Joy of the mitzvot / Spiritual perception / Glimpsing the Infinite Light The more the spiritual seeker develops his soulpowers, the more exalted the levels of Godliness that he can perceive. However, the Infinite Light, the Infinite God Himself, is beyond the creation, and therefore beyond the grasp of the nefesh, ruach and neshamah. Nevertheless, a person who has actualized these levels of his soul to perfection can gain passing glimpses of the Infinite Light. The first step is to carry out the mitzvot joyously — this elevates the holy life force that animates this world from its exile amid the forces of unholiness. Each mitzvah we do has the power to bring blessing into all the worlds. The spiritual seeker should aim to receive the blessings of wisdom and Godly knowledge, and to deepen his faith. He must also develop his power to order and settle his mind. The tendency of the mind to stray outside the bounds of the holy must be held in check. As long as we guard the purity of our thoughts, it is the very interplay between our ability to direct our minds on the one hand, and the race of our thoughts to the limits of what is knowable on the other, that opens us to fleeting perceptions of the Infinite Light. How fortunate are we! How goodly is our portion, how pleasant our share and how beautiful our heritage! How fortunate are we that, through Your vast compassion and kindness, we have received Your holy Torah and can fulfill Your precious mitzvot, which are “more desirable than gold, even an abundance of the finest gold.”
I have come to plead with You, HaShem my God and God of my fathers, to help me carry out all the mitzvot with the utmost joy. It is certainly fitting to rejoice and delight in You, HaShem our God, whenever we have the privilege of carrying out a mitzvah. For every single mitzvah is bound up in Your unity, and through performing each mitzvah we are able to become attached to You and merged with You, HaShem.
How good You have been to me in making me a Jew and not a gentile, and in lifting up someone as lowly and needy as myself from the dust and dirt. Each day and every moment, You have given me the privilege of carrying out such precious, lovely mitzvot.
Compassionate God, You are the source of joy. Draw happiness upon me and let me be truly joyous when I am privileged to do a mitzvah. Help me do many mitzvot every day with great joy and tremendous delight. In Your vast compassion and tremendous kindness, protect me and save me from sadness and depression. Let not the least hint of sadness even begin to enter my heart.
Take away all my grief and sorrow. Be my help and salvation. Help me speak to You each day and express everything that is in my heart. Each day let me confess all my sins and transgressions before You.
May I sincerely and completely repent for them with all my heart and soul. Let me plead with You and beg You for forgiveness and atonement with a truly broken, humbled heart, as You want me to.
Let me make a firm commitment not to sin anymore and not to go back to my foolishness. “If I have done evil, I will not add to it.” For Your part, arouse Your kindness and have mercy on me. Forgive me for all my sins and transgressions. Remove my sadness, grief and depression.
Especially when I’m learning Torah, praying and performing each mitzvah, let me never be depressed about any of my sins. Even more so, let me never have the least worry or anxiety about how I’m going to make a living or other worldly concerns.
Through performing the mitzvot with joy, let me elevate all the sparks of holiness that have fallen into the realm of unholiness as a result of my sins and transgressions, whether in this incarnation or another. May my joy elevate all these sparks, just as the eleven ingredients of the incense-offering have the power to release the sparks of holiness from their exile. Help me extract all the vitality from the realm of unholiness, until all the forces of impurity will disappear entirely and be rendered into nothingness. Help me elevate all the sparks of holiness to their root, so as to perfect the Shekhinah.
Have compassion on me, my Father and King. Fill me with holiness and purity, and put power and strength into every mitzvah I do so it will go forth into all the worlds and arouse them all to serve You and fear You.
May all the worlds and everything they contain be stirred to serve You: inanimate matter, the vegetative realm, the animals, and human beings; fire, air, water, and earth; “from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop in the wall”; from the tiniest worm in the sea to the horns of the buffalo …
The Worlds of Asiyah, Yetzirah, Beriah and Atzilut and all they contain; the lowliest creatures, the celestial spheres, angels, spirits, forces, seraphim, ophanim and holy chayot ... From the central point of the World of Asiyah to the innermost point from which Creation emanated at the start of Atzilut.
Let each of the mitzvot I do go forth and arouse them all to Your service. Let all the worlds and all they contain return to You, and in this way, may blessing spread through all the worlds. Fulfill the verse, “Open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.” In Your vast compassion, spread goodness and blessing throughout all the worlds.
Extend Your right hand of mercy from the heavens to sustain me, and help me direct my heart, my mind and my will to draw down the blessing of Divine wisdom. Fill me with Your holy spirit and grant me knowledge, understanding and wisdom.
Help me drive out all folly and confusion from my mind. In Your vast compassion and tremendous kindness, grant me holy wisdom and perfect, holy knowledge of God, in accordance with Your will.
Help me come to true, perfect faith. Let me not rely on human reason at all, not even when You inspire me with true and holy wisdom and intelligence. Let me not depend on reason alone, but always fill my mind with faith. As I develop greater wisdom and understanding, so let my faith grow. May my essential wisdom be to have complete faith in You. Let me constantly deepen and strengthen my faith. Help me always to believe in You, Your holy mitzvot and Your true tzaddikim with simple, honest, perfect faith.
Compassionate God, help me settle my mind and bring order into my thoughts. Inspire me with a spirit of holiness and purity from the Supernal Crown, so that I will be able to develop the power to bring order and clarity into my mind and soul.
Let me keep my faculties of wisdom, understanding and knowledge under control, and never entertain any alien thoughts whatsoever. Let my mind be pure, clear and holy at all times. Help me rise constantly from level to level, step by step, by performing Your holy mitzvot with joy. Let my thoughts always race only toward You — in holiness and purity, calmly, truthfully and with perfect faith.
Work amazing wonders with me! Save me and help me so that my thoughts constantly race to apprehend the Infinite Light, the light that is beyond even the nefesh, the ruach and the neshamah. Satisfy my soul with clear, radiant flashes of the light of Your countenance. “One thing I have asked of HaShem, this is what I seek: that I should dwell in the House of HaShem all the days of my life, to behold the pleasantness of HaShem and frequent His Sanctuary.”
Shine on me with the light of the Supernal Crown and give me the power to order and settle my mind so as not to stray beyond the bounds of holiness, God forbid.
Let my thoughts race out to apprehend the Infinite Light, “running and returning,” “reaching yet not reaching,” “chasing yet holding back,” on the strength of ordering and settling my mind with complete faith.
Help my powers of thought ascend and merge with the “nine supernal palaces that are neither lights nor spirits nor souls, which no one can stand in, and which cannot be grasped or known.”
HaShem, You alone know the bursting longing in my nefesh, my ruach and my neshamah at their supernal roots to attain such perceptions. This was the whole reason I was created. “My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When will I come and see the face of God? How lovely are Your dwelling places, God of Hosts. My soul longs and pines for the courtyards of HaShem. My heart and flesh will sing out joyously to the God of my life.”
But my sins and transgressions have caused Your face to be hidden from me, because I have allowed my mind to race with lustful desires, doubts and evil thoughts. I have damaged all the chambers of my holy intellect and all the pathways of my mind.
Therefore, I plead with You, merciful and forgiving Master, to pardon me, forgive me and give me atonement for all my sins and transgressions. Use Your amazing, awesome power to rescue me and lift me out of the depths of the sea.
Heal and restore my mind and my soul. From now on save me from all evil, alien thoughts, all doubts, and all lustful thoughts and desires for the things of this world.
Purify me and sanctify me with Your supreme holiness. Take away my grief and sadness, and rid me of depression. Bring me to perfect joy. Let me perform Your mitzvot with the utmost joy and delight.
Help me ascend quickly from level to level, step by step, until I reach a perception of the nine supernal palaces that I have mentioned. Even in this world, let me genuinely know and recognize You.
It was for this reason that my soul descended into this world from such exalted heights: in order to return and rise up to the source from which she was hewn, higher and higher, with greater strength and power, in the merit of the good deeds she does in this world.
Have mercy on me the way a father shows mercy to his son. Grant me a true share in Your great goodness. For You are good and do good to all. Your desire is to benefit Your creatures and reveal Your Godliness to them, which is the ultimate possible good.
Have pity on me! Be kind to me! Put it into my heart and help me to genuinely return to You, so that I will have the true satisfaction of experiencing Your goodness. Let me genuinely know and acknowledge You.
Let my thoughts race constantly to glimpse the Infinite Light in great purity and holiness, truth and perfect faith, until I reach the highest possible level of holiness.
Arouse Your compassion for us and redeem us speedily. Restore and rebuild our ruins. Rebuild our glorious Holy Temple, and rebuild and repair all the holy structures and palaces, physical and spiritual.
Bless us with great joy at all times. Raise up the Shekhinah from her exile among the forces of unholiness, and extract all the holy sparks from their domain.
Help us leave our exile, physical and spiritual, speedily and with great joy. May all the nations submit to Israel, and may they all recognize the great holiness of Your nation, the Jewish people, the holy ones whom You have chosen. May the verse be fulfilled, “All your brothers of all the nations will bring an offering to HaShem on horses, in chariots, in wagons, on mules and camels to My holy mountain, Jerusalem, says HaShem, just as the children of Israel will bring the offering in a pure vessel to the House of HaShem.”
Joy will increase throughout the world, as it is written, “Then they will say among the nations, ‘HaShem has done great things for these.’ HaShem has done great things for us; we were happy.”
And may the verse be fulfilled, “You will go out in joy and arrive in peace. The mountains and hills will break out in glad song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” And it is written, “For God will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her ruins. He will make her desert like Eden and her arid places like the garden of HaShem. Gladness and joy will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song!”
[עַל־פִּי תּוֹרָה כ"ד - אֶמְצָעוּתָא דְּעָלְמָא]
אַשְׁרֵינוּ מַה טּוֹב חֶלְקֵנוּ וּמַה נָּעִים גּוֹרָלֵנוּ וּמַה יָּפָה יְרוּשָׁתֵנוּ, אַשְׁרֵינוּ שֶׁזָּכִינוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים וַחֲסָדֶיךָ הַיְקָרִים לְקַבֵּל תּוֹרָתְךָ הַקְּדוֹשָׁה וּלְקַיֵּם מִצְוֹתֶיךָ הַיְקָרוֹת, הַנֶּחֱמָדִים מִזָּהָב וּמִפָּז רָב.
Joy of the mitzvot / Spiritual perception / Glimpsing the Infinite Light
The more the spiritual seeker develops his soulpowers, the more exalted the levels of Godliness that he can perceive. However, the Infinite Light, the Infinite God Himself, is beyond the creation, and therefore beyond the grasp of the nefesh, ruach and neshamah. Nevertheless, a person who has actualized these levels of his soul to perfection can gain passing glimpses of the Infinite Light. The first step is to carry out the mitzvot joyously — this elevates the holy life force that animates this world from its exile amid the forces of unholiness. Each mitzvah we do has the power to bring blessing into all the worlds. The spiritual seeker should aim to receive the blessings of wisdom and Godly knowledge, and to deepen his faith. He must also develop his power to order and settle his mind. The tendency of the mind to stray outside the bounds of the holy must be held in check. As long as we guard the purity of our thoughts, it is the very interplay between our ability to direct our minds on the one hand, and the race of our thoughts to the limits of what is knowable on the other, that opens us to fleeting perceptions of the Infinite Light.
How fortunate are we! How goodly is our portion, how pleasant our share and how beautiful our heritage! How fortunate are we that, through Your vast compassion and kindness, we have received Your holy Torah and can fulfill Your precious mitzvot, which are “more desirable than gold, even an abundance of the finest gold.”
וּבְכֵן בָּאתִי לְשַׁחֵר פָּנֶיךָ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהַי וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתַי, שֶׁתְּחָנֵּנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים וּבַחֲסָדֶיךָ הַגְּדוֹלִים, וּתְזַכֵּנוּ שֶׁנַּעֲשֶׂה כָּל הַמִּצְוֹת בְּשִׂמְחָה גְּדוֹלָה וַעֲצוּמָה מְאֹד, כַּאֲשֶׁר רָאוּי לִשְׂמֹחַ וְלָשׂוּשׂ וְלָגִּיל בְּךָ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ, בְּכָל עֵת שֶׁאָנוּ זוֹכִים לְקַיֵּם וְלַעֲשׂוֹת אֵיזֶה מִצְוָה, אֲשֶׁר כָּל מִצְוָה וּמִצְוָה הִיא אַחְדּוּתֶךָ, וְאָנוּ זוֹכִים לְהִתְדַּבֵּק בְּךָ וּלְהִכָּלֵל בְּךָ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ, עַל־יְדֵי עֲשִׂיַּת כָּל מִצְוָה וּמִצְוָה.
I have come to plead with You, HaShem my God and God of my fathers, to help me carry out all the mitzvot with the utmost joy. It is certainly fitting to rejoice and delight in You, HaShem our God, whenever we have the privilege of carrying out a mitzvah. For every single mitzvah is bound up in Your unity, and through performing each mitzvah we are able to become attached to You and merged with You, HaShem.
מָה רַב טוּבְךָ אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָ עִמִּי, אֲשֶׁר זִכִּיתָנִי לִהְיוֹת מִזֶּרַע יִשְׂרָאֵל וְלֹא עָשַׂנִי גוֹי, וְאַתָּה מֵקִים מֵעָפָר דָּל מֵאַשְׁפּוֹת תָּרִים אֶבְיוֹן כָּמוֹנִי. וְאַתָּה מְזַכֶּה אוֹתִי בְּכָל יוֹם וּבְכָל עֵת לַעֲשׂוֹת מִצְוֹת הַיְקָרוֹת וְהַחֲבִיבוֹת,
How good You have been to me in making me a Jew and not a gentile, and in lifting up someone as lowly and needy as myself from the dust and dirt. Each day and every moment, You have given me the privilege of carrying out such precious, lovely mitzvot.
עָזְרֵנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים שֶׁיֻּמְשַׁךְ עָלֵינוּ שִׂמְחָה גְּדוֹלָה מִמִּי שֶׁהַשִּׂמְחָה בִּמְעוֹנוֹ, שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לִשְׂמֹחַ מְאֹד בֶּאֱמֶת בְּעֵת שֶׁאָנוּ זוֹכִים לַעֲשׂוֹת מִצְוָה, עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה תָמִיד לַעֲשׂוֹת מִצְוֹת רַבּוֹת בְּכָל יוֹם וָיוֹם, בְּשִׂמְחָה גְּדוֹלָה וְחֶדְוָה רַבָּה וַעֲצוּמָה מְאֹד. וְתָגֵן עָלֵינוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים וּבַחֲסָדֶיךָ הָעֲצוּמִים, וְתִשְׁמְרֵנִי וְתַצִּילֵנִי מֵעַצְבוּת וּמָרָה שְׁחוֹרָה, שֶׁלֹּא יַעֲלֶה וְלֹא יָבוֹא וְלֹא יַגִּיעַ לְלִבִּי שׁוּם עַצְבוּת וּמָרָה שְׁחוֹרָה כְּלָל,
Compassionate God, You are the source of joy. Draw happiness upon me and let me be truly joyous when I am privileged to do a mitzvah. Help me do many mitzvot every day with great joy and tremendous delight. In Your vast compassion and tremendous kindness, protect me and save me from sadness and depression. Let not the least hint of sadness even begin to enter my heart.
וְהָסֵר מִמֶּנִּי יָגוֹן וַאֲנָחָה בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים. וְתִהְיֶה בְּעֶזְרִי וְתוֹשִׁיעֵנִי וּתְזַכֵּנִי לְפָרֵשׁ שִׂיחָתִי לְפָנֶיךָ בְּכָל יוֹם וָיוֹם, וְאֵת כָּל אֲשֶׁר עִם לְבָבִי אָשִׂיחָה לְפָנֶיךָ, וְאֶזְכֶּה לְהִתְוַדּוֹת בְּכָל יוֹם עַל כָּל חַטֹּאתַי וַעֲוֹנוֹתַי וּפְשָׁעַי שֶׁחָטָאתִי וְשֶׁעָוִיתִי וְשֶׁפָּשַׁעְתִּי לְפָנֶיךָ,
Take away all my grief and sorrow. Be my help and salvation. Help me speak to You each day and express everything that is in my heart. Each day let me confess all my sins and transgressions before You.
וְלָשׁוּב עֲלֵיהֶם בֶּאֱמֶת בְּכָל לֵב וָנֶפֶשׁ בִּתְשׁוּבָה שְׁלֵמָה, וּלְבַקֵּשׁ וּלְהִתְחַנֵּן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ מְחִילָה וּסְלִיחָה וְכַפָּרָה בְּלֵב נִשְׁבָּר וְנִדְכֶּה בֶּאֱמֶת כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב,
May I sincerely and completely repent for them with all my heart and soul. Let me plead with You and beg You for forgiveness and atonement with a truly broken, humbled heart, as You want me to.
וּלְקַבֵּל עָלַי קַבָּלָה חֲזָקָה וּנְכוֹנָה בֶּאֱמֶת שֶׁלֹּא אֶחֱטָא עוֹד וְלֹא אָשׁוּב לְאִוַּלְתִּי, אִם אָוֶן פָּעַלְתִּי לֹא אוֹסִיף. וְאַתָּה תְעוֹרֵר חֲסָדֶיךָ וְתִמָּלֵא עָלַי רַחֲמִים, וְתִמְחֹל וְתִסְלַח לִי עַל כָּל חֲטָאַי וַעֲוֹנוֹתַי וּפְשָׁעַי, וְתָסִיר הָעַצְבוּת וְהַדְּאָגוֹת וְהַמָּרָה שְׁחוֹרָה מִמֶּנִּי,
Let me make a firm commitment not to sin anymore and not to go back to my foolishness. “If I have done evil, I will not add to it.” For Your part, arouse Your kindness and have mercy on me. Forgive me for all my sins and transgressions. Remove my sadness, grief and depression.
וְתַעַזְרֵנִי לָבוֹא אַחַר כַָּךְ לְשִׂמְחָה גְּדוֹלָה וַעֲצוּמָה בֶּאֱמֶת, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לִהְיוֹת בְּשִׂמְחָה גְּדוֹלָה תָמִיד.
Help me come to great joy after my confession. Let me be happy at all times.
וּבִפְרָט בִּשְׁעַת עֵסֶק הַתּוֹרָה וְהַתְּפִלָּה וּבִשְׁעַת עֲשִׂיַּת כָּל מִצְוָה וּמִצְוָה, אֶזְכֶּה שֶׁלֹּא יַעֲלֶה עַל לִבִּי שׁוּם עַצְבוּת וּדְאָגָה מִשּׁוּם חֵטְא וְעָוֹן, מִכָּל שֶׁכֵּן שֶׁלֹּא יַעֲלֶה עַל לִבִּי שׁוּם דְּאָגָה וְעַצְבוּת מֵעִסְקֵי פַּרְנָסָה וְעִנְיָנֵי עוֹלָם הַזֶּה חַס וְשָׁלוֹם,
Especially when I’m learning Torah, praying and performing each mitzvah, let me never be depressed about any of my sins. Even more so, let me never have the least worry or anxiety about how I’m going to make a living or other worldly concerns.
רַק אֲסַלֵּק אָז מִדַּעְתִּי וְאֶשְׁכַּח אָז לְגַמְרֵי כָּל מַה שֶּׁעָבַר עָלָי, עַד אוֹתָהּ הַשָּׁעָה שֶׁאֲנִי זוֹכֶה לַעֲסֹק בְּתוֹרָתֶךָ וְלַעֲשׂוֹת אֵיזֶה מִצְוָה.
When I’m learning Torah or doing a mitzvah, help me put my entire past up to that moment totally out of my mind.
וְאֶזְכֶּה לְהַמְשִׁיךְ עָלַי שִׂמְחָה שְׁלֵמָה בִּשְׁעַת עֲשִׂיַּת כָּל מִצְוָה. שׂוֹשׂ אָשִׂישׂ בַּיהֹוָה תָּגֵל נַפְשִׁי בֵּאלֹהַי,
Let me experience perfect joy while carrying out each mitzvah. “I will rejoice in HaShem; my soul will delight in my God.”
עַד שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לַעֲשׂוֹת כָּל מִצְוָה וּמִצְוָה וְכָל דָּבָר שֶׁהוּא רְצוֹנֶךָ, בְּשִׂמְחָה שְׁלֵמָה וְחֶדְוָה רַבָּה בֶּאֱמֶת כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב,
Bring me to a level where I will perform every single mitzvah and everything You want with perfect joy and delight.
עַד שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה עַל־יְדֵי עֲשִׂיַּת הַמִּצְוֹת בְּשִׂמְחָה, לְבָרֵר וּלְהַעֲלוֹת כָּל נִצּוֹצוֹת הַקְּדֻשָּׁה שֶׁנָּפְלוּ בֵּין הַקְּלִפּוֹת עַל יָדִי, עַל־יְדֵי עֲוֹנוֹתַי וּפְשָׁעַי הַמְּרֻבִּים שֶׁחָטָאתִי לְפָנֶיךָ בֵּין בְּגִלְגּוּל זֶה בֵּין בְּגִלְגּוּל אַחֵר, לְבָרֵר כֻּלָּם עַל־יְדֵי שִׂמְחַת הַמִּצְוָה בְּסוֹד אַחַד עָשָׂר סַמְּמָנֵי הַקְּטֹרֶת, וְנִזְכֶּה לְהוֹצִיא כָּל הַחַיּוּת מִן הַקְּלִפּוֹת, עַד שֶׁיִּתְבַּטְּלוּ כֻלָּם לְגַמְרֵי וְיִהְיוּ כְאַיִן וּכְאֶפֶס. וְנִזְכֶּה לְהַעֲלוֹת כָּל נִצּוֹצוֹת הַקְּדֻשָּׁה לְשָׁרְשָׁם, לְהַשְׁלִים עַל יָדָם קוֹמַת הַשְּׁכִינָה.
Through performing the mitzvot with joy, let me elevate all the sparks of holiness that have fallen into the realm of unholiness as a result of my sins and transgressions, whether in this incarnation or another. May my joy elevate all these sparks, just as the eleven ingredients of the incense-offering have the power to release the sparks of holiness from their exile. Help me extract all the vitality from the realm of unholiness, until all the forces of impurity will disappear entirely and be rendered into nothingness. Help me elevate all the sparks of holiness to their root, so as to perfect the Shekhinah.
וּתְרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ וְתִהְיֶה בְּעֶזְרֵנוּ, שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְהַעֲלוֹת הַשְּׁכִינָה מֵהַגָּלוּת עַל־יְדֵי עֲשִׂיַּת הַמִּצְוֹת בְּשִׂמְחָה גְּדוֹלָה,
Compassionate God, help us raise the Shekhinah out of exile by performing the mitzvot with great joy.
וְיִתְגַּלֶּה מַלְכוּתְךָ עַל כָּל בָּאֵי עוֹלָם, וִיקַבְּלוּ כֻלָּם אֶת עוֹל מַלְכוּתֶךָ וְתִמְלֹךְ עֲלֵיהֶם מְהֵרָה לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד:
May Your kingship be revealed to everyone in the world, and may everyone submit to the yoke of Your kingship. Rule over them speedily and forever.
וּבְכֵן תְּרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ אָבִינוּ מַלְכֵּנוּ, וְתַמְשִׁיךְ עָלֵינוּ קְדֻשָּׁה וְטָהֳרָה, וְתִתֵּן כֹּחַ וּגְבוּרָה בְּכָל מִצְוָה וּמִצְוָה שֶׁאָנוּ זוֹכִין לַעֲשׂוֹת, שֶׁתִּתְעוֹרֵר הַמִּצְוָה וְתֵלֵךְ בְּכָל הָעוֹלָמוֹת כֻּלָּם, וּתְעוֹרֵר אֶת כֻּלָּם לַעֲבוֹדָתֶךָ וּלְיִרְאָתֶךָ,
Have compassion on me, my Father and King. Fill me with holiness and purity, and put power and strength into every mitzvah I do so it will go forth into all the worlds and arouse them all to serve You and fear You.
עַד שֶׁיִּתְעוֹרְרוּ כָּל הָעוֹלָמוֹת כֻּלָּם וְכָל אֲשֶׁר בָּהֶם לַעֲבוֹדָתְךָ בֶּאֱמֶת, דּוֹמֵם, צוֹמֵחַ, חַי, מְדַבֵּר, אֵשׁ, רוּחַ, מַיִם, עָפָר, מִן הָאֶרֶז אֲשֶׁר בַּלְּבָנוֹן עַד הָאֵזוֹב אֲשֶׁר בַּקִּיר, מִשִּׁלְשׁוּל קָטָן שֶׁבַּיָּם עַד קַרְנֵי רְאֵמִים,
May all the worlds and everything they contain be stirred to serve You: inanimate matter, the vegetative realm, the animals, and human beings; fire, air, water, and earth; “from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop in the wall”; from the tiniest worm in the sea to the horns of the buffalo …
מַלְכֵי אֶרֶץ וְכָל לְאֻמִּים שָׂרִים וְכָל שׁוֹפְטֵי אָרֶץ, גְּדוֹלִים וּקְטַנִּים, בָּנִים וּבָנוֹת, זְקֵנִים וּנְעָרִים,
“The kings of the earth and all the nations, princes and all the judges of the earth”; great and small, sons and daughters, old and young;
הָאָרֶץ וְכָל אֲשֶׁר עָלֶיהָ, הַיַּמִּים וְכָל אֲשֶׁר בָּהֶם, הַשָּׁמַיִם וּשְׁמֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם וְכָל צְבָאָם,
“the earth and everything in it, the seas and all they contain”; the heavens and heavens of the heavens, and all their hosts …
עוֹלָם הָעֲשִׂיָּה וְהַיְצִירָה וְהַבְּרִיאָה וְהָאֲצִילוּת וְכָל אֲשֶׁר בָּהֶם, שְׁפָלִים, גַּלְגַּלִּים, מַלְאָכִים, זִיקִים, חַשְׁמַלִּים, שְׂרָפִים וְאוֹפַנִּים, וְחַיּוֹת הַקֹּדֶשׁ, מִן תַּכְלִית נְקֻדַּת הַמֶּרְכָּז שֶׁל עוֹלָם הָעֲשִׂיָּה עַד רֵאשִׁית נְקֻדַּת הַבְּרִיאָה שֶׁהוּא תְּחִלַּת הָאֲצִילוּת.
The Worlds of Asiyah, Yetzirah, Beriah and Atzilut and all they contain; the lowliest creatures, the celestial spheres, angels, spirits, forces, seraphim, ophanim and holy chayot ... From the central point of the World of Asiyah to the innermost point from which Creation emanated at the start of Atzilut.
בְּכֻלָּם תֵּלֵךְ הַמִּצְוָה שֶׁאָנוּ זוֹכִין לַעֲשׂוֹת בְּכָל עֵת, וּתְעוֹרֵר וְתָקִיץ כֻּלָּם לַעֲבוֹדָתְךָ בֶּאֱמֶת, וְיָשׁוּבוּ כָל הָעוֹלָמוֹת וְכָל אֲשֶׁר בָּהֶם אֵלֶיךָ בֶּאֱמֶת, וְעַל־יְדֵי־זֶה יִתְעוֹרֵר בְּרָכָה בְּכָל הָעוֹלָמוֹת כֻּלָּם, וּתְקַיֵּם מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, פּוֹתֵחַ אֶת יָדֶיךָ וּמַשְׂבִּיעַ לְכָל חַי רָצוֹן. וְתַשְׁפִּיעַ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, וְתַמְשִׁיךְ שֶׁפַע טוֹבָה וּבְרָכָה בְּכָל הָעוֹלָמוֹת כֻּלָּם,
Let each of the mitzvot I do go forth and arouse them all to Your service. Let all the worlds and all they contain return to You, and in this way, may blessing spread through all the worlds. Fulfill the verse, “Open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.” In Your vast compassion, spread goodness and blessing throughout all the worlds.
וִימִינְךָ תִסְעָדֵנִי וּתְסַיְּעֵנִי מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם, וְתִתֵּן בְּלִבִּי שֶׁאֲכַוֵּן אֶת לִבִּי וְדַעְתִּי וּרְצוֹנִי לְהַמְשִׁיךְ עָלַי בִּרְכַּת שֵׂכֶל מֵאִתְּךָ, שֶׁתַּשְׁפִּיעַ עָלַי קְדֻשָּׁתֶךָ, וּתְחָנֵּנִי מֵאִתְּךָ דֵּעָה בִּינָה וְהַשְׂכֵּל,
Extend Your right hand of mercy from the heavens to sustain me, and help me direct my heart, my mind and my will to draw down the blessing of Divine wisdom. Fill me with Your holy spirit and grant me knowledge, understanding and wisdom.
וּתְזַכֵּנִי לְגָרֵשׁ וּלְבַטֵּל מִמֶּנִּי כָּל מִינֵי שְׁטוּתִים וּבִלְבּוּלִים וְעִרְבּוּב הַדַּעַת, רַק אֶזְכֶּה בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים וַחֲסָדֶיךָ הָעֲצוּמִים לְשֵׂכֶל הַקָּדוֹשׁ וְדַעַת שָׁלֵם דִּקְדֻשָּׁה כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב.
Help me drive out all folly and confusion from my mind. In Your vast compassion and tremendous kindness, grant me holy wisdom and perfect, holy knowledge of God, in accordance with Your will.
וְתַעַזְרֵנִי בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לֶאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה בֶּאֱמֶת, שֶׁלֹּא אֶסְמֹךְ עַל שִׂכְלִי כְּלָל, וַאֲפִלּוּ בָּעֵת שֶׁתְּסַיְּעֵנִי בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ וְתַשְׁפִּיעַ עָלַי שֵׂכֶל שָׁלֵם וְדַעַת נָכוֹן דִּקְדֻשָּׁה בֶּאֱמֶת, לֹא אֶסְמֹךְ עַל הַשֵּׂכֶל לְבַד, רַק אֶזְכֶּה תָמִיד לְהַמְשִׁיךְ אֱמוּנָה לְתוֹךְ בִּרְכַּת הַשֵּׂכֶל. וְכָל מַה שֶּׁאֶזְכֶּה לְהוֹסִיף חָכְמָה וָשֵׂכֶל, אֶזְכֶּה לְהוֹסִיף אֱמוּנָה. וְעִקָּר תְּבוּנַת שִׂכְלִי יִהְיֶה לְהַאֲמִין בְּךָ בֶּאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה, וְאוֹסִיף לְהִתְחַזֵּק בְּכָל פַּעַם בֶּאֱמוּנָה חֲזָקָה בְיוֹתֵר, וְאֶזְכֶּה תָמִיד לְהַאֲמִין בְּךָ וּבְמִצְוֹתֶיךָ הַקְּדוֹשִׁים וּבְצַדִּיקֶיךָ הָאֲמִתִּיִּים, בֶּאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה בֶּאֱמֶת בִּפְשִׁיטוּת וּבִתְמִימוּת:
Help me come to true, perfect faith. Let me not rely on human reason at all, not even when You inspire me with true and holy wisdom and intelligence. Let me not depend on reason alone, but always fill my mind with faith. As I develop greater wisdom and understanding, so let my faith grow. May my essential wisdom be to have complete faith in You. Let me constantly deepen and strengthen my faith. Help me always to believe in You, Your holy mitzvot and Your true tzaddikim with simple, honest, perfect faith.
וּבְכֵן תְּרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ בְּרַחֲמִים רַבִּים, בְּרַחֲמִים גְּדוֹלִים. וּתְזַכֵּנִי לְיַשֵּׁב וּלְסַדֵּר אֶת דַּעְתִּי הֵיטֵב, וְתַשְׁפִּיעַ עָלַי קְדֻשָּׁה וְטָהֳרָה וְשֶׁפַע עֶלְיוֹנָה מִכֶּתֶר עֶלְיוֹן, לְמַעַן אֶזְכֶּה עַל־יְדֵי־זֶה לְהַמְשִׁיךְ עָלַי כֹּחַ הַמְסַדֵּר וְהַמְיַשֵּׁב אֶת הַמֹּחִין דִּקְדֻשָּׁה,
Compassionate God, help me settle my mind and bring order into my thoughts. Inspire me with a spirit of holiness and purity from the Supernal Crown, so that I will be able to develop the power to bring order and clarity into my mind and soul.
וְאֶזְכֶּה תָמִיד לְיִשּׁוּב הַדַּעַת הֵיטֵב בֶּאֱמֶת וּבֶאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה, בִּקְדֻשָּׁה וּבְטָהֳרָה כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב.
Grant that I should always be calm and clearminded, and that I should always direct my mind to You in truth, perfect faith, holiness and purity.
מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, קוּמָה בְעֶזְרָתִי וְהוֹשִׁיעֵנִי, שֶׁלֹּא תִרְדֹּף מַחֲשַׁבְתִּי חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, אַחַר תַּאֲווֹת וְהִרְהוּרִים וּמַחֲשָׁבוֹת זָרוֹת וְחָכְמוֹת חִיצוֹנִיּוֹת,
God, You are full of compassion. Rise up and help me! Save me! Don’t let my mind race with lustful thoughts and fantasies, doubts or atheistic ideas.
רַק אֶזְכֶּה לֶאֱחֹז אֶת חָכְמָתִי וּבִינָתִי וְדַעְתִּי, לִבְלִי לְהָנִיחַ אֶת הַמֹּחַ לַחְשֹׁב כְּלָל שׁוּם מַחֲשָׁבָה חִיצוֹנָה כְּלָל, וְיִהְיֶה מֹחִי נָקִי וְזַךְ וָצַח בִּקְדֻשָּׁה וְטָהֳרָה תָמִיד. וְתַעַזְרֵנִי שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לַעֲלוֹת תָּמִיד מִמַּעֲלָה לְמַעֲלָה וּמִדַּרְגָּא לְדַרְגָּא עַל־יְדֵי עֲשִׂיַּת מִצְוֹתֶיךָ הַקְּדוֹשִׁים בְּשִׂמְחָה, עַד שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה שֶׁתִּרְדֹּף מַחֲשַׁבְתִּי תָמִיד לְהַשִּׂיג אוֹתְךָ בִּקְדֻשָּׁה וּבְטָהֳרָה וּבְיִשּׁוּב הַדַּעַת בֶּאֱמֶת וּבֶאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה,
Let me keep my faculties of wisdom, understanding and knowledge under control, and never entertain any alien thoughts whatsoever. Let my mind be pure, clear and holy at all times. Help me rise constantly from level to level, step by step, by performing Your holy mitzvot with joy. Let my thoughts always race only toward You — in holiness and purity, calmly, truthfully and with perfect faith.
וְתַעֲשֶׂה עִמִּי נִפְלָאוֹת פִּלְאֵי פְּלָאוֹת. וְתוֹשִׁיעֵנִי וּתְזַכֵּנִי שֶׁתִּרְדֹף מַחֲשַׁבְתִּי תָמִיד לְהַשִּׂיג הָאוֹר הָאֵין סוֹף שֶׁהוּא לְמַעְלָה מִנַּפְשִׁין רוּחִין וְנִשְׁמָתִין, וְתַשְׂבִּיעַ בְּצַחְצָחוֹת נַפְשִׁי, אַחַת שָׁאַלְתִּי מֵאֵת יְהֹוָה אוֹתָהּ אֲבַקֵּשׁ שִׁבְתִּי בְּבֵית יְהֹוָה כָּל יְמֵי חַיַּי לַחֲזוֹת בְּנֹעַם יְהֹוָה וּלְבַקֵּר בְּהֵיכָלוֹ.
Work amazing wonders with me! Save me and help me so that my thoughts constantly race to apprehend the Infinite Light, the light that is beyond even the nefesh, the ruach and the neshamah. Satisfy my soul with clear, radiant flashes of the light of Your countenance. “One thing I have asked of HaShem, this is what I seek: that I should dwell in the House of HaShem all the days of my life, to behold the pleasantness of HaShem and frequent His Sanctuary.”
וְתַמְשִׁיךְ עָלַי אוֹר קְדֻשַּׁת כֹּחַ הַמְסַדֵּר וְהַמְיַשֵּׁב אֶת הַמֹּחִין שֶׁהוּא כֶּתֶר עֶלְיוֹן, וְאֶזְכֶּה עַל־יְדֵי־זֶה לִבְלִי לָצֵאת חוּץ מִן הַגְּבוּל חַס וְשָׁלוֹם,
Shine on me with the light of the Supernal Crown and give me the power to order and settle my mind so as not to stray beyond the bounds of holiness, God forbid.
רַק אֶזְכֶּה שֶׁתִּרְדֹּף מַחֲשַׁבְתִּי לְהַשִּׂיג אוֹר הָאֵין סוֹף בְּרָצוֹא וָשׁוֹב, בִּבְחִינַת מָטֵּי וְלָא מָטֵּי, בִּבְחִינַת רְדִיפָה וּמְעַכֵּב, עַל־יְדֵי כֹּחַ הַמְסַדֵּר וְהַמְיַשֵּׁב אֶת הַמֹּחִין, בֶּאֱמֶת וּבֶאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה,
Let my thoughts race out to apprehend the Infinite Light, “running and returning,” “reaching yet not reaching,” “chasing yet holding back,” on the strength of ordering and settling my mind with complete faith.
עַד שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה שֶׁיַּעֲלֶה וְיֻכְלַל שִׂכְלִי בְּתוֹךְ תִּשְׁעָה הֵיכָלִין עִלָּאִין דְּלָאו אִנּוּן נְהוֹרִין וְלָא רוּחִין וְלָא נִשְׁמָתִין וְלֵית מָאן דְּקַיְימָא בְּהוּ וְלָא מִתְדַּבְּקִין וְלָא מִתְיַדְּעִין,
Help my powers of thought ascend and merge with the “nine supernal palaces that are neither lights nor spirits nor souls, which no one can stand in, and which cannot be grasped or known.”
כִּי אַתָּה יְהֹוָה לְבַד יָדַעְתָּ עֹצֶם רְדִיפַת הִשְׁתּוֹקְקוּת נַפְשִׁי וְרוּחִי וְנִשְׁמָתִי בְּשָׁרְשָׁם הָעֶלְיוֹן לְהַשִּׂיג הַשָּׂגוֹת אֵלּוּ אֲשֶׁר לְכָךְ נוֹצָרְתִּי. צָמְאָה נַפְשִׁי לֵאלֹהִים לְאֵל חָי מָתַי אָבוֹא וְאֵרָאֶה פְּנֵי אֱלֹהִים. מַה יְּדִידוֹת מִשְׁכְּנוֹתֶיךָ יְהֹוָה צְבָאוֹת. נִכְסְפָה וְגַם כָּלְתָה נַפְשִׁי לְחַצְרוֹת יְהֹוָה לִבִּי וּבְשָׂרִי יְרַנְּנוּ אֶל אֵל חָי,
HaShem, You alone know the bursting longing in my nefesh, my ruach and my neshamah at their supernal roots to attain such perceptions. This was the whole reason I was created. “My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When will I come and see the face of God? How lovely are Your dwelling places, God of Hosts. My soul longs and pines for the courtyards of HaShem. My heart and flesh will sing out joyously to the God of my life.”
אֲבָל עֲוֹנוֹתַי הִטּוּ אֵלֶּה וְחַטֹּאתַי הִסְתִּירוּ פָּנֶיךָ מִמֶּנִּי, כִּי מַחֲשַׁבְתִּי הָיְתָה רוֹדֶפֶת אַחַר תַּאֲווֹת רָעוֹת וְהִרְהוּרִים רָעִים וּמַחֲשָׁבוֹת חִיצוֹנִיּוֹת, עַד שֶׁפָּגַמְתִּי בְּכָל חַדְרֵי הַשֵּׂכֶל וּבְכָל נְתִיבוֹת וּשְׁבִילֵי הַדַּעַת, עַד שֶׁהֶחֱרַבְתִּי אֶת בֵּית הַחָכְמָה וּפָרַצְתִּי גִּדְרֵי הַתְּבוּנָה וְהָרַסְתִּי אֶת הֵיכָלֵי הַדַּעַת,
But my sins and transgressions have caused Your face to be hidden from me, because I have allowed my mind to race with lustful desires, doubts and evil thoughts. I have damaged all the chambers of my holy intellect and all the pathways of my mind.
וּפָגַמְתִּי הַרְבֵּה בְּחָכְמָה וּבִינָה וָדַעַת, וּבְכֹחַ הַמְעַכֵּב וְהַמְסַדֵּר וְהַמְיַשֵּׁב אֶת הַשֵּׂכֶל שֶׁהוּא כֶּתֶר עֶלְיוֹן,
I have severely impaired my wisdom, understanding and knowledge, as well as my power to order and settle my mind, the power of the Supernal Crown.
בְּכֻלָּם פָּגַמְתִּי הַרְבֵּה מְאֹד עַל־יְדֵי חֲטָאַי וַעֲוֹנוֹתַי וּפְשָׁעַי הַמְּרֻבִּים שֶׁחָטָאתִי וְשֶׁעָוִיתִי וְשֶׁפָּשַׁעְתִּי לְפָנֶיךָ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהַי.
I have greatly damaged all of them because of my many sins and transgressions against You, HaShem my God.
עַל כֵּן הִנְנִי מַפִּיל תְּחִנָּתִי לְפָנֶיךָ אֲדוֹן הָרַחֲמִים וְהַסְּלִיחוֹת, שֶׁתִּמְחֹל וְתִסְלַח וּתְכַפֵּר לִי עַל כָּל חֲטָאַי וַעֲוֹנוֹתַי וּפְשָׁעַי הַמְּרֻבִּים, וְתַעֲשֶׂה עִמִּי כְּגֹדֶל נִפְלְאוֹתֶיךָ הַנּוֹרָאוֹת, וְתוֹצִיאֵנִי וְתַעֲלֵנִי מִמְּצוּלוֹת יָם,
Therefore, I plead with You, merciful and forgiving Master, to pardon me, forgive me and give me atonement for all my sins and transgressions. Use Your amazing, awesome power to rescue me and lift me out of the depths of the sea.
וְתָשׁוּב וּתְתַקֵּן אֶת שִׂכְלִי, וּתְרַחֵם עָלַי וְתַצִּילֵנִי מֵעַתָּה מִכָּל מִינֵי מַחֲשָׁבוֹת חִיצוֹנִיּוֹת, וּמִכָּל מִינֵי הִרְהוּרִים רָעִים, וּמִכָּל מִינֵי רְדִיפַת הַמַּחֲשָׁבָה אַחַר תַּאֲווֹת וְעִסְקֵי הָעוֹלָם הַזֶּה חַס וְשָׁלוֹם,
Heal and restore my mind and my soul. From now on save me from all evil, alien thoughts, all doubts, and all lustful thoughts and desires for the things of this world.
וּתְטַהֲרֵנִי וּתְקַדְּשֵׁנִי בִּקְדֻשָּׁתְךָ הָעֶלְיוֹנָה. וְתָסִיר מִמֶּנִּי יָגוֹן וַאֲנָחָה וּתְבַטֵּל הָעַצְבוּת מִמֶּנִּי בְּבִטּוּל גָּמוּר, וּתְזַכֵּנִי לְשִׂמְחָה שְׁלֵמָה שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לַעֲשׂוֹת מִצְוֹתֶיךָ בְּשִׂמְחָה רַבָּה וְחֶדְוָה גְּדוֹלָה וַעֲצוּמָה.
Purify me and sanctify me with Your supreme holiness. Take away my grief and sadness, and rid me of depression. Bring me to perfect joy. Let me perform Your mitzvot with the utmost joy and delight.
וְתָשׁוּב וְתִבְנֶה חָרְבוֹתַי, וְתַחֲזֹר וְתִבְנֶה הֵיכָלֵי שִׂכְלִי עַל מְכוֹנוֹ, וְאַרְמוֹנֵי דַעְתִּי עַל מִשְׁפָּטוֹ יֵשֵׁב בִּקְדֻשָּׁה וּבְטָהֳרָה גְּדוֹלָה, בֶּאֱמֶת וּבֶאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה.
Restore and rebuild my ruins. Rebuild the sanctuaries of my mind on a firm, true foundation, in great holiness and purity, truth and perfect faith.
וְאֶזְכֶּה לַעֲלוֹת חִישׁ קַל מְהֵרָה מִמַּעֲלָה לְמַעֲלָה וּמִדַּרְגָּא לְדַרְגָּא, עַד שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ לְתִשְׁעָה הֵיכָלִין עִלָּאִין הָאֵלּוּ שֶׁהִזְכַּרְתִּי לְפָנֶיךָ. וְאֶזְכֶּה גַּם בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה לָדַעַת וּלְהַכִּיר אוֹתְךָ בֶּאֱמֶת,
Help me ascend quickly from level to level, step by step, until I reach a perception of the nine supernal palaces that I have mentioned. Even in this world, let me genuinely know and recognize You.
וְאֶזְכֶּה לַעֲלוֹת לְכָל הַמַּדְרֵגוֹת הָעֶלְיוֹנוֹת שֶׁל הַקְּדֻשָּׁה, עַד תַּכְלִית מַדְרֵגָה הָעֶלְיוֹנָה, כָּל מַה שֶּׁאֶפְשַׁר לְאִישׁ יִשְׂרְאֵלִי לַעֲלוֹת וּלְהַשִּׂיג בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה,
Help me rise to the most exalted levels of holiness. Bring me to the ultimate level a Jew can reach in this world.
אֲשֶׁר לְכַָךְ יָרְדָה הַנְּשָׁמָה בְּזֶה הָעוֹלָם מֵרוּם הַמַּעֲלוֹת, כְּדֵי שֶׁתִּזְכֶּה עַל־יְדֵי מַעֲשֶׂיהָ הַטּוֹבִים לָשׁוּב וְלַעֲלוֹת לִמְקוֹר חֻצָּבָה, לְמַעְלָה לְמַעְלָה בְּיֶתֶר שְׂאֵת וְיֶתֶר עֹז:
It was for this reason that my soul descended into this world from such exalted heights: in order to return and rise up to the source from which she was hewn, higher and higher, with greater strength and power, in the merit of the good deeds she does in this world.
חוּס וַחֲמֹל עָלַי כְּרַחֲמֵי הָאָב עַל הַבֵּן, וְזַכֵּנִי לְטוּבְךָ הַגָּדוֹל בֶּאֱמֶת, כִּי אַתָּה טוֹב וּמֵטִיב לַכֹּל וְאַתָּה חָפֵץ לְהֵטִיב לִבְרִיּוֹתֶיךָ וּלְגַלּוֹת לָהֶם אֱלָהוּתְךָ, אֲשֶׁר זֹאת הִיא תַכְלִית הַטּוֹבָה שֶׁבְּכָל הַטּוֹבוֹת.
Have mercy on me the way a father shows mercy to his son. Grant me a true share in Your great goodness. For You are good and do good to all. Your desire is to benefit Your creatures and reveal Your Godliness to them, which is the ultimate possible good.
חוּס וְחָנֵּנִי וְתֵן בְּלִבִּי וְעָזְרֵנִי לָשׁוּב אֵלֶיךָ בֶּאֱמֶת, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לִשְׂבֹּעַ מִטּוּבְךָ הָאֲמִתִּי, שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לָדַעַת וּלְהַכִּיר אוֹתְךָ בֶּאֱמֶת,
Have pity on me! Be kind to me! Put it into my heart and help me to genuinely return to You, so that I will have the true satisfaction of experiencing Your goodness. Let me genuinely know and acknowledge You.
וּרְדִיפַת מַחֲשַׁבְתִּי תִּהְיֶה תָמִיד לְהַשִּׂיג אוֹר הָאֵין סוֹף בִּקְדֻשָּׁה וּבְטָהֳרָה גְּדוֹלָה, בֶּאֱמֶת וּבֶאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה, בְּתַכְלִית מַדְרֵגָה הָעֶלְיוֹנָה דִּקְדֻשָּׁה שֶׁבְּכָל הַמַּדְרֵגוֹת.
Let my thoughts race constantly to glimpse the Infinite Light in great purity and holiness, truth and perfect faith, until I reach the highest possible level of holiness.
וּתְעוֹרֵר רַחֲמֶיךָ עָלֵינוּ וּתְמַהֵר וְתָחִישׁ לְגָאֳלֵנוּ גְאֻלַּת עוֹלָם, וְתָשׁוּב וְתִבְנֶה חָרְבוֹתֵינוּ וַהֲרִיסוֹתֵינוּ, וְתִבְנֶה בֵּית קָדְשֵׁנוּ וְתִפְאַרְתֵּנוּ, וְתַחֲזֹר וְתִבְנֶה וּתְתַקֵּן כָּל הַבִּנְיָנִים וְהַהֵיכָלוֹת שֶׁל הַקְּדֻשָּׁה בְּגַשְׁמִיּוּת וּבְרוּחָנִיּוּת.
Arouse Your compassion for us and redeem us speedily. Restore and rebuild our ruins. Rebuild our glorious Holy Temple, and rebuild and repair all the holy structures and palaces, physical and spiritual.
וְתַמְשִׁיךְ עָלֵינוּ שִׂמְחָה גְּדוֹלָה תָמִיד, וְתָקִים וְתַעֲלֶה אֶת הַשְּׁכִינָה מִגָּלוּתָהּ מִבֵּין הַקְּלִפּוֹת וְהַסִּטְרָא אַחֲרָא, וְתוֹצִיא כָּל הַנִּצּוֹצוֹת הַקְּדוֹשִׁים מִבֵּינֵיהֶם,
Bless us with great joy at all times. Raise up the Shekhinah from her exile among the forces of unholiness, and extract all the holy sparks from their domain.
וְתַשְׁפִּיל וְתַכְנִיעַ וּתְכַלֶּה וּתְבַטֵּל כָּל הַקְּלִפּוֹת וְסִטְרִין אוֹחֲרָנִּין, כֻּלָּם יִכְרְעוּ וְיִפֹּלוּ וְלִכְבוֹד שִׁמְךָ יְקָר יִתֵּנוּ.
Cast down, subdue, destroy and eradicate all the unholy forces. Let them all bend and fall, and give honor to Your Name.
וְנִזְכֶּה לָצֵאת מְהֵרָה מִן הַגָּלוּת בְּשִׂמְחָה גְּדוֹלָה, מִגָּלוּת הַגַּשְׁמִי וּמִגָּלוּת הָרוּחָנִי, וְכָל הָעַכּוּ"ם יִתְבַּטְּלוּ אֶל יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְיַכִּירוּ כֻלָּם מַעֲלַת וּקְדֻשַּׁת עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל הַקְּדוֹשִׁים אֲשֶׁר בָּהֶם בָּחָרְתָּ. וִיקֻיַּם מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, וְהֵבִיאוּ אֶת כָּל אֲחֵיכֶם מִכָּל הַגּוֹיִם מִנְחָה לַיהֹוָה בַּסּוּסִים וּבָרֶכֶב וּבַצַּבִּים וּבַפְּרָדִים וּבַכִּרְכָּרוֹת עַל הַר קָדְשִׁי יְרוּשָׁלַיִם אָמַר יְהֹוָה כַּאֲשֶׁר יָבִיאוּ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת הַמִּנְחָה בִּכְלִי טָהוֹר בֵּית יְהֹוָה.
Help us leave our exile, physical and spiritual, speedily and with great joy. May all the nations submit to Israel, and may they all recognize the great holiness of Your nation, the Jewish people, the holy ones whom You have chosen. May the verse be fulfilled, “All your brothers of all the nations will bring an offering to HaShem on horses, in chariots, in wagons, on mules and camels to My holy mountain, Jerusalem, says HaShem, just as the children of Israel will bring the offering in a pure vessel to the House of HaShem.”
וְתִתְגַּדֵּל הַשִּׂמְחָה בְּכָל הָעוֹלָם כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, אָז יֹאמְרוּ בַגּוֹיִם הִגְדִּיל יְהֹוָה לַעֲשׂוֹת עִם אֵלֶּה, הִגְדִּיל יְהֹוָה לַעֲשׂוֹת עִמָּנוּ הָיִינוּ שְׂמֵחִים.
Joy will increase throughout the world, as it is written, “Then they will say among the nations, ‘HaShem has done great things for these.’ HaShem has done great things for us; we were happy.”
וִיקֻיַּם מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, כִּי בְשִׂמְחָה תֵצֵאוּ וּבְשָׁלוֹם תּוּבָלוּן הֶהָרִים וְהַגְּבָעוֹת יִפְצְחוּ לִפְנֵיכֶם רִנָּה וְכָל עֲצֵי הַשָּׂדֶה יִמְחֲאוּ כָף. וְנֶאֱמַר, כִּי נִחַם יְהֹוָה צִיּוֹן נִחַם כָּל חָרְבוֹתֶיהָ וַיָּשֶׂם מִדְבָּרָהּ כְּעֵדֶן וְעַרְבָתָהּ כְּגַן יְהֹוָה שָׂשׂוֹן וְשִׂמְחָה יִמָּצֵא בָהּ תּוֹדָה וְקוֹל זִמְרָה:
And may the verse be fulfilled, “You will go out in joy and arrive in peace. The mountains and hills will break out in glad song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” And it is written, “For God will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her ruins. He will make her desert like Eden and her arid places like the garden of HaShem. Gladness and joy will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song!”