Words and Translation of Acheinu, a traditional prayer, recited after Torah reading. This melody is both haunting and uplifting and has become an anthem for congregations around the world since the terrorist attacks of October 7th.
אַחֵינוּ כָּל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל,
אַחֵינוּ כָּל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל,
הַנְּתוּנִים בְּצָרָה וּבַשִּׁבְיָה,
הָעוֹמְדִים בֵּין בַּיָּם וּבֵין בַּיַּבָּשָׁה,
הַמָּקוֹם יְרַחֵם עֲלֵיהֶם,
וְיוֹצִיאֵם מִצָּרָה לִרְוָחָה,
וּמֵאֲפֵלָה לְאוֹרָה,
וּמִשִּׁעְבּוּד לִגְאֻלָּה,
הַשְׁתָּא בַּעֲגָלָא וּבִזְמַן קָרִיב.
Acheinu kol beit yisrael,
Acheinu kol beit yisrael,
han'tunim b'tzara, b'tzara uvashivyah, ha'omdim bein bayam u'vein bayabasha.
Hamakom Y'rachem, Y'rachem Aleihem v'yotziem m'tzara lir'vacha
um'afaila l'orah
umishiabud lig'ulah,
hashta ba'agala uvizman kariv.
Our brothers, the whole house of Israel,
who are in distress and captivity,
whether they are found over sea or over dry land --
May the Omnipresent have mercy on them,
and bring them from distress to comfort,
from darkness to light,
from slavery to redemption,
now, swiftly, and soon.
Acheinu: A Prayer for Freeing Captives | My Jewish Learning background on the origin of this prayer/song, by Rabbi Elie Kaunfer