חלק א 67

[עַל־פִּי תּוֹרָה ס"ז - וַיִּבֶן ה' אֱלֹקִים אֶת הַצֵּלָע]
תִּיקַר נָא נַפְשִׁי בְּעֵינֶיךָ

The Root of All Souls / Receiving Honor in This World with Holiness / Eating Properly / Insolent Leaders / Giving Charity / Overcoming Spiritual Enemies / Giving Birth to and Bringing Up Honor / Helping an Elder Who Has Forgotten His Torah Learning
A person’s soul comes from a realm called “honor.” The dynamic of that realm appears on all levels of existence — including the expression of honor as we know it.
When a person receives honor in this world, it is for one of two reasons. First, he might be about to die, and so honor has come to gather in his soul. Usually, however, this is not the case, since the universe functions on the principle that overall, good prevails. Thus, it is more likely that this honor is coming to bring this person to a new, higher level of soul. In either case, he must receive that honor with holiness — that is to say, solely for the sake of God.
When a person eats improperly, he can lose a
measure of honor. The reason for this is as follows.
When a person eats properly — that is to say, when he has broken his lust for eating — he attains an elevated countenance. The table on which he eats stands before God and it, too, has a countenance of holiness. But if this person has a lust for food, his honor is damaged and consequently lacks a countenance of holiness. When honor is damaged, it falls to a level where insolent people can reach it and use it to gain power in the form of sovereignty without a crown. When these people gain honor, they become the leaders of the generation.
The word tzedek (strict judgment) is related to the phenomenon of insolent people receiving honor.
The first letter in the word tzedek is a tzadi. This letter is a combination of two letters: yod and nun, so arranged that the yod is turned away from the nun. The yod corresponds to the countenance of holiness. It turns away because at present it is hidden. The nun represents sovereignty.
The second letter in the word tzedek is dalet. The word dal means “poor,” and so the dalet corresponds to an impoverished honor, one that falls to the Side of Evil.
In that realm, insolent people imitate good people, like a monkey imitating a human being. The Hebrew word for monkey is kof. This is also the name of the last letter in the word tzedek, which is kuf. Just as the letter kuf has a long, descending leg, so too, the “feet” of honor now descend to death.
Therefore, at present, when good Jews wish to protect the Jewish religion against attack, they must descend spiritually and seek the help of the gentile authorities.
A person raises honor and sovereignty from insolent people when he gives charity — which, states the verse, “saves from death.” Then the word tzedek has the letter hei added to it. The letter hei has the numerical value of five, corresponding to the five times that the word tzedakah (charity) is mentioned in the Torah. This added hei turns tzedek into tzedekah. Then its feet are raised from death.
The person who eats properly or gives charity and thus restores honor is a wise person. Unfortunately, demonic enemies cluster about him in order to derive energy from him. But this can actually help him, because these enemies siphon off his unholy consciousness, leaving him with a pure and holy consciousness.
As mentioned above, usually when a person receives a new measure of honor, that serves as a container for a holy soul that he about to receive. That honor is comparable to a pregnant woman, and the new soul to the fetus within her. A person must make sure to give this soul an easy birth. Should the birth be difficult, both the mother (honor) and child (soul) may die, and then the person himself will die. And once the soul is born, the person must raise it as one raises a child.
A person facilitates the birth of this soul, as well as the growth of holy honor and God’s sovereignty, by giving charity. In regard to this latter point, it is the custom to give charity at the section in the prayers that states, “You are sovereign over all.”
When a person’s “honor” is dislocated from his soul, he may forget his wisdom and Torah learning, or he may grow weary. Sometimes an elder forgets his Torah learning because he has prayed without the intent of his heart. Prayer corresponds to honor, and the heart to the soul. Now that they are separated, the elder loses his wisdom. Similarly, it may be that a younger person has prayed without feeling, as a result of which his soul is far from its “mother,” honor. Consequently, his soul grows weary. To rectify this, he must give honor to the elder who forgot his Torah learning. By giving honor to that elder, he revitalizes his own soul. This is because he creates “thunder,” which causes “cool water” to revive and heal his soul.
This idea is based on the following understanding of how thunder works. Hot vapor enters a cloud and explodes. That tears open the cloud in a burst of thunder. And as that thunder rips open the cloud, it causes the cloud to distribute rain wherever it is needed.
The elder’s forgetting Torah is comparable to a cloud. Just as a cloud obscures the sun, so too, his forgetfulness obscures his ability to see — i.e., to access his knowledge. The honor that someone gives him is comparable to hot vapor entering a cloud. Then the elder’s mind and memory are restored. This is comparable to the cloud tearing open with a clap of thunder. Now the old man’s knowledge is distributed to everyone who needs it. This is comparable to the rain falling out of the cloud. When that “cool water” reaches the younger person who had prayed without the intent of his heart, it revives and rectifies his soul. It revives his bones that had previously been blemished. Then he can pray with all his bones.
The same effect is brought about when a person hears Torah from a true Tzaddik, in contrast to learning Torah from a book. When one learns from a book, he does not know how much to learn in order to revive his soul. But when he hears Torah from the Tzaddik, the Tzaddik gives him exactly the amount of Torah — or “cool water” — that he needs.
The Precious Souls of the Jewish People
“May my soul be precious in Your eyes.”

יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהַי וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתַי, חוּס וַחֲמֹל נָא עַל נַפְשׁוֹת עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּרַחֲמִים רַבִּים וּבְחֶמְלָה גְּדוֹלָה, חוּס וְרַחֵם וַחֲמֹל עַל נַפְשׁוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל הַיְקָרוֹת מִפָּז וּמִפְּנִינִים, נְפָשׁוֹת הַחֲצוּבוֹת מִתַּחַת כִּסֵּא כְבוֹדֶךָ, נְפָשׁוֹת קְדוֹשׁוֹת הַכְּלוּלִים בְּשִׁמְךָ הַנִּקְרָאִים חֵלֶק אֱלוֹהַּ מִמַּעַל, נְפָשׁוֹת עֶלְיוֹנוֹת אֲשֶׁר הָיִיתָ מִשְׁתַּעְשֵׁעַ בָּהֶם מִקֶּדֶם, נְפָשׁוֹת אֲשֶׁר עָלוּ בְּמַחֲשָׁבָה תְּחִלָּה, נְפָשׁוֹת שֶׁהֵם לְמַעְלָה מִכָּל הָעוֹלָמוֹת כֻּלָּם, אֲשֶׁר בָּהֶם נִמְלַכְתָּ וּבָרָאתָ אֶת הָעוֹלָם.

HaShem, my God and God of my fathers, You are gracious and compassionate. You care for Jewish souls — souls more precious than gold and pearls, souls who were carved out from beneath Your throne of glory, holy souls who are absorbed into Your Name, who are called “a portion of Godliness above,” supernal souls in whom You took delight at the very beginning of Creation, souls who were the first to arise in Your thought, souls who are higher than all worlds, souls with whom You took counsel in order to create the universe.

יֶהֱמוּ נָא מֵעֶיךָ, יִכָמְרוּ רַחֲמֶיךָ עַל יוֹצְאֵי חֲלָצֶיךָ, עַל בָּנֶיךָ הַנֶּאֱהָבִים וְהַנְּעִימִים, הָעֲמֻסִּים מִנִּי בֶטֶן הַנְּשֻׂאִים מִנִּי רָחַם, הַנִּקְרָאִים בְּכָל לְשׁוֹנוֹת שֶׁל חִבָּה, בָּנִים, אַחִים, רֵעִים וַאֲהוּבִים. נְפָשׁוֹת הַיְקָרוֹת אֲשֶׁר לֹא הָיִיתָ זָז מֵחַבְּבָם

Arouse Your compassion on behalf of these souls who came forth from You. They are Your beloved and pleasant children, “who are borne by You from the belly, carried by You from the womb,” whom You refer to with every term of endearment — “children, brothers, friends, beloved” — precious souls whom You have never ceased to love.

עַד שֶׁקְרָאתָם בִּתִּי וַאֲחוֹתִי וְאִמִּי. כְּמוֹ שֶׁאָמְרוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה, לֹא זָז מֵחַבְּבָהּ עַד שֶׁקְּרָאָהּ בִּתִּי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, שִׁמְעִי בַת וּרְאִי וְהַטִּי אָזְנֵךְ וְשִׁכְחִי עַמֵּךְ וּבֵית אָבִיךְ. לֹא זָז מֵחַבְּבָהּ עַד שֶׁקְּרָאָהּ אֲחוֹתִי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, פִּתְחִי לִי אֲחוֹתִי רַעְיָתִי יוֹנָתִי תַמָּתִי. לֹא זָז מֵחַבְּבָהּ עַד שֶׁקְּרָאָהּ אִמִּי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, שִׁמְעוּ אֵלַי עַמִּי וּלְאוּמִי אֵלַי הַאֲזִינוּ.

You have loved these souls of the Jewish people so much that You have called them “daughter,” “sister” and “mother.” As our sages said, “He loved her so much that He called her ‘My daughter,’ as in the verse, ‘Hear, daughter, and see, incline your ear and forget your nation and the house of your father.’ He loved her so much that He called her ‘My sister,’ as in the verse, ‘Open to me, my sister, my friend, my dove, my perfect one.’ And He loved her so much that He called her ‘My mother,’ as in the verse, ‘Listen to Me, My nation, and attend to Me, My mother.’”

רַחֶם נָא עַל הוֹד יִקְרַת תִּפְאֶרֶת קְדֻשַּׁת נַפְשֵׁינוּ בְּשָׁרְשֵׁינוּ הָעֶלְיוֹן, כַּאֲשֶׁר אַתָּה לְבַד יָדַעְתָּ מֵהֵיכָן נִמְשָׁכוֹת נַפְשׁוֹתֵינוּ הַיְקָרוֹת הָעוֹלוֹת לְמַעְלָה לְמַעְלָה עַל כָּל הָעוֹלָמוֹת וְעַל כָּל הַקְּדֻשּׁוֹת כֻּלָּם.

Have compassion on our souls, which possess a lovely, precious, holy beauty at their supernal root. Only You know the source of our precious souls, which is beyond all worlds and all stages of holiness.

וְעָזְרֵנוּ וְזַכֵּנוּ וְהוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ בַּחֲנִינוֹתֶיךָ הָאֲמִתִּיּוֹת, שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְהִתְגַּבֵּר בְּכָל עֹז לִשְׁמֹר אֶת נַפְשׁוֹתֵינוּ בִּשְׁמִירָה גְּדוֹלָה וּמְעֻלָּה בְּכָל עֵת, לְהַחֲזִיקָהּ אֶצְלֵנוּ לְאֹרֶךְ יָמִים וְשָׁנִים בִּקְדֻשָּׁה וּבְטָהֳרָה גְּדוֹלָה, בִּזְרִיזוּת וּנְקִיּוּת וְטָהֳרָה וּפְרִישׁוּת וּקְדֻשָּׁה וַעֲנָוָה וְיִרְאַת חֵטְא וַחֲסִידוּת.

Help us attain every sort of strength so that we will guard our souls at every moment. May we bind ourselves to our own souls for the days and years to come with holiness, purity, alacrity, cleanliness, abstinence, humility, fear of sin and piety.

וְתַעֲזֹר לָנוּ וְתוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְהִתְרַחֵק וְלִבְרֹחַ מִן הַכָּבוֹד בֶּאֱמֶת בְּתַכְלִית הָרִחוּק, וְלֹא יַעֲלֶה עַל דַּעְתֵּנוּ שׁוּם רָצוֹן וְתַאֲוָה וְחֶמְדָּה לְשׁוּם כָּבוֹד כְּלָל. וּתְרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ וְתוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ תָמִיד, בְּכָל עֵת שֶׁתִּשְׁלַח לָנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ וּבַחֲסָדֶיךָ הָרַבִּים אֵיזֶה כָּבוֹד, שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה אָז לִשְׁמֹר אֶת עַצְמֵנוּ וְאֶת נַפְשׁוֹתֵינוּ מְאֹד מְאֹד לְבַל נִהְיֶה נִלְכָּדִים חַס וְשָׁלוֹם כְּלָל עַל־יְדֵי הַכָּבוֹד, וְלֹא נְקַבֵּל אֶת הַכָּבוֹד בִּשְׁבִילֵנוּ כְּלָל, וְלֹא נִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁ בּוֹ לְצוֹרֶךְ עַצְמֵנוּ כְּלָל, וְלֹא יַגִּיעַ לָנוּ שׁוּם הֲנָּאָה כְּלָל מֵהַכָּבוֹד,

Honor Belongs to HaShem
Help us flee from honor as much as possible. May we never have the slightest desire for any honor whatsoever. Every time You grant us honor, protect us so that we will not be enmeshed in it. May we not use it for our own purposes or receive any benefit from it whatsoever.

רַק נִזְכֶּה לְהַעֲלוֹת כָּל הַכָּבוֹד אֵלֶיךָ לְבַד, וְנַחֲזֹר כָּל הַכָּבוֹד לְמֶלֶךְ הַכָּבוֹד, לְמִי שֶׁכָּל הַכָּבוֹד שֶׁלּוֹ לְבַד,

Instead, may we raise and restore all honor to You alone, the King of honor and glory, the only One to Whom all honor and glory are due.

וְתַעַזְרֵנוּ וְתִשְׁמְרֵנוּ בִּשְׁמִירָה עֶלְיוֹנָה שֶׁלֹּא נִפְגֹּם בִּקְדֻשַּׁת הַכָּבוֹד כְּלָל, רַק נִזְכֶּה לְקַבֵּל אֶת הַכָּבוֹד בִּקְדֻשָּׁה וּבְטָהֳרָה גְּדוֹלָה לְשִׁמְךָ וְלַעֲבוֹדָתְךָ לְבַד בְּלִי שׁוּם פְּגָם תַּאֲוָתֵנוּ כְּלָל.

From the greatest heights, guard us so that we will not damage the holiness of honor, but receive it with sanctity and purity for the sake of Your Name, with the sole intent of serving You without any blemished desires of our own.

וְתַחְמֹל עָלֵינוּ בְּכָל עֵת שֶׁתִּשְׁלַח לָנוּ כָּבוֹד חָדָשׁ שֶׁלֹּא יָבוֹא הַכָּבוֹד בִּשְׁבִיל הִסְתַּלְקוּת נֶפֶשׁ חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, רַק נִזְכֶּה שֶׁיָּבוֹא הַכָּבוֹד אֵלֵינוּ לְטוֹבָה וְלֹא לְרָעָה חַס וְשָׁלוֹם,

Whenever You send us a new instance of honor, may it not result in our souls being removed from this world. May honor come to us only for good and not for evil.

שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה עַל־יְדֵי הַכָּבוֹד לְקַבֵּל בְּכָל עֵת נְפָשׁוֹת חֲדָשׁוֹת בִּקְדֻשָּׁה וּבְטָהֳרָה גְּדוֹלָה, וְיִתּוֹסֵף וְיִתְגַּדֵּל נַפְשׁוֹתֵינוּ בְּכָל עֵת בְּתוֹסְפוֹת אוֹר קְדֻשָּׁה וְטָהֳרָה,

Together with that honor, may we always receive a new spirit of holiness and purity, in the light of which our souls will expand and grow.

וְתִשְׁלַח לָנוּ בְּכָל עֵת נְפָשׁוֹת חֲדָשׁוֹת קְדוֹשׁוֹת וִיקָרוֹת לְאֹרֶךְ יָמִים וְשָׁנִים טוֹבִים בְּתוֹרָתְךָ וַעֲבוֹדָתְךָ וְיִרְאָתֶךָ:

Always send us a new and precious spirit, so that for the days and years to come, we will learn Your Torah and serve You with awe.

וּבְכֵן תְּרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ וְתוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ וְתִהְיֶה בְּעֶזְרֵנוּ מֵעַתָּה שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְשַׁבֵּר בֶּאֱמֶת תַּאֲוַת אֲכִילָה וּשְׁתִיָּה, וְנִזְכֶּה לְהִסְתַּפֵּק בַּמֻּעָט, לֶאֱכֹל מְעַט בִּקְדֻשָּׁה גְּדוֹלָה וּלְהִסְתַּפֵּק מִמֶּנּוּ, וּנְדַקְדֵּק עַל עַצְמֵנוּ מִכַּזַּיִת וְעַד כַּבֵיצָה, לִבְלִי לֶאֱכֹל אֲפִלּוּ מַשֶּׁהוּ יוֹתֵר מֵהַמֻּכְרָח לָנוּ בִּשְׁבִיל קִיּוּם הַגּוּף, וְנֹאכַל לְבַד לְקִיּוּם גּוּפֵנוּ

Holy Eating and the Honor of God
From this moment on, help us break our desire for eating and drinking. May we be satisfied with a little, and eat that with holiness. May we be so exacting with ourselves that we do not eat even the smallest amount beyond what we need to sustain our health. May our intention in eating be solely to maintain our well-being.

וּנְמַעֵט תַּאֲוַת טִבְעֵנוּ. וְנִזְכֶּה לִהְיוֹת בִּכְלָל הַצַּדִּיקִים הָאוֹכְלִים לְשֹׂבַע נַפְשָׁם דִּקְדֻשָּׁה, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, צַדִּיק אוֹכֵל לְשֹׂבַע נַפְשׁוֹ. עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה שֶׁתִּשָּׂא לָנוּ פָּנִים וּתְחָנֵּנוּ, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, יִשָּׂא יְהֹוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם. וְנִזְכֶּה לְהַמְשִׁיךְ הֶאָרַת פָּנִים אֶל הַכָּבוֹד דִּקְדֻשָּׁה,

May we reduce our natural desires. May we be counted among the righteous who eat only to satisfy their holy souls — as in the verse, “The righteous man eats to satisfy his soul” — until You will raise Your countenance to us and be gracious to us, in keeping with the verse, “May HaShem raise His countenance to you and grant you peace.” And may we draw the illumination of Your countenance to holy honor.

וְתַצִּיל אוֹתָנוּ וְאֶת כָּל עַמְּךָ בֵּית־יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵעַזֵּי פָּנִים וּמֵעַזּוּת פָּנִים, וְתַעֲלֶה וּתְסַלֵּק אֶת הַכָּבוֹד מִן הָעַזֵּי פָּנִים שֶׁבַּדּוֹר, וְלֹא יִהְיֶה לָהֶם שׁוּם כָּבוֹד וְהִתְנַשְּׂאוּת וּפְקִידוּת וְהִתְמַנּוּת וּשְׂרָרָה כְּלָל.

Save us and Your entire nation, the House of Israel, from arrogant people. Remove the honor from their insolent countenances so that they will no longer have any glory, elevation or positions of leadership.

וּתְרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל עַמְּךָ בֵּית־יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְתַצִּיל אוֹתָנוּ מִכָּל הַמַּנְהִיגִים וְהַמְפֻרְסָמִים שֶׁל שֶׁקֶר הַגּוֹרְמִים לָנוּ מַה שֶּׁגּוֹרְמִים, כַּאֲשֶׁר אַתָּה לְבַד יָדַעְתָּ,

Have compassion on us and on Your entire nation, the House of Israel. Save us from false leaders — even if they are celebrated — who cause us so much grief, the extent of which You alone know.

כִּי בַּעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ הָרַבִּים נָפַל וְיָרַד הַכָּבוֹד דִּקְדֻשָּׁה מְאֹד, דַּל כְּבוֹדֵנוּ בַּגּוֹיִם וְשִׁקְצוּנוּ כְּטֻמְאַת הַנִּדָּה.

Because of our many sins, holy honor has fallen to the depths. “Our honor is belittled by the nations, who abhor us as being repulsive.”

וְנָפַל הַכָּבוֹד בֵּין הָעֲכּוּ"ם וְהָרְשָׁעִים וְהַשַּׁקְרָנִים וְהָעַזֵּי פָּנִים שֶׁבַּדּוֹר, שֶׁהֵם מְקַבְּלִין לְעַצְמָן כָּל הַכָּבוֹד וְחוֹלְקִין כָּבוֹד לְעַצְמָן, וְעַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל הַכְּשֵׁרִים וְהַצַּדִּיקִים בֶּאֱמֶת לְחֶרְפָּה וּלְבִזָּיוֹן וּלְלַעַג וָקֶלֶס.

Honor has passed on to idolaters, to wicked people, liars and the insolent of the generation who distribute it among themselves, while the worthy and righteous of Your nation, the Jewish people, are insulted, disdained, scorned and ridiculed.

אָנָּא יְהֹוָה, מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, מֶלֶךְ הַכָּבוֹד סֶלָה, חוּס וַחֲמֹל עַל כְּבוֹדְךָ הַגָּדוֹל וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ,

Redeeming Honor from Its Exile
HaShem, You Who are filled with compassion, You Who are the King of honor, have mercy on Your great and holy honor.

וְהַצֵּל אֶת נַפְשׁוֹתֵינוּ מֵהֶם וּמֵהֲמוֹנָם, וְתוֹצִיא אֶת הַכָּבוֹד מִבֵּינֵיהֶם, וְתַעֲלֶה אֶת הַכָּבוֹד מִבֵּין הַקְּלִפּוֹת,

Save our souls from the multitude of wicked people by removing honor from their midst. Raise it up so that it will no longer reside amid the “husks” of evil.

וּתְרַחֵם עַל שְׁכִינַת עֻזְּךָ אֲשֶׁר הוּרַד כְּבוֹדָהּ וּגְאוֹנָהּ וְיָרְדָה וְנִדַּלְדְּלָה.

Have compassion on Your mighty Divine Presence, Whose honor and eminence has been cast down, reduced and cheapened.

כִּי בַּעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ הָרַבִּים הִסְתַּרְתָּ פָנֶיךָ מִכְּבוֹדְךָ הַגָּדוֹל, וּכְבוֹדְךָ וּמַלְכוּתְךָ נִתְרַחֵק מֵאִתְּךָ כִּבְיָכוֹל. וְיָרַד וְנָפַל עַד שֶׁהִגִּיעַ כָּל הַכָּבוֹד לְהָעֲכּוּ"ם וְהָרְשָׁעִים וְהָעַזֵּי פָּנִים שֶׁבַּדּוֹר,

Because of our many sins, You have hidden Your countenance from Your great honor. Thus, Your honor and sovereignty have been distanced from You, as it were. They have descended and fallen so low that all honor has been given to the idolaters, evildoers and insolent people of the generation.

וַיִּדַּל יִשְׂרָאֵל מְאֹד. וְנֶהְפַּךְ כָּל הַכָּבוֹד לְזָרִים, אֲשֶׁר אֵין לָהֶם חֵלֶק בְּשֵׂכֶל וּפָנִים דִּקְדֻשָּׁה, שֶׁהֵם הָעַזֵּי פָּנִים שֶׁבַּדּוֹר, שֶׁהֵם דּוֹמִין כְּקוֹף בִּפְנֵי אָדָם:

“Israel has become exceedingly impoverished.” All honor has been turned over to strangers who have no portion in wisdom and the countenance of holiness. They are the insolent people of the generation, who imitate the righteous like a monkey imitating a human being.

רַחֲמָן מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, רַחֲמָן מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, רַחֵם עַל כְּבוֹדְךָ הַגָּדוֹל וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ. וְזַכֵּנוּ וְעָזְרֵנוּ שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְהַעֲלוֹת וּלְהַחֲזִיר כָּל הַכָּבוֹד אֶל הַקְּדֻשָּׁה.

We Redeem God’s Honor by Giving Charity
Have compassion on Your great and holy honor by helping us raise it and return it to holiness.

וְזַכֵּנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים לְהַרְבּוֹת בִּצְדָקָה תָמִיד, לִתֵּן צְדָקָה הַרְבֵּה לַעֲנִיִּים הֲגוּנִים הַרְבֵּה בְּשִׂמְחָה וּבְטוּב לֵבָב בֶּאֱמֶת וּבִשְׁלֵמוּת גָּדוֹל כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב,

Guide us to bring the light of Your countenance to Your honor by giving a great deal of charity to worthy poor people with joy and a good heart. May we do so perfectly, in accordance with Your beneficent will.

בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה עַל־יְדֵי הַצְּדָקָה לְהַמְשִׁיךְ אוֹר הַפָּנִים אֶל הַכָּבוֹד. וּתְבָרֵךְ אוֹתָנוּ כֻּלָּנוּ יַחַד בְּאוֹר פָּנֶיךָ, וְתַמְשִׁיךְ עָלֵינוּ חֲסָדֶיךָ הָרַבִּים הַכְּלוּלִים בְּשִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל, וְתָאִיר עָלֵינוּ כָּל הַחֲסָדִים הַכְּלוּלִים בַּחֲמִשָּׁה חֲסָדִים כְּנֶגֶד חֲמִשָּׁה פְּעָמִים צְדָקָה שֶׁנִּזְכַּר בְּתוֹרָתְךָ הַקְּדוֹשָׁה,

Bless all of us in the light of Your countenance and send us Your vast kindness, which is part of Your great Name. Shine upon us all of the kindness that is an expression of the five types of kindness, which correspond to the five times that “charity” is mentioned in Your holy Torah.

וִיקֻיַּם בָּנוּ מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, אֲנִי בְּצֶדֶק אֶחֱזֶה פָנֶיךָ אֶשְׂבְּעָה בְהָקִיץ תְּמוּנָתֶךָ.

May we exemplify the verse, “I shall behold Your countenance in righteousness; when I arise, I shall be satisfied with Your image.”

וְנִזְכֶּה לְהַעֲלוֹת אֶת הַכָּבוֹד וְהַמַּלְכוּת מִצֶּדֶק לִצְדָקָה.

May we raise Your honor and sovereignty from the relatively low state called “righteousness” to the higher state called “charity.”

וְתַעַזְרֵנוּ וְתוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ לְהוֹצִיא כָּל הַכָּבוֹד מִן הָעַזֵּי פָּנִים וּלְהַחֲזִיר כָּל הַכָּבוֹד אֶל הַמְּבִינֵי מַדָּע דִּקְדֻשָּׁה. וְיֻחְזַר לָנוּ כָּל הַגְּדֻלָּה וְהַכָּבוֹד לְצַדִּיקֵי הַדּוֹר וּכְשֵׁרֵי הַדּוֹר הָאֲמִתִּיִּים הַנִּקְרָאִים פְּנֵי הַדּוֹר בֶּאֱמֶת:

Help us extract greatness and honor from insolent people, restoring these qualities to the people of our generation who understand holy knowledge, who are righteous and worthy, and who are justifiably called “the countenance of the generation.”

וּבְכֵן תְּרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְתָשִׂים שָׁלוֹם בֵּין כָּל עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל לְעוֹלָם. וּתְבַטֵּל כָּל מִינֵי מַחֲלֹקֶת מֵעַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל,

Overcoming Dispute
Remove every sort of dispute from Your nation, the Jewish people, so that we will enjoy peace among ourselves forever.

וְלֹא יִהְיֶה שׁוּם קִנְאָה וְשִׂנְאָה וְקִנְטוּר, וְלֹא שׁוּם מְרִיבָה וּמַחֲלֹקֶת עַל עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל הַכְּשֵׁרִים הַחֲפֵצִים וּמִשְׁתּוֹקְקִים וּמִתְגַּעְגְּעִים לְעָבְדְךָ בֶּאֱמֶת, וּבִפְרָט עַל הַצַּדִּיקִים וְהַחֲכָמִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים. כִּי בַּעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ הָרַבִּים נִתְרַבֶּה עַכְשָׁיו הַמַּחֲלֹקֶת וְהַקַּטֵּגוֹרְיָא בֵּין הַתַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים,

May there be no jealousy, hatred, irritation, argument or dispute regarding any righteous and wise members of Your worthy nation of Israel who yearn to serve You — particularly at this time, when because of our many sins, dispute and dissension among Torah sages have increased.

וְלַיּוֹצֵא וְלַבָּא אֵין שָׁלוֹם וְכָל הָעוֹלָם מָלֵא מַחֲלֹקֶת, אֲשֶׁר זֹאת הַמַּחֲלֹקֶת מַזֶּקֶת לָנוּ הַרְבֵּה לַעֲבוֹדָתְךָ בֶּאֱמֶת כַּאֲשֶׁר אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ.

“There is no peace for those who go out and for those who come in.” The entire world is filled with dispute, which damages our ability to serve You, as You well know.

וּבִפְרָט עֹצֶם הַמַּחֲלֹקֶת שֶׁמִּתְגַּבֵּר בְּכָל עֵת עַל הָרְחוֹקִים הַבָּאִים לָשׁוּב אֵלֶיךָ וּלְהִתְקָרֵב לְשִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל וּלְעָבְדְךָ בֶּאֱמֶת, אֲשֶׁר רַבּוּ הַחוֹלְקִים עֲלֵיהֶם וְעַל הָעוֹסְקִים לְקָרְבָם, חִנָּם עַל לֹא דָּבָר:

This is particularly true regarding dispute that is instigated against those who were far from You and have returned to You in order to serve You. Without reason or justification, dispute has arisen against them, as well as against those who work to bring them back.

אָנָּא יְהֹוָה, מָלֵא רַחֲמִים אֲדוֹן הַשָּׁלוֹם, מֶלֶךְ שֶׁהַשָּׁלוֹם שֶׁלּוֹ, הַצִּילֵנוּ מֵרִיב וּמַחֲלֹקֶת, וְזַכֵּנוּ לְמֹחַ וָדַעַת וְשֵׂכֶל צַח וָזַךְ בְּלִי פְּסֹלֶת כְּלָל. וּתְזַכֵּנוּ שֶׁיִּהְיֶה מֹחֵנוּ שָׁקִיט וְשָׁכִיךְ, וְלֹא יִהְיֶה מֹחֵנוּ מְבֻלְבָּל כְּלָל.

Being Delivered from Dispute
HaShem, You Who are filled with compassion, You Who are the King and Master of peace, deliver us from argument and dispute. Grant us a consciousness that is lucid, calm, tranquil and unruffled.

וְיִתְבַּטְּלוּ כָּל הַפְּסֹלֶת וְהַמּוֹתָרוֹת שֶׁבַּמֹּחַ, עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה שֶׁיִּתְבַּטְּלוּ וְיִכְלוּ וְיִפְּלוּ הָאוֹיְבִים וְהַשּׂוֹנְאִים הַיּוֹנְקִים מִן מֹחֵנוּ,

May all of the impurities in our mind be removed until the hostile forces that derive sustenance from it cease to exist.

כִּי אֵין בָּנוּ שׁוּם דַּעַת אֵיךְ לִלְחֹם עִם שׂוֹנְאֵינוּ וְרוֹדְפֵינוּ חִנָּם וְאֵיךְ לְהִתְנַהֵג עִמָּהֶם, כִּי כַוָּנָתֵנוּ רְצוּיָה לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם וְאָנוּ חֲפֵצִים לְעָבְדְךָ בֶּאֱמֶת וְלָשׁוּב אֵלֶיךָ בִּתְשׁוּבָה שְׁלֵמָה מְהֵרָה, וְאֵין אָנוּ חֲפֵצִים שׁוּם מַחֲלֹקֶת כְּלָל.

Our enemies persecute us for no reason and we do not know how to fight them. Our only intent is to please You, to serve You and return to You with complete repentance. We have no desire whatsoever to engage in any type of dispute.

מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, חֲמֹל עַל עֲנִיֵּי הַצֹּאן, עַל עַם מְמֻשָּׁךְ וּמְמֹרָט, עַם עָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן,

You Who are filled with compassion, have mercy on us, the impoverished members of Your flock, a poor people who are pulled and torn apart.

וְרַחֵם וְהוֹשִׁיעַ וְהַצֵּל חֲלוּשֵׁי כֹחַ כָּאֵלֶּה מֵרִיב וּמַחֲלֹקֶת, כִּי אֵין לָנוּ עַל מִי לְהִשָּׁעֵן כִּי אִם עַל אָבִינוּ שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם, עָלֶיךָ לְבַד הִשְׁלַכְנוּ אֶת יְהָבֵנוּ, עָלֶיךָ לְבַד אָנוּ נִשְׁעָנִים, אֵלֶיךָ תְּלוּיוֹת עֵינֵינוּ עַד שֶׁתְּחָנֵּנוּ:

Rescue us. Argument and dispute have deprived us of our strength. We have no one to rely on but You, our Father in Heaven. We cast our burden upon You alone, and we raise our eyes to You until You will be gracious to us.

וּבְכֵן תְּרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ אָדוֹן מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, וְתַעֲזֹר וְתוֹשִׁיעַ לָנוּ עַמְּךָ בֵּית־יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה כֻּלָּנוּ לְהוֹלִיד וּלְגַדֵּל אֶת הַנְּפָשׁוֹת הַקְּדוֹשׁוֹת הַנִּמְשָׁכוֹת לָנוּ בְּכָל עֵת עַל־יְדֵי הַכָּבוֹד דִּקְדֻשָּׁה, שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְהוֹלִיד הַנְּפָשׁוֹת בְּנָקֵל בְּלִי קִשּׁוּי הוֹלָדָה כְּלָל, וְנִזְכֶּה לְגַדְּלָם בְּנַחַת וּבְשָׁלוֹם בְּלִי שׁוּם צַעַר גִּדּוּל בָּנִים כְּלָל.

Nurturing Holy Spirits Within Ourselves
Master of compassion, help us and Your entire nation, the House of Israel, make use of “holy honor” to easily parent and raise holy spirits that are drawn into us. Let us do so without birth pangs and the difficulties associated with raising children.

וְתַשְׁפִּיעַ עָלֵינוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים יִרְאָה וְאַהֲבָה וְנִזְכֶּה לְיִרְאָה וּלְאַהֲבָה אֶת שִׁמְךָ בֶּאֱמֶת. וְעַל־יְדֵי־זֶה תַּמְשִׁיךְ עָלֵינוּ כֹּחַ הַיָּדַיִם הָעֶלְיוֹנִים הַקְּדוֹשִׁים, יַד הַחֲזָקָה וְיַד הַגְּדוֹלָה.

Help us fear and love Your Name. In this way, draw onto us the power of the supernal, holy “strong hand” and “great hand.”

וְעַל־יְדֵי־זֶה נִזְכֶּה לְהוֹלִיד וּלְגַדֵּל אֶת הַנֶּפֶשׁ בְּנַחַת וְשַׁלְוָה, בְּלִי שׁוּם קִשּׁוּי הוֹלָדָה וּבְלִי שׁוּם צַעַר גִּדּוּל בָּנִים כְּלָל:

May we parent and raise these spirits with calmness and tranquility, without any difficulty in birth or hardship of raising children.

עַל אֵלּוּ שֶׁיֵּשׁ לָהֶם צַעַר וְיִסּוּרִים מִגִּדּוּל בָּנִים, ר"ל אָנָּא יְהֹוָה, רַחֲמָן מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, אַתָּה יוֹדֵעַ אֶת צָרוֹתָם וּמַכְאוֹבָם שֶׁל עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁיֵּשׁ לָהֶם צַעַר גִּדּוּל בָּנִים רַחֲמָנָא לִצְלָן,

A Prayer on Behalf of Those Who Have Difficulty Raising Children
HaShem, You know the suffering of Your nation, the Jewish people.

אֲשֶׁר כְּבָר הִפְלֵאתָ אֶת מַכּוֹתָם וְלָקַחְתָּ מֵהֶם מַחְמַד עֵינֵיהֶם וּמַשָּׂא נַפְשָׁם, בָּנִים וּבָנוֹת הַיְקָרִים הַמְּסֻלָּאִים בַּפָּז, נְפָשׁוֹת יְקָרוֹת וַחֲבִיבוֹת, יוֹנְקֵי שָׁדַיִם שֶׁלֹּא חָטְאוּ, גְּמוּלֵי חָלָב שֶׁלֹּא פָּשְׁעוּ, תִּינוֹקוֹת שֶׁל בֵּית רַבָּן אֲשֶׁר הֵם מְקַיְּמִין אֶת הָעוֹלָם בְּהֶבֶל פִּיהֶם שֶׁאֵין בּוֹ חֵטְא,

You have worsened their wounds by taking away the beloved of their eyes and the cherished of their souls: their sons and daughters, who are as precious as fine gold — beloved souls, babies and toddlers who never did wrong, schoolchildren whose sinless breath maintains the existence of the world.

רַק בַּעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ וּבַעֲוֹנוֹת אֲבוֹתָם פָּגַעְתָּ בָּהֶם:

Because of their fathers’ sins, You struck at them.

רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ אֶת צַעֲרָם וּמַכְאוֹבָם הַקָּשֶׁה שֶׁל הַיְּלָדִים הָרַכִּים הָאֵלֶּה, וְצַעַר וּמַכְאוֹב שֶׁל אֲבִיהֶם וְאִמָּם וְכָל קְרוֹבֵיהֶם וְכָל הַמִּצְטַעֲרִים בְּצָרָתָם, כִּי רַע וָמַר, כִּי נָגַע עַד הַנֶּפֶשׁ,

Master of the world, You know the suffering of these tender children, of their fathers and mothers and all their relatives, and of everyone who is touched by their evil, bitter and profound troubles.

בָּכֹה יִבְכּוּ הַרְבֵּה בֶכֶה, וְדִמְעָתָם עַל לֶחֱיָם. אַתָּה אֵל רֳאִי הָרוֹאֶה אֶת דִּמְעַת הָעֲשׁוּקִים הָאֵלֶּה וּמִיַּד עוֹשְׁקֵיהֶם כֹּחַ וְאֵין לָהֶם מְנַחֵם.

They weep, and the tears run down their cheeks. God, You see the tears of these suffering people, “whose oppressors are empowered and who have no one to comfort them.”

חֲמֹל עַל רְתִיחַת דִּמְעָתָם וְאֶנְקָתָם וֶאֱמֹר לְצָרוֹתָם דָּי.

Have mercy on their tears and sighs, and declare an end to their suffering.

וְאַל תַּעֲשֶׂה לָהֶם כְּחֶטְאָם וְלֹא כַעֲוֹנוֹתֵיהֶם תִּגְמֹל לָהֶם, כִּי אַתָּה יְהֹוָה טוֹב וְסַלָּח וְרַב חֶסֶד לְכָל קוֹרְאֶיךָ.

Do not treat them in accordance with their transgressions, “for You, HaShem, are good, forgiving and exceedingly kind to all who call out to You.”

וְאַתָּה מְקַיֵּם אֶת הָעוֹלָם בַּחֲסָדֶיךָ. וְכַמָּה עֲכּוּ"ם וּרְשָׁעִים גְּמוּרִים מְגַדְּלִים אֶת בְּנֵיהֶם, כִּי אַתָּה חָפֵץ בְּקִיּוּם הָעוֹלָם, וְאֵין אַתָּה חָפֵץ בְּהַשְׁחָתַת הָעוֹלָם.

You maintain the world in Your kindness. There are so many non-Jews and wicked people whom You allow to raise their children, because You desire the world’s existence, not its destruction.

חוּס וְרַחֵם וַחֲמֹל עַל נַפְשׁוֹת עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל וְתֹאמַר לַמַּלְאָךְ הֶרֶף יָדֶיךָ, וְיָשׁוּב חַרְבּוֹ אֵל נְדָנָהּ.

Have pity on the souls of Your nation, the Jewish people. Instruct the angel to lower his hand and return his sword to its sheath.

יֵעוֹרְרוּ רַחֲמֶיךָ וַחֲנִינוֹתֶיךָ בְּאַהֲבָה וּבְחֶמְלָה יְתֵרָה עַל עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל הַקָּדוֹשׁ וְתַעֲזֹר וְתוֹשִׁיעַ וְתָגֵן עֲלֵיהֶם שֶׁיִּזְכּוּ כֻלָּם לְגַדֵּל אֶת כָּל בְּנֵיהֶם וּבְנוֹתֵיהֶם בְּנַחַת וּבְשָׁלוֹם וְשַׁלְוָה בְּלִי שׁוּם צַעַר כְּלָל, לְתוֹרָה וּלְחֻפָּה וּלְמַעֲשִׂים טוֹבִים לְאֹרֶךְ יָמִים וְשָׁנִים טוֹבִים, וְתַמְשִׁיךְ עֲלֵיהֶם חַיִּים וַאֲרִיכוּת יָמִים וְשָׁנִים מֵאִתְּךָ מִמְּקוֹר הַחַיִּים. (וּבִפְרָט עַל פְלוֹנִי בֶּן פְּלוֹנִית וְכוּ').

Arouse Your compassion and graciousness with love and pity for Your holy Jewish people. Shield them so that they will all be able to raise their sons and daughters in peace and tranquility, without any trouble at all, so that these children may learn Torah, marry and engage in good deeds for many years to come. You Who are the Source of life, send these children long life.¹If you wish at this point to pray on behalf of an individual, add here, “and in particular, [name], son/daughter of [father’s name].”

רַחֶם נָא קְהַל עֲדַת יְשֻׁרוּן, סְלַח וּמְחַל עֲוֹנָם,

Have compassion on the Jewish people. Forgive their sins.

וְהוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׁעֵנוּ, שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה כֻלָּנוּ אֲנַחְנוּ וְכָל עַמְּךָ בֵּית־יִשְׂרָאֵל, לְגַדֵּל אֶת כָּל בָּנֵינוּ וּבְנוֹתֵינוּ בְּנַחַת לְחַיִּים טוֹבִים אֲרֻכִּים וּלְשָׁלוֹם.

Save us, God of our salvation, so that we and Your entire nation, the House of Israel, will raise our sons and daughters in tranquility for a good, long and peaceful life.

וַעֲשֵׂה לְמַעַן אֲבוֹתֵינוּ וּלְמַעַן כָּל הַצַּדִּיקִים אֲמִתִּיִּים שֶׁבְּכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר וְשֶׁבַּדּוֹר הַזֶּה, וְתַחְמֹל וּתְרַחֵם וְתוֹשִׁיעַ וְתַצִּיל אֶת יֶתֶר הַפְּלֵטָה, אֶת הַיְלָדִים שֶׁנּוֹלְדוּ כְּבָר וַאֲשֶׁר עֲתִידִין לְהִוָּלֵד. וְתַצִּילֵם מֵחֹלִי הַמָּאזְלִין (חַצֶּבֶת, אַדֶּמֶת) וְהַפָּאקִין (אֲבַעְבּוּעוֹת רוּחַ) וּמִכָּל מִינֵי מַחֲלָה וּכְאֵב וּמֵחוּשׁ שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם,

Act for the sake of our fathers and for the sake of all the true Tzaddikim in every generation, including our own. Have pity and rescue the children of today and of tomorrow. Deliver them from epidemics, disease and pain.

וּתְחַזְּקֵם וְתַבְרִיאֵם וּתְחַיֵּם וְתַחֲלִימֵם.

Strengthen them, heal them and invigorate them.

וְתַעֲזֹר לַאֲבִיהֶם וְאִמָּם שֶׁיִּזְכּוּ לְגַדְּלָם בְּנַחַת וּלְחַנְּכָם בַּעֲבוֹדָתֶךָ וְיִרְאָתֶךָ לְאֹרֶךְ יָמִים וְשָׁנִים טוֹבִים,

Help their parents raise them in peace and educate them to serve You and fear You for good and long lives.

וְיִזְכּוּ לִרְאוֹת מֵהֶם בָּנִים וּבְנֵי בָּנִים עוֹסְקִים בַּתּוֹרָה וּבַמִּצְוֹת לְדוֹרֵי דוֹרוֹת עַד סוֹף כָּל הַדּוֹרוֹת וְיִתְרַבּוּ עַמְּךָ בֵּית־יִשְׂרָאֵל כְּחוֹל הַיָּם אֲשֶׁר לֹא יִמַּד וְלֹא יִסָּפֵר מֵרֹב.

May these children grow to see their own children and grandchildren learning Torah and performing mitzvot, to the end of all generations. May Your nation, the House of Israel, increase “like the sand of the sea that cannot be measured or counted, because it is so much.”

רַחֶם רַחֶם אָב הָרַחֲמָן, אַב הַחֶמְלָה, אַב הַחֲנִינָה, אַב הַחֶסֶד. רַחֶם נָא עַל יוֹנָה אִלֶּמֶת כָּמוֹנוּ הַיּוֹם,

Gracious and kind Father of mercy, save a mute dove as I am today.

כִּי אֵין מִי יַעֲמֹד בַּעֲדֵנוּ אֶלָּא שִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל יַעֲמֹד לָנוּ בְּעֵת צָרָה. חוּסָה עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, וְאַל תִּשְׁפֹּךְ חֲרוֹנְךָ עָלֵינוּ, כִּי שִׁמְךָ נִקְרָא עָלֵינוּ, אַל תַּנִּיחֵנוּ וְאַל תַּעַזְבֵנוּ וְאַל תִּטְּשֵׁנוּ.

Only Your great Name protects us at a time of trouble. Have mercy on us and on all the Jewish people. Do not pour Your wrath upon us, for we are called by Your Name. Do not leave us, abandon us or spurn us.

יֶהֱמוּ נָא מֵעֶיךָ וְרַחֲמֶיךָ עָלֵינוּ, וְאַל תֵּפֶן אֶל רִשְׁעֵנוּ, וְאַל תַּסְתֵּר פָּנֶיךָ מִמֶּנּוּ, וְאַל תִּתְעַלֵּם מִתְּחִנָּתֵנוּ,

Arouse Your inner being and compassion on our behalf. Do not look at our evil. Do not hide Your countenance from us and our pleas.

יְהִי נָא חַסְדְּךָ לְנַחֲמֵנוּ, טֶרֶם נִקְרָא אֵלֶיךָ עֲנֵנוּ, טֶרֶם נְדַבֵּר אַתָּה תִשְׁמָע,

In Your kindness, console us. Even before we call out to You, answer us. Even before we speak, take heed of us.

רַחֲמָנָא דְּעָנֵי לַעֲנִיֵּי עֲנֵינָא, רַחֲמָנָא דְּעָנֵי לִתְבִירֵי לִבָּא עֲנֵינָא, רַחֲמָנָא דְּעָנֵי לְמַכִּיכֵי רוּחָא עֲנֵינָא, רַחֲמָנָא עֲנֵינָא, רַחֲמָנָא חוּס, רַחֲמָנָא פְּרֹק, רַחֲמָנָא שְׁזִיב, רַחֲמָנָא רְחַם עֲלָן, הַשְׁתָּא בַּעֲגָלָה וּבִזְמַן קָרִיב:

“Compassionate One Who answers the poor, answer us. Compassionate One Who answers those whose hearts are broken, answer us. Compassionate One Who answers those whose spirit is beaten, answer us. Compassionate One, answer us. Compassionate One, have mercy on us. Compassionate One, liberate us. Compassionate One, save us. Compassionate One, have compassion on us — now and at every moment to come.”

חוּס וַחֲמֹל וְרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ וּמַלֵּא מִשְׁאֲלוֹתֵינוּ לְטוֹבָה בְּרַחֲמִים,

Raising Honor to Its Root
Help us give much charity to the worthy poor, in accordance with Your beneficent will.

וְזַכֵּנוּ לְהַרְבּוֹת בִּצְדָקָה תָּמִיד לַעֲנִיִּים הֲגוּנִים בֶּאֱמֶת כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב, וְנִזְכֶּה לִתֵּן צְדָקָה בִּשְׁעַת הַתְּפִלָּה, בְּעֵת שֶׁאָנוּ אוֹמְרִים פָּסוּק, וְאַתָּה מוֹשֵׁל בַּכֹּל, עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְהַעֲלוֹת הַמֶּמְשָׁלָה וְהַכָּבוֹד וְהַמַּלְכוּת מִן הַקְּלִפָּה, לְהַעֲלוֹת וּלְהוֹצִיא וּלְסַלֵּק כָּל הַכָּבוֹד וְהַגְּדֻלָּה וְהַמֶּמְשָׁלָה מִן הָעֲכּוּ"ם וְהָרְשָׁעִים וְהָעַזֵּי פָּנִים שֶׁבַּדּוֹר, וּלְהַחֲזִיר כָּל הַכָּבוֹד וְהַמַּלְכוּת אֶל הַקְּדֻשָּׁה, וְיָשׁוּב הַכָּבוֹד אֶל הַמְּבִינֵי מַדָּע, אֶל הַצַּדִּיקִים וְהַחֲכָמִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים דִּקְדֻשָּׁה.

May we give charity during prayer when we recite the verse, “You rule over all,” ²This verse is recited during the Pesukey de-Zimra prayers. until we will raise and extract power, honor, greatness and sovereignty from the “husk” of evil — the non-Jews, the wicked, and the insolent people of the generation — and restore all of that honor and sovereignty to holiness, to those who understand knowledge: the true Tzaddikim and sages of holiness.

וְנִזְכֶּה לְשַׁבֵּר תַּאֲוַת אֲכִילָה וּלְהַמְשִׁיךְ פָּנִים אֶל הַכָּבוֹד.

May we break our desire for eating and thereby draw Your countenance to Your honor.

וְתַצִּילֵנוּ מֵרִיב וּמַחֲלֹקֶת תָּמִיד.

Rescue us from all conflict and dispute.

וְתַעֲזֹר לָנוּ שֶׁיָּבוֹאוּ לָנוּ נְפָשׁוֹת רַבּוֹת חֲדָשׁוֹת דִּקְדֻשָּׁה עַל־יְדֵי הַכָּבוֹד דִּקְדֻשָּׁה.

Help us so that by means of holy honor, many new souls of holiness will come to us.

וְנִזְכֶּה לְיִרְאָה וְאַהֲבָה בִּשְׁלֵמוּת. וְעַל־יְדֵי־זֶה נִזְכֶּה לְהוֹלִיד וּלְגַדֵּל אֶת הַנֶּפֶשׁ בְּלִי שׁוּם קִשּׁוּי הוֹלָדָה וּבְלִי שׁוּם צַעַר גִּדּוּל בָּנִים כְּלָל.

May we attain complete awe and love of You. As a result, may we bring into being and develop a new spirit within ourselves, without any pangs of birth or difficulties of childrearing.

רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, אֵל הַכָּבוֹד, לְךָ יְהֹוָה הַמַּמְלָכָה וְהַמִּתְנַשֵּׂא לְכֹל לְרֹאשׁ. וְהָעֹשֶׁר וְהַכָּבוֹד מִלְּפָנֶיךָ וְאַתָּה מוֹשֵׁל בַּכֹּל, וּבְיָדְךָ כֹּחַ וּגְבוּרָה וּבְיָדְךָ לְגַדֵּל וּלְחַזֵּק לַכֹּל.

Master of the world, God of honor, “Yours, HaShem, is the sovereignty, and You are exalted as the head above all. Wealth and honor are before You, and You rule over all. In Your hand are power and might, and You have the power to enhance and strengthen everything.”

זַכֵּנוּ לְהַעֲלוֹת כָּל הַכָּבוֹד לְשָׁרְשׁוֹ שֶׁבִּקְדֻשָּׁה:

Help us raise all honor to its root in holiness.

וּבְכֵן תְּרַחֵם עַל נַפְשִׁי הָעֲיֵּפָה מְאֹד, הַיְגֵעָה מְאֹד. וְתַשְׁפִּיעַ עָלַי מַיִם קָרִים לְהַחֲיוֹת וּלְהָשִׁיב וּלְהַבְרִיא אֶת נַפְשִׁי הָעֲיֵפָה וְהַיְגֵעָה מְאֹד מְאֹד.

Praying with the Heart
Have compassion on my tired spirit. Pour refreshing water upon me to revive my weary soul.

כִּי זֶה יָמִים וְשָׁנִים אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי מִתְפַּלֵּל בְּלֹא לֵב, וְאֵינִי זוֹכֶה לְהַכְנִיס כָּל כַּוָּנַת לִבִּי לְתוֹךְ הַתְּפִלָּה, וְלִבִּי רָחוֹק מִדִּבּוּרֵי הַתְּפִלָּה, אֲשֶׁר בִּגְלַל הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה נַפְשִׁי עֲיֵפָה מְאֹד:

For years I have failed to bring the intent of my heart to my prayers. And because my heart is so far from my prayers, my spirit is exhausted.

אָנָּא בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים, זַכֵּנִי לְתַקֵּן זֹאת. עָזְרֵנִי לְהִתְפַּלֵּל בְּכַוָּנַת הַלֵּב, שֶׁיִּהְִיֶה פִּי וְלִבִּי שָׁוִין בִּשְׁעַת הַתְּפִלָּה, שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְהַכְנִיס כָּל כַּוָּנוֹת לְבָבִי וְדַעְתִּי בְּתוֹךְ דִּבּוּרֵי הַתְּפִלָּה. וְתִהְיֶה תְפִלָּתִי בְּכַוָּנָה גְּדוֹלָה,

In Your vast compassion, help me rectify this. Help me pray with the intent of my heart, so that my mouth and heart will be in alignment. Bring all of the intentions of my heart and mind into my words of prayer so that I will speak to You with great feeling.

וְלֹא יֵצֵא שׁוּם דִּבּוּר מִפִּי בְּלִי כַּוָּנַת הַלֵּב, וְלֹא תִתְרַחֵק הַנֶּפֶשׁ מִן הַכָּבוֹד כְּלָל לְעוֹלָם:

May I never utter a single word without the intent of my heart, and may my soul never be distant from Your honor.

וּתְזַכֵּנוּ לְהִזָּהֵר בִּכְבוֹד הַזָּקֵן שֶׁשָּׁכַח תַּלְמוּדוֹ, לְכַבְּדוֹ וּלְהַדְּרוֹ בְּכָל מִינֵי כָּבוֹד,

Honoring Old People and Rectifying Blemished Prayer
Help us honor old people who have forgotten their learning.

עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה עַל־יְדֵי־זֶה לְהַמְשִׁיךְ רְעָמִים דִּקְדֻשָּׁה, וְעַל־יְדֵי־זֶה יִתְבַּקְּעוּ וְיִשְׁתַּבְּרוּ כָּל הָעֲנָנִין דִּמְכַסְיָן עַל עֵינִין. וְיִתְגַּלֶּה דַּעַת הַזְּקֵנִים דִּקְדֻשָּׁה, וְיֵצְאוּ מַיִם רַבִּים מֵימֵי הַדַּעַת, וְתִמָּלֵא הָאָרֶץ דֵּעָה אֶת יְהֹוָה כַּמַּיִם לַיָּם מְכַסִּים.

As a result of our doing so, may we draw down the holy thunder that removes and shatters the clouds that cover our eyes, so that the holy consciousness of the elders will be revealed. Then a multitude of waters of knowledge will emerge so that “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of HaShem as water covers the seabed.”

וְתַמְשִׁיךְ עָלֵינוּ מֵימֵי הַדַּעַת מֵהַזְּקֵנִים דִּקְדֻשָּׁה, וְיִתְחַלְּקוּ מֵימֵי הַדַּעַת לְכָל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד לְפִי בְּחִינָתוֹ כָּרָאוּי לוֹ בֶּאֱמֶת.

Draw onto us — to each individual on his level — the waters of knowledge of the elders of holiness.

וְנִזְכֶּה לְקַבֵּל וְלִשְׁאֹב מֵימֵי הַדַּעַת מִפִּי הַזְּקֵנִים דִּקְדֻשָּׁה בְּעַצְמָן, עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה עַל־יְדֵי־זֶה לְהַמְשִׁיךְ מַיִם קָרִים עַל נַפְשׁוֹתֵינוּ הָעֲיֵפוֹת וְהַיְגֵעוֹת מְאֹד מְאֹד.

May we convey the waters of knowledge from the mouths of the elders of holiness so that we will bring refreshing waters to our weary souls.

וְנִזְכֶּה לְתַקֵּן פְּגָם הַתְּפִלָּה, וְתַעַזְרֵנוּ בְּכָל עֵת לְהִתְפַּלֵּל תָּמִיד בְּכַוָּנוֹת הַלֵּב בִּשְׁלֵמוּת, בְּכָל לְבָבֵנוּ וּבְכָל נַפְשֵׁנוּ וּבְכָל מְאֹדֵנוּ בְּלִי שׁוּם פְּנִיּוֹת וּמַחֲשָׁבוֹת זָרוֹת כְּלָל, עַד שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְהַרְגִּישׁ כָּל דִּבּוּרֵי הַתְּפִלָּה בְּכָל עַצְמוֹתֵינוּ, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, כָּל עַצְמוֹתַי תֹּאמַרְנָה יְהֹוָה מִי כָמוֹךָ. וִידֻשְּׁנוּ כָּל עַצְמוֹתֵינוּ עַל־יְדֵי דִבּוּרֵי הַתְּפִלָּה בִּשְׁלֵמוּת בְּכַוָּנַת הַלֵּב בֶּאֱמֶת:

May we rectify blemished prayer. Help us always pray with the intent of our heart — with all our heart, soul and might — without any ulterior motives or foreign thoughts whatsoever, until we will feel all of the words of prayer in our bones. As the verse states, “All of my bones will proclaim, ‘HaShem, who is like You!’” May our bones be enriched as a result of our words of prayer that have been perfected by the true intent of our heart.

חוּס וַחֲמֹל וְרַחֵם עָלַי, תִּנָּתֶן לִי נַפְשִׁי בִּשְׁאֵלָתִי וְעַמִּי בְּבַקָּשָׁתִי.

Restore My Soul
Have mercy on me. “May my life be given to me at my petition and my nation at my request.”

חָנֵּנִי יְהֹוָה כִּי אֻמְלַל אָנִי, רְפָאֵנִי יְהֹוָה כִּי נִבְהֲלוּ עֲצָמָי, וְנַפְשִׁי נִבְהֲלָה מְאֹד, וְאַתָּה יְהֹוָה עַד מָתָי. שׁוּבָה יְהֹוָה חַלְּצָה נַפְשִׁי הוֹשִׁיעֵנִי לְמַעַן חַסְדֶּךָ.

“Be gracious to me, HaShem, for I am languishing away. Heal me, HaShem, for my bones are shuddering. My soul shudders greatly. And You, HaShem, how long? Return, HaShem, rescue my soul. Save me for the sake of Your kindness.”

נַפְשִׁי יְשׁוֹבֵב יַנְחֵנִי בְמַעְגְּלֵי צֶדֶק לְמַעַן שְׁמוֹ.

“Restore my soul. Guide me on the paths of justice for the sake of Your Name.”

שׁוּבִי נַפְשִׁי לִמְנוּחָיְכִי כִּי יְהֹוָה גָּמַל עָלָיְכִי. כִּי חִלַּצְתָּ נַפְשִׁי מִמָּוֶת אֶת עֵינִי מִן דִּמְעָה אֶת רַגְלִי מִדֶּחִי. אֶתְהַלֵּךְ לִפְנֵי יְהֹוָה בְּאַרְצוֹת הַחַיִּים.

“My soul, return to your rest, for HaShem has dealt bountifully with you. HaShem, You have rescued my soul from death, my eye from tears, my foot from stumbling. I shall walk before HaShem in the lands of life.”

כִּי לֹא תַעֲזֹב נַפְשִׁי לִשְׁאֹל לֹא תִתֵּן חֲסִידְךָ לִרְאוֹת שָׁחַת. אַךְ אֱלֹהִים יִפְדֶּה נַפְשִׁי מִיַּד שְׁאוֹל כִּי יִקָּחֵנִי סֶלָה.

“Do not abandon my soul to the grave. Do not allow Your pious one to experience destruction,” but “redeem my soul from the power of the grave when You take me.”

צוּר הָעוֹלָמִים אֲדוֹן כָּל הַבְּרִיּוֹת אֱלוֹהַּ כָּל הַנְּפָשׁוֹת, זַכֵּנִי לְהָשִׁיב וּלְהַחֲיוֹת וּלְהַבְרִיא אֶת נַפְשִׁי הָעֲיֵפָה וְהַיְגֵעָה מְאֹד, הָרְחוֹקָה מִתְּפִלָּה בְּכַוָּנָה מְאֹד.

Rock of worlds, Master of all creatures, God of all people! Restore, revive and heal my weary soul, which is so far from meaningful prayer.

עָזְרֵנִי וְהוֹשִׁיעֵנִי וְזַכֵּנִי לְהִתְעוֹרֵר וּלְהִתְחַזֵּק וּלְהִתְאַמֵּץ בְּכָל עֹז מֵעַתָּה לְהִתְפַּלֵּל בְּכַוָּנָה גְּדוֹלָה בְּכָל נַפְשִׁי וּלְבָבִי בֶּאֱמֶת.

Help me awaken, encourage and strengthen myself, so that from this moment on I will pray with fervor, with all my heart and soul.

אֵלֶיךָ יְהֹוָה נַפְשִׁי אֶשָּׂא. אֵלֶיךָ יְהֹוָה נַפְשִׁי אֶשָּׂא. אֵלֶיךָ נָשָׂאתִי אֶת עֵינַי הַיּוֹשְׁבִי בַּשָּׁמָיִם. אֵלֶיךָ שִׁטַּחְתִּי אֶת כַּפָּי. פֵּרַשְׂתִּי יָדַי כָּל הַיּוֹם,

“To You, HaShem, do I lift my soul.” “I lift my eyes to You Who sit in Heaven.” To You have I stretched out my hands. “I stretch out my hands all day long.”

נַפְשִׁי כְּאֶרֶץ עֲיֵפָה לְךָ סֶלָה.

“My soul turns to You like a tired land.”

שַׂמֵּחַ נֶפֶשׁ עַבְדֶּךָ כִּי אֵלֶיךָ יְהֹוָה נַפְשִׁי אֶשָּׂא.

“Give joy to the soul of Your servant because, HaShem, I lift my soul to You.”

שַׂבְּעֵנִי מִטּוּבֶךָ וְשַׂמַּח נַפְשִׁי בִּישׁוּעָתֶךָ, וְטַהֵר לִבִּי לְעָבְדְךָ בֶּאֱמֶת. וִיקֻיַּם בִּי מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, וְנַפְשִׁי תָּגִיל בַּיהֹוָה תָּשִׂישׂ בִּישׁוּעָתוֹ. כָּל עַצְמוֹתַי תֹּאמַרְנָה יְהֹוָה מִי כָמוֹךָ מַצִּיל עָנִי מֵחָזָק מִמֶּנּוּ וְעָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן מִגּוֹזְלוֹ.

Satiate me with Your goodness. Give joy to my soul with Your salvation and purify my heart to serve You in truth. “My soul will be joyous in HaShem, it will rejoice in His salvation. All of my bones will proclaim, ‘HaShem, Who is like You? You save the poor person from the one who is stronger than he, and the poor man and the impoverished man from the one who robs him.’”

מַה תִּשְׁתּוֹחֲחִי נַפְשִׁי וּמַה תֶּהֱמִי עָלָי, הוֹחִילִי לֵאלֹהִים כִּי עוֹד אוֹדֶנּוּ יְשׁוּעוֹת פָּנַי וֵאלֹהָי.

“Why do You prostrate yourself, my soul, and moan within me? Hope in God. I will yet praise Him for the salvations that come from His countenance.”

יִהְיוּ לְרָצוֹן אִמְרֵי־פִי וְהֶגְיוֹן לִבִּי לְפָנֶיךָ יְהֹוָה צוּרִי וְגוֹאֲלִי.

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable before You, HaShem, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהִים אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עוֹשֵׂה נִפְלָאוֹת לְבַדּוֹ. וּבָרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹדוֹ לְעוֹלָם וְיִמָּלֵא כְבוֹדוֹ אֶת כָּל הָאָרֶץ אָמֵן וְאָמֵן:

Blessed is HaShem, God of Israel, Who alone does wonders. Blessed is the Name of His honor forever, and may His honor fill the entire land. Amen, amen!