Fulfilling Obligations and Levying Fair Taxes Nullifies Four Evil Traits A person must pay his obligations immediately. If he delays doing so, he brings into being the four evil traits of idolatry, sexual immorality, bloodshed and slander. And when a principled communal leader taxes each citizen appropriately, he nullifies these four traits. Worthy Communal Leaders “Your sovereignty is a sovereignty of all times and Your governance is in every generation.” You are the King of kings Who appoints kings and possesses kingship.
As our sages said, “Even a superintendent of wells is appointed from Heaven, as the verse states, ‘Yours, HaShem, is the sovereignty, and You are exalted as the head above all.’”
Therefore, have compassion on us for the sake of Your Name. Give us governors, officers and community leaders in every city who are sincere, reliable and worthy.
Give them true awareness and compassion so that they will have compassion on the poor of Your flock, and not overburden the poor and needy with the yoke of taxes.
Pour true awareness and compassion onto them so that they will act sincerely in their elevated station, in accordance with Your good will, and tax every individual in accordance with his ability.
They should tax heavily those whom it is fitting to tax heavily, be lenient with those with whom it is fitting to be lenient, and entirely exempt those whom it is fitting to exempt — in particular, people who fear HaShem, who have bent their shoulders to bear the yoke of Torah and serving You.
Have compassion on these God-fearing people for the sake of Your Name and Your honor. Influence the hearts of the governors and officers of every city to completely alleviate their burden and free them of the yoke of various civil obligations and the yoke of earning a living.
Have compassion on the members of Your nation, the Jewish people, who are scattered among the nations, which rule over us and constantly burden us with taxes, constantly demanding more and more.
You know how oppressed and overworked we are, and the acute constriction and diminishment of our income due to our sins — in particular, the income of those who are Godfearing and worthy, who desire to accustom themselves to truly walk in Your ways and come close to You.
Most if not all of these people have a very reduced income. They lack bread and clothing, and even the smallest coin in their wallet. And now the yoke of taxes may be imposed on them, so that “the strength of the porter will collapse,” Heaven forbid.
Give us truly new, worthy officers, community leaders and governors who will arrange and evaluate the tax burden for every individual fairly and honestly, in accordance with Your good will.
You revealed to us the eminent traits that people attain when they have a worthy leader. Through such a leader, people nullify their four evil traits, which are: blemishes in faith leading to heresy, sexual immorality, bloodshed, and malicious gossip — the last of which is equal to them all. These four are the chief sins in the entire Torah.
You know how much we need to plead with You and beg You to rescue us from the blemish of these four evil traits, in which every individual is trapped in his own particular way — whether in thought, speech or deed, whether unintentionally or intentionally.
Therefore, have compassion on us. May we have worthy officers and community leaders who will fairly arrange and evaluate the taxes that are fitting for every individual.
Through such leaders, may we all be rescued from the blemish of all of these four traits, so that no trace of any of them will cling to us or our children, in whole or in part — whether in thought, speech or deed, whether unintentionally or intentionally.
Oaths and Vows Have compassion on us. Guard us and rescue us from the blemish of oaths and vows. Protect us so that we will not become accustomed to making oaths and vows.
May all of the oaths and vows that we must make be for the sake of attaining holiness and self-restraint, in accordance with Your good will. As our sages said, “Oaths are a fence that encourage self-restraint.”
Guard us in Your vast compassion. Help and save us at every moment to fulfill our promises immediately and not transgress, Heaven forbid, by delaying any oath or vow.
May we fulfill our oaths completely and immediately, and do all that we have promised. May we keep and do that which emerges from our lips, immediately and without delay.
Guide us and teach us at every moment how to conduct ourselves in the realm of making oaths and vows, with the goal of attaining holiness and asceticism. Then we will truly fulfill our promises, and through them truly attain holiness and self-restraint, in accordance with Your good will.
Have pity and compassion on me and on the entire Jewish people. Compassionately fulfill our requests for the good. Quickly and swiftly redeem us and bring our righteous Mashiach. Restore sovereignty, dominion and supremacy to Your people of Israel, who are truly worthy and God-fearing.
[עַל־פִּי תּוֹרָה כ"ז - עַל־יְדֵי מַנְהִיג הָגוּן נִתְבָּטְלִין ד' מִדּוֹת רָעוֹת]
מַלְכוּתְךָ מַלְכוּת כָּל הָעוֹלָמִים וּמֶמְשַׁלְתְּךָ בְּכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר. מֶלֶךְ מְלָכִים, הַמַּמְלִיךְ מְלָכִים וְלוֹ הַמְּלוּכָה,
Fulfilling Obligations and Levying Fair Taxes Nullifies Four Evil Traits
A person must pay his obligations immediately. If he delays doing so, he brings into being the four evil traits of idolatry, sexual immorality, bloodshed and slander.
And when a principled communal leader taxes each citizen appropriately, he nullifies these four traits.
Worthy Communal Leaders
“Your sovereignty is a sovereignty of all times and Your governance is in every generation.” You are the King of kings Who appoints kings and possesses kingship.
מְהַעְדֵּה מַלְכִין וּמְהָקֵים מַלְכִין, וּכְמִצְבְּיֵהּ עָבֵד בְּחֵיל שְׁמַיָא וְאַרְעָא,
“He removes kings and establishes kings.” “He does as He wishes with the host of Heaven and [the inhabitants of] earth.”
אֲשֶׁר כָּל הַהִתְנַשְּׂאוּת וְהַמַּנְהִיגוּת וְהָרָאשׁוּת שֶׁל כָּל הָעוֹלָם מִגָּדוֹל שֶׁבַּגְּדוֹלִים עַד קָטָן שֶׁבַּקְּטַנִּים, הַכֹּל מֵאִתְּךָ לְבַד,
All elevation, leadership and command of the entire world, from the very greatest to the very smallest, come from You alone.
כְּמוֹ שֶׁאָמְרוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה, אֲפִלּוּ רֵישׁ גַרְגּוּתָא מִן שְׁמַיָּא מוּקְמֵי לֵיהּ, כְּמָה שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, לְךָ יְהֹוָה הַמַּמְלָכָה וְהַמִּתְנַשֵּׂא לְכֹל לְרֹאשׁ:
As our sages said, “Even a superintendent of wells is appointed from Heaven, as the verse states, ‘Yours, HaShem, is the sovereignty, and You are exalted as the head above all.’”
וּבְכֵן רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ לְמַעַן שְׁמֶךָ, וְתֵן לָנוּ פַּרְנָסִים וּמַנְהִיגִים וְרָאשִׁים כְּשֵׁרִים וְנֶאֱמָנִים וַהֲגוּנִים בְּכָל עִיר וָעִיר,
Therefore, have compassion on us for the sake of Your Name. Give us governors, officers and community leaders in every city who are sincere, reliable and worthy.
וְתַמְשִׁיךְ עֲלֵיהֶם דַּעַת וְרַחֲמָנוּת אֲמִתִּי שֶׁיִּזְכּוּ לְרַחֵם עַל עֲנִיֵּי הַצֹּאן, לְבַל יַכְבִּידוּ עֹל הַנְּתִינוּת וְהַמִּסִּים עַל הָעֲנִיִּים וְהָאֶבְיוֹנִים.
Give them true awareness and compassion so that they will have compassion on the poor of Your flock, and not overburden the poor and needy with the yoke of taxes.
רַק תַּשְׁפִּיעַ עֲלֵיהֶם דַּעַת וְרַחֲמָנוּת אֲמִתִּי שֶׁיִּתְנַהֲגוּ בְּהִתְנַשְּׂאוּת שֶׁלָּהֶם בְּכַשְׁרוּת כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב, לְסַדֵּר הַגְּבִיּוֹת וְהַמִּסִּים עַל כָּל אֶחָד כָּרָאוּי לוֹ לְפִי כֹּחוֹ בֶּאֱמֶת,
Pour true awareness and compassion onto them so that they will act sincerely in their elevated station, in accordance with Your good will, and tax every individual in accordance with his ability.
לְהַכְבִּיד עַל מִי שֶׁרָאוּי לְהַכְבִּיד, וּלְהָקֵל עַל מִי שֶׁרָאוּי לְהָקֵל, וְלִפְטֹר לְגַמְרֵי אֶת מִי שֶׁרָאוּי לְפוֹטְרוֹ, וּבִפְרָט יִרְאֵי יְהֹוָה אֲשֶׁר הִטּוּ שִׁכְמָם לִסְבֹּל עֹל תּוֹרָה וַעֲבוֹדָה,
They should tax heavily those whom it is fitting to tax heavily, be lenient with those with whom it is fitting to be lenient, and entirely exempt those whom it is fitting to exempt — in particular, people who fear HaShem, who have bent their shoulders to bear the yoke of Torah and serving You.
רַחֵם עֲלֵיהֶם לְמַעַן שִׁמְךָ וּכְבוֹדֶךָ, וְתֵן בְּלֵב פַּרְנְסֵי וּמַנְהִיגֵי כָּל עִיר וָעִיר שֶׁיָּקֵלּוּ הָעֹל מֵעֲלֵיהֶם לְגַמְרֵי, וְתַעֲבִיר מֵהֶם עֹל מַלְכוּת וְעֹל דֶּרֶךְ־אֶרֶץ.
Have compassion on these God-fearing people for the sake of Your Name and Your honor. Influence the hearts of the governors and officers of every city to completely alleviate their burden and free them of the yoke of various civil obligations and the yoke of earning a living.
וְתַצִּילֵנוּ וְתִשְׁמְרֵנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, מִמַּנְהִיגִים וּפַרְנָסִים הַמִּתְגָּאִים עַל הַצִּבּוּר שֶׁלֹּא לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם.
In Your vast compassion, rescue us and protect us from officers and governors who rule over the public egotistically and not for the sake of Heaven.
רַחֵם עַל עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל הַמְפֻזָּרִים בֵּין הַגּוֹיִים, וְהֵם מוֹשְׁלִים עָלֵינוּ וּמַכְבִּידִים בְּכָל עֵת הַנְּתִינוּת וְהַמִּסִּים עָלֵינוּ, וְאוֹמְרִים בְּכָל עֵת, מְדֹד וְהָבֵא.
Have compassion on the members of Your nation, the Jewish people, who are scattered among the nations, which rule over us and constantly burden us with taxes, constantly demanding more and more.
וְאַתָּה יוֹדֵעַ דֹּחֲקֵנוּ וַעֲמָלֵנוּ, וְעֹצֶם צִמְצוּם וּמִיעוּט הַפַּרְנָסָה שֶׁנִּתְמַעֲטָה בַּעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ, וּבִפְרָט פַּרְנָסַת הַיְרֵאִים וְהַכְּשֵׁרִים הַחֲפֵצִים לְהַרְגִּיל עַצְמָן לָלֶכֶת בִּדְרָכֶיךָ וּלְהִתְקָרֵב אֵלֶיךָ בֶּאֱמֶת,
You know how oppressed and overworked we are, and the acute constriction and diminishment of our income due to our sins — in particular, the income of those who are Godfearing and worthy, who desire to accustom themselves to truly walk in Your ways and come close to You.
אֲשֶׁר רֻבָּם כְּכֻלָּם פַּרְנָסָתָם דְּחוּקָה מְאֹד וּבְבֵיתָם אֵין לֶחֶם וְשִׂמְלָה, וְכָלָה פְּרוּטָה מִן הַכִּיס, וְאִם חַס וְשָׁלוֹם מַטִילִים עֲלֵיהֶם גַּם עֹל הַנְּתִינוּת, 'כָּשַׁל כֹּחַ הַסַּבָּל' חַס וְשָׁלוֹם,
Most if not all of these people have a very reduced income. They lack bread and clothing, and even the smallest coin in their wallet. And now the yoke of taxes may be imposed on them, so that “the strength of the porter will collapse,” Heaven forbid.
אוֹי, מִי יָקוּם יַעֲקֹב כִּי קָטֹן הוּא, כִּי אֵין מִי יַעֲמֹד בַּעֲדֵנוּ, שִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל יַעֲמֹד לָנוּ בְּעֵת צָרָה.
Woe! “How will Jacob rise, for he is small?” At this time of trouble, when no one stands up on our behalf, may Your great Name stand up on our behalf.
רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ בְּכָל עִיר וָעִיר מֵעָרֵי עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּמוֹשְׁבוֹתָם (כְּשֶׁרוֹצֶה לְהִתְפַּלֵּל עַל אֵיזֶה עִיר בִּפְרָטִיּוּת יֹאמַר, וּבִפְרָט וְכוּ')
Have compassion on us in each and every community in which Your people of Israel live (and in particular, in [name of city]).
וְתֵן לָנוּ מַנְהִיגִים וְרָאשִׁים וּפַרְנָסִים חֲדָשִׁים כְּשֵׁרִים וַהֲגוּנִים בֶּאֱמֶת, שֶׁיְּסַדְּרוּ וְיַעֲרִיכוּ נְתִינוֹת הַמִּסִּים עַל־כָּל־אֶחָד כָּרָאוּי לְפִי עֶרְכּוֹ בֶּאֱמֶת לַאֲמִתּוֹ כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב:
Give us truly new, worthy officers, community leaders and governors who will arrange and evaluate the tax burden for every individual fairly and honestly, in accordance with Your good will.
כִּי אַתָּה גִּלִּיתָ לָנוּ עֹצֶם הַמַּעֲלוֹת שֶׁזּוֹכִין עַל־יְדֵי מַנְהִיג כָּשֵׁר, כִּי זוֹכִין עַל־יָדוֹ לְבַטֵּל אַרְבַּע מִדּוֹת רָעוֹת שֶׁהֵם, פְּגָם אֱמוּנָה וּכְפִירוֹת, וְגִלּוּי עֲרָיוֹת, וּשְׁפִיכוּת דָּמִים, וּלְשׁוֹן־הָרָע הַשָּׁקוּל כְּנֶגֶד כֻּלָּן, שֶׁהֵם רָאשֵׁי כָל הָעֲבֵרוֹת שֶׁבַּתּוֹרָה.
You revealed to us the eminent traits that people attain when they have a worthy leader. Through such a leader, people nullify their four evil traits, which are: blemishes in faith leading to heresy, sexual immorality, bloodshed, and malicious gossip — the last of which is equal to them all. These four are the chief sins in the entire Torah.
וְאַתָּה יוֹדֵעַ כַּמָּה אָנוּ צְרִיכִין לְהַעְתִּיר וּלְהַפְצִיר אוֹתְךָ לִזְכּוֹת לְהִנָּצֵל מִפְּגַם אַרְבָּעָה מִדּוֹת רָעוֹת הָאֵלֶּה, אֲשֶׁר כָּל אֶחָד נִלְכַּד בָּהֶם כְּפִי מַה שֶּׁנִּלְכָּד, בְּהִרְהוּר אוֹ בְּדִבּוּר אוֹ בְּמַעֲשֶׂה, בְּשׁוֹגֵג אוֹ בְּמֵזִיד.
You know how much we need to plead with You and beg You to rescue us from the blemish of these four evil traits, in which every individual is trapped in his own particular way — whether in thought, speech or deed, whether unintentionally or intentionally.
וְאַתָּה יוֹדֵעַ עַד הֵיכָן מַגִּיעִים הַפְּגָמִים הַגְּדוֹלִים הָאֵלֶּה הַנּוֹגְעִים בְּכָל הַתּוֹרָה כֻּלָּהּ.
You know how far these tremendous blemishes, which affect the entire Torah, reach.
עַל־כֵּן רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, וְזַכֵּנוּ שֶׁיִּהְיֶה לָנוּ מַנְהִיגִים וְרָאשִׁים הֲגוּנִים כָּאֵלֶּה, שֶׁיְּסַדְּרוּ וְיַעֲרִיכוּ הַגְּבִיּוֹת וְהַמִּסִּים עַל כָּל אֶחָד כָּרָאוּי לוֹ,
Therefore, have compassion on us. May we have worthy officers and community leaders who will fairly arrange and evaluate the taxes that are fitting for every individual.
עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה כֻלָּנוּ לְהִנָּצֵל עַל־יָדָם מִפְּגַם כָּל הָאַרְבַּע מִדּוֹת הָאֵלֶּה, שֶׁלֹּא יֻדְבַּק בָּנוּ וּבְזַרְעֵנוּ שׁוּם שֶׁמֶץ מֵהֶם, לֹא מֵהֶם וְלֹא מִקְצָתָם, לֹא בְּמַחֲשָׁבָה וְלֹא בְּדִבּוּר וְלֹא בְּמַעֲשֶׂה, לֹא בְּשׁוֹגֵג וְלֹא בְּמֵזִיד.
Through such leaders, may we all be rescued from the blemish of all of these four traits, so that no trace of any of them will cling to us or our children, in whole or in part — whether in thought, speech or deed, whether unintentionally or intentionally.
רַק נִזְכֶּה לִהְיוֹת קְדוֹשִׁים וּטְהוֹרִים בְּתַכְלִית הַשְּׁלֵמוּת, וּנְקִיִּים לְגַמְרֵי מִפְּגַם כָּל הָאַרְבַּע מִדּוֹת הָאֵלֶּה:
Rather, may we be holy and pure with ultimate perfection, and entirely cleansed of the blemish of all of these four traits.
וּתְרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ וְתִשְׁמְרֵנוּ וְתַצִּילֵנוּ מִפְּגַם נְדָרִים וּשְׁבוּעוֹת, וְתִשְׁמְרֵנוּ שֶׁלֹּא נִהְיֶה רְגִילִים בִּנְדָרִים וּשְׁבוּעוֹת.
Oaths and Vows
Have compassion on us. Guard us and rescue us from the blemish of oaths and vows. Protect us so that we will not become accustomed to making oaths and vows.
וְכָל הַנְּדָרִים וּשְׁבוּעוֹת שֶׁאָנוּ מֻכְרָחִים לִדֹּר אוֹ לִשָּׁבַע בִּשְׁבִיל קְדֻשָּׁה וּפְרִישׁוּת כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב, כְּמוֹ שֶׁאָמְרוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה, נְדָרִים סְיָג לַפְּרִישׁוּת.
May all of the oaths and vows that we must make be for the sake of attaining holiness and self-restraint, in accordance with Your good will. As our sages said, “Oaths are a fence that encourage self-restraint.”
תִּשְׁמְרֵנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, וְתַעֲזֹר וְתוֹשִׁיעַ לָנוּ בְּכָל עֵת לְקַיְּמָם מִיָּד, וְלִבְלִי לַעֲבֹר חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, וְלִבְלִי לְאַחֵר שׁוּם נֵדֶר וּשְׁבוּעָה,
Guard us in Your vast compassion. Help and save us at every moment to fulfill our promises immediately and not transgress, Heaven forbid, by delaying any oath or vow.
רַק נִזְכֶּה לְקַיְּמָם בִּשְׁלֵמוּת מִיָּד. וּכְכָל הַיּוֹצֵא מִפִּינוּ נַעֲשֶׂה, וּמוֹצָא שְׂפָתֵינוּ נִשְׁמֹר וְנַעֲשֶׂה כַּאֲשֶׁר נִדּוֹר תֵּכֶף וּמִיָּד,
May we fulfill our oaths completely and immediately, and do all that we have promised. May we keep and do that which emerges from our lips, immediately and without delay.
וְלֹא נְאַחֵר לְשַׁלְּמוֹ. וְתוֹרֵנִי וּתְלַמְּדֵנִי בְּכָל עֵת אֵיךְ לְהִתְנַהֵג בְּעִנְיַן נְדָרִים וּשְׁבוּעוֹת בִּשְׁבִיל קְדֻשָּׁה וּפְרִישׁוּת, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְקַיְּמָם בֶּאֱמֶת וְלִזְכּוֹת עַל־יָדָם לִקְדֻשָּׁה וּפְרִישׁוּת בֶּאֱמֶת כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב.
Guide us and teach us at every moment how to conduct ourselves in the realm of making oaths and vows, with the goal of attaining holiness and asceticism. Then we will truly fulfill our promises, and through them truly attain holiness and self-restraint, in accordance with Your good will.
הַדְרִיכֵנִי בַאֲמִתֶּךָ וְלַמְּדֵנִי כִּי אַתָּה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׁעִי אוֹתְךָ קִוִּיתִי כָּל הַיּוֹם.
“Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation. I have hoped in You all the day.”
חוּס וְרַחֵם עָלַי וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל וּמַלֵּא מִשְׁאֲלוֹתֵינוּ לְטוֹבָה בְּרַחֲמִים, וּתְמַהֵר וְתָחִישׁ לְגָאֳלֵנוּ וְתָבִיא לָנוּ אֶת מְשִׁיחַ צִדְקֵנוּ, וְתָשׁוּב הַמְּלוּכָה וְהָרָשׁוּת וְהַהִתְנַשְּׂאוּת לְיִשְׂרָאֵל עַמְּךָ הַכְּשֵׁרִים וְהַיְּרֵאִים בֶּאֱמֶת,
Have pity and compassion on me and on the entire Jewish people. Compassionately fulfill our requests for the good. Quickly and swiftly redeem us and bring our righteous Mashiach. Restore sovereignty, dominion and supremacy to Your people of Israel, who are truly worthy and God-fearing.
וִיקֻיַּם מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, כִּי לַיהֹוָה הַמְּלוּכָה וּמוֹשֵׁל בַּגּוֹיִם,
May the verse be realized, “For kingship is HaShem’s, and He is the Ruler over the nations.”
וְעָלוּ מוֹשִׁיעִים בְהַר־צִיּוֹן לִשְׁפֹּט אֶת הַר עֵשָׂו, וְהָיְתָה לַיהֹוָה הַמְּלוּכָה,
“And redeemers shall go up on Mount Zion to judge the mountain of Esau, and kingship shall be HaShem’s.”
וְהָיָה יְהֹוָה לְמֶלֶךְ עַל כָּל הָאָרֶץ, בַּיוֹם הַהוּא יִהְיֶה יְהֹוָה אֶחָד וּשְׁמוֹ אֶחָד:
“And HaShem will be King over the entire earth; on that day, HaShem will be One and His Name will be One.”