The following prayers are added on Mondays and Thursday. On other days, continue "Guardian of Israel. . .":
This group of somber plaints, known as the "long Vehu Rachum" is recited in the morning service on Mondays and Thursdays, except on days when Tachanun is omitted.
The origin of these seven prayers is shrouded in legend. It has been suggested that they were composed during the terrible persecutions at the hands of the Goths in seventh-century Spain. It has been said, "Whoever can read this ‘long Vehu Rachum' prayer without emotion has lost all feeling for what is great and noble."
Despite all the repetition in these cries for forgiveness, mercy, help, and protection, the effect is not tiring; because here it is not merely an individual soul, but the soul of an entire people that utters these laments and supplications, that gives voice to this woe of nearly two thousand years.
Moses ascended Mount Sinai to receive the Second Tablets on the fifth day of the week, and he returned to the people on the second day of the week, bringing them the new tablets as a security for the Divine covenant and as confirmation of God's atonement for their transgression. Ever since, the second and fifth day of each week, Monday and Thursday, have been days of summons to the Jewish people to assemble anew before God and to reaffirm their sincere "return" to the Law of God. Our regular service is therefore augmented on these days by these additional supplications.
וְהוּא רַחוּם And He, the merciful One,
יְכַפֵּר עָוֺן וְלֹא־יַשְׁחִית will atone iniquity, and will not destroy,
וְהִרְבָּה לְהָשִׁיב אַפּוֹ He frequently withdraws His anger,
וְלֹא־יָעִיר כָּל־חֲמָתוֹ: and does not arouse all His rage.1Psalms 78:38.
אַתָּה יְהֹוָה You, Adonoy,
לֺא תִכְלָא רַחֲמֶֽיךָ מִמֶּֽנּוּ do not withhold Your mercy from us;
חַסְדְּ֒ךָ וַאֲמִתְּ֒ךָ may Your kindness and truth
תָּמִיד יִצְ֒רֽוּנוּ: always protect us.2Psalms 40:12 (basis).
הוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֺהֵֽינוּ Deliver us, Adonoy, our God,
וְקַבְּ֒צֵֽנוּ מִן־הַגּוֹיִם and gather us from among the nations
לְהוֹדוֹת לְשֵׁם קָדְשֶֽׁךָ to give thanks to Your holy Name
לְהִשְׁתַּבֵּֽחַ בִּתְ֒הִלָּתֶֽךָ: to be extolled in Your praise.3Psalms 106:47.
אִם־עֲוֺנוֹת תִּשְׁמָר־יָהּ If You, God, should preserve iniquities,4Were it not for the grace of God, any sin a person committed would deprive him of the right to continued existence. (Transgression is seen as a form of treason which is punishable by death). However, through the grace of Divine forgiveness, God makes it possible for us to atone for past sins through penitence and the decision to act in the future with God-fearing conduct.—S.R. Hirsch
אֲדֹנָי מִי יַעֲמֹד: my Master, who could survive?5Psalms 130:3.
כִּי־עִמְּ֒ךָ הַסְּ֒לִיחָה But with You there is forgiveness,
לְמַֽעַן תִּוּרֵא: [in order] that You may be feared.6Psalms 130:4.
לֺא כַחֲטָאֵֽינוּ תַּעֲשֶׂה־לָּֽנוּ Do not deal with us according to our sins
וְלֹא כַעֲוֺנֹתֵֽינוּ תִּגְמֹל עָלֵֽינוּ: nor repay us according to our iniquities.7Psalms 103:10 (basis).
אִם־עֲוֺנֵֽינוּ עָֽנוּ בָֽנוּ If our iniquities testify against us,
יְהֹוָה Adonoy,
עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן שְׁמֶֽךָ: act [mercifully] for Your Name's sake.8Jeremiah 14:7.
זְכָר־רַחֲמֶֽיךָ יְהֹוָה Remember Your mercies Adonoy,
וַחֲסָדֶֽיךָ and Your kindnesses,
כִּי for
מֵעוֹלָם הֵֽמָּה: they are from the beginning of the world.9Psalms 25:6.
יַעֲנֵֽנוּ יְהֹוָה בְּיוֹם צָרָה Adonoy will answer us on the day of distress,
יְשַׂגְּ֒בֵֽנוּ שֵׁם אֱלֺהֵי יַעֲקֹב: the Name of the God of Jacob will fortify us.10Psalms 20:2 (basis). Because of the trials and tribulations that marked his life, Jacob has become the model personality for the people descended from him. We preserve our trust in God, despite all the bitter blows which befall us, even as Jacob was confident that God was mindful of him. We, too, are sustained by our trust that God will eventually lead us to salvation as He led Jacob to a pinnacle of joy and happiness.—S.R. Hirsch
יְהֹוָה הוֹשִֽׁיעָה Adonoy, deliver [us];
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ יַעֲנֵֽנוּ בְיוֹם־קָרְאֵֽנוּ: the King will answer us on the day we call.11Psalms 20:10.
אָבִֽינוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ חָנֵּֽנוּ וַעֲנֵֽנוּ Our Father, our King, favor us and answer us,
כִּי אֵין בָּֽנוּ מַעֲשִׂים for we have no [good] deeds;
עֲשֵׂה עִמָּֽנוּ צְדָקָה deal charitably with us
כְּרוֹב רַחֲמֶֽיךָ according to Your abundant mercy
וְהוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ לְמַֽעַן שְׁמֶֽךָ: and deliver us for the sake of Your Name.
אֲדוֹנֵֽינוּ אֱלֺהֵֽינוּ Our Master, our God,
שְׁמַע קוֹל תַּחֲנוּנֵֽינוּ heed our supplications;
וּזְ֒כָר־לָֽנוּ and remember unto us
אֶת־בְּרִית אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ the covenant of our fathers,
וְהוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ לְמַֽעַן שְׁמֶֽךָ: and deliver us for Your Name's sake.
וְעַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֺהֵֽינוּ And now, my Master, our God,
אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵֽאתָ אֶת־עַמְּ֒ךָ who brought out Your people,
מֵאֶֽרֶץ מִצְרַֽיִם בְּיָד חֲזָקָה from the land of Egypt with a mighty hand,
וַתַּֽעַשׂ־לְךָ שֵׁם כַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה and made for Yourself a name to this day;'12A name which has come to be recognized to an evergrowing extent among men.—S.R. Hirsch
חָטָֽאנוּ רָשָֽׁעְנוּ: we have sinned, we have acted wickedly.
אֲדֹנָי כְּכָל־צִדְ֒קֹתֶֽיךָ My Master, with all Your righteousness
יָֽשָׁב־נָא אַפְּ֒ךָ וַחֲמָתְ֒ךָ turn away Your anger and Your rage
מֵעִירְ֒ךָ יְרוּשָׁלַֽםִ from Your city, Jerusalem,
הַר־קָדְשֶֽׁךָ Your holy mountain;
כִּי בַחֲטָאֵֽינוּ for because of our sins
וּבַעֲוֺנוֹת אֲבֹתֵֽינוּ and the iniquities of our fathers,13Through sincere atonement and earnest resolve to better our conduct, we could have restored that which was lost through the iniquities of our ancestors. But instead, we, too, have left much to be desired in this respect.—Yaavetz
יְרוּשָׁלַֽםִ וְעַמְּ֒ךָ Jerusalem and Your people
לְחֶרְפָּה are [held] in contempt
לְכָל־סְבִיבֹתֵֽינוּ: by all who surround us.
וְעַתָּה שְׁמַע אֱלֺהֵֽינוּ And now, listen our God,
אֶל־תְּפִלַּת עַבְדְּךָ to the prayers of Your servant
וְאֶל־תַּחֲנוּנָיו and to his supplications;
וְהָאֵר פָּנֶֽיךָ and let Your radiant countenance shine
עַל־מִקְדָּשְׁ֒ךָ הַשָּׁמֵם upon Your desolate Sanctuary
לְמַֽעַן אֲדֹנָי: for Your sake, my Master.
הַטֵּה אֱלֺהַי אָזְנְךָ וּשְׁ֒מָע Incline Your ear, my God, and hear;14“Hear” that which others say and think about us; or “hear” our cry for help.—S.R. Hirsch
פְּקַח עֵינֶֽיךָ open Your eyes
וּרְ֒אֵה שֹׁמְ֒מוֹתֵֽינוּ and behold our desolate places
וְהָעִיר אֲשֶׁר־נִקְרָא שִׁמְךָ עָלֶֽיהָ and the city which is called by Your Name,
כִּי לֺא עַל־צִדְ֒קֹתֵֽינוּ for it is not on account of our righteousness
אֲנַֽחְנוּ מַפִּילִים תַּחֲנוּנֵֽינוּ לְפָנֶֽיךָ that we let fall our supplications before You,
כִּי עַל־רַחֲמֶֽיךָ הָרַבִּים: but because of Your great mercy.
אֲדֹנָי שְׁמָֽעָה אֲדֹנָי סְלָֽחָה My Master, hear! my Master, forgive!
אֲדֹנָי הַקְשִֽׁיבָה וַעֲשֵׂה my Master, listen and take action,
אַל־תְּאַחַר: do not delay!
לְמַעַנְ֒ךָ אֱלֺהַי For Your sake, my God,
כִּי־שִׁמְךָ נִקְרָא for Your Name is proclaimed
עַל־עִירְ֒ךָ וְעַל־עַמֶּֽךָ: over Your15If the city which You have founded should fall, and the people You have chosen should perish, the cause of the universal acknowledgement of Your Oneness, would suffer.—S.R. Hirsch city and Your people.
אָבִֽינוּ אָב הָרַחֲמָן Our Father, merciful Father,
הַרְאֵֽנוּ אוֹת לְטוֹבָה show us a sign for good
וְקַבֵּץ נְפוּצוֹתֵֽינוּ and gather our dispersed [people]
מֵאַרְבַּע כַּנְ֒פוֹת הָאָֽרֶץ: from the four corners of the earth,
יַכִּֽירוּ וְיֵדְ֒עוּ כָּל־הַגּוֹיִם [so that] all nations will recognize and know
כִּי אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אֱלֺהֵֽינוּ: that You, Adonoy, are our God.16Daniel 9:15-19.
וְעַתָּה יְהֹוָה אָבִֽינוּ אָֽתָּה And now, Adonoy, You are our Father;
אֲנַֽחְנוּ הַחֹֽמֶר וְאַתָּה יֹצְ֒רֵֽנוּ we are the clay and You are our Former;
וּמַעֲשֵׂה יָדְ֒ךָ כֻּלָּֽנוּ: and we are all the work of Your hand.
הוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ לְמַֽעַן שְׁמֶֽךָ Deliver us, for Your Name's sake
אָבִֽינוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ our Father, our King,
צוּרֵֽנוּ וְגוֹאֲלֵֽנוּ: our Rock and our Redeemer.17Isaiah 64:7.
חֽוּסָה יְהֹוָה עַל־עַמֶּֽךָ Adonoy, spare Your people,
וְאַל־תִּתֵּן נַחֲלָתְ֒ךָ and let not Your heritage
לְחֶרְפָּה be [an object] of contempt
לִמְשָׁל־בָּם גּוֹיִם: for nations to rule over.18Joel 2:17.
לָֽמָּה יֹאמְ֒רוּ בָעַמִּים Why should they say among the peoples,
אַיֵּה (נָא) אֱלֺהֵיהֶם: Where is their God?
יָדַֽעְנוּ יְהֺוָה כִּי חָטָֽאנוּ Adonoy, we know that we have sinned,
וְאֵין מִי יַעֲמֹד בַּעֲדֵֽנוּ and there is none to stand up in our behalf;
אֶלָּא שִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל יַעֲמָד־לָֽנוּ let Your great Name, then, stand up for us
בְּעֵת צָרָה: at the time of distress.
יָדַֽעְנוּ כִּי אֵין בָּֽנוּ מַעֲשִׂים We know that we have no [good] deeds,
צְדָקָה עֲשֵׂה עִמָּֽנוּ [therefore] deal charitably with us
לְמַֽעַן שְׁמֶֽךָ: for Your Name's sake.
כְּרַחֵם אָב עַל־בָּנִים As a father has compassion on his children,
כֵּן תְּרַחֵם יְהֹוָה עָלֵֽינוּ so do You have compassion on us, Adonoy,19Others translate this as a prayer rather than a fact: “So, Adonoy, have compassion on us.”
וְהוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ and [therefore] deliver us
לְמַֽעַן שְׁמֶֽךָ: for Your Name's sake.
חֲמוֹל עַל עַמֶּֽךָ Have pity on Your people,
רַחֵם עַל נַחֲלָתֶֽךָ have compassion on Your heritage,
חֽוּסָה־נָּא כְּרוֹב רַחֲמֶֽיךָ spare us with Your great mercy;
חָנֵּֽנוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ וַעֲנֵֽנוּ favor us. our King, and answer us,
כִּי לְךָ יְהֹוָה הַצְּ֒דָקָה for righteousness is Yours, Adonoy,
עֹשֵׂה נִפְלָאוֹת בְּכָל עֵת: Who performs wonders at all times.
הַבֶּט־נָא Look, we beseech You,
רַחֶם־נָא speedily have compassion
וְהוֹשִֽׁיעָה־נָא צֹאן מַרְעִיתֶֽךָ and deliver the sheep of Your pasture;
וְאַל יִמְשָׁל־בָּֽנוּ קֶֽצֶף let wrath not prevail over us,
כִּי לְךָ יְהֹוָה הַיְ֒שׁוּעָה: for, Adonoy, deliverance is Yours.
בְּךָ תוֹחַלְתֵּֽנוּ אֱלֽוֹהַּ סְלִיחוֹת Our hope rests with You, God of forgiveness;
אָנָּא סְלַח־נָא please forgive [us],
כִּי אֵל טוֹב וְסַלָּח אָֽתָּה: for You Almighty, are good, and forgiving.
אָנָּא We beseech You,
מֶֽלֶךְ חַנוּן וְרַחוּם gracious and compassionate King,
זְכוֹר וְהַבֵּט remember and look
לִבְ֒רִית בֵּין הַבְּ֒תָרִים to the Covenant between the divided pieces,20See Genesis 15:9-21 for a complete account of this covenant with Abraham.
וְתֵרָאֶה לְפָנֶֽיךָ and let appear before You
עֲקֵדַת יָחִיד the binding [upon the Altar] of the only son,
וּלְ֒מַֽעַן יִשְׂרָאֵל אָבִֽינוּ: and for the sake of Israel,21Some interpret the name “Israel” as a reference to the patriarch Jacob, who was called Israel. This prayer calls to mind the merit of all three patriarchs: Abraham, who bound his only son; Isaac, who willfully let himself be bound on the altar; and Jacob, whose entire life was one of suffering for God.—Iyun Tefilloh our father.
אַל־תַּעַזְ֒בֵֽנוּ אָבִֽינוּ Do not abandon22To abandon means to leave a person to his own devices. “You know, our Father, that our own strength and intelligence are not adequate for us, so give us Your Fatherly care.”—S.R. Hirsch us our father,
וְאַל־תִּטְּ֒שֵֽׁנוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ do not cast us off our King,
וְאַל־תִּשְׁכָּחֵֽנוּ יוֹצְ֒רֵֽנוּ do not forget us our Creator,
וְאַל־תַּֽעַשׁ עִמָּֽנוּ כָּלָה and do not bring destruction upon us
בְּגָלוּתֵֽנוּ in our exile
כִּי אֵל for You are the Almighty
מֶֽלֶךְ חַנּוּן וְרַחוּם אָֽתָּה: who is King, gracious and merciful.
אֵין כָּמֽוֹךָ There is none like You,
חַנּוּן וְרַחוּם gracious and merciful
יְהֹוָה אֱלֺהֵֽינוּ Adonoy, our God;
אֵין כָּמֽוֹךָ there is none like You,
אֵל אֶֽרֶךְ אַפַּֽיִם Almighty, slow to anger,
וְרַב חֶֽסֶד וֶאֱמֶת: abundant in kindliness and truth.
הוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ וְרַחֲמֵֽנוּ Deliver us, and have mercy on us
בְּרַחֲמֶֽיךָ הָרַבִּים with Your great mercy,
מֵרַֽעַשׁ וּמֵרֺֽגֶז הַצִּילֵֽנוּ: save us from storm and rage.
זְכֺר לַעֲבָדֶֽיךָ Remember Your servants,
לְאַבְרָהָם לְיִצְחָק וּלְ֒יַעֲקֹב Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob;
אַל־תֵּֽפֶן do not consider
אֶל־קְשִׁי הָעָם הַזֶּה the stubbornness of this people,
וְאֶל־רִשְׁעוֹ וְאֶל־חַטָּאתוֹ: their wickedness, and their sinfulness.23Deuteronomy 9:27 (basis).
שׁוּב מֵחֲרוֹן אַפֶּֽךָ Turn from Your fierce anger
וְהִנָּחֵם and let Your mind be changed
עַל־הָרָעָה concerning the evil
לְעַמֶּֽךָ: [intended] for Your people.24Exodus 32:12.
וְהָסֵר מִמֶּֽנּוּ מַכַּת הַמָּֽוֶת Remove from us the scourge of death,
כִּי רַחוּם אָֽתָּה: for You are merciful;
כִּי כֵן דַּרְכֶּֽךָ for such is Your way—
עֹשֶׂה חֶֽסֶד חִנָּם to bestow undeserved kindness
בְּכָל־דּוֹר וָדוֹר: in every generation.
חֽוּסָה יְהֹוָה עַל־עַמֶּֽךָ Spare Your people, Adonoy,
וְהַצִּילֵֽנוּ מִזַּעְמֶֽךָ: and save us from Your wrath;
וְהָסֵר מִמֶּֽנּוּ מַכַּת הַמַּגֵּפָה remove from us the scourge of plague,
וּגְ֒זֵרָה קָשָׁה and harsh decree,
כִּי אַתָּה שׁוֹמֵר יִשְׂרָאֵל: for You are the Guardian of Israel.
לְךָ אֲדֹנָי הַצְּ֒דָקָה Righteousness is Yours, my Master,
וְלָֽנוּ בּֽשֶׁת הַפָּנִים: while shame is ours.25Daniel 9:7.
מַה־נִּתְאוֹנֵן How can we complain?
וּמַה־נֹּאמַר What can we say?
מַה־נְּדַבֵּר What can we speak?
וּמַה־נִּצְטַּדָּק: and how can we justify ourselves?
נַחְפְּשָׂה דְרָכֵֽינוּ Let us search into our ways
וְנַחְקֺֽרָה and examine them,
וְנָשֽׁוּבָה אֵלֶֽיךָ and return to You;
כִּי יְמִינְ֒ךָ פְשׁוּטָה for Your right hand is extended
לְקַבֵּל שָׁבִים: to receive those who repent.
אָֽנָּא יְהֹוָה הוֹשִֽׁיעָה נָּא We beseech You Adonoy!—deliver us.
אָֽנָּא יְהֹוָה הַצְלִיחָה נָא: We beseech You Adonoy!—grant us success26Psalms 118:25.;
אָֽנָּא יְהֹוָה We beseech You Adonoy! —
עֲנֵֽנוּ בְיוֹם קָרְאֵֽנוּ: answer us on the day we call.
לְךָ יְהֹוָה חִכִּֽינוּ For You, Adonoy, we have waited,
לְךָ יְהֹוָה קִוּינוּ For You, Adonoy, we have hoped,
לְךָ יְהֹוָה נְיַחֵל For You, Adonoy, we yearn.
אַל תֶּחֱשֶׁה Do not be silent,
וּתְ֒עַנֵּֽנוּ and do not allow us to be tormented;
כִּי נָאֲמוּ גוֹיִם אָבְ֒דָה תִקְוָתָם: for the nations have said, "Their hope is lost."
כָּל־בֶּֽרֶךְ לְךָ תִכְרַע Let every knee bend to You
וְכָל־קוֹמָה and all who stand erect
לְפָנֶֽיךָ לְבַד תִּשְׁתַּחֲוֶה: prostrate themselves before You
הַפּוֹתֵֽחַ יָד You Who opens Your hand
בִּתְ֒שׁוּבָה to [accept] repentance,
לְקַבֵּל פּוֹשְׁ֒עִים וְחַטָּאִים to receive transgressors and sinners:
נִבְהֲלָה נַפְשֵֽׁנוּ מֵרוֹב עִצְּ֒בוֹנֵֽנוּ our soul is terrified from our great sorrow—
אַל־תִּשְׁכָּחֵֽנוּ נֶֽצַח forget us not forever;
קֽוּמָה וְהוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ: arise and deliver us.
אַל־תִּשְׁפּוֹךְ חֲרוֹנְ֒ךָ עָלֵֽינוּ Do not pour out Your wrath upon us,
כִּי אֲנַֽחְנוּ עַמְּ֒ךָ for we are Your people,
בְּנֵי בְרִיתֶֽךָ: the children of Your covenant.
אֵל הַבִּֽיטָה Almighty, look!
דַּל כְּבוֹדֵֽנוּ בַּגּוֹיִם Our glory has sunk low among the nations,
וְשִׁקְּ֒צֽוּנוּ and they abominate us
כְּטֻמְאַת הַנִּדָּה: like the impurity of the nidah.27Nidah is menstrual uncleanliness. See Leviticus 12:2.
עַד־מָתַי עֻזְּ֒ךָ בַּשְּׁ֒בִי How long will Your strength be in captivity,
וְתִפְאַרְתְּ֒ךָ בְּיַד־צָר: and Your glory, in the hand of the foe?28This prayer is a paraphrase of Psalms 78:61. We read concerning the Ark of the Covenant, which had fallen into the hands of the Philistines, “And delivered His strength into captivity and His glory into the hand of the foe.”
עוֹרְ֒רָה גְבוּרָתְ֒ךָ וְהוֹשִׁעֵֽנוּ Arouse Your might and deliver us
לְמַֽעַן שְׁמֶֽךָ: for the sake of Your Name,
אַל־יִמְעֲטוּ לְפָנֶֽיךָ תְּלָאוֹתֵֽינוּ: let our sufferings not seem trivial to You.
מַהֵר יְקַדְּ֒מֽוּנוּ רַחֲמֶֽיךָ May Your mercy come swiftly toward us
בְּעֵת צָרוֹתֵֽינוּ, in time of our distress;
לֺא לְמַעֲנֵֽנוּ not for our sake,
אֶלָּא לְמַעַנְ֒ךָ פְעַל, but do it for Your sake,
וְאַל תַּשְׁחִית and do not obliterate
אֶת־זֵֽכֶר שְׁאֵרִיתֵֽנוּ, the remembrance of our remnant,
כִּי לְךָ מְיַחֲלוֹת עֵינֵֽינוּ for our eyes look hopefully to You,
כִּי אֵל for You are the Almighty
מֶֽלֶךְ חַנוּן וְרַחוּם אָֽתָּה: Who is King, Gracious, and Merciful.
וּזְ֒כוֹר עֵדוּתֵֽנוּ Remember our testimony
בְּכָל־יוֹם תָּמִיד אוֹמְ֒רִים every day we proclaim
פַּעֲמַֽיִם בְּאַהֲבָה: twice a day with love:
שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל Hear Israel,
יְהֹוָה אֱלֺהֵֽינוּ Adonoy is our God,
יְהֹוָה אֶחָד: Adonoy is One.
יְהֹוָה אֱלֺהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל Adonoy, God of Israel,
שׁוּב מֵחֲרוֹן אַפֶּֽךָ turn from Your fierce anger,
וְהִנָּחֵם and let Your mind be changed
עַל־הָרָעָה concerning the evil intended
לְעַמֶּֽךָ: for Your people.29Exodus 32:12.
הַבֵּט מִשָּׁמַֽיִם וּרְ֒אֵה Look30The following prayers enable us to visualize the horrors of persecution that were so often the lot of the Jews in the dark ages and even more so in our days. from heaven and behold
כִּי הָיִֽינוּ that we have become
לַֽעַג וָקֶֽלֶס [an object] of scorn and derision
בַּגּוֹיִם: among the nations;
נֶחְשַֽׁבְנוּ כַּצֹּאן we are considered as the sheep
לָטֶֽבַח יוּבָל, led to the slaughter
לַהֲרוֹג וּלְ֒אַבֵּד to be slain and destroyed,
וּלְ֒מַכָּה וּלְ֒חֶרְפָּה: tortured and humiliated.
וּבְכָל־זֹאת And yet despite all this,31This refrain gives striking expression to the steadfastness of the Jew amid all his agony and martyrdom.
The one concept which, more than anything else, protected Israel from the base impulse of vengefulness, is proclaimed in these last few petitions. They teach us that we must commit to none other than God all vengeance and retribution for the suffering we sustain at the hands of others. Sacred literature is replete with assurances of God's retribution for all that we have suffered at the hands of our foes.
שִׁמְךָ לֺא שָׁכָֽחְנוּ we have not forgotten Your Name;
נָא אַל־תִּשְׁכָּחֵֽנוּ: please, do not forget us.
יְהֹוָה אֱלֺהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל Adonoy, God of Israel,
שׁוּב מֵחֲרוֹן אַפֶּֽךָ turn from Your fierce anger,
וְהִנָּחֵם and let Your mind be changed
עַל־הָרָעָה לְעַמֶּֽךָ: concerning the evil intended for Your people.
זָרִים אוֹמְ֒רִים Strangers say:
אֵין תּוֹחֶֽלֶת וְתִקְוָה: there is no hope or expectation [for us.]
חוֹן אוֹם Be gracious to the people
לְשִׁמְךָ מְקַוּה: who place their hope in Your Name.
טָהוֹר, יְשׁוּעָתֵֽנוּ קָרְ֒בָה, Pure One, bring our deliverance near;
יָגַֽעְנוּ וְלֺא הֽוּנַח־לָֽנוּ: we are weary and no relief is granted us.
רַחֲמֶֽיךָ May Your mercy
יִכְבְּ֒שׁוּ אֶת־כַּעַסְ֒ךָ מֵעָלֵֽינוּ: suppress Your anger from us.
אָנָּא שׁוּב מֵחֲרוֹנְ֒ךָ We beseech You, turn from Your anger,
וְרַחֵם סְגֻלָּה and have compassion on the treasured people
אֲשֶׁר בָּחָֽרְתָּ: whom You have chosen.
יְהֹוָה אֱלֺהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל Adonoy, God of Israel,
שׁוּב מֵחֲרוֹן אַפֶּֽךָ turn from Your fierce anger,
וְהִנָּחֵם and let Your mind be changed
עַל־הָרָעָה לְעַמֶּֽךָ: concerning the evil intended for Your people.
חֽוּסָה יְהֹוָה עָלֵֽינוּ בְּרַחֲמֶֽיךָ, Adonoy, in Your mercy, spare us,
וְאַל תִּתְּ֒נֵֽנוּ בִּידֵי אַכְזָרִים: do not discard us in the hands of cruel foes.
לָֽמָּה יֹאמְ֒רוּ הַגּוֹיִם Why should the nations say:
אַיֵּה־נָא אֱלֺהֵיהֶם Where now is their God?32Psalms 115:2.
לְמַעַנְ֒ךָ עֲשֵׂה עִמָּֽנוּ חֶֽסֶד For Your sake, deal kindly with us
וְאַל תְּאַחַר: and do not delay.
אָנָּא שׁוּב מֵחֲרוֹנְ֒ךָ We beseech You, turn from Your anger,
וְרַחֵם סְגֻלָּה and have compassion on the treasured people
אֲשֶׁר בָּחָֽרְתָּ: whom You have chosen.
יְהֹוָה אֱלֺהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל Adonoy, God of Israel,
שׁוּב מֵחֲרוֹן אַפֶּֽךָ turn from Your fierce anger,
וְהִנָּחֵם and let Your mind be changed
עַל־הָרָעָה לְעַמֶּֽךָ: concerning the evil intended for Your people.
קוֹלֵֽנוּ תִשְׁמַע וְתָחוֹן Hear our voice and be gracious,
וְאַל־תִּטְּ֒שֵֽׁנוּ do not cast us off
בְּיַד אֹיְ֒בֵֽינוּ into the hands of our enemies
לִמְחוֹת אֶת־שְׁמֵֽנוּ: to obliterate our name.
זְכוֹר Remember
אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּֽעְתָּ לַאֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ, what You have sworn to our fathers:
כְּכוֹכְ֒בֵי הַשָּׁמַֽיִם Like the stars of the heavens
אַרְבֶּה אֶת־זַרְעֲכֶם will I multiply your descendants,33Exodus 32:13.
וְעַתָּה נִשְׁאַֽרְנוּ מְעַט מֵהַרְבֵּה: and now, we are left only a few out of many.
וּבְכָל־זֹאת And yet despite all this,
שִׁמְךָ לֺא שָׁכָֽחְנוּ we have not forgotten Your Name;
נָא אַל תִּשְׁכָּחֵֽנוּ: please, do not forget us.
יְהֹוָה אֱלֺהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל Adonoy, God of Israel,
שׁוּב מֵחֲרוֹן אַפֶּֽךָ turn from Your fierce anger,
וְהִנָּחֵם and let Your mind be changed
עַל־הָרָעָה לְעַמֶּֽךָ: concerning the evil intended for Your people.
עָזְ֒רֵֽנוּ אֱלֺהֵי יִשְׁעֵֽנוּ Help us, God of our deliverance
עַל־דְּבַר כְּבוֹד־שְׁמֶֽךָ for the sake of the glory of Your Name;
וְהַצִּילֵֽנוּ וְכַפֵּר עַל־חַטֹּאתֵֽינוּ save us and atone our sins
לְמַֽעַן שְׁמֶֽךָ: for the sake of Your Name.
יְהֹוָה אֱלֺהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל Adonoy, God of Israel,
שׁוּב מֵחֲרוֹן אַפֶּֽךָ turn from Your fierce anger,
וְהִנָּחֵם and let Your mind be changed
עַל־הָרָעָה לְעַמֶּֽךָ: concerning the evil intended for Your people.
שׁוֹמֵר יִשְׂרָאֵל Guardian of Israel,
שְׁמוֹר שְׁאֵרִית יִשְׂרָאֵל guard the remnant of Israel,
וְאַל יֹאבַד יִשְׂרָאֵל and let not Israel perish,
הָאֹמְ֒רִים שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל: who say, "Hear Israel."
שׁוֹמֵר גּוֹי אֶחָד Guardian of the unique nation,
שְׁמוֹר שְׁאֵרִית עַם אֶחָד guard the remnant of the unique people,
וְאַל יֹאבַד גּוֹי אֶחָד and let not the unique nation perish,
הַמְ֒יַחֲדִים שִׁמְךָ who proclaim the Oneness of Your Name,
יְהֹוָה אֱלֺהֵֽינוּ יְהֹוָה אֶחָד: [saying:] Adonoy is our God, Adonoy is One.
שׁוֹמֵר גּוֹי קָדוֹשׁ Guardian of the holy nation,
שְׁמוֹר שְׁאֵרִית עַם קָדוֹשׁ guard the remnant of the holy people
וְאַל יֹאבַד גּוֹי קָדוֹשׁ and let not the holy nation perish
הַמְ֒שַׁלְּ֒שִׁים בְּשָׁלשׁ קְדֻשּׁוֹת who repeat the threefold sanctification
לְקָדוֹשׁ: to the Holy One.
מִתְרַצֶּה בְּרַחֲמִים You Who are appeased by pleas for mercy,
וּמִתְפַּיֵּס בְּתַחֲנוּנִים and conciliated by supplications,
הִתְרַצֶּה וְהִתְפַּיֵּס be appeased and conciliated
לְדוֹר עָנִי to an afflicted generation,
כִּי אֵין עוֹזֵר: for there is none else to help.
אָבִֽינוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ Our Father, our King!
חָנֵּֽנוּ וַעֲנֵֽנוּ be gracious to us and answer us
כִּי אֵין בָּֽנוּ מַעֲשִׂים for we have no [good] deeds,
עֲשֵׂה עִמָּֽנוּ צְדָקָה וָחֶֽסֶד deal with us charitably and kindly
וְהוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ: and deliver us.
וַאֲנַֽחְנוּ לֺא נֵדַע מַה נַּעֲשֶׂה As for us, we know not what to do;
כִּי עָלֶֽיךָ עֵינֵֽינוּ: but our eyes are upon You.34I Chronicles 20:12. With this sentence. King Yehoshafat, concluded his prayer for Divine aid in his struggle against the hostile nations that were united against him. His prayer was answered. Each Jew in every generation must realize that he too has only one refuge for all time to come—God—to Whom we turn our eyes with trusting hope—S.R. Hirsch
זְכֹר רַחֲמֶֽיךָ יְהֹוָה Remember Your mercies, Adonoy,
וַחֲסָדֶֽיךָ and kindnesses
כִּי for
מֵעוֹלָם הֵֽמָּה: they are from the beginning of the world.35Psalms 25:26.
יְהִי חַסְדְּ֒ךָ יְהֹוָה עָלֵֽינוּ Adonoy! may Your kindness be upon us,
כַּאֲשֶׁר יִחַֽלְנוּ לָךְ: as we have waited for You.36Psalms 33:22.
אַל תִּזְכָּר לָֽנוּ עֲוֹנוֹת רִאשׁוֹנִים Remember not the sins of our ancestors;37Others translate, “Remember not our [own] former iniquities.”
מַהֵר יְקַדְּ֒מֽוּנוּ רַחֲמֶֽיךָ let Your mercy come swiftly toward us,38Psalms 79:8.
כִּי דַלּֽוֹנוּ מְאֹד: for we have been brought very low.
עֶזְרֵֽנוּ בְּשֵׁם יְהֹוָה Help us for the Name of Adonoy
עֹשֵׂה שָׁמַֽיִם וְאָֽרֶץ: Creator of Heaven and earth.
חָנֵּֽנוּ יְהֹוָה חָנֵּֽנוּ Be gracious to us, Adonoy, be gracious to us
כִּי־רַב שָׂבַֽעְנוּ בוּז: for we are saturated with humiliation.39Psalms 123:3.
בְּרֺֽגֶז [Even] in anger
רַחֵם תִּזְכּוֹר: remember to have compassion.40Habakuk 3:2.
בְּרֹֽגֶז [Even] in anger
עַקֵדָה תִּזְכּוֹר, remember the binding of Isaac.
בְּרֹֽגֶז Even in anger
תְּמִימוֹת תִּזְכּוֹר: remember the uprightness of Jacob
יְהֹוָה הוֹשִֽׁיעָה, Adonoy deliver [us]
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ יַעֲנֵֽנוּ בְיוֹם קָרְאֵֽנוּ: the King will answer us on the day we call.
כִּי הוּא יָדַע יִצְרֵֽנוּ For He knows of what we are made;
זָכוּר כִּי עָפָר אֲנָֽחְנוּ: He is mindful that we are but dust.41Psalms 103:14.
עָזְ֒רֵֽנוּ אֱלֺהֵי יִשְׁעֵֽנוּ Help us, God of our deliverance,
עַל־דְּבַר כְּבוֹד־שְׁמֶֽךָ for the sake of the glory of Your Name;
וְהַצִּילֵֽנוּ וְכַפֵּר עַל־חַטֹּאתֵֽינוּ save us and atone our sins,42May we repent so that our sins will be atoned.
לְמַֽעַן שְׁמֶֽךָ: for the sake of Your Name.43Psalms 79:9.
The Chazzan recites the Half Kaddish
יִתְגַּדַּל וְיִתְקַדַּשׁ שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא Exalted and sanctified be His great Name
בְּעָלְ֒מָא דִּי בְרָא in the world which He created
כִרְעוּתֵהּ according to His will
וְיַמְלִיךְ מַלְכוּתֵהּ and may He rule His kingdom
וְיַצְמַח פּוּרְקָנֵהּ bring forth His redemption
וִיקָרֵב (קֵץ) מְשִׁיחֵהּ and hasten the coming if His Messiah
בְּחַיֵּיכוֹן וּבְיוֹמֵיכוֹן in your lifetime and in your days,
וּבְחַיֵּי and in the lifetime
דְכָל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, of the entire House of Israel,
בַּעֲגָלָא וּבִזְמַן קָרִיב speedily and in the near future—
וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן: and say Amein.
יְהֵא שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא מְבָרַךְ May His great Name be blessed
לְעָלַם וּלְעָלְ֒מֵי עָלְ֒מַיָּא: forever and for all eternity.
יִתְבָּרַךְ וְיִשְׁתַּבַּח Blessed and praised,
וְיִתְפָּאַר וְיִתְרוֹמַם וְיִתְנַשֵּׂא glorified, and exalted and uplifted,
וְיִתְהַדָּר וְיִתְעַלֶּה וְיִתְהַלָּל honored and elevated and extolled
שְׁמֵהּ דְקוּדְשָׁא, בְּרִיךְ הוּא be the Name of the Holy One, blessed is He;
לְעֵֽלָּא (בעשי"ת וּלְ֒עֵֽלָּא מִכָּל) above (Ten Days of Penitence: far above)
מִן כָּל בִּרְכָתָא וְשִׁירָתָא, all the blessings and hymns,
תֻּשְׁבְּחָתָא וְנֶחֱמָתָא, praises and consolations
דַּאֲמִירָן בְּעָלְ֒מָא, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן: which we utter in the world—and say Amein.
On days when the Torah is not read continue with Ashrei.