We beseech You, look at the righteousness of Your servants and Your pious ones, who exposed themselves to death for You, and did not spare themselves or their children, but rejected the life of this world. They subjected their will to Your will and sanctified Your great Name, and did not desecrate It. They willingly offered themselves as sacrifices; they stretched out their necks and withstood the test, and were found true; they were proven with cleansing, and found to be perfect. The blood of fathers and sons merged, also the blood of mothers and children; the blood of brothers and sisters were mingled, also the blood of bridgrooms and brides, the blood of wise men and women, the blood of worthy men and women, the blood of young men and women, the blood of communal leaders and their adjutants, the blood of pious men and women, the blood of old men and women, the blood of judges and their scribes, the blood of teachers and their pupils; the blood of husbands and their wives; they were all slain together for the sanctification of Your holy and unique Name.
Earth! Cover not their blood, and let their cry find no [resting] place,1Job 16:18. until Adonoy looks from heaven and sees, and takes His own vengeance, and the vengeance of His people, and the vengeance of His Torah, and the vengeance of His servants whose blood was poured like water; as You promised us through [Moses], the father of all prophets, “Sing the praises of His people, you nations, for the blood of His servants, He will avenge, and vengeance will He repay to His foes; and His land will be atoned [with the atonement] of His people.”2Deuteronomy 32:43.
Remember these altars, and see these bindings [sacrifices], for because of one binding [Isaac’s], the world shook, and the angels cried without,3Isaiah 33:7. and You swore that You would bless, [Abraham] the one who bound, and [Isaac] who was bound, to multiply their children like the sand of the sea. And certainly now that so many [sacrificed] bound their children for the unity of Your Name, Unique and Revered One. We beseech You, Avenger of blood, the voice of Your children’s blood, cry out to You from the earth, and let the land not atone the blood that was spilled in her, except with the blood of those who spilt it. And let Your mind be changed, and let Your anger be stilled, and Your wrath be withheld; and cease destruction and ruin from Your people.
Spare and have mercy on the escaped remnant, and bring them from darkness to light, and grant us a good year, a year of favor and time of redemption. Almighty, remember to us the covenant with Abraham, and recall for us the merit of [Isaac], who was bound, and have mercy on us for the piety of [Jacob] the perfect man. And You are the Righteous One over all that has come upon us; for You have acted truthfully and we have acted wickedly.
We have acted wickedly and have transgressed; we have therefore not been delivered. Grant that our hearts [be inspired to] abandon the path of wickedness, and hasten our deliverance; as is written by the hand of Your prophet, “Let the wicked man abandon his ways, and the man of iniquity his thoughts; and let him return unto Adonoy, and He will have compassion on him, and unto our God for He pardons abundantly.”
Your righteous annointed [King David] declared before You, Errors—who can comprehend? From hidden [faults], cleanse me.” Cleanse us, Adonoy, our God, from all our transgressions, and purify us from all our defilement. Sprinkle clean waters on us and cleanse us, as it is written by the hand of Your prophet, “And I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you will be clean; from all your defilements, and from all your idols, I will cleanse You.”
Micah, Your servant, said before You, “Who is an Almighty [God] like You? Who bears iniquity and overlooks transgression of the remnant of His inheritance; Who does not retain His anger forever, for He delights in kindliness. He will again have compassion on us, He will subdue our inquities, and cast into the depths of the sea, all their sins. And all the sins of Your people the House of Israel, You will cast into a place where they will never be remembered or counted and never recalled to mind. You will grant truth to Jacob, kindliness to Abraham, as You have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.”
Daniel, man of [Your] delight, cried to you, “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 supplications before You, but because of Your great mercy. My Master, hear! my Master, forgive! My Master, listen and take action, do not delay! For Your sake, my God, for Your Name is proclaimed over Your city and Your people.”
Ezra, the Scribe, said before You, “My God, I am [so] ashamed, and disgraced, that I cannot lift my face to You, my God, for our iniquities have risen over our heads, and our guilt has grown to the heavens.” “And You are a God of pardon, Gracious, Merciful, Slow to Anger, and Abundant in Kindness; and [therefore] You did not forsake them.” Do not forsake us, our Father, do not cast us off, our Creator, do not abandon us, our Maker, do not consume us on account of our sins. Fulfill for us, Adonoy, our God, the word, You promised by the hand of Jeremiah, Your seer as it is said, “In those days and at that time, says Adonoy, the iniquity of Israel will be sought, and there will be none [found], and the sins of Judah [will be sought] but they shall not be found; for I will pardon those whom I leave as a remnant.” Your people and Your inheritance hunger for Your goodness, thirst for Your kindness, long for Your deliverance. Let them realize and know that unto Adonoy, our God, belongs compassion and pardon.
Merciful Almighty is Your Name, Gracious Almighty is Your Name. Upon us is Your Name called, Adonoy! act [now] for the sake of Your Name. Act for the sake of Your truth. Act for the sake of Your covenant. Act for the sake of Your greatness and glory. Act for the sake of Your Law. Act for the sake of Your glorious majesty. Act for the sake of Your congregation. Act for the sake of Your memorial. Act for the sake of Your kindliness. Act for the sake of Your goodness. Act for the sake of Your Unity. Act for the sake of Your honor. Act for the sake of Your teaching. Act for the sake of Your kingship. Act for the sake of Your eternity. Act for the sake of Your counsel. Act for the sake of Your strength. Act for the sake of Your magnificence. Act for the sake of Your righteousness. Act for the sake of Your holiness. Act for the sake of Your abundant mercy. Act for the sake of Your Divine Presence. Act for the sake of Your praise. Act for the sake of Your beloved ones, who repose in the dust. Act for the sake of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Act for the sake of Moses and Aaron. Act for the sake of David and Solomon. Act for the sake of Jerusalem, city of Your holiness. Act for the sake of Zion, Dwelling Place of Your honor. Act for the sake of the desolation of Your Habitation. Act for the sake of the destruction of Your Altar. Act for the sake of the blood of Your servants that was spilled. Act for the sake of those who were slain to sanctify Your holy Name. Act for the sake of those who were slaughtered for [proclaiming] Your Oneness. Act for the sake of those who went through fire and water to sanctify Your Name. Act for the sake of nursing-infants who have never sinned. Act for the sake of weaned-children who have never transgressed. Act for the sake of “Yeshiva”-children. Act for Your sake and not ours. Act for Your sake and deliver us.
Answer us, Adonoy, answer us! Answer us, our God, answer us! Answer us, our Father, answer us. Answer us, our Creator, answer us. Answer us, our Redeemer, answer us. Answer us, our Seeker, answer us. Answer us, faithful Almighty, answer us. Answer us, steadfast and benevolent One, answer us. Answer us, pure and upright One, answer us. Answer us, living and permanent One, answer us. Answer us, good and beneficent One, answer us. Answer us, Knower of our inclination, answer us. Answer us, Suppressor of Anger, answer us. Answer us, One enrobed in righteousness, answer us. Answer us, Supreme King of kings, answer us. Answer us, awesome and exalted One, answer us. Answer us, Pardoner and Forgiver, answer us. Answer us, You Who answer in time of distress, answer us. Answer us, Redeemer and Saver, answer us. Answer us, just and upright One, answer us. Answer us, He Who is near to those who call upon Him, answer us. Answer us, merciful and gracious One, answer us. Answer us, You Who listen to the needy, answer us. Answer us, Supporter of the innocent, answer us. Answer us, God of our fathers, answer us. Answer us, God of Abraham, answer us. Answer us, Fear of Isaac, answer us. Answer us, Mighty One of Jacob, answer us. Answer us, Helper of the Tribes, answer us. Answer us, Stronghold of the Matriarchs, answer us. Answer us, Whom it is hard to provoke, answer us. Answer us, You Who are easily reconciled, answer us. Answer us, You Who answer at a favorable time, answer us. Answer us, Father of orphans, answer us. Answer us, [Protective] Judge of widows, answer us.
He Who answered our father Abraham on Mount Moriah, He will answer us. He Who answered Isaac, his son, when he was bound on the altar, He will answer us. He Who answered Jacob in Beth El, He will answer us. He Who answered Joseph in prison, He will answer us. He Who answered our ancestors at the Reed Sea, He will answer us. He Who answered Moses at Horeb, He will answer us. He Who answered Aaron with the incense pan, He will answer us. He Who answered Pinchos when he rose from among the congregation, He will answer us. He Who answered Joshua at Gilgal, He will answer us. He Who answered Samuel at Mizpah, He will answer us. He Who answered David, and Solomon, his son, in Jerusalem, He will answer us. He Who answered Elijah on Mount Carmel, He will answer us. He Who answered Elisha in Jericho, He will answer us. He Who answered Jonah in the belly of the whale, He will answer us. He Who answered Hezekiah, King of Judah, in his illness, He will answer us. He Who answered Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah in the midst of the fiery furnace, He will answer us. He Who answered Daniel in the lions’ den, He will answer us. He Who answered Mordecai and Esther in Shushan, the capital [city of Persia], He will answer us. He Who answered Ezra in captivity, He will answer us. He Who answered all the righteous, the pious, the perfect and the upright, He will answer us.
May the Merciful One, Who answers the poor, answer us. May the Merciful One Who answers the broken-hearted, answer us. May the Merciful One Who answers the broken in spirit, answer us. Merciful One, answer us; Merciful One, have pity; Merciful One, redeem, Merciful One, save, Merciful One, have compassion on us, now, speedily, and very soon.
And David said to Gad (II Samuel 24:14), “I am greatly distressed; let us fall into the hand of Adonoy for His mercies are great, but into the hand of man let me not fall.
Merciful and gracious One I have sinned before You; Adonoy, full of mercy, have compassion upon me and accept my supplications. Adonoy, do not rebuke me with Your anger, nor chastise me with Your rage. Be gracious unto me, Adonoy, for I am desolate, help me Adonoy, for my bones are terrified. My soul, too, is utterly terrified, and You Adonoy, how long? Return Adonoy, free my soul, deliver me for the sake of Your lovingkindness. For in death there is no mention of You; in the lower world who will thank You. I am worn out with my sighing, every night I cause my bed to float; with my tears, I melt my couch. My eye is dimmed from anger, it has aged because of my tormentors. Depart from me, all you evildoers, for Adonoy has heard the voice of my weeping. Adonoy has heard my supplication, Adonoy will (also) accept my prayer. Ashamed and utterly terrified will all my foes be, they will return and be instantaneously ashamed.
חיבר רב סעדיה גאון
The following prayer was composed by R’ Saadyah Gaon.
אָנָּא הַבֵּט בְּצִדְקַת עֲבָדֶיךָ וַחֲסִידֶיךָ, אֲשֶׁר הֶעֱרוּ נַפְשָׁם לָמוּת עָלֶיךָ, וְלֹא־חָסוּ עַל־נַפְשָׁם וְעַל זַרְעָם, וְקָצוּ וּמָאֲסוּ בְּחַיֵּי הָעוֹלָם־הַזֶּה. וּבִטְּלוּ רְצוֹנָם מִפְּנֵי רְצוֹנֶיךָ, וְקִדְּשׁוּ שִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל וְלֹא חִלְּלוּהוּ. וְרָצוּ לַזֶּבַח, וּפָשְׁטוּ צַוָּארָם וְעָמְדוּ בְּנִסָּיוֹן וְנֶאֱמָנוּ וְנִבְחֲנוּ בְּצֵרוּף, וְנִמְצְאוּ תְמִימִים: וְנָגְעוּ דְּמֵי אָבוֹת וּבָנִים, וּדְמֵי רַחְמָנִיּוֹת וְיַלְדֵיהֶן, וְנִתְעָרְבוּ דְמֵי אַחִים וְאַחָיוֹת, וּדְמֵי חֲתָנִים וְכַלּוֹת, וּדְמֵי חֲכָמִים וַחֲכָמוֹת, וּדְמֵי הֲגוּנִים וַהֲגוּנוֹת, וּדְמֵי בַּחוּרִים וּבַחוּרוֹת, וּדְמֵי פַּרְנָסִים וְחַזָּנֵיהֶם, וּדְמֵי חֲסִידִים וַחֲסִידוֹת, וּדְמֵי זְקֵנִים וּזְקֵנוֹת, וּדְמֵי דַּיָּנִים וְסוֹפְרֵיהֶם, וּדְמֵי מְלַמְּדִים וְתַלְמִידֵיהֶם, וְדְמֵי אֲנָשִׁים וּנְשׁוֹתֵיהֶם, וְנֶהֶרְגּוּ כֻלָּם יַחַד, עַל־קִדּוּשׁ שִׁמְךָ הַמְּיֻחָד:
We beseech You, look at the righteousness of Your servants and Your pious ones, who exposed themselves to death for You, and did not spare themselves or their children, but rejected the life of this world. They subjected their will to Your will and sanctified Your great Name, and did not desecrate It. They willingly offered themselves as sacrifices; they stretched out their necks and withstood the test, and were found true; they were proven with cleansing, and found to be perfect. The blood of fathers and sons merged, also the blood of mothers and children; the blood of brothers and sisters were mingled, also the blood of bridgrooms and brides, the blood of wise men and women, the blood of worthy men and women, the blood of young men and women, the blood of communal leaders and their adjutants, the blood of pious men and women, the blood of old men and women, the blood of judges and their scribes, the blood of teachers and their pupils; the blood of husbands and their wives; they were all slain together for the sanctification of Your holy and unique Name.
אֶרֶץ אַל־תְּכַסִּי דָמָם, וְאַל־יְהִי מָקוֹם לְזַעֲקָתָם, עַד־יַשְׁקִיף וְיֵרֶא יְהֹוָה מִשָּׁמַיִם, וְיִנְקֹם נִקְמָתוֹ, וְנִקְמַת עַמּוֹ, וְנִקְמַת תּוֹרָתוֹ וְנִקְמַת דַּם עֲבָדָיו, אֲשֶׁר־שָׁפְכוּ דָמָם כַּמַּיִם, כְּהִבְטַחְתָּנוּ בְּיַד אֲבִי־חוֹזֶה, הַרְנִינוּ גוֹיִם עַמּוֹ, כִּי דַּם־עֲבָדָיו יִקּוֹם, וְנָקָם יָשִׁיב לְצָרָיו, וְכִפֶּר אַדְמָתוֹ עַמּוֹ:
Earth! Cover not their blood, and let their cry find no [resting] place,1Job 16:18. until Adonoy looks from heaven and sees, and takes His own vengeance, and the vengeance of His people, and the vengeance of His Torah, and the vengeance of His servants whose blood was poured like water; as You promised us through [Moses], the father of all prophets, “Sing the praises of His people, you nations, for the blood of His servants, He will avenge, and vengeance will He repay to His foes; and His land will be atoned [with the atonement] of His people.”2Deuteronomy 32:43.
אֶת־אֵלֶּה מִזְבְּחוֹת זְכֹר, וְאֵלֶּה עֲקֵדוֹת תִּרְאֶה כִּי עַל אַחַת הִרְעִישׁ הָעוֹלָם וְהֵן אֶרְאֶלָּם צָעֲקוּ חוּצָה. וְנִשְׁבַּעְתָּ לְבָרֵךְ עוֹקֵד וְנֶעֱקָד. לְהַרְבּוֹת זַרְעָם כְּחוֹל הַיָּם. וְאַף כִּי עַתָּה כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה עָקְדוּ בְנֵיהֶם. עַל יִחוּד שִׁמְךָ הַמְיֻחָד הַנִּכְבָּד. נָא דוֹרֵשׁ דָּמִים קוֹל דְּמֵי בָנֶיךָ צוֹעֲקִים אֵלֶיךָ מִן הָאֲדָמָה. וְלָאָרֶץ לֹא יְכֻפַּר לַדָּם אֲשֶׁר שֻׁפַּךְ בָּהּ כִּי אִם בְּדַם שׁוֹפְכוֹ. וְהִנָּחֵם, וְשַׁכֵּךְ אַף, וְכַלֵּה חֵמָה. וְתַשְׁבִּית שׁוֹד וָשֶׁבֶר מֵעַמֶּךָ:
Remember these altars, and see these bindings [sacrifices], for because of one binding [Isaac’s], the world shook, and the angels cried without,3Isaiah 33:7. and You swore that You would bless, [Abraham] the one who bound, and [Isaac] who was bound, to multiply their children like the sand of the sea. And certainly now that so many [sacrificed] bound their children for the unity of Your Name, Unique and Revered One. We beseech You, Avenger of blood, the voice of Your children’s blood, cry out to You from the earth, and let the land not atone the blood that was spilled in her, except with the blood of those who spilt it. And let Your mind be changed, and let Your anger be stilled, and Your wrath be withheld; and cease destruction and ruin from Your people.
חוּס וְרַחֵם אֶת־יֶתֶר הַפְּלֵיטָה, וְתוֹצִיאֶנָּה מֵאֲפֵלָה לְאוֹרָה, וְחַדֵּשׁ עָלֵינוּ שָׁנָה־טוֹבָה, שְׁנַת־רָצוֹן וְעֵת־גְּאֻלָּה: שַׁדַּי תִּזְכֹּר־לָנוּ בְּרִית־אֶזְרָח, וְתִפְקֹד לָנוּ זְכוּת הַנֶּעֱקָד, וּתְרַחֲמֵנוּ בְּצִדְקַת אִישׁ־תָּם: וְאַתָּה צַדִּיק עַל כָּל הַבָּא עָלֵינוּ. כִּי אֱמֶת עָשִׂיתָ וַאֲנַחְנוּ הִרְשַׁעְנוּ:
Spare and have mercy on the escaped remnant, and bring them from darkness to light, and grant us a good year, a year of favor and time of redemption. Almighty, remember to us the covenant with Abraham, and recall for us the merit of [Isaac], who was bound, and have mercy on us for the piety of [Jacob] the perfect man. And You are the Righteous One over all that has come upon us; for You have acted truthfully and we have acted wickedly.
הִרְשַֽׁעְנוּ וּפָשַֽׁעְנוּ לָכֵן לֹא נוֹשָֽׁעְנוּ, וְתֵן בְּלִבֵּֽנוּ לַעֲזוֹב דֶּֽרֶךְ רֶֽשַׁע, וְחִישׁ לָֽנוּ יֶֽשַׁע, כַּכָּתוּב עַל יַד נְבִיאֶֽךָ יַעֲזוֹב רָשָׁע דַרְכּוֹ וְאִישׁ אָֽוֶן מַחְשְׁבוֹתָיו וְיָשׁוֹב אֶל יְהוָֹה וִירַחֲמֵֽהוּ וְאֶל אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ כִּי יַרְבֶּה לִסְלֽוֹחַ:
We have acted wickedly and have transgressed; we have therefore not been delivered. Grant that our hearts [be inspired to] abandon the path of wickedness, and hasten our deliverance; as is written by the hand of Your prophet, “Let the wicked man abandon his ways, and the man of iniquity his thoughts; and let him return unto Adonoy, and He will have compassion on him, and unto our God for He pardons abundantly.”
מְשִֽׁיחַ צִדְקֶֽךָ אָמַר לְפָנֶֽיךָ שְׁגִיאוֹת מִי יָבִין מִנִּסְתָּרוֹת נַקֵּֽנִי. נַקֵּֽנוּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מִכָּל פְּשָׁעֵֽינוּ וְטַהֲרֵֽנוּ מִכָּל טֻּמְאוֹתֵֽינוּ וּזְרוֹק עָלֵֽינוּ מַֽיִם טְהוֹרִים וְטַהֲרֵֽנוּ. כַּכָּתוּב עַל יַד נְבִיאֶֽךָ וְזָרַֽקְתִּי עֲלֵיכֶם מַֽיִם טְהוֹרִים וּטְהַרְתֶּם מִכֹּל טֻמְאוֹתֵיכֶם וּמִכָּל גִּלּוּלֵיכֶם אֲטַהֵר אֶתְכֶם:
Your righteous annointed [King David] declared before You, Errors—who can comprehend? From hidden [faults], cleanse me.” Cleanse us, Adonoy, our God, from all our transgressions, and purify us from all our defilement. Sprinkle clean waters on us and cleanse us, as it is written by the hand of Your prophet, “And I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you will be clean; from all your defilements, and from all your idols, I will cleanse You.”
מִיכָה עַבְדְּךָ אָמַר לְפָנֶֽיךָ. מִי אֵל כָּמֽוֹךָ נוֹשֵׂא עָוֹן וְעוֹבֵר עַל פֶּֽשַׁע לִשְׁאֵרִית נַחֲלָתוֹ לֹא הֶחֱזִיק לָעַד אַפּוֹ כִּי חָפֵץ חֶֽסֶד הוּא: יָשׁוּב יְרַחֲמֵֽנוּ יִכְבּוֹשׁ עֲוֹנוֹתֵֽינוּ. וְתַשְׁלִיךְ בִּמְצֻלוֹת יָם כָּל חַטֹּאתָם: וְכָל־חַטֹּאת עַמְּךָ בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל תַּשְׁלִיךְ בִּמְקוֹם אֲשֶׁר לֹא יִזָּכְרוּ וְלֹא יִפָּקְדוּ וְלֹא יַעֲלוּ עַל לֵב לְעוֹלָם תִּתֵּן אֱמֶת לְיַעֲקֹב חֶֽסֶד לְאַבְרָהָם אשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּֽעְתָּ לַאֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ מִימֵי קֶֽדֶם:
Micah, Your servant, said before You, “Who is an Almighty [God] like You? Who bears iniquity and overlooks transgression of the remnant of His inheritance; Who does not retain His anger forever, for He delights in kindliness. He will again have compassion on us, He will subdue our inquities, and cast into the depths of the sea, all their sins. And all the sins of Your people the House of Israel, You will cast into a place where they will never be remembered or counted and never recalled to mind. You will grant truth to Jacob, kindliness to Abraham, as You have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.”
דָּנִיֵּאל אִישׁ חֲמוּדוֹת שִׁוַּע לְפָנֶֽיךָ הַטֵּה אֱלֹהַי אָזְנְךָ וּשְׁמָע פְּקַח עֵינֶֽיךָ וּרְאֵה שׁוֹמְמוֹתֵֽינוּ וְהָעִיר אֲשֶׁר נִקְרָא שִׁמְךָ עָלֶֽיהָ כִּי לֹא עַל צִדְקוֹתֵֽינוּ אֲנַֽחְנוּ מַפִּילִים תַּחֲנוּנֵֽינוּ לְפָנֶֽיךָ. כִּי עַל רַחֲמֶֽיךָ הָרַבִּים: אֲדֹנָי שְׁמָעָה אֲדֹנָי סְלָחָה אֲדֹנָי הַקְשִֽׁיבָה וַעֲשֵׂה אַל תְּאַחַר לְמַעַנְךָ אֱלֹהַי כִּי שִׁמְךָ נִקְרָא עַל עִירְךָ וְעַל עַמֶּֽךָ:
Daniel, man of [Your] delight, cried to you, “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 supplications before You, but because of Your great mercy. My Master, hear! my Master, forgive! My Master, listen and take action, do not delay! For Your sake, my God, for Your Name is proclaimed over Your city and Your people.”
עֶזְרָא הַסּוֹפֵר אָמַר לְפָנֶֽיךָ. אֱלֹהַי בּֽשְׁתִּי וְנִכְלַֽמְתִּי לְהָרִים אֱלֹהַי פָּנַי אֵלֶֽיךָ כִּי עֲוֹנוֹתֵֽינוּ רָֽבוּ לְמַעְלָה רֹאשׁ וְאַשְׁמָתֵֽנוּ גָדְלָה עַד לַשָּׁמָֽיִם: וְאַתָּה אֱלֽוֹהַּ סְלִיחוֹת חַנּוּן וְרַחוּם אֶֽרֶךְ אַפַּֽיִם וְרַב חֶֽסֶד וְלֹא עֲזַבְתָּם: אַל תַּעַזְבֵֽנוּ אָבִֽינוּ. וְאַל תִּטְּשֵֽׁנוּ בּוֹרְאֵֽנוּ. וְאַל תַּזְנִיחֵֽנוּ יוֹצְרֵֽנוּ וְאַל תַּֽעַשׂ עִמָּֽנוּ כָּלָה כְּחַטֹּאתֵֽינוּ. וְקַיֶּם לָֽנוּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ אֶת הַדָּבָר שֶׁהִבְטַחְתָּֽנוּ בְּקַבָּלָה עַל יְדֵי יִרְמְיָה חוֹזָךְ. כָּאָמוּר בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם וּבָעֵת הַהִיא נְאֻם יְהֹוָה יְבֻקַּשׁ אֶת עֲוֹן יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאֵינֶֽנּוּ וְאֶת חַטֹּאת יְהוּדָה וְלֹא תִמְּצָאֶֽינָה. כִּי אֶסְלַח לַאֲשֶׁר אַשְׁאִיר: עַמְּךָ וְנַחֲלָתְךָ. רְעֵבֵי טוּבְךָ צְמֵאֵי חַסְדֶּֽךָ. תְּאֵבֵי יִשְׁעֶֽךָ. יַכִּֽירוּ וְיֵדְעוּ כִּי לַיהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ הָרַחֲמִים וְהַסְּלִיחוֹת:
Ezra, the Scribe, said before You, “My God, I am [so] ashamed, and disgraced, that I cannot lift my face to You, my God, for our iniquities have risen over our heads, and our guilt has grown to the heavens.” “And You are a God of pardon, Gracious, Merciful, Slow to Anger, and Abundant in Kindness; and [therefore] You did not forsake them.” Do not forsake us, our Father, do not cast us off, our Creator, do not abandon us, our Maker, do not consume us on account of our sins. Fulfill for us, Adonoy, our God, the word, You promised by the hand of Jeremiah, Your seer as it is said, “In those days and at that time, says Adonoy, the iniquity of Israel will be sought, and there will be none [found], and the sins of Judah [will be sought] but they shall not be found; for I will pardon those whom I leave as a remnant.” Your people and Your inheritance hunger for Your goodness, thirst for Your kindness, long for Your deliverance. Let them realize and know that unto Adonoy, our God, belongs compassion and pardon.
אֵל רַחוּם שְׁמֶֽךָ. אֵל חַנּוּן שְׁמֶֽךָ. בָּֽנוּ נִקְרָא שְׁמֶֽךָ. יְהֹוָה עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן שְׁמֶֽךָ: עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן אֲמִתָּךְ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן בְּרִיתָךְ. עֲשֵׁה לְמַֽעַן גָּדְלָךְ וְתִפְאַרְתָּךְ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן דָּתָךְ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן הוֹדָךְ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן וִעוּדָךְ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן זִכְרָךְ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן חַסְדָּךְ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַעַן טוּבָךְ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן יִחוּדָךְ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן כְּבוֹדָךְ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן לִמּוּדָךְ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן מַלְכוּתָךְ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן נִצְחָךְ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן סוֹדָךְ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן עֻזָּךְ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן פְּאֵרָךְ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן צִדְקָתָךְ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן קְדֻשָּׁתָךְ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן רַחֲמֶֽיךָ הָרַבִּים. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן שְׁכִינָתָךְ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן תְּהִלָּתָךְ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן אוֹהֲבֶֽיךָ שֹׁכְנֵי עָפָר. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן אַבְרָהָם יִצְחָק וְיַעֲקֹב. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן משֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹן, עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן דָּוִד וּשְׁלֹמֹה. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן יְרוּשָׁלַֽיִם עִיר קָדְשֶֽׁךָ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן צִיּוֹן מִשְׁכַּן כְּבוֹדֶֽךָ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן שִׁמְמוֹת הֵיכָלֶֽךָ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן הֲרִיסוּת מִזְבְּחֶֽךָ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן דַּם עֲבָדֶיךָ הַשָּׁפוּךְ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן הֲרוּגִים עַל שֵׁם קָדְשֶֽׁךָ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן טְבוּחִים עַל יִחוּדֶֽךָ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן בָּאֵי בָאֵשׁ וּבַמַּֽיִם עַל קִדּוּשׁ שְׁמֶֽךָ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן יוֹנְקֵי שָׁדַֽיִם שֶׁלֹּא חָטְאוּ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן גְּמוּלֵי חָלָב שֶׁלֹּא פָשְׁעוּ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן תִּינוֹקוֹת שֶׁל בֵּית רַבָּן. עֲשֵׂה לְמַעַנְךָ אִם לֹא לְמַעֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַעַנְךָ וְהוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ:
Merciful Almighty is Your Name, Gracious Almighty is Your Name. Upon us is Your Name called, Adonoy! act [now] for the sake of Your Name. Act for the sake of Your truth. Act for the sake of Your covenant. Act for the sake of Your greatness and glory. Act for the sake of Your Law. Act for the sake of Your glorious majesty. Act for the sake of Your congregation. Act for the sake of Your memorial. Act for the sake of Your kindliness. Act for the sake of Your goodness. Act for the sake of Your Unity. Act for the sake of Your honor. Act for the sake of Your teaching. Act for the sake of Your kingship. Act for the sake of Your eternity. Act for the sake of Your counsel. Act for the sake of Your strength. Act for the sake of Your magnificence. Act for the sake of Your righteousness. Act for the sake of Your holiness. Act for the sake of Your abundant mercy. Act for the sake of Your Divine Presence. Act for the sake of Your praise. Act for the sake of Your beloved ones, who repose in the dust. Act for the sake of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Act for the sake of Moses and Aaron. Act for the sake of David and Solomon. Act for the sake of Jerusalem, city of Your holiness. Act for the sake of Zion, Dwelling Place of Your honor. Act for the sake of the desolation of Your Habitation. Act for the sake of the destruction of Your Altar. Act for the sake of the blood of Your servants that was spilled. Act for the sake of those who were slain to sanctify Your holy Name. Act for the sake of those who were slaughtered for [proclaiming] Your Oneness. Act for the sake of those who went through fire and water to sanctify Your Name. Act for the sake of nursing-infants who have never sinned. Act for the sake of weaned-children who have never transgressed. Act for the sake of “Yeshiva”-children. Act for Your sake and not ours. Act for Your sake and deliver us.
עֲנֵנוּ יְהֹוָה עֲנֵנוּ. עֲנֵֽנוּ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵֽנוּ אָבִֽינוּ עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵֽנוּ בּוֹרְאֵֽנוּ עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵנוּ גּוֹאֲלֵֽנוּ עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵנוּ דוֹרְשֵׁנוּ עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵנוּ הָאֵל הַנֶּאֱמָן עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵנוּ וָתִיק וְחָסִיד עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵֽנוּ זַךְ וְיָשָׁר עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵֽנוּ חַי וְקַיָּם עֲנֵֽנוּ: עֲנֵֽנוּ טוֹב וּמֵטִיב עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵנוּ יוֹדֵֽעַ יֶֽצֶר עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵֽנוּ כּוֹבֵשׁ כְּעָסִים עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵֽנוּ לוֹבֵשׁ צְדָקוֹת עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵֽנוּ מֶֽלֶךְ מַלְכֵי הַמְלָכִים עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵֽנוּ נוֹרָא וְנִשְׂגָּב עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵֽנוּ סוֹלֵחַ וּמוֹחֵל עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵֽנוּ עוֹנֶה בְּעֵת צָרָה עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵֽנוּ פּוֹדֶה וּמַצִּיל עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵֽנוּ צַדִּיק וְיָשָׁר עֲנֵנוּ. עֲנֵֽנוּ קָרוֹב לְקוֹרְאָיו עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵֽנוּ רַחוּם וְחַנּוּן עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵֽנוּ שׁוֹמֵֽעַ אֶל אֶבְיוֹנִים עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵֽנוּ תּוֹמֵךְ תְּמִימִים עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵֽנוּ אֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵֽנוּ אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵֽנוּ פַּֽחַד יִצְחָק עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵֽנוּ אֲבִיר יַעֲקֹב עֲנֵנוּ. עֲנֵֽנוּ עֶזְרַת הַשְּׁבָטִים עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵֽנוּ מִשְׂגַּב אִמָּהוֹת עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵנוּ קָשֶׁה לִכְעוֹס עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵנוּ רַךְ לִרְצוֹת עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵֽנוּ עוֹנֶה בְּעֵת רָצוֹן עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵֽנוּ אֲבִי יְתוֹמִים עֲנֵֽנוּ. עֲנֵֽנוּ דַיַּן אַלְמָנוֹת עֲנֵֽנוּ:
Answer us, Adonoy, answer us! Answer us, our God, answer us! Answer us, our Father, answer us. Answer us, our Creator, answer us. Answer us, our Redeemer, answer us. Answer us, our Seeker, answer us. Answer us, faithful Almighty, answer us. Answer us, steadfast and benevolent One, answer us. Answer us, pure and upright One, answer us. Answer us, living and permanent One, answer us. Answer us, good and beneficent One, answer us. Answer us, Knower of our inclination, answer us. Answer us, Suppressor of Anger, answer us. Answer us, One enrobed in righteousness, answer us. Answer us, Supreme King of kings, answer us. Answer us, awesome and exalted One, answer us. Answer us, Pardoner and Forgiver, answer us. Answer us, You Who answer in time of distress, answer us. Answer us, Redeemer and Saver, answer us. Answer us, just and upright One, answer us. Answer us, He Who is near to those who call upon Him, answer us. Answer us, merciful and gracious One, answer us. Answer us, You Who listen to the needy, answer us. Answer us, Supporter of the innocent, answer us. Answer us, God of our fathers, answer us. Answer us, God of Abraham, answer us. Answer us, Fear of Isaac, answer us. Answer us, Mighty One of Jacob, answer us. Answer us, Helper of the Tribes, answer us. Answer us, Stronghold of the Matriarchs, answer us. Answer us, Whom it is hard to provoke, answer us. Answer us, You Who are easily reconciled, answer us. Answer us, You Who answer at a favorable time, answer us. Answer us, Father of orphans, answer us. Answer us, [Protective] Judge of widows, answer us.
מִי שֶׁעָנָה לְאַבְרָהָם אָבִֽינוּ בְּהַר הַמּוֹרִיָּה הוּא יַעֲנֵֽנוּ: מִי שֶׁעָנָה לְיִצְחָק בְּנוֹ כְּשֶׁנֶּעֱקַד עַל גַּבֵּי הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ הוּא יַעֲנֵֽנוּ: מִי שֶׁעָנָה לְיַעֲקֹב בְּבֵית אֵל הוּא יַעֲנֵנוּ: מִי שֶׁעָנָה לְיוֹסֵף בְּבֵית הָאֲסוּרִים הוּא יַעֲנֵֽנוּ: מִי שֶׁעָנָה לַאֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ עַל יַם סוּף הוּא יַעֲנֵֽנוּ: מִי שֶׁעָנָה לְמשֶׁה בְּחוֹרֵב הוּא יַעֲנֵֽנוּ: מִי שֶׁעָנָה לְאַהֲרֹן בַּמַּחְתָּה הוּא יַעֲנֵֽנוּ: מִי שֶׁעָנָה לְפִינְחָס בְּקוּמוֹ מִתּוֹךְ הָעֵדָה הוּא יַעֲנֵֽנוּ: מִי שֶׁעָנָה לִיהוֹשֻֽׁעַ בַּגִּלְגָּל הוּא יַעֲנֵֽנוּ: מִי שֶׁעָנָה לִשְׁמוּאֵל בַּמִּצְפָּה הוּא יַעֲנֵֽנוּ: מִי שֶׁעָנָה לְדָוִד וּשְׁלֹמֹה בְנוֹ בִּירוּשָׁלָֽיִם הוּא יַעֲנֵֽנוּ: מִי שֶׁעָנָה לְאֵלִיָּֽהוּ בְּהַר הַכַּרְמֶל הוּא יַעֲנֵֽנוּ: מִי שֶׁעָנָה לֶאֱלִישָׁע בִּירִיחוֹ הוּא יַעֲנֵֽנוּ: מִי שֶׁעָנָה לְיוֹנָה בִמְעֵי הַדָּגָה הוּא יַעֲנֵֽנוּ: מִי שֶׁעָנָה לְחִזְּקִיָֽהוּ מֶֽלֶךְ יְהוּדָה בְּחָלְיוֹ, הוּא יַעֲנֵֽנוּ: מִי שֶׁעָנָה לַחֲנַנְיָה מִישָׁאֵל וַעֲזַרְיָה בְּתוֹךְ כִּבְשַׁן הָאֵשׁ הוּא יַעֲנֵֽנוּ: מִי שֶׁעָנָה לְדָנִיֵּאל בְּגוֹב הָאֲרָיוֹת הוּא יַעֲנֵנוּ: מִי שֶׁעָנָה לְמָרְדְּכַי וְאֶסְתֵּר בְּשׁוּשַׁן הַבִּירָה הוּא יַעֲנֵֽנוּ: מִי שֶׁעָנָה לְעֶזְרָא בַגּוֹלָה הוּא יַעֲנֵֽנוּ: מִי שֶׁעָנָה לְכָל הַצַדִּיקִים וְהַחֲסִידִים וְהַתְּמִימִים וְהַיְשָׁרִים הוּא יַעֲנֵֽנוּ:
He Who answered our father Abraham on Mount Moriah, He will answer us. He Who answered Isaac, his son, when he was bound on the altar, He will answer us. He Who answered Jacob in Beth El, He will answer us. He Who answered Joseph in prison, He will answer us. He Who answered our ancestors at the Reed Sea, He will answer us. He Who answered Moses at Horeb, He will answer us. He Who answered Aaron with the incense pan, He will answer us. He Who answered Pinchos when he rose from among the congregation, He will answer us. He Who answered Joshua at Gilgal, He will answer us. He Who answered Samuel at Mizpah, He will answer us. He Who answered David, and Solomon, his son, in Jerusalem, He will answer us. He Who answered Elijah on Mount Carmel, He will answer us. He Who answered Elisha in Jericho, He will answer us. He Who answered Jonah in the belly of the whale, He will answer us. He Who answered Hezekiah, King of Judah, in his illness, He will answer us. He Who answered Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah in the midst of the fiery furnace, He will answer us. He Who answered Daniel in the lions’ den, He will answer us. He Who answered Mordecai and Esther in Shushan, the capital [city of Persia], He will answer us. He Who answered Ezra in captivity, He will answer us. He Who answered all the righteous, the pious, the perfect and the upright, He will answer us.
רַחְמָנָא דְעָנֵי לַעֲנִיֵּי עֲנֵינָן. רַחֲמָנָא דְעָנֵי לִתְבִירֵי לִבָּא עֲנֵינָן. רַחֲמָנָא דְעָנֵי לְמַכִּיכֵי רוּחָא עֲנֵינָן. רַחֲמָנָא עֲנֵינָן. רַחֲמָנָא חוּס. רַחֲמָנָא פְּרוֹק. רַחֲמָנָא שְׁזִיב. רַחֲמָנָא רְחַם עֲלָן. הַשְׁתָּא בַּעֲגָלָא וּבִזְמַן קָרִיב:
May the Merciful One, Who answers the poor, answer us. May the Merciful One Who answers the broken-hearted, answer us. May the Merciful One Who answers the broken in spirit, answer us. Merciful One, answer us; Merciful One, have pity; Merciful One, redeem, Merciful One, save, Merciful One, have compassion on us, now, speedily, and very soon.
וַיֹּֽאמֶר דָּוִד אֶל־גָּד צַר־לִי מְאֹד נִפְּלָה־נָּא בְיַד־יְהֹוָה כִּי־רַבִּים רַחֲמָיו וּבְיַד־אָדָם אַל־אֶפֹּֽלָה:
And David said to Gad (II Samuel 24:14), “I am greatly distressed; let us fall into the hand of Adonoy for His mercies are great, but into the hand of man let me not fall.
רַחוּם וְחַנּוּן חָטָֽאתִי לְפָנֶֽיךָ יְהֹוָה מָלֵא רַחֲמִים רַחֵם עָלַי וְקַבֵּל תַּחֲנוּנָי: יְהֹוָה אַל־בְּאַפְּךָ תוֹכִיחֵֽנִי וְאַל־בַּחֲמָתְךָ תְיַסְּרֵֽנִי: חָנֵּֽנִי יְהֹוָה כִּי אֻמְלַל אָֽנִי רְפָאֵֽנִי יְהֹוָה כִּי נִבְהֲלוּ עֲצָמָי: וְנַפְשִׁי נִבְהֲלָה מְאֹד וְאַתָּה יְהֹוָה עַד־מָתָי: שׁוּבָה יְהֹוָה חַלְּצָה נַפְשִׁי הוֹשִׁיעֵֽנִי לְמַֽעַן חַסְדֶּֽךָ: כִּי אֵין בַּמָּֽוֶת זִכְרֶךָ בִּשְׁאוֹל מִי־יוֹדֶה לָּךְ: יָגַֽעְתִּי־בְּאַנְחָתִי אַשְׂחֶה בְכָל־לַֽיְלָה מִטָּתִי בְּדִמְעָתִי עַרְשִׂי אַמְסֶה: עָשְׁשָׁה מִכַּֽעַס עֵינִי עָתְקָה בְּכָל־צוֹרְרָי: סֽוּרוּ מִמֶּֽנִּי כָּל־פֹּֽעֲלֵי אָוֶן כִּי־שָׁמַע יְהֹוָה קוֹל בִּכְיִי: שָׁמַע יְהֹוָה תְּחִנָּתִי יְהֹוָה תְּפִלָּתִי יִקָּח: יֵבֽשׁוּ וְיִבָּהֲלוּ מְאֹד כָּל־אֹיְבָי יָשֻֽׁבוּ יֵבֽשׁוּ רָֽגַע:
Merciful and gracious One I have sinned before You; Adonoy, full of mercy, have compassion upon me and accept my supplications. Adonoy, do not rebuke me with Your anger, nor chastise me with Your rage. Be gracious unto me, Adonoy, for I am desolate, help me Adonoy, for my bones are terrified. My soul, too, is utterly terrified, and You Adonoy, how long? Return Adonoy, free my soul, deliver me for the sake of Your lovingkindness. For in death there is no mention of You; in the lower world who will thank You. I am worn out with my sighing, every night I cause my bed to float; with my tears, I melt my couch. My eye is dimmed from anger, it has aged because of my tormentors. Depart from me, all you evildoers, for Adonoy has heard the voice of my weeping. Adonoy has heard my supplication, Adonoy will (also) accept my prayer. Ashamed and utterly terrified will all my foes be, they will return and be instantaneously ashamed.