּי:
I would have remained silent.
137
חָטָאנוּ צוּרֵנוּ
We have sinned to You, our Rock,
138
סְלַח לָנוּ יוֹצְרֵנוּ:
forgive us, our Creator.
139
הֶחֱרַשְׁתִּי חָרָשׁ
I remained silent as a deaf-mute
140
וְאוֹיֵב מְנָאֵץ וּמְנַבֵּל.
while the enemy abused and disgraced [You].
141
לִנְטֹשׁ יִרְאָתְךָ
They ceased fearing You
142
וְלֶכֶת אַחֲרֵי הַהֶבֶל.
and followed emptiness.25I.e. idol worship.
143
וַיְּמָאֵן בְּבֶצַע
He (the enemy) refused gratuity
144
וְכוֹפֶר לְקַבֵּל.
or to accept ransom26He refused to be bribed and give up his ruthless desire for murder.
145
כִּי נֶפֶשׁ הוּא חוֹבֵל:
for [his goal is] to destroy the soul.
146
חוֹבֵל בִּקַּע הָרִיּוֹתֶיהָ
The destroyer sliced her27I.e. Israel’s. pregnant ones,
147
בֶּן־בִּטְנֵמוֹ.
to destroy his offspring
148
וְהִכְרַעְנָה
and they kneeled
149
יַלְדֵיהֶן תִּפְלַחְמוֹ.
[expelling] their children through the fissures.
150
וַיֹּאמֶר אַיֵּה אֱלֹהֵימוֹ
And [they destroyer] said: “Where is his God,
151
וּמִיָּדִי יוֹשִׁיעֵמוֹ.
that can save him from me?
152
וְאִי לוֹ הָאֶחָד
And woe to the one [nation]
153
שֶׁיִּפּוֹל וְאֵין לַהֲקִימוֹ:
that falls without anyone to raise him.”
154
חָטָאנוּ צוּרֵנוּ
We have sinned to You, our Rock,
155
סְלַח לָנוּ יוֹצְרֵנוּ:
forgive us, our Creator.
156
לַהֲקִימָהּ קוּמָה
[God] rise up to raise her.28I.e. Israel.
157
עַד־מָתַי יְנַאֲצוּנִי.
How long will they [continue to] disgrace me;
158
וְהָיָה כָל מוֹצְאִי יַהַרְגֵנִי.
that whoever finds me slaughters me?
159
לָכֵן אֲמָרֵר בִּבְכִי
Therefore, I cry with bitter tears,
160
אַל־תָּאִיצוּ לְנַחֲמֵנִי.
[thus], do not rush to console me,
161
וְעוֹלַלְתִּי בֶּעָפָר קַרְנִי:
[for] I have soiled my radiance with dirt.
162
קַרְנִי נִגְדְּעָה
My strength was cut down
163
בְּגוּמִין אֲשֶׁר־כָּרוּ זָרִים.
by pitfalls that strangers dug,
164
וּקְבָרוּם חַיִּים
and they buried them alive
165
בְּנִקְרַת הַצּוּרִים.
in the perforation of the rocks.
166
וַתְּכַס עֲלֵיהֶם הָאָרֶץ
The earth covered them
167
וּמֵתוּ בֵּין הַגְּזָרִים.
[where] they died amongst the murdered.
168
אֵלּוּ הֵן הַנִּקְבָּרִים:
“These are those that are buried.”2*“These are flogged.” Each verse ends with a punishment meted out by the בֵּית דִין—the Jewish court.
169
חָטָאנוּ צוּרֵנוּ
We have sinned to You, our Rock,
170
סְלַח לָנוּ יוֹצְרֵנוּ:
forgive us, our Creator.
171
נִקְבָּרִין הֲרוּגָה
The buried and the slaughtered,
172
יַעֲלוּ כִּקְטֹרֶת מְתֻקָּן.
may they rise [to You] as perfect incense
173
לָתֵת לָנוּ מִחְיָה
to give us life,
174
שְׁאֵרִית וּפֻרְקָן.
a remnant, and redemption;29‘The buried … redemption’ i.e. let the merit of those who gave their life to sanctify Your Name serve to keep alive and bring redemption to those of us who are left.
175
וְיָגֶל אֶבֶן
and let the stone be removed
176
מִבְּאֵרוֹת בְּנֵי יַעֲקָן.
from the wells of the suffering.30‘And let … suffering’—a play on the story when Jacob (בני יעקן) removed the stone from the well where he met Rachel. ‘יעקן‘ is derived from ‘עָקָא‘ i.e.—suffering.
177
יִשְׂמַח צַדִּיק כִּי
Let the righteous one rejoice
178
חָזָה יוֹם נָקָם:
when he sees the day of vengeance.
179
נָקָם יָשִׁיב לְצָרָיו
Let Him pay vengeance to His enemies,
180
אֱדוֹם וְיִשְׁמָעֵאל.
Edom and Ishmael,
181
כִּי חִלְּלוּ מְקֻדָּשִׁי
for they profaned my holy one31A reference to R’ Ishmael the High Priest.
נד. לרבינו יואל ב"ר יצחק הלוי
This prayer is based on the Midrash of the ten martyrs who were killed by the Romans. It was written by Rav Yoel ben Yitzchok HaLevi.
יָקְרוּ רֵעֶיךָ
Your “friends”1“Friends,” the righteous are considered God’s “friends.” are dear,
רַב מְחוֹלֵל.
Master, Creator
אֶדּוֹם לַיהֹוָה וְאֶתְחוֹלֵל.
I shall wait for God and hope [for His help]
בְּאוֹיֵב
[that You take vengeance] from the enemy
אֲשֶׁר בְּעַמִּי מִסְתּוֹלֵל.
that maltreats My nation.
וְעַל זֹאת יִתְפַּלֵּל:
For this shall one pray.
יִתְפַּלֵּל כָּל־חָסִיד
Let every pious person pray
וְיִלְבַּשׁ שַׂקִּים.
and let him don sackcloths2As a sign of suffering.
לְפַתֵּחַ רַגְלֵי
to free the legs
אֲסוּרֵי בְזִקִּים.
of those who are tied in chains.
וְעַתָּה הִנֵּה עֲבָדֶיךָ לוֹקִים.
As of now Your servants are still smitten.
וְאֵלּוּ הֵן הַלּוֹקִין:
“These are flogged.”2*“These are flogged.” Each verse ends with a punishment meted out by the בֵּית דִין—the Jewish court.
חָטָאנוּ צוּרֵנוּ
We have sinned to You, our Rock,
סְלַח לָנוּ יוֹצְרֵנוּ:
forgive us, our Creator.
לוֹקִין וְחוֹבְטִין בְּשׁוֹטִים
They smite and strike with whips
יְחִידָתִי.
[the people known as] My one nation.3I.e. Israel.
שִׁקֻּוַי בִּבְכִי מָסָכְתִּי.
My drink was blended with tears.
מִבּוֹר תַּחְתִּיּוֹת שִׁמְךָ קָרָאתִי.
From the deepest pits I called Your Name:
אַיֵּה אֵפוֹא תִקְוָתִי:
Where [and when will I find] my hope?
תִּקְוָתִי לְשָׁלוֹם
My hope was for peace.
וּמֵחֲדָרִים אֵימוֹת.
[But within our] homes there is fear.
וּפָנַי לֹא הִסְתַּרְתִּי מִכְּלִמּוֹת.
I did not hide from disgrace.4For I was accustomed to it.
הַצְּבִי יִשְׂרָאֵל
Beloved Israel
חָלָל עַל־בָּמוֹת.
is slaughtered upon the hills and mountains.
אֵלּוּ הֵן הָאֲשָׁמוֹת:
“These are the sin-offerings.”2*“These are flogged.” Each verse ends with a punishment meted out by the בֵּית דִין—the Jewish court.
חָטָאנוּ צוּרֵנוּ
We have sinned to You, our Rock,
סְלַח לָנוּ יוֹצְרֵנוּ:
forgive us, our Creator.
אֲשָׁמוֹת עָצְמוּ
The sins have overpowered
וְנַחֲלָתְךָ יְעַנּוּ.
and they [therefore] torture Your inheritance.5I.e. Israel is tortured by the nations.
וְכַצֹּאן לַטֶּבַח נֶחְשַׁבְנוּ.
And we are considered as sheep for slaughter.
וְטוּבֵינוּ נִתְפְּשׂוּ בַּעֲווֹנֵינוּ.
The best of us are trapped for our sins.6I.e. the righteous are punished for the sins of the rest.
אֲבָל אֲשֵׁמִים אֲנַחְנוּ
We are truly at fault
עַל־אַחֵינוּ:
for [that which happens to] our brothers.
אַחֵינוּ הַיְּהוּדִים הָאֻמְלָלִים.
Our brothers, the unfortunate Jews,
כֹּל שֻׁפַּךְ דָּמָם כִּגְלָלִים.
all their blood is spilled as waste,
וְנִדַּשׁ בְּשָׂרָם
and their flesh is beaten
אֶת־הַקּוֹצִים וְהַחֲרוּלִים.
with thorns and bramble.
אֵלּוּ הֵן הַנִּסְקָלִין:
“These are those who are stoned.”2*“These are flogged.” Each verse ends with a punishment meted out by the בֵּית דִין—the Jewish court.
חָטָאנוּ צוּרֵנוּ
We have sinned to You, our Rock,
סְלַח לָנוּ יוֹצְרֵנוּ:
forgive us, our Creator.
נִסְקָלִין לְעֵינֶיךָ עֲלָמוֹת
Your young are stoned before Your eyes
עֲלֵי־מָוֶת.
on [sanctifying Your Name7“Sanctify Your name’—קִדוּשׁ הַשֵׁם—the act of giving one’s life for God. by] death,
וְהֵכִין לוֹ אוֹיֵב
and the enemy has prepared for him
כְּלֵי־מָוֶת.
instruments of death,
וַיֹּאמֶר אָכֵן
and has said: “Truly
סָר מַר־הַמָּוֶת.
the bitterness of death has reached you.”8I.e. your end has come.
וְקִוִּינוּ לָאוֹר
We hoped for light,
וְשָׂמָהּ לְצַלְמָוֶת:
but, He turned it to darkness of death.
לְצַלְמָוֶת בִּמְקוֹם־חֹשֶׁךְ
In the place of deep darkness,
קוֹלָם מְצַפְצְפִים.
their voice [still] chirps.9‘In … chirps,” i.e. despite great despair we don’t cease to pray.
וּמִקּוֹל הַקּוֹרֵא
And from the [great] sound of the crier
נָעוּ אֵבָרַי וּמִתְרוֹפְפִים.
my limbs tremble and turn weak.
עָמְדוּ בְנִסָּיוֹן
They withstood tests
וְנִמְצְאוּ צְרוּפִים.
and were found to be purified.
אֵלּוּ הֵן הַנִּשְׂרָפִין:
“These are those who are burned.”2*“These are flogged.” Each verse ends with a punishment meted out by the בֵּית דִין—the Jewish court.
חָטָאנוּ צוּרֵנוּ
We have sinned to You, our Rock,
סְלַח לָנוּ יוֹצְרֵנוּ:
forgive us, our Creator.
נִשְׂרָפִין בְּסִפְרֵיהֶן
They10The children who studied Torah. were burned [together] with their books,
כְּרָכוּם עַל־מוֹקְדָם יַחַד.
they were burned together on the pyre
וְהִקְדִּישׁוּ אֶת־קְדוֹשׁ יַעֲקֹב
and they sanctified the Holy of Jacob
הַמְיֻחָד.
Who is the only One.
וַיַּעֲנוּ כָּל־הָעָם קוֹל אֶחָד.
The entire nation answered as one
וְהוּא בְאֶחָד:
that He is One.
בְּאֶחָד יָצְאוּ נִשְׁמָתָם
At [the word] One their souls departed
רַכִּים וַעֲנֻגִּים.
[they who were] gentle and tender,
וּלְזֶה הַיּוֹם נַפְשׁוֹתָם עוֹרְגִים.
and for this day their souls thirsted.11They always desired to give their lives for God.
מָסְרוּ עַצְמָם
They gave themselves up
לְחָרְמִין וְלַהַרָגִין.
to destroyers and murderers.
אֵלּוּ הֵן הַנֶּהֱרָגִין:
“These are those who die by the sword.”2*“These are flogged.” Each verse ends with a punishment meted out by the בֵּית דִין—the Jewish court.
חָטָאנוּ צוּרֵנוּ
We have sinned to You, our Rock,
סְלַח לָנוּ יוֹצְרֵנוּ:
forgive us, our Creator.
נֶהֱרָגִין רָבוּ.
The killed have become many
תַּלְמִיד עִם־רָב.
the student with his master.
נְשָׁכָם
They were bitten
נָחָשׁ שָׂרָף וְעַקְרָב.
by the snake, poisonous serpent, and scorpion
וְדָמָם עַל־צְחִיחַ סֶלַע נִתְעָרָב.
and their blood mixed on the barren rock
וְנָפַל מִמֶּנּוּ רָב:
when many [of Israel] fell.
רַב וְצָעִיר וַאֲנָשִׁים צַדִּיקִים.
Old and young and righteous people
הַנְּעִימִים
that are beloved to one another
בְּחַיֵּיהֶם
in their lifetime
וּבְמוֹתָם לֹא־פוֹרְקִים.
and not separated in their death;
עֻלָּךְ מְקַבְּלִים
they accept Your yoke
מוּמָתִים תַּשְׁנוּקִים.
[then] are killed by strangulation.
אֵלּוּ הֵן הַנֶּחֱנָקִין:
“These are those who are strangled.”2*“These are flogged.” Each verse ends with a punishment meted out by the בֵּית דִין—the Jewish court.
חָטָאנוּ צוּרֵנוּ
We have sinned to You, our Rock,
סְלַח לָנוּ יוֹצְרֵנוּ:
forgive us, our Creator.
נֶחֱנָקִין יָצְאוּ לְפָעֳלָם
The strangled went for their reward
וְלִמְעוֹנָתָם יִרְבָּצוּן.
and to their dwelling they come to rest.12I.e. they come to their share in the World to Come.
הָאוֹיֵב מְחָרֵף וּלְשִׁמְךָ יְנַאֲצוּן.
[Yet], the enemy insults and abuses Your Name.
וּמִבְּשָׂרִי
And [from] the wounds of] my flesh
לֹא יִשְׂבְּעוּן
they were not satisfied
וְיִמְחָצוּן.
and they [continue] to wound us,
וְגַם אֶת־הַמֵּת יֶחֱצוּן:
“And also the dead do they divide.”13Even after having murdered, they ruthlessly defile the body.
יֶחֱצוּן נְתָחִים נְתָחִים
They slice chunks of flesh
אֲמוּלִים.
from the circumcised14I.e. the nation that is circumcised—Israel.
וּשְׁטָחוּם עֲרֻמִּים
naked, they scattered them
בְּדָמִים מְגֻלָּלִים.
and rolled them in [their] blood;
וְיִלְעֲגוּ לָמוֹ
and ridiculed them
וְאֵין מַכְלִים.
and there was none to embarrass them.15I.e. the murderous nations.
אֵלּוּ הֵן הַגּוֹלִים:
“These are those who are exiled.”2*“These are flogged.” Each verse ends with a punishment meted out by the בֵּית דִין—the Jewish court.
חָטָאנוּ צוּרֵנוּ
We have sinned to You, our Rock,
סְלַח לָנוּ יוֹצְרֵנוּ:
forgive us, our Creator.
גּוֹלִים,
Those who are exiled,
נִתְנַכְּלוּ לָמוֹ מְדָנַי.
their enemies conspire against them
דְּרֹשׁ אֶל־הַמֵּתִים
to [coerce them] to consult the dead16‘Consult the dead’—a pagan practice.
הַנִּקְלָה בְּעֵינַי.
[something] which is a perversion in My eyes.
וְנָמוּ הוֹצֵא אֶת־הַמְקַלֵּל
[When they saw that their efforts were fruitless], they said: “Remove the curser [of idols],”
שַׁלַּח מֵעַל פָּנַי.
remove him from my presence.”17To be put to death.
מִי־יִתֵּן מוּתֵנוּ בְּיַד יְהֹוָה:
Oh! would that we died at the hands of God.18Rather than at the hands of our enemies.
יְהֹוָה בְּיָדְךָ מִמְתִים
God, in Your hands are the dead
חֹמֶר וְצָבוּר.
in piles and bundles.
וְסִדְּרוּ מַעַרְכוֹת־אֵשׁ
And they [the enemies] arranged pyres
לְחוֹבַת צִבּוּר.
to do evil to the throngs.
וְדָמָם לְפָנֶיךָ יְהִי צָבוּר.
Let their blood be gathered before You!19I.e., avenge their blood.
אֵלּוּ הֵן חַטֹּאת הַצִּבּוּר:
“These are the public sin-offerings.”2*“These are flogged.” Each verse ends with a punishment meted out by the בֵּית דִין—the Jewish court.
חָטָאנוּ צוּרֵנוּ
We have sinned to You, our Rock,
סְלַח לָנוּ יוֹצְרֵנוּ:
forgive us, our Creator.
צִבּוּר אֵשׁ שָׁלְחוּ בְיָדוֹ
The congregation,20Of Israel. set themselves afire
לְהִבָּדֵק.
to be tested,21To test their own commitment to God.
וְלֹא אֵחֲרוּ הַבָּנִים
and the youngsters did not procrastinate
לְקַדֵּשׁ
from sanctifying [His Name]
מִלְּדַקְדֵּק.
by questioning [God’s motives].
וְהוֹצִיאָם
They were removed
מִלִּשְׁכַּת הַטְּלָאִים
from the Chamber of Sheep22‘They removed … sheep’—they offered even their young as sacrifices.
בְּלִי בֶדֶק.
without examination,23I.e. without the necessary inspection of the sacrifices; meant here to express the lack of hesitation in sanctifying His Holy Name.
כִּי שָׁם יִזְבְּחוּ זִבְחֵי צֶדֶק:
for there they sacrificed righteous sacrifices.
צֶדֶק וּמִשְׁפָּט תַּעֲטֶה
Wrap Yourself in righteousness and justice,
לִנְקֹם נִקְמָתִי.
to avenge me,
כִּי הִשְׁמִידוּ הַיּוֹרֵשׁ
for they have devastated the inheritor24The righteous of Israel who inherit and pass down the ways of Israel to future generations.
וְכִבּוּ גַּחַלְתִּי.
and [thus] extinguished my ember.
לָמָּה כְּאֵבִי נֶצַח
Why is my pain constant,
אֲנוּשָׁה מַכָּתִי.
my wound so serious?
וְאִלּוּ
And were it only
לַעֲבָדִים וְלִשְׁפָחוֹת נִמְכַּרְנוּ
that we were sold to slavery
הֶחֱרַשְׁתִּי:
I would have remained silent.
חָטָאנוּ צוּרֵנוּ
We have sinned to You, our Rock,
סְלַח לָנוּ יוֹצְרֵנוּ:
forgive us, our Creator.
הֶחֱרַשְׁתִּי חָרָשׁ
I remained silent as a deaf-mute
וְאוֹיֵב מְנָאֵץ וּמְנַבֵּל.
while the enemy abused and disgraced [You].
לִנְטֹשׁ יִרְאָתְךָ
They ceased fearing You
וְלֶכֶת אַחֲרֵי הַהֶבֶל.
and followed emptiness.25I.e. idol worship.
וַיְּמָאֵן בְּבֶצַע
He (the enemy) refused gratuity
וְכוֹפֶר לְקַבֵּל.
or to accept ransom26He refused to be bribed and give up his ruthless desire for murder.
כִּי נֶפֶשׁ הוּא חוֹבֵל:
for [his goal is] to destroy the soul.
חוֹבֵל בִּקַּע הָרִיּוֹתֶיהָ
The destroyer sliced her27I.e. Israel’s. pregnant ones,
בֶּן־בִּטְנֵמוֹ.
to destroy his offspring
וְהִכְרַעְנָה
and they kneeled
יַלְדֵיהֶן תִּפְלַחְמוֹ.
[expelling] their children through the fissures.
וַיֹּאמֶר אַיֵּה אֱלֹהֵימוֹ
And [they destroyer] said: “Where is his God,
וּמִיָּדִי יוֹשִׁיעֵמוֹ.
that can save him from me?
וְאִי לוֹ הָאֶחָד
And woe to the one [nation]
שֶׁיִּפּוֹל וְאֵין לַהֲקִימוֹ:
that falls without anyone to raise him.”
חָטָאנוּ צוּרֵנוּ
We have sinned to You, our Rock,
סְלַח לָנוּ יוֹצְרֵנוּ:
forgive us, our Creator.
לַהֲקִימָהּ קוּמָה
[God] rise up to raise her.28I.e. Israel.
עַד־מָתַי יְנַאֲצוּנִי.
How long will they [continue to] disgrace me;
וְהָיָה כָל מוֹצְאִי יַהַרְגֵנִי.
that whoever finds me slaughters me?
לָכֵן אֲמָרֵר בִּבְכִי
Therefore, I cry with bitter tears,
אַל־תָּאִיצוּ לְנַחֲמֵנִי.
[thus], do not rush to console me,
וְעוֹלַלְתִּי בֶּעָפָר קַרְנִי:
[for] I have soiled my radiance with dirt.
קַרְנִי נִגְדְּעָה
My strength was cut down
בְּגוּמִין אֲשֶׁר־כָּרוּ זָרִים.
by pitfalls that strangers dug,
וּקְבָרוּם חַיִּים
and they buried them alive
בְּנִקְרַת הַצּוּרִים.
in the perforation of the rocks.
וַתְּכַס עֲלֵיהֶם הָאָרֶץ
The earth covered them
וּמֵתוּ בֵּין הַגְּזָרִים.
[where] they died amongst the murdered.
אֵלּוּ הֵן הַנִּקְבָּרִים:
“These are those that are buried.”2*“These are flogged.” Each verse ends with a punishment meted out by the בֵּית דִין—the Jewish court.
חָטָאנוּ צוּרֵנוּ
We have sinned to You, our Rock,
סְלַח לָנוּ יוֹצְרֵנוּ:
forgive us, our Creator.
נִקְבָּרִין הֲרוּגָה
The buried and the slaughtered,
יַעֲלוּ כִּקְטֹרֶת מְתֻקָּן.
may they rise [to You] as perfect incense
לָתֵת לָנוּ מִחְיָה
to give us life,
שְׁאֵרִית וּפֻרְקָן.
a remnant, and redemption;29‘The buried … redemption’ i.e. let the merit of those who gave their life to sanctify Your Name serve to keep alive and bring redemption to those of us who are left.
וְיָגֶל אֶבֶן
and let the stone be removed
מִבְּאֵרוֹת בְּנֵי יַעֲקָן.
from the wells of the suffering.30‘And let … suffering’—a play on the story when Jacob (בני יעקן) removed the stone from the well where he met Rachel. ‘יעקן‘ is derived from ‘עָקָא‘ i.e.—suffering.
יִשְׂמַח צַדִּיק כִּי
Let the righteous one rejoice
חָזָה יוֹם נָקָם:
when he sees the day of vengeance.
נָקָם יָשִׁיב לְצָרָיו
Let Him pay vengeance to His enemies,
אֱדוֹם וְיִשְׁמָעֵאל.
Edom and Ishmael,
כִּי חִלְּלוּ מְקֻדָּשִׁי
for they profaned my holy one31A reference to R’ Ishmael the High Priest.
וַחֲבֵרוֹ רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל.
and his associate Rabbon Simon b. Gamliel.
אַל־תֶּחֱרַשׁ לְדָמָם
Be not silent over their [spilt] blood
וְאַל תִּשְׁקֹט אֵל.
and do not rest, O God.
נְקֹם נִקְמַת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל:
Avenge the vengeance of the Israelites!
חָטָאנוּ צוּרֵנוּ
We have sinned to You, our Rock,
סְלַח לָנוּ יוֹצְרֵנוּ:
forgive us, our Creator.
זְכוֹר לָֽנוּ בְּרִית אָבוֹת
Remember to us the covenant of the Patriarchs,
כַּאֲשֶׁר אָמַֽרְתָּ.
as You promised,
וְזָכַרְתִּי אֶת בְּרִיתִי יַעֲקוֹב
“And I will remember my covenant with Jacob,
וְאַף אֶת בְּרִיתִי יִצְחָק
and also my covenant with Isaac,
וְאַף אֶת בְּרִיתִי אַבְרָהָם
and also my covenant with Abraham
אֶזְכֹּר
will I remember,”
וְהָאָֽרֶץ אֶזְכֹּר:
and the land I will remember.