Faith Leads to Equanimity / Praying and Going to the Tzaddik / The Land of Israel and Equanimity / Yearning for the Land of Israel When a person believes that God stands above him and hears his words, he prays properly and travels to the Tzaddik. But if he lacks faith, he grows depressed and unmotivated, and consequently he does not pray properly or travel to the Tzaddik. A person who has faith grows spiritually regardless of adverse conditions. He may be compared to wheat planted in fertile soil, which grows well despite winds, thunder or lightning. The one who has faith prays properly and goes to the Tzaddik. Nothing frightens him. He attains equanimity, so that nothing can disturb his service of God, and he blossoms in his spiritual growth. The Land of Israel is associated with faith, and so a person’s equanimity and his service of God depend on and are attained via the Land of Israel. Moses yearned for the Land of Israel principally because he saw that there a person can attain equanimity. Everybody must ask HaShem to feel a yearning for the Land of Israel. In particular, all of the Tzaddikim should yearn for the Land of Israel. Before reciting the Shema,5“Shema Yisrael,” a declaration of faith in the Oneness of God and a commitment to fulfilling His commandments, comprised of verses from Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21, and Numbers 15:37- 41, is recited daily during morning and evening prayers, and before going to sleep. in which we proclaim our faith in God’s Oneness, we recite the phrase, “May He lead us upright to our Land,” for that expresses the yearning that we should feel for the Land of Israel. The Holy Land “HaShem, HaShem, God Who is compassionate and gracious, long-suffering and exceedingly kind,” help me — as well as all Jews — yearn to come to the Land of Israel, until with Your help, I will soon fulfill that desire.
Because I am so far from You, because my materiality is so thick, my heart so twisted and my mind so confused, I must come to the Land of Israel, which is the essence of our faith, the root of our holiness as a nation.
That is the Land that You chose for us, Your chosen people. It is the Land that You always gaze upon, the Land of true and eternal life, the beloved, good and broad Land that You desired and bequeathed to our fathers, the Land that contains the Godly city upon a holy mountain that is a beloved vista, the delight of the entire earth.
The Promised Land HaShem, filled with compassion, kindness, goodness, righteousness and redemption, give me the gift of coming soon to the Land of Israel — the Holy Land, the land that our fathers inherited, the Land for which the spirit of all of the true Tzaddikim yearned.
Abraham our patriarch toiled for years to discover the identity of the Holy Land, which is the basic core of holiness, the foundation of faith, until You revealed it to him.
You promised to bequeath it to his offspring. In the merit and power of the Land and of all of the Tzaddikim who came there, may I, too, although I am contemptible and worthless, quickly overcome all of the obstacles that prevent people from coming to the Land of Israel and arrive there soon!
The Journey to the Land of Israel My compassionate Father, have pity on a poor person such as myself who stretches out his hands before You, asking for an unearned gift. Because of the turbulence of my mind, I do not deserve to receive that gift. Nevertheless, I hope in Your redemption, goodness, kindness and righteousness.
Have mercy on me. Bring me soon to the Land of Israel. Strengthen my mind and heart so that I will get past all the impediments and confusions of my mind.
Send me an abundant flow of money to pay for my expenses. May I set out in peace, travel in peace, and arrive in peace — at peace in my physical well-being, in my connection to the Torah, and in my finances.
Rescue me from all types of evil thoughts and blemishes. May the long journey not cause me any damage in body, soul or money. May it not harm me either physically or spiritually.
Once in the Land of Israel, may its holiness help me come close to You. May I rise from level to level in great holiness and purity, in accordance with Your beneficent will.
The Gifts of the Holy Land With the help of the holiness of the Land of Israel, may I overcome my anger in all circumstances so that nothing in the world will irritate May I serve You with truth, faith and simplicity.
May I engage in Torah learning and prayer with intense feeling, and bring all of my strength and all of the thoughts of my heart and mind into each word of prayer.
May I have profound intent in my every word of prayer. May I not lose my focus: may I not turn my mind aside from the meaning of the words, and certainly may I not have any superficial or foreign thoughts.
Serving God Help me grow stronger in my service of You. May I do so by learning Torah, praying, and performing good deeds with alacrity and joy, and not be affected by any problems, confusions or impediments. In addition, may I not suffer from any laziness, depression or weak resolve.
May I grow stronger by means of holy faith and nullify all heaviness, mental impediments, physical problems, sadness, foreign thoughts, and entanglements in my heart.
Pour forth upon me the power to grow and blossom in holiness. May nothing in the world harm me. And may I learn Torah and perform mitzvot with all my heart so as to truly serve You.
Overcoming Impediments HaShem, You alone, “Who gives power to the weary and strength to the person who lacks might,” know the depth of my weakness, the confusion of my mind and the entanglements of my heart.
When I embark on such an endeavor, my heart and mind are twisted into knots and afflicted with sadness, laziness, heaviness, foreign thoughts and innumerable ulterior motives, until “the strength of the porter has collapsed.”
Have compassion on me for the sake of Your Name. May I attain equanimity so that I will disregard all of the impediments and confusions that keep me from holiness — impediments from within due to my desires, confusion and foreign thoughts, and impediments from without due to other people near and far, particularly from the many people who rise up against me at every moment.
May my heart not be weak. May I not fear them, grow unsure or feel intimidated by them — for You, HaShem, fight on my behalf against my enemies and save me.
Help me come swiftly and easily to the Land of Israel, the Land that Moses and Aaron tried so hard to enter. There may I attain all that a person can achieve in the Holy Land.
May I eradicate my anger and irritability. May I be good to all so that my heart will not contain any jealousy, animosity, irritation or anger, even against those who hate and persecute me. May I just be good to all, in accordance with Your beneficent will.
May I be strong and determined to serve You always. May I be a mighty warrior, conquering my evil inclination, turning aside from evil and doing that which is right in Your eyes, You Who are mighty and awesome, strong and abiding.
May we keep the commandments as You have commanded us in Your holy Torah. “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear and do not be frightened of them, for HaShem your God goes with you. He will not fail you or abandon you.”
“Those who hope in HaShem will renew strength. They will rise with wings like eagles. They will rush forward and not grow weary. They will walk and not grow tired.”
[עַל־פִּי תּוֹרָה קנ"ה - אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם זוֹכִין עַל־יְדֵי אֶרֶץ־יִשְׂרָאֵל]
יְהֹוָה יְהֹוָה אֵל רַחוּם וְחַנּוּן אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם וְרַב־חֶסֶד וְאֶמֶת. זַכֵּנִי בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים שֶׁיִּהְיֶה לִי וּלְכָל יִשְׂרָאֵל כִּסּוּפִין וְגַעְגּוּעִים וְהִשְׁתּוֹקְקוּת וְחֵשֶׁק אֲמִתִּי לָבוֹא לְאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, עַד שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים וּבַחֲסָדֶיךָ הָעֲצוּמִים, לְהוֹצִיא מִכֹּחַ אֶל הַפֹּעַל חֶשְׁקִי וּרְצוֹנִי, לֵילֵךְ וְלִנְסֹעַ וְלָבוֹא לְשָׁלוֹם לְאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל חִישׁ קַל מְהֵרָה.
Faith Leads to Equanimity / Praying and Going to the Tzaddik / The Land of Israel and Equanimity / Yearning for the Land of Israel
When a person believes that God stands above him and hears his words, he prays properly and travels to the Tzaddik. But if he lacks faith, he grows depressed and unmotivated, and consequently he does not pray properly or travel to the Tzaddik.
A person who has faith grows spiritually regardless of adverse conditions. He may be compared to wheat planted in fertile soil, which grows well despite winds, thunder or lightning. The one who has faith prays properly and goes to the Tzaddik. Nothing frightens him. He attains equanimity, so that nothing can disturb his service of God, and he blossoms in his spiritual growth.
The Land of Israel is associated with faith, and so a person’s equanimity and his service of God depend on and are attained via the Land of Israel. Moses yearned for the Land of Israel principally because he saw that there a person can attain equanimity. Everybody must ask HaShem to feel a yearning for the Land of Israel. In particular, all of the Tzaddikim should yearn for the Land of Israel.
Before reciting the Shema,5“Shema Yisrael,” a declaration of faith in the Oneness of God and a commitment to fulfilling His commandments, comprised of verses from Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21, and Numbers 15:37- 41, is recited daily during morning and evening prayers, and before going to sleep. in which we proclaim our faith in God’s Oneness, we recite the phrase, “May He lead us upright to our Land,” for that expresses the yearning that we should feel for the Land of Israel.
The Holy Land
“HaShem, HaShem, God Who is compassionate and gracious, long-suffering and exceedingly kind,” help me — as well as all Jews — yearn to come to the Land of Israel, until with Your help, I will soon fulfill that desire.
כִּי אַתָּה יוֹדֵעַ גֹּדֶל הַהֶכְרֵחַ שֶׁלִּי, כַּמָּה אֲנִי צָרִיךְ וּמֻכְרָח לִהְיוֹת בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, בָּאָרֶץ הַקְּדוֹשָׁה, לְגֹדֶל עֹצֶם רִחוּקִי מִמְּךָ, וּלְעֹצֶם עֹבִיוּת גַּשְׁמִיּוּתִי וְעַקְמִימִיּוּת שֶׁבְּלִבִּי וּבִלְבּוּל דַּעְתִּי, אֲשֶׁר עַל כָּל זֶה אֲנִי צָרִיךְ לִהְיוֹת בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, אֲשֶׁר שָׁם עִקָּר יְסוֹד מְקוֹר הָאֱמוּנָה הַקְּדוֹשָׁה, שָׁם שֹׁרֶשׁ כְּלָלִיּוּת קְדֻשַּׁת יִשְׂרָאֵל.
Because I am so far from You, because my materiality is so thick, my heart so twisted and my mind so confused, I must come to the Land of Israel, which is the essence of our faith, the root of our holiness as a nation.
הִיא הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר יְהֹוָה בָּחַר בָּהּ בִּשְׁבִיל עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל הַנִּבְחָר, הִיא הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר יְהֹוָה דּוֹרֵשׁ אוֹתָהּ תָּמִיד, אֶרֶץ הַחַיִּים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים וְהַנִּצְחִיִּים, אֶרֶץ חֶמְדָּה טוֹבָה וּרְחָבָה שֶׁרָצִיתָ וְהִנְחַלְתָּ לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ, אֶרֶץ אֲשֶׁר בָּהּ עִיר אֱלֹהֵינוּ הַר קָדְשׁוֹ, יְפֵה נוֹף מְשׂוֹשׂ כָּל הָאָרֶץ:
That is the Land that You chose for us, Your chosen people. It is the Land that You always gaze upon, the Land of true and eternal life, the beloved, good and broad Land that You desired and bequeathed to our fathers, the Land that contains the Godly city upon a holy mountain that is a beloved vista, the delight of the entire earth.
אָנָּא יְהֹוָה, רַחֲמָן מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, חַסְדָּן מָלֵא חֲסָדִים, טוֹב מָלֵא טוֹבוֹת, צַדִּיק מָלֵא צְדָקוֹת, מוֹשִׁיעַ מָלֵא יְשׁוּעוֹת, הֵטִיבָה בִּרְצוֹנְךָ עִמִּי וְתֵן לִי בְּרַחֲמִים וָחֶסֶד וּבְמַתְּנַת חִנָּם, שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה מְהֵרָה לָבוֹא לְאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, לָאָרֶץ הַקְּדוֹשָׁה, הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר יָרְשׁוּ אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר כָּל הַצַּדִּיקִים אֲמִתִּיִּים נִכְסְפָה וְגַם כָּלְתָה נַפְשָׁם לִהְיוֹת שָׁם,
The Promised Land
HaShem, filled with compassion, kindness, goodness, righteousness and redemption, give me the gift of coming soon to the Land of Israel — the Holy Land, the land that our fathers inherited, the Land for which the spirit of all of the true Tzaddikim yearned.
וְרֻבָּם בָּאוּ לְשָׁם וְתִקְּנוּ שָׁם מַה שֶּׁפָּעֲלוּ וְזָכוּ שָׁם לְמַה שֶּׁזָּכוּ, הַכֹּל עַל־יְדֵי קְדֻשַּׁת אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁהִיא נְקֻדָּה הַקְּדוֹשָׁה שֶׁל כָּל הָעוֹלָם,
Most of them came there, made rectifications and grew spiritually due to the holiness of the Land, which is the holy core of the entire world.
אֲשֶׁר טָרַח וְיָגַע אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ עָלָיו הַשָּׁלוֹם, יָמִים וְשָׁנִים הַרְבֵּה מְאֹד, וְהִבִּיט וְרָאָה וְהֵבִין וְחָקַר וְחָקַק וְחָצַב וּמָדַד וְשָׁקַל וּמָנָה, עַד שֶׁגִּלָּה לוֹ הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ אֶת הָאָרֶץ הַקְּדוֹשָׁה הַזֹּאת שֶׁהִיא יְסוֹד נְקֻדַּת הַקְּדֻשָּׁה יְסוֹד הָאֱמוּנָה,
Abraham our patriarch toiled for years to discover the identity of the Holy Land, which is the basic core of holiness, the foundation of faith, until You revealed it to him.
וְהִבְטִיחוֹ לְהַנְחִיל אוֹתָהּ לְזַרְעוֹ אַחֲרָיו לְדוֹרוֹתָם. עַל כֵּן רַחֵם עָלַי לְמַעַן שְׁמֶךָ, וְזַכֵּנִי בִּזְכוּתוֹ וְכֹחוֹ וּבִזְכוּת כָּל הַצַּדִּיקִים שֶׁזָּכוּ לָבוֹא לְשָׁם, שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה גַּם אָנֹכִי הַנִּבְזֶה וְהַפָּחוּת בְּתַכְלִית שֶׁאֵין פְּחִיתוּת אַחֲרָיו, לְדַלֵּג וְלִקְפֹּץ מְהֵרָה עַל כָּל הַמְּנִיעוֹת וְהָעִכּוּבִים וְהַסִּכְסוּכִים הַמּוֹנְעִים מִלִּנְסֹעַ לְאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, לְשַׁבֵּר הַכֹּל מְהֵרָה וְלָבוֹא בִּזְרִיזוּת גָּדוֹל לְאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל הַקְּדוֹשָׁה.
You promised to bequeath it to his offspring. In the merit and power of the Land and of all of the Tzaddikim who came there, may I, too, although I am contemptible and worthless, quickly overcome all of the obstacles that prevent people from coming to the Land of Israel and arrive there soon!
נָא אָבִי אָב הָרַחֲמָן, הַמְרַחֵם רַחֵם עָלַי, רַחֵם עַל עָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן כָּמֹנִי הַפּוֹרֵשׂ כַּפָּיו נֶגְדֶּךָ, מְבַקֵּשׁ וְשׁוֹאֵל צְדָקָה וּמַתְּנַת חִנָּם לְבַד. וְגַם זֶה אֵינִי זוֹכֶה לוֹמַר בֶּאֱמֶת, מֵעֹצֶם בִּלְבּוּל וַעֲכִירַת דַּעְתִּי, כַּאֲשֶׁר נִגְלָה לְפָנֶיךָ אָדוֹן מָלֵא רַחֲמִים. וְאַף־עַל־פִּי־כֵן, אֲנִי מְצַפֶּה לִישׁוּעָתְךָ וְטוֹבָתְךָ וַחֲסָדֶיךָ הָרַבִּים וְצִדְקוֹתֶיךָ הַנּוֹרָאוֹת וְהַנִּפְלָאוֹת.
The Journey to the Land of Israel
My compassionate Father, have pity on a poor person such as myself who stretches out his hands before You, asking for an unearned gift. Because of the turbulence of my mind, I do not deserve to receive that gift. Nevertheless, I hope in Your redemption, goodness, kindness and righteousness.
חוּס וְרַחֵם עָלַי וַהֲבִיאֵנִי לְשָׁלוֹם מְהֵרָה לְאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְחַזֵּק וְאַמֵּץ דַּעְתִּי וּלְבָבִי, שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לַעֲבֹר עַל כָּל הַמְּנִיעוֹת וְהָעִכּוּבִים וְהַבִּלְבּוּלִים, וְעַל כָּל מְנִיעוֹת הַמֹּחַ.
Have mercy on me. Bring me soon to the Land of Israel. Strengthen my mind and heart so that I will get past all the impediments and confusions of my mind.
וְתַשְׁפִּיעַ לִי מָמוֹן בְּשֶׁפַע עַל הוֹצָאוֹת וְכָל הִצְטָרְכוּת הַדֶּרֶךְ. וְאֶזְכֶּה לִנְסֹעַ בְּשָׁלוֹם וְלָבוֹא בְּשָׁלוֹם לְאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, שָׁלוֹם בְּגוּפִי וּבְתוֹרָתִי וּבְמָמוֹנִי, שָׁלוֹם בְּלִי פֶּגַע.
Send me an abundant flow of money to pay for my expenses. May I set out in peace, travel in peace, and arrive in peace — at peace in my physical well-being, in my connection to the Torah, and in my finances.
וְתַצִּילֵנִי מִכָּל מִינֵי הִרְהוּרִים רָעִים וּמִכָּל מִינֵי פְּגָמִים. וְלֹא יַגִּיעַ לִי הֶזֵּק חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, עַל־יְדֵי הַדֶּרֶךְ הָרָחוֹק הַזֶּה בְּשׁוּם דָּבָר שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם, בְּגוּף וָנֶפֶשׁ וּמָמוֹן, לֹא בְּגַשְׁמִיּוּת וְלֹא בְּרוּחָנִיּוּת,
Rescue me from all types of evil thoughts and blemishes. May the long journey not cause me any damage in body, soul or money. May it not harm me either physically or spiritually.
וְאֵצֵא בְּשָׁלוֹם וְאָבוֹא בְּשָׁלוֹם. וְאֶזְכֶּה לִפְעֹל שָׁם בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל כָּל צָרְכִּי, לִזְכּוֹת לְהִתְקָרֵב אֵלֶיךָ בֶּאֱמֶת עַל־יְדֵי קְדֻשַּׁת אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְלֵילֵךְ וְלַעֲלוֹת מִדַּרְגָּא לְדַרְגָּא בִּקְדֻשָּׁה וּבְטָהֳרָה גְּדוֹלָה כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב:
Once in the Land of Israel, may its holiness help me come close to You. May I rise from level to level in great holiness and purity, in accordance with Your beneficent will.
וּתְזַכֵּנִי עַל־יְדֵי קְדֻשַּׁת אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל לְשַׁבֵּר מִדַּת הַכַּעַס בְּתַכְלִית. וְאֶזְכֶּה לַאֲרִיכַת אַפַּיִם בְּכָל הַבְּחִינוֹת, שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לִכְבֹּשׁ כַּעֲסִי תָמִיד, וְלֹא אֶכְעוֹס וְלֹא אַקְפִּיד שׁוּם כַּעַס וְהַקְפָּדָה כְּלָל עַל שׁוּם דָּבָר שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם. וְאֶזְכֶּה לַעֲבוֹד אוֹתְךָ בֶּאֱמֶת וּבֶאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה וּבִתְמִימוּת גָּדוֹל,
The Gifts of the Holy Land
With the help of the holiness of the Land of Israel, may I overcome my anger in all circumstances so that nothing in the world will irritate May I serve You with truth, faith and simplicity.
וְלַעֲסֹק בְּתוֹרָה וּתְפִלָּה בְּכַוָּנָה גְּדוֹלָה וַעֲצוּמָה, וּלְהַכְנִיס כָּל כֹּחִי וְכָל מַחְשְׁבוֹת לִבִּי וְדַעְתִּי בְּתוֹךְ כָּל דִּבּוּר וְדִבּוּר שֶׁל הַתְּפִלָּה הַקְּדוֹשָׁה וְהַנּוֹרָאָה מְאֹד מְאֹד.
May I engage in Torah learning and prayer with intense feeling, and bring all of my strength and all of the thoughts of my heart and mind into each word of prayer.
וְאֵדַע וְאַאֲמִין בֶּאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה כִּי מְלֹא כָל הָאָרֶץ כְּבוֹדֶךָ, וְאַתָּה עוֹמֵד עָלֵינוּ בִּשְׁעַת הַתְּפִלָּה, וְאַתָּה שׁוֹמֵעַ וּמַבִּיט וּמַאֲזִין וּמַקְשִׁיב כָּל דִּבּוּר וְדִבּוּר שֶׁל הַתְּפִלָּה.
May I believe with perfect faith that the world is filled with Your glory, and that when we pray, You stand before us and take heed of our every word.
וְאֵדַע לִפְנֵי מִי אֲנִי עוֹמֵד לִפְנֵי מֶלֶךְ מַלְכֵי הַמְּלָכִים הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, וְעַל־יְדֵי־זֶה יֻמְשַׁךְ עָלַי יִרְאָה וְאֵימָה גְּדוֹלָה מִפָּנֶיךָ.
May I know before Whom I stand: before the King of kings, the Holy One, Blessed be He. As a result, may I experience fear and awe before You.
וְאֶזְכֶּה לְכַוֵּן הֵיטֵב הֵיטֵב בְּכָל דִּבּוּר וְדִבּוּר שֶׁל הַתְּפִלָּה, וְלֹא אַסִּיחַ דַּעְתִּי כְּלָל מִשּׁוּם דִּבּוּר שֶׁל הַתְּפִלָּה, וְלֹא אַתְחִיל לְהַטּוֹת דַּעְתִּי כְּלָל מִכַּוָּנַת פֵּרוּשׁ הַמִּלּוֹת שֶׁל הַתְּפִלָּה. וְלֹא אֶחְשֹׁב חַס וְשָׁלוֹם שׁוּם מַחֲשָׁבָה חִיצוֹנָה וְזָרָה כְּלָל בִּשְׁעַת הַתְּפִלָּה,
May I have profound intent in my every word of prayer. May I not lose my focus: may I not turn my mind aside from the meaning of the words, and certainly may I not have any superficial or foreign thoughts.
רַק אֶזְכֶּה לְקַשֵּׁר מַחֲשַׁבְתִּי בְּדִבּוּרֵי הַתְּפִלָּה בְּקֶשֶׁר אַמִּיץ וְחָזָק אֲשֶׁר לֹא יִנָּתֵק וְלֹא יֵהָרֵס לְעוֹלָם.
Rather, may I connect my thought to my words of prayer with a strong bond that will never be severed.
וְאֶזְכֶּה לְהִתְגַּבֵּר בַּעֲבוֹדַת יְהֹוָה בְּתוֹרָה וּבִתְפִלָּה וּבְמַעֲשִׂים טוֹבִים, בִּזְרִיזוּת גָּדוֹל וּבְשִׂמְחָה רַבָּה וַעֲצוּמָה, וְלֹא אַשְׁגִּיחַ בְּדַעְתִּי עַל שׁוּם בִּטּוּל וּבִלְבּוּל וּמוֹנֵעַ וּמְעַכֵּב, וְלֹא אֲבַלְבֵּל דַּעְתִּי עֲלֵיהֶם כְּלָל, וְלֹא אָחוּשׁ וְלֹא אֶסְתַּכֵּל עֲלֵיהֶם כְּלָל, וְלֹא תִפֹּל עָלַי שׁוּם עַצְלוּת וְעַצְבוּת וּכְבֵדוּת וַחֲלִישׁוּת הַדַּעַת כְּלָל.
Serving God
Help me grow stronger in my service of You. May I do so by learning Torah, praying, and performing good deeds with alacrity and joy, and not be affected by any problems, confusions or impediments. In addition, may I not suffer from any laziness, depression or weak resolve.
רַק אֶזְכֶּה בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים לְהִתְגַּבֵּר עַל־יְדֵי הָאֱמוּנָה הַקְּדוֹשָׁה, לְשַׁבֵּר וּלְבַטֵּל לְגַמְרֵי כָּל מִינֵי עַצְלוּת וּכְבֵדוּת וּמְנִיעוֹת הַמֹּחַ וּמְנִיעוֹת גַּשְׁמִיִּים, וְעַצְבוּת וּמָרָה שְׁחוֹרָה וּמַחֲשָׁבוֹת זָרוֹת וּבִלְבּוּלִים וְעַקְמִימִיּוּת שֶׁבַּלֵּב,
May I grow stronger by means of holy faith and nullify all heaviness, mental impediments, physical problems, sadness, foreign thoughts, and entanglements in my heart.
הַכֹּל אֶזְכֶּה לְשַׁבֵּר בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ הָרַבִּים וַחֲסָדֶיךָ הַגְּדוֹלִים וְהָעֲצוּמִים. וְאֶזְכֶּה לְמִדַּת אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם בֶּאֱמֶת, שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְהַאֲרִיךְ אַפִּי עַל כָּל הַמְּנִיעוֹת וְהַבִּלְבּוּלִים לִבְלִי לְהִסְתַּכֵּל וְלִבְלִי לָחוּשׁ עֲלֵיהֶם כְּלָל, וְלֹא יִכְפַּת לִי שׁוּם דָּבָר כְּלָל. רַק אֶזְכֶּה לַעֲשׂוֹת אֶת שֶׁלִּי בְּתוֹרָה וּתְפִלָּה וּמַעֲשִׂים טוֹבִים בִּזְרִיזוּת וּבְשִׂמְחָה, וְלֹא תִקְצַר רוּחִי חַס וְשָׁלוֹם מִשּׁוּם דָּבָר שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם.
May I attain the trait of equanimity so that I will not be upset by any obstacles and confusions, and nothing will diminish my spirit.
וְתַשְׁפִּיעַ עָלַי כֹּחַ הַגֹּדֶל וְכֹחַ הַצּוֹמֵחַ דִּקְדֻשָּׁה, הַנִּמְשָׁךְ מִן הָאֱמוּנָה הַקְּדוֹשָׁה, שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לִהְיוֹת הוֹלֵךְ וְגָדוֹל וְצוֹמֵחַ בַּעֲבוֹדָתְךָ, וְלֹא יַזִּיק לִי שׁוּם דָּבָר שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם. וּבְכָל מַעֲשֶׂה אֲשֶׁר אָחֵל בַּעֲבוֹדַת יְהֹוָה וּבַתּוֹרָה וּבַמִּצְוֹת, בְּכָל לְבָבִי אֶעֱשֶׂה וְאַצְלִיחַ:
Pour forth upon me the power to grow and blossom in holiness. May nothing in the world harm me. And may I learn Torah and perform mitzvot with all my heart so as to truly serve You.
אָנָּא מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, נוֹתֵן לַיָּעֵף כֹּחַ וּלְאֵין אוֹנִים עָצְמָה יַרְבֶּה. אַתָּה לְבַד יָדַעְתָּ רִבּוּי חֲלִישׁוּתִי וּבִלְבּוּל דַּעְתִּי וְעַקְמִימִיּוּת לְבָבִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לִי בְּכָל דָּבָר שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם,
Overcoming Impediments
HaShem, You alone, “Who gives power to the weary and strength to the person who lacks might,” know the depth of my weakness, the confusion of my mind and the entanglements of my heart.
וּבִפְרָט בִּדְבָרִים שֶׁבִּקְדֻשָּׁה, אֲשֶׁר כָּל דָּבָר שֶׁבִּקְדֻשָּׁה שֶׁאֲנִי רוֹצֶה לַעֲשׂוֹת יֵשׁ לִי מְנִיעוֹת וְעִכּוּבִים וּבִלְבּוּלִים רַבִּים בְּלִי שִׁעוּר קֹדֶם שֶׁאֲנִי מַתְחִיל לַעֲשׂוֹתוֹ.
In every matter, particularly in every holy endeavor that I wish to undertake, I face innumerable impediments and confusions.
וַאֲפִלּוּ בָּעֵת שֶׁאֲנִי זוֹכֶה לַעֲסֹק בּוֹ לַעֲשׂוֹתוֹ, מְבַלְבְּלִים וּמְעַקְּמִים אֶת לְבָבִי וְדַעְתִּי בְּכַמָּה וְכַמָּה עַקְמִימִיּוּת עַל עַקְמִימִיּוּת, וּבְכַמָּה וְכַמָּה מִינֵי עַצְבוּת וּמָרָה שְׁחוֹרָה וְעַצְלוּת וּכְבֵדוּת וּבִלְבּוּל הַדַּעַת וּמַחֲשָׁבוֹת זָרוֹת וּפְנִיּוֹת בְּלִי שִׁעוּר וָעֵרֶךְ וּמִסְפָּר, עַד אֲשֶׁר כָּשַׁל כֹּחַ הַסַּבָּל,
When I embark on such an endeavor, my heart and mind are twisted into knots and afflicted with sadness, laziness, heaviness, foreign thoughts and innumerable ulterior motives, until “the strength of the porter has collapsed.”
עַד אֲשֶׁר קַצְתִּי בְּחַיַּי, כַּאֲשֶׁר אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהַי וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתַי מָלֵא רַחֲמִים. וּמָה אֶעֱשֶׂה וַעֲוֹנוֹתַי עָשׂוּ כָּל זֹאת.
This has become so distressing that I have grown disgusted with my life. And the cause of it all is the fact that I have sinned.
רַחֵם עָלַי לְמַעַן שְׁמֶךָ, שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לַאֲרִיכַת אַפַּיִם בֶּאֱמֶת, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁאֶעֱבֹר עַל כָּל הַמְּנִיעוֹת וְהַבִּלְבּוּלִים וְהַמְּעַכְּבִים מִן הַקְּדֻשָּׁה, הֵן מְנִיעוֹת שֶׁיֵּשׁ לִי מִמֶּנִּי בְּעַצְמִי מֵחֲמַת תַּאֲווֹת וּבִלְבּוּל הַדַּעַת וּמַחֲשָׁבוֹת זָרוֹת וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּזֶה, הֵן מְנִיעוֹת מֵאַנְשֵׁי הָעוֹלָם הַקְּרוֹבִים וְהָרְחוֹקִים, כִּי רַבִּים קָמִים עָלֵינוּ בְּכָל־עֵת כַּאֲשֶׁר אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ,
Have compassion on me for the sake of Your Name. May I attain equanimity so that I will disregard all of the impediments and confusions that keep me from holiness — impediments from within due to my desires, confusion and foreign thoughts, and impediments from without due to other people near and far, particularly from the many people who rise up against me at every moment.
הַכֹּל אֶזְכֶּה לְבַטֵּל, וְאַאֲרִיךְ אַפִּי וְרוּחִי וְלֹא אַשְׁגִּיחַ וְלֹא אֶסְתַּכֵּל וְלֹא אָחוּשׁ עֲלֵיהֶם כְּלָל, וְאַל יְבַהֲלוּנִי רַעְיוֹנַי וְאַל יְקַצְרוּ רוּחִי חַס וְשָׁלוֹם,
May I attain equanimity and pay them no mind. May I not suffer from a swarm of thoughts that upset me and shorten my spirit.
אַל יֵרַךְ לְבָבִי, וְלֹא אִירָא וְלֹא אֶחְפֹּז וְלֹא אֶעֱרֹץ מִפְּנֵיהֶם, כִּי יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ הַהוֹלֵךְ עִמָּנוּ לְהִלָּחֵם לָנוּ עִם אוֹיְבֵינוּ לְהוֹשִׁיעַ אוֹתָנוּ:
May my heart not be weak. May I not fear them, grow unsure or feel intimidated by them — for You, HaShem, fight on my behalf against my enemies and save me.
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, אַמֵּץ יָדַיִם רָפוֹת וּבִרְכַּיִם כּוֹשְׁלוֹת תְּאַמֵּץ, אַל תִּטְשֵׁנִי וְאַל תַּעַזְבֵנִי אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׁעִי.
Attaining Good Traits
Master of the universe, strengthen my weak hands and tottering knees. Do not abandon me, but redeem me.
זַכֵּנִי לָבוֹא לְאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל חִישׁ קַל מְהֵרָה, וְלִזְכּוֹת שָׁם לְכָל מַה שֶּׁיְּכוֹלִין לִזְכּוֹת בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, מְקוֹם אֲשֶׁר מֹשֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹן מָסְרוּ נַפְשָׁם לָבוֹא לְשָׁם.
Help me come swiftly and easily to the Land of Israel, the Land that Moses and Aaron tried so hard to enter. There may I attain all that a person can achieve in the Holy Land.
וְאֶזְכֶּה לַאֲרִיכַת אַפַּיִם בְּכָל הַבְּחִינוֹת, וְלֶאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה בֶּאֱמֶת,
May I attain equanimity and complete faith.
וּלְבַטֵּל הַכַּעַס וְהַקְּפֵּדוֹת בְּתַכְלִית. וְאֶזְכֶּה לִהְיוֹת טוֹב לַכֹּל, שֶׁלֹּא יִהְיֶה בְלִבִּי שׁוּם צַד קִנְאָה וְשִׂנְאָה וְהַקְפָּדָה וְכַעַס עַל שׁוּם אָדָם שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם, אֲפִלּוּ עַל הַשּׂוֹנְאִים וְהָרוֹדְפִים אוֹתִי, רַק אֶזְכֶּה לִהְיוֹת טוֹב לַכֹּל בֶּאֱמֶת כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב.
May I eradicate my anger and irritability. May I be good to all so that my heart will not contain any jealousy, animosity, irritation or anger, even against those who hate and persecute me. May I just be good to all, in accordance with Your beneficent will.
וְאֶזְכֶּה לְהִזְדָּרֵז בַּעֲבוֹדָתְךָ מְאֹד בְּשִׂמְחָה וְחַיּוּת וְהִתְלַהֲבוּת גָּדוֹל דִּקְדֻשָּׁה,
May I serve You with alacrity, joy, vitality and holy fervor.
וּתְחַזְּקֵנִי וּתְאַמְּצֵנִי תָמִיד עַד שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לַעֲבֹר בְּשָׁלוֹם וּלְדַלֵּג וּלְקַפֵּץ עַל כָּל הַמְּנִיעוֹת וְהָעִכּוּבִים מִן הַקְּדֻשָּׁה. וְאֶזְכֶּה מְהֵרָה לְהִתְקָרֵב אֵלֶיךָ בֶּאֱמֶת כִּרְצוֹנְךָ הַטּוֹב.
Strengthen me to overcome all impediments to holiness and quickly come close to You, in accordance with Your beneficent will.
וְאֶהְיֶה חָזָק וְאַמִּיץ וְתַקִּיף בַּעֲבוֹדָתְךָ תָמִיד, וְאֶזְכֶּה לִהְיוֹת גִּבּוֹר לִכְבֹּשׁ אֶת יִצְרִי וְרוּחִי לָסוּר מֵרָע וְלַעֲשׂוֹת הַטּוֹב בְּעֵינֶיךָ תָמִיד. אַדִּיר אָיוֹם וְנוֹרָא, חָזָק וְאַמִּיץ,
May I be strong and determined to serve You always. May I be a mighty warrior, conquering my evil inclination, turning aside from evil and doing that which is right in Your eyes, You Who are mighty and awesome, strong and abiding.
חַזְּקֵנוּ וְאַמְּצֵנוּ בֶּאֱמוּנָתְךָ וּבַעֲבוֹדָתְךָ הַקְּדוֹשָׁה,
Strengthen me to have faith in You and to serve You.
וְתַשְׁפִּיעַ עָלֵינוּ עֹז וְתַעֲצוּמוֹת וּגְבוּרָה דִקְדֻשָּׁה בַּלֵּב, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁלֹּא יוּכַל לְבַלְבֵּל דַּעְתֵּנוּ שׁוּם דָּבָר שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם.
Pour holy strength upon our hearts so that nothing in the world will confuse us.
וְנִזְכֶּה לְקַיֵּם כְּמוֹ שֶׁהִזְהַרְתָּנוּ בְּתוֹרָתְךָ הַקְּדוֹשָׁה כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, חִזְקוּ וְאִמְצוּ אַל תִּירְאוּ וְאַל תַּעַרְצוּ מִפְּנֵיהֶם כִּי יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ הוּא הַהוֹלֵךְ עִמָּךְ לֹא יַרְפְּךָ וְלֹא יַעַזְבֶךָּ.
May we keep the commandments as You have commanded us in Your holy Torah. “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear and do not be frightened of them, for HaShem your God goes with you. He will not fail you or abandon you.”
וְנֶאֱמַר, קַוֵּה אֶל יְהֹוָה חֲזַק וְיַאֲמֵץ לִבֶּךָ וְקַוֵּה אֶל יְהֹוָה.
“Hope in HaShem. Let your heart be strong and courageous, and hope in HaShem.”
וְקַיֵּם לָנוּ מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב, וְקֹוֵי יְהֹוָה יַחֲלִיפוּ כֹחַ יַעֲלוּ אֵבֶר כַּנְּשָׁרִים יָרוּצוּ וְלֹא יִיגָעוּ יֵלְכוּ וְלֹא יִיעָפוּ.
“Those who hope in HaShem will renew strength. They will rise with wings like eagles. They will rush forward and not grow weary. They will walk and not grow tired.”
חִזְקוּ וְיַאֲמֵץ לְבַבְכֶם כָּל הַמְיַחֲלִים לַיְהֹוָה:
“All who hope in HaShem, be strong and courageous in your heart.”