To Overcome Dispute, a Person Must Fast or Give Charity / Reviving the Dead Days of One’s Past When people attempt to prevent an individual from carrying out his purpose — whether in the material or spiritual realms — he is unable to pray properly or otherwise serve God. In order to nullify that dispute and make peace, he must fast (or engage in its equivalent, which is giving charity). The reason is as follows. A person’s heart is filled with many disparate drives. When he fasts, he subjugates and weakens his heart. As a result, all of his desires are nullified before the will of God and, consequently, his heart clings to God. When that happens, the will of others is nullified before his, in keeping with our sages’ dictum, “Nullify your will before His will, so that He will nullify the will of others before your will.” Also, when a person fasts, that revives his former days that lacked life. Each day receives two influxes of energy. First, as an independent entity, it has its own life force. In addition, it receives a flow of energy from Above. When a person performs mitzvot and good deeds, the flow of energy from Above to that day is abundant and generous. But when he does not perform mitzvot and good deeds, the flow of energy from Above to that day is reduced. Furthermore, if he engages in evil, he deprives the day on which he does so of both sources of energy — the flow of energy from Above and its own life force. As a result, such a day is a lifeless corpse. Fasting revives these dead days. The reason for this may be explained as follows. When a person fasts, he receives no life force from that day. Instead, he makes use of the energy of the previous day. Should he fast more, he makes use of the energy of previous days until, ultimately, he reaches all the way back to the beginning of his life. At the same time, as this person fasts, he conveys the Divine life force and power of mitzvot to the lifeless days of his past, until he revives and illumines them all. And since that life force comprises a structure of joy, he brings joy into his life. God Desires Our Repentance HaShem, God of truth, You Who are unique and preceded all existence, You Who devise thoughts so that no one will remain exiled from You, You Who are good and do good to all, You Who gaze upon the wicked person with the desire that he will become righteous, You Who proclaim the generations from the beginning, You Who desire repentance — for the sake of Your Name and for the sake of our holy fathers, restore us to You in complete repentance.
God Transforms Worlds Master of the world, You Who know secrets, You Who are elevated and holy, You Who bring about mighty realities, Master of war, You Who sow righteousness and cause salvation to flourish, Creator of healing, You Who deserve awesome praise, Master of wonders, You Who renew the act of Creation every day, You Who create hidden miracles and wonders — no one knows the essence of Your greatness, no one knows the wonders that You constantly perform, all of which are meant only to bring us close to You.
Only You know everything that You do to help all Jews repent and rectify their souls. At every moment, You perform infinite wonders to transform worlds, all for the sake of giving us hints on many levels and in endless ways that call us back to You from wherever we are. Only this is true goodness; there is no other goodness in the world.
God’s Compassion My compassionate Father, my King Who is good and does good to all, I acknowledge all of the kind favors, redemptions and wonders that You have performed for me throughout my life.
Despite all of the sins that I committed — whether accidentally or on purpose, against my will or willingly — Your compassion has never ceased. You still awaken me, help me maintain my hope in Your redemption, and inspire me to pray to You.
Besides that, every day You sanctify me by helping me perform Your awesome commandments in this bleak and impermanent world that passes like the blink of an eye.
How great is Your goodness that You have done for me. “How can I repay HaShem for all of His kindness to me?” But I gather the courage to pray to You and bow down before You.
Fasting Properly Master of compassion and salvation, “great in counsel and mighty in deed,” guide me at every step on the straight path of repentance, so that I will quickly return to You.
You revealed through our sages the great power of fasting, which constitutes the essence of repentance. Our sages also teach that a person may not fast without gaining the permission of a sage — and, in particular, they warn that a Torah scholar should not fast if that will affect his learning.
HaShem, God of truth, You know all the matters concealed in my heart — particularly my hesitancy to fast, since doing so is difficult, and my lack of clarity regarding how and when to fast.
Overcoming Dispute Please teach me how to serve You — in particular, how to fast without being confused by indecisiveness, which would detract from the little that I have accomplished.
Moreover, may I nullify dispute and draw down peace, overall and in detail — whether dispute caused by people who attack Jews who wish to become more holy, with the goal of turning these people aside from truth, or dispute generated in my own heart that blocks me from serving You as I wish, almost to the point that “the strength of the porter has collapsed.”
I wish to purify my mind. But foreign thoughts and evil musings — both of which are types of “dispute” — cause me to experience much confusion. In order to counter all of this, may I engage in fasts.
May I also overcome all of my blemished desires. May I nullify them before Your will, as my heart clings to serving You and I never turn aside from doing Your will.
May every sort of dispute — dispute from people and dispute in my heart — come to an end. May I attain peace on every level, so that I will return to You and live in accordance with Your beneficent will always, from this moment on.
May I confess my sins and regret having committed them. May I abandon my evil ways and confused thoughts, and resolve to never again return to my foolishness, to never again do evil in Your eyes.
The Holy Fast of Yom Kippur Help me attain the holiness of the awesome and elevated day of Yom Kippur, the day of the year that You chose to forgive the sins of Your people. Help me keep this day properly and repent completely.
Forgive me my sins, which are more numerous than the sands of the sea. In the merit of the holiness of this day — and particularly of my fasting — may I nullify the expressions of my will that oppose Your will, until I am always in accord with Your will and never turn aside from it, either to the right or the left.
When I reach that level, please nullify the will of others before my will. Remove every type of dispute from my life — whether the dispute that comes from other people, or the dispute that rages within my bones due to my sins.
“There is no peace in my bones because of my transgression.” Despite all of my efforts to attain holiness, I experience impediments without measure — principally, the impediments set up within my mind and heart.
May I nullify all of these by engaging in the holy fast of Yom Kippur. This day contains within it all the days of the year. As the verse states, “Your eyes saw my rough form; all people are recorded in Your book — they were created on many days, but to Him these days are one.” This one day, our sages teach, is Yom Kippur.
Help me repent throughout the year, and particularly on the holy day of Yom Kippur. Help me fast on Yom Kippur in awesome holiness and joy. May I then sanctify myself and know how to fast throughout the year, and always remain in accordance with Your beneficent will, so that I will never be ashamed and will never stumble.
I cruelly removed the life force from these days. Not only did I not add Heavenly life force to them by learning Torah and serving You, but I removed the essence of their life force by sinning.
May I rectify all of these dead days with the power of the holy fast of Yom Kippur and all other fasts. May I fast so much that my body will ultimately reach back to the days that I was nursing in order to gain its nutrition. In that way, may I revive, raise and rectify all of the days of my life.
Then, on the day that I leave this world, may I not come before You in shame. Rather, may all of the days of my life attain the quality of holiness. May they all be whole, pure and rectified, in accordance with Your beneficent will.
You Who grant favors even to those who are guilty, You have granted me everything good. You made me a member of the Jewish people and separated me from those who err.
Help me from this moment on to separate myself from this world. May I gain equanimity, conquer my evil inclination, rule over my spirit, and strengthen myself at all times until I can close my eyes to the sights of this world and engage in many fasts.
Accept these fasts with love. Bring me close to You. Give joy to my spirit always, so that with the help of the power of the true Tzaddikim, I will rectify all that I blemished throughout the course of my life.
“Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; I have hoped for You all day long.” “HaShem, teach me the way of Your laws, and I will keep it at every step.” “HaShem, teach me Your ways. I will walk in Your truth. Unify my heart to fear Your Name.” “HaShem, teach me Your ways. Guide me on a path that is straight, despite my enemies who gaze upon me.” “Send Your light and Your truth to guide me; they will bring me to Your holy mountain and to Your dwelling place.”
[עַל־פִּי תּוֹרָה קע"ט - תַּעֲנִית מְבַטֵּל מַחֲלֹקֶת]
יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהִים אֱמֶת, יָחִיד קַדְמוֹן, חוֹשֵׁב מַחֲשָׁבוֹת לְבַל יִדַּח מִמֶּנּוּ נִדָּח, טוֹב וּמֵטִיב לַכֹּל, צוֹפֶה לָרָשָׁע וְחָפֵץ בְּהִצָּדְקוֹ, קוֹרֵא הַדּוֹרוֹת מֵרֹאשׁ, הָרוֹצֶה בִּתְשׁוּבָה, רַחֵם עָלַי לְמַעַן שְׁמֶךָ וּלְמַעַן אֲבוֹתֵינוּ הַקְּדוֹשִׁים, וְהַחֲזִירֵנִי בִּתְשׁוּבָה שְׁלֵמָה לְפָנֶיךָ,
To Overcome Dispute, a Person Must Fast or Give Charity / Reviving the Dead Days of One’s Past
When people attempt to prevent an individual from carrying out his purpose — whether in the material or spiritual realms — he is unable to pray properly or otherwise serve God. In order to nullify that dispute and make peace, he must fast (or engage in its equivalent, which is giving charity). The reason is as follows.
A person’s heart is filled with many disparate drives. When he fasts, he subjugates and weakens his heart. As a result, all of his desires are nullified before the will of God and, consequently, his heart clings to God. When that happens, the will of others is nullified before his, in keeping with our sages’ dictum, “Nullify your will before His will, so that He will nullify the will of others before your will.”
Also, when a person fasts, that revives his former days that lacked life. Each day receives two influxes of energy. First, as an independent entity, it has its own life force. In addition, it receives a flow of energy from Above. When a person performs mitzvot and good deeds, the flow of energy from Above to that day is abundant and generous. But when he does not perform mitzvot and good deeds, the flow of energy from Above to that day is reduced. Furthermore, if he engages in evil, he deprives the day on which he does so of both sources of energy — the flow of energy from Above and its own life force. As a result, such a day is a lifeless corpse.
Fasting revives these dead days. The reason for this may be explained as follows. When a person fasts, he receives no life force from that day. Instead, he makes use of the energy of the previous day. Should he fast more, he makes use of the energy of previous days until, ultimately, he reaches all the way back to the beginning of his life. At the same time, as this person fasts, he conveys the Divine life force and power of mitzvot to the lifeless days of his past, until he revives and illumines them all. And since that life force comprises a structure of joy, he brings joy into his life.
God Desires Our Repentance
HaShem, God of truth, You Who are unique and preceded all existence, You Who devise thoughts so that no one will remain exiled from You, You Who are good and do good to all, You Who gaze upon the wicked person with the desire that he will become righteous, You Who proclaim the generations from the beginning, You Who desire repentance — for the sake of Your Name and for the sake of our holy fathers, restore us to You in complete repentance.
וַעֲשֵׂה אֵת אֲשֶׁר בְּחֻקֶּיךָ אֵלֵךְ וְאֶת מִצְוֹתֶיךָ אֶשְׁמֹר מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם:
Help me walk in the way of Your laws and keep Your commandments from this moment on.
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, יוֹדֵעַ תַּעֲלוּמוֹת, מָרוֹם וְקָדוֹשׁ פּוֹעֵל גְּבוּרוֹת עוֹשֶׂה חֲדָשׁוֹת, בַּעַל מִלְחָמוֹת זוֹרֵעַ צְדָקוֹת מַצְמִיחַ יְשׁוּעוֹת, בּוֹרֵא רְפוּאוֹת נוֹרָא תְהִלּוֹת אֲדוֹן הַנִּפְלָאוֹת, הַמְחַדֵּשׁ בְּטוּבוֹ בְּכָל יוֹם תָּמִיד מַעֲשֵׂה בְרֵאשִׁית. אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה עוֹשֶׂה בְּכָל יוֹם תָּמִיד נִסִּים וְנִפְלָאוֹת חֲדָשׁוֹת גְּדוֹלוֹת וְנוֹרָאוֹת מְאֹד מְאֹד, אֲשֶׁר נֶעֶלְמוּ וְשָׂגְבוּ מֵאִתָּנוּ מְאֹד, כִּי אֵין אָנוּ יוֹדְעִין עֹצֶם גְּדֻלָּתְךָ וְנִפְלְאוֹתֶיךָ אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה עוֹשֶׂה בָּעוֹלָם בְּכָל־עֵת, וְכָל עֲסָקֶיךָ וְנִפְלְאוֹתֶיךָ וְטוֹבוֹתֶיךָ בְּכָל יוֹם וּבְכָל־עֵת וּבְכָל שָׁעָה, כֻּלָּם כְּאֶחָד אֵינָם כִּי אִם בִּשְׁבִיל הַתַּכְלִית הַטּוֹב הָאֲמִתִּי, שֶׁהוּא כְּדֵי לְסַבֵּב סִבּוֹת, שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְהִתְקָרֵב אֵלֶיךָ וְלָשׁוּב אֵלֶיךָ בִּתְשׁוּבָה שְׁלֵמָה בֶּאֱמֶת, שֶׁזֶּהוּ עִקָּר תַּכְלִית הַטּוֹבָה הָאֲמִתִּיִּית שֶׁבְּכָל הַטּוֹבוֹת,
God Transforms Worlds
Master of the world, You Who know secrets, You Who are elevated and holy, You Who bring about mighty realities, Master of war, You Who sow righteousness and cause salvation to flourish, Creator of healing, You Who deserve awesome praise, Master of wonders, You Who renew the act of Creation every day, You Who create hidden miracles and wonders — no one knows the essence of Your greatness, no one knows the wonders that You constantly perform, all of which are meant only to bring us close to You.
וְרַק אַתָּה בְּעַצְמְךָ יוֹדֵעַ כָּל מַה שֶּׁאַתָּה עוֹשֶׂה חֲדָשׁוֹת בְּכָל יוֹם בִּשְׁבִיל לְהַחֲזִירֵנִי אוֹתִי וְאֶת כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל בִּתְשׁוּבָה שְׁלֵמָה בֶּאֱמֶת, כְּדֵי לְטַהֵר וּלְתַקֵּן נַפְשֵׁנוּ וְרוּחֵנוּ וְנִשְׁמוֹתֵינוּ, כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּטָּהֲרוּ נַפְשׁוֹת עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל מִזֻּהֲמָתָם. וּבְכָל יוֹם וּבְכָל־עֵת וּבְכָל שָׁעָה, אַתָּה עוֹשֶׂה נִפְלָאוֹת חֲדָשׁוֹת לְגַמְרֵי בִּשְׁבִיל זֶה, כִּי אֵין יוֹם דּוֹמֶה לַחֲבֵרוֹ, וּבְכָל יוֹם וּבְכָל־עֵת וּבְכָל שָׁעָה וָרֶגַע, אַתָּה מַפְלִיא לַעֲשׂוֹת לְשַׁנּוֹת הַנְהָגַת הָעוֹלָמוֹת בְּשִׁנּוּיִים רַבִּים וְנִפְלָאִים עַד אֵין קֵץ וָסוֹף, וְהַכֹּל לְטוֹבַת הָעוֹלָם, לְטוֹבָתָם הָאֲמִתִּיִּית וְהַנִּצְחִיִּית, כְּדֵי לְרַמֵּז לָהֶם רְמָזִים בְּכַמָּה בְּחִינוֹת וָאֳפַנִּים שׁוֹנִים בְּלִי שִׁעוּר, לִקְרֹא אֶת כָּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד מִכָּל מָקוֹם שֶׁהוּא שָׁם בָּעֵת וּבָרֶגַע הַזֹּאת, לְקָרְבוֹ אֵלֶיךָ בֶּאֱמֶת, כִּי רַק זֶהוּ טוֹבָה בֶּאֱמֶת, וְאֵין שׁוּם טוֹבָה אַחֶרֶת בָּעוֹלָם זוּלָתָהּ כְּלָל.
Only You know everything that You do to help all Jews repent and rectify their souls. At every moment, You perform infinite wonders to transform worlds, all for the sake of giving us hints on many levels and in endless ways that call us back to You from wherever we are. Only this is true goodness; there is no other goodness in the world.
וְהִנֵּה אֲנִי מוֹדֶה וּמִתְוַדֶּה לְפָנֶיךָ, אָבִי אָב הָרַחֲמָן, הַמֶּלֶךְ הַטּוֹב וְהַמֵּטִיב לַכֹּל, עַל כָּל הַחֲסָדִים וְהַטּוֹבוֹת וְהַיְשׁוּעוֹת וְהַנִּפְלָאוֹת, אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָ עִמִּי מֵעוֹדִי עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, אֲשֶׁר אַחַר כָּל מַה שֶּׁעָבַר עָלַי,
God’s Compassion
My compassionate Father, my King Who is good and does good to all, I acknowledge all of the kind favors, redemptions and wonders that You have performed for me throughout my life.
וְאַחַר כָּל מַה שֶּׁעָבַרְתִּי בְּשׁוֹגֵג וּבְמֵזִיד, בְּאֹנֶס וּבְרָצוֹן, וְאַחֲרֵי כָּל אֵלֶּה עֲדַיִן לֹא כָלוּ רַחֲמֶיךָ מִמֶּנִּי, וְאַתָּה מְעֹרְרֵנִי וּמְחַזְּקֵנִי עֲדַיִן לְצַפּוֹת לִישׁוּעָתְךָ וּלְסַדֵּר דְּבָרַי אֵלֶּה לְפָנֶיךָ,
Despite all of the sins that I committed — whether accidentally or on purpose, against my will or willingly — Your compassion has never ceased. You still awaken me, help me maintain my hope in Your redemption, and inspire me to pray to You.
מִלְּבַד מַה אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה מְזַכֵּנִי בְּכָל יוֹם בִּנְקֻדּוֹת טוֹבוֹת וְנוֹרָאוֹת לְקַדְּשֵׁנִי בִּקְדֻשַּׁת יִשְׂרָאֵל, בִּקְדֻשַּׁת מִצְוֹתֶיךָ הַנּוֹרָאוֹת, אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה מְזַכֵּנִי בְּכָל יוֹם לַחֲטֹף בְּזֶה הָעוֹלָם הַכָּלֶה וְהַנִּפְסָד, הַחוֹלֵף וְעוֹבֵר כְּהֶרֶף עַיִן.
Besides that, every day You sanctify me by helping me perform Your awesome commandments in this bleak and impermanent world that passes like the blink of an eye.
מָה רַב טוּבְךָ אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָ עִמִּי. מָה אָשִׁיב לַיהֹוָה כָּל תַּגְמוּלוֹהִי עָלָי. עַל כֵּן מָצָא עַבְדְּךָ אֶת לִבּוֹ עֲדַיִן לְהִתְחַנֵּן לְפָנֶיךָ וּלְהִשְׁתַּטֵּחַ מוּל רַחֲמֶיךָ וַחֲסָדֶיךָ.
How great is Your goodness that You have done for me. “How can I repay HaShem for all of His kindness to me?” But I gather the courage to pray to You and bow down before You.
וּבְכֵן בָּאתִי לְפָנֶיךָ בַּעַל הָרַחֲמִים, בַּעַל הַיְשׁוּעוֹת, גְּדוֹל הָעֵצָה וְרַב הָעֲלִילִיָּה שֶׁתּוֹרֵנִי בֶּאֱמֶת דַּרְכֵי הַתְּשׁוּבָה, וְתִהְיֶה עִמִּי תָמִיד וְתַדְרִיכֵנִי בְּכָל־עֵת וְשָׁעָה בְּדֶרֶךְ הַיָּשָׁר בֶּאֱמֶת, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה מְהֵרָה לָשׁוּב בִּתְשׁוּבָה שְׁלֵמָה לְפָנֶיךָ בֶּאֱמֶת חִישׁ קַל מְהֵרָה,
Fasting Properly
Master of compassion and salvation, “great in counsel and mighty in deed,” guide me at every step on the straight path of repentance, so that I will quickly return to You.
וְתוֹרֵנִי וּתְלַמְּדֵנִי הַדֶּרֶךְ הָאֱמֶת לַאֲמִתּוֹ אֵיךְ לְהִתְנַהֵג בְּעִנְיָן הַתַּעֲנִיּוֹת,
In particular, teach me how to fast properly.
אֲשֶׁר גִּלִּיתָ אָזְנֵנוּ בְּכַמָּה מְקוֹמוֹת בְּדִבְרֵי רַבּוֹתֵינוּ זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה, גֹּדֶל עֹצֶם מַעֲלַת הַצּוֹם וְהַתַּעֲנִית שֶׁהוּא עִקָּר הַתְּשׁוּבָה. אֲבָל לְעֻמַּת זֶה נִמְצָא בְּכַמָּה מְקוֹמוֹת שֶׁאָסוּר לְהִתְעַנּוֹת בְּלִי רְשׁוּת הֶחָכָם הָאֱמֶת, וּבִפְרָט מִי שֶׁהוּא בֶּן תּוֹרָה, שֶׁהִזְהִירוּ עָלָיו רַבּוֹתֵינוּ זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה, בְּכַמָּה מְקוֹמוֹת שֶׁלֹּא יַרְבֶּה בְּתַעֲנִית, שֶׁלֹּא יִתְבַּטֵּל מִדִבְרֵי תוֹרָה.
You revealed through our sages the great power of fasting, which constitutes the essence of repentance. Our sages also teach that a person may not fast without gaining the permission of a sage — and, in particular, they warn that a Torah scholar should not fast if that will affect his learning.
וְאַתָּה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהִים אֱמֶת, לְפָנֶיךָ נִגְלוּ כָּל תַּעֲלוּמוֹת לֵב וְכָל הַסְּפֵקוֹת שֶׁיֵּשׁ בְּלִבִּי עַל זֶה, וּמִלְּבַד רִבּוּי הַמְּנִיעוֹת שֶׁיֵּשׁ לִי עַל עִנְיָן הַתַּעֲנִית מִצַּד כֹּבֶד הָעִנְיָן בְּעַצְמוֹ, נוֹסַף לָזֶה רִבּוּי מְנִיעוֹת הַמֹּחַ מִצַּד הַסְּפֵקוֹת הָרַבִּים שֶׁבְּלִבִּי עַל עִנְיָן הַתַּעֲנִית כַּאֲשֶׁר הִזְכַּרְתִּי לְפָנֶיךָ.
HaShem, God of truth, You know all the matters concealed in my heart — particularly my hesitancy to fast, since doing so is difficult, and my lack of clarity regarding how and when to fast.
עַל כֵּן בָּאתִי לְפָנֶיךָ, מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, שֶׁתְּזַכֵּנִי לֵידַע בְּכָל־עֵת אֵיךְ לְהִתְנַהֵג בְּעִנְיָן זֶה וּבְכָל הָעִנְיָנִים הַנּוֹגְעִים לַעֲבוֹדָתֶךָ, וְלֹא אֲבַלְבֵּל אֶת דַּעְתִּי הַרְבֵּה בְּאֵלּוּ הַסְּפֵקוֹת, כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא לְבַטֵּל עַצְמִי מִמְּעַט עֲבוֹדָתִי,
Overcoming Dispute
Please teach me how to serve You — in particular, how to fast without being confused by indecisiveness, which would detract from the little that I have accomplished.
רַק אֶזְכֶּה מֵאִתְּךָ לְיִשּׁוּב הַדַּעַת אֲמִתִּי. וְתַדְרִיכֵנִי בַאֲמִתֶּךָ וּתְלַמְּדֵנִי בְּכָל־עֵת אֵיךְ לְהִתְנַהֵג בְּכָל הָעִנְיָנִים וּבִפְרָט בְּעִנְיָן זֶה שֶׁל תַּעֲנִית. וְאֶזְכֶּה עַל־יְדֵי הַתַּעֲנִית לְהַכְנִיעַ וּלְבַטֵּל גַּשְׁמִיּוּת גּוּפִי הָרָע,
As a result of my fasting, may I overcome the negative physical nature of my body.
וְאֶזְכֶּה לְבַטֵּל הַמַּחֲלֹקֶת הַגְּדוֹלָה וּלְהַמְשִׁיךְ שָׁלוֹם גָּדוֹל בִּכְלָלִיּוּת וּבִפְרָטִיּוּת, הֵן עֹצֶם הַמַּחֲלֹקֶת מִבְּנֵי הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֵם קָמִים תָּמִיד כְּנֶגֶד הָרוֹצִים לִכְנֹס בִּקְדֻשַּׁת יִשְׂרָאֵל בֶּאֱמֶת, שֶׁעוֹמְדִים כְּנֶגְדָּם כַּמָּה מִינֵי חוֹלְקִים וּמוֹנְעִים וּמַלְעִיגִים בְּכַמָּה אֳפַנִּים לְהַטּוֹתָם מִנְּקֻדַּת הָאֱמֶת, הֵן עֹצֶם הַמַּחֲלֹקֶת שֶׁבַּלֵּב, שֶׁכָּל מַה שֶּׁאָנוּ רוֹצִים לַעֲשׂוֹת בַּעֲבוֹדָתְךָ, מוֹנְעִים אוֹתָנוּ הַרְבֵּה מְאֹד בְּלִי שִׁעוּר, אֲשֶׁר כִּמְעַט כָּשַׁל כֹּחַ הַסַּבָּל,
Moreover, may I nullify dispute and draw down peace, overall and in detail — whether dispute caused by people who attack Jews who wish to become more holy, with the goal of turning these people aside from truth, or dispute generated in my own heart that blocks me from serving You as I wish, almost to the point that “the strength of the porter has collapsed.”
כִּי כָל מַה שֶּׁאֲנִי רוֹצֶה לְהִתְגַּבֵּר לְטַהֵר מַחְשְׁבוֹתַי וְרַעְיוֹנַי, מִתְגַּבְּרִים כְּנֶגְדִּי בִּלְבּוּלִים רַבִּים בְּמַחֲשָׁבוֹת זָרוֹת וְהִרְהוּרִים רָעִים, אֲשֶׁר כָּל זֶה נִקְרָא מַחֲלֹקֶת, וּכְנֶגֶד כָּל אֵלּוּ הַמַּחֲלוֹקוֹת צְרִיכִין תַּעֲנִיּוֹת, כַּאֲשֶׁר גִּלִּיתָ לָנוּ בְּהַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת.
I wish to purify my mind. But foreign thoughts and evil musings — both of which are types of “dispute” — cause me to experience much confusion. In order to counter all of this, may I engage in fasts.
עַל כֵּן רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ לְמַעַן שְׁמֶךָ, וְהוֹרֵנִי וְלַמְּדֵנִי וְזַכֵּנִי לָשׂוּם אֶל לִבִּי לְהָבִין וּלְהִתְעַנּוֹת הַרְבֵּה כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב בֶּאֱמֶת, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה עַל־יְדֵי הַתַּעֲנִיּוֹת לְהַכְנִיעַ וּלְבַטֵּל כָּל מִינֵי מַחֲלֹקֶת,
Attaining Peace on Every Level
Help me fast a great deal in accordance with Your beneficent will. In this way, may I overcome every type of dispute.
וְאֶזְכֶּה לְהַכְנִיעַ וּלְבַטֵּל כָּל הָרְצוֹנוֹת הַפְּגוּמִים שֶׁלִּי, לְבַטֵּל כֻּלָּם כְּנֶגֶד רְצוֹנְךָ וּלְדַבֵּק לִבִּי בֶּאֱמֶת אֵלֶיךָ וְלַעֲבוֹדָתְךָ הָאֲמִתִּיִּית, וְלֹא אָסוּר מֵרְצוֹנְךָ יָמִין וּשְׂמֹאל מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם.
May I also overcome all of my blemished desires. May I nullify them before Your will, as my heart clings to serving You and I never turn aside from doing Your will.
וְעַל־יְדֵי־זֶה תְּזַכֵּנִי שֶׁיִּתְבַּטְּלוּ כָּל רְצוֹנוֹת אֲחֵרִים שֶׁל הַמּוֹנְעִים וְהַחוֹלְקִים כְּנֶגֶד רְצוֹנִי,
As a result, may the will of all those who try to stop me from serving You be nullified.
וְלֹא יִהְיֶה כֹחַ לְשׁוּם מוֹנֵעַ וְחוֹלֵק לְבַטְּלֵנִי חַס וְשָׁלוֹם מֵעֲבוֹדָתְךָ הָאֲמִתִּיִּית, אֲפִלּוּ כְּחוּט הַשַּׂעֲרָה, וְיִתְבַּטְּלוּ כָּל מִינֵי מַחֲלֹקֶת שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם, הֵן מַחֲלֹקֶת מִבְּנֵי הָעוֹלָם, הֵן מַחֲלֹקֶת שֶׁבְּלִבִּי, הַכֹּל יִתְבַּטֵּל לְגַמְרֵי. וְאֶזְכֶּה לְשָׁלוֹם גָּדוֹל בֶּאֱמֶת בְּכָל הַבְּחִינוֹת, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לָשׁוּב אֵלֶיךָ בֶּאֱמֶת, וְלִהְיוֹת כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב תָּמִיד בֶּאֱמֶת מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם.
May every sort of dispute — dispute from people and dispute in my heart — come to an end. May I attain peace on every level, so that I will return to You and live in accordance with Your beneficent will always, from this moment on.
וּתְזַכֵּנִי בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, לְשִׂמְחָה גְּדוֹלָה רַבָּה וַעֲצוּמָה תָמִיד לְשִׁמְךָ וְלַעֲבוֹדָתְךָ, שַׂמְּחֵנוּ כִּימוֹת עִנִּיתָנוּ שְׁנוֹת רָאִינוּ רָעָה:
Attaining Joy
Help me attain joy as I serve You. “Grant us joy according to the days that You pained us, the years that we saw evil.”
לְיוֹם־כִּפּוּר
וְזַכֵּנִי בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים לְקַבֵּל יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים הַקָּדוֹשׁ בִּקְדֻשָּׁה גְּדוֹלָה וּבְשִׂמְחָה רַבָּה וְחֶדְוָה עֲצוּמָה.
The Joy of Yom Kippur
Help me commemorate the holy day of Yom Kippur with joy.
וְאֶזְכֶּה לְקַיֵּם כָּל הַחֲמִשָּׁה עִנּוּיִם בְּיוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים בְּתַכְלִית הַשְּׁלֵמוּת כָּרָאוּי, וּלְהִתְפַּלֵּל כָּל הַחֲמִשָּׁה תְּפִלּוֹת בְּיוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים בְּכַוָּנָה עֲצוּמָה וְנוֹרָאָה,
May I keep its five afflictions properly and recite its five prayer services with awesome intent.
וּלְהִתְוַדּוֹת בְּכָל מִינֵי וִדּוּיִים, וּלְהִתְחָרֵט עַל הֶעָבַר בַּחֲרָטָה גְמוּרָה וְלַעֲזֹב בֶּאֱמֶת דַּרְכִּי הָרָע וּמַחְשְׁבוֹתַי הָרָעוֹת וְהַמְבֻלְבָּלוֹת, וּלְקַבֵּל עָלַי בְּקַבָּלָה חֲזָקָה וּנְכוֹנָה לְבַל אָשׁוּב עוֹד לְכִסְלָה, וּלְבַל אֶעֱשֶׂה עוֹד הָרַע בְּעֵינֶיךָ כַּאֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתִי,
May I confess my sins and regret having committed them. May I abandon my evil ways and confused thoughts, and resolve to never again return to my foolishness, to never again do evil in Your eyes.
וְלָשׁוּב בִּתְשׁוּבָה שְׁלֵמָה לְפָנֶיךָ בֶּאֱמֶת בְּשִׂמְחָה בְּיִרְאָה וְאַהֲבָה, וְלִבְכּוֹת הַרְבֵּה מִתּוֹךְ שִׂמְחָה:
Instead, may I return to You with complete repentance — with joy, awe and love, as I weep from joy.
מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, זַכֵּנִי לִקְדֻשַּׁת יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים הָאָיוֹם וְהַנּוֹרָא וְהַנִּשְׂגָּב מְאֹד, כִּי הוּא יוֹם זֶה גָדוֹל וְקָדוֹשׁ וְנוֹרָא וְאָיוֹם וְאַדִּיר, יוֹם אֶחָד בַּשָּׁנָה אֲשֶׁר בָּחַרְתָּ בּוֹ לְעַמֶּךָ, לִסְלֹחַ עֲוֹנוֹתֵיהֶם וּלְכַפֵּר פְּשָׁעֵיהֶם בַּיּוֹם הַנּוֹרָא הַזֶּה. רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ וְזַכֵּנוּ לְקַבֵּל יוֹם הַגָּדוֹל וְהַנּוֹרָא הַזֶּה כָּרָאוּי, וְלָשׁוּב בִּתְשׁוּבָה שְׁלֵמָה בֶּאֱמֶת,
The Holy Fast of Yom Kippur
Help me attain the holiness of the awesome and elevated day of Yom Kippur, the day of the year that You chose to forgive the sins of Your people. Help me keep this day properly and repent completely.
בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁתִּסְלַח וְתִמְחֹל וּתְכַפֵּר לָנוּ עַל כָּל חַטֹּאתֵינוּ וַעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ וּפְשָׁעֵינוּ הָעֲצוּמִים וְהָרַבִּים וְהַכְּבֵדִים יוֹתֵר מֵחֹל הַיָּם. וְתַעַזְרֵנוּ בִּזְכוּת עֶצֶם קְדֻשַּׁת הַיּוֹם הַקָּדוֹשׁ הַזֶּה, וּבִזְכוּת הַתַּעֲנִית הַקָּדוֹשׁ שֶׁל יוֹם הַנּוֹרָא הַזֶּה, יוֹם צוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים, שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה עַל־יְדֵי־זֶה לְהַכְנִיעַ אֶצְלֵנוּ כָּל הָרְצוֹנוֹת אֵלֶיךָ תִּתְבָּרַךְ, לְהַכְנִיעַ וּלְשַׁבֵּר ולְבַטֵּל כָּל מִינֵי רְצוֹנוֹת שֶׁלָּנוּ כְּנֶגֶד רְצוֹנְךָ, עַד שֶׁלֹּא יִהְיֶה לָנוּ שׁוּם רָצוֹן וְלֹא שׁוּם תַּאֲוָה כְּנֶגֶד רְצוֹנְךָ כְּלָל, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לִהְיוֹת כִּרְצוֹנְךָ תָמִיד, וְלִבְלִי לָסוּר מֵרְצוֹנְךָ יָמִין וּשְׂמֹאל,
Forgive me my sins, which are more numerous than the sands of the sea. In the merit of the holiness of this day — and particularly of my fasting — may I nullify the expressions of my will that oppose Your will, until I am always in accord with Your will and never turn aside from it, either to the right or the left.
וְעַל־יְדֵי־זֶה נִזְכֶּה, שֶׁאַתָּה בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ תְּבַטֵּל רְצוֹן אֲחֵרִים מִפְּנֵי רְצוֹנֵנוּ, וְיִתְבַּטֵּל מֵאִתָּנוּ כָּל מִינֵי מַחֲלֹקֶת שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם, הֵן מַחֲלֹקֶת מִבְּנֵי הָעוֹלָם, הֵן מַחֲלֹקֶת שֶׁבַּעֲצָמַי,
When I reach that level, please nullify the will of others before my will. Remove every type of dispute from my life — whether the dispute that comes from other people, or the dispute that rages within my bones due to my sins.
אֲשֶׁר עַתָּה אֵין שָׁלוֹם בַּעֲצָמַי מִפְּנֵי חַטָּאתִי. וְכָל מַה שֶּׁאֲנִי רוֹצֶה לַעֲשׂוֹת אֵיזֶה דָבָר שֶׁבִּקְדֻשָּׁה יֵשׁ לִי מְנִיעוֹת רַבּוֹת וַעֲצוּמוֹת בְּלִי שִׁעוּר, וְעִקָּר הוּא מְנִיעוֹת הַמֹּחַ וְהַלֵּב.
“There is no peace in my bones because of my transgression.” Despite all of my efforts to attain holiness, I experience impediments without measure — principally, the impediments set up within my mind and heart.
וְהַכֹּל אֶזְכֶּה לְבַטֵּל עַל־יְדֵי הַתַּעֲנִית הַקָּדוֹשׁ שֶׁל יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים הַכָּלוּל מִכָּל הַיָּמִים שֶׁל כָּל הַשָּׁנָה, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, גָּלְמִי רָאוּ עֵינֶיךָ וְעַל סִפְרְךָ כֻּלָּם יִכָּתֵבוּ, יָמִים יֻצָּרוּ וְלוֹ אֶחָד בָּהֶם. וְדָרְשׁוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה, זֶה יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים.
May I nullify all of these by engaging in the holy fast of Yom Kippur. This day contains within it all the days of the year. As the verse states, “Your eyes saw my rough form; all people are recorded in Your book — they were created on many days, but to Him these days are one.” This one day, our sages teach, is Yom Kippur.
רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ וְזַכֵּנוּ לָשׁוּב בִּתְשׁוּבָה שְׁלֵמָה בֶּאֱמֶת בְּכָל הַשָּׁנָה, וּבִפְרָט בְּיוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים הַקָּדוֹשׁ, וְעָזְרֵנוּ לְהִתְעַנּוֹת הַתַּעֲנִית שֶׁל יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים בִּקְדֻשָּׁה נוֹרָאָה וַעֲצוּמָה וּבְשִׂמְחָה וְחֶדְוָה רַבָּה בֶּאֱמֶת, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה עַל־יְדֵי־זֶה לְקַדֵּשׁ עַצְמִי מֵעַתָּה, וְלֵידַע אֵיךְ לְהִתְנַהֵג בְּעִנְיָן הַתַּעֲנִיּוֹת בְּכָל הַשָּׁנָה כֻּלָּהּ, וְלִהְיוֹת כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב בֶּאֱמֶת, לְמַעַן לֹא אֵבוֹשׁ וְלֹא אֶכָּלֵם וְלֹא אֶכָּשֵׁל לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד:
Help me repent throughout the year, and particularly on the holy day of Yom Kippur. Help me fast on Yom Kippur in awesome holiness and joy. May I then sanctify myself and know how to fast throughout the year, and always remain in accordance with Your beneficent will, so that I will never be ashamed and will never stumble.
מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, אַתָּה יוֹדֵעַ כַּמָּה יָמִים מֵתִים וּפְגָרִים מַמָּשׁ הַמֻּנָּחִים בְּמָקוֹם שֶׁמֻּנָּחִים, עַל־יְדֵי רִבּוּי וְעֹצֶם פְּשָׁעַי הָעֲצוּמִים וְהָרַבִּים מְאֹד מְאֹד שֶׁעָשִׂיתִי מֵעוֹדִי עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה,
Rectifying the Dead Days
Because I committed a multitude of sins throughout my life, the corpses of dead days lie littered across my past.
אַתָּה יוֹדֵעַ אֵיךְ הוֹצֵאתִי הַחַיּוּת מִיָּמִים הַרְבֵּה בְּאַכְזָרִיּוּת גָּדוֹל מְאֹד, וְלֹא דַי שֶׁלֹּא הוֹסַפְתִּי עַל הַיָּמִים חַיּוּת מִלְּמַעְלָה עַל־יְדֵי תוֹרָה וַעֲבוֹדָה, אַף גַּם הוֹצֵאתִי מֵהֶם עֶצֶם חַיּוּתָם לְגַמְרֵי עַל־יְדֵי רִבּוּי עֲוֹנוֹתַי שֶׁעָשִׂיתִי בָּהֶם,
I cruelly removed the life force from these days. Not only did I not add Heavenly life force to them by learning Torah and serving You, but I removed the essence of their life force by sinning.
אֲשֶׁר תִּקּוּן כָּל אֵלּוּ הַיָּמִים הַמֵּתִים הוּא עַל־יְדֵי תַעֲנִיּוֹת הַרְבֵּה, כַּאֲשֶׁר גִּלִּיתָ לָנוּ עַל־יְדֵי חֲכָמֶיךָ הַקְּדוֹשִׁים.
You revealed through Your holy sages that the way to rectify these dead days is to engage in many fasts.
רַחֵם עָלַי וְעָזְרֵנִי וְהוֹשִׁיעֵנִי בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָעֲצוּמִים וּבַחֲסָדֶיךָ הַנּוֹרָאִים וְהַנִּפְלָאִים, שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה בְּכֹחַ הַתַּעֲנִית הַקָּדוֹשׁ שֶׁל יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים, וּבְכֹחַ כָּל הַתַּעֲנִיתִים שֶׁתְּזַכֵּנִי בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים לְהִתְעַנּוֹת בְּחַיַּי, שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה עַל־יָדָם לְתַקֵּן כָּל אֵלּוּ הַיָּמִים הַמֵּתִים, וְאֶזְכֶּה לְהִתְעַנּוֹת הַרְבֵּה כָּל כָּךְ, עַד שֶׁאֶצְטָרֵךְ לְהִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁ עִם כֹּחַ שֶׁל יְמֵי הַיְנִיקָה, בְּכֹחַ הֶחָלָב שֶׁיָּנַקְתִּי מִמְּעֵי אִמִּי, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְהַחֲיוֹת וּלְהַעֲלוֹת וּלְתַקֵּן כָּל הַיָּמִים אֲשֶׁר עָבְרוּ עָלַי מִיּוֹם הֱיוֹתִי עַד הֵנָּה.
May I rectify all of these dead days with the power of the holy fast of Yom Kippur and all other fasts. May I fast so much that my body will ultimately reach back to the days that I was nursing in order to gain its nutrition. In that way, may I revive, raise and rectify all of the days of my life.
וְאֶזְכֶּה בְּיוֹם צֵאתִי מִן הָעוֹלָם לָבוֹא וְלִכְנֹס לְפָנֶיךָ עִם כָּל הַיָּמִים שֶׁל כָּל יְמֵי חַיַּי בִּקְדֻשָּׁה גְּדוֹלָה, וְיִהְיוּ כָּל הַיָּמִים שֶׁלִּי שְׁלֵמִים וּקְדוֹשִׁים וּטְהוֹרִים וּמְתֻקָּנִים בְּתַכְלִית הַתִּקּוּן כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב, וְלָא אֵיעוּל בְּכִסּוּפָא קַמָּךְ.
Then, on the day that I leave this world, may I not come before You in shame. Rather, may all of the days of my life attain the quality of holiness. May they all be whole, pure and rectified, in accordance with Your beneficent will.
עָזְרֵנִי עָזְרֵנִי, הוֹשִׁיעֵנִי הוֹשִׁיעֵנִי, עֲשֵׂה עִמִּי פֶּלֶא לְחַיִּים לְבַל אֶהְיֶה כַּמֵּת חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, לֹא אָמוּת כִּי אֶחְיֶה וַאֲסַפֵּר מַעֲשֵׂי יָהּ.
Holy Fasting
Give me the miracle of life. May I not be as a dead person. “I will not die, but I will live, and I will tell the deeds of God.”
שַׂמֵּחַ נַפְשִׁי הָאֻמְלָלָה מְאֹד הָעֲלוּבָה מְאֹד, עַל־יְדֵי תַעֲנִיּוֹת הַרְבֵּה שֶׁתְּזַכֵּנִי בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ לְהִתְעַנּוֹת מֵעַתָּה, וְאֶזְכֶּה לְהִתְחַזֵּק בָּזֶה הַרְבֵּה.
Help me engage in many fasts. In reward for that, give my poor and insulted spirit joy and strength.
עָזְרֵנִי מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, הוֹשִׁיעֵנִי מָלֵא יְשׁוּעוֹת, רַחֵם עָלַי מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, גּוֹמֵל לַחַיָּבִים טוֹבוֹת שֶׁגְּמָלַנִי כָּל טוֹב וְזִכַּנִי לִהְיוֹת מִזֶּרַע יִשְׂרָאֵל וְהִבְדִּלַנִי מִן הַתּוֹעִים וְלֹא עָשַׂנִי גוֹי, גָּמְלֵנִי כָּל טוֹב סֶלָה,
You Who grant favors even to those who are guilty, You have granted me everything good. You made me a member of the Jewish people and separated me from those who err.
וְעָזְרֵנִי מֵעַתָּה לִפְרֹשׁ אֶת עַצְמִי מִזֶּה הָעוֹלָם לְגַמְרֵי, וְאֶזְכֶּה לְהַאֲרִיךְ אַפִּי בִּגְבוּרָה גְּדוֹלָה וְלִכְבֹּשׁ אֶת יִצְרִי וְלִמְשֹׁל בְּרוּחִי וּלְהִתְחַזֵּק בְּכָל־עֵת, עַד שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה מֵעַתָּה לִסְתֹּם עֵינַי מֵחֵיזוּ דְהַאי עַלְמָא לְגַמְרֵי, וּלְהִתְעַנּוֹת תַּעֲנִיּוֹת הַרְבֵּה וְהַפְסָקוֹת שְׁלֵמוֹת.
Help me from this moment on to separate myself from this world. May I gain equanimity, conquer my evil inclination, rule over my spirit, and strengthen myself at all times until I can close my eyes to the sights of this world and engage in many fasts.
וְאַתָּה בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ תְּקַבְּלֵם בְּאַהֲבָה וּבְרָצוֹן, וּתְקָרְבֵנִי אֵלֶיךָ בְּרַחֲמִים רַבִּים, וּתְשַׂמַּח אֶת נַפְשִׁי תָמִיד, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה בְּכֹחַ הַצַּדִּיקִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים לְתַקֵּן כָּל מַה שֶּׁפָּגַמְתִּי מֵעוֹדִי בְּחַיִּים חַיּוּתִי.
Accept these fasts with love. Bring me close to You. Give joy to my spirit always, so that with the help of the power of the true Tzaddikim, I will rectify all that I blemished throughout the course of my life.
וְאֶזְכֶּה לְהַכִּיר אוֹתְךָ בֶּאֱמֶת וְלַעֲבֹד אוֹתְךָ תָמִיד בֶּאֱמֶת אֲנִי וְזַרְעִי וְזֶרַע זַרְעִי מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם.
May I recognize You and serve You always — and may my offspring, for all generations, do the same.
הַדְרִיכֵנִי בַאֲמִתֶּךָ וְלַמְּדֵנִי כִּי אַתָּה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׁעִי אוֹתְךָ קִוִּיתִי כָּל הַיּוֹם. הוֹרֵנִי יְהֹוָה דֶּרֶךְ חֻקֶּיךָ וְאֶצֳּרֶנָּה עֵקֶב. הוֹרֵנִי יְהֹוָה דַרְכֶּךָ אַהֲלֵּךְ בַּאֲמִתֶּךָ יַחֵד לְבָבִי לְיִרְאָה שְׁמֶךָ. הוֹרֵנִי יְהֹוָה דַּרְכֶּךָ וּנְחֵנִי בְּאֹרַח מִישׁוֹר לְמַעַן שׁוֹרְרָי. שְׁלַח אוֹרְךָ וַאֲמִתְּךָ הֵמָּה יַנְחוּנִי יְבִיאוּנִי אֶל הַר קָדְשְׁךָ וְאֶל מִשְׁכְּנוֹתֶיךָ,
“Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; I have hoped for You all day long.” “HaShem, teach me the way of Your laws, and I will keep it at every step.” “HaShem, teach me Your ways. I will walk in Your truth. Unify my heart to fear Your Name.” “HaShem, teach me Your ways. Guide me on a path that is straight, despite my enemies who gaze upon me.” “Send Your light and Your truth to guide me; they will bring me to Your holy mountain and to Your dwelling place.”
כִּי לְךָ לְבַד עֵינַי תְלוּיוֹת עַד יַשְׁקִיף וְיֵרֶא יְהֹוָה מִשָּׁמָיִם.
To You alone are my eyes lifted, “until HaShem will gaze and see from Heaven.”
יִהְיוּ לְרָצוֹן אִמְרֵי־פִי וְהֶגְיוֹן לִבִּי לְפָנֶיךָ יְהֹוָה צוּרִי וְגוֹאֲלִי. אָמֵן וְאָמֵן:
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable before You, HaShem, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
עוֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן:
“May He Who makes peace in His heights, in His compassion make peace upon us and upon all Israel, and say, ‘Amen.’”