How can I return to You through repentance when those who worship other gods don’t permit me to worship You? They seek to separate me from You and still I did not forsake Your precepts.
How was I able to go into exile and go on every path and province while the idol worshippers ruled over me with their laws that endured and their king reigned for a long time; while I have not been called to come to the king?
How were the rivers able to flow from the dripping of my tears while I was given over to evil doers? They and their children shoot me with arrows from their quivers while I am a choice sheep taken to slaughter.
How is it that the end of days is concealed and not known, and my enemies who cut my glory are saved from death, considering themselves wise like Haymon1See Rashi Kings I, 2:11, referring to Moses and the generation that left Egypt. and Darda while I am foolish without wisdom.
How is it possible that the kingdom of the Chosen People has been torn apart while their kingdom has endured— the kingdom of evildoers and they live with confidence, in joy and gladness and I reside in exile?
The potion of poison— how did I drink and swallow? I cried and shed tears because of the oppressive yoke of Ishmael while they mock me [and insist] that I heed and harken what they say and I remain like a deaf person and I do not hear.
How was my God able to smite me while my previous wounds were still unhealed and the cloak of my glory was donned by Edom as they eat their sweet delicacies— milk and honey, when I am like withered grass?
How did the nation of Kedar surround me and Didan and Shva rule over me? They proclaim as a prophet a man who never prophecied they provide strength for their kingdoms, troops and armies and I, where shall I go?
How did You administer such suffering commensurate with my sins and foolishness? In the teeth of lions and lionesses was I consumed, and they, young and old [were confident] saying that they can overpower us. As I was childless from previous suffering, I became again childless from further suffering.
How did my stars become dark and my zodiac change as the nations abominated my scrolls? They prevented my feet from ascending to Jerusalem during festivals and I virtually veered completely from God.
How did You heed my iniquities and scrutinize my guilt but against those who battle my soul You did not defend me? Even while they were in full strength in inflicting pain and anguish upon me and still I trusted in Your kindness and my heart therefore rejoiced.
How did I sit alone and become cast astray and denigrated from my dignity? I wandered amongst the nations while they ruled and were successful their kingdom endured and I am childless and alone.
How have my mockers and denigraters so embarrassed me. Their power has not deserted them; as they cried out Aha! Aha! with words [of joy] I was a disgrace with them.
How did I remain amongst them in worry and pain? From the waves of anguish they pour on me and from their spring, do I draw; while they rest and lay [secure] as the raven and the wolf, while I am oppressed and sore.
How is it that those who despise pureness, dwell in Zion? Who would believe such a thing, who would imagine this to be God’s will? While they are wealthy princes, having been given high positions, I remain impoverished and needy.
How do they live in my Palace [my Temple] and dwell there in dwellings from above to below2The Temple mount to the Courtyard. and from below to the middle?3From the Courtyard to the Temple. While they have inherited a wealth of gold and precious coins, I am crippled while awaiting more blows.
How is that my thoughts are confused while they remain in Your thoughts? Remember us and be mindful of us for deliverance from idol worshippers. Let them be devoured and removed from the Place of Your Dwelling, and then through Your abundant kindness, I will enter Your House.
Almighty! King! Who sits on the throne of mercy, governs with kindness forgives the iniquities of His people. He removes their sins one by one, increasing forgiveness to sinners, and pardon to transgressors. Acting righteously with all who are of flesh and spirit; not according to their wickedness does He repay them. Almighty! You instructed us to recite the thirteen Divine attributes; remember unto us this day the covenant of thirteen Divine attributes, as You made them known to the humble Moses of old, as it is written, “And Adonoy descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the Name, Adonoy.
21
קהל וחזן:
Congregation and Chazzan:
22
וַיַּֽעֲבֹר יְהֹוָה עַל פָּנָיו וַיִּקְרָא:
And Adonoy passed before him [Moses], and proclaimed:
Adonoy, Adonoy, Almighty, Merciful, Gracious, Slow to Anger, and Abundant in Kindness, and Truth. Keeper of kindness for thousands of generations, Endurer of iniquity, and transgression, and sin; and Acquitter of those who repent. “And pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for Your inheritance.”
Pardon us our Father, for we have sinned, forgive us our King, for we have transgressed. “For You, my Master, are good and forgiving, and abounding in kindness to all who call upon You.”
God will remember His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. “I have sworn by Myself,” declares Adonoy, “That because you performed this deed and did not withhold your only son, I will bless you greatly and make your descendants numerous as the stars of the sky and as the sand on the seashore, and your descendants will inherit the gate of their enemies. Through your children, will be blessed all the nations of the world because you heeded my voice.”
As a father has compassion on his children so do You have compassion on us, Adonoy. Deliverance is Adonoy’s; upon Your people is Your blessing. Selah! Adonoy of Hosts is with us, a stronghold for us is the God of Jacob. Selah! Adonoy of Hosts! fortunate is the man who trusts in You. Adonoy, deliver us; the King will answer us on the day we call.
“Please pardon the sins of this nation in accordance with the greatness of Your lovingkindness; and as You forgave this people from when it left Egypt until now.” And there it is said:
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וַיֹּאמֶר יְהֹוָה סָלַֽחְתִּי כִּדְבָרֶֽךָ:
“And Adonoy said, I have pardoned [them] as you have asked.”
Incline Your ear, my God, and hear, open Your eyes and behold our desolate places, and the city which is called by Your Name; for it is not on account of our righteousness that we let fall our supplication before You, but because of Your great mercy. My Master, hear! My Master, pardon! My Master, listen and take action, do not delay! For Your sake, my God, because Your Name is proclaimed over Your city and over Your people.
סד. ע"פ א"ב. חתום יצחק בר סעדיה.
אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ
Our God and God of our fathers!
אֵיךְ אוּכַל לָבֹא עָדֶיךָ. וְעוֹבְדֵי זוּלָתֶךָ לֹא־עֲזָבוּנִי לְעָבְדֶךָ. וְהֵמָּה בִקְּשׁוּ לְהַפְרִידִי מִמְּךָ. וַאֲנִי לֹא־עָזַבְתִּי פִּקֻּדֶיךָ:
How can I return to You through repentance when those who worship other gods don’t permit me to worship You? They seek to separate me from You and still I did not forsake Your precepts.
אֵיךְ גָּלִיתִי וָאֵלֵךְ בְּכָל־הֵלֶךְ וָפֶלֶךְ. וּמָלְכוּ עָלַי מַמְלִיכִים לְמֹלֶךְ. וְהֵמָּה דִּינָם עוֹמֵד וּמַלְכָּם מוֹלֵךְ. וַאֲנִי לֹא־נִקְרֵאתִי לָבֹא אֶל־הַמֶּלֶךְ:
How was I able to go into exile and go on every path and province while the idol worshippers ruled over me with their laws that endured and their king reigned for a long time; while I have not been called to come to the king?
אֵיךְ הָלְכוּ נְחָלִים מִדֶּלֶף־דִּמְעִי הַדָּלוּף. וְנִמְסַרְתִּי לְפוֹעֲלֵי אָוֶן וְסִלּוּף. וְהֵמָּה וּבְנֵיהֶם יוֹרוּנִי חֵץ שָׁלוּף. וַאֲנִי כְּכֶבֶשֹ אַלּוּף:
How were the rivers able to flow from the dripping of my tears while I was given over to evil doers? They and their children shoot me with arrows from their quivers while I am a choice sheep taken to slaughter.
אֵיךְ זְמַן קִצִּי נֶחְתָּם וְלֹא־נוֹדָע. וְאוֹיְבַי קַרְנִי גָדַע מִשַּׁחַת פֻּדָּע. וְהֵמָּה חוֹשְׁבִים חָכְמָתָם כְּהֵימָן וְדַרְדַּע. וַאֲנִי בַעַר וְלֹא אֵדָע:
How is it that the end of days is concealed and not known, and my enemies who cut my glory are saved from death, considering themselves wise like Haymon1See Rashi Kings I, 2:11, referring to Moses and the generation that left Egypt. and Darda while I am foolish without wisdom.
אֵיךְ טֹרָפָה מַלְכוּת מַמְלֶכֶת עַם־סְגֻלָּה. וְאָרְכָה מְלוּכָה לְמַלְכֵי בְּנֵי עַוְלָה. וְהֵמָּה יוֹשְׁבִים לָבֶטַח בְּשִֹמְחָה וְגִילָה. וַאֲנִי בְתוֹךְ־הַגּוֹלָה:
How is it possible that the kingdom of the Chosen People has been torn apart while their kingdom has endured— the kingdom of evildoers and they live with confidence, in joy and gladness and I reside in exile?
אֵיךְ כּוֹס הַתַּרְעֵלָה שָׁתִיתִי וָאֶגְמָע. בָּכִיתִי וָאֶדְמָע מֵעֹל־מַשָּׂא וּמִשְׁמָע. וְהֵמָּה לוֹעֲגִים עָלַי הַקְשִׁיבָה וּשְׁמָע. וַאֲנִי כְּחֵרֵשׁ לֹא אֶשְׁמָע:
The potion of poison— how did I drink and swallow? I cried and shed tears because of the oppressive yoke of Ishmael while they mock me [and insist] that I heed and harken what they say and I remain like a deaf person and I do not hear.
אֵיךְ מְחָצַנִי אֱלֹהַי, וּמַכְאוֹבִי לֹא־חֻבָּשׁ. וּמְעִיל תִּפְאַרְתִּי לִבְנֵי־אֱדוֹם הֻלְבָּשׁ. וְהֵמָּה נֹפֶת אוֹכְלִים חָלָב וּדְבָשׁ. וַאֲנִי כָּעֵשֶֹב אִיבָשׁ:
How was my God able to smite me while my previous wounds were still unhealed and the cloak of my glory was donned by Edom as they eat their sweet delicacies— milk and honey, when I am like withered grass?
אֵיךְ סְבָבוּנִי קֵדָר כִּתְּרוּנִי דְדָן־וּשְׁבָא. הַקּוֹרְאִים נָבִיא לְאִישׁ מֵעוֹלָם לֹא־נִבָּא. וְהֵמָּה עוֹשִֹים חַיִל גְּדוּד וּצְבָא. וַאֲנִי אָנָה אֲנִי־בָא:
How did the nation of Kedar surround me and Didan and Shva rule over me? They proclaim as a prophet a man who never prophecied they provide strength for their kingdoms, troops and armies and I, where shall I go?
אֵיךְ פָּקַדְתָּ עָלַי כַּאֲשֶׁר הֵרֵעוֹתִי וְהִסְכָּלְתִּי בְּשִׁנֵּי אֲרָיוֹת וּלְבָאִים נֶאֱכָלְתִּי: וְהֵמָּה צָעִיר־וְרַב אוֹמְרִים מָצָאתִי וְגַּם־יָכֹלְתִּי. וַאֲנִי כַּאֲשֶׁר שָׁכוֹלְתִּי שָׁכָלְתִּי:
How did You administer such suffering commensurate with my sins and foolishness? In the teeth of lions and lionesses was I consumed, and they, young and old [were confident] saying that they can overpower us. As I was childless from previous suffering, I became again childless from further suffering.
אֵיךְ קָדְרוּ כּוֹכָבַי וְחָזְרוּ גַלְגַּלַּי. וְעוֹבְדֵי גִלּוּלִים גָּלְלוּ גְלִילַי. וְהֵמָּה רִחֲקוּ רַגְלַי מֵעֲלוֹת רְגָלַי. וַאֲנִי כִּמְעַט נָטָיוּ רַגְלָי:
How did my stars become dark and my zodiac change as the nations abominated my scrolls? They prevented my feet from ascending to Jerusalem during festivals and I virtually veered completely from God.
אֵיךְ שָׁמַרְתָּ מַעֲוָיַי וּנְטַרְתַּנִי חוֹבִי. וּמֵרִיבֵי נַפְשִׁי לֹא־רַבְתָּ רִיבִי. וְהֵמָּה תָּקְפָם וְכֹחָם לְהַכְאִיבִי וּלְהַדְאִיבִי. וַאֲנִי בְּחַסְדְּךָ בָטַחְתִּי יָגֵל לִבִּי:
How did You heed my iniquities and scrutinize my guilt but against those who battle my soul You did not defend me? Even while they were in full strength in inflicting pain and anguish upon me and still I trusted in Your kindness and my heart therefore rejoiced.
אֵיךְ יָשַׁבְתִּי בָדָד וָאֱהִי לְנִדָּה. מִכָּבוֹד יְרוּדָה בַּגּוֹיִם נְדוּדָה. וְהֵמָּה צָלְחוּ וּמָלְכוּ וּמֶמְשַׁלְתָּם עָמְדָה. וַאֲנִי שְׁכוּלָה וְגַלְמוּדָה:
How did I sit alone and become cast astray and denigrated from my dignity? I wandered amongst the nations while they ruled and were successful their kingdom endured and I am childless and alone.
אֵיךְ חֵרְפוּנִי מְעוֹלָלַי מְהוֹלָלַי כֻּלָּהֶם. צִלָּם אֶצְלָם לֹא־סָר מֵעֲלֵיהֶם. וְהֵמָּה קָרְאוּ הֶאָח הֶאָח בְּמִלֵּיהֶם. וַאֲנִי הָיִיתִי חֶרְפָּה לָהֶם:
How have my mockers and denigraters so embarrassed me. Their power has not deserted them; as they cried out Aha! Aha! with words [of joy] I was a disgrace with them.
אֵיךְ בֵּינֵיהֶם נִשְׁאַרְתִּי דּוֹאֵג וְדוֹאֵב. מִפַּלְגֵי יְגוֹנָם וּמִמְּקוֹרָם שׁוֹאֵב וְהֵמָּה רוֹבְצִים וְשׁוֹכְבִים כְּעוֹרֵב וְכִזְאֵב. וַאֲנִי עָנִי וְכוֹאֵב:
How did I remain amongst them in worry and pain? From the waves of anguish they pour on me and from their spring, do I draw; while they rest and lay [secure] as the raven and the wolf, while I am oppressed and sore.
אֵיךְ שֹוֹנְאֵי כָל־טָהֳרָה שָׁכְנוּ בְצִיּוֹן. מִי־הֶאֱמִין כָּזֶה מִי־עָלָה־לוֹ בְּרִצָיוֹן. וְהֵמָּה עֲשִׁירִים נְשִֹיאִים נְתוּנִים עֶלְיוֹן. וַאֲנִי עָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן:
How is it that those who despise pureness, dwell in Zion? Who would believe such a thing, who would imagine this to be God’s will? While they are wealthy princes, having been given high positions, I remain impoverished and needy.
אֵיךְ־גָרוּ בְהֵיכָלוֹתַי וְשָׁכְנוּ־בָם שְׁכוֹן. מֵעֶלְיוֹן לְתַחְתּוֹן וּמִתַּחְתּוֹן לְתִיכוֹן. וְהֵמָּה יָרְשׁוּ הוֹן זָהָב וַאֲדַרְכּוֹן. וַאֲנִי לְצֶלַע נָכוֹן:
How do they live in my Palace [my Temple] and dwell there in dwellings from above to below2The Temple mount to the Courtyard. and from below to the middle?3From the Courtyard to the Temple. While they have inherited a wealth of gold and precious coins, I am crippled while awaiting more blows.
אֵיךְ חֶשְׁבּנוֹתַי נָפוֹצוּ וְהֵמָּה־עָלוּ בְּמַחְשְׁבוֹתֶיךָ. זָכְרֵנוּ־נָא וּפָקְדֵּנוּ בִּישׁוּעָתֶךָ מֵעוֹבְדֵי בִּלְתֶּךָ. וְהֵמָּה קַלְּעֵם וְבַלְּעֵם מִמְּכוֹן שִׁבְתֶּךָ. וַאֲנִי בְּרֹב חַסְדְּךָ אָבוֹא בֵיתֶךָ:
How is that my thoughts are confused while they remain in Your thoughts? Remember us and be mindful of us for deliverance from idol worshippers. Let them be devoured and removed from the Place of Your Dwelling, and then through Your abundant kindness, I will enter Your House.
אֵל מֶֽלֶךְ. יוֹשֵׁב עַל כִּסֵּא רַחֲמִים. מִתְנַהֵג בַּחֲסִידוּת. מוֹחֵל עֲוֹנוֹת עַמּוֹ. מַעֲבִיר רִאשׁוֹן רִאשׁוֹן. מַרְבֶּה מְחִילָה לְחַטָּאִים וּסְלִיחָה לְפוֹשְׁעִים. עוֹשֶׂה צְדָקוֹת עִם כָּל בָּשָׂר וָרֽוּחַ. לֹא כְרָעָתָם תִּגְמוֹל: אֵל הוֹרֵיתָ לָנוּ לוֹמַר שְׁלשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה. וּזְכָר לָֽנוּ הַיּוֹם בְּרִית שְׁלשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה. כְּמוֹ שֶׁהוֹדַֽעְתָּ לֶעָנָו מִקֶּֽדֶם. כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב וַיֵּרֶד יְהֹוָה בֶּֽעָנָן וַיִּתְיַצֵּב עִמּוֹ שָׁם וַיִּקְרָא בְשֵׁם יְהֹוָה:
Almighty! King! Who sits on the throne of mercy, governs with kindness forgives the iniquities of His people. He removes their sins one by one, increasing forgiveness to sinners, and pardon to transgressors. Acting righteously with all who are of flesh and spirit; not according to their wickedness does He repay them. Almighty! You instructed us to recite the thirteen Divine attributes; remember unto us this day the covenant of thirteen Divine attributes, as You made them known to the humble Moses of old, as it is written, “And Adonoy descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the Name, Adonoy.
קהל וחזן:
Congregation and Chazzan:
וַיַּֽעֲבֹר יְהֹוָה עַל פָּנָיו וַיִּקְרָא:
And Adonoy passed before him [Moses], and proclaimed:
יְהֹוָה יְהֹוָה אֵל רַחוּם וְחַנּוּן אֶֽרֶךְ אַפַּֽיִם וְרַב חֶֽסֶד וֶֽאֱמֶת: נֹצֵר חֶֽסֶד לָאֲלָפִים נֹשֵׂא עָוֹן וָפֶֽשַׁע וְחַטָּאָה וְנַקֵּה: וְסָלַחְתָּ לַעֲוֹנֵֽנוּ וּלְחַטָּאתֵֽנוּ וּנְחַלְתָּֽנוּ:
Adonoy, Adonoy, Almighty, Merciful, Gracious, Slow to Anger, and Abundant in Kindness, and Truth. Keeper of kindness for thousands of generations, Endurer of iniquity, and transgression, and sin; and Acquitter of those who repent. “And pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for Your inheritance.”
סְלַח לָֽנוּ אָבִֽינוּ כִּי חָטָֽאנוּ. מְחַל לָֽנוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ כִּי פָשָֽׁעְנוּ: כִּי אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי טוֹב וְסַלָּח וְרַב חֶֽסֶד לְכָל קֹרְאֶֽיךָ:
Pardon us our Father, for we have sinned, forgive us our King, for we have transgressed. “For You, my Master, are good and forgiving, and abounding in kindness to all who call upon You.”
יִּזְכֹּר אֱלֹהִים אֶת־בְּרִיתוֹ אֶת־אַבְרָהָם אֶת־יִצְחָק וְאֶת־יַעֲקֹב׃ בִּי נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי נְאֻם־יְהוָה כִּי יַעַן אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָ אֶת־הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה וְלֹא חָשַׂכְתָּ אֶת־בִּנְךָ אֶת־יְחִידֶךָ׃ כִּי־בָרֵךְ אֲבָרֶכְךָ וְהַרְבָּה אַרְבֶּה אֶת־זַרְעֲךָ כְּכוֹכְבֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם וְכַחוֹל אֲשֶׁר עַל־שְׂפַת הַיָּם וְיִרַשׁ זַרְעֲךָ אֵת שַׁעַר אֹיְבָיו׃ וְהִתְבָּרֲכוּ בְזַרְעֲךָ כֹּל גּוֹיֵי הָאָרֶץ עֵקֶב אֲשֶׁר שָׁמַעְתָּ בְּקֹלִי׃
God will remember His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. “I have sworn by Myself,” declares Adonoy, “That because you performed this deed and did not withhold your only son, I will bless you greatly and make your descendants numerous as the stars of the sky and as the sand on the seashore, and your descendants will inherit the gate of their enemies. Through your children, will be blessed all the nations of the world because you heeded my voice.”
כְּרַחֵם אָב עַל בָּנִים כֵּן תְּרַחֵם יְהֹוָה עָלֵֽינוּ: לַיהֹוָה הַיְשׁוּעָה, עַל עַמְּךָ בִרְכָתֶֽךָ סֶּֽלָה: יְהֹוָה צְבָאוֹת עִמָּֽנוּ מִשְׂגָּב לָֽנוּ, אֱלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב סֶֽלָה: יְהֹוָה צְבָאוֹת, אַשְׁרֵי אָדָם בֹּֽטֵֽחַ בָּךְ: יְהֹוָה הוֹשִֽׁיעָה, הַמֶּֽלֶךְ יַעֲנֵֽנוּ בְיוֹם קָרְאֵנוּ:
As a father has compassion on his children so do You have compassion on us, Adonoy. Deliverance is Adonoy’s; upon Your people is Your blessing. Selah! Adonoy of Hosts is with us, a stronghold for us is the God of Jacob. Selah! Adonoy of Hosts! fortunate is the man who trusts in You. Adonoy, deliver us; the King will answer us on the day we call.
סְלַח נָא לַעֲוֹן הָעָם הַזֶּה, כְּגֹֽדֶל חַסְדֶּֽךָ. וְכַאֲשֶׁר נָשָֽׂאתָה לָעָם הַזֶּה. מִמִּצְרַֽיִם וְעַד הֵֽנָּה. וְשָׁם נֶאֱמַר:
“Please pardon the sins of this nation in accordance with the greatness of Your lovingkindness; and as You forgave this people from when it left Egypt until now.” And there it is said:
וַיֹּאמֶר יְהֹוָה סָלַֽחְתִּי כִּדְבָרֶֽךָ:
“And Adonoy said, I have pardoned [them] as you have asked.”
הַטֵּה אֱלֹהַי אָזְנְךָ וּשְׁמָע, פְּקַח עֵינֶֽיךָ וּרְאֵה שֹׁמְמֹתֵֽינוּ, וְהָעִיר אֲשֶׁר נִקְרָא שִׁמְךָ עָלֶֽיהָ כִּי לֹא עַל צִדְקֹתֵֽינוּ, אֲנַֽחְנוּ מַפִּילִים תַּחֲנוּנֵֽינוּ לְפָנֶֽיךָ, כִּי עַל רַחֲמֶֽיךָ הָרַבִּים: אֲדֹנָי שְׁמָֽעָה, אֲדֹנָי סְלָֽחָה, אֲדֹנָי הַקְשִֽׁיבָה וַעֲשֵׂה, אַל תְּאַחַר. לְמַעַנְךָ אֱלֹהַי, כִּי שִׁמְךָ נִקְרָא עַל עִירְךָ וְעַל עַמֶּֽךָ:
Incline Your ear, my God, and hear, open Your eyes and behold our desolate places, and the city which is called by Your Name; for it is not on account of our righteousness that we let fall our supplication before You, but because of Your great mercy. My Master, hear! My Master, pardon! My Master, listen and take action, do not delay! For Your sake, my God, because Your Name is proclaimed over Your city and over Your people.