סד. ע"פ א"ב. חתום יצחק בר סעדיה.
אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ
Our God and God of our fathers!
אֵיךְ אוּכַל לָבֹא עָדֶיךָ. How can I return to You through repentance
וְעוֹבְדֵי זוּלָתֶךָ when those who worship other gods
לֹא־עֲזָבוּנִי לְעָבְדֶךָ. don’t permit me to worship You?
וְהֵמָּה בִקְּשׁוּ לְהַפְרִידִי מִמְּךָ. They seek to separate me from You
וַאֲנִי לֹא־עָזַבְתִּי פִּקֻּדֶיךָ:
and still I did not forsake Your precepts.
אֵיךְ גָּלִיתִי How was I able to go into exile
וָאֵלֵךְ בְּכָל־הֵלֶךְ וָפֶלֶךְ. and go on every path and province
וּמָלְכוּ עָלַי מַמְלִיכִים לְמֹלֶךְ. while the idol worshippers ruled over me
וְהֵמָּה דִּינָם עוֹמֵד with their laws that endured
וּמַלְכָּם מוֹלֵךְ. and their king reigned for a long time;
וַאֲנִי לֹא־נִקְרֵאתִי while I have not been called
לָבֹא אֶל־הַמֶּלֶךְ:
to come to the king?
אֵיךְ הָלְכוּ נְחָלִים How were the rivers able to flow
מִדֶּלֶף־דִּמְעִי הַדָּלוּף. from the dripping of my tears
וְנִמְסַרְתִּי לְפוֹעֲלֵי אָוֶן וְסִלּוּף. while I was given over to evil doers?
וְהֵמָּה וּבְנֵיהֶם They and their children
יוֹרוּנִי חֵץ שָׁלוּף. shoot me with arrows from their quivers
וַאֲנִי כְּכֶבֶשֹ אַלּוּף:
while I am a choice sheep taken to slaughter.
אֵיךְ זְמַן קִצִּי נֶחְתָּם How is it that the end of days is concealed
וְלֹא־נוֹדָע. and not known,
וְאוֹיְבַי קַרְנִי גָדַע and my enemies who cut my glory
מִשַּׁחַת פֻּדָּע. are saved from death,
וְהֵמָּה חוֹשְׁבִים חָכְמָתָם considering themselves wise
כְּהֵימָן וְדַרְדַּע. like Haymon1See Rashi Kings I, 2:11, referring to Moses and the generation that left Egypt. and Darda
וַאֲנִי בַעַר וְלֹא אֵדָע:
while I am foolish without wisdom.
אֵיךְ טֹרָפָה מַלְכוּת How is it possible that the kingdom
מַמְלֶכֶת עַם־סְגֻלָּה. of the Chosen People has been torn apart
וְאָרְכָה מְלוּכָה while their kingdom has endured—
לְמַלְכֵי בְּנֵי עַוְלָה. the kingdom of evildoers
וְהֵמָּה יוֹשְׁבִים לָבֶטַח and they live with confidence,
בְּשִֹמְחָה וְגִילָה. in joy and gladness
וַאֲנִי בְתוֹךְ־הַגּוֹלָה:
and I reside in exile?
אֵיךְ כּוֹס הַתַּרְעֵלָה The potion of poison—
שָׁתִיתִי וָאֶגְמָע. how did I drink and swallow?
בָּכִיתִי וָאֶדְמָע I cried and shed tears
מֵעֹל־מַשָּׂא וּמִשְׁמָע. because of the oppressive yoke of Ishmael
וְהֵמָּה לוֹעֲגִים עָלַי while they mock me [and insist]
הַקְשִׁיבָה וּשְׁמָע. that I heed and harken what they say
וַאֲנִי כְּחֵרֵשׁ and I remain like a deaf person
לֹא אֶשְׁמָע:
and I do not hear.
אֵיךְ מְחָצַנִי אֱלֹהַי, How was my God able to smite me
וּמַכְאוֹבִי לֹא־חֻבָּשׁ. while my previous wounds were still unhealed
וּמְעִיל תִּפְאַרְתִּי and the cloak of my glory
לִבְנֵי־אֱדוֹם הֻלְבָּשׁ. was donned by Edom
וְהֵמָּה נֹפֶת אוֹכְלִים as they eat their sweet delicacies—
חָלָב וּדְבָשׁ. milk and honey,
וַאֲנִי כָּעֵשֶֹב אִיבָשׁ:
when I am like withered grass?
אֵיךְ סְבָבוּנִי קֵדָר How did the nation of Kedar surround me
כִּתְּרוּנִי דְדָן־וּשְׁבָא. and Didan and Shva rule over me?
הַקּוֹרְאִים נָבִיא They proclaim as a prophet
לְאִישׁ מֵעוֹלָם לֹא־נִבָּא. a man who never prophecied
וְהֵמָּה עוֹשִֹים חַיִל they provide strength for their kingdoms,
גְּדוּד וּצְבָא. troops and armies
וַאֲנִי אָנָה אֲנִי־בָא:
and I, where shall I go?
אֵיךְ פָּקַדְתָּ עָלַי How did You administer such suffering
כַּאֲשֶׁר הֵרֵעוֹתִי וְהִסְכָּלְתִּי commensurate with my sins and foolishness?
בְּשִׁנֵּי אֲרָיוֹת וּלְבָאִים In the teeth of lions and lionesses
נֶאֱכָלְתִּי: was I consumed,
וְהֵמָּה צָעִיר־וְרַב and they, young and old [were confident]
אוֹמְרִים מָצָאתִי וְגַּם־יָכֹלְתִּי. saying that they can overpower us.
וַאֲנִי כַּאֲשֶׁר שָׁכוֹלְתִּי As I was childless from previous suffering,
שָׁכָלְתִּי:
I became again childless from further suffering.
אֵיךְ קָדְרוּ כּוֹכָבַי How did my stars become dark
וְחָזְרוּ גַלְגַּלַּי. and my zodiac change
וְעוֹבְדֵי גִלּוּלִים גָּלְלוּ גְלִילַי. as the nations abominated my scrolls?
וְהֵמָּה רִחֲקוּ רַגְלַי They prevented my feet
מֵעֲלוֹת רְגָלַי. from ascending to Jerusalem during festivals
וַאֲנִי כִּמְעַט נָטָיוּ רַגְלָי:
and I virtually veered completely from God.
אֵיךְ שָׁמַרְתָּ מַעֲוָיַי How did You heed my iniquities
וּנְטַרְתַּנִי חוֹבִי. and scrutinize my guilt
וּמֵרִיבֵי נַפְשִׁי but against those who battle my soul
לֹא־רַבְתָּ רִיבִי. You did not defend me?
וְהֵמָּה תָּקְפָם וְכֹחָם Even while they were in full strength
לְהַכְאִיבִי וּלְהַדְאִיבִי. in inflicting pain and anguish upon me
וַאֲנִי בְּחַסְדְּךָ בָטַחְתִּי and still I trusted in Your kindness
יָגֵל לִבִּי:
and my heart therefore rejoiced.
אֵיךְ יָשַׁבְתִּי בָדָד How did I sit alone
וָאֱהִי לְנִדָּה. and become cast astray
מִכָּבוֹד יְרוּדָה and denigrated from my dignity?
בַּגּוֹיִם נְדוּדָה. I wandered amongst the nations
וְהֵמָּה צָלְחוּ וּמָלְכוּ while they ruled and were successful
וּמֶמְשַׁלְתָּם עָמְדָה. their kingdom endured
וַאֲנִי שְׁכוּלָה וְגַלְמוּדָה:
and I am childless and alone.
אֵיךְ חֵרְפוּנִי מְעוֹלָלַי How have my mockers and denigraters
מְהוֹלָלַי כֻּלָּהֶם. so embarrassed me.
צִלָּם אֶצְלָם לֹא־סָר מֵעֲלֵיהֶם. Their power has not deserted them;
וְהֵמָּה קָרְאוּ as they cried out
הֶאָח הֶאָח בְּמִלֵּיהֶם. Aha! Aha! with words [of joy]
וַאֲנִי הָיִיתִי חֶרְפָּה לָהֶם:
I was a disgrace with them.
אֵיךְ בֵּינֵיהֶם נִשְׁאַרְתִּי How did I remain amongst them
דּוֹאֵג וְדוֹאֵב. in worry and pain?
מִפַּלְגֵי יְגוֹנָם From the waves of anguish they pour on me
וּמִמְּקוֹרָם שׁוֹאֵב and from their spring, do I draw;
וְהֵמָּה רוֹבְצִים וְשׁוֹכְבִים while they rest and lay [secure]
כְּעוֹרֵב וְכִזְאֵב. as the raven and the wolf,
וַאֲנִי עָנִי וְכוֹאֵב:
while I am oppressed and sore.
אֵיךְ שֹוֹנְאֵי כָל־טָהֳרָה How is it that those who despise pureness,
שָׁכְנוּ בְצִיּוֹן. dwell in Zion?
מִי־הֶאֱמִין כָּזֶה Who would believe such a thing,
מִי־עָלָה־לוֹ בְּרִצָיוֹן. who would imagine this to be God’s will?
וְהֵמָּה עֲשִׁירִים נְשִֹיאִים While they are wealthy princes,
נְתוּנִים עֶלְיוֹן. having been given high positions,
וַאֲנִי עָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן:
I remain impoverished and needy.
אֵיךְ־גָרוּ בְהֵיכָלוֹתַי How do they live in my Palace [my Temple]
וְשָׁכְנוּ־בָם שְׁכוֹן. and dwell there in dwellings
מֵעֶלְיוֹן לְתַחְתּוֹן from above to below2The Temple mount to the Courtyard.
וּמִתַּחְתּוֹן לְתִיכוֹן. and from below to the middle?3From the Courtyard to the Temple.
וְהֵמָּה יָרְשׁוּ הוֹן זָהָב While they have inherited a wealth of gold
וַאֲדַרְכּוֹן. and precious coins,
וַאֲנִי לְצֶלַע נָכוֹן:
I am crippled while awaiting more blows.
אֵיךְ חֶשְׁבּנוֹתַי נָפוֹצוּ How is that my thoughts are confused
וְהֵמָּה־עָלוּ בְּמַחְשְׁבוֹתֶיךָ. while they remain in Your thoughts?
זָכְרֵנוּ־נָא וּפָקְדֵּנוּ Remember us and be mindful of us
בִּישׁוּעָתֶךָ מֵעוֹבְדֵי בִּלְתֶּךָ. for deliverance from idol worshippers.
וְהֵמָּה קַלְּעֵם וְבַלְּעֵם Let them be devoured and removed
מִמְּכוֹן שִׁבְתֶּךָ. from the Place of Your Dwelling,
וַאֲנִי בְּרֹב חַסְדְּךָ and then through Your abundant kindness,
אָבוֹא בֵיתֶךָ:
I will enter Your House.
אֵל מֶֽלֶךְ. Almighty! King!
יוֹשֵׁב עַל כִּסֵּא רַחֲמִים. Who sits on the throne of mercy,
מִתְנַהֵג בַּחֲסִידוּת. governs with kindness
מוֹחֵל עֲוֹנוֹת עַמּוֹ. forgives the iniquities of His people.
מַעֲבִיר רִאשׁוֹן רִאשׁוֹן. He removes their sins one by one,
מַרְבֶּה מְחִילָה לְחַטָּאִים increasing forgiveness to sinners,
וּסְלִיחָה לְפוֹשְׁעִים. and pardon to transgressors.
עוֹשֶׂה צְדָקוֹת Acting righteously
עִם כָּל בָּשָׂר וָרֽוּחַ. with all who are of flesh and spirit;
לֹא כְרָעָתָם not according to their wickedness
תִּגְמוֹל: does He repay them.
אֵל Almighty!
הוֹרֵיתָ לָנוּ לוֹמַר You instructed us to recite
שְׁלשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה. the thirteen Divine attributes;
וּזְכָר לָֽנוּ הַיּוֹם remember unto us this day
בְּרִית שְׁלשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה. the covenant of thirteen Divine attributes,
כְּמוֹ שֶׁהוֹדַֽעְתָּ as You made them known
לֶעָנָו מִקֶּֽדֶם. to the humble Moses of old,
כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב as it is written,
וַיֵּרֶד יְהֹוָה בֶּֽעָנָן “And Adonoy descended in the cloud,
וַיִּתְיַצֵּב עִמּוֹ שָׁם and stood with him there,
וַיִּקְרָא בְשֵׁם יְהֹוָה:
and proclaimed the Name, Adonoy.
קהל וחזן:
Congregation and Chazzan:
וַיַּֽעֲבֹר יְהֹוָה עַל פָּנָיו And Adonoy passed before him [Moses],
וַיִּקְרָא:
and proclaimed:
יְהֹוָה יְהֹוָה Adonoy, Adonoy,
אֵל רַחוּם וְחַנּוּן Almighty, Merciful, Gracious,
אֶֽרֶךְ אַפַּֽיִם Slow to Anger,
וְרַב חֶֽסֶד וֶֽאֱמֶת: and Abundant in Kindness, and Truth.
נֹצֵר חֶֽסֶד Keeper of kindness
לָאֲלָפִים for thousands of generations,
נֹשֵׂא עָוֹן וָפֶֽשַׁע Endurer of iniquity, and transgression,
וְחַטָּאָה and sin;
וְנַקֵּה: and Acquitter of those who repent.
וְסָלַחְתָּ לַעֲוֹנֵֽנוּ וּלְחַטָּאתֵֽנוּ “And pardon our iniquity and our sin,
וּנְחַלְתָּֽנוּ:
and take us for Your inheritance.”
סְלַח לָֽנוּ אָבִֽינוּ כִּי חָטָֽאנוּ. Pardon us our Father, for we have sinned,
מְחַל לָֽנוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ כִּי פָשָֽׁעְנוּ: forgive us our King, for we have transgressed.
כִּי אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי “For You, my Master,
טוֹב וְסַלָּח are good and forgiving,
וְרַב חֶֽסֶד and abounding in kindness
לְכָל קֹרְאֶֽיךָ:
to all who call upon You.”
יִּזְכֹּר אֱלֹהִים אֶת־בְּרִיתוֹ God will remember His covenant
אֶת־אַבְרָהָם אֶת־יִצְחָק with Abraham, with Isaac
וְאֶת־יַעֲקֹב׃ and with Jacob.
בִּי נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי נְאֻם־יְהוָה “I have sworn by Myself,” declares Adonoy,
כִּי יַעַן אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָ “That because you performed
אֶת־הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה this deed
וְלֹא חָשַׂכְתָּ and did not withhold
אֶת־בִּנְךָ אֶת־יְחִידֶךָ׃ your only son,
כִּי־בָרֵךְ אֲבָרֶכְךָ I will bless you greatly
וְהַרְבָּה אַרְבֶּה אֶת־זַרְעֲךָ and make your descendants numerous
כְּכוֹכְבֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם as the stars of the sky
וְכַחוֹל אֲשֶׁר עַל־שְׂפַת הַיָּם and as the sand on the seashore,
וְיִרַשׁ זַרְעֲךָ and your descendants will inherit
אֵת שַׁעַר אֹיְבָיו׃ the gate of their enemies.
וְהִתְבָּרֲכוּ בְזַרְעֲךָ Through your children, will be blessed
כֹּל גּוֹיֵי הָאָרֶץ all the nations of the world
עֵקֶב אֲשֶׁר שָׁמַעְתָּ בְּקֹלִי׃
because you heeded my voice.”
כְּרַחֵם אָב עַל בָּנִים As a father has compassion on his children
כֵּן תְּרַחֵם יְהֹוָה עָלֵֽינוּ: so do You have compassion on us, Adonoy.
לַיהֹוָה הַיְשׁוּעָה, Deliverance is Adonoy’s;
עַל עַמְּךָ בִרְכָתֶֽךָ סֶּֽלָה: upon Your people is Your blessing. Selah!
יְהֹוָה צְבָאוֹת עִמָּֽנוּ Adonoy of Hosts is with us,
מִשְׂגָּב לָֽנוּ, אֱלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב סֶֽלָה: a stronghold for us is the God of Jacob. Selah!
יְהֹוָה צְבָאוֹת, Adonoy of Hosts!
אַשְׁרֵי אָדָם בֹּֽטֵֽחַ בָּךְ: fortunate is the man who trusts in You.
יְהֹוָה הוֹשִֽׁיעָה, Adonoy, deliver us;
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ יַעֲנֵֽנוּ בְיוֹם קָרְאֵנוּ:
the King will answer us on the day we call.
סְלַח נָא לַעֲוֹן הָעָם הַזֶּה, “Please pardon the sins of this nation
כְּגֹֽדֶל in accordance with the greatness
חַסְדֶּֽךָ. of Your lovingkindness;
וְכַאֲשֶׁר נָשָֽׂאתָה לָעָם הַזֶּה. and as You forgave this people
מִמִּצְרַֽיִם וְעַד הֵֽנָּה. from when it left Egypt until now.”
וְשָׁם נֶאֱמַר:
And there it is said:
וַיֹּאמֶר יְהֹוָה “And Adonoy said,
סָלַֽחְתִּי כִּדְבָרֶֽךָ:
I have pardoned [them] as you have asked.”
הַטֵּה אֱלֹהַי אָזְנְךָ וּשְׁמָע, Incline Your ear, my God, and hear,
פְּקַח עֵינֶֽיךָ וּרְאֵה שֹׁמְמֹתֵֽינוּ, open Your eyes and behold our desolate places,
וְהָעִיר אֲשֶׁר נִקְרָא שִׁמְךָ עָלֶֽיהָ and the city which is called by Your Name;
כִּי לֹא עַל צִדְקֹתֵֽינוּ, for it is not on account of our righteousness
אֲנַֽחְנוּ מַפִּילִים תַּחֲנוּנֵֽינוּ לְפָנֶֽיךָ, that we let fall our supplication before You,
כִּי עַל רַחֲמֶֽיךָ הָרַבִּים: but because of Your great mercy.
אֲדֹנָי שְׁמָֽעָה, אֲדֹנָי סְלָֽחָה, My Master, hear! My Master, pardon!
אֲדֹנָי הַקְשִֽׁיבָה וַעֲשֵׂה, My Master, listen and take action,
אַל תְּאַחַר. do not delay!
לְמַעַנְךָ אֱלֹהַי, For Your sake, my God,
כִּי שִׁמְךָ נִקְרָא because Your Name is proclaimed
עַל עִירְךָ וְעַל עַמֶּֽךָ:
over Your city and over Your people.