Ruling Over the Angels / Rectifying the Mind on the Festivals / Rosh HaShanah: A Day Imbued with Atonement / A Baby Should Drink Spiritually Pure Milk / A Person Should Not Desire a Position of Leadership / One Should Not Consult Doctors But Draw Healing into His Food / Respecting Every Jew / Distinguishing Between True and False Leaders God created each Jew to rule over the angels. A person can do so when he connects himself to true Tzaddikim, who are the root of all Jewish souls. That root is higher than the angels. Because Jews have the power to attain this goal, the angels are jealous of them. Therefore, at times they treat Jews harshly — particularly those who are weak, impoverished and blemished, who have been enticed by the fire of passions since their youth. * On Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot, a person can rectify the three realms of consciousness: wisdom, understanding and knowledge. As a result, he can nullify the three cardinal evil desires, as follows: on Pesach, he nullifies the lust for money; on Shavuot, he nullifies the lust for sexual relations; and on Sukkot, he nullifies the lust for eating. * If a baby suckles from an unworthy nursemaid, that contaminates his blood and later on strengthens the heat of the lust for sensuality. A person should purify his heart of that blemish and, in addition, pray that all Jewish babies have worthy nursemaids so they will not imbibe that lust with their milk. * A person should not desire any official position. * No doctor in the world can heal any disease. In fact, with their remedies, doctors kill many people every hour, whether unintentionally or intentionally. Therefore, a person should stay far away from them. Healing results only from the word of HaShem, which comes in response to prayer — particularly the prayers of the Tzaddikim. The word of HaShem, which is the root of all creation, comes to the Tzaddik who is called the “master of prayer.” It then passes on to the angels, and proceeds from them through the constellations to medicinal plants. The healing powers of all these herbs should be absorbed into a person’s prayers. He should strive to draw down healing by means of the word of HaShem so that it will enter into his food and drink. * A person should never insult any Jew in the world. He should believe with complete faith in every Jew, even one who is base and dishonorable, for each Jew is precious in God’s eyes. * A person must distinguish between true Tzaddikim and false leaders, men whose status is only due to shamelessness. In the merit of the prayers of the true Tzaddikim, that shamelessness is eradicated. * On Creation’s first Rosh Chodesh (New Moon) of Tishrei, God diminished the moon. That act created the dynamic that made possible all transgression. Every year on that day, God Himself seeks atonement, as it were, for having done so. Since this day is imbued with the energy of atonement and forgiveness, God therefore chose it for Rosh HaShanah, the Day of Judgment. Ruling Over the Angels Lord of all, Ruler of all, You created Your nation, the Jewish people, to attain the true, eternal, ultimate goal of ruling over the angels. For the ultimate goal of each Jew, the purpose for which he was created, is to rule over the angels.
And now, “my Father, see; indeed, see” how far I am from reaching this goal — indeed, I am at the opposite extreme. Not only have I not attained this goal, but I have corrupted my deeds and undermined my goodness and holiness.
I have transgressed, sinned and been rebellious before You, and every time I have added sin to rebellion, day after day and year after year, until not one day of my entire life has passed without my committing many sins and blemishes, great and small.
My sins have increased so much that they are more than the sand of the sea, the dust of the earth and the drops of the ocean. They are more than the hairs of my head and beyond the breaths of my nostrils. I do not know how I can live for even a single hour because of the great bitterness that my many sins have caused me.
Woe! What have I done? When I remember, I am set aback. “I have become confused as a result of hearing, frightened as a result of seeing. My heart strays, fright terrifies me; He has turned the evening that I longed for into trembling.” “While the king was still at his table, my spikenard gave forth its scent.”14That is, when God’s Presence was still at Mount Sinai, I sinned with the golden calf. What shall I say? How shall I speak? How will I justify myself? Many times, I poured forth words like these before You, God, Who investigates a person’s innards, and still I have not truly aroused myself to return to You properly.
In truth, I know, HaShem my God, that my complaint is not against You, Heaven forbid, but against myself and my soul. I did all of this to myself. The sin is in me, my Master. The King and His throne are blameless.
Still, I thought that I would place these words of mine before You. Perhaps I will now find grace and kindness in Your eyes, so that You will treat me in accordance with the greatness of Your awesome wonders, and You will dig a tunnel from under the throne of Your glory and truly bring me back to You in complete repentance, with a full heart.
Master of the world, Master of the entire world, You know all hidden things. You gaze to the end of all generations. You know the great jealousy of the angels toward us because we have the power to reach this ultimate goal and rule over them.
This particularly applies to weak Jews such as myself, people who are poor and impoverished, blemished and ruined, who have been enticed and inflamed by the fire of passions since their youth — “for the inclination of the heart of the man is evil from his youth.”
In our great foolishness, we did not have pity on our souls to be wise and overcome these lusts, and so all of these evil desires became second nature.
As a result, we committed a number of errors, sins and transgressions, unintentionally or intentionally, under duress or willingly — and every individual knows the pains of his heart and the pains of his soul — until our sins overwhelmed us, like a burden that is too heavy for us.
And now, what shall we do? How shall we act? We do not know of any way and we have no counsel on how to overcome all of these evil desires that we have grown so accustomed to.
Visitors in This World HaShem, what shall we do? HaShem, where shall we flee? My Master, we are visitors in this world for a very short time, “like a passing shadow and like flying dust.” What will we reply to the One Who sent us? What will we do on the day of visitation? “What shall I do when God arises; when He visits, how shall I respond to Him?”
Master of the world, “Your throne is long established; You exist eternally.” “Your testimonies are very faithful to Your House, the dwelling place of holiness, HaShem, for length of days.”
You alone know the situation of every individual from beginning to end — how he was born, how he came to this world, and what place he has inhabited, physically and spiritually.
Overcoming the Great Heat A great heat of desire for sexual relations has entered into a number of Jews, because when they were babies, they nursed from unworthy women. Indeed, “in sin I was formed and in transgression my mother conceived me.”
Please, HaShem, You Who are good and do good to everyone, bad or good — in Your vast compassion, give us the strength from this moment on to attain the true goal of ruling over the angels.
Give us the power to retain this rule, so that it will last forever. Help us and give us knowledge, so that we will grasp the throne of Your glory, which is composed of the roots of the souls of Israel.
For the Three Festivals Honoring the Festivals In Your vast compassion, help us keep the fear of God in our hearts. Help us celebrate the Three Festivals of Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot with great and intense joy and gladness, with fear, with love, and with the greatest holiness and purity, in accordance with Your good will.
May we honor the festivals with every sort of honor and delight: with eating and drinking, delicacies and fine garments, and with focused prayer, great joy and a powerful awakening.
Rectification for the Three Evil Desires By means of the Three Festivals, may we rectify and renew all three states of consciousness in the three hollows of the skull, which are wisdom, understanding and knowledge.
As a result, may we break and nullify all three evil desires — the lust for money, the lust for sexual relations, and the lust for eating — which have polluted us, and through which we lost what we lost and came to what we came to.
Help us from this moment on. Strengthen us and give us the joy of holiness, so that a great power of holiness and strength will be drawn onto us, until we quickly break and nullify these three desires.
May we draw the knowledge of holiness into our hearts through the holiness of the Three Festivals. As a result, may we rectify our hearts, nullifying these three desires, so that they leave no impression whatsoever.
Help us celebrate the festival of Pesach, the time of our freedom, with great holiness. As a result, may we draw energy down from our consciousness and intellect to break our lust for money.
And in the merit of the holiness of the festival of Shavuot, help us draw energy down from our consciousness and intellect to break our lust for sexual relations.
And in the merit of the holiness of the festival of Sukkot, the festival of ingathering, help us draw energy down from our consciousness and intellect to break our lust for eating.
Please, HaShem, have pity and mercy on us. Compassionately fulfill our requests in order to help us. In Your vast compassion, You revealed to us this good, holy counsel on how we may be rescued from all evil. You gave us good and straight advice to break all three cardinal desires by means of celebrating the Three Festivals with proper holiness.
But You know the evil of our hearts, the stiffness of our necks, the confusion and turbulence of our minds, and our excessive weakness, which makes this advice hard for us to keep.
No one knows of any way or stratagem as to how we may celebrate these Three Festivals properly — because, as is revealed before You, Lord of all, we are so far from the holiness of the Three Festivals.
We have blemished Your entire holy Torah — particularly the holiness and joy of the Shabbat and festivals. Moreover, we caused a great deal of harm in the Three Festivals themselves.
Please, HaShem, inform us of Your ways so that we may know how to find favor in Your eyes and how to act when we make requests of You, so that we will come close to You and keep all of the good, true advice that You revealed to us through Your true Tzaddikim, until we will return to You in truth and with a full heart.
Have pity and mercy on us. May Your compassion be stirred and moved on our behalf. Compassionate King, have compassion on us. You Who are good and do good, be receptive to us. Return to us in Your great compassion for the sake of the forefathers who did Your will.
In Your vast compassion, purify us and be gracious to us so that we all will celebrate all Three Festivals with great, mighty and infinite joy and gladness. Help us truly attain the joy of the festivals, in accordance with Your good will.
“Sanctify us with Your commandments and give us our portion in Your Torah. Satiate us with Your goodness. Give us joy in Your salvation and purify our heart to truly serve You.”
HaShem our God, grant us Your holy times in joy and delight, until in the merit and power of the holiness of the Three Festivals, we break and nullify all three evil desires — the lust for money, the lust for sexual relations and the lust for eating.
May we be truly holy and pure. Bring us out from dimness to brightness, from darkness to a great light. May we draw holy awareness into the heart, to rectify and purify it from these three lusts.
May the verse be realized in me, “You shall know today and consider in your heart that HaShem is God in Heaven above and on the earth below — there is no other.”
Purify Our Contaminated Blood In Your vast compassion, save us by rectifying and purifying our blood. May we subdue the blood in the left hollow of the heart.
Help us purify and cleanse our heart from the blemish of the poisonous contamination of the blood that is within us since infancy, because of the contaminated, bad milk that we nursed at that time. This contaminated milk strengthens the heat of the lust for sexual relations, Heaven forbid.
Please, HaShem, purify us so that we will rectify and purify all of this quickly, until we will break the lust for sexual relations entirely. May we merit true holiness of the covenant.
Have compassion on us and on our youngsters and babies, and on all the children of Your nation, the House of Israel. In Your vast compassion, see to it that all our children have worthy nursemaids whose milk is pure and worthy.
Guard and rescue all our children so that they will not nurse from shameless women whose milk is impure, so that they will not draw the venom of the lust for sexual relations into themselves, Heaven forbid. In truth, we do not have the knowledge to guard our children from this. In Your compassion, guard our children so that they will not nurse from milk that is not good and pure.
Help us and our children always so that all of us — we and our children — will truly guard the holy covenant, and rectify and purify ourselves from these three traits that we have mentioned before You.
In this way, may we preserve the complete fear of God in our hearts. May we soon see Jerusalem rebuilt, where we will serve You as in ancient days, fearing You always and fearing the honored and awesome Name of HaShem our God.
Fear and Thanks May we serve You in awe and fear, and thank Your Name always, until as a result of the complete fear in our hearts, we will create an angel that will pour prophecy into the instruments of prophecy, and prophecy will be drawn down into the world, so that the verse will be realized, “Your sons and daughters will prophesy.”
Avoiding Official Positions Guard us and rescue us from desiring any official position whatsoever, whether great or small. Do not make us responsible for any public needs.
May we just serve You in truth, in fear and in love, with wholehearted simplicity, for Your sake and Name only, without any ulterior motives or foreign thoughts. May we flee from honor and official positions, and remove ourselves as far as possible from official positions.
You Who are filled with compassion, have compassion on us. Have pity and mercy on our days and our years. Send the goodness that comes from Your true good. Help us pray wholeheartedly.
Prayer from the Heart May we recite all our prayers before You with all our heart and soul. May we never disdain prayer, which stands at the height of the world. May our prayer never be routine, but always a plea for compassion. And may our prayer never appear to us as a burden, Heaven forbid.
Our Father in Heaven, You know how hard it is for us open our mouths to pray. Our prayers are very flawed. In Your great compassion, have pity on us. Help us redeem our prayers from the great and bitter exile that has befallen us now because of our many sins.
Have pity and mercy, have pity and compassion, have pity and save us quickly for the sake of Your Name alone, for Your sake and not for our sake. Open the mouth of a mute person such as I am. “God, open my lips and my mouth will speak Your praise.” Prepare my heart. Listen to me.
You are filled with compassion. You are in the midst of the praises of Israel. Help us so that our prayers will always be smooth in our mouths. May the verse be realized, “He creates the speech of the lips. ‘Peace, peace to the far and to the near,’ says HaShem, ‘and I will heal him.’”
Healing with Bread and Water May the power of our prayer subdue, overcome, break and nullify all the natural remedies of the doctors. May the truth be revealed that no doctor in the world knows how to cure any disease.
Rather, all remedies come about only due to the word of HaShem, by means of the prayers, requests and pleas of the Tzaddikim, the masters of prayer, who pray for the Jewish people and appease You, and draw remedies into the world.
All the medicinal herbs and drugs, and all the stars and constellations appointed over them, receive their power from the angels over them, and those angels receive their power from higher angels, and all of them receive and borrow from one another, one from the other, higher and higher.
They all receive power from the great lender, the master of prayer, who attains the word of HaShem, which is the root of all creation from beginning to end. As the verse states, “By the word of HaShem were the heavens made, and by the breath of His mouth all of their host.”
Therefore, it is only possible to draw remedies into the world by means of prayer and pleading. Help us know this in utter truth and with complete faith. In Your vast compassion, help us draw down and receive all remedies, for ourselves and for Your entire nation, the Jewish people, by means of the word of HaShem in prayer alone.
Help us and save us so that we will draw down all the power of all of the remedies into everything in the world: into bread and water, and into everything that You bring us to eat and drink.
However matters may be, may the power and effect of all herbs and drugs be drawn into us, until we will experience a complete remedy at every moment that we need it by means of bread and water alone. May the verse be realized in us, “I will bless your bread and your water, and I will remove illness from your midst.”
In Your compassion, heal all of our 248 limbs and 365 sinews completely, in body and soul. You alone know all of our pains and diseases — those that are revealed to us and those that are hidden from us.
Praying for the Children of Tzaddikim Please, HaShem, heal us, HaShem, and we will be healed. Save us and we will be saved, for You are our praise. Send complete healing to all of our illnesses, to all of our pains and to all of our wounds (here one should pray on behalf of the children of the Tzaddikim who have had trouble raising their children, may the Compassionate One protect us), (and in particular, [Hebrew name], the son/daughter of [father’s Hebrew name]).
Please, God, please heal him completely. Give him a long and good life. May he live long days and years with goodness and pleasantness. Heal him and revive him.
May his father and mother raise him in ease and joy to learn Torah, get married and perform good deeds, for length of good days and years. May they see his children and grandchildren involved in the Torah and its commandments.
Master of the entire world, have pity and mercy on them, on us and on Your entire nation, the Jewish people, Your holy nation whom You have chosen. Put an end to their troubles, for they have suffered too much in raising their children.
Please, HaShem, have pity, mercy and compassion on them and on us and our remnants. Please be moved in all Your inner being and compassion for their burning blood, their suffering, groaning, sighing, and the extinguishing of [the light of] their eyes that they experience every day and at every moment.
Their eyes are raised to You alone. “Behold, like the eyes of servants to the hand of their master, like the eyes of the maidservant to the hand of her mistress,” so do their eyes turn to HaShem their God until You will be gracious to them. Heal, make well, help recuperate and revive this son of theirs for whom we have prayed, so that he will not experience any disease, pain or discomfort.
In Your vast compassion and mighty kindness, may his parents raise him in comfort, peace and tranquility for many good days and years. Have compassion on them for the sake of Your Name, for HaShem never agreed to erase the name of Israel, Heaven forbid. Your Name is partnered with our name, and You have promised to stand up and help us always.
In truth, it would be fitting for us to always fall on our faces and prostrate ourselves to the dust of the earth, never resting by day or lying down at night, never falling silent or being quiet before You, but begging You always to have compassion on their holy offspring — on each and every one — to heal them completely, for all of them have borne great and terrible sufferings.
Who understands Your wondrous might and wondrous ways? And who will question Your traits? You are righteous, HaShem, and Your judgments are straight. But these people have received too much hardship and suffering. “May He Who says to His world, ‘Enough!’ say to their troubles, ‘Enough!’”
Have pity and mercy on them and on us. You Yourself pray for them, as it were. May they all live. We do not have the knowledge and wisdom to pray for them. May You alone, in Your vast compassion, always pray on their behalf and bless them, so they may live.
Add days to their days, years of life. May they see their children live long days of goodness and years of pleasantness. May they have children and grandchildren, generations upon generations, until the end of all generations, forever and ever.
Redemption from the Three Evil Enslavements Have compassion on us, mighty Redeemer. Redeem us quickly from the three evil enslavements of idolatry, sexual immorality and bloodshed.
Always guard us and rescue us from the blemish of idolatry, which is a flaw in faith. May no foreign thoughts or confusion enter our hearts in any way whatsoever in matters that touch upon Your holy faith.
In Your great kindness, have compassion on us. Pour Your holy faith upon us. Plant and establish in our hearts complete and upright, pure and clean faith, holy and cleansed of all dross and trash, so that no blemish will affect our faith in You.
You are filled with compassion, kindness, beneficent will and goodness. Master of truth and faith, give us the gift of kindness and holy faith. May no challenges, confusions or inquiries in matters of holy faith enter our hearts.
May we truly attain complete and upright faith in accordance with Your good will. Bring us out from dimness to brightness, from darkness to a great light, from slavery to freedom, from blemished faith to complete, true faith.
The exile and enslavement of this evil and bitter lust endures and overwhelms us at every moment, until it embitters our lives with harsh enslavement and makes us work with crushing labor, as You know, for You know the pains of everyone’s hearts.
For our many sins, “my life is worn away with grief and my years with sighing, my strength buckles under and my bones have decayed.” “He subjugated my heart with toil; I stumbled and there was none to help.”
You are my Father, my Master, my Maker and my Creator, my King and my Holy One, my Redeemer. You look upon the wicked person and desire that he will become righteous. You truly desire my good. You consider ways so that no one will remain driven away from You. Have compassion on me in Your great mercy, and take me out of enslavement to freedom.
“Be gracious to me, HaShem. See the suffering that my enemies have imposed upon me, You Who lift me up from the gates of death.” Redeem me from the pit. Redeem me from death. Take me out of the house of slavery.
Forgiveness for Insulting Others Guard me and rescue me so that I will not insult anyone in the world, and I will obey the words of our sages, as they cautioned, “Do not disdain anyone.”
Save me and help me to always be careful not to spill blood, not to insult or shame any Jew in the world, and not to cause the face of my companions to grow pale, Heaven forbid.
Please, HaShem, guard me and rescue me from the blemishes that I have brought about in this area since my youth. I shamed the faces of my friends and teachers and made them grow pale, unintentionally or purposefully, under duress or willingly.
In Your compassion, arrange the circumstances favorably so that I may I meet all the people whom I shamed or whose honor I damaged, and may I appease them. In Your compassion, inspire their hearts to truly forgive me completely, until no impression or resentment whatsoever remains in their hearts.
And if some of them have died, or if at times I insulted people who had already died — and how much more if, for my many sins, I insulted sages, Tzaddikim and worthy people who had already died — please, HaShem, true Compassionate One, I request their forgiveness, pardon and atonement. My transgression, sin and iniquity stand before You and before them. I damaged Your honor.
I sinned against the God of Israel and a number of Tzaddikim, sages and worthy people. I impugned their honor — some in their lifetime and others after their death. I spoke up against them and their holy bones. May they forgive me.
HaShem, please forgive me. Pardon me. Grant me atonement. Inspire all the Tzaddikim, sages, worthy people and others whose reputations I tarnished — in their lifetime or after their death, great or small — to forgive and pardon the sin of Your servant who wronged them.
May they return to me and be compassionate to me. May they petition You, supernal God, on my behalf, and always seek my good before Your throne of glory. May they seek compassion for me and stand at my side to redeem me and rescue me from all evil.
May I succeed in gaining complete repentance before You. May I stand among the true Tzaddikim forever. May my portion be with them after I leave this world.
Master of the world, You are filled with great compassion. Compassionate Father, fulfill my requests with compassion. Teach me what I should say. Lead me to understand what I should request. Help me and redeem me from these three enslavements.
Help me attain complete, holy faith and rectification of the covenant, and may I honor people and not insult anyone in the world from now on. Even in my thoughts, may I not disdain anyone in the world.
May I believe with complete faith in every person in the world, even the most base and dishonorable Jew. All of them are very important and precious in Your eyes, HaShem, and all of them are ready and worthy to receive all goodness, honor and greatness in the world, and are capable of attaining all levels, materially and spiritually, in this world and the World to Come.
When we rectify these three traits, may we attain the perfection of prayer. Help us pray before You properly, with ultimate perfection, until we draw complete healing to ourselves, to our children and to Your entire nation, the House of Israel (and in particular to [Hebrew name], the son/daughter of [father’s Hebrew name]), because You are the faithful and compassionate God, King and Healer.
Complete Healing from God As a result of our prayers, may all the grasses and vegetation of the field collectively pour their power into the words of our prayer, which is the word of HaShem, may He be blessed, their supernal root.
May all the healing powers of all the herbs and drugs in the world be absorbed into our prayers. May our prayers attain great perfection, composed as they are of all the goodness of all the powers of all the grasses and vegetation of the field.
May we raise all of them before You as a pleasing fragrance, to return them to their supernal root by means of our prayer, which is composed of all of them.
By means of that, may we draw the powers of all remedies into bread and water and into everything else that we eat and drink, until we attain complete healing for all our diseases and all our pains — by means of all things in the world, without any physicians or doctors at all.
May we receive complete healing from You when a disease flowers but while it is still hidden within us so that we do not know about it at all — for You alone know all the hidden things within us.
In Your vast compassion, have compassion on us. Send the healing before the wound. Heal us before the disease flowers and some discomfort begins, Heaven forbid. In Your compassion, heal us from all this.
No one knows of any counsel, strategy or cure for any illness, wound or pain — whether the illness is hidden or revealed, Heaven forbid. We have no hope of healing from any of them in a natural way.
We know and believe with complete faith that none of the remedies of any of the doctors work. Indeed, they are all idolatrous physicians, worthless, acting in vain. They do not help or rescue, because they are nothing.
Help, save and protect us. Always keep us far from physicians and doctors. Subdue and cast down all doctors with all their remedies, for You know that they damage the world a great deal. They kill many people every day and every hour, whether unintentionally or intentionally.
Rescue us from them, our Father in Heaven. Guard us from them, as well as our children, our grandchildren and all the children of Your nation, the House of Israel, from now and forever.
Help us receive all healing in the world by means of prayer alone. May the truth be revealed that the only remedies in the world come about solely through prayer.
May we realize the verse, “And He said, ‘If you listen to the voice of HaShem your God and do that which is upright in His eyes, and listen to His commandments and guard all His laws, then all the disease that I placed in Egypt I will not place on you, for I am HaShem your Healer.’”
Finding Favor In Your vast compassion, cause the horn of David Your servant to flourish very soon. Quickly redeem us. May the spark of the Mashiach shine in the world. Awaken the heart of the Mashiach, the son of David, Your servant, to receive our prayers and raise them as a pleasing fragrance before the throne of Your glory.
All of the prayers, with all of the good fragrance of all the vegetation of the field included in them, are included in “the spirit of our nostrils, the Mashiach of HaShem.” May they all rise as a pleasing fragrance before You.
Quickly redeem us by means of our righteous Mashiach. “Come, let him come, may he not tarry.” May he redeem us with an eternal redemption, quickly and easily.
Have compassion on us and give us favor in the eyes of all who see us. May we find favor in the eyes of God and man, and in the eyes of all the angels and ministers, above and below. May they all have compassion on us, and may we find favor in the eyes of all.
Recognizing True Leaders In Your vast compassion, save us and help us so that we will recognize all the well-known Jewish leaders in the world, and know how to distinguish between good and evil.
May we know who the true Tzaddikim are and who the false leaders are — men whose greatness is due only to brazenness, which is sovereignty without a crown.
May we attain perfected prayer on all levels. In the merit and power of the prayers of the true Tzaddikim, who are the root of all, from whom everyone receives his energy, may the brazenness of all the well-known, false leaders be eradicated and cast down.
May they all bow and fall before the prayer of the true Tzaddikim. May they not be able to raise their heads against them or against those who rely on them and are supported by them in truth.
May we always know the truth and truly connect ourselves to all the true Tzaddikim, who are the roots of the souls of all Israel, beneath whom all souls are divided, until we can truly connect ourselves to and grasp all the roots of the souls of Your nation, the House of Israel, which are carved from beneath Your throne of glory.
Dominion Over the Angels In this way, may we rule over the angels and maintain our rule over them with power and strength forever and ever. May they never cast us down, for You are elevated forever, HaShem, and Your hand is forever on the ascendancy, and You help those without power. “In Your hand is power and might, and You have the power to enhance and strengthen everything.”
“You are He, HaShem, alone; You made the heavens, the heavens of heavens and all their host, the earth and everything on it, the seas and everything in them. You give life to them all, and the host of Heaven bows to You.” “And in Your favor, You raise our horn.”
In Your vast compassion, help us fulfill Your good will and complete Your supernal intent, so that we will quickly return to You with complete penitence. May we break all evil lusts, idolatries and evil traits, until we attain perfected prayer and serve You wholeheartedly and truly, in accordance with Your good will.
For Rosh HaShanah The Gift of Rosh HaShanah In Your vast compassion and mighty kindness, have compassion on us so that we will celebrate Rosh HaShanah with great holiness and purity, with fear and love, with great joy and gladness.
In Your compassion, You chose us from all the nations and sanctified us with Your commandments. In doing so, You did us a great kindness. You gave us this good gift, the holy Rosh HaShanah, a holy and awesome day on which Your sovereignty is elevated and Your throne is established with kindness, and You truly sit upon it.
In Your vast compassion and mighty kindness, You established the great and holy Rosh HaShanah, the great and awesome Day of Judgment, on Rosh Chodesh Tishrei.
That is a great and wondrous kindness that You gave us, Master of kindness and compassion. You consider from afar how to ultimately bring us goodness. You are good and do good for both wicked people and good people. You created the remedy and balm before we suffered any wounds.
You know that we are flesh and blood, carved from clay. We were created in sin and in transgression our mothers conceived us, and “the inclination of the heart of man is evil from his youth.” “There is no righteous man in the earth who does good and does not transgress.” But we are puny in worth, lowly in stature, weak in strength, burdened in spirit, infants who have not seen the light, smeared with the sins of their youth, filled with transgression, sin and iniquity.
If not for Your mighty and awesome compassion and kindness, we would not have any hope at all, Heaven forbid. How will we open our mouths and how will we lift our eyes? How can we come before You with our transgressions and brazenly stiffen our necks in order to confess before You, our God and God of our fathers, and express contrition for our deeds and sins?
But Your kindness is vast. “HaShem, Your kindness fills the earth.” “The kindness of HaShem has not ceased, for Your compassion has not been exhausted,” even after “the mountains will depart and the hills totter.” Your kindness will never leave us, no matter what we have done.
You established for us the holy day of Rosh HaShanah, the great and awesome Day of Judgment, on Rosh Chodesh, a day when You Yourself seek atonement, as it were. As our sages related, You Yourself said, “Bring an atonement on My behalf, because I diminished the moon.”
Therefore, You gave us a means to come and confess before You and regret our deeds on the great Day of Judgment, Rosh HaShanah, because at that time You Yourself express regret and seek atonement.
Therefore, we have come before You, HaShem our God and God of our fathers, God of kindness and compassion. In Your vast compassion and mighty kindness, help us receive this great kindness on the holy Rosh HaShanah, which comes to us for the good.
In these generations before the coming of the Mashiach, You know that our only hope is in the gathering together of Jews in all Jewish communities on the holy Rosh HaShanah.
Standing Before God Alone You know hidden things. You investigate hearts. Master of kindness, You are filled with compassion. Teach us and instruct us how to draw Your great kindness onto ourselves, so that we will truly return to You with a full heart.
We transgressed, sinned and were rebellious before You a great deal. We blemished Your glory a great deal. We followed after the lusts of our hearts and drew the evil inclination onto ourselves, and spoiled that which we spoiled, until we have no one to speak on our behalf and no merit according to the law of holy judgment.
Thus we have come before You to petition Your countenance and prostrate ourselves before the compassion of Your throne of glory. We lift our eyes to You, HaShem our God and God of our fathers, so that You will act for the sake of Your simple compassion and kindness, and sit at our judgment, “for judgment belongs to God.”
Do not give power or authority to any human being in the world, or to any court, Heavenly or earthly, or to any angel or seraph, or to any created being in the world, to judge us, Heaven forbid. “Far be it from You to do such a thing.”
Rather, judge us Yourself, in Your vast compassion and great kindness. “From before You may our judgment go forth; may Your eyes see [our] upright acts.”
You alone know our place, for You are the Place of the world and the world is not Your place. Only You know how to always judge all of us favorably. “Your compassion is abundant, HaShem. Give me life in accordance with Your custom.”
You know the place of each and every Jew: how he was born, how his soul was drawn into this world, and where he has been, materially and spiritually, from his birth to this day. You are filled with compassion, and tend toward kindness always.
Our Father in Heaven, You are truly compassionate and kind. Have mercy on us at this time of trouble, when “children have come to be born, but there is no strength to bring them forth.” Treat us with Your generous kindness, which is not lacking in any way. From now on, may we truly be in accordance with Your will, turning aside from evil and always doing that which is good in Your eyes.
Fill the blemish of the moon. May it never be diminished. May the light of the moon be like the light of the sun, like the light of the seven days of Creation, as it was before it was diminished.
Help us grasp the throne of glory, the roots of the souls of Israel, until we have the power to make Rosh HaShanah, to always draw and illumine the holiness of Rosh HaShanah onto ourselves and onto all the Jewish people.
Judging People Favorably May we always judge every person favorably and move the entire world to the side of merit, to grant merit to everyone on his level.
May we truly know the place of every member of Israel, Your holy, chosen nation, and draw merit, kindness and compassion onto each and every one — even the lowest and the least worthy. Open the light of knowledge for us so that we may find merit in all of them.
In Your compassion, rescue us from the slightest trace of gossip. May we not even begin to judge any Jew negatively, Heaven forbid, but may we always judge everyone favorably.
May we impel ourselves with all our might to find merit, kindness and goodness in every individual — even someone on the lowest level, the basest and least worthy — and always bring everything to the side of merit.
God Can Elevate Us You are filled with compassion. Compassionately fulfill our requests for the good. Fulfill all of our desires and requests for a good outcome, swiftly, easily and quickly.
Take pride in Your entire nation, the Jewish people, forever, from the greatest to the smallest, for they are all precious and beloved as the apple of Your eye, and everything is in Your hand.
“You can do everything and no design is withheld from You.” We are lowly, base, unworthy, crushed and oppressed, and far from You because of our many serious sins and transgressions.
Nevertheless, You can elevate us and raise us, draw holiness and purity onto us, and cause us to repent fully before You and serve You in truth, until we attain everything that we have requested from You.
“He raises the poor man from the dust, He lifts the impoverished man from the ash heap, to seat [him] with the princes, with the princes of His nation.” You cast down the haughty and elevate the lowly.
You are filled with compassion for us and for all the Jewish people, always and at every moment. You alone do great wonders, for Your kindness is forever.
You “do great things beyond comprehension and wonders without number.” “There is none as holy as HaShem, for there is none besides You, and there is no Rock like our God.” “HaShem kills and gives life, He brings down to Sheol and raises up. HaShem impoverishes and makes rich; He humbles, He also elevates.”
“He raises the poor man from the dust, He lifts the impoverished man from the ash heap, to seat [him] with the princes, and He gives them a throne of glory as an inheritance, for the pillars of the earth are HaShem’s, and He places the world upon them. He will guard the feet of His pious ones, and the wicked will be cut off in darkness, for a man will not prevail with might. Those who fight against HaShem will be broken; He will thunder upon them in Heaven. HaShem will judge the ends of the earth, and He will give might to His king and elevate the horn of His anointed one.”
“More than the sounds of the mighty waters, more than the mightiest breakers of the sea, is HaShem, mighty in the heights. Your testimonies are very faithful for Your house, the dwelling place of holiness, HaShem, for length of days.”
[עַל־פִּי תּוֹרָה א' - תִּקְעוּ - מֶמְשָׁלָה]
אֲדוֹן כֹּל, מוֹשֵׁל בַּכֹּל, אַתָּה בָּרָאתָ אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל עַמֶּךָ, כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּזְכּוּ לַתַּכְלִית הָאֲמִתִּי, לַתַּכְלִית הַנִּצְחִי, עַד שֶׁיִּהְיֶה לָהֶם מֶמְשָׁלָה עַל הַמַּלְאָכִים, כִּי זֶה הוּא הַתַּכְלִית וְהַסּוֹף שֶׁל אִישׁ הַיִּשְׂרְאֵלִי, שֶׁנִּבְרָא בִּשְׁבִיל הַתַּכְלִית הַזֶּה כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּהְיֶה לוֹ מֶמְשָׁלָה עַל הַמַּלְאָכִים.
Ruling Over the Angels / Rectifying the Mind on the Festivals / Rosh HaShanah: A Day Imbued with Atonement / A Baby Should Drink Spiritually Pure Milk / A Person Should Not Desire a Position of Leadership / One Should Not Consult Doctors But Draw Healing into His Food / Respecting Every Jew / Distinguishing Between True and False Leaders
God created each Jew to rule over the angels.
A person can do so when he connects himself to true Tzaddikim, who are the root of all Jewish souls. That root is higher than the angels.
Because Jews have the power to attain this goal, the angels are jealous of them.
Therefore, at times they treat Jews harshly — particularly those who are weak, impoverished and blemished, who have been enticed by the fire of passions since their youth.
*
On Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot, a person can rectify the three realms of consciousness: wisdom, understanding and knowledge. As a result, he can nullify the three cardinal evil desires, as follows: on Pesach, he nullifies the lust for money; on Shavuot, he nullifies the lust for sexual relations; and on Sukkot, he nullifies the lust for eating.
*
If a baby suckles from an unworthy nursemaid, that contaminates his blood and later on strengthens the heat of the lust for sensuality.
A person should purify his heart of that blemish and, in addition, pray that all Jewish babies have worthy nursemaids so they will not imbibe that lust with their milk.
*
A person should not desire any official position.
*
No doctor in the world can heal any disease. In fact, with their remedies, doctors kill many people every hour, whether unintentionally or intentionally. Therefore, a person should stay far away from them.
Healing results only from the word of HaShem, which comes in response to prayer — particularly the prayers of the Tzaddikim.
The word of HaShem, which is the root of all creation, comes to the Tzaddik who is called the “master of prayer.” It then passes on to the angels, and proceeds from them through the constellations to medicinal plants.
The healing powers of all these herbs should be absorbed into a person’s prayers. He should strive to draw down healing by means of the word of HaShem so that it will enter into his food and drink.
*
A person should never insult any Jew in the world. He should believe with complete faith in every Jew, even one who is base and dishonorable, for each Jew is precious in God’s eyes.
*
A person must distinguish between true Tzaddikim and false leaders, men whose status is only due to shamelessness.
In the merit of the prayers of the true Tzaddikim, that shamelessness is eradicated.
*
On Creation’s first Rosh Chodesh (New Moon) of Tishrei, God diminished the moon. That act created the dynamic that made possible all transgression. Every year on that day, God Himself seeks atonement, as it were, for having done so.
Since this day is imbued with the energy of atonement and forgiveness, God therefore chose it for Rosh HaShanah, the Day of Judgment.
Ruling Over the Angels
Lord of all, Ruler of all, You created Your nation, the Jewish people, to attain the true, eternal, ultimate goal of ruling over the angels. For the ultimate goal of each Jew, the purpose for which he was created, is to rule over the angels.
וְעַתָּה אָבִי רְאֵה גַּם רְאֵה, כַּמָּה אֲנִי רָחוֹק מֵהַתַּכְלִית הַזֶּה מִקָּצֶה אֶל קָצֶה בְּתַכְלִית הָרִחוּק, וְלֹא דַי שֶׁלֹּא זָכִיתִי לְהַתַּכְלִית הַזֶּה אַף גַּם הֲרֵעוֹתִי אֶת מַעֲשַׂי וְקִפַּחְתִּי אֶת טוֹבָתִי וּקְדוּשָׁתִי,
And now, “my Father, see; indeed, see” how far I am from reaching this goal — indeed, I am at the opposite extreme. Not only have I not attained this goal, but I have corrupted my deeds and undermined my goodness and holiness.
כִּי חָטָאתִי עָוִיתִי וּפָשַׁעְתִּי לְפָנֶיךָ וְהוֹסַפְתִּי בְּכָל פַּעַם חֵטְא עַל פֶּשַׁע, יָמִים עַל יָמִים, שָׁנִים עַל שָׁנִים, עַד אֲשֶׁר לֹא חָלַף עָלַי יוֹם אֶחָד מִכָּל יְמֵי חַיַּי בְּלִי חֲטָאִים וּפְגָּמִים רַבִּים וַעֲצוּמִים, גְּדוֹלִים וּקְטַנִּים,
I have transgressed, sinned and been rebellious before You, and every time I have added sin to rebellion, day after day and year after year, until not one day of my entire life has passed without my committing many sins and blemishes, great and small.
עַד אֲשֶׁר עֲוֹנוֹתַי רָבּוּ מֵחוֹל יַמִּים וּמֵעֲפַר הָאָרֶץ וּמִטִּפּוֹת הַיָּם, וְעָצְמוּ מִשַּׂעֲרוֹת רֹאשִׁי וְגָבְהוּ מִנִּשְׁמַת רוּחַ אַפִּי, עַד אֲשֶׁר אֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ, אֵיךְ אֲנִי יָכוֹל לִחְיוֹת אֲפִלּוּ שָׁעָה אַחַת מֵעֹצֶם מְרִירוּת עֲוֹנוֹתַי הָרַבִּים מְאֹד.
My sins have increased so much that they are more than the sand of the sea, the dust of the earth and the drops of the ocean. They are more than the hairs of my head and beyond the breaths of my nostrils. I do not know how I can live for even a single hour because of the great bitterness that my many sins have caused me.
אוֹי לִי, מֶה עָשִׂיתִי, וְאִם זָכַרְתִּי וְנִבְהַלְתִּי, נַעֲוֵיתִי מִשְּׁמֹעַ נִבְהַלְתִּי מֵרְאוֹת, תָּעָה לְבָבִי פַּלָצוּת בִּעֲתָתְנִי, אֵת נֶשֶׁף חִשְׁקִי שָׂם לִי לַחֲרָדָה, עַד שֶׁהַמֶּלֶךְ בִּמְסִבּוֹ נִרְדִּי נָתַן רֵיחוֹ. מָה אֹמַר מָה אֲדַבֵּר מָה אֶצְטַדָּק. כִּי כְּבָר שָׁפַכְתִּי שִׂיחַ לִפְנֵי בּוֹחֵן כְּלָיוֹת כַּדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה פְּעָמִים, וַעֲדַיִן לֹא נִתְעוֹרַרְתִּי בֶּאֱמֶת לָשׁוּב אֵלֶיךָ כָּרָאוּי בֶּאֱמֶת.
Woe! What have I done? When I remember, I am set aback. “I have become confused as a result of hearing, frightened as a result of seeing. My heart strays, fright terrifies me; He has turned the evening that I longed for into trembling.” “While the king was still at his table, my spikenard gave forth its scent.”14That is, when God’s Presence was still at Mount Sinai, I sinned with the golden calf.
What shall I say? How shall I speak? How will I justify myself? Many times, I poured forth words like these before You, God, Who investigates a person’s innards, and still I have not truly aroused myself to return to You properly.
וּבֶאֱמֶת יָדַעְתִּי יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהַי, כִּי לֹא עָלֶיךָ תְּלוּנָתִי חָלִילָה, כִּי אִם עָלַי וְעַל נַפְשִׁי, אָנֹכִי סַבּוֹתִי בְּנַפְשִׁי כָּל אֵלֶּה. בִּי אֲנִי אֲדוֹנִי הֶעָוֹן, וְהַמֶּלֶךְ וְכִסְאוֹ נָקִי.
In truth, I know, HaShem my God, that my complaint is not against You, Heaven forbid, but against myself and my soul. I did all of this to myself. The sin is in me, my Master. The King and His throne are blameless.
אַךְ עִם כָּל זֶה אָמַרְתִּי וִיהִי מָה אָרוּצָה דְּבָרַי אֵלֶּה לְפָנֶיךָ, אוּלַי אֶמְצָא עַתָּה חֵן וָחֶסֶד בְּעֵינֶיךָ, שֶׁתַּעֲשֶׂה עִמִּי כְּגֹדֶל נִפְלְאוֹתֶיךָ הַנּוֹרָאוֹת, וְתַחְתֹּר חֲתִירָה מִתַּחַת כִּסֵּא כְבוֹדֶךָ, וְתַחֲזִירֵנִי בִּתְשׁוּבָה שְׁלֵמָה לְפָנֶיךָ בֶּאֱמֶת וּבְלֵב שָׁלֵם,
Still, I thought that I would place these words of mine before You. Perhaps I will now find grace and kindness in Your eyes, so that You will treat me in accordance with the greatness of Your awesome wonders, and You will dig a tunnel from under the throne of Your glory and truly bring me back to You in complete repentance, with a full heart.
בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה מֵעַתָּה לִרְדֹּף בֶּאֱמֶת אַחַר הַתַּכְלִית הָאֲמִתִּי. אֲשֶׁר בִּשְׁבִילוֹ נִבְרֵאתִי, עַד אֲשֶׁר אֶזְכֶּה לְהַשִּׂיגוֹ בֶּאֱמֶת:
From now on, may I truly pursue the goal for which I was created, until I will attain it.
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, רִבּוֹנוֹ דְּעָלְמָא כֹּלָּא, יוֹדֵעַ כָּל הַתַּעֲלוּמוֹת, צוֹפֶה וּמַבִּיט עַד סוֹף כָּל הַדּוֹרוֹת, אַתָּה יוֹדֵעַ אֶת עֹצֶם הַקִּנְאָה שֶׁנִּתְקַנְּאוּ בָּנוּ הַמַּלְאָכִים, מֵחֲמַת שֶׁיֵּשׁ בְּכֹחֵנוּ לְהַשִּׂיג הַתַּכְלִית הַזֶּה לִמְשׁוֹל עֲלֵיהֶם,
Master of the world, Master of the entire world, You know all hidden things. You gaze to the end of all generations. You know the great jealousy of the angels toward us because we have the power to reach this ultimate goal and rule over them.
וּבִפְרָט בְּהַחֲלוּשֵׁי כֹחַ שֶׁבְּיִשְׂרָאֵל כָּמוֹנִי הֶעָנִי וְהָאֶבְיוֹן, הַפָּגוּם וְהַמְקוּלְקָל, אֲשֶׁר מִנְּעוּרֵינוּ הִתְגָּרוּ בָּנוּ וְהִבְעִירוּ בָּנוּ אֵשׁ הַתַּאֲווֹת, כִּי יֵצֶר לֵב הָאָדָם רַע מִנְּעוּרָיו,
This particularly applies to weak Jews such as myself, people who are poor and impoverished, blemished and ruined, who have been enticed and inflamed by the fire of passions since their youth — “for the inclination of the heart of the man is evil from his youth.”
וּבְעֹצֶם כְּסִילוּת דַּעְתֵּנוּ לֹא חַסְנוּ עַל נַפְשֵׁנוּ לְהִתְחַכֵּם וּלְהִתְגַּבֵּר עַל הַתַּאֲווֹת, עַד אֲשֶׁר נַעֲשׂוּ הֶרְגֵּל אֶצְלֵנוּ כָּל הַתַּאֲווֹת רָעוֹת,
In our great foolishness, we did not have pity on our souls to be wise and overcome these lusts, and so all of these evil desires became second nature.
וְעַל־יְדֵי־זֶה בָּאנוּ לְכַמָּה חֲטָאִים וַעֲוֹנוֹת וּפְשָׁעִים בְּשׁוֹגֵג וּבְמֵזִיד בְּאֹנֶס וּבְרָצוֹן כְּפִי אֲשֶׁר יוֹדֵעַ כָּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד אֶת נִגְעֵי לְבָבוֹ וּמַכְאוֹבֵי נַפְשׁוֹ, עַד אֲשֶׁר עֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ עָבְרוּ רֹאשֵׁינוּ כְּמַשָּׂא כָבֵד יִכְבְּדוּ מִמֶּנּוּ.
As a result, we committed a number of errors, sins and transgressions, unintentionally or intentionally, under duress or willingly — and every individual knows the pains of his heart and the pains of his soul — until our sins overwhelmed us, like a burden that is too heavy for us.
וְעַתָּה מַה נַּעֲשֶׂה וּמַה נִּפְעָל, כִּי אֵין אָנוּ יוֹדְעִים שׁוּם דֶּרֶךְ וְעֵצָה אֵיךְ לְהִתְגַּבֵּר עַל כָּל הַתַּאֲווֹת רָעוֹת, אֲשֶׁר כְּבָר הֻרְגַּלְנוּ בָהֶם מְאֹד.
And now, what shall we do? How shall we act? We do not know of any way and we have no counsel on how to overcome all of these evil desires that we have grown so accustomed to.
אֲהָהּ יְהֹוָה, אֵיכָה נַעֲשֶׂה, אֲהָהּ יְהֹוָה, לְהֵיכָן נִבְרַח, אֲהָהּ אֲדוֹנִי, וַאֲנִי שָׁאוּל בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה לִזְמַן מוּעָט מְאֹד כְּצֵל עוֹבֵר וּכְאָבָק פּוֹרֵחַ, וּמָה אָשִׁיב שֹׁלְחִי דָבָר, וּמָה אֶעֱשֶׂה לְיוֹם פְּקֻדָּה, וּמָה אֶעֱשֶׂה כִּי יָקוּם אֵל וְכִי יִפְקֹד מָה אֲשִׁיבֶנוּ:
Visitors in This World
HaShem, what shall we do? HaShem, where shall we flee? My Master, we are visitors in this world for a very short time, “like a passing shadow and like flying dust.” What will we reply to the One Who sent us? What will we do on the day of visitation? “What shall I do when God arises; when He visits, how shall I respond to Him?”
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, נָכוֹן כִּסְאֲךָ מֵאָז מֵעוֹלָם אָתָּה. עֵדֹתֶיךָ נֶאֱמְנוּ מְאֹד לְבֵיתְךָ נָאֲוָה קֹּדֶשׁ יְהֹוָה לְאֹרֶךְ יָמִים.
Master of the world, “Your throne is long established; You exist eternally.” “Your testimonies are very faithful to Your House, the dwelling place of holiness, HaShem, for length of days.”
כִּי אַתָּה מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, וְרַק אַתָּה לְבַד יָכוֹל לָדוּן אֶת כָּל אָדָם לְכַף זְכוּת אֲפִלּוּ אֶת הַגָּרוּעַ וְהַפָּחוּת שֶׁבְּיִשְׂרָאֵל,
You are filled with compassion, and You alone judge every individual positively — even the lowest and least worthy Jew.
כִּי אַתָּה לְבַד יוֹדֵעַ אֶת מְקוֹמוֹ שֶׁל כָּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד מִתְּחִלָּה וְעַד סוֹף, וְאֵיךְ נוֹלָד וְאֵיךְ נִמְשַׁךְ לְזֶה הָעוֹלָם, וּבְאֵיזֶה מָקוֹם הָיָה בְּגַשְׁמִיּוּת וּבְרוּחָנִיּוּת,
You alone know the situation of every individual from beginning to end — how he was born, how he came to this world, and what place he has inhabited, physically and spiritually.
וְגַם כַּמָּה חֲמִימוּת שֶׁל תַּאֲוַת הַמִּשְׁגָּל נִכְנַס בְּכַמָּה אֲנָשִׁים מִבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, עַל־יְדֵי הַיְנִיקָה שֶׁיָּנְקוּ חָלָב מִנָּשִׁים שֶׁאֵינָן כְּשֵׁרוֹת, כַּאֲשֶׁר אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ. הֵן בֶּעָוֹן חוֹלָלְנוּ וּבְחֵטְא יֶחֱמַתְנוּ אִמֵּנוּ,
Overcoming the Great Heat
A great heat of desire for sexual relations has entered into a number of Jews, because when they were babies, they nursed from unworthy women. Indeed, “in sin I was formed and in transgression my mother conceived me.”
עַד אֲשֶׁר גָּבְרוּ עָלֵינוּ מְצוּלוֹת יָם, הִרְהוּרִים וּמַחֲשָׁבוֹת רָעוֹת רַבּוֹת מְאֹד. וַיַּכְנַע בֶּעָמָל לִבֵּנוּ נִכְשַׁלְנוּ וְאֵין עוֹזֵר:
A deep sea of many evil musings and thoughts has engulfed us. Our hearts are overwhelmed. We stumble, and no one is there to help.
אָנָּא יְהֹוָה, טוֹב וּמֵטִיב לָרָעִים וְלַטּוֹבִים, זַכֵּנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים וְתֵן לָנוּ כֹּחַ וּגְבוּרָה מֵעַתָּה, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לַתַּכְלִית הָאֲמִתִּי, עַד שֶׁיִּהְיֶה לָנוּ מֶמְשָׁלָה עַל הַמַּלְאָכִים,
Please, HaShem, You Who are good and do good to everyone, bad or good — in Your vast compassion, give us the strength from this moment on to attain the true goal of ruling over the angels.
וְתִתֶּן לָנוּ כֹּחַ לַעֲמֹד בְּמֶּמְשָׁלָה זוֹ שֶׁיִּהְיֶה קִיּוּם לְמֶמְשַׁלְתֵּנוּ זֹאת לָעַד וְלָנֶצַח. וּתְזַכֵּנוּ וְתַעַזְרֵנוּ וְתִתֶּן לָנוּ דַּעַת, שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לֶאֱחֹז עַצְמֵנוּ בְּכִסֵּא כְבוֹדֶךָ, שֶׁהוּא שָׁרְשֵׁי נִשְׁמוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל:
Give us the power to retain this rule, so that it will last forever. Help us and give us knowledge, so that we will grasp the throne of Your glory, which is composed of the roots of the souls of Israel.
לִכְלָלִיּוּת יוֹם־טוֹב
וּבְכֵן תְּזַכֵּנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לִשְׁמֹר אֶת הַיִּרְאָה שֶׁבַּלֵּב, וּתְזַכֵּנוּ לְקַבֵּל אֶת הַשָּׁלֹשׁ רְגָלִים שֶׁהֵם; פֶּסַח שָׁבוּעוֹת סֻכּוֹת, בְּשִׂמְחָה וְחֶדְוָה גְּדוֹלָה רַבָּה וַעֲצוּמָה, וּבְיִרְאָה וּבְאַהֲבָה וּבִקְדֻשָּׁה וּבְטָהֳרָה גְּדוֹלָה בְּתַכְלִית הַשְּׁלֵמוּת כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב,
For the Three Festivals
Honoring the Festivals
In Your vast compassion, help us keep the fear of God in our hearts. Help us celebrate the Three Festivals of Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot with great and intense joy and gladness, with fear, with love, and with the greatest holiness and purity, in accordance with Your good will.
וְאֶזְכֶּה לְכַבְּדָם בְּכָל מִינֵי כָבוֹד וָעֹנֶג, בַּאֲכִילָה וּשְׁתִיָּה וּמַעֲדַנִּים טוֹבִים וּבְמַלְבּוּשֵׁי כָבוֹד, וּבִתְפִלָּה בְּכַוָּנָה וְשִׂמְחָה גְּדוֹלָה וּבְהִתְעוֹרְרוּת גְּדוֹלָה.
May we honor the festivals with every sort of honor and delight: with eating and drinking, delicacies and fine garments, and with focused prayer, great joy and a powerful awakening.
וְנִזְכֶּה לְהַמְשִׁיךְ עָלֵינוּ דַּעַת גָּדוֹל וְחָדָשׁ בְּכָל רֶגֶל וָרֶגֶל מֵהַשָּׁלֹשׁ רְגָלִים,
Help us draw great and new awareness upon ourselves on every single one of the Three Festivals.
וְנִזְכֶּה לְתַקֵּן וּלְחַדֵּשׁ כָּל הַשְּׁלֹשָׁה מוֹחִין שֶׁבִּשְׁלֹשָׁה חַלְלֵי הַגֻּלְגּוֹלֶת שֶׁהֵם; חָכְמָה וּבִינָה וָדַעַת עַל־יְדֵי הַשָּׁלֹשׁ רְגָלִים,
Rectification for the Three Evil Desires
By means of the Three Festivals, may we rectify and renew all three states of consciousness in the three hollows of the skull, which are wisdom, understanding and knowledge.
עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה עַל־יְדֵי־זֶה לְשַׁבֵּר וּלְבַטֵּל כָּל הַשָּׁלֹשׁ תַּאֲווֹת רָעוֹת שֶׁהֵם; תַּאֲוַת מָמוֹן וְתַאֲוַת מִשְׁגָּל וְתַאֲוַת אֲכִילָה, אֲשֶׁר הֵם הָיוּ בְּעוֹכְרֵנוּ, וְעַל־יָדָם אִבַּדְנוּ מַה שֶּׁאִבַּדְנוּ, וּבָאנוּ לְמַה שֶּׁבָּאנוּ.
As a result, may we break and nullify all three evil desires — the lust for money, the lust for sexual relations, and the lust for eating — which have polluted us, and through which we lost what we lost and came to what we came to.
אָנָּא יְהֹוָה, אָנָּא יְהֹוָה, חוּס וַחֲמֹל עָלֵינוּ, חוּס וַחֲמֹל עַל נַפְשֵׁנוּ, חֲמֹל עַל עוֹלָלֵנוּ וְטַפֵּינוּ, חֲמֹל עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל הַתְּלוּיִים בָּנוּ, חֲמֹל עַל כְּבוֹדֶךָ,
Please, HaShem, have pity and mercy on us, on our souls, on our children and babies, and on all those who rely on us. Have mercy on Your honor.
וְזַכֵּנוּ מֵעַתָּה וְחַזְּקֵנוּ וְאַמְּצֵנוּ וְשַׂמְּחֵנוּ בְּשִׂמְחָה דִּקְדֻשָּׁה, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁיֻּמְשָׁךְ עָלֵינוּ כֹּחַ וּגְבוּרָה גְּדוֹלָה דִּקְדֻשָּׁה, עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה מְהֵרָה לְשַׁבֵּר וּלְבַטֵּל כָּל הַשָּׁלֹשׁ תַּאֲווֹת הָאֵלֶּה.
Help us from this moment on. Strengthen us and give us the joy of holiness, so that a great power of holiness and strength will be drawn onto us, until we quickly break and nullify these three desires.
וְנִזְכֶּה לְהַמְשִׁיךְ הַדַּעַת דִּקְדֻשָּׁה לְתוֹךְ לְבָבֵינוּ עַל־יְדֵי קְדֻשַּׁת הַשָּׁלֹשׁ רְגָלִים. וְעַל־יְדֵי־זֶה נִזְכֶּה לְתַקֵּן אֶת לְבָבֵנוּ, לְבַטֵּל מִלְּבָבֵנוּ כָּל הַשָּׁלֹשׁ תַּאֲווֹת הָאֵלֶּה, וְלֹא יִשָּׁאֵר אֶצְלֵינוּ מֵהֶם שׁוּם רֹשֶׁם כְּלָל:
May we draw the knowledge of holiness into our hearts through the holiness of the Three Festivals. As a result, may we rectify our hearts, nullifying these three desires, so that they leave no impression whatsoever.
וּתְזַכֵּנוּ לְקַבֵּל חַג הַפֶּסַח בִּקְדֻשָּׁה גְּדוֹלָה זְמַן חֵרוּתֵנוּ, וְעַל־יְדֵי־זֶה נִזְכֶּה לְהַמְשִׁיךְ מֹחַ וָדַעַת לְשַׁבֵּר תַּאֲוַת מָמוֹן.
Help us celebrate the festival of Pesach, the time of our freedom, with great holiness. As a result, may we draw energy down from our consciousness and intellect to break our lust for money.
וּבִזְכוּת קְדֻשַּׁת חַג הַשָּׁבוּעוֹת תְּזַכֵּנוּ לְהַמְשִׁיךְ מֹחַ וָדַעַת לְשַׁבֵּר תַּאֲוַת הַמִּשְׁגָּל.
And in the merit of the holiness of the festival of Shavuot, help us draw energy down from our consciousness and intellect to break our lust for sexual relations.
וּבִזְכוּת קְדֻשַּׁת חַג הַסֻּכּוֹת חַג הָאָסִיף תְּזַכֵּנוּ לְהַמְשִׁיךְ מֹחַ וָדַעַת לְשַׁבֵּר תַּאֲוַת אֲכִילָה:
And in the merit of the holiness of the festival of Sukkot, the festival of ingathering, help us draw energy down from our consciousness and intellect to break our lust for eating.
אָנָּא יְהֹוָה, חוּס וַחֲמֹל עָלֵינוּ וּמַלֵּא מִשְׁאֲלוֹתֵינוּ לְטוֹבָה בְּרַחֲמִים, כִּי אַתָּה בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים גִּלִּיתָ לָנוּ אֵלּוּ הָעֵצוֹת טוֹבוֹת קְדוֹשׁוֹת, אֵיךְ לְהִנָּצֵל מִכָּל רָע. וְהוֹדַעְתָּ לָנוּ עֵצָה טוֹבָה וִישָׁרָה לְשַׁבֵּר כָּל הַשָּׁלֹשׁ תַּאֲווֹת הָעִקָּרִיּוֹת עַל־יְדֵי קַבָּלַת הַשָּׁלֹשׁ רְגָלִים בִּקְדֻשָּׁה כָּרָאוּי.
Please, HaShem, have pity and mercy on us. Compassionately fulfill our requests in order to help us. In Your vast compassion, You revealed to us this good, holy counsel on how we may be rescued from all evil. You gave us good and straight advice to break all three cardinal desires by means of celebrating the Three Festivals with proper holiness.
אֲבָל אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ אֶת רֹעַ לְבָבֵנוּ וְקַשְׁיוּת עָרְפֵּנוּ וּבִלְבּוּל וַעֲכִירַת דַּעְתֵּנוּ וְגֹדֶל חֲלִישׁוּתֵנוּ, עַד אֲשֶׁר גַּם הָעֵצָה בְּעַצְמָה קָשָׁה עָלֵינוּ לְקַיֵּם,
But You know the evil of our hearts, the stiffness of our necks, the confusion and turbulence of our minds, and our excessive weakness, which makes this advice hard for us to keep.
כִּי אֵין אִתָּנוּ יוֹדֵעַ עַד מָה, שׁוּם דֶּרֶךְ וְתַחְבּוּלָה אֵיךְ וּבְאֵיזֶה אֹפֶן נִזְכֶּה לְקַבֵּל הַשָּׁלֹשׁ רְגָלִים כָּרָאוּי, כַּאֲשֶׁר נִגְלָה לְפָנֶיךָ אֲדוֹן כֹּל, כַּמָּה אָנוּ רְחוֹקִים מִקְּדֻשַּׁת הַשָּׁלֹשׁ רְגָלִים,
No one knows of any way or stratagem as to how we may celebrate these Three Festivals properly — because, as is revealed before You, Lord of all, we are so far from the holiness of the Three Festivals.
כִּי פָּגַמְנוּ בְּכָל תּוֹרָתְךָ הַקְּדוֹשָׁה, וּבִפְרָט בִּקְדֻשַּׁת וְשִׂמְחַת שַׁבָּת וְיוֹם־טוֹב, וְגַם בְּהַשָּׁלֹשׁ רְגָלִים בְּעַצְמָן פָּגַמְנוּ פְּגָמִים הַרְבֵּה מְאֹד:
We have blemished Your entire holy Torah — particularly the holiness and joy of the Shabbat and festivals. Moreover, we caused a great deal of harm in the Three Festivals themselves.
אָנָּא יְהֹוָה, הוֹדִיעֵנוּ נָא אֶת דְּרָכֶיךָ, וְנֵדַע אֵיךְ נִמְצָא חֵן בְּעֵינֶיךָ וְאֵיךְ נִזְכֶּה לִפְעֹל בַּקָּשָׁתֵנוּ אֶצְלְךָ, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְהִתְקָרֵב אֵלֶיךָ בֶּאֱמֶת, וְנִזְכֶּה לְקַיֵּם כָּל הָעֵצוֹת טוֹבוֹת הָאֲמִתִּיּוֹת, אֲשֶׁר גִּלִּיתָ לָנוּ עַל־יְדֵי צַדִּיקֶיךָ הָאֲמִתִּיִּים, עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לָשׁוּב אֵלֶיךָ בֶּאֱמֶת וּבְלֵב שָׁלֵם.
Please, HaShem, inform us of Your ways so that we may know how to find favor in Your eyes and how to act when we make requests of You, so that we will come close to You and keep all of the good, true advice that You revealed to us through Your true Tzaddikim, until we will return to You in truth and with a full heart.
חוּס וַחֲמֹל עָלֵינוּ, יֶהֱמוּ וְיִכָּמְרוּ נָא מֵעֶיךָ וְרַחֲמֶיךָ עָלֵינוּ. מֶלֶךְ רַחֲמָן רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ, טוֹב וּמֵטִיב הִדָּרֶשׁ לָנוּ, שׁוּבָה אֵלֵינוּ בַּהֲמוֹן רַחֲמֶיךָ בִּגְלַל אָבוֹת שֶׁעָשׂוּ רְצוֹנֶךָ.
Have pity and mercy on us. May Your compassion be stirred and moved on our behalf. Compassionate King, have compassion on us. You Who are good and do good, be receptive to us. Return to us in Your great compassion for the sake of the forefathers who did Your will.
זַכֵּנוּ וְחָנֵּנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה כֻלָּנוּ לְקַבֵּל כָּל הַשָּׁלֹשׁ רְגָלִים בְּשִׂמְחָה וּבְחֶדְוָה רַבָּה וַעֲצוּמָה עַד אֵין סוֹף. וּתְזַכֵּנוּ לְשִׂמְחַת יוֹם־טוֹב בֶּאֱמֶת כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב.
In Your vast compassion, purify us and be gracious to us so that we all will celebrate all Three Festivals with great, mighty and infinite joy and gladness. Help us truly attain the joy of the festivals, in accordance with Your good will.
חוּס וַחֲמֹל עָלֵינוּ, כִּי אֵין אָנוּ יוֹדְעִים שׁוּם דֶּרֶךְ אֵיךְ לִזְכּוֹת לְשִׂמְחַת יוֹם־טוֹב, כִּי אִם בְּכֹחֲךָ הַגָּדוֹל לְבָד.
Have pity and mercy on us because we do not know any way to attain the joy of the festivals other than with Your great power alone.
קַדְּשֵׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתֶיךָ וְתֵן חֶלְקֵנוּ בְּתוֹרָתֶךָ, שַׂבְּעֵנוּ מִטּוּבֶךָ וְשַׂמְּחֵנוּ בִּישׁוּעָתֶךָ, וְטַהֵר לִבֵּנוּ לְעָבְדְּךָ בֶּאֱמֶת,
“Sanctify us with Your commandments and give us our portion in Your Torah. Satiate us with Your goodness. Give us joy in Your salvation and purify our heart to truly serve You.”
וְהַנְחִילֵנוּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ בְּשִׂמְחָה וּבְשָׂשׂוֹן מוֹעֲדֵי קָדְשֶׁךָ, עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה בִּזְכוּת וְכֹחַ קְדֻשַּׁת הַשָּׁלֹשׁ רְגָלִים לְשַׁבֵּר וּלְבַטֵּל כָּל הַשָּׁלֹשׁ תַּאֲווֹת רָעוֹת שֶׁהֵן; תַּאֲוַת מָמוֹן וְתַאֲוַת נִאוּף וְתַאֲוַת אֲכִילָה.
HaShem our God, grant us Your holy times in joy and delight, until in the merit and power of the holiness of the Three Festivals, we break and nullify all three evil desires — the lust for money, the lust for sexual relations and the lust for eating.
וְנִזְכֶּה לִהְיוֹת קְדוֹשִׁים וּטְהוֹרִים בֶּאֱמֶת. וְתוֹצִיאֵנִי מֵאֲפֵלָה לְאוֹרָה, מֵחֹשֶׁךְ לְאוֹר גָּדוֹל. וְנִזְכֶּה לְהַמְשִׁיךְ הַדַּעַת הַקְּדוֹשָׁה לְתוֹךְ הַלֵּב, לְתַקֵּן וּלְזַכֵּךְ וּלְטַהֵר הַלֵּב מִכָּל הַשָּׁלֹשׁ תַּאֲווֹת הָאֵלּוּ.
May we be truly holy and pure. Bring us out from dimness to brightness, from darkness to a great light. May we draw holy awareness into the heart, to rectify and purify it from these three lusts.
וִיקֻיַּם בָּנוּ מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, וְיָדַעְתָּ הַיּוֹם וַהֲשֵׁבוֹתָ אֶל לְבָבֶיךָ כִּי יְהֹוָה הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים בַּשָּׁמַיִם מִמַּעַל וְעַל הָאָרֶץ מִתָּחַת אֵין עוֹד:
May the verse be realized in me, “You shall know today and consider in your heart that HaShem is God in Heaven above and on the earth below — there is no other.”
וְתוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים לְתַקֵּן וּלְזַכֵּךְ הַדָּמִים שֶׁבְּקִרְבֵּנוּ, וְנִזְכֶּה לְהַכְנִיעַ הַדָּם שֶׁבֶּחָלָל הַשְּׂמָאלִי שֶׁבַּלֵּב.
Purify Our Contaminated Blood
In Your vast compassion, save us by rectifying and purifying our blood. May we subdue the blood in the left hollow of the heart.
וְתַעַזְרֵנוּ שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְזַכֵּךְ וּלְטַהֵר אֶת לִבֵּנוּ מִפְּגַּם אֶרֶס עֲכִירַת הַדָּמִים שֶׁיֵּשׁ בָּנוּ מִיַּנְקוּתֵנוּ, עַל־יְדֵי עֲכִירַת הֶחָלָב שֶׁאֵינוֹ טוֹב שֶׁהָיִינוּ יוֹנְקִים אָז, אֲשֶׁר עַל־יְדֵי־זֶה מִתְגַבֵּר חַס וְשָׁלוֹם חֲמִימוּת תַּאֲוַת הַמִּשְׁגָּל.
Help us purify and cleanse our heart from the blemish of the poisonous contamination of the blood that is within us since infancy, because of the contaminated, bad milk that we nursed at that time. This contaminated milk strengthens the heat of the lust for sexual relations, Heaven forbid.
אָנָּא יְהֹוָה, זַכֵּנוּ לְתַקֵּן וּלְזַכֵּךְ כָּל זֶה מְהֵרָה, עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְשַׁבֵּר תַּאֲוַת הַמִּשְׁגָּל לְגַמְרֵי. וּתְזַכֵּנוּ לִקְדֻשַּׁת הַבְּרִית בֶּאֱמֶת,
Please, HaShem, purify us so that we will rectify and purify all of this quickly, until we will break the lust for sexual relations entirely. May we merit true holiness of the covenant.
וּתְרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ וְעַל עוֹלָלֵינוּ וְטַפֵּנוּ וְעַל כָּל יַלְדֵי עַמְּךָ בֵּית־יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְתַזְמִין בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים לְכָל וְלָדוֹתֵינוּ, מֵינִיקוֹת כְּשֵׁרוֹת וַהֲגוּנוֹת שֶׁיִּהְיֶה חֲלָבָם טָהוֹר וְכָשֵׁר, זַךְ וָצַח.
Have compassion on us and on our youngsters and babies, and on all the children of Your nation, the House of Israel. In Your vast compassion, see to it that all our children have worthy nursemaids whose milk is pure and worthy.
וְתִשְׁמֹר וְתַצִּיל אֶת כָּל זַרְעֵנוּ, שֶׁלֹּא יִינְקוּ מִנָּשִׁים חֲצוּפוֹת אֲשֶׁר חֲלָבָם טָמֵא, שֶׁלֹּא יַמְשִׁיכוּ בָּהֶם חַס וְשָׁלוֹם אֶרֶס תַּאֲוַת הַמִּשְׁגָּל, כִּי בֶּאֱמֶת אֵין בָּנוּ דַּעַת לִשְׁמֹר זַרְעֵנוּ מִזֶּה, רַק בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ לְבַד תִּשְׁמֹר אֶת זַרְעֵנוּ שֶׁלֹּא יִינְקוּ מֵחָלָב שֶׁאֵינוֹ טוֹב וָזַךְ.
Guard and rescue all our children so that they will not nurse from shameless women whose milk is impure, so that they will not draw the venom of the lust for sexual relations into themselves, Heaven forbid. In truth, we do not have the knowledge to guard our children from this. In Your compassion, guard our children so that they will not nurse from milk that is not good and pure.
וְתַעֲזֹר לָנוּ וּלְזַרְעֵנוּ תָּמִיד, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה כֻלָּנוּ אֲנַחְנוּ וְזַרְעֵנוּ לִשְׁמֹר אֶת הַבְּרִית קֹדֶשׁ בֶּאֱמֶת, וּלְתַקֵּן וּלְטַהֵר עַצְמֵנוּ מִכָּל הַשָּׁלֹשׁ מִדּוֹת הָאֵלּוּ שֶׁהִזְכַּרְנוּם לְפָנֶיךָ,
Help us and our children always so that all of us — we and our children — will truly guard the holy covenant, and rectify and purify ourselves from these three traits that we have mentioned before You.
וְעַל־יְדֵי־זֶה נִזְכֶּה לִשְׁמֹר אֶת הַיִּרְאָה שְׁלֵמָה שֶׁבַּלֵּב, וְנִזְכֶּה לְבִנְיַן יְרוּשָׁלַיִם חִישׁ קַל מְהֵרָה, וְשָׁם נַעֲבָדְךָ בְּיִרְאָה כִּימֵי עוֹלָם וּכְשָׁנִים קַדְמוֹנִיּוֹת, וּלְיִרְאָה מִמְּךָ תָּמִיד, לְיִרְאָה אֶת הַשֵּׁם הַנִּכְבָּד וְהַנּוֹרָא הַזֶּה אֶת יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ.
In this way, may we preserve the complete fear of God in our hearts. May we soon see Jerusalem rebuilt, where we will serve You as in ancient days, fearing You always and fearing the honored and awesome Name of HaShem our God.
לְפָנָיו נַעֲבֹד בְּיִרְאָה וָפַחַד וְנוֹדֶה לִשְׁמוֹ תָמִיד, עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה עַל־יְדֵי הַיִּרְאָה שְׁלֵמָה שֶׁבַּלֵּב לִבְרֹא מַלְאָךְ שֶׁיַּשְׁפִּיעַ נְבוּאָה לִכְלֵי הַנְּבוּאָה, וְיֻמְשַׁךְ הַשְׁפָּעַת הַנְּבוּאָה בָּעוֹלָם, וִיקֻיַּם מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, וְנִבְּאוּ בְנֵיכֶם וּבְנוֹתֵיכֶם.
Fear and Thanks
May we serve You in awe and fear, and thank Your Name always, until as a result of the complete fear in our hearts, we will create an angel that will pour prophecy into the instruments of prophecy, and prophecy will be drawn down into the world, so that the verse will be realized, “Your sons and daughters will prophesy.”
וְתִשְׁמְרֵנוּ וְתַצִּילֵנוּ מֵהִתְמַנּוּת, שֶׁלֹּא יִהְיֶה לָנוּ שׁוּם תַּאֲוָה וְחֶמְדָּה לְשׁוּם הִתְמַנּוּת כְּלָל, לֹא הִתְמַנּוּת גְּדוֹלָה וְלֹא הִתְמַנּוּת קְטַנָּה, וְלֹא תַטִּיל עָלֵינוּ צָרְכֵי צִבּוּר כְּלָל.
Avoiding Official Positions
Guard us and rescue us from desiring any official position whatsoever, whether great or small. Do not make us responsible for any public needs.
רַק נִזְכֶּה לְעָבְדְּךָ בֶּאֱמֶת בְּיִרְאָה וְאַהֲבָה, בִּתְמִימוּת גְּדוֹלָה וּבִפְשִׁיטוּת לְמַעַנְךָ וּלְשִׁמְךָ לְבַד בְּלִי שׁוּם פְּנִיּוֹת וּמַחֲשָׁבוֹת זָרוֹת כְּלָל. וְנִבְרַח מִן הַכָּבוֹד וְהַהִתְמַנּוּת בְּתַכְלִית, וְנִתְרַחֵק מֵהִתְמַנּוּת עַד קְצֵה הָאַחֲרוֹן בֶּאֱמֶת לַאֲמִתּוֹ:
May we just serve You in truth, in fear and in love, with wholehearted simplicity, for Your sake and Name only, without any ulterior motives or foreign thoughts. May we flee from honor and official positions, and remove ourselves as far as possible from official positions.
וּבְכֵן תְּרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, וְתָחוֹס וְתַחְמֹל עַל יָמֵינוּ וּשְׁנוֹתֵינוּ וְתֵטִיב לָנוּ מִטּוּבְךָ הָאֲמִתִּי, וּתְזַכֵּנוּ לִתְפִלָּה בִּשְׁלֵמוּת.
You Who are filled with compassion, have compassion on us. Have pity and mercy on our days and our years. Send the goodness that comes from Your true good. Help us pray wholeheartedly.
וְנִזְכֶּה לְהִתְפַּלֵּל כָּל תְּפִלּוֹתֵינוּ לְפָנֶיךָ בְּכָל לֵב וָנֶפֶשׁ, וְלֹא נְזַלְזֵל חַס וְשָׁלוֹם בִּדְבָרִים הָעוֹמְדִים בְּרוּמוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם שֶׁהִיא הַתְּפִלָּה, וְלֹא נַעֲשֶׂה תְּפִלָּתֵנוּ קֶבַע אֶלָּא רַחֲמִים וְתַחֲנוּנִים. וְלֹא תִדְמֶה עָלֵינוּ תְפִלָּתֵנוּ כְּמַשְׂאוֹי חַס וְשָׁלוֹם,
Prayer from the Heart
May we recite all our prayers before You with all our heart and soul. May we never disdain prayer, which stands at the height of the world. May our prayer never be routine, but always a plea for compassion. And may our prayer never appear to us as a burden, Heaven forbid.
רַק נִזְכֶּה בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, לְהִתְאַמֵּץ וּלְהִתְחַזֵּק וּלְהִתְגַּבֵּר בְּכָל כֹּחַ וָעוֹז וְתַעֲצוּמוֹת בְּכָל מִינֵי כֹּחוֹת, לְהִתְפַּלֵּל תְּפִלָּה שְׁלֵמָה לְפָנֶיךָ בְּכַוָּנוֹת הַלֵּב בֶּאֱמֶת כָּרָאוּי.
In Your vast compassion, help us strengthen, encourage and fortify ourselves in every way to pray to You with all our heart, truly and properly.
כִּי אַתָּה יוֹדֵעַ אָבִינוּ שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם, כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה קָשֶׁה וְכָבֵד עָלֵינוּ לִפְתֹּחַ פִּינוּ בִּתְפִלָּתֵנוּ, וּתְפִלָּתֵנוּ פְּגוּמָה מְאֹד,
Our Father in Heaven, You know how hard it is for us open our mouths to pray. Our prayers are very flawed. In Your great compassion, have pity on us. Help us redeem our prayers from the great and bitter exile that has befallen us now because of our many sins.
חוּסָה עָלֵינוּ כְּרֹב רַחֲמֶיךָ וְזַכֵּנוּ לִגְאוֹל וְלִפְדּוֹת אֶת הַתְּפִלָּה מִן הַגָּלוּת הַגְּדוֹלָה וְהַמָּרָה, שֶׁנָּפְלָה אֶצְלֵנוּ עַכְשָׁיו בַּעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ הָרַבִּים, חוּס וַחֲמֹל, חוּס וְרַחֵם, חוּס וְהוֹשִׁיעָה מְהֵרָה לְמַעַן שִׁמְךָ לְבַד, לְמַעַנְךָ, לְמַעַנְךָ וְלֹא לְמַעֲנֵנוּ. פְּתַח פִּיךָ לְאִלֵּם כָּמוֹנִי, אֲדֹנָי שְׂפָתַי תִּפְתָּח וּפִי יַגִּיד תְּהִלָּתֶךָ. תָּכִין לִבִּי תַּקְשִׁיב אָזְנֶךָ.
Have pity and mercy, have pity and compassion, have pity and save us quickly for the sake of Your Name alone, for Your sake and not for our sake. Open the mouth of a mute person such as I am. “God, open my lips and my mouth will speak Your praise.” Prepare my heart. Listen to me.
עָזְרֵנוּ מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, יוֹשֵׁב תְּהִלּוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁתִּהְיֶה תְּפִלָּתֵנוּ שְׁגוּרָה בְּפִינוּ תָמִיד, וִיקֻיַּם מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, בּוֹרֵא נִיב שְׂפָתָיִם שָׁלוֹם שָׁלוֹם לָרָחוֹק וְלַקָּרוֹב אָמַר יְהֹוָה וּרְפָאתִיו.
You are filled with compassion. You are in the midst of the praises of Israel. Help us so that our prayers will always be smooth in our mouths. May the verse be realized, “He creates the speech of the lips. ‘Peace, peace to the far and to the near,’ says HaShem, ‘and I will heal him.’”
וְנִזְכֶּה בְּכֹחַ תְּפִלּוֹתֵינוּ לְהַכְנִיעַ וּלְהַשְׁפִּיל וּלְשַׁבֵּר וּלְבַטֵּל כָּל הָרְפוּאוֹת הַטִּבְעִיִּים שֶׁל הָרוֹפְאִים, וְיִתְגַּלֶּה הָאֱמֶת בָּעוֹלָם, שֶׁאֵין שׁוּם רוֹפֵא בָּעוֹלָם יוֹדֵעַ כְּלָל לְרַפְּאוֹת שׁוּם חוֹלָאַת,
Healing with Bread and Water
May the power of our prayer subdue, overcome, break and nullify all the natural remedies of the doctors. May the truth be revealed that no doctor in the world knows how to cure any disease.
רַק כָּל הָרְפוּאוֹת כֻּלָּן הֵן רַק עַל־יְדֵי דְּבַר יְהֹוָה לְבַד, עַל־יְדֵי תְפִלּוֹת וּבַקָּשׁוֹת וְתַחֲנוּנִים שֶׁל הַצַּדִּיקִים בַּעֲלֵי הַתְּפִלָּה הַמִּתְפַּלְּלִים עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל, וּמְרַצִּין וּמְפַיְּסִין אוֹתְךָ, וּמַמְשִׁיכִין רְפוּאוֹת בָּעוֹלָם,
Rather, all remedies come about only due to the word of HaShem, by means of the prayers, requests and pleas of the Tzaddikim, the masters of prayer, who pray for the Jewish people and appease You, and draw remedies into the world.
כִּי כָל הָעֲשָׂבִים וְהַסַּמִּים שֶׁל הָרְפוּאוֹת, וְכָל הַכּוֹכָבִים וּמַזָּלוֹת הַמְּמֻנִּים עֲלֵיהֶם, כֻּלָּם מְקַבְּלִים כֹּחָם מֵהַמַּלְאָכִים אֲשֶׁר עֲלֵיהֶם, וְאֵלּוּ הַמַּלְאָכִים מְקַבְּלִים כֹּחָם מֵהַמַּלְאָכִים הַגְּבוֹהִים עֲלֵיהֶם, וְכֻלָּם מְקַבְּלִים וְלוֹוִין זֶה מִזֶּה וְזֶה מִזֶּה עַד לְמַעְלָה לְמַעְלָה,
All the medicinal herbs and drugs, and all the stars and constellations appointed over them, receive their power from the angels over them, and those angels receive their power from higher angels, and all of them receive and borrow from one another, one from the other, higher and higher.
עַד שֶׁכֻּלָּם מְקַבְּלִים כֹּחַ מֵהַמַּלְוֶה הַגָּדוֹל שֶׁהוּא הַבַּעַל תְּפִלָּה שֶׁזּוֹכֶה לִדְבַר יְהֹוָה, שֶׁהוּא שׁוֹרֶשׁ כָּל הַבְּרִיאָה כֻּלָּהּ מֵרֹאשׁ וְעַד סוֹף, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, בִּדְבַר יְהֹוָה שָׁמַיִם נַעֲשׂוּ וּבְרוּחַ פִּיו כָּל צְבָאָם.
They all receive power from the great lender, the master of prayer, who attains the word of HaShem, which is the root of all creation from beginning to end. As the verse states, “By the word of HaShem were the heavens made, and by the breath of His mouth all of their host.”
עַל־כֵּן אִי אֶפְשָׁר לְהַמְשִׁיךְ שׁוּם רְפוּאָה בָּעוֹלָם כִּי אִם עַל־יְדֵי תְפִלָּה וְתַחֲנוּנִים לְבַד, וּתְזַכֵּנוּ לָדַעַת זֹאת בֶּאֱמֶת גְּמוּרָה וּבֶאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה. וּבְרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים נִזְכֶּה לְהַמְשִׁיךְ וּלְקַבֵּל כָּל הָרְפוּאוֹת לָנוּ וּלְכָל עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל עַל־יְדֵי דְבַר יְהֹוָה שֶׁל הַתְּפִלָּה לְבַד:
Therefore, it is only possible to draw remedies into the world by means of prayer and pleading. Help us know this in utter truth and with complete faith. In Your vast compassion, help us draw down and receive all remedies, for ourselves and for Your entire nation, the Jewish people, by means of the word of HaShem in prayer alone.
וְתַעַזְרֵנוּ וְתוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ, שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְהַמְשִׁיךְ כָּל הַכֹּחוֹת שֶׁל כָּל הָרְפוּאוֹת לְתוֹךְ כָּל הַדְּבָרִים שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם, לַלֶּחֶם וְלַמַּיִם וּלְכָל דְּבַר מַאֲכָל וּמַשְׁקֶה שֶׁתַּזְמִין לְתוֹךְ פִּינוּ לֶאֱכֹל וְלִשְׁתּוֹת,
Help us and save us so that we will draw down all the power of all of the remedies into everything in the world: into bread and water, and into everything that You bring us to eat and drink.
יִהְיֶה מַה שֶּׁיִּהְיֶה, יֻמְשָׁךְ לְתוֹכָם כֹּחַ וּסְגֻלַּת הָרְפוּאוֹת שֶׁל כָּל הָעֲשָׂבִים וְהַסַּמִּים, עַד שֶׁיִּהְיֶה לָנוּ רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה בְּכָל־עֵת שֶׁנִּצְטָרֵךְ עַל־יְדֵי לֶחֶם וּמַיִם לְבַד, וִיקֻיַּם בָּנוּ מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, וּבֵרַךְ אֶת לַחְמְךָ וְאֶת מֵימֶיךָ וַהֲסִירוֹתִי מַחֲלָה מִקִּרְבֶּךָ.
However matters may be, may the power and effect of all herbs and drugs be drawn into us, until we will experience a complete remedy at every moment that we need it by means of bread and water alone. May the verse be realized in us, “I will bless your bread and your water, and I will remove illness from your midst.”
וְתִרְפָּאֵנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה בְּגוּף וָנֶפֶשׁ לְכָל רְמַ"ח אֵבָרֵינוּ וּשְׁסָ"ה גִּידֵינוּ, כִּי אַתָּה לְבַד יָדַעְתָּ אֶת כָּל מַכְאוֹבֵינוּ, וְאֶת מַחֲלוֹתֵינוּ הַגְּלֻיּוֹת לָנוּ וְהַנִּסְתָּרוֹת מֵאִתָּנוּ.
In Your compassion, heal all of our 248 limbs and 365 sinews completely, in body and soul. You alone know all of our pains and diseases — those that are revealed to us and those that are hidden from us.
אָנָּא יְהֹוָה, רְפָאֵינוּ יְהֹוָה וְנֵרָפֵא הוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ וְנִוָּשֵׁעָה כִּי תְהִלָּתֵינוּ אָתָּה, וְהַעֲלֵה רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה לְכָל תַּחֲלוּאֵינוּ וּלְכָל מַכְאוֹבֵינוּ וּלְכָל מַכּוֹתֵינוּ, (לְהִתְפַּלֵּל עַל הַיְלָדִים שֶׁל בְּנֵי הַצַּדִּיקִים שֶׁהָיָה לָהֶם צַעַר גִּדּוּל בָּנִים רַחֲמָנָא לִצְלָן), (וּבִפְרָט לִפְלוֹנִי בֶּן פְּלוֹנִית),
Praying for the Children of Tzaddikim
Please, HaShem, heal us, HaShem, and we will be healed. Save us and we will be saved, for You are our praise. Send complete healing to all of our illnesses, to all of our pains and to all of our wounds (here one should pray on behalf of the children of the Tzaddikim who have had trouble raising their children, may the Compassionate One protect us), (and in particular, [Hebrew name], the son/daughter of [father’s Hebrew name]).
אֵל נָא רְפָא נָא לוֹ רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה, וְתֵן לוֹ חַיִּים אֲרֻכִּים וְטוֹבִים וְיִחְיֶה וְיַאֲרִיךְ יָמִים וְשָׁנִים בַּטּוֹב וּבַנְּעִימִים, וְתִרְפָּאֵהוּ וְתַחֲלִימֵהוּ וּתְחַיֵּהוּ,
Please, God, please heal him completely. Give him a long and good life. May he live long days and years with goodness and pleasantness. Heal him and revive him.
וְיִזְכּוּ אָבִיו וְאִמּוֹ יוֹלְדָיו לְגַדְּלוֹ בְּנַחַת וּבְשִׂמְחָה לְתוֹרָה וּלְחֻפָּה וּלְמַעֲשִׂים טוֹבִים, לַאֲרִיכוּת יָמִים וְשָׁנִים טוֹבִים, וְיִזְכּוּ לִרְאוֹת מִמֶּנוּ בָּנִים וּבְנֵי בָּנִים עוֹסְקִים בַּתּוֹרָה וּבַמִּצְוֹת.
May his father and mother raise him in ease and joy to learn Torah, get married and perform good deeds, for length of good days and years. May they see his children and grandchildren involved in the Torah and its commandments.
מָרָא דְּעַלְמָא כֹּלָּא, חוּס וַחֲמֹל עֲלֵיהֶם וְעָלֵינוּ וְעַל כְּלָלִיּוּת עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל עַמְּךָ הַקָּדוֹשׁ אֲשֶׁר בָּהֶם בָּחַרְתָּ, וֶאֱמֹר לְצָרוֹתָם דַּי, כִּי כְּבָר סָבְלוּ צַעַר גִּדּוּל בָּנִים הַרְבֵּה יוֹתֵר מִדַּי בַּעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ הָרַבִּים:
Master of the entire world, have pity and mercy on them, on us and on Your entire nation, the Jewish people, Your holy nation whom You have chosen. Put an end to their troubles, for they have suffered too much in raising their children.
אָנָּא יְהֹוָה, חוּס וַחֲמֹל וְרַחֵם עֲלֵיהֶם וְעָלֵינוּ וְעַל פְּלֵטָתֵנוּ. יֶהֱמוּ נָא וְיִכָמְרוּ נָא הֲמוֹן מֵעֶיךָ וְרַחֲמֶיךָ עַל רְתִיחַת דִּמְעָתָם וְצַעֲרָם, וְאֶנְקָתָם וְאַנְחָתָם וְכִלְיוֹן עֵינֵיהֶם שֶׁיֵּשׁ לָהֶם בְּכָל יוֹם וּבְכָל עֵת וּבְכָל שָׁעָה,
Please, HaShem, have pity, mercy and compassion on them and on us and our remnants. Please be moved in all Your inner being and compassion for their burning blood, their suffering, groaning, sighing, and the extinguishing of [the light of] their eyes that they experience every day and at every moment.
אֲשֶׁר עֵינֵיהֶם תְּלוּיוֹת אֵלֶיךָ לְבַד כְּעֵינֵי עֲבָדִים אֶל יַד אֲדוֹנֵיהֶם, כְּעֵינֵי שִׁפְחָה אֶל יַד גְּבִרְתָּהּ, כֵּן עֵינֵיהֶם אֶל יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵיהֶם עַד שֶׁתְּחָנֵּם. וּתְרַפֵּא וְתַבְרִיא וְתַחֲלִים וּתְחַיֶּה אֶת בְּנָם זֶה, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁלֹּא יָבוֹא לִידֵי מַחֲלָה וּכְאֵב וּמֵחוֹשׁ כְּלָל, כִּי אֶל הַנַּעַר הַזֶּה הִתְפַּלָּלְנוּ.
Their eyes are raised to You alone. “Behold, like the eyes of servants to the hand of their master, like the eyes of the maidservant to the hand of her mistress,” so do their eyes turn to HaShem their God until You will be gracious to them. Heal, make well, help recuperate and revive this son of theirs for whom we have prayed, so that he will not experience any disease, pain or discomfort.
וּתְזַכֵּם בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים וּבַחֲסָדֶיךָ הָעֲצוּמִים לְגַדְּלוֹ בְּנַחַת וְשָׁלוֹם וְשַׁלְוָה לְאֹרֶךְ יָמִים וְשָׁנִים טוֹבִים. רַחֵם עֲלֵיהֶם לְמַעַן שְׁמֶךָ, כִּי לֹא אָמַר יְהֹוָה לִמְחוֹת שֵׁם יִשְׂרָאֵל חָלִילָה, כִּי שִׁמְךָ מְשֻׁתָּף בִּשְׁמֵנוּ, וּכְבָר הִבְטַחְתָּנוּ לַעֲמֹד בְּעֶזְרָתֵנוּ תָמִיד.
In Your vast compassion and mighty kindness, may his parents raise him in comfort, peace and tranquility for many good days and years. Have compassion on them for the sake of Your Name, for HaShem never agreed to erase the name of Israel, Heaven forbid. Your Name is partnered with our name, and You have promised to stand up and help us always.
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, אַתָּה יוֹדֵעַ כִּי אֵין בָּנוּ כֹּחַ וָשֵׂכֶל אֵיךְ לְבַקֵּשׁ וּלְרַצּוֹת אוֹתְךָ עַל זֶה,
Master of the world, You know that we lack the power and wisdom to beseech and appease You about this.
כִּי בֶאֱמֶת הָיָה רָאוּי לָנוּ לִפּוֹל עַל פָּנֵינוּ תָּמִיד וּלְהִשְׁתַּטֵּחַ לַעֲפַר אָרֶץ, יוֹמָם לֹא נָנוּחַ לַיְלָה לֹא נִשְׁכַּב, לֹא נַחֲרִישׁ וְלֹא נִשְׁקוֹט וְלֹא נִתֵּן דֳּמִי לָךְ, וְנַזְכִּיר אוֹתְךָ תָּמִיד שֶׁתְּרַחֵם עַל יוֹצְאֵי חֲלָצֵיהֶם הַקְּדוֹשִׁים עַל כָּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד, וְתִרְפָּאֵם רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה, כִּי כְּבָר סָבְלוּ כֻּלָּם יִסּוּרִים וּמַכְאוֹבִים גְּדוֹלִים וְנוֹרָאִים,
In truth, it would be fitting for us to always fall on our faces and prostrate ourselves to the dust of the earth, never resting by day or lying down at night, never falling silent or being quiet before You, but begging You always to have compassion on their holy offspring — on each and every one — to heal them completely, for all of them have borne great and terrible sufferings.
מִי יָבִין עֹצֶם פִּלְאֲךָ וּדְרָכֶיךָ הַנִּפְלָאוֹת, וּמִי יְהַרְהֵר אַחַר מִדּוֹתֶיךָ, כִּי צַדִּיק אַתָּה יְהֹוָה וְיָשָׁר מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ, אַךְ כְּבָר קִבְּלוּ צַעַר וִיסוּרִין יוֹתֵר מִדַּי. הָאוֹמֵר לְעוֹלָמוֹ דַּי יֹאמַר לְצָרוֹתֵיהֶם דַּי.
Who understands Your wondrous might and wondrous ways? And who will question Your traits? You are righteous, HaShem, and Your judgments are straight. But these people have received too much hardship and suffering. “May He Who says to His world, ‘Enough!’ say to their troubles, ‘Enough!’”
חוּס וַחֲמֹל עֲלֵיהֶם וְעָלֵינוּ וְהִתְפַּלֵּל בַּעֲדָם וְיִחְיוּ כֻּלָּם, כִּי אֵין לָנוּ דַּעַת וָשֵׂכֶל אֵיךְ לְהִתְפַּלֵּל עֲלֵיהֶם, כִּי אִם אַתָּה לְבַד בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים תִּתְפַּלֵּל בַּעֲדָם תָּמִיד וּתְבָרְכֵם וְיִחְיוּ,
Have pity and mercy on them and on us. You Yourself pray for them, as it were. May they all live. We do not have the knowledge and wisdom to pray for them. May You alone, in Your vast compassion, always pray on their behalf and bless them, so they may live.
יָמִים עַל יְמֵיהֶם תּוֹסִיף שְׁנוֹת חַיִּים, יִרְאוּ זֶרַע יַאֲרִיכוּ יָמִים וְשָׁנִים, יְבַלּוּ יְמֵיהֶם בַּטּוֹב וּשְׁנוֹתֵיהֶם בַּנְּעִימִים, וְיֵצְאוּ מֵהֶם בָּנִים וּבְנֵי בָנִים, דּוֹרוֹת וְדוֹרֵי דּוֹרוֹת עַד סוֹף כָּל הַדּוֹרוֹת לְעוֹלְמֵי עַד וּלְנֵצַח נְצָחִים:
Add days to their days, years of life. May they see their children live long days of goodness and years of pleasantness. May they have children and grandchildren, generations upon generations, until the end of all generations, forever and ever.
וּבְכֵן תְּרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ גּוֹאֵל חָזָק, וְתִגְאָלֵנוּ מְהֵרָה מִשָּׁלֹשׁ עֲבוֹדוֹת רָעוֹת שֶׁהֵן: עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, וְגִלּוּי עֲרָיוֹת וּשְׁפִיכוּת דָּמִים.
Redemption from the Three Evil Enslavements
Have compassion on us, mighty Redeemer. Redeem us quickly from the three evil enslavements of idolatry, sexual immorality and bloodshed.
וְתִשְׁמְרֵנוּ וְתַצִּילֵנוּ תָמִיד מִפְּגַם עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, שֶׁהוּא פְּגָם הָאֱמוּנָה, וְלֹא תַעֲלֶה וְלֹא תָבוֹא עַל לִבֵּנוּ שׁוּם מַחֲשָׁבָה זָרָה וּבִלְבּוּל כְּלָל בְּכָל הַדְּבָרִים הַנּוֹגְעִים לֶאֱמוּנָתְךָ הַקְּדוֹשָׁה,
Always guard us and rescue us from the blemish of idolatry, which is a flaw in faith. May no foreign thoughts or confusion enter our hearts in any way whatsoever in matters that touch upon Your holy faith.
רַק תְּרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ בְּחֶמְלָתְךָ הַגְּדוֹלָה וְתַשְׁפִּיעַ עָלֵינוּ אֱמוּנָתְךָ הַקְּדוֹשָׁה, וְתִטַּע וְתִקְבַּע בְּלִבֵּנוּ אֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה וִישָׁרָה, זַכָּה וְצַחָה וּנְקִיָּה, קְדוֹשָׁה וּטְהוֹרָה מִכָּל סִיג וּפְסֹלֶת, וְלֹא אֶפְגֹם בֶּאֱמוּנָתְךָ הַקְּדוֹשָׁה כְּלָל.
In Your great kindness, have compassion on us. Pour Your holy faith upon us. Plant and establish in our hearts complete and upright, pure and clean faith, holy and cleansed of all dross and trash, so that no blemish will affect our faith in You.
מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, מָלֵא חֶסֶד, מָלֵא רָצוֹן, מָלֵא טוֹב, אֲדוֹן הָאֱמֶת וְהָאֱמוּנָה, תֶּן לָנוּ בְּמַתְּנַת חִנָּם וְנִדְבַת חֶסֶד אֱמוּנָה הַקְּדוֹשָׁה, וְלֹא יַעֲלֶה עַל לִבֵּנוּ שׁוּם קֻשְׁיָה וּבִלְבּוּל וַחֲקִירָה כְּלָל בְּעִנְיָנֵי הָאֱמוּנָה הַקְּדוֹשָׁה,
You are filled with compassion, kindness, beneficent will and goodness. Master of truth and faith, give us the gift of kindness and holy faith. May no challenges, confusions or inquiries in matters of holy faith enter our hearts.
רַק נִזְכֶּה לֶאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה וִישָׁרָה בֶּאֱמֶת כָּרָאוּי כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב. הוֹצִיאֵנוּ מֵאֲפֵלָה לְאוֹרָה מֵחֹשֶׁךְ לְאוֹר גָּדוֹל, מֵעַבְדּוּת לְחֵרוּת, מִפְּגַם הָאֱמוּנָה לֶאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה בֶּאֱמֶת:
May we truly attain complete and upright faith in accordance with Your good will. Bring us out from dimness to brightness, from darkness to a great light, from slavery to freedom, from blemished faith to complete, true faith.
וּתְרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ, וּתְזַכֵּנוּ וְתִגְאָלֵנוּ מֵעֹצֶם מְרִירוּת הָעַבְדּוּת הַקָּשָׁה וְהַכְּבֵדָה וְהַמָּרָה מְאֹד שֶׁהִיא תַּאֲוַת הַמִּשְׁגָּל.
Have compassion on us. Redeem us from the burdensome, heavy and bitter enslavement to the lust for sexual relations.
אֲשֶׁר גָּלוּת וְעַבְדּוּת שֶׁל תַּאֲוָה רָעָה וּמָרָה הַזֹּאת עוֹמֵד וּמִתְגַּבֵּר עָלֵינוּ בְּכָל־עֵת, עַד אֲשֶׁר מִרֵרוּ אֶת חַיֵּינוּ בַּעֲבוֹדָה קָשָׁה וַיַּעַבְדוּ בָּנוּ בְּפָרֶךְ, כַּאֲשֶׁר אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ אֶת נִגְעֵי לְבָבוֹ שֶׁל כָּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד.
The exile and enslavement of this evil and bitter lust endures and overwhelms us at every moment, until it embitters our lives with harsh enslavement and makes us work with crushing labor, as You know, for You know the pains of everyone’s hearts.
וּבַעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ הָרַבִּים כָּלוּ בְיָגוֹן חַיַּי וּשְׁנוֹתַי בַּאֲנָחָה, כָּשַׁל בַּעֲוֹנִי כֹחִי וַעֲצָמַי עָשֵׁשׁוּ, וַיַּכְנַע בֶּעָמָל לִבִּי נִכְשַׁלְתִּי וְאֵין עוֹזֵר.
For our many sins, “my life is worn away with grief and my years with sighing, my strength buckles under and my bones have decayed.” “He subjugated my heart with toil; I stumbled and there was none to help.”
אָבִי אֲדוֹנִי, יוֹצְרִי וּבוֹרְאִי, מַלְכִּי וּקְדוֹשִׁי, גּוֹאֲלִי וּפוֹדִי, הַצּוֹפֶה לָרָשָׁע וְחָפֵץ בְּהִצָּדְקוֹ, וְרוֹצֶה בְּטוֹבָתִי בֶּאֱמֶת וְחוֹשֵׁב מַחֲשָׁבוֹת לְבַל יִדַּח מִמֶּנּוּ נִדָּח. רַחֵם עָלַי בְּחֶמְלָתְךָ הַגְּדוֹלָה וְהוֹצִיאֵנִי מֵעַבְדּוּת לְחֵרוּת.
You are my Father, my Master, my Maker and my Creator, my King and my Holy One, my Redeemer. You look upon the wicked person and desire that he will become righteous. You truly desire my good. You consider ways so that no one will remain driven away from You. Have compassion on me in Your great mercy, and take me out of enslavement to freedom.
חָנְנֵנִי יְהֹוָה, רְאֵה עָנְיִי מִשּׂוֹנְאָי, מְרוֹמְמִי מִשַּׁעֲרֵי מָוֶת. גְּאָלֵנִי מִשַּׁחַת פְּדֵנִי מִמָּוֶת, הוֹצִיאֵנִי מִבֵּית עֲבָדִים,
“Be gracious to me, HaShem. See the suffering that my enemies have imposed upon me, You Who lift me up from the gates of death.” Redeem me from the pit. Redeem me from death. Take me out of the house of slavery.
פְּדֵנִי מִשָּׁלֹשׁ עֲבוֹדוֹת הַלָּלוּ, הַצִּילֵנִי מִפְּגַם אֱמוּנָה וּמִפְּגַם הַבְּרִית וּמִבִּזּוּי אֲנָשִׁים.
Redeem me from these three enslavements. Rescue me from blemished faith, from the blemished covenant, and from disgrace among people.
וְתִשְׁמְרֵנִי וְתַצִּילֵנִי שֶׁלֹּא אֲבַזֶּה שׁוּם אָדָם שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם, וְאֶזְכֶּה לְקַיֵּם דִּבְרֵי רַבּוֹתֵינוּ זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה שֶׁהִזְהִירוּ, אַל תְּהִי בָּז לְכָל אָדָם:
Forgiveness for Insulting Others
Guard me and rescue me so that I will not insult anyone in the world, and I will obey the words of our sages, as they cautioned, “Do not disdain anyone.”
וְתוֹשִׁיעֵנִי וְתַעַזְרֵנִי תָּמִיד בְּעֶזְרָתְךָ וּבִישׁוּעָתְךָ הַגְּדוֹלָה שֶׁאֶהְיֶה נִזְהָר מְאֹד מִשְּׁפִיכוּת דָּמִים, וְלֹא אֲבַזֶּה וְלֹא אֲבַיֵּשׁ שׁוּם בַּר יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם, וְלֹא אַלְבִּין פְּנֵי חֲבֵרַי חַס וְשָׁלוֹם.
Save me and help me to always be careful not to spill blood, not to insult or shame any Jew in the world, and not to cause the face of my companions to grow pale, Heaven forbid.
אָנָּא יְהֹוָה, שָׁמְרֵנִי וְהַצִּילֵנִי מִזֶּה, מַה שֶּׁפָּגַמְתִּי בָּזֶה מִנְּעוּרַי, וְהִלְבַּנְתִּי וּבִיַּשְׁתִּי פְּנֵי חֲבֵרַי וְרַבּוֹתַי, בְּשׁוֹגֵג אוֹ בְּמֵזִיד, בְּאֹנֶס אוֹ בְּרָצוֹן,
Please, HaShem, guard me and rescue me from the blemishes that I have brought about in this area since my youth. I shamed the faces of my friends and teachers and made them grow pale, unintentionally or purposefully, under duress or willingly.
אָנָּא יְהֹוָה, מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, עָזְרֵנִי וְזַכֵּנִי לְתַקֵּן כָּל זֶה מְהֵרָה.
Please, HaShem, You Who are filled with compassion, help me rectify all this quickly.
וּתְסַבֵּב בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ סִבּוֹת לְטוֹבָה בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְהִתְוָּעֵד יַחַד עִם כָּל הָאֲנָשִׁים שֶׁבִּיַּשְׁתִּי אוֹתָם אוֹ פָּגַמְתִּי בִּכְבוֹדָם, וְאֶזְכֶּה לְרַצוֹתָם וּלְפַיְּסָם, וְאַתָּה בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ תִּתֵּן בְּלִבָּם שֶׁיִּמְחֲלוּ לִי בִּמְחִילָה גְּמוּרָה בֶּאֱמֶת, וְלֹא יִשָּׁאֵר בְּלִבָּם שׁוּם רֹשֶׁם וּקְפֵּדָא כְּלָל.
In Your compassion, arrange the circumstances favorably so that I may I meet all the people whom I shamed or whose honor I damaged, and may I appease them. In Your compassion, inspire their hearts to truly forgive me completely, until no impression or resentment whatsoever remains in their hearts.
וְאִם יֵשׁ מֵהֶם שֶׁכְּבָר נִפְטְרוּ לְעוֹלָמָם, אוֹ אִם לִפְעָמִים יָצָא עָתָק מִפִּי וּפָגַמְתִּי בִּכְבוֹד אֲנָשִׁים שֶׁמֵּתוּ כְּבָר, וּמִכָּל שֶׁכֵּן אִם בַּעֲוֹנוֹתַי הָרַבִּים פָּגַמְתִּי בִּכְבוֹד חֲכָמִים וְצַדִּיקִים וּכְשֵׁרִים שֶׁכְּבָר מֵתוּ וְהָלְכוּ לְעוֹלָמָם. אָנָּא יְהֹוָה, רַחֲמָן אֲמִתִּי, הִנְנִי מְפַיֵּס אוֹתָם וְהִנְנִי מְבַקֵּשׁ מְחִילָה וּסְלִיחָה וְכַפָּרָה מִכְּבוֹדָם הַגָּדוֹל,
And if some of them have died, or if at times I insulted people who had already died — and how much more if, for my many sins, I insulted sages, Tzaddikim and worthy people who had already died — please, HaShem, true Compassionate One, I request their forgiveness, pardon and atonement. My transgression, sin and iniquity stand before You and before them. I damaged Your honor.
כִּי חָטָאתִי עָוִיתִי וּפָשַׁעְתִּי נֶגְדְּךָ וְנֶגְדָּם, וּפָגַמְתִּי בִּכְבוֹדֶךָ. חָטָאתִי לֵאלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, וּלְכַמָּה אֲנָשִׁים צַדִּיקִים וַחֲכָמִים וּכְשֵׁרִים, שֶׁפָּגַמְתִּי בִּכְבוֹדָם בְּחַיֵּיהֶם וּבְמוֹתָם, נַעֲנֵיתִי לָהֶם וּלְעַצְמוֹתֵיהֶם הַקְּדוֹשִׁים, יִמְחֲלוּ לִי:
I sinned against the God of Israel and a number of Tzaddikim, sages and worthy people. I impugned their honor — some in their lifetime and others after their death. I spoke up against them and their holy bones. May they forgive me.
אָנָּא יְהֹוָה, מְחוֹל לִי סְלַח לִי, כַּפֵּר לִי, וְתֵן בְּלֵב כָּל הַצַּדִּיקִים וְהַחֲכָמִים וְהַכְּשֵׁרִים וְכָל הָאֲנָשִׁים שֶׁפָּגַמְתִּי בִּכְבוֹדָם, בְּחַיֵּיהֶם וּבְמוֹתָם, כַּגָּדוֹל כַּקָּטֹן, שֶׁכֻּלָּם יִמְחֲלוּ וְיִסְלְחוּ לַעֲוֹן עַבְדֶּךָ, אֲשֶׁר הֶעֱוָה נֶגְדָּם,
HaShem, please forgive me. Pardon me. Grant me atonement. Inspire all the Tzaddikim, sages, worthy people and others whose reputations I tarnished — in their lifetime or after their death, great or small — to forgive and pardon the sin of Your servant who wronged them.
וְיָשׁוּבוּ אֵלַי וִירַחֲמוּנִי, וְיַעְתִּירוּ בַּעֲדִי לְאֵל עֶלְיוֹן, וְיַמְלִיצוּ טוֹב בַּעֲדִי תָמִיד לִפְנֵי כִסֵּא כְבוֹדֶךָ, וִיבַקְּשׁוּ עָלַי רַחֲמִים וְיַעַמְדוּ בְּעֶזְרָתִי לְגָאֳלֵנִי וּלְהַצִּילֵנִי מִכָּל רָע,
May they return to me and be compassionate to me. May they petition You, supernal God, on my behalf, and always seek my good before Your throne of glory. May they seek compassion for me and stand at my side to redeem me and rescue me from all evil.
בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לַחֲזֹר בִּתְשׁוּבָה שְׁלֵמָה לְפָנֶיךָ וְלַעֲמֹד בֵּין הַצַּדִּיקִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, וְיִהְיֶה חֶלְקִי עִמָּהֶם אַחַר פְּטִירָתִי מִן הָעוֹלָם,
May I succeed in gaining complete repentance before You. May I stand among the true Tzaddikim forever. May my portion be with them after I leave this world.
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, מָלֵא רַחֲמִים רַבִּים, אָב הָרַחֲמָן, מַלֵּא מִשְׁאֲלוֹתַי בְּרַחֲמִים. הוֹרֵנִי מַה שֶּׁאֲדַבֵּר, הֲבִינֵנִי מַה שֶּׁאֶשְׁאַל. זַכֵּנִי וּגְאָלֵנִי וּפְדֵנִי מִכָּל שָׁלֹשׁ עֲבוֹדוֹת הַלָּלוּ,
Master of the world, You are filled with great compassion. Compassionate Father, fulfill my requests with compassion. Teach me what I should say. Lead me to understand what I should request. Help me and redeem me from these three enslavements.
זַכֵּנִי לֶאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה דִּקְדֻשָּׁה, וּלְתִקּוּן הַבְּרִית, וּלְכַבֵּד אֶת אֲנָשִׁים, וְלֹא אֲבַזֶּה מֵעַתָּה שׁוּם אָדָם בָּעוֹלָם וַאֲפִלּוּ בְּמַחֲשַׁבְתִּי לְבַד לֹא אֶהְיֶה בָּז לְכָל אָדָם שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם.
Help me attain complete, holy faith and rectification of the covenant, and may I honor people and not insult anyone in the world from now on. Even in my thoughts, may I not disdain anyone in the world.
וְאֶזְכֶּה לְהַאֲמִין בֶּאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה בְּכָל אָדָם שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם אֲפִלּוּ בְּהַפָּחוּת וְהַגָּרוּעַ שֶׁבְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁכֻּלָּם חֲשׁוּבִים וִיקָרִים מְאֹד בְּעֵינֵי הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ, וְכֻלָּם מוּכָנִים וּרְאוּיִים לְקַבֵּל כָּל טוּב וְכָל כָּבוֹד וּגְדֻלָּה שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם, וִיכוֹלִים לִזְכּוֹת לְכָל הַמַּעֲלוֹת שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם בְּגַשְׁמִיּוּת וְרוּחָנִיּוּת בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה וּבָעוֹלָם הַבָּא:
May I believe with complete faith in every person in the world, even the most base and dishonorable Jew. All of them are very important and precious in Your eyes, HaShem, and all of them are ready and worthy to receive all goodness, honor and greatness in the world, and are capable of attaining all levels, materially and spiritually, in this world and the World to Come.
וְנִזְכֶּה עַל־יְדֵי תִּקּוּן שָׁלֹשׁ מִדּוֹת אֵלּוּ, לִתְפִלָּה בִּשְׁלֵמוּת. וְתַעַזְרֵנוּ לְהִתְפַּלֵּל תְּפִלָּתֵנוּ לְפָנֶיךָ כָּרָאוּי בְּתַכְלִית הַשְּׁלֵמוּת, עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה עַל־יְדֵי הַתְּפִלָּה לְהַמְשִׁיךְ רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה לָנוּ וּלְזַרְעֵנוּ וּלְכָל עַמְּךָ בֵּית־יִשְׂרָאֵל (וּבִפְרָט לִפְלוֹנִי בֶּן פְּלוֹנִית), כִּי אֵל מֶלֶךְ רוֹפֵא נֶאֱמָן וְרַחֲמָן אָתָּה,
When we rectify these three traits, may we attain the perfection of prayer. Help us pray before You properly, with ultimate perfection, until we draw complete healing to ourselves, to our children and to Your entire nation, the House of Israel (and in particular to [Hebrew name], the son/daughter of [father’s Hebrew name]), because You are the faithful and compassionate God, King and Healer.
וְנִזְכֶּה עַל־יְדֵי תְּפִלּוֹתֵינוּ שֶׁכָּל הָעֲשָׂבִים וְכָל שִׂיחַ הַשָּׂדֶה כֻּלָּם כְּאֶחָד יַחְזְרוּ וְיָשׁוּבוּ כָּל כֹּחוֹתָם לְתוֹךְ דִּבּוּרֵי הַתְּפִלָּה שֶׁלָּנוּ, שֶׁהוּא דְּבַר הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ שֶׁהוּא שָׁרְשָׁם הָעֶלְיוֹן.
Complete Healing from God
As a result of our prayers, may all the grasses and vegetation of the field collectively pour their power into the words of our prayer, which is the word of HaShem, may He be blessed, their supernal root.
וְיֻכְלְלוּ כָּל הַכֹּחוֹת שֶׁל כָּל הָרְפוּאוֹת שֶׁל כָּל הָעֲשָׂבִים וְהַסַּמִּים שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם בְּתוֹךְ תְּפִלּוֹתֵינוּ, וְתִהְיֶה תְפִלָּתֵנוּ בִּשְׁלֵמוּת גְּדוֹלָה כְּלוּלָה מִכָּל טוּב, מִכָּל הַכֹּחוֹת שֶׁל כָּל הָעֲשָׂבִים וְכָל שִׂיחַ הַשָּׂדֶה לְמִינֵיהֶם,
May all the healing powers of all the herbs and drugs in the world be absorbed into our prayers. May our prayers attain great perfection, composed as they are of all the goodness of all the powers of all the grasses and vegetation of the field.
וּתְזַכֵּנוּ לְהַעֲלוֹתָם כֻּלָּם לְפָנֶיךָ לְרֵיחַ נִיחוֹחַ לְהַחֲזִירָם וְלַהֲשִׁיבָם לְשָׁרְשָׁם הָעֶלְיוֹן עַל־יְדֵי תְפִלָּתֵנוּ שֶׁתִּהְיֶה כְּלוּלָה מִכֻּלָּם.
May we raise all of them before You as a pleasing fragrance, to return them to their supernal root by means of our prayer, which is composed of all of them.
וְעַל־יְדֵי־זֶה נִזְכֶּה לְהַמְשִׁיךְ הַכֹּחוֹת שֶׁל כָּל הָרְפוּאוֹת שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם לְתוֹךְ לֶחֶם וּמַיִם וּלְתוֹךְ כָּל הַדְּבָרִים אֲשֶׁר נֹאכַל וְנִשְׁתֶּה, עַד שֶׁיִּהְיֶה לָנוּ רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה לְכָל תַּחֲלוּאֵינוּ וּלְכָל מַכְאוֹבֵינוּ, עַל־יְדֵי כָּל הַדְּבָרִים שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם בְּלִי שׁוּם רוֹפְאִים וְדָאקְטוֹרִים כְּלָל,
By means of that, may we draw the powers of all remedies into bread and water and into everything else that we eat and drink, until we attain complete healing for all our diseases and all our pains — by means of all things in the world, without any physicians or doctors at all.
רַק אַתָּה בְּעַצְמְךָ וּבִכְבוֹדְךָ תִּרְפָּאֵנוּ רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, כִּי אֲנִי יְהֹוָה רוֹפְאֶךָ.
Only You Yourself, in Your glory, will heal us completely, as in the verse, “I, HaShem, am your Healer.”
וְנִזְכֶּה לְקַבֵּל מֵאִתְּךָ רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה בְּעֵת צְמִיחַת הַמַּחֲלָה, בְּעֵת שֶׁהַחוֹלָאַת סָתוּם וְטָמוּן בְּקִרְבֵּנוּ וְאֵין יוֹדְעִים מִמֶּנּוּ כְּלָל, כִּי אַתָּה לְבַד יוֹדֵעַ כָּל הַתַּעֲלוּמוֹת שֶׁבְּקִרְבֵּנוּ.
May we receive complete healing from You when a disease flowers but while it is still hidden within us so that we do not know about it at all — for You alone know all the hidden things within us.
רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, וְתַקְדִּים רְפוּאָה לְמַכָּה, וְתִרְפָּאֵנוּ קֹדֶם צְמִיחַת הַמַּחֲלָה, בְּעֵת שֶׁמַּתְחִיל אֵיזֶה מֵחוֹשׁ לְהִתְגַּדֵּל וְלִצְמֹחַ מִמֶּנּוּ מַה שֶּׁיִּצְמַח חָלִילָה, אַתָּה בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ לְבַד תִּרְפָּאֵנוּ מִכָּל זֶה,
In Your vast compassion, have compassion on us. Send the healing before the wound. Heal us before the disease flowers and some discomfort begins, Heaven forbid. In Your compassion, heal us from all this.
כִּי אֵין אָנוּ יוֹדְעִים שׁוּם עֵצָה וְתַחְבּוּלָה וְשׁוּם רְפוּאָה לְשׁוּם מַחֲלָה וּמַכָּה וּכְאֵב, הֵן בְּעֵת שֶׁנִּסְתְּרָה הַמַּחֲלָה, הֵן בְּעֵת שֶׁכְּבָר נִתְגַּלָּה חָלִילָה, בְּכֻלָּם אֵין לָנוּ שׁוּם תִּקְוָה עַל שׁוּם רְפוּאָה שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם בְּדֶרֶךְ הַטֶּבַע.
No one knows of any counsel, strategy or cure for any illness, wound or pain — whether the illness is hidden or revealed, Heaven forbid. We have no hope of healing from any of them in a natural way.
כִּי אָנוּ יוֹדְעִים וּמַאֲמִינִים בֶּאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה שֶׁאֵין מוֹעִילִים כְּלָל שׁוּם רְפוּאוֹת שֶׁל כָּל הַדָּאקְטוֹרִים, הֵן רוֹפְאֵי אֱלִיל כֻּלָּם תֹּהוּ הֵמָּה מֵהֶבֶל יָחַד, לֹא יוֹעִילוּ וְלֹא יַצִּילוּ כִּי תֹהוּ הֵמָּה,
We know and believe with complete faith that none of the remedies of any of the doctors work. Indeed, they are all idolatrous physicians, worthless, acting in vain. They do not help or rescue, because they are nothing.
כִּי אִם עָלֶיךָ לְבַד אָנוּ נִשְׁעָנִים וְלִרְפוּאוֹתֶיךָ אָנוּ מְקַוִּים וּמְיַחֲלִים, כִּי אַתָּה רוֹפֵא נֶאֱמָן, רוֹפֵא אֱמֶת, רוֹפֵא חִנָּם, בְּחֶסֶד וּבְרַחֲמִים.
We rely on You alone. We hope for Your healing, for You are a kind and compassionate, faithful, true and generous Healer.
וְתַעֲזֹר וְתוֹשִׁיעַ וְתָגֵן עָלֵינוּ וְתַרְחִיקֵנוּ מֵרוֹפְאִים וְדָאקְטוֹרִים תָּמִיד, וְתַכְנִיעַ וְתַפִּיל וְתַשְׁפִּיל כָּל הַדָּאקְטוֹרִים עִם כָּל הָרְפוּאוֹת שֶׁלָהֶם, כִּי אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ אֲשֶׁר הֵם מַזִּיקִים הָעוֹלָם מְאֹד מְאֹד וְהוֹרְגִים נְפָשׁוֹת רַבּוֹת בְּכָל יוֹם וּבְכָל שָׁעָה בְּשׁוֹגֵג וּבְמֵזִיד.
Help, save and protect us. Always keep us far from physicians and doctors. Subdue and cast down all doctors with all their remedies, for You know that they damage the world a great deal. They kill many people every day and every hour, whether unintentionally or intentionally.
הַצִּילֵנוּ מֵהֶם אָבִינוּ שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם, שָׁמְרֵנוּ מֵהֶם, אוֹתָנוּ וְאֶת זַרְעֵנוּ וְאֶת זֶרַע זַרְעֵנוּ וְאֶת כָּל זֶרַע עַמְּךָ בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם.
Rescue us from them, our Father in Heaven. Guard us from them, as well as our children, our grandchildren and all the children of Your nation, the House of Israel, from now and forever.
זַכֵּנוּ לְקַבֵּל כָּל הָרְפוּאוֹת שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם עַל־יְדֵי תְפִלָּה לְבַד, וְתִתְגַלֶּה הָאֱמֶת בָּעוֹלָם, שֶׁאֵין שׁוּם רְפוּאוֹת בָּעוֹלָם כִּי אִם עַל־יְדֵי תְפִלָּה לְבַד,
Help us receive all healing in the world by means of prayer alone. May the truth be revealed that the only remedies in the world come about solely through prayer.
וְנִזְכֶּה לְקַיֵּם מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב וַיֹּאמֶר אִם שָׁמוֹעַ תִּשְׁמַע לְקוֹל יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ וְהַיָּשָׁר בְּעֵינָיו תַּעֲשֶׂה וְהַאֲזַנְתָּ לְמִצְוֹתָיו וְשָׁמַרְתָּ כָּל חֻקָּיו כָּל הַמַּחֲלָה אֲשֶׁר שַׂמְתִּי בְמִצְרַיִם לֹא אָשִׂים עָלֶיךָ כִּי אֲנִי יְהֹוָה רֹפְאֶךָ:
May we realize the verse, “And He said, ‘If you listen to the voice of HaShem your God and do that which is upright in His eyes, and listen to His commandments and guard all His laws, then all the disease that I placed in Egypt I will not place on you, for I am HaShem your Healer.’”
וּבְרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים תַּצְמִיחַ מְהֵרָה קֶרֶן דָּוִד עַבְדֶּךָ, וּתְמַהֵר וְתָחִישׁ לְגָאֳלֵנוּ מְהֵרָה, וְיִתְנוֹצֵץ הִתְנוֹצְצוּת מָשִׁיחַ בָּעוֹלָם, וּתְעוֹרֵר אֶת לֵב מָשִׁיחַ בֶּן דָּוִד עַבְדֶּךָ, שֶׁיְּקַבֵּל תְּפִלּוֹתֵינוּ וְיַעֲלֶה אוֹתָם לְרֵיחַ נִיחוֹחַ לִפְנֵי כִסֵּא כְּבוֹדֶךָ.
Finding Favor
In Your vast compassion, cause the horn of David Your servant to flourish very soon. Quickly redeem us. May the spark of the Mashiach shine in the world. Awaken the heart of the Mashiach, the son of David, Your servant, to receive our prayers and raise them as a pleasing fragrance before the throne of Your glory.
וְכָל הַתְּפִלּוֹת עִם כָּל הָרֵיחַ הַטּוֹב שֶׁל כָּל שִׂיחַ הַשָּׂדֶה הַכְּלוּלִים בְּתוֹכָם, כֻּלָּם יֻכְלְלוּ בְּרוּחַ אַפֵּנוּ מְשִׁיחַ יְהֹוָה, וְיַעֲלֶה כֻּלָּם לְרֵיחַ נִיחוֹחַ לְפָנֶיךָ.
All of the prayers, with all of the good fragrance of all the vegetation of the field included in them, are included in “the spirit of our nostrils, the Mashiach of HaShem.” May they all rise as a pleasing fragrance before You.
וּתְמַהֵר וְתָחִישׁ לְגָאֳלֵנוּ עַל־יְדֵי מְשִׁיחַ צִדְקֵנוּ בֹּא יָבוֹא לֹא יְאַחֵר, וְיִגְאָלֵנוּ גְאֻלַּת עוֹלָם חִישׁ קַל מְהֵרָה.
Quickly redeem us by means of our righteous Mashiach. “Come, let him come, may he not tarry.” May he redeem us with an eternal redemption, quickly and easily.
וּתְרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ וְתִתֶּן לָנוּ חֵן בְּעֵינֵי כָּל רוֹאֵינוּ, וְנִזְכֶּה לִמְצֹא חֵן וְשֵׂכֶל טוֹב בְּעֵינֵי אֱלֹהִים וְאָדָם, וּבְעֵינֵי כָּל הַמַּלְאָכִים וְהַשָּׂרִים שֶׁלְּמַעְלָה וְשֶׁלְּמַטָּה, כֻּלָּם יְרַחֲמוּ עָלֵינוּ, וְנִמְצָא חֵן בְּעֵינֵי כֻלָּם:
Have compassion on us and give us favor in the eyes of all who see us. May we find favor in the eyes of God and man, and in the eyes of all the angels and ministers, above and below. May they all have compassion on us, and may we find favor in the eyes of all.
וּבְכֵן תּוֹשִׁיעֵנִי וְתַעַזְרֵנִי בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְהַכִּיר וְלֵידַע כָּל הַמְפֻרְסָמִים שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם, וְלָדַעַת וּלְהַבְחִין בֵּין טוֹב לָרַע,
Recognizing True Leaders
In Your vast compassion, save us and help us so that we will recognize all the well-known Jewish leaders in the world, and know how to distinguish between good and evil.
שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לֵידַע הָאֱמֶת לַאֲמִתּוֹ, מִי הֵם הַצַּדִּיקִים וְהַמְפֻרְסָמִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים, וּמִי הֵם הַמְפֻרְסָמִים וְהַמַּנְהִיגִים שֶׁל שֶׁקֶר, אֲשֶׁר גְּדֻלָּתָם הִיא רַק עַל־יְדֵי עַזּוּת שֶׁהִיא מַלְכוּתָא בְּלָא תַגָּא.
May we know who the true Tzaddikim are and who the false leaders are — men whose greatness is due only to brazenness, which is sovereignty without a crown.
וְנִזְכֶּה לִתְפִלָּה בִּשְׁלֵמוּת בְּכָל הַבְּחִינוֹת, וּבִזְכוּת וְכֹחַ תְּפִלּוֹת הַצַּדִּיקִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים, שֶׁהֵם שֹׁרֶשׁ הַכֹּל, אֲשֶׁר כֻּלָּם מְקַבְּלִים מֵהֶם, יִתְבַּטֵּל וְיִפֹּל כָּל הָעַזּוּת שֶׁל כָּל הַמְפֻרְסָמִים שֶׁל שֶׁקֶר.
May we attain perfected prayer on all levels. In the merit and power of the prayers of the true Tzaddikim, who are the root of all, from whom everyone receives his energy, may the brazenness of all the well-known, false leaders be eradicated and cast down.
כֻּלָּם יִכְרְעוּ וְיִפּוֹלוּ לִפְנֵי תְּפִלַּת הַצַּדִּיקִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים, וְלֹא יוּכְלוּ לְהָרִים רֹאשׁ נֶגְדָּם וְנֶגֶד הַתְּלוּיִים בָּהֶם וְנִתְמָכִים עֲלֵיהֶם בֶּאֱמֶת.
May they all bow and fall before the prayer of the true Tzaddikim. May they not be able to raise their heads against them or against those who rely on them and are supported by them in truth.
וּתְזַכֵּנוּ תָמִיד לָדַעַת הָאֱמֶת לַאֲמִתּוֹ, וּלְקַשֵּׁר עַצְמֵנוּ בֶּאֱמֶת עִם כָּל הַצַּדִּיקִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים שֶׁהֵם שָׁרְשֵׁי נִשְׁמוֹת כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל, אֲשֶׁר כָּל הַנְּשָׁמוֹת נֶחְלָקִים תַּחְתָּם, עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְהִתְקַשֵּׁר וּלְהִתְאַחֵז בֶּאֱמֶת עִם כָּל שָׁרְשֵׁי נִשְׁמוֹת עַמְּךָ בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל הַחֲצוּבִים מִתַּחַת כִּסֵּא הַכָּבוֹד.
May we always know the truth and truly connect ourselves to all the true Tzaddikim, who are the roots of the souls of all Israel, beneath whom all souls are divided, until we can truly connect ourselves to and grasp all the roots of the souls of Your nation, the House of Israel, which are carved from beneath Your throne of glory.
וְעַל־יְדֵי־זֶה נִזְכֶּה שֶׁיִּהְיֶה לָנוּ מֶמְשָׁלָה עַל הַמַּלְאָכִים, וְתִתְקַיֵּם מֶמְשַׁלְתֵּנוּ עֲלֵיהֶם בְּתֹקֶף וָעוֹז לְעוֹלְמֵי עַד וּלְנֵצַח נְצָחִים, וְלֹא יַפִּילוּ אוֹתָנוּ לְעוֹלָם, כִּי אַתָּה מָרוֹם לְעוֹלָם יְהֹוָה, וּלְעוֹלָם יָדְךָ עַל הָעֶלְיוֹנָה, וְאַתָּה עוֹזֵר לְלֹא כֹחַ, וּבְיָדְךָ כֹּחַ וּגְבוּרָה וּבְיָדְךָ לְגַדֵּל וּלְחַזֵּק לַכֹּל.
Dominion Over the Angels
In this way, may we rule over the angels and maintain our rule over them with power and strength forever and ever. May they never cast us down, for You are elevated forever, HaShem, and Your hand is forever on the ascendancy, and You help those without power. “In Your hand is power and might, and You have the power to enhance and strengthen everything.”
אַתָּה הוּא יְהֹוָה לְבַדֶּךָ אַתָּה עָשִׂיתָ אֶת הַשָּׁמַיִם שְׁמֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם וְכָל צְבָאָם, הָאָרֶץ וְכָל אֲשֶׁר עָלֶיהָ, הַיַּמִּים וְכָל אֲשֶׁר בָּהֶם, וְאַתָּה מְחַיֶּה אֶת כֻּלָּם וּצְבָא הַשָּׁמַיִם לְךָ מִשְׁתַּחֲוִים, וּבִרְצוֹנְךָ תָּרוּם קַרְנֵנוּ,
“You are He, HaShem, alone; You made the heavens, the heavens of heavens and all their host, the earth and everything on it, the seas and everything in them. You give life to them all, and the host of Heaven bows to You.” “And in Your favor, You raise our horn.”
כִּי מִי יֹאמַר לְךָ מַה תַּעֲשֶׂה, כִּי אַתָּה לְבַדְּךָ בָּרָאתָ אוֹתָנוּ בִּשְׁבִיל כַּוָּנָה זוֹ, שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְהַגִּיעַ לַתַּכְלִית הַזֶּה שֶׁיִּהְיֶה לָנוּ מֶמְשָׁלָה עַל הַמַּלְאָכִים.
Who will say to You, “What are You doing?” You alone created us so that we might reach the goal of ruling over the angels.
זַכֵּנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים לְמַלּאֹת רְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב, לְהַשְׁלִים כַּוָּנָתְךָ הָעֶלְיוֹנָה, שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה מְהֵרָה לָשׁוּב בִּתְשׁוּבָה שְׁלֵמָה לְפָנֶיךָ, וּלְשַׁבֵּר כָּל הַתַּאֲווֹת רָעוֹת, וְכָל הָעֲבוֹדוֹת רָעוֹת, וְכָל הַמִּדּוֹת רָעוֹת, עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לִתְפִלָּה בִּשְׁלֵמוּת וְלַעֲבֹד אוֹתְךָ עֲבוֹדָה תַמָּה בֶּאֱמֶת וּבְתָמִים כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב,
In Your vast compassion, help us fulfill Your good will and complete Your supernal intent, so that we will quickly return to You with complete penitence. May we break all evil lusts, idolatries and evil traits, until we attain perfected prayer and serve You wholeheartedly and truly, in accordance with Your good will.
עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְהַגִּיעַ מְהֵרָה לַתַּכְלִית הַזֶּה שֶׁיִּהְיֶה לָנוּ מֶמְשָׁלָה עַל הַמַּלְאָכִים, וְתִתְקַיֵּם מֶמְשַׁלְתֵּנוּ לָנֶצַח כִּי לְכָךְ נוֹצָרְנוּ:
May we arrive quickly at the goal of ruling over the angels. May our rule be established forever — because it is for this that we were created.
לְרֹאשׁ־הַשָּׁנָה
וּבְכֵן תְּרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים וּבַחֲסָדֶיךָ הָעֲצוּמִים, שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְקַבֵּל רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בִּקְדֻשָּׁה וּבְטָהֳרָה גְּדוֹלָה, בְּיִרְאָה וּבְאַהֲבָה וּבְשִׂמְחָה וּבְחֶדְוָה רַבָּה,
For Rosh HaShanah
The Gift of Rosh HaShanah
In Your vast compassion and mighty kindness, have compassion on us so that we will celebrate Rosh HaShanah with great holiness and purity, with fear and love, with great joy and gladness.
כִּי אַתָּה בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ בָּחַרְתָּ בָּנוּ מִכָּל הָעַמִּים וְקִדַּשְׁתָּנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתֶיךָ, וְעָשִׂיתָ עִמָּנוּ חֶסֶד גָּדוֹל הַזֶּה, וְנָתַתָּ לָנוּ מַתָּנָה טוֹבָה הַזֹּאת, שֶׁהִיא רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה הַקָּדוֹשׁ, יוֹם קָדוֹשׁ וְנוֹרָא וְאָיּוֹם מְאֹד, אֲשֶׁר בּוֹ תִנָּשֵׂא מַלְכוּתֶךָ וְיִכּוֹן בְּחֶסֶד כִּסְאֶךָ וְתֵשֵׁב עָלָיו בֶּאֱמֶת.
In Your compassion, You chose us from all the nations and sanctified us with Your commandments. In doing so, You did us a great kindness. You gave us this good gift, the holy Rosh HaShanah, a holy and awesome day on which Your sovereignty is elevated and Your throne is established with kindness, and You truly sit upon it.
וּבְרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים וַחֲסָדֶיךָ הָעֲצוּמִים קָבַעְתָּ לָנוּ אֶת יוֹם רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה הַגָּדוֹל וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ, יוֹם הַדִּין הַגָּדוֹל וְהַנּוֹרָא, בְּרֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ תִּשְׁרֵי,
In Your vast compassion and mighty kindness, You established the great and holy Rosh HaShanah, the great and awesome Day of Judgment, on Rosh Chodesh Tishrei.
שֶׁהוּא חֶסֶד גָּדוֹל וְנִפְלָא מֵאִתְּךָ בַּעַל הַחֶסֶד וְהָרַחֲמִים, אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה חוֹשֵׁב מֵרָחוֹק לְהֵטִיב אַחֲרִיתֵנוּ, וְאַתָּה טוֹב וּמֵטִיב לָרָעִים וְלַטּוֹבִים, וְהִקְדַּמְתָּ תְּרוּפָה וּצְרִי לְמַכּוֹתֵינוּ,
That is a great and wondrous kindness that You gave us, Master of kindness and compassion. You consider from afar how to ultimately bring us goodness. You are good and do good for both wicked people and good people. You created the remedy and balm before we suffered any wounds.
כִּי יָדַעְתָּ, כִּי בָּשָׂר וָדָם אֲנַחְנוּ וּמֵחֹמֶר קֹרַצְנוּ, הֵן בֶּעָוֹן חוֹלָלְנוּ וּבְחֵטְא יֶחֱמַתְנוּ אִמֵּנוּ, וְיֵצֶר לֵב הָאָדָם רַע מִנְּעוּרָיו, וְאֵין צַדִּיק בָּאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר יַעֲשֶׂה טוֹב וְלֹא יֶחֱטָא, אַף כִּי קְטַנֵּי עֵרֶךְ, שִׁפְלֵי קוֹמָה, חֲלוּשֵׁי כֹחַ, עֲצוּבֵי רוּחַ, עוֹלְלִים לֹא רָאוּ אוֹר, הַמְלוּכְלָכִים בְּחַטֹּאת נְעוּרֵיהֶם, מְלֵאִים חֵטְא וְעָוֹן וָפָשַׁע,
You know that we are flesh and blood, carved from clay. We were created in sin and in transgression our mothers conceived us, and “the inclination of the heart of man is evil from his youth.” “There is no righteous man in the earth who does good and does not transgress.” But we are puny in worth, lowly in stature, weak in strength, burdened in spirit, infants who have not seen the light, smeared with the sins of their youth, filled with transgression, sin and iniquity.
אֲשֶׁר לוּלֵא רַחֲמֶיךָ וַחֲסָדֶיךָ הָעֲצוּמִים וְהַנּוֹרָאִים מְאֹד, לֹא הָיָה לָנוּ חַס וְשָׁלוֹם שׁוּם תִּקְוָה כְּלָל, כִּי אֵיכָכָה נִפְצֶה פֶּה וְאֵיךְ נִשָּׂא עַיִן, וְאֵיךְ הָיִינוּ יְכוֹלִים לָבוֹא לְפָנֶיךָ בְּחַטֹּאתֵינוּ וּלְהָעִיז פָּנֵינוּ וּלְהַקְשׁוֹת עָרְפֵּנוּ, לָבוֹא וּלְהִתְוַדּוֹת לְפָנֶיךָ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, וּלְהִתְחָרֵט עַל מַעֲשֵׂינוּ וַעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ,
If not for Your mighty and awesome compassion and kindness, we would not have any hope at all, Heaven forbid. How will we open our mouths and how will we lift our eyes? How can we come before You with our transgressions and brazenly stiffen our necks in order to confess before You, our God and God of our fathers, and express contrition for our deeds and sins?
אֲבָל חֲסָדֶיךָ רַבִּים מְאֹד, חַסְדְּךָ יְהֹוָה מָלְאָה הָאָרֶץ, חַסְדֵּי יְהֹוָה כִּי לֹא תָמְנוּ, כִּי לֹא כָלוּ רַחֲמֶיךָ לְעוֹלָם, כִּי הֶהָרִים יָמוּשׁוּ וְהַגְּבָעוֹת תְּמוּטֶינָה וְחַסְדְּךָ מֵאִתָּנוּ לֹא יָמוּשׁ לְעוֹלָם, אַף אִם עָשִׂינוּ מַה שֶּׁעָשִׂינוּ.
But Your kindness is vast. “HaShem, Your kindness fills the earth.” “The kindness of HaShem has not ceased, for Your compassion has not been exhausted,” even after “the mountains will depart and the hills totter.” Your kindness will never leave us, no matter what we have done.
עַל־כֵּן גִּלִּיתָ לָנוּ מֵרָחוֹק עֹצֶם פִּלְאֵי חֲסָדֶיךָ הָעֲצוּמִים וְהָרַבִּים וְהַנּוֹרָאִים וְהַגְּדוֹלִים מְאֹד מְאֹד בְּלִי שִׁעוּר וָעֵרֶךְ וּמִסְפָּר, עַד אֵין סוֹף וְאֵין תַּכְלִית,
Therefore, You revealed to us as from afar the mighty wonders of Your great, infinite and unlimited, intense, vast and awesome kindness.
וְקָבַעְתָּ לָנוּ יוֹם רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה הַקָּדוֹשׁ, יוֹם הַדִּין הַגָּדוֹל וְהַנּוֹרָא, בְּרֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ. שֶׁאָז אַתָּה בְּעַצְמְךָ מְבַקֵּשׁ כַּפָּרָה, כִּבְיָכוֹל, כְּמוֹ שֶׁאָמְרוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה, הָבִיאוּ עָלַי כַּפָּרָה עַל שֶׁמִּעַטְתִּי אֶת הַיָּרֵחַ,
You established for us the holy day of Rosh HaShanah, the great and awesome Day of Judgment, on Rosh Chodesh, a day when You Yourself seek atonement, as it were. As our sages related, You Yourself said, “Bring an atonement on My behalf, because I diminished the moon.”
וְאַתָּה בְּעַצְמְךָ מִתְחָרֵט, כִּבְיָכוֹל, עַל מַעֲשֶׂיךָ, עַל שֶׁמִּעַטְתָּ אֶת הַלְּבָנָה, אֲשֶׁר מִשָּׁם נִמְשָׁכִים כָּל חֲטָאֵינוּ,
You Yourself regret, so to speak, Your deeds, in that that You diminished the moon, from which all of our transgressions are drawn.
עַל־כֵּן נָתַתָּ לָנוּ פִּתְחוֹן פֶּה, לָבוֹא וּלְהִתְוַדּוֹת לְפָנֶיךָ וּלְהִתְחָרֵט עַל מַעֲשֵׂינוּ בְּיוֹם הַדִּין הַגָּדוֹל שֶׁהוּא רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה, כִּי הֲלֹא גַם אַתָּה בְּעַצְמְךָ מִתְחָרֵט וּמְבַקֵּשׁ כַּפָּרָה אָז:
Therefore, You gave us a means to come and confess before You and regret our deeds on the great Day of Judgment, Rosh HaShanah, because at that time You Yourself express regret and seek atonement.
עַל־כֵּן בָּאנוּ לְפָנֶיךָ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, אֱלֹהֵי הַחֶסֶד וְהָרַחֲמִים, זַכֵּנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ וַחֲסָדֶיךָ הָעֲצוּמִים, שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְקַבֵּל הַחֶסֶד הַגָּדוֹל הַזֶּה בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה הַקָּדוֹשׁ הַבָּא עָלֵינוּ לְטוֹבָה.
Therefore, we have come before You, HaShem our God and God of our fathers, God of kindness and compassion. In Your vast compassion and mighty kindness, help us receive this great kindness on the holy Rosh HaShanah, which comes to us for the good.
רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ לְמַעַן שְׁמֶךָ, וְזַכֵּנוּ לְקַבֵּל רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בִּקְדֻשָּׁה גְּדוֹלָה,
Have compassion on us for the sake of Your Name. Help us celebrate Rosh HaShanah with great holiness.
כִּי אַתָּה יוֹדֵעַ, שֶׁבַּדּוֹרוֹת הַלָּלוּ, בְּעוּקְבָא דִמְשִׁיחָא, אֵין לָנוּ שׁוּם תִּקְוָה, כִּי אִם עַל קִבּוּץ רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה הַקָּדוֹשׁ, שֶׁאָנוּ מִתְקַבְּצִים יַחַד בְּכָל מְקוֹמוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּמוֹשְׁבוֹתֵיהֶם.
In these generations before the coming of the Mashiach, You know that our only hope is in the gathering together of Jews in all Jewish communities on the holy Rosh HaShanah.
יוֹדֵעַ תַּעֲלוּמוֹת, בּוֹחֵן לְבָבוֹת, אֲדוֹן הַחֶסֶד, מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, לַמְּדֵנוּ וְהוֹרֵנוּ אֵיךְ לְהַמְשִׁיךְ חֲסָדֶיךָ הַגְּדוֹלִים עָלֵינוּ, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לָשׁוּב אֵלֶיךָ בֶּאֱמֶת וּבְלֵב שָׁלֵם.
Standing Before God Alone
You know hidden things. You investigate hearts. Master of kindness, You are filled with compassion. Teach us and instruct us how to draw Your great kindness onto ourselves, so that we will truly return to You with a full heart.
וְאִם חָטָאנוּ עָוִינוּ וּפָשַׁעְנוּ לְפָנֶיךָ הַרְבֵּה מְאֹד, וּפָגַמְנוּ בִּכְבוֹדְךָ הַרְבֵּה, וְהָלַכְנוּ אַחַר תַּאֲווֹת לִבֵּנוּ וְהִמְשַׁכְנוּ עָלֵינוּ אֶת הַיֵּצֶר הָרָע, וּפָגַמְנוּ וְקִלְקַלְנוּ מַה שֶּׁקִּלְקַלְנוּ, עַד אֲשֶׁר אֵין לָנוּ מֵלִיץ יוֹשֶׁר וְשׁוּם זְכוּת עַל פִּי דַּת הַמִּשְׁפָּט הַקָּדוֹשׁ,
We transgressed, sinned and were rebellious before You a great deal. We blemished Your glory a great deal. We followed after the lusts of our hearts and drew the evil inclination onto ourselves, and spoiled that which we spoiled, until we have no one to speak on our behalf and no merit according to the law of holy judgment.
הֵן עַל זֶה בָּאנוּ לְפָנֶיךָ לְחַלּוֹת פָּנֶיךָ וּלְהִשְׁתַּטֵּחַ לִפְנֵי רַחֲמֵי כִסֵּא כְבוֹדֶךָ, וְאָנוּ תוֹלִים עֵינֵינוּ אֵלֶיךָ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶׁתַּעֲשֶׂה לְמַעַן רַחֲמֶיךָ וַחֲסָדֶיךָ הַפְּשׁוּטִים, וְתֵשֵׁב בְּעַצְמְךָ עַל מִשְׁפָּטֵינוּ, כִּי הַמִּשְׁפָּט לֵאלֹהִים הוּא,
Thus we have come before You to petition Your countenance and prostrate ourselves before the compassion of Your throne of glory. We lift our eyes to You, HaShem our God and God of our fathers, so that You will act for the sake of Your simple compassion and kindness, and sit at our judgment, “for judgment belongs to God.”
וְלֹא תִתֵּן כֹּחַ וּרְשׁוּת חַס וְשָׁלוֹם לְשׁוּם אָדָם שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם, וְלֹא לְשׁוּם בֵּית דִּין שֶׁלְּמַעְלָה וְשֶׁלְּמַטָּה, וְלֹא לְשׁוּם מַלְאָךְ וְשָׂרָף, וְלֹא לְשׁוּם נִבְרָא שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם, לִשְׁפֹּט וְלָדוּן אוֹתָנוּ חָלִילָה, חָלִילָה לְךָ מֵעֲשׂוֹת כַּדָּבָר הַזֶּה,
Do not give power or authority to any human being in the world, or to any court, Heavenly or earthly, or to any angel or seraph, or to any created being in the world, to judge us, Heaven forbid. “Far be it from You to do such a thing.”
כִּי אִם אַתָּה לְבַד תָּדִין וְתִשְׁפֹּט אוֹתָנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים וּבַחֲסָדֶיךָ הַגְּדוֹלִים, מִלְּפָנֶיךָ מִשְׁפָּטֵנוּ יֵצֵא, עֵינֶיךָ תֶּחֱזֶינָה מֵישָׁרִים,
Rather, judge us Yourself, in Your vast compassion and great kindness. “From before You may our judgment go forth; may Your eyes see [our] upright acts.”
כִּי אַתָּה לְבַד יוֹדֵעַ אֶת מְקוֹמֵנוּ, כִּי אַתָּה מְקוֹמוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם וְאֵין הָעוֹלָם מְקוֹמֶךָ, וְרַק אַתָּה לְבַד יוֹדֵעַ לָדוּן אוֹתָנוּ כֻּלָּנוּ לְכַף זְכוּת תָּמִיד, רַחֲמֶיךָ רַבִּים יְהֹוָה כְּמִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ חַיֵּינִי,
You alone know our place, for You are the Place of the world and the world is not Your place. Only You know how to always judge all of us favorably. “Your compassion is abundant, HaShem. Give me life in accordance with Your custom.”
כִּי אַתָּה יוֹדֵעַ אֶת מְקוֹמוֹ שֶׁל כָּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד מֵאִתָּנוּ עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל, אֵיךְ נוֹלָד וְאֵיךְ נִמְשָׁךְ נִשְׁמָתוֹ לְזֶה הָעוֹלָם, וּבְאֵיזֶה מָקוֹם הָיָה בְּגַשְׁמִיּוּת וּבְרוּחָנִיּוּת מֵעוֹדוֹ עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, וְאַתָּה מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, וּמַטֶּה כְּלַפֵּי חֶסֶד תָּמִיד.
You know the place of each and every Jew: how he was born, how his soul was drawn into this world, and where he has been, materially and spiritually, from his birth to this day. You are filled with compassion, and tend toward kindness always.
אָבִינוּ שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם, רַחֲמָן אֲמִתִּי, חַסְדָּן אֲמִתִּי, חֲמֹל עָלֵינוּ בְּעֵת צָרָה הַזֹּאת, אֲשֶׁר בָּאוּ בָנִים עַד מַשְׁבֵּר וְכֹחַ אַיִן לְלֵדָה, עֲשֵׂה עִמָּנוּ חֶסֶד חִנָּם מִמַּה שֶּׁלֹּא יֶחְסַר עִמָּךְ, וְזַכֵּנוּ מֵעַתָּה לִהְיוֹת כִּרְצוֹנְךָ בֶּאֱמֶת, לָסוּר מֵרָע וְלַעֲשׂוֹת הַטּוֹב בְּעֵינֶיךָ תָּמִיד:
Our Father in Heaven, You are truly compassionate and kind. Have mercy on us at this time of trouble, when “children have come to be born, but there is no strength to bring them forth.” Treat us with Your generous kindness, which is not lacking in any way. From now on, may we truly be in accordance with Your will, turning aside from evil and always doing that which is good in Your eyes.
וּבְרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים תַּמְשִׁיךְ עָלֵינוּ קְדֻשַּׁת רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה תָּמִיד, וְתִמְחֹל וְתִסְלַח לָנוּ עַל כָּל פְּשָׁעֵינוּ וְחַטֹּאתֵינוּ וַעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ.
In Your vast compassion, always draw the holiness of Rosh HaShanah onto us. Forgive us and pardon us for all our iniquities, transgressions and sins.
וּתְמַלֵּא פְּגִימַת הַלְּבָנָה וְלֹא יִהְיֶה בָהּ שׁוּם מִעוּט, וְיִהְיֶה אוֹר הַלְּבָנָה כְּאוֹר הַחַמָּה, כְּאוֹר שִׁבְעַת יְמֵי בְרֵאשִׁית, כְּמוֹ שֶׁהָיְתָה קֹדֶם מִעוּטָהּ.
Fill the blemish of the moon. May it never be diminished. May the light of the moon be like the light of the sun, like the light of the seven days of Creation, as it was before it was diminished.
וּתְזַכֵּנוּ וְתַעַזְרֵנוּ שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לֶאֱחֹז עַצְמֵנוּ בְּכִסֵּא הַכָּבוֹד בְּשָׁרְשֵׁי נִשְׁמוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל, עַד שֶׁיִּהְיֶה לָנוּ כֹּחַ לַעֲשׂוֹת רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה, לְהַמְשִׁיךְ וּלְהָאִיר עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל קְדֻשַּׁת רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה תָּמִיד.
Help us grasp the throne of glory, the roots of the souls of Israel, until we have the power to make Rosh HaShanah, to always draw and illumine the holiness of Rosh HaShanah onto ourselves and onto all the Jewish people.
וְנִזְכֶּה לָדוּן אֶת כָּל אָדָם לְכַף זְכוּת תָּמִיד, וּלְהַכְרִיעַ אֶת כָּל הָעוֹלָם כֻּלּוֹ לְכַף זְכוּת, לְזַכּוֹת אֶת כָּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד לְפִי מְקוֹמוֹ.
Judging People Favorably
May we always judge every person favorably and move the entire world to the side of merit, to grant merit to everyone on his level.
וְנִזְכֶּה לֵידַע בֶּאֱמֶת מְקוֹמוֹ שֶׁל כָּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד, וּלְהַמְשִׁיךְ זְכוּת וָחֶסֶד וְרַחֲמִים עַל כָּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד מִכְּלָלִיּוּת יִשְׂרָאֵל עַמְּךָ הַקָּדוֹשׁ, אֲשֶׁר בָּהֶם בָּחַרְתָּ, אֲפִלּוּ עַל הַגָּרוּעַ שֶׁבַּגְּרוּעִים וְהַפָּחוּת שֶׁבַּפְּחוּתִים. וְתִפְתַּח לָנוּ אוֹר הַדַּעַת שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לִמְצֹא זְכוּת לְכֻלָּם.
May we truly know the place of every member of Israel, Your holy, chosen nation, and draw merit, kindness and compassion onto each and every one — even the lowest and the least worthy. Open the light of knowledge for us so that we may find merit in all of them.
וּתְרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ וְתִשְׁמְרֵנוּ וְתַצִּילֵנוּ תָמִיד, שֶׁלֹּא נְדַבֵּר סָרָה חַס וְשָׁלוֹם עַל שׁוּם בַּר יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם.
Have compassion on us. Always guard us and rescue us so that we will not speak badly about any Jew in the world, Heaven forbid.
וְתַצִּילֵנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ מִלָּשׁוֹן הָרָע וְאָבָק לָשׁוֹן הָרָע, וְלֹא נַתְחִיל לָדוּן שׁוּם בַּר יִשְׂרָאֵל לְחוֹבָה חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, רַק נִזְכֶּה לָדוּן אֶת הַכֹּל לְכַף זְכוּת תָּמִיד,
In Your compassion, rescue us from the slightest trace of gossip. May we not even begin to judge any Jew negatively, Heaven forbid, but may we always judge everyone favorably.
וּלְהַכְרִיחַ עַצְמֵנוּ בְּכָל כֹּחוֹתֵינוּ, עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לִמְצֹא זְכוּת וָחֶסֶד וָטוֹב לְכָל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד, אֲפִלּוּ בְּתַכְלִית הַדְּיוּטָא הַתַּחְתּוֹנָה, בְּתַכְלִית הַגְּרִיעוּת וְהַפְּחִיתוּת, וּלְהַכְרִיעַ הַכֹּל לְכַף זְכוּת תָּמִיד:
May we impel ourselves with all our might to find merit, kindness and goodness in every individual — even someone on the lowest level, the basest and least worthy — and always bring everything to the side of merit.
מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, מַלֵּא מִשְׁאֲלוֹתֵינוּ לְטוֹבָה בְּרַחֲמִים, וְתִתֶּן לָנוּ כָּל חֶפְצֵנוּ וּבַקָּשׁוֹתֵינוּ לְטוֹבָה חִישׁ קַל מְהֵרָה.
God Can Elevate Us
You are filled with compassion. Compassionately fulfill our requests for the good. Fulfill all of our desires and requests for a good outcome, swiftly, easily and quickly.
וְתִתְפָּאֵר עִם כָּל עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל לְעוֹלָם, מִגָּדוֹל וְעַד קָטָן, כִּי כֻּלָּם יְקָרִים וַחֲבִיבִים בְּעֵינֶיךָ כְּבָבַת עַיִן, וּבְיָדְךָ הַכֹּל.
Take pride in Your entire nation, the Jewish people, forever, from the greatest to the smallest, for they are all precious and beloved as the apple of Your eye, and everything is in Your hand.
הֵן כֹּל תּוּכָל וְלֹא יִבָּצֵּר מִמְּךָ מְזִמָּה, וּבְעֹצֶם שִׁפְלוּתֵנוּ וּגְרִיעוּתֵנוּ וּפְחִיתוּתֵנוּ וְדֹחֲקֵינוּ וַעֲמָלֵינוּ, וְעֹצֶם רִחוּקֵנוּ מִמְּךָ עַל־יְדֵי עֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ וְחַטֹּאתֵינוּ הָרַבִּים וְהָעֲצוּמִים,
“You can do everything and no design is withheld from You.” We are lowly, base, unworthy, crushed and oppressed, and far from You because of our many serious sins and transgressions.
עִם כָּל זֶה אַתָּה יָכוֹל לְהַגְבִּיהֵנוּ וּלְהַעֲלוֹת וּלְהַמְשִׁיךְ עָלֵינוּ קְדֻשָּׁה וְטָהֳרָה, וּלְהַחֲזִירֵנוּ בִּתְשׁוּבָה שְׁלֵמָה לְפָנֶיךָ, וּלְקָרְבֵנוּ לַעֲבוֹדָתְךָ בֶּאֱמֶת, עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְהַגִּיעַ לְכָל מַה שֶּׁבִּקַּשְׁנוּ מִלְּפָנֶיךָ,
Nevertheless, You can elevate us and raise us, draw holiness and purity onto us, and cause us to repent fully before You and serve You in truth, until we attain everything that we have requested from You.
כִּי אַתָּה מֵקִים מֵעָפָר דָּל מֵאַשְׁפּוֹת יָרִים אֶבְיוֹן, לְהוֹשִׁיבִי עִם נְדִיבִים עִם נְדִיבֵי עַמּוֹ. וְאַתָּה מַשְׁפִּיל גֵּאִים וּמַגְבִּיהַּ שְׁפָלִים,
“He raises the poor man from the dust, He lifts the impoverished man from the ash heap, to seat [him] with the princes, with the princes of His nation.” You cast down the haughty and elevate the lowly.
וְאַתָּה מָלֵא רַחֲמִים עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל תָּמִיד בְּכָל עֵת וּבְכָל רֶגַע, וְאַתָּה עוֹשֵׂה נִפְלָאוֹת גְּדוֹלוֹת לְבַדֶּךָ, כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדֶּךָ,
You are filled with compassion for us and for all the Jewish people, always and at every moment. You alone do great wonders, for Your kindness is forever.
עוֹשֶׂה גְדוֹלוֹת עַד אֵין חֵקֶר נִסִּים וְנִפְלָאוֹת עַד אֵין מִסְפָּר, כָּאָמוּר, אֵין קָדוֹשׁ כַּיהֹוָה כִּי אֵין בִּלְתֶּךָ וְאֵין צוּר כֵּאלֹהֵינוּ. יְהֹוָה מֵמִית וּמְחַיֶּה מוֹרִיד שְׁאוֹל וַיָּעַל. יְהֹוָה מוֹרִישׁ וּמַעֲשִׁיר מַשְׁפִּיל אַף מְרוֹמֵם.
You “do great things beyond comprehension and wonders without number.” “There is none as holy as HaShem, for there is none besides You, and there is no Rock like our God.” “HaShem kills and gives life, He brings down to Sheol and raises up. HaShem impoverishes and makes rich; He humbles, He also elevates.”
מֵקִים מֵעָפָר דָּל מֵאַשְׁפּוֹת יָרִים אֶבְיוֹן, לְהוֹשִׁיב עִם נְדִיבִים וְכִסֵּא כָבוֹד יַנְחִילֵם, כִּי לַיהֹוָה מְצֻקֵי אֶרֶץ וַיָּשֶׁת עֲלֵיהֶם תֵּבֶל. רַגְלֵי חֲסִידָיו יִשְׁמֹר, וּרְשָׁעִים בַּחֹשֶׁךְ יִדָּמּוּ, כִּי לֹא בְּכֹחַ יִגְבַּר אִישׁ. יְהֹוָה יֵחַתּוּ מְרִיבָיו, עָלָיו בַּשָּׁמַיִם יַרְעֵם, יְהֹוָה יָדִין אַפְסֵי אָרֶץ, וְיִתֶּן עֹז לְמַלְכּוֹ וְיָרֵם קֶרֶן מְשִׁיחוֹ.
“He raises the poor man from the dust, He lifts the impoverished man from the ash heap, to seat [him] with the princes, and He gives them a throne of glory as an inheritance, for the pillars of the earth are HaShem’s, and He places the world upon them. He will guard the feet of His pious ones, and the wicked will be cut off in darkness, for a man will not prevail with might. Those who fight against HaShem will be broken; He will thunder upon them in Heaven. HaShem will judge the ends of the earth, and He will give might to His king and elevate the horn of His anointed one.”
וְנֶאֱמַר, מִקּוֹלוֹת מַיִם רַבִּים אַדִּירִים מִשְׁבְּרֵי יָם, אַדִּיר בַּמָּרוֹם יְהֹוָה, עֵדוֹתֶיךָ נֶאֶמְנוּ מְאֹד לְבֵיתְךָ נָאֲוָה קֹּדֶשׁ יְהֹוָה לְאֹרֶךְ יָמִים.
“More than the sounds of the mighty waters, more than the mightiest breakers of the sea, is HaShem, mighty in the heights. Your testimonies are very faithful for Your house, the dwelling place of holiness, HaShem, for length of days.”
יִהְיוּ לְרָצוֹן אִמְרֵי פִי וְהֶגְיוֹן לִבִּי לְפָנֶיךָ יְהֹוָה צוּרִי וְגוֹאֲלִי, אָמֵן כֵּן יְהִי רָצוֹן:
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing before You, HaShem, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Amen. So may it be His will.