Perceptions of Godliness / Finding the tzaddik / Moses / Overcoming the craving for wealth / Exile and redemption / Atheism and false ideologies / Kindness / Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot / Holy boldness / Boldness in prayer / Labor and childbirth By Himself, God is completely beyond the grasp of thought. However, He veiled and “contracted” His light into the Torah and mitzvot to provide us with graded means of attaining successively higher perceptions of Godliness. The tzaddik has the power to “clothe” the “higher wisdom” of Godly perception in the garb of the “lower wisdom,” making it possible for even ordinary people to grasp it. The more outstanding the tzaddik, the greater his ability to reach out to those on the lowest spiritual levels. Thus, Moses alone could lead the Jewish people out of the forty-nine gates of impurity in which they were trapped in Egypt. So too, in the depths of our present exile, we need to search for the greatest possible tzaddik to guide us closer to God, and we should not content ourselves with leaders of small stature. Only the Torah has the power to bring us to genuine perceptions of Godliness. When philosophies that deny the Torah gain sway, the Shekhinah — which rules over the Four Worlds of Atzilut, Beriah, Yetzirah and Asiyah — falls into exile, giving power to the four unholy empires of Babylon, Medea, Greece and Rome. Our task is to extricate the Shekhinah from exile and elevate Her to Her source in the inner light of God’s countenance. This is accomplished through acts of charity and kindness, and through the joy with which we perform the mitzvot. Joy is felt in the heart. The joy of the mitzvot radiates especially on the three pilgrimage festivals, Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot, which are the “heart” of the year. The special fourfold mitzvot associated with each festival (e.g. drinking the Four Cups on Pesach and taking the Four Species on Sukkot) help elevate the Shekhinah — alluded to in the Hebrew letter dalet, which has the numerical value of 4 — from exile. The safe birth of a Jewish child into the world is also an aspect of the release of the Shekhinah from exile. This is because the unholy forces seeking to hide Godly revelation fight hard against the birth of Jewish children, since each new soul that comes into the world brings about a unique revelation of God’s greatness. For the 7th of Adar, the yahrtzeit of Moses “As the hart pants after streams of water, so my soul yearns for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God; when will I come and appear in the presence of God?”
HaShem, You alone know Your true greatness and power, Your glory, Your exaltedness and Your majesty. Your greatness is unfathomable, and any perception of Your Godliness is supremely exalted and elevated. You are totally beyond the grasp of all thought.
Yet because of Your tremendous compassion and kindness, and Your desire to bestow good upon Your creatures, You have worked amazing wonders, and devised numerous ways and means of veiling and contracting perceptions of Your Godliness into many different contractions. You have brought it down from level to level, from the higher wisdom to the lower wisdom. You have given Your true tzaddikim the ability to attain perceptions of Your Godliness and come to understand Your supreme exaltedness. You have graced them with such profound knowledge, understanding and wisdom that they can even bring a perception of Your Godliness within reach of our limited minds.
You started to reveal a perception of Your Godliness through Your prophet Moses, the faithful one of Your house, who brought us out of Egypt, releasing us from the forty-nine gates of impurity and bringing us into the forty-nine gates of holiness. He drew us close to You and Your service, and he gave us the holy Torah and mitzvot, all of which are graded means of gaining some understanding of Your Godliness. Through every single mitzvah and every single letter of the Written and Oral Torah that we have the merit to fulfill with holiness and purity, as is fitting, we have the power to draw down awareness to perceive Your Godliness as revealed through the veils of the holy Torah. How great was the good that You did for us by sending us Moses, who enlightened our eyes and brought us out of the gloom into the light, out of the darkness into a great light. He brought us from the depths of exile of physicality, spirituality and sustenance amid the forty-nine gates of impurity to the forty-nine gates of holiness.
Moses’ level was so great that he even had the power to bring a perception of Your Godliness within reach of people on the very lowest levels, as we are today.
Teach me! Guide me! By which path, by which means, by which merit, and through which advice and strategy will I too be able to attain a perception of Your Godliness? For this was the purpose for which I was created.
Master of the world, You know how far removed I am from any grasp of Your Godliness. It’s not enough that I wasn’t careful to fulfill all the teachings of Your Torah and mitzvot, through which we merit to perceive You, each according to the capacity of his heart. As it is written, “Her Husband is known in the gates” — God is known to each person according to the conception he forms in his heart.
Yet I have done what I have done, blemished what I have blemished, and damaged what I have damaged. I have sinned and transgressed and done evil in Your eyes, acting with contempt, willfully and deliberately, to the point that I’ve become distanced from You to the ultimate degree.
Every one of my sins, offenses and blemishes has spoiled a channel and pathway of wisdom, understanding and knowledge through which I might have been able to attain a perception of Your Godliness.
I have committed sins without number or end. They are weightier than the sand of the seas and more numerous than the dust of the earth and the hairs on our heads. The net result of all of them is that I’ve ruined and destroyed all the channels and pathways of holy wisdom through which one can perceive You.
I have kept on committing more and greater sins, offenses and transgressions, until “my sins have gone over my head; like a weighty burden, they have become too heavy for me.” As a result, I have created thousands and ten thousands of iron barriers and screens that keep me from perceiving You.
For in light of our great fall and our extreme distance from You, and the lowliness of our souls that we ourselves know, we now need a true leader on the most outstanding level. For the sicker the patient, the greater the doctor that he needs.
And now, when we have fallen in our present exile of body and soul, which is far deeper than the exile in Egypt, certainly there is no one who can help us except for an outstanding tzaddik on the level of Moses.
Yet it isn’t enough that we haven’t had the privilege of drawing close to a true tzaddik such as this. Even more, because of our many sins, You have poured out Your anger on us and taken from us all the outstanding true tzaddikim who were the light of our eyes.
What can I do now, at such a time, especially someone as sick, crushed and tormented as I am both spiritually and physically? I am so wounded, unsettled and confused, “a man of pains and only too familiar with illness.” I am covered with countless sores — “from the sole of the foot to the top of the head, there’s no healthy flesh, only sores, bruises and fresh wounds.” What can I say? How can I speak? How can I justify myself? Who will have mercy on me? Who will rise on my behalf?
My Father in Heaven, You know my whole heart. “See my misery and rescue me!” You Who see the humiliation of the lowly, look at my humiliation. You Who have mercy on the wretched, have mercy on my wretchedness. You Who “save the poor man from those who are stronger than him, and the poor and needy from those who rob them,” rescue and save me, poor and needy as I am. Take me out from between the teeth of lions. “Save my soul from the sword, save my spirit from the power of the dog.”
I fully admit to You with all my heart and soul that I am the guilty one from beginning to end. But what can I do, my Father in Heaven? I feel as if I’m caught in a trap. I feel imprisoned in chains of iron and gates of bronze. My only hope is in Your true compassion, mercy and kindness, just as You told Moses that You are gracious and compassionate even to those who are undeserving of Your compassion. As it is written, “He said, ‘I will pass all My good before you and call out in the Name of HaShem before you. I will show favor when I choose to show favor, and I will show compassion when I choose to show compassion.” Our sages taught that this means You show favor and compassion even to those who do not deserve it. “Release my soul from prison to give thanks to Your Name. The righteous will crown themselves because of me, for You will deal kindly with me.” Help me, save me and forgive me for my multitude of sins. Send me sound guidance and save me quickly for Your Name’s sake.
Money and livelihood Let me draw genuinely close to You from now and forever. Find a way to help me attain a perception of Your Godliness in truth and complete faith, in holiness and great purity, and with true humility, in accordance with Your will and the will of Your true tzaddikim. Protect me and rescue me from avarice. Don’t let me ever feel the slightest desire for money and material possessions. Let me have a hatred for illicit gain, despising money to the ultimate degree.
Save me from the struggles of making a living. Don’t let me chase after this world. Don’t let me have the least worry or concern about worldly affairs.
Rather, let my every thought and all my mental, spiritual, emotional and physical faculties be bound and attached to You alone, longing and yearning to experience Your exaltedness in truth and perfect faith.
Bring me to complete holy wisdom, both the “lower wisdom” and the “higher wisdom,” until I merit to attain a perception of Your Godliness at all times in truth and perfect faith. Always grant me new and heightened percep tions of Your exaltedness, and let me feel the exquisite yearning that comes from holy faith. Grant me knowledge, understanding and wisdom.
In Your compassion, bring me to share my perceptions of Your Godliness with many other people in holiness and purity, in accordance with Your good will.
Let me reveal and spread the knowledge of Your Godliness, Your exaltedness and Your sovereignty to all inhabitants of the world. Let every creature know that You created it and each one of Your works understand that You formed it. May Your Name be blessed and praised by all, O King.
Let Your kingship be revealed, exalted, glorified, upraised and uplifted forever and ever. Let everything that has breath in it declare, “HaShem, the God of Israel, is King and His kingship rules over all.”
Exile and redemption Therefore, be gracious to us in Your vast compassion and take us out of this bitter exile. Our bodies, our souls and holy wealth are all sunk in the most terrible and bitter exile. Lift up the Shekhinah and the Congregation of Israel from their exile among the four empires. For so many years the holy kingship, which rules over all the Four Worlds, has fallen from Her throne as a result of our many sins, giving power to the four unholy empires.
As a result, we have been exiled from our Land and distanced from our property both physically and spiritually. We have gone from exile to exile, we have been poured out from vessel to vessel. All our strength is gone and we have reached the point of collapse. The individual spiritual exile of each and every Jew has deepened because of the temptations of this world and its vanities. The root cause is that we’re living among so many idolaters, as it is written, “They mingled with the nations and learned from their deeds.” “God, do not be silent. Do not keep quiet, O God.” Hear the sound of Your own bitter cries and shrieks that You, as it were, cry and roar over the exile of the Shekhinah and the Congregation of Israel. As it is written, “HaShem roars from on high, and from His holy habitation He lets out His cry. He roars and roars over His dwelling place.”
Hear the cries and shrieks of the Shekhinah and the Congregation of Israel! The Shekhinah cries bitterly over our trials and suffering because of the constant war being waged against us by the nations of the world.
As if it isn’t bad enough that they rule over our bodies and our possessions, they also want to impose their false and foolish outlook and philosophy upon us. In truth, all their “wisdom” is sheer foolishness and idiocy.
Yet many of our Jewish brothers and sisters have already been trapped in their evil net, and they still want to ensnare even more Jewish souls in the misguided, atheistic philosophy they espouse, which has become so influential because of our sins.
Have pity and mercy on us and remove the prey from their mouths. “Chase and chase, save and deliver” us, our brothers and sisters, our children, and all the children of Your nation, the House of Israel, from the evil net that is now spread over all the living. There has never been a crisis like this since the beginning of time. Bring us to complete faith. Let us constantly accept Your kingship over ourselves, our souls, and over all of our 248 limbs and 365 sinews.
Arouse the compassion of Your heart upon us and our children. For who can bear the shrieks and howls of the Holy One, blessed is He, and His Shekhinah? Who can close his ears and his heart to their bitter cries?
Put it into our hearts to cry out to You constantly until You show us compassion. We will cry out until You say, “I am here!” “You who call on the Name of HaShem, do not be silent. Give Him no respite until He establishes Jerusalem and makes it the praise of the earth.” Master of the world, “Your kingdom is a kingdom spanning all the worlds, and You rule over every generation.” Have pity, mercy and compassion on Your kingdom, which extends throughout all the Four Worlds.
Redeem, release and lift up Your mighty Shekhinah and Your kingdom from among the nations. Raise Your kingdom of holiness and the Congregation of Israel from their exile among the four empires.
And uproot, smash and do away with all foreign philosophies and ideologies that promote atheism and God-denial. Remove them from the world. Throw those who espouse them into turmoil and confusion. Close up their mouths and uproot, destroy and eradicate their ideas and their evil plans from the world. Help me cultivate the trait of true lovingkindness to perfection, just like our patriarch Abraham, who attained this quality to the ultimate degree. Help me perform acts of kindness and truth with all people. In Your vast compassion, send us true tzaddikim who are capable of admonishing us for our shortcomings and chastising us out of hidden love.
Put it into my heart that my ears should pay heed and my heart accept their rebuke, which is always intended positively, even though it may be quite humiliating at times. Despite this, let me accept their words of rebuke with love, affection and great joy. Help me be the kind of person who welcomes criticism.
Bring me to perfect teshuvah, and through the constructive criticism of the tzaddikim let great lovingkindness be revealed, as it is written, “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the Torah of lovingkindness is on her tongue.”
Help all of us achieve the trait of perfect lovingkindness in holiness and purity, and let us always be filled with Abraham’s quality of lovingkindness. And as a result of this lovingkindness, may we merit to extricate, separate and elevate the kingdom of holiness from the four unholy empires.
Help us kill, crush, smash, uproot and destroy the “husk” of the kingdom of the evil Amalek, which encompasses all the four empires. Help us blot out his name and his memory from the world, as it is written, “Blot out the memory of Amalek from under the heavens; do not forget.”
May the verse be fulfilled, “The swords with which the enemy threatened us have gone forever and You have destroyed their cities; their very memory has perished. But HaShem is enthroned forever; He founds His throne on justice.”
Uproot, break and eradicate all God-denying philosophies and atheism from the world, and reveal holy faith throughout the entire world. Let everyone accept the yoke of Your kingship, and rule over them very soon and forever. Help us elevate the kingdom of holiness to the light of Your countenance that shines on the three pilgrimage festivals.
Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot Compassionate and kind God, help me celebrate the three holy festivals of Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot with the utmost sanctity and delight.
Let me honor all the festivals and holidays in every way: with good food and drink, clean clothes, a complete rest from work, a happy heart and much joy. Let me pray with intense fervor and arousal, as befits a Jew on the festivals.
Throughout the year, help me carry out many mitzvot in great holiness and joy, and let the joy of all the mitzvot of the whole year be concentrated into the heart of the year, namely the three festivals. Then I will experience the true joy of the festivals in accordance with Your will, as it is written, “You should rejoice on your festival.”
Let me rejoice very much, with overpowering delight, on each of the three festivals. May I “rejoice and exult in You” over the fact that You chose us from all the nations and exalted us above all tongues. Bring me to such a level of happiness and joy that I will be able to ascend, see and be seen in the light of HaShem’s countenance. Help me fulfill all the mitzvot that apply on each festival, and particularly the four mitzvot that pertain to each festival through which the Shekhinah, alluded to in the letter dalet (which has the numerical value of 4), is elevated to the light of Your countenance. These mitzvot are: on Pesach, the drinking of the Four Cups; on Shavuot, the receiving of the Torah, which was taught to the Jews in the desert in such a way that each Jew heard every lesson four times over; and on Sukkot, the Four Species.
Please, HaShem, have compassion on me and help me fulfill all these awesome mitzvot at the appropriate time on each festival, together with all the other holy and awesome mitzvot that apply on each festival.
Let me fulfill them perfectly with tremendous joy and delight, and with reverence and love, so that I merit to lift up the kingdom of holiness to the light of Your countenance that shines on the three festivals.
Help me return to You in complete repentance out of joy on every holiday. In Your vast compassion, grant that I repent completely, even for the sins that I’m unaware of.
Master of the world, You know how far I am from the holiness and joy of the holy festivals. Have pity and mercy on me. In Your vast compassion and tremendous kindness, help me celebrate the festivals with great holiness and much joy.
Then, through the holiness and joy of the festivals, I will be able to elevate the kingdom of holiness from its exile under the four empires and raise it up to the light of Your countenance. May the verse be fulfilled, “Righteousness will go before him, and he will put his steps on the road.” It is also written, “Surely the tzaddikim will give thanks to Your Name; the pious will dwell in Your presence.” Let me constantly draw upon myself the holiness and joy of the festivals throughout the entire year. Bring me to holy joy at all times, until I attain a true perception of Your Godliness, knowledge of Your exaltedness, and the rapture of faith, genuinely and wholeheartedly, in joy, holiness and great purity.
Holy boldness Have compassion on me! Save me! Help me develop holy boldness so as to be able to receive and draw down new and true insights into the Torah.
For You have revealed to us through Your holy sages that it is impossible to merit the holy Torah except through holy boldness and determination, as our sages said, “Be bold as a leopard.”
You have also taught us what a grave offense unholy boldness is. Insolent people are rooted in the 974 generations that have no share in the Torah of Moses.
Therefore, I have come to plead with You, HaShem my God and God of my fathers, to grant me knowledge, understanding and wisdom. Teach me and guide me at all times so I will know how to act with boldness and determination, and avoid falling into any kind of insolence and arrogance. Protect me from insolent people and their arrogance. Truly compassionate God, guard me and save me from all “teachings” and “insights” of unholy forces that are called “idols,” drawing their strength from the brazenness of the “husks.” Strengthen me in Your service and draw upon me the power and might of Your holiness. Inspire me with holy boldness. Through this I will merit to truly come close to Your service, Your Torah, and fear of Heaven.
Help me develop original and true Torah insights at all times. Let all my ideas be truly rooted in the Torah of Moses, and let them find favor before Your throne of glory.
Boldness in prayer Inspire me with holy boldness in my relationship with You. Help me devote myself to the path of prayer with all my strength and determination. Let me remain firm and strong in my hope in You, and wait confidently for You to have compassion.
Let me always have the courage to beseech You, pray to You, and plead with You for everything I need in order to serve You. May I never feel shy about approaching You to ask You to bring me to the greatest heights or to perform miracles and wonders for me.
Master of the world, before You everything is revealed. You know the terrible confusion and disordered thoughts I experience when I stand up to pray to You. I am unable to say even a single word of prayer properly.
Because of this, my prayers are completely mixed up with an endless stream of extraneous, inappropriate and irrelevant thoughts, with insincerity and immeasurable confusion. I just don’t know what to do.
My very confusion makes it impossible for me to know the right path to take to fight off these thoughts. I have no one to rely on except my Father in Heaven.
Help me bind my thoughts to the words of the prayers with a firm, strong bond. Then I will give my full attention to my prayers, and my prayers and requests will be pure and correct, clear and unblemished from any extraneous thoughts.
Master of the world, please see my plight and fight my cause. Rescue the persecuted from those who would sap them of their strength. Don’t allow the poor to be robbed — after all, they are poor!
Fulfill the verse, “Enough of the oppression of the poor and the sighing of the needy! Now I will arise, says HaShem. I will bring the one they puff at to safety.”
Help me and save me from all kinds of evil thoughts and feelings and from all mental confusion from now on and forever. Let my mind be pure, clear and filled with holy thoughts at all times.
Especially when I am praying, let me purify and sanctify my mind until I am totally free of all confused thinking and extraneous thoughts, and I don’t have a single thought that is not related to the prayers. Don’t let even holy thoughts enter my mind if they are not relevant to what I’m saying.
Rather, throughout the prayers, let me stand in deep awe and reverence. At that time may I not hear anyone or anything in the world except You alone. May I pray with the utmost concentration.
Let me bind my prayers to all the true tzaddikim in this generation, and all the true tzaddikim who are at rest in the earth. Let them receive my prayers and refine and purify them, and save them from all the enemies and accusers lurking along the way. Let them elevate them as an offering of sweet savor before Your throne of glory among all the prayers of Your nation, the House of Israel, and let my prayers ascend and rise up to be a crown for Your head.
Have pity on me! Be kind to me! Have compassion on me and save me! Grant me holy boldness so that when I pray, I’ll always have the courage to throw shyness aside. Don’t let me feel embarrassed in front of You. Let me have no inhibitions at all about imploring You with all kinds of extravagant requests to bring me to true devotion.
Bring me close to You in every way. Perform miracles and wonders to raise me up from the lowliest levels in this world to the most exalted levels above.
May I quickly reach the highest levels of holiness. Then I will attain the ultimate perception of Your Godliness on the level of the true prophets and the great and awesome tzaddikim, who were always rising from level to level. Let me hold on to the path of our fathers who trusted in You and were not inhibited from making the most extravagant requests of You. As it is written, “In You our fathers trusted; they had trust and You saved them. They cried out to You and were redeemed. They trusted in You and were not ashamed.”
As You know, HaShem, considering Your exalted greatness and our lowly, degraded state, it would be quite impossible to begin to stand before You and make even the smallest request in the world.
For who am I to pray to You, HaShem, my God and God of my fathers? You, HaShem, are supremely great, and Your Name is exalted above all blessings and praise.
But in Your vast compassion, You have sent us Your true tzaddikim to teach us the goodness of Your ways and Your desire to show kindness and abundant goodness. You inspire us with holy boldness.
Your wish is that we should have the courage to ask the greatest and most formidable things of You, pressing You persistently for days and years until we conquer You, as it were, in order to bring You to grant our requests with compassion. As it is written, “I am HaShem Your God, Who brought you up from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth and I will fill it!”
May the verses be fulfilled, “Give strength to God, Whose pride rests upon Israel and Whose strength resides in the heavens. O God, Your awesomeness is revealed through those who sanctify You. O God of Israel, it is You alone who gives strength and power to the people. Blessed is God.”
Let me never hold back from making the most extravagant and awesome requests of You. Perform miracles and wonders for me! Lift me up now, quickly, swiftly and speedily, from all the falls and descents to which I have fallen until now.
Bring me close with all sorts of closeness, and have compassion on me with all forms of compassion. In Your vast compassion, draw me close to the truly outstanding tzaddik and teacher of this generation, the holy leader on the highest level who has the power to bring even someone as lowly as myself to a perception of Your Godliness.
And don’t let me make the same mistake as those who say it’s enough if they follow someone who is pious and simple, even though he may be a figure of small stature. The truth is that people on my low level need a leader on the highest and most outstanding level!
Compassionate God, send us our righteous Mashiach quickly in our days! May the verse be fulfilled, “As in the days of your going out of Egypt, I will show you wonders.” Grant that I should soon be able to go up and appear before You and prostrate myself in Your Holy Temple on the three pilgrimage festivals.
Have pity on me, be kind to me, and help me in every way. Quickly lift me up from darkness to light, from slavery to redemption, from sorrow to joy. Quickly cleanse me from all forms of impurity and sanctify me in every way. Let me ascend to and be included in all fifty gates of holiness in truth, perfect faith and genuine humility.
Then I will be able “to behold the pleasantness of HaShem and frequent His Sanctuary.” Help me perceive Your Godliness on the highest possible level, and bring a perception of Your Godliness into the hearts of the entire Jewish people in great holiness and purity, in truth, perfect faith and genuine humility, in accordance with Your will.
“Shine Your countenance on Your servant and save me in Your lovingkindness. Shine Your countenance on Your servant and teach me Your statutes. In righteousness I will gaze upon Your countenance; when I awake I will be satisfied with Your likeness. We will not fall away from You. Revive us, and we will call upon Your Name. HaShem, God of Hosts, bring us back. Shine Your countenance and we will be redeemed.” Amen. Amen.
Have compassion on all those women who are in labor and save them from all pain and harm (and especially [Hebrew name], the daughter of [mother’s Hebrew name]).
Master of the world, You Who are filled with compassion at all times, You know her pain and anguish. You know what is in her heart and in the hearts of her father, her mother, and all those who share her pain.
See their misery and anguish! Look upon their suffering and stir up Your tremendous compassion, Your hidden mercy, for this poor woman who is sitting on the birth-stool, crushed and brokenhearted. Open up the gates of compassion, kindness, pity and grace for her. Open up her birth channel.
In Your vast compassion, cut open the sealed mem — corresponding to the forty days in which the embryo is formed — in which the unborn child is enclosed. In Your great lovingkindness, cut open this sealed mem and turn it into two dalets.
In this way, compassionate and kind God, open the gates (delatot) of the womb of this poor woman who is sitting on the birth-stool. Help her give birth immediately, easily and without further problems. Say to the angel, “Release your hand!” Let the One Who said to His universe, “Enough!” say, “Enough!” to her pain.
You Who are abundant in lovingkindness and goodness, have pity! Have mercy! Have compassion! Treat her in accordance with Your great kindness! Open the gates of birth for her quickly, swiftly and speedily, quickly and easily, without any further delay.
For she has already suffered so much bitter pain and anguish, to the point that “the power to endure has been shaken.” You Who are the Source of goodness and kindness, deal with us kindly as an unearned gift. Don’t delay the birth any longer!
In Your lovingkindness, help her and save her. Let the hinges and doors of her womb open immediately. Let her give birth quickly, easily, and with no further pain or anxiety, only with compassion, mercy and great kindness. Safely bring the baby out into the air of this world for a life of goodness and peace, and many long days and years! Amen.
(It is important to give generously to charity, since kindness is the key to cutting the dalet from the mem, which is how the womb of the woman experiencing difficulty in childbirth is opened. See Likutey Moharan I, 30 and I, 135 [end].)
[עַל־פִּי תּוֹרָה ל' - מֵישְׁרָא דְּסַכִּינָא]
לְז' אֲדָר הִילּוּלָא דְּמֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ ע"ה כְּאַיָּל תַּעֲרֹג עַל אֲפִיקֵי מָיִם כֵּן נַפְשִׁי תַעֲרֹג אֵלֶיךָ אֱלֹהִים. צָמְאָה נַפְשִׁי לֵאלֹהִים לְאֵל חָי מָתַי אָבוֹא וְאֵרָאֶה פְּנֵי אֱלֹהִים,
Perceptions of Godliness / Finding the tzaddik / Moses / Overcoming the craving for wealth / Exile and redemption / Atheism and false ideologies / Kindness / Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot / Holy boldness / Boldness in prayer / Labor and childbirth
By Himself, God is completely beyond the grasp of thought. However, He veiled and “contracted” His light into the Torah and mitzvot to provide us with graded means of attaining successively higher perceptions of Godliness. The tzaddik has the power to “clothe” the “higher wisdom” of Godly perception in the garb of the “lower wisdom,” making it possible for even ordinary people to grasp it. The more outstanding the tzaddik, the greater his ability to reach out to those on the lowest spiritual levels. Thus, Moses alone could lead the Jewish people out of the forty-nine gates of impurity in which they were trapped in Egypt. So too, in the depths of our present exile, we need to search for the greatest possible tzaddik to guide us closer to God, and we should not content ourselves with leaders of small stature. Only the Torah has the power to bring us to genuine perceptions of Godliness. When philosophies that deny the Torah gain sway, the Shekhinah — which rules over the Four Worlds of Atzilut, Beriah, Yetzirah and Asiyah — falls into exile, giving power to the four unholy empires of Babylon, Medea, Greece and Rome. Our task is to extricate the Shekhinah from exile and elevate Her to Her source in the inner light of God’s countenance. This is accomplished through acts of charity and kindness, and through the joy with which we perform the mitzvot.
Joy is felt in the heart. The joy of the mitzvot radiates especially on the three pilgrimage festivals, Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot, which are the “heart” of the year. The special fourfold mitzvot associated with each festival (e.g. drinking the Four Cups on Pesach and taking the Four Species on Sukkot) help elevate the Shekhinah — alluded to in the Hebrew letter dalet, which has the numerical value of 4 — from exile. The safe birth of a Jewish child into the world is also an aspect of the release of the Shekhinah from exile. This is because the unholy forces seeking to hide Godly revelation fight hard against the birth of Jewish children, since each new soul that comes into the world brings about a unique revelation of God’s greatness.
For the 7th of Adar, the yahrtzeit of Moses
“As the hart pants after streams of water, so my soul yearns for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God; when will I come and appear in the presence of God?”
כִּי אַתָּה יְהֹוָה לְבַד יָדַעְתָּ גְדֻלָּתְךָ וּגְבוּרָתְךָ וְתִפְאַרְתְּךָ וְרוֹמְמוּתְךָ וְהִתְנַשְּׂאוּתֶךָ, כִּי לִגְדֻלָּתְךָ אֵין חֵקֶר וְהַשָּׂגַת אֱלָהוּתְךָ מְרֹמָם וּמְנֻשָּׂא מְאֹד, כִּי לֵית מַחֲשָׁבָה תְּפִיסָא בָךְ כְּלָל.
HaShem, You alone know Your true greatness and power, Your glory, Your exaltedness and Your majesty. Your greatness is unfathomable, and any perception of Your Godliness is supremely exalted and elevated. You are totally beyond the grasp of all thought.
אֲבָל מֵעֹצֶם רַחֲמָנוּתְךָ וַחֲנִינוּתְךָ אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה חָפֵץ לְהֵטִיב לִבְרִיּוֹתֶיךָ, עָשִׂיתָ פְּעֻלּוֹת גְּדוֹלוֹת וְסִבַּבְתָּ סִבּוֹת רַבּוֹת, וְצִמְצַמְתָּ הַשָּׂגַת אֱלָהוּתְךָ בְּכַמָּה צִמְצוּמִים שׁוֹנִים, מֵעִלָּה לְעִלּוּל, מִשֵּׂכֶל עֶלְיוֹן לְשֵׂכֶל תַּחְתּוֹן, וְנָתַתָּ כֹּחַ לְצַדִּיקֶיךָ הָאֲמִתִּיִּים לְהַשִּׂיג הַשָּׂגַת אֱלָהוּתְךָ וִידִיעַת רוֹמְמוּתֶךָ, וְחָנַּנְתָּ אוֹתָם דֵּעָה בִּינָה וְהַשְׂכֵּל, אֲשֶׁר בְּעֹצֶם בִּינָתָם יֵשׁ לָהֶם כֹּחַ לְהַכְנִיס הַשָּׂגַת אֱלָהוּתְךָ גַּם בְּדַעְתֵּנוּ הַפְּחוּתָה,
Yet because of Your tremendous compassion and kindness, and Your desire to bestow good upon Your creatures, You have worked amazing wonders, and devised numerous ways and means of veiling and contracting perceptions of Your Godliness into many different contractions. You have brought it down from level to level, from the higher wisdom to the lower wisdom. You have given Your true tzaddikim the ability to attain perceptions of Your Godliness and come to understand Your supreme exaltedness. You have graced them with such profound knowledge, understanding and wisdom that they can even bring a perception of Your Godliness within reach of our limited minds.
כַּאֲשֶׁר הִתְחַלְתָּ לְגַלּוֹת הַשָּׂגַת אֱלָהוּתְךָ עַל־יְדֵי מֹשֶׁה נְבִיאֶךָ נֶאֱמַן בֵּיתֶךָ, אֲשֶׁר הוֹצִיאָנוּ מִמִּצְרַיִם מִמ"ט שַׁעֲרֵי טֻמְאָה וְהִכְנִיסָנוּ בְּמ"ט שַׁעֲרֵי קְדֻשָּׁה, וְקֵרַב אוֹתָנוּ אֵלֶיךָ וְלַעֲבוֹדָתֶךָ, וְנָתַן לָנוּ אֶת הַתּוֹרָה וְהַמִּצְוֹת הַקְּדוֹשִׁים, שֶׁהֵם כֻּלָּם שִׁעוּרִים וְצִמְצוּמִים לְהַשִּׂיג עַל יָדָם הַשָּׂגַת אֱלָהוּתְךָ, כִּי עַל־יְדֵי כָּל מִצְוָה וּמִצְוָה וְעַל־יְדֵי כָּל אוֹת וְאוֹת מִתּוֹרָתְךָ הַקְּדוֹשָׁה שֶׁבִּכְתָב וּבְעַל פֶּה, כְּשֶׁאָנוּ זוֹכִים לַעֲשׂוֹתָם בִּקְדֻשָּׁה וּבְטָהֳרָה כָּרָאוּי, יֵשׁ לָנוּ כֹחַ לְהַמְשִׁיךְ לָנוּ דַּעַת לְהַשִּׂיג אֱלָהוּתְךָ עַל־יְדֵי כַּמָּה שִׁעוּרִים וְצִמְצוּמִים שֶׁל הַתּוֹרָה הַקְּדוֹשָׁה. מָה רַב טוּבְךָ אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָ עִמָּנוּ עַל־יְדֵי מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ עָלָיו הַשָׁלוֹם, אֲשֶׁר הוּא הֵאִיר עֵינֵינוּ, וְהוֹצִיאָנוּ מֵאֲפֵלָה לְאוֹרָה מֵחֹשֶׁךְ לְאוֹר גָּדוֹל, מֵעִמְקֵי הַגָּלוּת בְּגוּף וָנֶפֶשׁ וּמָמוֹן, מִמ"ט שַׁעֲרֵי טֻמְאָה לְמ"ט שַׁעֲרֵי קְדֻשָּׁה,
You started to reveal a perception of Your Godliness through Your prophet Moses, the faithful one of Your house, who brought us out of Egypt, releasing us from the forty-nine gates of impurity and bringing us into the forty-nine gates of holiness. He drew us close to You and Your service, and he gave us the holy Torah and mitzvot, all of which are graded means of gaining some understanding of Your Godliness. Through every single mitzvah and every single letter of the Written and Oral Torah that we have the merit to fulfill with holiness and purity, as is fitting, we have the power to draw down awareness to perceive Your Godliness as revealed through the veils of the holy Torah. How great was the good that You did for us by sending us Moses, who enlightened our eyes and brought us out of the gloom into the light, out of the darkness into a great light. He brought us from the depths of exile of physicality, spirituality and sustenance amid the forty-nine gates of impurity to the forty-nine gates of holiness.
כִּי מֵעֹצֶם גְּדֻלַּת מַעֲלַת מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ עָלָיו הַשָּׁלוֹם, הָיָה יָכוֹל לְהַכְנִיס הַשָּׂגַת אֱלָהוּתְךָ אֲפִלּוּ לַאֲנָשִׁים פְּחוּתִים בַּדְּיוּטָא הַתַּחְתּוֹנָה מְאֹד, כָּמֹנוּ הַיּוֹם:
Moses’ level was so great that he even had the power to bring a perception of Your Godliness within reach of people on the very lowest levels, as we are today.
וְעַתָּה בָּאתִי לְפָנֶיךָ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהַי וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתַי, גְּדֹל הָעֵצָה וְרַב הָעֲלִילִיָּה,
And now I have come before You, HaShem my God and God of my fathers, “great in counsel and Master of wonders.”
לַמְּדֵנִי וְהוֹרֵנִי, בְּאֵיזֶה דֶרֶךְ בְּאֵיזֶה אֹפֶן בְּאֵיזֶה זְכוּת בְּאֵיזֶה עֵצָה וְתַחְבּוּלָה, אֶזְכֶּה אָנֹכִי גַם כֵּן לְהַשִּׂיג הַשָּׂגַת אֱלָהוּתְךָ אֲשֶׁר לְכָךְ נוֹצָרְתִּי,
Teach me! Guide me! By which path, by which means, by which merit, and through which advice and strategy will I too be able to attain a perception of Your Godliness? For this was the purpose for which I was created.
כַּאֲשֶׁר אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ כִּי לֹא נִבְרֵאתִי בָּעוֹלָם הַשָּׁפָל הַזֶּה, אֶלָּא כְּדֵי לִרְדֹף אַחַר הַתַּכְלִית הַטּוֹב הַזֶּה, לְהַשִּׂיג הַשָּׂגַת אֱלָהוּתְךָ יִתְבָּרַךְ:
As You know, the only reason I was brought into being in this lowly world was to pursue this goodly goal of attaining a perception of Your Godliness.
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ גֹּדֶל הִתְרַחֲקוּתִי מֵהַשָּׂגַת אֱלָהוּת, כִּי לֹא דַי שֶׁלֹּא נִזְהַרְתִּי לְקַיֵּם כָּל דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָתְךָ וּמִצְוֹתֶיךָ, אֲשֶׁר עַל יָדָם זוֹכִין לְהַשִּׂיג אוֹתְךָ כָּל חַד לְפוּם מַה דִּמְשַׁעֵר בְּלִבֵּיהּ, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, נוֹדָע בַּשְּׁעָרִים בַּעְלָהּ, כָּל חַד לְפוּם מַה דִּמְשַׁעֵר בְּלִבֵּיהּ,
Master of the world, You know how far removed I am from any grasp of Your Godliness. It’s not enough that I wasn’t careful to fulfill all the teachings of Your Torah and mitzvot, through which we merit to perceive You, each according to the capacity of his heart. As it is written, “Her Husband is known in the gates” — God is known to each person according to the conception he forms in his heart.
אַף גַּם עָשִׂיתִי מַה שֶּׁעָשִׂיתִי וּפָגַמְתִּי מַה שֶּׁפָּגַמְתִּי וְקִלְקַלְתִּי מַה שֶּׁקִּלְקַלְתִּי, חָטָאתִי עָוִיתִי וּפָשַׁעְתִּי וְהָרַע בְּעֵינֶיךָ עָשִׂיתִי בִּשְׁאָט בְּנֶפֶשׁ בְּזָדוֹן וּבְמַעַל, עַד אֲשֶׁר נִתְרַחַקְתִּי מִמְּךָ כְּמוֹ שֶׁנִּתְרַחַקְתִּי בְּתַכְלִית תַּכְלִית הָרִחוּק,
Yet I have done what I have done, blemished what I have blemished, and damaged what I have damaged. I have sinned and transgressed and done evil in Your eyes, acting with contempt, willfully and deliberately, to the point that I’ve become distanced from You to the ultimate degree.
כִּי עַל־יְדֵי כָּל חֵטְא וְעָוֹן וּפְגָם, קִלְקַלְתִּי צִנּוֹר וּשְׁבִיל וּנְתִיב שֶׁל הַחָכְמָה וְהַבִּינָה וְהַדַּעַת, אֲשֶׁר עַל יָדָם הָיִיתִי יָכוֹל לְהַשִּׂיג הַשָּׂגַת אֱלָהוּתְךָ,
Every one of my sins, offenses and blemishes has spoiled a channel and pathway of wisdom, understanding and knowledge through which I might have been able to attain a perception of Your Godliness.
עַד אֲשֶׁר בְּרֹב עֲוֹנוֹתַי הַמְּרֻבִּים מְאֹד בְּלִי שִׁעוּר וָעֵרֶךְ וּמִסְפָּר, וְכָבְדוּ מֵחוֹל יַמִּים וְרַבּוּ מֵעֲפַר הָאָרֶץ וְעָצְמוּ מִשַּׂעֲרוֹת רֹאשֵׁינוּ, עַל־יְדֵי־זֶה קִלְקַלְתִּי וְהָרַסְתִּי וְהֶחֱרַבְתִּי כָּל מִינֵי צִנּוֹרוֹת וּשְׁבִילִים וּנְתִיבוֹת הַחָכְמָה הַקְּדוֹשָׁה, וְהֶחֱרַבְתִּי הַדְּרָכִים אֲשֶׁר עַל יָדָם מַשִּׂיגִין אוֹתְךָ,
I have committed sins without number or end. They are weightier than the sand of the seas and more numerous than the dust of the earth and the hairs on our heads. The net result of all of them is that I’ve ruined and destroyed all the channels and pathways of holy wisdom through which one can perceive You.
וּבְכָל פַּעַם הוֹסַפְתִּי חֲטָאִים עַל חֲטָאִים וַעֲוֹנוֹת עַל עֲוֹנוֹת וּפְשָׁעִים עַל פְּשָׁעִים רַבִּים וַעֲצוּמִים מְאֹד מְאֹד, עַד אֲשֶׁר עֲוֹנוֹתַי עָבְרוּ רֹאשִׁי כְּמַשָּׂא כָבֵד יִכְבְּדוּ מִמֶּנִּי, עַד אֲשֶׁר עַל־יְדֵי־זֶה עָשִׂיתִי כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה אֲלָפִים וּרְבָבוֹת מְחִצּוֹת בַּרְזֶל וּמְסָכִים הַמַּבְדִּילִים בֵּינִי וּבֵין הַשָּׂגָתְךָ:
I have kept on committing more and greater sins, offenses and transgressions, until “my sins have gone over my head; like a weighty burden, they have become too heavy for me.” As a result, I have created thousands and ten thousands of iron barriers and screens that keep me from perceiving You.
מָרָא דְעַלְמָא כֹּלָּא, אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ כִּי אֵין מִי שֶׁיּוּכַל לְהַכְנִיס בָּנוּ הַשָּׂגַת אֱלָהוּת, כִּי אִם צַדִּיקֵי הַדּוֹר הָאֲמִתִּיִּים הַגְּדוֹלִים בְּמַעֲלָה מְאֹד מְאֹד,
Master of the entire world, You know that no one can bring us to a perception of Godliness except the truly outstanding tzaddikim of the generation.
כִּי לְפִי עֹצֶם יְרִידָתֵנוּ וְהִתְרַחֲקוּתֵנוּ מִמְּךָ מְאֹד, וּכְפִי פְּחִיתוּת נַפְשֵׁנוּ שֶׁאָנוּ יוֹדְעִים בְּעַצְמֵנוּ, אָנוּ צְרִיכִים עַכְשָׁיו מַנְהִיג אֲמִתִּי שֶׁיִּהְיֶה גָדוֹל בְּמַעֲלָה מֻפְלֶגֶת וַעֲצוּמָה מְאֹד מְאֹד, כִּי כָל מַה שֶּׁהַחוֹלֶה נֶחְלַשׁ בְּיוֹתֵר, הוּא צָרִיךְ רוֹפֵא גָדוֹל בְּיוֹתֵר.
For in light of our great fall and our extreme distance from You, and the lowliness of our souls that we ourselves know, we now need a true leader on the most outstanding level. For the sicker the patient, the greater the doctor that he needs.
וְיִשְׂרָאֵל בְּמִצְרַיִם שֶׁהָיוּ בְּמַדְרֵגָה פְּחוּתָה מְאֹד בְּמ"ט שַׁעֲרֵי טֻמְאָה, לֹא הָיָה מִי שֶׁיוּכַל לַעֲזֹר לָהֶם כִּי אִם מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ עָלָיו הַשָּׁלוֹם.
In Egypt, the Jewish people were on a very low level, having fallen to the forty-nine gates of impurity. No one was able to help them except Moses.
וְעַכְשָׁיו שֶׁנָּפַלְנוּ בְּגָלוּת גָּדוֹל בְּגוּף וָנֶפֶשׁ יוֹתֵר וְיוֹתֵר מִגָּלוּת מִצְרַיִם, בְּוַדַּאי אֵין מִי שֶׁיּוּכַל לַעֲזֹר אוֹתָנוּ כִּי אִם הַצַּדִּיק הַגָּדוֹל בְּמַעֲלָה מְאֹד שֶׁיִּהְיֶה בִּבְחִינַת מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ.
And now, when we have fallen in our present exile of body and soul, which is far deeper than the exile in Egypt, certainly there is no one who can help us except for an outstanding tzaddik on the level of Moses.
וְלֹא דַי שֶׁאֵין אָנוּ זוֹכִין לְהִתְקָרֵב לְצַדִּיק אֲמִתִּי כָּזֶה, אַף גַם בַּעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ הָרַבִּים שָׁפַכְתָּ חֲמָתְךָ עָלֵינוּ, וְלָקַחְתָּ מֵאִתָּנוּ כָּל מְאוֹרֵי עֵינֵינוּ, כָּל צַדִּיקֵינוּ הָאֲמִתִּיִּים הַגְּדוֹלִים בְּמַעֲלָה מֻפְלֶגֶת וַעֲצוּמָה מְאֹד,
Yet it isn’t enough that we haven’t had the privilege of drawing close to a true tzaddik such as this. Even more, because of our many sins, You have poured out Your anger on us and taken from us all the outstanding true tzaddikim who were the light of our eyes.
וּמַה נַּעֲשֶׂה עַכְשָׁיו בָּעֵת הַזֹּאת, בִּפְרָט אִישׁ כָּמוֹנִי, חוֹלֶה כָּמוֹנִי, מְדֻכֶּא וּמְעֻנֶּה בְּיִּסּוּרֵי הַנֶּפֶשׁ וְהַגּוּף כָּמוֹנִי, נָגוּעַ וּמֻכֶּה וּמְטֹרָף וּמְבֻלְבָּל, אִישׁ מַכְאֹבוֹת וִידוּעַ חֹלִי, מָלֵא פְּצָעִים רַבִּים וַעֲצוּמִים בְּלִי שִׁעוּר, מִכַּף רֶגֶל וְעַד רֹאשׁ אֵין בִּי מְתוֹם פֶּצַע וְחַבּוּרָה וּמַכָּה טְרִיָּה. מָה אוֹמַר וּמָה אֲדַבֵּר וּמָה אֶצְטַדָּק, מִי יַחֲמֹל עָלָי וּמִי יָקוּם בַּעֲדִי.
What can I do now, at such a time, especially someone as sick, crushed and tormented as I am both spiritually and physically? I am so wounded, unsettled and confused, “a man of pains and only too familiar with illness.” I am covered with countless sores — “from the sole of the foot to the top of the head, there’s no healthy flesh, only sores, bruises and fresh wounds.” What can I say? How can I speak? How can I justify myself? Who will have mercy on me? Who will rise on my behalf?
אָבִי שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם, אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ אֶת כָּל לְבָבִי, רְאֵה עָנְיִי וְחַלְּצֵנִי, רוֹאֶה בְּעֶלְבּוֹן עֲלוּבִים רְאֵה בְּעֶלְבּוֹנִי, הַחוֹמֵל עַל דַּל חֲמֹל עַל דַּלּוּתֵנוּ. מַצִּיל עָנִי מֵחָזָק מִמֶּנּוּ וְעָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן מִגּוֹזְלוֹ. הַצֵּל וְהוֹשִׁיעַ עָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן כָּמוֹנִי, הוֹצִיאֵנִי מִבֵּין שִׁנֵּי הַכְּפִירִים, הַצִּילָה מֵחֶרֶב נַפְשִׁי מִיַּד כֶּלֶב יְחִידָתִי,
My Father in Heaven, You know my whole heart. “See my misery and rescue me!” You Who see the humiliation of the lowly, look at my humiliation. You Who have mercy on the wretched, have mercy on my wretchedness. You Who “save the poor man from those who are stronger than him, and the poor and needy from those who rob them,” rescue and save me, poor and needy as I am. Take me out from between the teeth of lions. “Save my soul from the sword, save my spirit from the power of the dog.”
כִּי אֲנִי מוֹדֶה וּמִתְוַדֶּה לְפָנֶיךָ בְּכָל לֵב וָנֶפֶשׁ, שֶׁאֲנִי בְּעַצְמִי הַחַיָּב בְּכָל אֵלֶּה מִתְּחִלָּה וְעַד סוֹף. אֲבָל מָה אֶעֱשֶׂה אָבִי שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם, כִּי אֲנִי דוֹמֶה בְעֵינַי כְּאִלּוּ הָיִיתִי תָפוּס בְּרֶשֶׁת, וּכְאָסוּר בְּכַבְלֵי בַרְזֶל וְדַלְתוֹת נְחֹשֶׁת, וְאֵין לִי שׁוּם תִּקְוָה כִּי אִם לְרַחֲמֶיךָ וַחֲסָדֶיךָ וַחֲנִינוּתֶיךָ הָאֲמִתִּיִּים, כְּמוֹ שֶׁהוֹדַעְתָּ לְמֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ שֶׁאַתָּה חוֹנֵן וּמְרַחֵם אַף־עַל־פִּי שֶׁאֵינָם כְּדָאִים וַהֲגוּנִים לְרַחֵם עֲלֵיהֶם כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, וַיֹּאמֶר אֲנִי אַעֲבִיר כָּל טוּבִי עַל פָּנֶיךָ וְקָרָאתִי בְשֵׁם יְהֹוָה לְפָנֶיךָ וְחַנּוֹתִי אֶת אֲשֶׁר אָחוֹן וְרִחַמְתִּי אֶת אֲשֶׁר אֲרַחֵם, וְדָרְשׁוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה אַף־עַל־פִּי שֶׁאֵינוֹ כְּדַאי לָחוֹן, אַף־עַל־פִּי שֶׁאֵינוֹ כְּדַאי לְרַחֵם. הוֹצִיאָה מִמַּסְגֵּר נַפְשִׁי לְהוֹדוֹת אֶת שְׁמֶךָ בִּי יַכְתִּירוּ צַדִּיקִים כִּי תִגְמֹל עָלָי: עָזְרֵנִי וְהוֹשִׁיעֵנִי וּמְחֹל לִי עַל כָּל עֲוֹנוֹתַי הַמְּרֻבִּים, וְתַקְּנֵנִי בְּעֵצָה טוֹבָה מִלְּפָנֶיךָ וְהוֹשִׁיעֵנִי מְהֵרָה לְמַעַן שְׁמֶךָ,
I fully admit to You with all my heart and soul that I am the guilty one from beginning to end. But what can I do, my Father in Heaven? I feel as if I’m caught in a trap. I feel imprisoned in chains of iron and gates of bronze. My only hope is in Your true compassion, mercy and kindness, just as You told Moses that You are gracious and compassionate even to those who are undeserving of Your compassion. As it is written, “He said, ‘I will pass all My good before you and call out in the Name of HaShem before you. I will show favor when I choose to show favor, and I will show compassion when I choose to show compassion.” Our sages taught that this means You show favor and compassion even to those who do not deserve it. “Release my soul from prison to give thanks to Your Name. The righteous will crown themselves because of me, for You will deal kindly with me.” Help me, save me and forgive me for my multitude of sins. Send me sound guidance and save me quickly for Your Name’s sake.
וְזַכֵּנִי לְהִתְקָרֵב אֵלֶיךָ בֶּאֱמֶת מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם. וַעֲשֵׂה מַה שֶּׁתַּעֲשֶׂה, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְהַשִּׂיג הַשָּׂגַת אֱלָהוּתְךָ, בֶּאֱמֶת וּבֶאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה בִּקְדֻשָּׁה וּבְטָהֳרָה גְּדוֹלָה וּבַעֲנָוָה אֲמִתִּיּת, כִּרְצוֹנְךָ וְכִרְצוֹן צַדִּיקֶיךָ הָאֲמִתִּיִּים. וְהָגֵן בַּעֲדִי וְשָׁמְרֵנִי וְהַצִּילֵנִי מִתַּאֲוַת מָמוֹן שֶׁלֹּא יַעֲלֶה עַל לִבִּי שׁוּם חֶמְדָּה וְתַאֲוָה לְמָמוֹן כְּלָל, וְאֶזְכֶּה לִהְיוֹת שׂוֹנֵא בָצַע לִשְׂנֹא אֶת הַמָּמוֹן בְּתַכְלִית הַשִּׂנְאָה,
Money and livelihood
Let me draw genuinely close to You from now and forever. Find a way to help me attain a perception of Your Godliness in truth and complete faith, in holiness and great purity, and with true humility, in accordance with Your will and the will of Your true tzaddikim. Protect me and rescue me from avarice. Don’t let me ever feel the slightest desire for money and material possessions. Let me have a hatred for illicit gain, despising money to the ultimate degree.
וְתַצִּילֵנִי מִטִּרְדַּת הַפַּרְנָסָה וּמִיגִיעַת וּרְדִיפַת הָעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, וְלֹא אֲבַלְבֵּל אֶת דַּעְתִּי וְלֹא אַטְרִיד אֶת מַחֲשַׁבְתִּי בְּשׁוּם דָּבָר מֵעִסְקֵי הָעוֹלָם הַזֶּה כְּלָל,
Save me from the struggles of making a living. Don’t let me chase after this world. Don’t let me have the least worry or concern about worldly affairs.
רַק כָּל מַחְשְׁבוֹתַי וְחָכְמָתִי וּבִינָתִי וְדַעְתִּי וְלִבִּי וְנַפְשִׁי וְגוּפִי יִהְיוּ תָמִיד חֲבוּקִים וּדְבוּקִים בְּךָ וּתְאֵבִים אֵלֶיךָ וּמִשְׁתּוֹקְקִים לְרוֹמְמוּתְךָ בֶּאֱמֶת וּבֶאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה,
Rather, let my every thought and all my mental, spiritual, emotional and physical faculties be bound and attached to You alone, longing and yearning to experience Your exaltedness in truth and perfect faith.
עַד שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְחָכְמָה שְׁלֵמָה דִקְדֻשָּׁה, לְחָכְמָה תַּתָּאָה וּלְחָכְמָה עִלָּאָה, עַד שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְהַשִּׂיג תָּמִיד הַשָּׂגַת אֱלָהוּתְךָ בֶּאֱמֶת וּבֶאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה. וּתְזַכֵּנִי מִיָד לְהַשָּׂגוֹת חֲדָשׁוֹת אֲמִתִּיּוֹת בִּידִיעַת רוֹמְמוּתְךָ וּבִתְשׁוּקַת אֱמוּנָתְךָ הַקְּדוֹשָׁה, וּתְחָנֵּנִי מֵאִתְּךָ דֵּעָה בִּינָה וְהַשְׂכֵּל,
Bring me to complete holy wisdom, both the “lower wisdom” and the “higher wisdom,” until I merit to attain a perception of Your Godliness at all times in truth and perfect faith. Always grant me new and heightened percep tions of Your exaltedness, and let me feel the exquisite yearning that comes from holy faith. Grant me knowledge, understanding and wisdom.
עַד שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ לְהַכְנִיס הַשָּׂגַת אֱלָהוּתְךָ גַּם בִּשְׁאָר אֲנָשִׁים רַבִּים, בִּקְדֻשָּׁה וּבְטָהֳרָה גְּדוֹלָה כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב.
In Your compassion, bring me to share my perceptions of Your Godliness with many other people in holiness and purity, in accordance with Your good will.
וְאֶזְכֶּה בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ לְגַלּוֹת וּלְפַרְסֵם אֱלָהוּתְךָ וְרוֹמְמוּתְךָ וְאַדְנוּתְךָ לְכָל בָּאֵי עוֹלָם, וְיֵדַע כָּל פָּעוּל כִּי אַתָּה פְּעַלְתּוֹ וְיָבִין כָּל יְצוּר כִּי אַתָּה יְצַרְתּוֹ. וְיִתְבָּרַךְ וְיִשְׁתַּבַּח שִׁמְךָ מַלְכֵּנוּ בְּפִי כֹל,
Let me reveal and spread the knowledge of Your Godliness, Your exaltedness and Your sovereignty to all inhabitants of the world. Let every creature know that You created it and each one of Your works understand that You formed it. May Your Name be blessed and praised by all, O King.
וְיִתְגַּלֶּה וְיִתְרוֹמֵם וְיִתְפָּאֵר וְיִתְנַשֵּׂא וְיִתְעַלֶּה מַלְכוּתְךָ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד, וְיֹאמַר כֹּל אֲשֶׁר נְשָׁמָה בְאַפּוֹ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מֶלֶךְ וּמַלְכוּתוֹ בַּכֹּל מָשָׁלָה:
Let Your kingship be revealed, exalted, glorified, upraised and uplifted forever and ever. Let everything that has breath in it declare, “HaShem, the God of Israel, is King and His kingship rules over all.”
וּבְכֵן תְּחָנֵּנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, וְתוֹצִיאֵנוּ מִגָּלוּת הַמַּר הַזֶּה, מִגָּלוּת הַגּוּף וְהַנֶּפֶשׁ וְהַמָּמוֹן דִּקְדֻשָּׁה, אֲשֶׁר כֻּלָּם הֵם מְשֻׁקָּעִים בְּגָלוּת גָּדוֹל וָמַר מְאֹד מְאֹד. וְתַעֲלֶה אֶת הַשְּׁכִינָה וּכְנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל מִגָּלוּתָם מִבֵּין הָאַרְבַּע מַלְכֻיּוֹת, אֲשֶׁר זֶה כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה שָׁנִים אֲשֶׁר מַלְכוּת דִּקְדֻשָּׁה הַמּוֹשֶׁלֶת בְּכָל כְּלָלִיּוּת הָאַרְבַּע עוֹלָמוֹת, יָרְדָה מִכִּסְאָהּ בַּעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ הָרַבִּים, וְנָתְנָה בְיָדָהּ מֶמְשָׁלָה לְהָאַרְבַּע מַלְכֻיּוֹת.
Exile and redemption
Therefore, be gracious to us in Your vast compassion and take us out of this bitter exile. Our bodies, our souls and holy wealth are all sunk in the most terrible and bitter exile. Lift up the Shekhinah and the Congregation of Israel from their exile among the four empires. For so many years the holy kingship, which rules over all the Four Worlds, has fallen from Her throne as a result of our many sins, giving power to the four unholy empires.
וְעַל־יְדֵי־זֶה גָּלִינוּ מֵאַרְצֵנוּ וְנִתְרַחַקְנוּ מֵעַל אַדְמָתֵינוּ בְּגַשְׁמִיּוּת וּבְרוּחָנִיּוּת, וּמִגּוֹלָה אֶל גּוֹלָה הָלַכְנוּ וּמִכְּלִי אֶל כְּלִי הוּרַקְנוּ, עַד אֲשֶׁר תָּשׁ כֹּחֵנוּ וּמָטָה יָדֵינוּ מְאֹד. וְעַל־יְדֵי־זֶה מִתְגַּבֵּר הַגָּלוּת הַפְּרָטִי עַל כָּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁהוּא גָלוּת הַנֶּפֶשׁ, עַל־יְדֵי תַּאֲווֹת עוֹלָם הַזֶּה וַהֲבָלָיו, שֶׁכָּל זֶה נִמְשָׁךְ רַק מִן הָעַכּוּ"ם שֶׁאָנוּ בֵינֵיהֶם, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, וַיִּתְעָרְבוּ בַגּוֹיִם וַיִּלְמְדוּ מַעֲשֵׂהֶם. אֱלֹהִים אַל דֳּמִי לָךְ אַל תֶּחֱרַשׁ וְאַל תִּשְׁקֹט אֵל. וּשְׁמַע קוֹל צַעֲקָתְךָ וְזַעֲקָתְךָ, שֶׁאַתָּה בְעַצְמְךָ כִּבְיָכוֹל צוֹעֵק וְשׁוֹאֵג זְעָקָה גְּדוֹלָה וּמָרָה עַל גָּלוּת הַשְּׁכִינָה וּכְנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, יְהֹוָה מִמָּרוֹם יִשְׁאָג וּמִמְּעוֹן קָדְשׁוֹ יִתֵּן קוֹלוֹ שָׁאֹג יִשְׁאַג עַל נָוֵהוּ.
As a result, we have been exiled from our Land and distanced from our property both physically and spiritually. We have gone from exile to exile, we have been poured out from vessel to vessel. All our strength is gone and we have reached the point of collapse. The individual spiritual exile of each and every Jew has deepened because of the temptations of this world and its vanities. The root cause is that we’re living among so many idolaters, as it is written, “They mingled with the nations and learned from their deeds.” “God, do not be silent. Do not keep quiet, O God.” Hear the sound of Your own bitter cries and shrieks that You, as it were, cry and roar over the exile of the Shekhinah and the Congregation of Israel. As it is written, “HaShem roars from on high, and from His holy habitation He lets out His cry. He roars and roars over His dwelling place.”
וּשְׁמַע קוֹל צַעֲקַת וְזַעֲקַת הַשְּׁכִינָה וּכְנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל, אֲשֶׁר הִיא זוֹעֶקֶת בְּקוֹל מַר עַל צָרוֹת נַפְשֵׁנוּ, אֲשֶׁר הָעַכּוּ"ם מִתְגַּבְּרִים עָלֵינוּ בְּכָל יוֹם,
Hear the cries and shrieks of the Shekhinah and the Congregation of Israel! The Shekhinah cries bitterly over our trials and suffering because of the constant war being waged against us by the nations of the world.
וְלֹא דַי שֶׁהֵם מוֹשְׁלִים עָלֵינוּ בְגוּף וּמָמוֹן, אַף גַּם הֵם רוֹצִים חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, לְהִתְגַּבֵּר בְּחָכְמָתָם הַחִצּוֹנִית הַמֻּטְעֵת וְהַסְּכָלָה, אֲשֶׁר בֶּאֱמֶת כָּל חָכְמָתָם הוּא כְסִילוּת וְאִוֶּלֶת גָּמוּר,
As if it isn’t bad enough that they rule over our bodies and our possessions, they also want to impose their false and foolish outlook and philosophy upon us. In truth, all their “wisdom” is sheer foolishness and idiocy.
וּכְבָר נִתְפְּסוּ הַרְבֵּה מֵאַחֵינוּ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּרִשְׁתָּם וּבִמְצוּדָתָם הָרָעָה, וְעוֹד הֵם צוֹדִים לָקַחַת וְלִטְרֹף חַס וְשָׁלוֹם עוֹד נְפָשׁוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל, בְּרֶשֶׁת חָכְמָתָם הַמֻּטְעֵת שֶׁל פִּילוֹסוֹפְיָא וְאֶפִּיקוֹרְסוּת וּכְּפִירוֹת אֲשֶׁר נִתְפַּשְּׁטָה מְאֹד בַּעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ,
Yet many of our Jewish brothers and sisters have already been trapped in their evil net, and they still want to ensnare even more Jewish souls in the misguided, atheistic philosophy they espouse, which has become so influential because of our sins.
חוּס וַחֲמֹל עָלֵינוּ וְהוֹצִיא אֶת בִּלְעָם מִפִּיהֶם. הַשֵּׂג תַּשִּׂיג וְהַצֵּל תַּצִּיל אוֹתָנוּ וְאֶת אַחֵינוּ וְאֶת זַרְעֵנוּ וְאֶת כָּל זֶרַע עַמְּךָ בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵרֶשֶׁת וּמְצוּדָה רָעָה הַפְּרוּסָה עַכְשָׁיו עַל כָּל הַחַיִּים, אֲשֶׁר לֹא הָיְתָה כָזֹאת מִימֵי קֶדֶם. זַכֵּנוּ לֶאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה, לְהַמְלִיךְ אוֹתְךָ עָלֵינוּ וְעַל נַפְשֵׁנוּ וְעַל כָּל רְמַ"ח אֵיבָרֵינוּ וּשְׁסָ"ה גִידֵנוּ בְּכָל עֵת וָעֵת.
Have pity and mercy on us and remove the prey from their mouths. “Chase and chase, save and deliver” us, our brothers and sisters, our children, and all the children of Your nation, the House of Israel, from the evil net that is now spread over all the living. There has never been a crisis like this since the beginning of time. Bring us to complete faith. Let us constantly accept Your kingship over ourselves, our souls, and over all of our 248 limbs and 365 sinews.
יֵעוֹרְרוּ רַחֲמֵי לִבְּךָ עָלֶיךָ וְעַל בָּנֶיךָ, כִּי מִי יוּכַל לִסְבֹּל אֶת קוֹל צַעֲקַת וְזַעֲקַת קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא וּשְׁכִינְתֵּיהּ, מִי יוּכַל לֶאֱטֹם אָזְנוֹ וּלְבָבוֹ מִקּוֹל צַעֲקָתָם וְשַׁוְעָתָם הַמָּרָה,
Arouse the compassion of Your heart upon us and our children. For who can bear the shrieks and howls of the Holy One, blessed is He, and His Shekhinah? Who can close his ears and his heart to their bitter cries?
וְתֵן בְּלִבֵּנוּ לִצְעֹק תָּמִיד אֵלֶיךָ עַד שֶׁתְּרַחֲמֵנוּ, נְשַׁוַּע וְתֹאמַר הִנֵּנִי. הַמַּזְכִּירִים אֶת יְהֹוָה אַל דֳּמִי לָכֶם, וְאַל תִּתְּנוּ דֳּמִי לוֹ עַד יְכוֹנֵן וְעַד יָשִׂים אֶת יְרוּשָׁלַיִם תְּהִלָּה בָּאָרֶץ: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, מַלְכוּתְךָ מַלְכוּת כָּל עוֹלָמִים וּמֶמְשַׁלְתְּךָ בְּכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר. חוּס וַחֲמֹל וְרַחֵם עַל מַלְכוּתְךָ הַמִּתְפַּשֶּׁטֶת בְּכָל הָאַרְבַּע עוֹלָמוֹת,
Put it into our hearts to cry out to You constantly until You show us compassion. We will cry out until You say, “I am here!” “You who call on the Name of HaShem, do not be silent. Give Him no respite until He establishes Jerusalem and makes it the praise of the earth.” Master of the world, “Your kingdom is a kingdom spanning all the worlds, and You rule over every generation.” Have pity, mercy and compassion on Your kingdom, which extends throughout all the Four Worlds.
וּפְדֵה וְהוֹצֵא וְהַעֲלֵה אֶת שְׁכִינַת עֻזְּךָ וּמַלְכוּתְךָ מִבֵּין הַגּוֹיִם, וְתַעֲלֶה אֶת הַמַּלְכוּת דִּקְדֻשָּׁה וּכְנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל מִן גָּלוּת הָאַרְבַּע מַלְכֻיּוֹת,
Redeem, release and lift up Your mighty Shekhinah and Your kingdom from among the nations. Raise Your kingdom of holiness and the Congregation of Israel from their exile among the four empires.
וּמַלְכוּת הָרִשְׁעָה מְהֵרָה תְעַקֵּר וּתְשַׁבֵּר וּתְמַגֵּר וּתְכַלֵּם וְתַכְנִיעֵם וְתַשְׁפִּילֵם בִּמְהֵרָה בְיָמֵינוּ,
Uproot, smash, cast down, destroy, subdue and humble the dominion of evil quickly in our days.
וְתַעֲקֹר וּתְשַׁבֵּר וּתְבַטֵּל כָּל הַדֵּעוֹת הַזָּרוֹת שֶׁל חָכְמוֹת הַחִיצוֹנִיּוֹת וּפִילוֹסוֹפְיָא וְאֶפִּיקוֹרְסוּת מִן הָעוֹלָם, וְתִמְסֹךְ בְּקִרְבָּם רוּחַ עִוְעִים, וּתְעַרְבֵּב אֶת דַּעְתָּם וְתִסְתֹּם אֶת פִּיהֶם, וְתַעֲקֹר וּתְשַׁבֵּר וּתְבַטֵּל דַּעְתָּם וּמַחֲשַׁבְתָּם הָרָעָה מִן הָעוֹלָם: וְעָזְרֵנוּ וְהוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ, שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְהַגִּיעַ לְמִדַּת הַחֶסֶד בֶּאֱמֶת, בְּתַכְלִית הַשְּׁלֵמוּת, כְּמוֹ אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ עָלָיו הַשָּׁלוֹם, שֶׁאָחַז בְּמִדַּת הַחֶסֶד בִּשְׁלֵמוּת, וְנִזְכֶּה לַעֲשׂוֹת חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת עִם כָּל בְּנֵי אָדָם. וּתְזַכֵּנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, וְתִשְׁלַח לָנוּ צַדִּיקִים אֲמִתִּיִּים מוֹכִיחֵי אֱמֶת שֶׁיַּעַסְקוּ תָמִיד לְהוֹכִיחַ אוֹתָנוּ בְּתוֹכָחָה מְגֻלָּה מֵאַהֲבָה מְסֻתָּרֶת.
And uproot, smash and do away with all foreign philosophies and ideologies that promote atheism and God-denial. Remove them from the world. Throw those who espouse them into turmoil and confusion. Close up their mouths and uproot, destroy and eradicate their ideas and their evil plans from the world. Help me cultivate the trait of true lovingkindness to perfection, just like our patriarch Abraham, who attained this quality to the ultimate degree. Help me perform acts of kindness and truth with all people. In Your vast compassion, send us true tzaddikim who are capable of admonishing us for our shortcomings and chastising us out of hidden love.
וְתִתֶּן בְּלִבֵּנוּ שֶׁנַּטֶּה אָזְנֵינוּ וְלִבֵּנוּ לְקַבֵּל תּוֹכַחְתָּם הַטּוֹבָה, אַף־עַל־פִּי שֶׁתִּהְיֶה לִפְעָמִים בְּדֶרֶךְ בִּזָּיוֹן, אַף־עַל־פִּי־כֵן נִזְכֶּה לְקַבֵּל דִּבְרֵי תוֹכַחְתָּם בְּאַהֲבָה וּבְחִבָּה וּבְשִׂמְחָה גְּדוֹלָה, וְנִהְיֶה בִכְלָל אוֹהֲבֵי תּוֹכָחוֹת.
Put it into my heart that my ears should pay heed and my heart accept their rebuke, which is always intended positively, even though it may be quite humiliating at times. Despite this, let me accept their words of rebuke with love, affection and great joy. Help me be the kind of person who welcomes criticism.
וְנִזְכֶּה לָשׁוּב בִּתְשׁוּבָה שְׁלֵמָה לְפָנֶיךָ בֶּאֱמֶת, וְיִתְגַּלֶּה חֶסֶד גָּדוֹל עַל־יְדֵי תּוֹכַחְתָּם הַטּוֹבָה, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, פִּיהָ פָּתְחָה בְחָכְמָה וְתוֹרַת חֶסֶד עַל לְשׁוֹנָהּ.
Bring me to perfect teshuvah, and through the constructive criticism of the tzaddikim let great lovingkindness be revealed, as it is written, “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the Torah of lovingkindness is on her tongue.”
וְנִזְכֶּה עַל־יְדֵי־זֶה לְמִדַּת הַחֶסֶד בִּשְׁלֵמוּת בִּקְדֻשָּׁה וּבְטָהֳרָה, וְנִהְיֶה נִכְלָלִים תָּמִיד בְּמִדָּתוֹ שֶׁל אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ עָלָיו הַשָּׁלוֹם שֶׁהָיָה מִדָּתוֹ חֶסֶד. וְעַל־יְדֵי הַחֶסֶד הַזֶּה נִזְכֶּה בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ לַחֲתֹּךְ וּלְהַבְדִּיל וּלְהַעֲלוֹת אֶת הַמַּלְכוּת דִּקְדֻשָּׁה מִן הָאַרְבַּע מַלְכֻיּוֹת דְסִטְרָא אַחֲרָא,
Help all of us achieve the trait of perfect lovingkindness in holiness and purity, and let us always be filled with Abraham’s quality of lovingkindness. And as a result of this lovingkindness, may we merit to extricate, separate and elevate the kingdom of holiness from the four unholy empires.
וְנִזְכֶּה לַהֲרֹג וּלְהַכְנִיעַ וּלְשַׁבֵּר וְלַעֲקֹר וּלְבַטֵּל קְלִפַּת מַלְכוּת עֲמָלֵק הָרִשְׁעָה שֶׁכָּלוּל מִכָּל הָאַרְבַּע מַלְכֻיּוֹת, וְתַעַזְרֵנוּ לִמְחוֹת שְׁמוֹ וְזִכְרוֹ מִן הָעוֹלָם, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, תִּמְחֶה אֶת זֵכֶר עֲמָלֵק מִתַּחַת הַשָּׁמָיִם לֹא תִּשְׁכָּח.
Help us kill, crush, smash, uproot and destroy the “husk” of the kingdom of the evil Amalek, which encompasses all the four empires. Help us blot out his name and his memory from the world, as it is written, “Blot out the memory of Amalek from under the heavens; do not forget.”
וִיקֻיַּם מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, הָאוֹיֵב תַּמּוּ חֳרָבוֹת לָנֶצַח וְעָרִים נָתַשְׁתָּ אָבַד זִכְרָם הֵמָּה. וַיהֹוָה לְעוֹלָם יֵשֵׁב כּוֹנֵן לַמִּשְׁפָּט כִּסְאוֹ.
May the verse be fulfilled, “The swords with which the enemy threatened us have gone forever and You have destroyed their cities; their very memory has perished. But HaShem is enthroned forever; He founds His throne on justice.”
וְתַעֲקֹר וּתְשַׁבֵּר וּתְבַטֵּל כָּל הַחָכְמוֹת חִיצוֹנִיּוֹת וְכָל הָאֶפִּיקוֹרְסוּת וְהַכְּפִירוֹת מִן הָעוֹלָם, וְיִתְגַּלֶּה אֱמוּנָה הַקְּדוֹשָׁה בְּכָל הָעוֹלָם כֻּלּוֹ, וִיקַבְּלוּ כֻלָּם אֶת עוֹל מַלְכוּתֶךָ וְתִמְלֹךְ עֲלֵיהֶם מְהֵרָה לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד. וְנִזְכֶּה לְהַעֲלוֹת אֶת הַמַּלְכוּת דִּקְדֻשָּׁה אֶל אוֹר הַפָּנִים הַמֵּאִיר בְּשָׁלֹשׁ רְגָלִים:
Uproot, break and eradicate all God-denying philosophies and atheism from the world, and reveal holy faith throughout the entire world. Let everyone accept the yoke of Your kingship, and rule over them very soon and forever. Help us elevate the kingdom of holiness to the light of Your countenance that shines on the three pilgrimage festivals.
(לְמַקְשָׁה לֵילֵד יֹאמַר כָּאן וְתִמָּלֵא רַחֲמִים וְכוּ'. עַיֵּן לְקַמָּן).
(For a woman experiencing difficulty in childbirth, insert the special addition printed at the end of this prayer; see page 427.)
לִכְלָלִיּוּת יוֹם־טוֹב וּתְרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים וּבַחֲסָדֶיךָ הַגְּדוֹלִים, וְתוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְקַבֵּל אֶת כָּל הַשְׁלֹשָׁה רְגָלִים הַקְּדוֹשִׁים שֶׁהֵם פֶּסַח שָׁבוּעוֹת סֻכּוֹת בִּקְדֻשָּׁה גְּדוֹלָה וּבְחֶדְוָה רַבָּה וַעֲצוּמָה מְאֹד.
Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot
Compassionate and kind God, help me celebrate the three holy festivals of Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot with the utmost sanctity and delight.
וְנִזְכֶּה לְכַבֵּד אֶת כָּל הָרְגָלִים וְהַיָּמִים טוֹבִים בְּכָל מִינֵי כָבוֹד וָעֹז וּפְאֵר, בְּמַאֲכָל וּמִשְׁתֶּה וּכְסוּת נְקִיָּה, וּבִשְׁבִיתָה מִן הַמְּלָאכָה, וּבְלֵב טוֹב וּבְשִׂמְחָה גְּדוֹלָה, וּבִתְפִלָּה בְּכַוָּנָה עֲצוּמָה וְהִתְעוֹרְרוּת נִפְלָא, כָּרָאוּי לְאִישׁ יִשְׂרְאֵלִי לְהִתְפַּלֵּל וּלְהִתְנַהֵג בְּיוֹם טוֹב קֹדֶשׁ.
Let me honor all the festivals and holidays in every way: with good food and drink, clean clothes, a complete rest from work, a happy heart and much joy. Let me pray with intense fervor and arousal, as befits a Jew on the festivals.
וּתְזַכֵּנוּ וְתַעַזְרֵנוּ לַעֲשׂוֹת מִצְוֹת הַרְבֵּה בְּכָל הַשָּׁנָה, בִּקְדֻשָּׁה גְּדוֹלָה וּבְשִׂמְחָה רַבָּה. וְנִזְכֶּה שֶׁיִּתְקַבֵּץ שִׂמְחַת כָּל הַמִּצְוֹת שֶׁל כָּל הַשָּׁנָה, לְתוֹךְ הַלֵּב הַקָּדוֹשׁ שֶׁהֵם הַשָׁלֹשׁ רְגָלִים, וְעַל־יְדֵי־זֶה נִזְכֶּה לְשִׂמְחַת יוֹם טוֹב בֶּאֱמֶת כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, וְשָׂמַחְתָּ בְּחַגֶּךָ.
Throughout the year, help me carry out many mitzvot in great holiness and joy, and let the joy of all the mitzvot of the whole year be concentrated into the heart of the year, namely the three festivals. Then I will experience the true joy of the festivals in accordance with Your will, as it is written, “You should rejoice on your festival.”
וְנִזְכֶּה לִשְׂמֹחַ מְאֹד מְאֹד בְּחֶדְוָה רַבָּה וַעֲצוּמָה בְּכָל הַשָׁלֹשׁ רְגָלִים נָגִילָה וְנִשְׂמְחָה בָּךְ, אֲשֶׁר בָּחַרְתָּ בָּנוּ מִכָּל הָעַמִּים וְרוֹמַמְתָּנוּ מִכָּל הַלְּשׁוֹנוֹת, עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לַעֲלוֹת לִרְאוֹת וְלֵרָאוֹת בְּאוֹר פְּנֵי יְהֹוָה. וְתַעַזְרֵנוּ לְקַיֵּם כָּל הַמִּצְוֹת הַנּוֹהֲגוֹת בְּכָל רֶגֶל אֲשֶׁר עַל יָדָם מַעֲלִין אֶת הַשְּׁכִינָה שֶׁהִיא בְּחִינַת ד' לְאוֹר הַפָּנִים, שֶׁהֵם בְּפֶסַח אַרְבַּע כּוֹסוֹת, בְּשָׁבוּעוֹת קַבָּלַת הַתּוֹרָה שֶׁהוּא סֵדֶר הַמִּשְׁנָה שֶׁהוּא אַרְבַּע פְּעָמִים בְּיַד כָּל אֶחָד, בְּסֻכּוֹת אַרְבַּע מִינִים שֶׁבַּלּוּלָב.
Let me rejoice very much, with overpowering delight, on each of the three festivals. May I “rejoice and exult in You” over the fact that You chose us from all the nations and exalted us above all tongues. Bring me to such a level of happiness and joy that I will be able to ascend, see and be seen in the light of HaShem’s countenance. Help me fulfill all the mitzvot that apply on each festival, and particularly the four mitzvot that pertain to each festival through which the Shekhinah, alluded to in the letter dalet (which has the numerical value of 4), is elevated to the light of Your countenance. These mitzvot are: on Pesach, the drinking of the Four Cups; on Shavuot, the receiving of the Torah, which was taught to the Jews in the desert in such a way that each Jew heard every lesson four times over; and on Sukkot, the Four Species.
אָנָּא יְהֹוָה, רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ וְזַכֵּנוּ לְקַיֵּם בֶּאֱמֶת וּבִשְׁלֵמוּת כָּל הַמִּצְוֹת הַנּוֹרָאוֹת הָאֵלֶּה בְּמוֹעֲדָם וּבִזְמַנָּם בְּכָל רֶגֶל וָרֶגֶל, עִם כְּלַל שְׁאָר הַמִּצְוֹת הַקְּדוֹשׁוֹת וְהַנּוֹרָאוֹת שֶׁבְּכָל רֶגֶל וָרֶגֶל.
Please, HaShem, have compassion on me and help me fulfill all these awesome mitzvot at the appropriate time on each festival, together with all the other holy and awesome mitzvot that apply on each festival.
וְנִזְכֶּה לְקַיְּמָם בְּתַכְלִית הַשְּׁלֵמוּת, בְּשִׂמְחָה וּבְחֶדְוָה רַבָּה וַעֲצוּמָה וּבְיִרְאָה וּבְאַהֲבָה, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְהַעֲלוֹת אֶת הַמַּלְכוּת דִּקְדֻשָּׁה אֶל אוֹר הַפָּנִים הַמֵּאִיר בְּשָׁלֹשׁ רְגָלִים.
Let me fulfill them perfectly with tremendous joy and delight, and with reverence and love, so that I merit to lift up the kingdom of holiness to the light of Your countenance that shines on the three festivals.
וּתְזַכֵּנוּ לָשׁוּב בִּתְשׁוּבָה שְׁלֵמָה לְפָנֶיךָ מִתּוֹךְ שִׂמְחָה בְּכָל הַיָּמִים טוֹבִים. וּתְחָנֵּנִי בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים לַעֲשׂוֹת תְּשׁוּבָה שְׁלֵמָה אֲפִלּוּ עַל הָעֲוֹנוֹת שֶׁאֵינָם יְדוּעִים לִי:
Help me return to You in complete repentance out of joy on every holiday. In Your vast compassion, grant that I repent completely, even for the sins that I’m unaware of.
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ כַּמָּה אֲנִי רָחוֹק מִקְּדֻשַּׁת וְשִׂמְחַת יוֹם טוֹב הַקָּדוֹשׁ. חוּס וַחֲמֹל עָלַי בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, וְזַכֵּנִי בַּחֲסָדֶיךָ הָעֲצוּמִים, שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְקַבֵּל הַיָּמִים טוֹבִים בִּקְדֻשָּׁה גְּדוֹלָה וּבְשִׂמְחָה רַבָּה,
Master of the world, You know how far I am from the holiness and joy of the holy festivals. Have pity and mercy on me. In Your vast compassion and tremendous kindness, help me celebrate the festivals with great holiness and much joy.
עַד שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה עַל־יְדֵי קְדֻשַּׁת וְשִׂמְחַת יוֹם טוֹב, לְהַעֲלוֹת אֶת הַמַּלְכוּת דִּקְדֻשָּׁה מִבֵּין הָאַרְבַּע מַלְכֻיּוֹת וּלְהַעֲלוֹתָהּ לְאוֹר פְּנֵי יְהֹוָה, וִיקֻיַּם מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, צֶדֶק לְפָנָיו יְהַלֵּךְ וְיָשֵׂם לְדֶרֶךְ פְּעָמָיו. וְנֶאֱמַר, אַךְ צַדִּיקִים יוֹדוּ לִשְׁמֶךָ יֵשְׁבוּ יְשָׁרִים אֶת פָּנֶיךָ. וּתְזַכֵּנִי לְהַמְשִׁיךְ עָלַי קְדֻשַּׁת וְשִׂמְחַת יוֹם טוֹב תָּמִיד בְּכָל הַשָּׁנָה כֻּלָּה, וְאֶזְכֶּה לְשִׂמְחָה דִקְדֻשָּׁה תָמִיד, עַד שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְהַשָּׂגַת אֱלָהוּתְךָ וִידִיעַת רוֹמְמוּתְךָ וּתְשׁוּקַת אֱמוּנָתְךָ בֶּאֱמֶת וּבְלֵב שָׁלֵם, בְּשִׂמְחָה וּבְטוּב לֵבָב, בִּקְדֻשָּׁה וּבְטָהֳרָה גְּדוֹלָה:
Then, through the holiness and joy of the festivals, I will be able to elevate the kingdom of holiness from its exile under the four empires and raise it up to the light of Your countenance. May the verse be fulfilled, “Righteousness will go before him, and he will put his steps on the road.” It is also written, “Surely the tzaddikim will give thanks to Your Name; the pious will dwell in Your presence.” Let me constantly draw upon myself the holiness and joy of the festivals throughout the entire year. Bring me to holy joy at all times, until I attain a true perception of Your Godliness, knowledge of Your exaltedness, and the rapture of faith, genuinely and wholeheartedly, in joy, holiness and great purity.
וְרַחֵם עָלַי וְהוֹשִׁיעֵנִי וְזַכֵּנִי לְעַזּוּת דִּקְדֻשָּׁה, כְּדֵי שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְקַבֵּל וּלְהַמְשִׁיךְ עַל־יְדֵי זֶה חִדּוּשֵׁי תוֹרָה אֲמִתִּיִּים,
Holy boldness
Have compassion on me! Save me! Help me develop holy boldness so as to be able to receive and draw down new and true insights into the Torah.
כִּי אַתָּה גִלִּיתָ לָנוּ עַל־יְדֵי חֲכָמֶיךָ הַקְּדוֹשִׁים, אֲשֶׁר אִי אֶפְשָׁר לִזְכּוֹת לַתּוֹרָה הַקְּדוֹשָׁה כִּי אִם עַל־יְדֵי עַזּוּת דִּקְדֻשָּׁה, כְּמוֹ שֶׁאָמְרוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה, הֱוֵי עַז כַּנָּמֵר.
For You have revealed to us through Your holy sages that it is impossible to merit the holy Torah except through holy boldness and determination, as our sages said, “Be bold as a leopard.”
וְגַם אַתָּה הוֹדַעְתָּ לָנוּ גֹּדֶל עֹצֶם הַפְּגָם שֶׁל עַזּוּת דְּסִטְרָא אַחֲרָא, כִּי הָעַזֵּי פָּנִים הֵם הַתַּתְּקְעַ"ד דּוֹרוֹת שֶׁאֵין לָהֶם שׁוּם חֵלֶק בְּתוֹרַת מֹשֶׁה,
You have also taught us what a grave offense unholy boldness is. Insolent people are rooted in the 974 generations that have no share in the Torah of Moses.
עַל כֵּן בָּאתִי לְחַלּוֹת פָּנֶיךָ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהַי וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתַי, שֶׁתְּחָנֵּנִי מֵאִתְּךָ דֵּעָה בִּינָה וְהַשְׂכֵּל, וְתוֹרֵנִי וּתְלַמְּדֵנִי תָמִיד בְּכָל עֵת, שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לֵידַע תָּמִיד אֵיךְ לְהִתְנַהֵג עִם הָעַזּוּת, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁאֶנָּצֵל תָּמִיד בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ מִכָּל מִינֵי עַזּוּת דְּסִטְרָא אַחֲרָא. וְתַצִּילֵנִי מֵעַזֵּי פָּנִים וּמֵעַזּוּת פָּנִים, וְתִשְׁמְרֵנִי וְתַצִּילֵנִי בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָאֲמִתִּיִּים, מִכָּל הַתּוֹרוֹת וְהַחִדּוּשִׁים שֶׁל הַסִּטְרָא אַחֲרָא וְהַקְּלִפָּה הַנִּקְרָאִים פְּסִילִים, הַנִּמְשָׁכִין מֵעַזּוּת דִּקְלִפָּה. וּתְחַזְּקֵנִי וּתְאַמְּצֵנִי בַּעֲבוֹדָתֶךָ וְתַמְשִׁיךְ עָלַי כֹּחַ וּגְבוּרָה דִקְדֻשָּׁה לְהִתְקָרֵב לַעֲבוֹדָתְךָ וּלְתוֹרָתְךָ וּלְיִרְאָתְךָ בֶאֱמֶת.
Therefore, I have come to plead with You, HaShem my God and God of my fathers, to grant me knowledge, understanding and wisdom. Teach me and guide me at all times so I will know how to act with boldness and determination, and avoid falling into any kind of insolence and arrogance. Protect me from insolent people and their arrogance. Truly compassionate God, guard me and save me from all “teachings” and “insights” of unholy forces that are called “idols,” drawing their strength from the brazenness of the “husks.” Strengthen me in Your service and draw upon me the power and might of Your holiness. Inspire me with holy boldness. Through this I will merit to truly come close to Your service, Your Torah, and fear of Heaven.
וְאֶזְכֶּה תָמִיד לְחַדֵּשׁ חִדּוּשִׁים אֲמִתִּיִּים בְּהַתּוֹרָה הַקְּדוֹשָׁה, חִדּוּשִׁים הַנִּכְלָלִים וְנִכְנָסִים בֶּאֱמֶת בְּתוֹרַת מֹשֶׁה, חִדּוּשִׁים שֶׁיִּהְיוּ לְךָ לְנַחַת וּלְרָצוֹן לִפְנֵי כִּסֵּא כְבוֹדֶךָ:
Help me develop original and true Torah insights at all times. Let all my ideas be truly rooted in the Torah of Moses, and let them find favor before Your throne of glory.
וְתַשְׁפִּיעַ עָלַי עַזּוּת דִּקְדֻשָּׁה נֶגְדְּךָ, שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְהִתְחַזֵּק וּלְהִתְאַמֵּץ מְאֹד בִּתְפִלָּה בְּכָל עֹז וְתַעֲצוּמוֹת. וַאֲחַזֵּק וַאֲאַמֵּץ לְבָבִי לְקַוּוֹת אֵלֶיךָ וּלְצַפּוֹת לְרַחֲמֶיךָ.
Boldness in prayer
Inspire me with holy boldness in my relationship with You. Help me devote myself to the path of prayer with all my strength and determination. Let me remain firm and strong in my hope in You, and wait confidently for You to have compassion.
וְאָעִיז פָּנַי נֶגְדְּךָ לְבַקֵּשׁ וּלְהִתְפַּלֵּל וּלְהִתְחַנֵּן לְפָנֶיךָ תָמִיד, עַל כָּל מַה שֶּׁחָסֵר לִי בַּעֲבוֹדַת יְהֹוָה, וְלֹא אֵבוֹשׁ וְלֹא אֶכָּלֵם נֶגְדְךָ לְעוֹלָם, לְבַקֵּשׁ מִלְּפָנֶיךָ גְּדוֹלוֹת וְנוֹרָאוֹת, שֶׁתַּעֲשֶׂה עִמִּי פִּלְאֵי פְּלָאוֹת:
Let me always have the courage to beseech You, pray to You, and plead with You for everything I need in order to serve You. May I never feel shy about approaching You to ask You to bring me to the greatest heights or to perform miracles and wonders for me.
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, לְפָנֶיךָ נִגְלָה הַכֹּל, וְאַתָּה יוֹדֵעַ עֹצֶם הַבִּלְבּוּלִים הָרַבִּים וְעִרְבּוּב הַדַּעַת הַמְּרֻבֶּה וְהֶעָצוּם מְאֹד מְאֹד, שֶׁבָּא עָלַי בְּיוֹתֵר בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאֲנִי עוֹמֵד לְהִתְפַּלֵּל וּלְהִתְחַנֵּן לְפָנֶיךָ, עַד שֶׁאֵינִי יָכוֹל לְדַבֵּר אֲפִלּוּ דִּבּוּר אֶחָד בִּתְפִלָּה כָּרָאוּי,
Master of the world, before You everything is revealed. You know the terrible confusion and disordered thoughts I experience when I stand up to pray to You. I am unable to say even a single word of prayer properly.
וְכָל הַבִּלְבּוּלִים וְהָעִרְבּוּב הַדַּעַת שֶׁיֵּשׁ לִי בְּאֵיזֶה פַּעַם בְּכָל הַיּוֹם כֻּלּוֹ, כֻּלָּם בָּאִים אֵלַי בִּשְׁעַת הַתְּפִלָּה דַּיְקָא וְרוֹצִים לְבַטֵּל תְּפִלָּתִי,
All the confused and jumbled thoughts that I have throughout the day come crowding in on me just when I want to pray, seeking to derail my prayers.
וּמֵחֲמַת זֶה תְפִלָּתִי מְעֻרְבֶּבֶת מְאֹד בְּכַמָּה מִינֵי פְּסֹלֶת וְעִרְבּוּב הַדַּעַת וּמַחֲשָׁבוֹת זָרוֹת וּפְנִיּוֹת וּבִלְבּוּלִים רַבִּים מְאֹד מְאֹד בְּלִי שִׁיעוּר, וְאֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ מַה לַּעֲשׂוֹת,
Because of this, my prayers are completely mixed up with an endless stream of extraneous, inappropriate and irrelevant thoughts, with insincerity and immeasurable confusion. I just don’t know what to do.
כִּי מֵעֹצֶם הַבִּלְבּוּל הַדַּעַת שֶׁבָּא עָלַי, אֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ שׁוּם דֶּרֶךְ אֵיךְ לַעֲמֹד נֶגֶד הַבִּלְבּוּלִים הָרַבִּים הָאֵלֶּה, וְאֵין לִי עַל מִי לְהִשָּׁעֵן כִּי אִם עַל אָבִי שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם.
My very confusion makes it impossible for me to know the right path to take to fight off these thoughts. I have no one to rely on except my Father in Heaven.
חוּס וְרַחֵם עָלַי וְהוֹשִׁיעֵנִי וּמַלְּטֵנִי, וְהַצֵּל אֶת תְּפִלָּתִי מִכָּל מִינֵי עִרְבּוּב הַדַּעַת, וּמִכָּל מִינֵי מַחֲשָׁבוֹת זָרוֹת וְהִרְהוּרִים וּבִלְבּוּלִים שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם.
Have pity and mercy on me. Save me. Free my prayers from any kind of mixed-up, extraneous, improper and confused thoughts.
וְעָזְרֵנִי וְזַכֵּנִי שֶׁאֲקַשֵּׁר אֶת מַחֲשַׁבְתִּי בְּדִבּוּרֵי הַתְּפִלָּה בְּקֶשֶׁר אַמִּיץ וְחָזָק, עַד שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְהִתְפַּלֵּל בְּכַוָּנַת הַלֵּב, וְתִהְיֶה תְפִלָּתִי וּתְחִנָּתִי וּבַקָּשָׁתִי זַכָּה וּנְכוֹנָה בָּרָה וּנְקִיָּה מִכָּל סִיג וּפְסֹלֶת.
Help me bind my thoughts to the words of the prayers with a firm, strong bond. Then I will give my full attention to my prayers, and my prayers and requests will be pure and correct, clear and unblemished from any extraneous thoughts.
חוּס וַחֲמֹל עָלַי וַעֲשֵׂה לְמַעַנְךָ וְלֹא לְמַעֲנִי, כִּי אֵין לִי שׁוּם תִּקְוָה כִּי אִם עַל תְּפִלָּה וְתַחֲנוּנִים:
Have mercy on me! Do it for Your sake and not for mine, because my only hope lies in prayer and supplications.
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, רְאֵה נָא בְעָנְיֵנוּ וְרִיבָה רִיבֵנוּ, וְהַצֵּל עֲשׁוּקִים מִיַּד עוֹשְׁקֵיהֶם כֹּחַ, וְאַל תַּנִּיחַ לִגְזֹל דָּל כִּי דַל הוּא,
Master of the world, please see my plight and fight my cause. Rescue the persecuted from those who would sap them of their strength. Don’t allow the poor to be robbed — after all, they are poor!
וּתְקַיֵּם מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, מִשֹּׁד עֲנִיִּים מֵאֶנְקַת אֶבְיוֹנִים עַתָּה אָקוּם יֹאמַר יְהֹוָה אָשִׁית בְּיֵשַׁע יָפִיחַ לוֹ.
Fulfill the verse, “Enough of the oppression of the poor and the sighing of the needy! Now I will arise, says HaShem. I will bring the one they puff at to safety.”
עָזְרֵנִי וְהוֹשִׁיעֵנִי וְחַלְּצֵנִי וּמַלְּטֵנִי מִכָּל מִינֵי מַחֲשָׁבוֹת רָעוֹת וְהִרְהוּרִים רָעִים, וּמִכָּל מִינֵי בִּלְבּוּלִים וְעִרְבּוּב הַדַּעַת מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם, וְזַכֵּנִי שֶׁתִּהְיֶה מַחֲשַׁבְתִּי זַכָּה וּנְקִיָּה, קְדוֹשָׁה וּטְהוֹרָה תָּמִיד,
Help me and save me from all kinds of evil thoughts and feelings and from all mental confusion from now on and forever. Let my mind be pure, clear and filled with holy thoughts at all times.
וּבִפְרָט בִּשְׁעַת הַתְּפִלָּה אֶזְכֶּה לְטַהֵר וּלְקַדֵּשׁ אֶת מַחֲשַׁבְתִּי בְּיוֹתֵר, עַד שֶׁלֹּא יַעֲלֶה וְלֹא יַגִּיעַ וְלֹא יָבוֹא לְלִבִּי שׁוּם בִּלְבּוּל הַדַּעַת וְלֹא שׁוּם מַחֲשָׁבָה זָרָה וְלֹא שׁוּם מַחֲשָׁבָה שֶׁאֵינָהּ מֵעִנְיָן הַתְּפִלָּה, אֲפִלּוּ הִיא מַחֲשָׁבָה קְדוֹשָׁה, לֹא תָבוֹא וְלֹא תַעֲלֶה עַל לִבִּי בִּשְׁעַת הַתְּפִלָּה,
Especially when I am praying, let me purify and sanctify my mind until I am totally free of all confused thinking and extraneous thoughts, and I don’t have a single thought that is not related to the prayers. Don’t let even holy thoughts enter my mind if they are not relevant to what I’m saying.
רַק אֶזְכֶּה לַעֲמֹד בְּכָל הַתְּפִלָּה בְאֵימָה וּבְיִרְאָה גְּדוֹלָה, וְלֹא אֶשְׁמַע אָז שׁוּם אָדָם וְשׁוּם דָּבָר שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם כִּי אִם אוֹתְךָ לְבַד, וְאֶזְכֶּה לְהִתְפַּלֵּל בְּכַוָּנָה גְּדוֹלָה בְּתַכְלִית הַשְּׁלֵמוּת.
Rather, throughout the prayers, let me stand in deep awe and reverence. At that time may I not hear anyone or anything in the world except You alone. May I pray with the utmost concentration.
וְאֶזְכֶּה לְקַשֵּׁר תְּפִלָּתִי לְכָל הַצַּדִּיקִים אֲמִתִּיִּים שֶׁבְּדוֹרֵנוּ וּלְכָל הַצַּדִּיקִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים שׁוֹכְנֵי עָפָר, וְהֵם יְקַבְּלוּ אֶת תְּפִלָּתִי וִיבָרְרוּ וִיזַכְּכוּ אוֹתָהּ, וְיַצִּילוּ אוֹתָהּ מִכָּל אוֹיֵב וְאוֹרֵב וּמַסְטִין בַּדֶּרֶךְ, וְיַעֲלוּ אוֹתָהּ לְרֵיחַ נִיחוֹחַ לִפְנֵי כִסֵּא כְבוֹדֶךָ, בְּתוֹךְ כְּלָלִיּוּת תְּפִלּוֹת עַמְּךָ בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְתַעֲלֶה וְתִנָּשֵׂא לִהְיוֹת כֶּתֶר לְרֹאשֶׁךָ:
Let me bind my prayers to all the true tzaddikim in this generation, and all the true tzaddikim who are at rest in the earth. Let them receive my prayers and refine and purify them, and save them from all the enemies and accusers lurking along the way. Let them elevate them as an offering of sweet savor before Your throne of glory among all the prayers of Your nation, the House of Israel, and let my prayers ascend and rise up to be a crown for Your head.
חוּס וְחָנֵּנִי, וְרַחֵם עָלַי וְהוֹשִׁיעֵנִי וְזַכֵּנִי לְעַזּוּת דִּקְדֻשָּׁה, שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה תָמִיד בִּשְׁעַת הַתְּפִלָּה לְהִתְגַּבֵּר לְסַלֵּק הַבּוּשָׁה שֶׁלֹּא אֵבוֹשׁ מִלְּפָנֶיךָ, וְאָעִיז פָּנַי לְבַקֵּשׁ אוֹתְךָ כָּל מִינֵי בַקָּשׁוֹת גְּדוֹלוֹת שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם הַנּוֹגְעִים לַעֲבוֹדָתְךָ בֶּאֱמֶת,
Have pity on me! Be kind to me! Have compassion on me and save me! Grant me holy boldness so that when I pray, I’ll always have the courage to throw shyness aside. Don’t let me feel embarrassed in front of You. Let me have no inhibitions at all about imploring You with all kinds of extravagant requests to bring me to true devotion.
שֶׁתְּקָרְבֵנִי אֵלֶיךָ בְּכָל מִינֵי הִתְקָרְבוּת, וְתַעֲשֶׂה עִמִּי פִּלְאֵי פְּלָאוֹת לְהַעֲלוֹת אוֹתִי מִשֵּׁפֶל הַמַּדְרֵגָה הַתַּחְתּוֹנָה לְרוּם הַמַּעֲלוֹת הַקְּדוֹשׁוֹת,
Bring me close to You in every way. Perform miracles and wonders to raise me up from the lowliest levels in this world to the most exalted levels above.
וְאֶזְכֶּה לָבוֹא וּלְהַגִּיעַ מְהֵרָה לְכָל הַמַּדְרֵגוֹת הָעֶלְיוֹנוֹת שֶׁל הַקְּדֻשָּׁה, עַד שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְהַשִּׂיג אֱלָהוּתְךָ בְּתַכְלִית מַדְרֵגָה הָעֶלְיוֹנָה, בְּמַדְרֵגַת נְבִיאִים אֲמִתִּיִּים וְצַדִּיקִים גְּדוֹלִים וְנוֹרָאִים, בְּמַדְרֵגַת בְּנֵי עֲלִיָּה. וְאֶזְכֶּה לֶאֱחוֹז בְּדַרְכֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ אֲשֶׁר בָּטְחוּ בְךָ וְלֹא בּוֹשׁוּ לִשְׁאֹל כָּל הַגְּדוֹלוֹת מִלְּפָנֶיךָ, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, בְּךָ בָּטְחוּ אֲבוֹתֵינוּ בָּטְחוּ וַתְּפַלְּטֵמוֹ. אֵלֶיךָ זָעֲקוּ וְנִמְלָטוּ בְּךָ בָטְחוּ וְלֹא בוֹשׁוּ.
May I quickly reach the highest levels of holiness. Then I will attain the ultimate perception of Your Godliness on the level of the true prophets and the great and awesome tzaddikim, who were always rising from level to level. Let me hold on to the path of our fathers who trusted in You and were not inhibited from making the most extravagant requests of You. As it is written, “In You our fathers trusted; they had trust and You saved them. They cried out to You and were redeemed. They trusted in You and were not ashamed.”
כִּי אַתָּה יוֹדֵעַ שֶׁלְּפִי עֹצֶם גְּדֻלָּתְךָ וְרוֹמְמוּתְךָ, וּלְפִי עֹצֶם שִׁפְלוּתֵינוּ וּפְחִיתוּתֵנוּ, לֹא הָיָה אֶפְשָׁר לָנוּ לְהַתְחִיל לַעֲמֹד לְפָנֶיךָ וּלְבַקֵּשׁ מִלְּפָנֶיךָ עַל שׁוּם דָּבָר קָטָן שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם.
As You know, HaShem, considering Your exalted greatness and our lowly, degraded state, it would be quite impossible to begin to stand before You and make even the smallest request in the world.
כִּי מִי אָנֹכִי שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְהִתְפַּלֵּל לְפָנֶיךָ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהַי וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתַי, כִּי אַתָּה יְהֹוָה גָּדַלְתָּ מְאֹד וְשִׁמְךָ מְרוֹמָם עַל כָּל בְּרָכָה וּתְהִלָּה,
For who am I to pray to You, HaShem, my God and God of my fathers? You, HaShem, are supremely great, and Your Name is exalted above all blessings and praise.
וְאֵיךְ נָעִיז פָּנֵינוּ וְנַקְשֶׁה עָרְפֵּנוּ לִשְׁאֹל מִמְּךָ גְּדוֹלוֹת כָּאֵלֶּה, וּבִפְרָט אִישׁ כָּמוֹנִי, פָּגוּם וְנִבְזֶה וַחֲדַל אִישִׁים כָּמוֹנִי.
How could I be so bold and stubborn as to make such extravagant requests of You, especially a person as blemished, wretched and lowly as I am?
אַךְ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים לִמַּדְתָּנוּ עַל־יְדֵי צַדִּיקֶיךָ הָאֲמִתִּיִּים, וְהוֹדַעְתָּ לָנוּ דְרָכֶיךָ הַטּוֹבִים, אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה חָפֵץ חֶסֶד וּמַרְבֶּה לְהֵיטִיב. וְאַתָּה מַשְׁפִּיעַ עָלֵינוּ עַזּוּת דִּקְדֻשָּׁה מֵאִתְּךָ,
But in Your vast compassion, You have sent us Your true tzaddikim to teach us the goodness of Your ways and Your desire to show kindness and abundant goodness. You inspire us with holy boldness.
וְאַתָּה רוֹצֶה שֶׁנָּעִיז פָּנֵינוּ נֶגְדְּךָ לְבַקֵּשׁ מִמְּךָ גְדוֹלוֹת וְנוֹרָאוֹת, וְשֶׁנַּעְתִּיר וְנַפְצִיר אוֹתְךָ הַרְבֵּה מְאֹד יָמִים וְשָׁנִים, עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְנַצֵּחַ אוֹתְךָ כִּבְיָכוֹל, לִפְעֹל בַּקָּשָׁתֵנוּ בְּרַחֲמִים אֶצְלְךָ כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, אָנֹכִי יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ הַמַּעַלְךָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם הַרְחֶב פִּיךָ וַאֲמַלְאֵהוּ.
Your wish is that we should have the courage to ask the greatest and most formidable things of You, pressing You persistently for days and years until we conquer You, as it were, in order to bring You to grant our requests with compassion. As it is written, “I am HaShem Your God, Who brought you up from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth and I will fill it!”
עַל כֵּן מָצָא עַבְדְּךָ אֶת לִבּוֹ לְהִתְחַנֵּן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ עַל כָּל אֵלֶּה, שֶׁתַּשְׁפִּיעַ עָלַי עַזּוּת דִּקְדֻשָּׁה מֵאִתְּךָ,
This is what has given me the courage to pray to You about all this, and to ask You to inspire me with holy boldness.
וִיקֻיַּם מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, תְּנוּ עֹז לֵאלֹהִים עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל גַּאֲוָתוֹ וְעֻזּוֹ בַּשְּׁחָקִים, נוֹרָא אֱלֹהִים מִמִּקְדָּשֶׁךָ אֵל יִשְׂרָאֵל הוּא נוֹתֵן עֹז וְתַעֲצֻמוֹת לָעָם בָּרוּךְ אֱלֹהִים.
May the verses be fulfilled, “Give strength to God, Whose pride rests upon Israel and Whose strength resides in the heavens. O God, Your awesomeness is revealed through those who sanctify You. O God of Israel, it is You alone who gives strength and power to the people. Blessed is God.”
וְנִזְכֶּה לְבַקֵּשׁ מִמְּךָ תָמִיד גְּדוֹלוֹת וְנוֹרָאוֹת, שֶׁתַּעֲשֶׂה עִמִּי פִּלְאֵי פְּלָאוֹת, וְתוֹצִיאֵנִי וְתַעֲלֵנִי מֵעַתָּה חִישׁ קַל מְהֵרָה מִכָּל הַנְּפִילוֹת וְהַיְרִידוֹת שֶׁיָּרַדְתִּי עַד הֵנָּה,
Let me never hold back from making the most extravagant and awesome requests of You. Perform miracles and wonders for me! Lift me up now, quickly, swiftly and speedily, from all the falls and descents to which I have fallen until now.
וּתְקָרְבֵנִי בְּכָל מִינֵי הִתְקָרְבוּת, וּתְרַחֵם עָלַי בְּכָל מִינֵי רַחֲמָנוּת, וּתְקָרְבֵנִי בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, לְצַדִּיק גָּדוֹל אֲמִתִּי, לְהָרַב הָאֱמֶת שֶׁבַּדּוֹר הַזֶּה, לְהָרַב דִּקְדֻשָּׁה הַגָּדוֹל בְּמַעֲלָה שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ כֹחַ לְהַכְנִיס הַשָּׂגוֹת אֱלָהוּת גַּם בְּשָׁפֵל וּפָחוּת כָּמוֹנִי.
Bring me close with all sorts of closeness, and have compassion on me with all forms of compassion. In Your vast compassion, draw me close to the truly outstanding tzaddik and teacher of this generation, the holy leader on the highest level who has the power to bring even someone as lowly as myself to a perception of Your Godliness.
וְתַצִּילֵנִי שֶׁלֹּא אַטְעֶה עַצְמִי חַס וְשָׁלוֹם לְהַחֲלִיף וּלְהָמִיר טוֹב בְּרָע, וְתִשְׁמְרֵנִי מִן הַשַּׁקְרָנִים וְהַצְּבוּעִים מִמַּנְהִיגִים שֶׁל שֶׁקֶר,
Don’t let me deceive myself and exchange good for bad. Protect me from false and hypocritical leaders.
וְתִשְׁמְרֵנִי שֶׁלֹּא יַעֲלֶה עַל לִבִּי הַטָּעוּת שֶׁל כַּמָּה בְּנֵי אָדָם, הָאוֹמְרִים שֶׁדַּי לִפְנֵיהֶם אִם יִהְיוּ מְקֹרָבִים אֲפִלּוּ לְאִישׁ כָּשֵׁר פָּשׁוּט הַקָּטָן בְּמַעֲלָה, כִּי בֶּאֱמֶת הַפְּחוּתִים כָּמוֹנִי צְרִיכִים דַּוְקָא מַנְהִיג אֲמִתִּי הַגָּדוֹל בְּמַעֲלָה מֻפְלֶגֶת מְאֹד מְאֹד.
And don’t let me make the same mistake as those who say it’s enough if they follow someone who is pious and simple, even though he may be a figure of small stature. The truth is that people on my low level need a leader on the highest and most outstanding level!
רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ, וּשְׁלַח לָנוּ הַגּוֹאֵל צֶדֶק בִּמְהֵרָה בְּיָמֵינוּ, וִיקֻיַּם מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, כִּימֵי צֵאתְךָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם אַרְאֶנּוּ נִפְלָאוֹת. וְזַכֵּנִי מְהֵרָה לַעֲלוֹת וְלֵרָאוֹת וּלְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֹת לְפָנֶיךָ בְּבֵית בְּחִירָתֶךָ בְּשָׁלֹשׁ פַּעֲמֵי רְגָלֵינוּ:
Compassionate God, send us our righteous Mashiach quickly in our days! May the verse be fulfilled, “As in the days of your going out of Egypt, I will show you wonders.” Grant that I should soon be able to go up and appear before You and prostrate myself in Your Holy Temple on the three pilgrimage festivals.
חוּס וְחָנֵּנִי, וְהַצִּילֵנִי וְהוֹשִׁיעֵנִי בְכָל מִינֵי הַצָּלוֹת וִישׁוּעוֹת, וְהַעֲלֵנִי מְהֵרָה מֵאֲפֵלָה לְאוֹרָה מִשִּׁעְבּוּד לִגְאֻלָּה מִיָּגוֹן לְשִׂמְחָה. וּתְטַהֲרֵנִי מְהֵרָה מִכָּל מִינֵי טֻמְאוֹת, וּתְקַדְּשֵׁנִי בְכָל מִינֵי קְדֻשּׁוֹת. וְאֶזְכֶּה לַעֲלוֹת וּלְהִכָּלֵל מְהֵרָה בְּכָל הַחֲמִשִּׁים שַׁעֲרֵי קְדֻשָּׁה, בֶּאֱמֶת וּבֶאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה וּבַעֲנָוָה אֲמִתִּיִּית,
Have pity on me, be kind to me, and help me in every way. Quickly lift me up from darkness to light, from slavery to redemption, from sorrow to joy. Quickly cleanse me from all forms of impurity and sanctify me in every way. Let me ascend to and be included in all fifty gates of holiness in truth, perfect faith and genuine humility.
עַד שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לַחֲזוֹת בְּנֹעַם יְהֹוָה וּלְבַקֵּר בְּהֵיכָלוֹ לְהַשִּׂיג הַשָּׂגַת אֱלָהוּתְךָ בְּתַכְלִית מַדְרֵגָה הָעֶלְיוֹנָה, וּלְהַכְנִיס הַשָּׂגַת אֱלָהוּתְךָ בְּלֵב כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל עַמֶּךָ, בִּקְדֻשָּׁה וּבְטָהֳרָה גְּדוֹלָה, בֶּאֱמֶת וּבֶאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה וּבַעֲנָוָה אֲמִתִּיִּית כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב,
Then I will be able “to behold the pleasantness of HaShem and frequent His Sanctuary.” Help me perceive Your Godliness on the highest possible level, and bring a perception of Your Godliness into the hearts of the entire Jewish people in great holiness and purity, in truth, perfect faith and genuine humility, in accordance with Your will.
הָאִירָה פָנֶיךָ עַל עַבְדֶּךָ הוֹשִׁיעֵנִי בְחַסְדֶּךָ. פָּנֶיךָ הָאֵר בְּעַבְדֶּךָ וְלַמְּדֵנִי אֶת חֻקֶּיךָ. אֲנִי בְּצֶדֶק אֶחֱזֶה פָּנֶיךָ אֶשְׂבְּעָה בְהָקִיץ תְּמוּנָתֶךָ. וְלֹא נָסוֹג מִמֶּךָּ תְּחַיֵּינוּ וּבְשִׁמְךָ נִקְרָא. יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהִים צְבָאוֹת הֲשִׁיבֵנוּ הָאֵר פָּנֶיךָ וְנִוָּשֵׁעָה. אָמֵן וְאָמֵן:
“Shine Your countenance on Your servant and save me in Your lovingkindness. Shine Your countenance on Your servant and teach me Your statutes. In righteousness I will gaze upon Your countenance; when I awake I will be satisfied with Your likeness. We will not fall away from You. Revive us, and we will call upon Your Name. HaShem, God of Hosts, bring us back. Shine Your countenance and we will be redeemed.” Amen. Amen.
(לְמַקְשָׁה לֵילֵד יֹאמַר זֶה בְּתוֹךְ הַתְּפִלָּה, כַּנִּרְשָׁם לְעֵיל)
For a woman experiencing difficulty in childbirth, insert the following addition as indicated above:
וְתִמָּלֵא רַחֲמִים עַל כָּל הַיּוֹשְׁבוֹת עַל הַמַּשְׁבֵּר, וְתַצִּילֵם מִכָּל צַעַר וָנֶזֶק (וּבִפְרָט לִפְלוֹנִי בַּת פְּלוֹנִית וְכוּ').
Have compassion on all those women who are in labor and save them from all pain and harm (and especially [Hebrew name], the daughter of [mother’s Hebrew name]).
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, מָלֵא רַחֲמִים רַבִּים תָּמִיד, אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ אֶת צַעֲרָהּ וּמַכְאוֹבָהּ, אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ אֶת לְבָבָהּ וּלְבַב אָבִיהָ וְאִמָּהּ וְכָל הַמִּצְטַעֲרִים בְּצָרָתָהּ.
Master of the world, You Who are filled with compassion at all times, You know her pain and anguish. You know what is in her heart and in the hearts of her father, her mother, and all those who share her pain.
רְאֵה עָנְיָם וַעֲמָלָם, וְהַבִּיטָה בְּמַכְאוֹבָם, יֵעוֹרְרוּ רַחֲמֶיךָ הָעֲצוּמִים, רַחֲמֶיךָ הַגְּנוּזִים, עַל עֲנִיָּה זֹאת הַיּוֹשֶׁבֶת עַל הַמַּשְׁבֵּר בְּלֵב נִשְׁבָּר וְנִדְכֶּה, וּפְתַח לָהּ שַׁעֲרֵי הָרַחֲמִים וְהַחֶסֶד וְהַחֶמְלָה וְהַחֲנִינָה, פְּתַח לָהּ שַׁעַר הַהוֹלָדָה,
See their misery and anguish! Look upon their suffering and stir up Your tremendous compassion, Your hidden mercy, for this poor woman who is sitting on the birth-stool, crushed and brokenhearted. Open up the gates of compassion, kindness, pity and grace for her. Open up her birth channel.
וּבְרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, תַּחְתֹּךְ אֶת הַמֵּ"ם סְתוּמָה שֶׁהִיא כְּנֶגֶד מֵ"ם יוֹם שֶׁל יְצִירַת הַוָּלָד, שֶׁשָּׁם מְלֻבָּשׁ הַוָּלָד, וּבְחַסְדְּךָ הַגָּדוֹל תַּחְתֹּךְ אֶת הַמֵּ"ם סְתוּמָה הַזֹּאת, וְתַעֲשֶׂה מִמֶּנָּה שְׁתֵּי דַלְתִי"ם,
In Your vast compassion, cut open the sealed mem — corresponding to the forty days in which the embryo is formed — in which the unborn child is enclosed. In Your great lovingkindness, cut open this sealed mem and turn it into two dalets.
וְעַל־יְדֵי־זֶה תִפְתַּח בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ וַחֲסָדֶיךָ הָאֲמִתִּיִּים, דַּלְתֵי בִטְנָהּ שֶׁל הָעֲנִיָּה הַזֹּאת הַיּוֹשֶׁבֶת עַל הַמַּשְׁבֵּר, וְתִהְיֶה בְּעֶזְרָהּ שֶׁתֵּלֵד מִיָּד בְּנָקֵל בְּלִי קִשּׁוּי הוֹלָדָה עוֹד כְּלָל, וְתֹאמַר לַמַּלְאָךְ הֶרֶף יָדֶיךָ, הָאוֹמֵר לְעוֹלָמוֹ דַּי אֱמֹר לְצָרָתָהּ דָּי.
In this way, compassionate and kind God, open the gates (delatot) of the womb of this poor woman who is sitting on the birth-stool. Help her give birth immediately, easily and without further problems. Say to the angel, “Release your hand!” Let the One Who said to His universe, “Enough!” say, “Enough!” to her pain.
רַב חֶסֶד וּמַרְבֶּה לְהֵטִיב, חוּס וַחֲמֹל וְרַחֵם, כְּחַסְדְּךָ הַגָּדוֹל עֲשֵׂה עִמָּהּ, פְּתַח לָהּ דַּלְתֵי הַהוֹלָדָה חִישׁ קַל מְהֵרָה, בְּלִי שׁוּם אִחוּר וְעִכּוּב עוֹד כְּלָל,
You Who are abundant in lovingkindness and goodness, have pity! Have mercy! Have compassion! Treat her in accordance with Your great kindness! Open the gates of birth for her quickly, swiftly and speedily, quickly and easily, without any further delay.
כִּי כְבָר סָבְלָה מְרִירוּת צַעַר וּמַכְאוֹב הַרְבֵּה, עַד אֲשֶׁר כָּשַׁל כֹּחַ הַסַּבָּל. גּוֹמֵל חֲסָדִים טוֹבִים, עֲשֵׂה עִמָּנוּ חֶסֶד חִנָּם, וְאַל תְּאַחֵר לֵדָתָהּ עוֹד כְּלָל,
For she has already suffered so much bitter pain and anguish, to the point that “the power to endure has been shaken.” You Who are the Source of goodness and kindness, deal with us kindly as an unearned gift. Don’t delay the birth any longer!
עֲזֹר וְהַצֵּל וְהוֹשִׁיעָה בְּחַסְדֶּךָ, שֶׁיֻּפְתַּח לָהּ צִירֵי וְדַלְתֵי בִטְנָהּ בְּרַחֲמִים גְּדוֹלִים תֵּכֶף וּמִיָּד, וְתֵלֵד מִיָּד בְּקַל, בְּלִי שׁוּם צַעַר וּמַכְאוֹב עוֹד כְּלָל, כִּי אִם בְּרַחֲמִים וּבְחֶמְלָה, בְּחֶסֶד גָּדוֹל. וְתוֹצִיא הַוָּלָד לְשָׁלוֹם לַאֲוִיר הָעוֹלָם, לְחַיִּים טוֹבִים וּלְשָׁלוֹם וּלְאֹרֶךְ יָמִים וְשָׁנִים טוֹבִים, אָמֵן:
In Your lovingkindness, help her and save her. Let the hinges and doors of her womb open immediately. Let her give birth quickly, easily, and with no further pain or anxiety, only with compassion, mercy and great kindness. Safely bring the baby out into the air of this world for a life of goodness and peace, and many long days and years! Amen.
(וְיַרְבּוּ בִּצְדָקָה מְאֹד, כִּי הָעִקָּר תָּלוּי בַּחֶסֶד, שֶׁעַל־יְדֵי־זֶה חוֹתְכִין אֶת הַ'דָּלֶת' מְהַ'מֵּם' וְכוּ', כַּמְּבֹאָר בַּתּוֹרָה הַנַּ"ל, שֶׁעַל־יְדֵי־זֶה נִפְתָּח הָרֶחֶם שֶׁל הַמַּקְשָׁה לֵילֵד (כַּמְּבֹאָר בַּסֵּפֶר, עַיֵּן לִקּוּטֵי מוֹהֲרַ"ן חֵלֶק א' בְּסִימָן ל וּבְסִימָן קלה בְּסוֹפוֹ וְהַבֵן)):
(It is important to give generously to charity, since kindness is the key to cutting the dalet from the mem, which is how the womb of the woman experiencing difficulty in childbirth is opened. See Likutey Moharan I, 30 and I, 135 [end].)