מנחה ליום כפור
Minchah / Afternoon Service for
Yom Kippur
Opening Meditation
It is now the afternoon of Yom Kippur, the holiest day of our year. The long hours, which we have spent, is prayer and meditation seem to have passed as quickly as the days of our lives. They are here for only a fleeting moment, and then they are gone. We seek to keep them with us forever, but at best, we can only hold on to their shadow in our hearts and minds.
And yet, if we spent them well, they will have changed our lives. The lessons we learned and the insights we gained will redirect our thoughts and deeds, strengthen our spirits, and renewed our dreams.
Through prayer, we are able face fear with courage, despair with hope, conflict with tranquility, sinfulness with repentance, and struggle with peace. The prophet Jonah, whose story we will retell in a few minutes, offered these words of prayer in the psalm he composed while still within the belly of the great fish – words of praise, thanksgiving, and hope:
When I was in trouble,
I called out to the Eternal One
And You, my God, answered me.
From the belly of darkness I cried out
And You, Dear God, heard my voice.
You cast me into the depths,
Into the heart of the sea,
The currents swirled around me
Your waves and your breakers rolled over me.
I said in my heart,
“I was banished from Your sight.
When will I ever again behold Your Sacred Sanctuary.”
It was as if the water engulfed my neck,
As if the deep surrounded me,
As if the seaweeds wrapped around my head.
As if I sank to the very depths of the mountains,
to the land whose gates are shut forever.
But You, my Eternal God, lifted my spirit up from the pit.
When my life’s breathe was slipping away,
I remembered you, the Everlasting One,
My prayer reached Your Sacred Sanctuary.
Those who cling to empty folly, forsake the bonds of devotion that connect them to You.
But I, offer my words of thanksgiving,
When I offer my sacrifice to You,
When I fulfill my sacred promise.
The power to save, to rescue, to redeem is Yours, my Eternal God. (Jonah 2)
Jonah’s trials were not yet over. He still had his message to deliver. He still had lessons to learn. But, even though he sat seemingly trapped, deep under the sea, in the dark belly of an immense fish, he found the words that gave him strength, peace and hope. May we find the same blessings through our prayers this afternoon. Amen!
Torah Service
וַיְהִי בִּנְסֹֽעַ הָאָרֹן וַיֹּֽאמֶר משֶׁה: קוּמָה יְיָ, וְיָפֻֽצוּ אֹיְבֶֽיךָ, וְיָנֻֽסוּ מְשַׂנְאֶֽיךָ מִפָּנֶֽיךָ:
Vay'hi binsoa ha-aron vayomer mosheh, kumah, Adonai, v'yafutzu oy'vecha, v'yanusu m'sanecha mipanecha.
And it was when the Holy Ark set forth, Moses declared:
“Rise up, Almighty God, and disperse Your enemies;
May all who hate You flee from Your presence.” (Numbers 10:35)
כִּי מִצִּיּוֹן תֵּצֵא תוֹרָה , וּדְבַר יְיָ מִירוּשָלָֽיִם: בָּרוּךְ שֶׁנָּתַן תּוֹרָה לְעַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל בִּקְדֻשָּׁתוֹ:
Ki mitziyon teitzei torah, ud'var Adonai mirushalayim. Baruch shenatan torah l'amo yisra-eil bikdushato.
Torah will come forth out of Zion, and the Eternal One’s word from Jerusalem, Your holy city. (Isaiah 2:3) Blessed is the One who, as a manifestation of His holiness, gave the Torah to His people Israel.
גַּדְּלוּ לַיָי אִתִּי, וּנְרוֹמְמָה שְׁמוֹ יַחְדָּו:
Gad'lu l’Adonai iti, un'rom'mah sh'mo yachdav.
Exalt the Eternal with me! Together let us glorify God’s name! (Psalm 34:4)
לְךָ יְיָ הַגְּדֻלָּה וְהַגְּבוּרָה וְהַתִּפְאֶֽרֶת וְהַנֵּֽצַח וְהַהוֹד, כִּי כֹל בַּשָׁמַֽיִם וּבָאָֽרֶץ:
לְךָ יְיָ הַמַּמְלָכָה וְהַמִּתְנַשֵּׂא לכֹל לְרֹאשׁ:
L'cha Adonai hag'dulah v'hag'vurah v'hatiferet ki chol bashamayim uva-aretz, v'haneitzach v'hahod,
L'cha Adonai hamamlachah, v'hamitnasei l'chol l'rosh.
To You, Dear God, belong greatness, might, glory, triumph, and splendor, because throughout heaven and earth all dominion is Yours and You are exalted above all creatures. (1 Chronicles 29:11)
רוֹמְמוּ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ וְהִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לַהֲדֹם רַגְלָיו קָדוֹשׁ הוּא:
Rom'mu Adonai eloheinu, v'hishtachavu lahadom raglav, kadosh hu.
רוֹמְמוּ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ, וְהִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לְהַר קָדְשׁוֹ, כִּי קָדוֹשׁ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ:
Rom'mu Adonai eloheinu, v'hishtachavu l'har kad'sho, ki kadosh Adonai eloheinu.
Exalt our Eternal God. Bow down before God’s footstool. Holy is our God! Exalt our Eternal God. Bow down before God’s holy mountain, for holy is our Eternal God. (Psalm 99:5,9)
Torah Blessings
(Those who receive an aliyah to the Torah say the following blessing.)
בָּרְכוּ אֶת יְיָ הַמְּבֹרָךְ:
Bar'chu et Adonai hamvorach
בָּרוּךְ יְיָ הַמְּבֹרָךְ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד:
Baruch Adonai hamvorach l'olam va-ed.
Bless the Blessed Eternal God!
The Blessed Eternal God is blessed now and forever!
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר בָּֽחַר בָּֽנוּ מִכָּל הָעַמִּים וְנָֽתַן לָֽנוּ אֶת תּוֹרָתוֹ: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, נוֹתֵן הַתּוֹרָה:
Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher bachar banu mikol ha-amim v'natan lanu et torato. Baruch atah Adonai, notein hatorah.
We bless and praise You, our Eternal God, Ruler of All, who has chosen us by giving us Your Torah. We extol and adore You, Dear God, who gives us the Torah.
(After the section of the Torah is read, those who receive an aliyah recite the following blessing.)
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר נָֽתַן לָֽנוּ תּוֹרַת אֱמֶת, וְחַיֵּי עוֹלָם נָטַע בְּתוֹכֵֽנוּ: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, נוֹתֵן הַתּוֹרָה:
Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher natan lanu torat emet, v'chayei olam nata b'tocheinu. Baruch atah Adonai, notein hatorah.
We bless and praise You, our Eternal God, Ruler of All, who by giving us the Torah of Truth has planted eternal life in our midst. We extol and adore You, Dear God, the One who gives us the Torah.
Torah Reading
(Leviticus 19: 1 – 18)
א וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהוָֹ֖ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר: ב דַּבֵּ֞ר אֶל־כָּל־עֲדַ֧ת בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֥ אֲלֵהֶ֖ם קְדשִׁ֣ים תִּֽהְי֑וּ כִּ֣י קָד֔וֹשׁ אֲנִ֖י יְהוָֹ֥ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם: ג אִ֣ישׁ אִמּ֤וֹ וְאָבִיו֙ תִּירָ֔אוּ וְאֶת־שַׁבְּתֹתַ֖י תִּשְׁמֹ֑רוּ אֲנִ֖י יְהוָֹ֥ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם: ד אַל־תִּפְנוּ֙ אֶל־הָ֣אֱלִילִ֔ם וֵֽאלֹהֵי֙ מַסֵּכָ֔ה לֹ֥א תַֽעֲשׂ֖וּ לָכֶ֑ם אֲנִ֖י יְהוָֹ֥ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם: ה וְכִ֧י תִזְבְּח֛וּ זֶ֥בַח שְׁלָמִ֖ים לַֽיהוָֹ֑ה לִֽרְצֹֽנְכֶ֖ם תִּזְבָּחֻֽהוּ: ו בְּי֧וֹם זִבְחֲכֶ֛ם יֵֽאָכֵ֖ל וּמִֽמָּֽחֳרָ֑ת וְהַנּוֹתָר֙ עַד־י֣וֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֔י בָּאֵ֖שׁ יִשָּׂרֵֽף: ז וְאִ֛ם הֵֽאָכֹ֥ל יֵֽאָכֵ֖ל בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֑י פִּגּ֥וּל ה֖וּא לֹ֥א יֵֽרָצֶֽה: ח וְאֹֽכְלָיו֙ עֲוֹנ֣וֹ יִשָּׂ֔א כִּֽי־אֶת־קֹ֥דֶשׁ יְהוָֹ֖ה חִלֵּ֑ל וְנִכְרְתָ֛ה הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ הַהִ֖וא מֵֽעַמֶּֽיהָ:
1. The Eternal One spoke to Moses, saying: 2. "Speak to the entire Israelite community and tell them: “You shall be holy because I, the Eternal One, your God, am holy! 3. Each of you shall revere his mother and his father and keep My sabbaths: I, the Eternal One, am your God. 4. Do not turn to idols or make molten gods for yourselves: I, the Eternal One, am your God! . When you sacrifice an offering of well-being to the Eternal One, sacrifice it so that it may be acceptable on your behalf. 6. It shall be eaten on the day you sacrifice it, or on the following day; but what is left over by the third day must be consumed in fire. 7. If it is not eaten on the third day, it is a abominable thing. It will not be acceptable. 8. Furthermore, anyone who eats of it shall bear his own guilt, because he has profaned something that is holy to the Eternal One. That person shall be cut off from his kin.
ט וּֽבְקֻצְרְכֶם֙ אֶת־קְצִ֣יר אַרְצְכֶ֔ם לֹ֧א תְכַלֶּ֛ה פְּאַ֥ת שָֽׂדְךָ֖ לִקְצֹ֑ר וְלֶ֥קֶט קְצִֽירְךָ֖ לֹ֥א תְלַקֵּֽט: י וְכַרְמְךָ֙ לֹ֣א תְעוֹלֵ֔ל וּפֶ֥רֶט כַּרְמְךָ֖ לֹ֣א תְלַקֵּ֑ט לֶֽעָנִ֤י וְלַגֵּר֙ תַּֽעֲזֹ֣ב אֹתָ֔ם אֲנִ֖י יְהוָֹ֥ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם: יא לֹ֖א תִּגְנֹ֑בוּ וְלֹֽא־תְכַֽחֲשׁ֥וּ וְלֹֽא־תְשַׁקְּר֖וּ אִ֥ישׁ בַּֽעֲמִיתֽוֹ: יב וְלֹֽא־תִשָּֽׁבְע֥וּ בִשְׁמִ֖י לַשָּׁ֑קֶר וְחִלַּלְתָּ֛ אֶת־שֵׁ֥ם אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ אֲנִ֥י יְהוָֹֽה: יג לֹא־תַֽעֲשֹׁ֥ק אֶת־רֵֽעֲךָ֖ וְלֹ֣א תִגְזֹ֑ל לֹֽא־תָלִ֞ין פְּעֻלַּ֥ת שָׂכִ֛יר אִתְּךָ֖ עַד־בֹּֽקֶר:
9. When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap all the way to the edges of your field, or gather all the gleanings of your harvest. 10. You shall not pick your vineyard clean or gather the fallen fruit of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and the stranger. I, the Eternal One, an your God! 11. You shall not steal. You shall not deal with one another deceitfully or falsely. 12. You shall not take false oaths by My name, profaning the name of you God. I am the Eternal One! 13. You shall not cheat your fellow. You shall not commit robbery. The wages of a day-laborer shall not remain with you until the next morning.
יד לֹֽא־תְקַלֵּ֣ל חֵרֵ֔שׁ וְלִפְנֵ֣י עִוֵּ֔ר לֹ֥א תִתֵּ֖ן מִכְשֹׁ֑ל וְיָרֵ֥אתָ מֵּֽאֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ אֲנִ֥י יְהוָֹֽה: טו לֹא־תַֽעֲשׂ֥וּ עָ֨וֶל֙ בַּמִּשְׁפָּ֔ט לֹֽא־תִשָּׂ֣א פְנֵי־דָ֔ל וְלֹ֥א תֶהְדַּ֖ר פְּנֵ֣י גָד֑וֹל בְּצֶ֖דֶק תִּשְׁפֹּ֥ט עֲמִיתֶֽךָ: טז לֹֽא־תֵלֵ֤ךְ רָכִיל֙ בְּעַמֶּ֔יךָ לֹ֥א תַֽעֲמֹ֖ד עַל־דַּ֣ם רֵעֶ֑ךָ אֲנִ֖י יְהוָֹֽה: יז לֹֽא־תִשְׂנָ֥א אֶת־אָחִ֖יךָ בִּלְבָבֶ֑ךָ הוֹכֵ֤חַ תּוֹכִ֨יחַ֙ אֶת־עֲמִיתֶ֔ךָ וְלֹֽא־תִשָּׂ֥א עָלָ֖יו חֵֽטְא: יח לֹֽא־תִקֹּ֤ם וְלֹֽא־תִטֹּר֙ אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י עַמֶּ֔ךָ וְאָֽהַבְתָּ֥ לְרֵֽעֲךָ֖ כָּמ֑וֹךָ אֲנִ֖י יְהוָֹֽה:
14. You shall not insult the deaf, or place a stumbling block before the blind. You shall fear your God. I am the Eternal One! 15. You shall not render an unfair decision. Do not favor the poor or show deference to the rich. Judge your kinsman fairly. 16. Do not tell tales about your countrymen. Do not stand idly by your neighbor’s blood. I am the Eternal One! 17. You shall not hate your kinsfolk in your heart. Reprove your kinsman but incur no guilt because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear grudge against your countrymen. Love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Eternal One!
A Prayer for Healing
מִי שֶׁבֵּרַךְ אֲבוֹתֵינוּ וְאִמּוֹתֵנוּ, אַבְרָהָם, יִצְחָק, וְיַעֲקֹב,
שָׂרָה, רִבְקָה, רָחֵל, וְלֵאַה, הוּא יְבָרֵךְ אֶת הַחוֹלִים . . .
May the One who was the source of blessings for our ancestors – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah – be a reservoir of comfort and support for our loved ones and friends who are ill and in need of courage, hope, and strength.
May they experience God’s sustaining presence in the care they receive from doctors, nurses, therapists, and all helping people, and in the best wishes and prayers they receive from family, neighbors, and friends. May all our sick be blessed with a strengthening of body, spirit, heart, and soul, so that they can find purpose, meaning, direction, and love in their lives forever. Amen. (Rabbi Lewis John Eron)
Lifting and Binding the Torah Scroll
וְזֹאת הַתּוֹרָה אֲשֶׁר שָׂם מֹשֶה לִפְנֵי בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עַל פִּי יְיָ בְּיַד משֶׁה:
V'zot hatorah asher sam mosheh lifnei b'nei yisra-eil, al pi Adonai b'yad mosheh.
This is the Torah, which Moses presented by his own hand to the Children of Israel upon God’s command. (Deuteronomy 4:44; Numbers 9:13)
(Blessings Recited After Reading the Haftara)
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר בָּחַר בִּנְבִיאִים טוֹבִים, וְרָצָה בְדִבְרֵיהֶם הַנֶאֱמָרִים בֶּאֱמֶת, בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, הַבּוֹחֵר בַּתּוֹרָה וּבְמֹשֶׁה עַבְדּוֹ, וּבְיִשְׂרָאֵל עַמּוֹ, וּבִנְבִיאֵי הָאֱמֶת וָצֶֽדֶק.
Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher bachar binviim tovim, v'ratzah v'divreihem hane-emarim be-emet. Baruch atah Adonai, habocheir batorah uv'mosheh avdo, uv'yisra-eil amo, uvinvi-ei ha-emet vatzedek.
We bless and praise You, our Eternal God, Ruler of All, who has selected good prophets and has favored their words that were spoken in truth. We extol and exalt You, Dear God, for choosing the Torah, Your servant Moses, Your people Israel, and Your prophets of truth and righteousness.
Haftara
(Jonah, Micha 7:18-20)
פרק א א וַֽיְהִי֙ דְּבַר־יְהֹוָ֔ה אֶל־יוֹנָ֥ה בֶן־אֲמִתַּ֖י לֵאמֹֽר: ב ק֠וּם לֵ֧ךְ אֶל־נִֽינְוֵ֛ה הָעִ֥יר הַגְּדוֹלָ֖ה וּקְרָ֣א עָלֶ֑יהָ כִּי־עָֽלְתָ֥ה רָֽעָתָ֖ם לְפָנָֽי: ג וַיָּ֤קָם יוֹנָה֙ לִבְרֹ֣חַ תַּרְשִׁ֔ישָׁה מִלִּפְנֵ֖י יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיֵּ֨רֶד יָפ֜וֹ וַיִּמְצָ֥א אֳנִיָּ֣ה ׀ בָּאָ֣ה תַרְשִׁ֗ישׁ וַיִּתֵּ֨ן שְׂכָרָ֜הּ וַיֵּ֤רֶד בָּהּ֙ לָב֤וֹא עִמָּהֶם֙ תַּרְשִׁ֔ישָׁה מִלִּפְנֵ֖י יְהֹוָֽה: ד וַֽיהֹוָ֗ה הֵטִ֤יל רֽוּחַ־גְּדוֹלָה֙ אֶל־הַיָּ֔ם וַיְהִ֥י סַֽעַר־גָּד֖וֹל בַּיָּ֑ם וְהָ֣אֳנִיָּ֔ה חִשְּׁבָ֖ה לְהִשָּׁבֵֽר: ה וַיִּֽירְא֣וּ הַמַּלָּחִ֗ים וַֽיִּזְֽעֲקוּ֘ אִ֣ישׁ אֶל־אֱלֹהָיו֒ וַיָּטִ֨לוּ אֶת־הַכֵּלִ֜ים אֲשֶׁ֤ר בָּֽאֳנִיָּה֙ אֶל־הַיָּ֔ם לְהָקֵ֖ל מֵֽעֲלֵיהֶ֑ם וְיוֹנָ֗ה יָרַד֙ אֶל־יַרְכְּתֵ֣י הַסְּפִינָ֔ה וַיִּשְׁכַּ֖ב וַיֵּֽרָדַֽם: ו וַיִּקְרַ֤ב אֵלָיו֙ רַ֣ב הַֽחֹבֵ֔ל וַיֹּ֥אמֶר ל֖וֹ מַה־לְּךָ֣ נִרְדָּ֑ם ק֚וּם קְרָ֣א אֶל־אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ אוּלַ֞י יִתְעַשֵּׁ֧ת הָֽאֱלֹהִ֛ים לָ֖נוּ וְלֹ֥א נֹאבֵֽד: ז וַיֹּֽאמְר֞וּ אִ֣ישׁ אֶל־רֵעֵ֗הוּ לְכוּ֙ וְנַפִּ֣ילָה גֽוֹרָל֔וֹת וְנֵ֣דְעָ֔ה בְּשֶׁלְּמִ֛י הָֽרָעָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את לָ֑נוּ וַיַּפִּ֨לוּ֙ גּֽוֹרָל֔וֹת וַיִּפֹּ֥ל הַגּוֹרָ֖ל עַל־יוֹנָֽה: ח וַיֹּֽאמְר֣וּ אֵלָ֔יו הַגִּֽידָה־נָּ֣א לָ֔נוּ בַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר לְמִֽי־הָרָעָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את לָ֑נוּ מַה־מְּלַאכְתְּךָ֙ וּמֵאַ֣יִן תָּב֔וֹא מָ֣ה אַרְצֶ֔ךָ וְאֵֽי־מִזֶּ֥ה עַ֖ם אָֽתָּה: ט וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶ֖ם עִבְרִ֣י אָנֹ֑כִי וְאֶת־יְהֹוָ֞ה אֱלֹהֵ֤י הַשָּׁמַ֨יִם֙ אֲנִ֣י יָרֵ֔א אֲשֶֽׁר־עָשָׂ֥ה אֶת־הַיָּ֖ם וְאֶת־הַיַּבָּשָֽׁה: י וַיִּֽירְא֤וּ הָֽאֲנָשִׁים֙ יִרְאָ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֔ה וַיֹּֽאמְר֥וּ אֵלָ֖יו מַה־זֹּ֣את עָשִׂ֑יתָ כִּי־יָֽדְע֣וּ הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֗ים כִּֽי־מִלִּפְנֵ֤י יְהֹוָה֙ ה֣וּא בֹרֵ֔חַ כִּ֥י הִגִּ֖יד לָהֶֽם: יא וַיֹּֽאמְר֤וּ אֵלָיו֙ מַה־נַּֽ֣עֲשֶׂה לָּ֔ךְ וְיִשְׁתֹּ֥ק הַיָּ֖ם מֵֽעָלֵ֑ינוּ כִּ֥י הַיָּ֖ם הוֹלֵ֥ךְ וְסֹעֵֽר: יב וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם שָׂא֨וּנִי֙ וַֽהֲטִילֻ֣נִי אֶל־הַיָּ֔ם וְיִשְׁתֹּ֥ק הַיָּ֖ם מֵֽעֲלֵיכֶ֑ם כִּ֚י יוֹדֵ֣עַ אָ֔נִי כִּ֣י בְשֶׁלִּ֔י הַסַּ֧עַר הַגָּד֛וֹל הַזֶּ֖ה עֲלֵיכֶֽם: יג וַֽיַּחְתְּר֣וּ הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֗ים לְהָשִׁ֛יב אֶל־הַיַּבָּשָׁ֖ה וְלֹ֣א יָכֹ֑לוּ כִּ֣י הַיָּ֔ם הוֹלֵ֥ךְ וְסֹעֵ֖ר עֲלֵיהֶֽם: יד וַיִּקְרְא֨וּ אֶל־יְהֹוָ֜ה וַיֹּֽאמְר֗וּ אָֽנָּ֤ה יְהֹוָה֙ אַל־נָ֣א נֹֽאבְדָ֗ה בְּנֶ֨פֶשׁ֙ הָאִ֣ישׁ הַזֶּ֔ה וְאַל־תִּתֵּ֥ן עָלֵ֖ינוּ דָּ֣ם נָקִ֑יא כִּֽי־אַתָּ֣ה יְהֹוָ֔ה כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר חָפַ֖צְתָּ עָשִֽׂיתָ: טו וַיִּשְׂאוּ֙ אֶת־יוֹנָ֔ה וַיְטִלֻ֖הוּ אֶל־הַיָּ֑ם וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֥ד הַיָּ֖ם מִזַּעְפּֽוֹ: טז וַיִּֽירְא֧וּ הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֛ים יִרְאָ֥ה גְדוֹלָ֖ה אֶת־יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיִּזְבְּחוּ־זֶ֨בַח֙ לַֽיהֹוָ֔ה וַיִּדְּר֖וּ נְדָרִֽים
Chapter One 1. And the word of the Eternal One came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,
2. “Arise, go to the great city of Nineveh, and cry out against it, because I have become aware of the wickedness of the Ninevites.”
3. Jonah, however, decided to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Eternal One. He went down to Jaffa; and found a ship going to Tarshish. He paid the fare, and went aboard the ship, to travel with the crew to Tarshish away from the Eternal One’s presence.
4. The Eternal One, however, sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a great storm at sea, so that the ship seemed likely to break up.
5. Of course, the sailors were afraid, and each of them cried to his own god. Then, they threw the wares that were in the ship to the sea to lighten the load. Jonah, however, had gone down into the hold of the ship; and had laid down, and was fast asleep.
6. When the ship’s captain came to Jonah, he said to him, “What is it with you that you are sleeping? Wake up! Call upon your God! Perhaps God will give a thought to us, so that we do not perish.”
7. Finally, the sailors said to one another, “Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us.” Therefore, they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.
8. They said to Jonah, “Tell us, we beg you, what is the reason that this evil has come upon us? What is your occupation? Where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?”
9. Jonah replied to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I revere the Eternal One, the God of Heaven, who has made the sea and the dry land.”
10. The men became very much afraid, and said to him, “Why have you done this?” The men knew that he had fled from the presence of the Eternal One, because he had told them.
11. But the sea grew more and more stormy, so they said to him, “What shall we do to you, so that the sea may calm down for us?”
12. Jonah then said to them, “Pick me up, and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will calm down for you. I know it is because of me that this great storm is upon you.”
13. Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to bring the ship back to land, but they could not because the sea grew more and more stormy all around them.
14. So, they cried to the Eternal One, and said, “We pray you, O Eternal One, we pray you, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not upon us innocent blood; for you, O Eternal One, have done as it pleased you.”
15. They then picked Jonah up, and threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped raging.
16. The men were in great awe of the Eternal One and they offered a sacrifice to the Eternal One, and made vows.
פרק ב א וַיְמַ֤ן יְהֹוָה֙ דָּ֣ג גָּד֔וֹל לִבְלֹ֖עַ אֶת־יוֹנָ֑ה וַיְהִ֤י יוֹנָה֙ בִּמְעֵ֣י הַדָּ֔ג שְׁלשָׁ֥ה יָמִ֖ים וּשְׁלשָׁ֥ה לֵילֽוֹת: ב וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֣ל יוֹנָ֔ה אֶל־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהָ֑יו מִמְּעֵ֖י הַדָּגָֽה:
ג וַיֹּ֗אמֶר קָ֠רָא֠תִי מִצָּ֥רָה לִ֛י אֶל־יְהֹוָ֖ה וַיַּֽעֲנֵ֑נִי
מִבֶּ֧טֶן שְׁא֛וֹל שִׁוַּ֖עְתִּי שָׁמַ֥עְתָּ קוֹלִֽי:
ד וַתַּשְׁלִיכֵ֤נִי מְצוּלָה֙ בִּלְבַ֣ב יַמִּ֔ים וְנָהָ֖ר יְסֹֽבְבֵ֑נִי
כָּל־מִשְׁבָּרֶ֥יךָ וְגַלֶּ֖יךָ עָלַ֥י עָבָֽרוּ:
ה וַֽאֲנִ֣י אָמַ֔רְתִּי נִגְרַ֖שְׁתִּי מִנֶּ֣גֶד עֵינֶ֑יךָ
אַ֚ךְ אוֹסִ֣יף לְהַבִּ֔יט אֶל־הֵיכַ֖ל קָדְשֶֽׁךָ:
ו אֲפָפ֤וּנִי מַ֨יִם֙ עַד־נֶ֔פֶשׁ תְּה֖וֹם יְסֹֽבְבֵ֑נִי
ס֖וּף חָב֥וּשׁ לְרֹאשִֽׁי:
ז לְקִצְבֵ֤י הָרִים֙ יָרַ֔דְתִּי הָאָ֛רֶץ בְּרִחֶ֥יהָ בַֽעֲדִ֖י לְעוֹלָ֑ם
וַתַּ֧עַל מִשַּׁ֛חַת חַיַּ֖י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהָֽי:
ח בְּהִתְעַטֵּ֤ף עָלַי֙ נַפְשִׁ֔י אֶת־יְהֹוָ֖ה זָכָ֑רְתִּי
וַתָּב֤וֹא אֵלֶ֨יךָ֙ תְּפִלָּתִ֔י אֶל־הֵיכַ֖ל קָדְשֶֽׁךָ:
ט מְשַׁמְּרִ֖ים הַבְלֵי־שָׁ֑וְא
חַסְדָּ֖ם יַֽעֲזֹֽבוּ:
י וַֽאֲנִ֗י בְּק֤וֹל תּוֹדָה֙ אֶזְבְּחָה־לָּ֔ךְ
אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָדַ֖רְתִּי אֲשַׁלֵּ֑מָה
יְשׁוּעָ֖תָה לַֽיהֹוָֽה:
יא וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהֹוָ֖ה לַדָּ֑ג וַיָּקֵ֥א אֶת־יוֹנָ֖ה אֶל־הַיַּבָּשָֽׁה:
Chapter 2 1. The Eternal One sent a great fish to swallow Jonah and Jonah spent three days and three nights in the fish’s belly, 2. And Jonah prayed to the Eternal One, his God, from the fish’s belly,
3. Jonah said:
When I was in trouble, I called out to the Eternal One
And You, my God, answered me.
From the belly of darkness I cried out
And You, Dear God, heard my voice.
4. You cast me into the depths, Into the heart of the sea,
The currents swirled around me
Your waves and your breakers rolled over me.
5. I said in my heart,
“I was banished from Your sight.
When will I ever again behold Your Sacred Sanctuary.”
6. It was as if the water engulfed my neck,
As if the deep surrounded me,
As if the seaweeds wrapped around my head.
7. As if I sank to the very depths of the mountains,
to the land whose gates are shut forever.
But You, my Eternal One, lifted my spirit up from the pit.
8. When my life’s breathe was slipping away,
I remembered you, the Everlasting One,
My prayer reached Your Sacred Sanctuary.
9. Those who cling to empty folly,
forsake the bonds of devotion that connect them to You.
10. But I offer my words of thanksgiving,
When I offer my sacrifice to You,
When I fulfill my sacred promise.
The power to save, to rescue, to redeem is Yours, my Eternal One.
11. Then the Eternal One spoke to the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.
פרק ג א וַיְהִ֧י דְבַר־יְהֹוָ֛ה אֶל־יוֹנָ֖ה שֵׁנִ֥ית לֵאמֹֽר: ב ק֛וּם לֵ֥ךְ אֶל־נִֽינְוֵ֖ה הָעִ֣יר הַגְּדוֹלָ֑ה וּקְרָ֤א אֵלֶ֨יהָ֙ אֶת־הַקְּרִיאָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָֽנֹכִ֖י דֹּבֵ֥ר אֵלֶֽיךָ:
ג וַיָּ֣קָם יוֹנָ֗ה וַיֵּ֛לֶךְ אֶל־נִֽינְוֵ֖ה כִּדְבַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֑ה וְנִֽינְוֵ֗ה הָיְתָ֤ה עִיר־גְּדוֹלָה֙ לֵֽאלֹהִ֔ים מַֽהֲלַ֖ךְ שְׁל֥שֶׁת יָמִֽים: ד וַיָּ֤חֶל יוֹנָה֙ לָב֣וֹא בָעִ֔יר מַֽהֲלַ֖ךְ י֣וֹם אֶחָ֑ד וַיִּקְרָא֙ וַיֹּאמַ֔ר ע֚וֹד אַרְבָּעִ֣ים י֔וֹם וְנִֽינְוֵ֖ה נֶהְפָּֽכֶת: ה וַיַּֽאֲמִ֛ינוּ אַנְשֵׁ֥י נִֽינְוֵ֖ה בֵּֽאלֹהִ֑ים וַיִּקְרְאוּ־צוֹם֙ וַיִּלְבְּשׁ֣וּ שַׂקִּ֔ים מִגְּדוֹלָ֖ם וְעַד־קְטַנָּֽם: ו וַיִּגַּ֤ע הַדָּבָר֙ אֶל־מֶ֣לֶךְ נִֽינְוֵ֔ה וַיָּ֨קָם֙ מִכִּסְא֔וֹ וַיַּֽעֲבֵ֥ר אַדַּרְתּ֖וֹ מֵֽעָלָ֑יו וַיְכַ֣ס שַׂ֔ק וַיֵּ֖שֶׁב עַל־הָאֵֽפֶר: ז וַיַּזְעֵ֗ק וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ בְּנִֽינְוֵ֔ה מִטַּ֧עַם הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ וּגְדֹלָ֖יו לֵאמֹ֑ר הָֽאָדָ֨ם וְהַבְּהֵמָ֜ה הַבָּקָ֣ר וְהַצֹּ֗אן אַל־יִטְֽעֲמוּ֙ מְא֔וּמָה אַ֨ל־יִרְע֔וּ וּמַ֖יִם אַל־יִשְׁתּֽוּ: ח וְיִתְכַּסּ֣וּ שַׂקִּ֗ים הָֽאָדָם֙ וְהַבְּהֵמָ֔ה וְיִקְרְא֥וּ אֶל־אֱלֹהִ֖ים בְּחָזְקָ֑ה וְיָשֻׁ֗בוּ אִ֚ישׁ מִדַּרְכּ֣וֹ הָֽרָעָ֔ה וּמִן־הֶֽחָמָ֖ס אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּכַפֵּיהֶֽם: ט מִֽי־יוֹדֵ֣עַ יָשׁ֔וּב וְנִחַ֖ם הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים וְשָׁ֛ב מֵֽחֲר֥וֹן אַפּ֖וֹ וְלֹ֥א נֹאבֵֽד: י וַיַּ֤רְא הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ אֶת־מַֽ֣עֲשֵׂיהֶ֔ם כִּֽי־שָׁ֖בוּ מִדַּרְכָּ֣ם הָֽרָעָ֑ה וַיִּנָּ֣חֶם הָֽאֱלֹהִ֗ים עַל־הָֽרָעָ֛ה אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֥ר עֲשֽׂוֹת־לָהֶ֖ם וְלֹ֥א עָשָֽׂה:
Chapter 3 1. And the word of the Eternal One came to Jonah the second time, saying: “Arise!
2. Go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I bid you.”
3. So Jonah arose, and in accordance with the Eternal One’s word, went to Nineveh. Nineveh, however, was a very large city. It took three days just to walk from one end to the other.
4. Jonah entered the city and went a day’s journey, while he proclaimed, “In forty days Nineveh shall be overthrown.”
5. However, the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast. All of them, from the most important to the most insignificant, put on sackcloth.
6. When the king of Nineveh heard God’s word, he, too, arose from his throne, took off his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
7. Then the king made a proclamation and promulgated throughout Nineveh a decree of the king and his nobles declaring, “Neither people nor livestock, herd or flock should taste anything! No one should not eat nor drink!
8. And let people and animals be covered with sackcloth, and cry sincerely to God. Let everyone turn from his or her evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.
9. Who can tell if God may yet turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, so that we perish not?”
10. And God saw their doings that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, which he had said that he would do to them; and he did not do it.
פרק ד א וַיֵּ֥רַע אֶל־יוֹנָ֖ה רָעָ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֑ה וַיִּ֖חַר לֽוֹ: ב וַיִּתְפַּ֨לֵּל אֶל־יְהֹוָ֜ה וַיֹּאמַ֗ר אָֽנָּ֤ה יְהֹוָה֙ הֲלוֹא־זֶ֣ה דְבָרִ֗י עַד־הֱיוֹתִי֙ עַל־אַדְמָתִ֔י עַל־כֵּ֥ן קִדַּ֖מְתִּי לִבְרֹ֣חַ תַּרְשִׁ֑ישָׁה כִּ֣י יָדַ֗עְתִּי כִּ֤י אַתָּה֙ אֵֽל־חַנּ֣וּן וְרַח֔וּם אֶ֤רֶךְ אַפַּ֨יִם֙ וְרַב־חֶ֔סֶד וְנִחָ֖ם עַל־הָרָעָֽה: ג וְעַתָּ֣ה יְהֹוָ֔ה קַח־נָ֥א אֶת־נַפְשִׁ֖י מִמֶּ֑נִּי כִּ֛י ט֥וֹב מוֹתִ֖י מֵֽחַיָּֽי: ד וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהֹוָ֔ה הַֽהֵיטֵ֖ב חָ֥רָה לָֽךְ: ה וַיֵּצֵ֤א יוֹנָה֙ מִן־הָעִ֔יר וַיֵּ֖שֶׁב מִקֶּ֣דֶם לָעִ֑יר וַיַּעַשׂ֩ ל֨וֹ שָׁ֜ם סֻכָּ֗ה וַיֵּ֤שֶׁב תַּחְתֶּ֨יהָ֙ בַּצֵּ֔ל עַ֚ד אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִרְאֶ֔ה מַה־יִּֽהְיֶ֖ה בָּעִֽיר: ו וַיְמַ֣ן יְהֹוָֽה־אֱ֠לֹהִים קִֽיקָי֞וֹן וַיַּ֣עַל ׀ מֵעַ֣ל לְיוֹנָ֗ה לִֽהְי֥וֹת צֵל֙ עַל־רֹאשׁ֔וֹ לְהַצִּ֥יל ל֖וֹ מֵרָֽעָת֑וֹ וַיִּשְׂמַ֥ח יוֹנָ֛ה עַל־הַקִּֽיקָי֖וֹן שִׂמְחָ֥ה גְדוֹלָֽה: ז וַיְמַ֤ן הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ תּוֹלַ֔עַת בַּֽעֲל֥וֹת הַשַּׁ֖חַר לַֽמָּֽחֳרָ֑ת וַתַּ֥ךְ אֶת־הַקִּֽיקָי֖וֹן וַיִּיבָֽשׁ:
ח וַיְהִ֣י ׀ כִּזְרֹ֣חַ הַשֶּׁ֗מֶשׁ וַיְמַ֨ן אֱלֹהִ֜ים ר֤וּחַ קָדִים֙ חֲרִישִׁ֔ית וַתַּ֥ךְ הַשֶּׁ֛מֶשׁ עַל־רֹ֥אשׁ יוֹנָ֖ה וַיִּתְעַלָּ֑ף וַיִּשְׁאַ֤ל אֶת־נַפְשׁוֹ֙ לָמ֔וּת וַיֹּ֕אמֶר ט֥וֹב מוֹתִ֖י מֵֽחַיָּֽי: ט וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶל־יוֹנָ֔ה הַֽהֵיטֵ֥ב חָֽרָה־לְךָ֖ עַל־הַקִּֽיקָי֑וֹן וַיֹּ֕אמֶר הֵיטֵ֥ב חָֽרָה־לִ֖י עַד־מָֽוֶת: י וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהֹוָ֔ה אַתָּ֥ה חַ֨סְתָּ֙ עַל־הַקִּ֣יקָי֔וֹן אֲשֶׁ֛ר לֹֽא־עָמַ֥לְתָּ בּ֖וֹ וְלֹ֣א גִדַּלְתּ֑וֹ שֶׁבִּן־לַ֥יְלָה הָיָ֖ה וּבִן־לַ֥יְלָה אָבָֽד: יא וַֽאֲנִי֙ לֹ֣א אָח֔וּס עַל־נִֽינְוֵ֖ה הָעִ֣יר הַגְּדוֹלָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֶשׁ־בָּ֡הּ הַרְבֵּה֩ מִֽשְׁתֵּֽים־עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה רִבּ֜וֹ אָדָ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־יָדַע֙ בֵּין־יְמִינ֣וֹ לִשְׂמֹאל֔וֹ וּבְהֵמָ֖ה רַבָּֽה:
Chapter 4 1. This displeased Jonah very much and he was very angry.
2. So Jonah prayed to the Eternal One and said, “I pray to you, O Eternal One, is this not what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore, I hastened to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and that you repent of the evil.
3. Therefore now, Eternal One, take, I pray you, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.
4 .Then the Eternal One said, “Is it good for you to be so angry?”
5. So Jonah left Nineveh, and sat on the east side of the city. He built a booth for himself there, and sat under it in the shade waiting to see what would become of the city.
6. Then the Eternal One took a castor oil plant, and made it grow over Jonah, so that it might be a shadow over his head, to save him from his distress. Jonah was very happy with the plant.
7. However, when dawn came up the next day, God sent a worm, and it attacked the plant so that it withered.
8. So when some time had passed and the sun rose, God sent a hot wind from the east, and the sun beat down upon the head of Jonah, so that he fainted, and wished to die, saying. “It would be better for me to die than to live.”
9. Then God said to Jonah, “Is it good for you to be so angry for what happened to the plant?” Jonah replied, “Yes, it is good to be so angry. I am so angry that I could die.”
10.So the Eternal said to him, “If you had such concern for the plant, for which you did not labor, nor did you make it grow, which grew up one night, and perished in the next,
11. why then should I not spare the great city of Nineveh, where there are more than one hundred and twenty thousand souls who cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand, not counting the cattle?”
יח מִי־אֵ֣ל כָּמ֗וֹךָ נֹשֵׂ֤א עָוֹן֙ וְעֹבֵ֣ר עַל־פֶּ֔שַׁע לִשְׁאֵרִ֖ית נַֽחֲלָת֑וֹ לֹֽא־הֶחֱזִ֤יק לָעַד֙ אַפּ֔וֹ כִּֽי־חָפֵ֥ץ חֶ֖סֶד הֽוּא:
יט יָשׁ֣וּב יְרַֽחֲמֵ֔נוּ יִכְבּ֖שׁ עֲוֹֽנֹתֵ֑ינוּ וְתַשְׁלִ֛יךְ בִּמְצֻל֥וֹת יָ֖ם כָּל־חַטֹּאתָֽם:
כ תִּתֵּ֤ן אֱמֶת֙ לְיַֽעֲקֹ֔ב חֶ֖סֶד לְאַבְרָהָ֑ם אֲשֶֽׁר־נִשְׁבַּ֥עְתָּ לַֽאֲבֹתֵ֖ינוּ מִ֥ימֵי קֶֽדֶם:
Micha 7:18. Is there a god is like You who pardons iniquity, and puts aside the transgression of the remnant of his heritage, who does not remain angry indefinately because He enjoys the ties forged out of compassion.
19. God will once again show mercy to us. God will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.
20. You will be truthful to Jacob and compassionate to Abraham as You have promised our ancestors from the days of old.
Haftara Blessings
(Blessings Recited After Reading the Haftara)
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, צוּר כָּל הָעוֹלָמִים, צַדִּיק בְּכָל הַדּוֹרוֹת, הָאֵל הַנֶּאֱמָן הָאוֹמֵר וְעֹשֶׂה, הַמְדַבֵּר וּמְקַיֵּם, שֶׁכָּל דְּבָרָיו אֶמֶת וָצֶֽדֶק.
Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam, tzur kol ha-olamim, tzadik b'chol hadorot, ha-eil hane-eman ha-omeir v'oseh, hamdabeir um'kayeim, shekol d'varav emet vatzedek.
We bless and praise You, our Eternal God, Ruler of All. You are the Rock of all Worlds, the Righteous One throughout the generations, and the faithful God who creates by speaking and establishes all by proclamation. All Your words are true and righteous.
נֶאֱמָן אַתָּה הוּא יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, וְנֶאֱמָנִים דְּבָרֶֽיךָ, וְדָבָר אֶחָד מִדְּבָרֶֽיךָ אָחוֹר לֹא יָשׁוּב רֵיקָם, כִּי אֵל מֶֽלֶךְ נֶאֱמָן (וְרַחֲמָן) אָתָּה. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, הָאֵל הַנֶּאֱמָן בְּכָל דְּבָרָיו.
Ne-eman atah hu Adonai eloheinu, v'ne-emanim d'varecha, v'davar echad mid'varecha achor lo yashuv reikam, ki eil melech ne-eman (vrachaman) atah. Baruch atah Adonai, ha-eil hane-eman b'chol d'varav.
You, our Eternal God, are trustworthy as are Your words, and not even one of them will in the end be found without meaning because You are the sovereign, faithful and compassionate God.
רַחֵם עַל צִיּוֹן כִּי הִיא בֵּית חַיֵּֽינוּ, וְלַעֲלֽוּבַת נֶֽפֶשׁ תּוֹשִֽׁיעַ בִּמְהֵרָה בְיָמֵֽינוּ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, מְשַׂמֵּֽחַ צִיּוֹן בְּבָנֶֽיהָ.
Racheim al tziyon ki hi beit chayeinu, v'la-aluvat nefesh toshi-a bimheirah v'yameinu. Baruch atah Adonai, m'samei-ach tziyon b'vaneha.
Shower compassion upon Zion, the focus of our people’s living spirit. May You speedily, in our days, redeem the City of Jerusalem, so long humbled in spirit. We bless and praise You, our Eternal God, who brings joy to Zion through her children.
שַׂמְּחֵֽנוּ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ בְּאֵלִיָּֽהוּ הַנָּבִיא עַבְדֶּֽךָ, וּבְמַלְכוּת בֵּית דָּוִד מְשִׁיחֶֽךָ, בִּמְהֵרָה יָבֹא וְיָגֵל לִבֵּֽנוּ, עַל כִּסְאוֹ לֹא יֵֽשֵׁב זָר וְלֹא יִנְחֲלוּ עוֹד אֲחֵרִים אֶת כְּבוֹדוֹ, כִּי בְשֵׁם קָדְשְׁךָ נִשְׁבַּֽעְתָּ לּוֹ, שֶׁלֹּא יִכְבֶּה נֵרוֹ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד. בָרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, מָגֵן דָּוִד.
Sam'cheinu, Adonai eloheinu, b'eiliyahu hanavi avdecha, uv'malchut beit david m'shichecha, bimheirah yavo v'yageil
libeinu, al kiso lo yeishev zar, v'lo yinchalu od acheirim et k'vodo, ki v'sheim kodsh'cha nishbata lo shelo yichbeh neiro l'olam va-ed. Baruch atah Adonai, magein david.
Speedily bring us joy, Eternal One, our God, with the redemption to be heralded by Your servant, Elijah the Prophet, and to be marked by the renewal of the dominion of the House of King David, Your anointed one. May this come soon and bring joy to our hearts. Never again, may a stranger sit on David’s throne nor a usurper pretend to hold David’s glory because You have promised by Your holy name that his light shall never be extinguished. We bless and praise You, our Eternal God, the Shield of David.
Yizkor
Memory brings us together. It ties our present to our past and gives direction to our future. It helps us learn from our mistakes and draw strength from our successes.
We gather today to share our memories: memories of those who have been a part of our lives and who have now gone to their eternal home. They touched our hearts, souls and minds; over the years they shared their lives with us, and we still feel their absence.
We gather today to acknowledge our loss, to share our hurt, and to offer thanksgiving for the opportunities we had to learn from them and grow with them. They still live on in our lives and in the lives of all whom they touched along the pathways of their years.
At times when our sense of loss and separation seems to overwhelm us, when sorrow and grief seek to engulf us, we reach out to each other and to the Divine spark within us for love, support and meaning. We seek the light of God that illumines our eyes and brightens our souls.
Dear God, in times of sorrow and grief, as in times of celebration and rejoicing, may we never be far from Your guiding beacon. Grant us the strength to feel Your presence within and without us as we go about our daily tasks. May we be graced with the power to see Your glow in the souls of all we meet, and may their memory light our way on our path to You. (Rabbi Lewis John Eron)
A Yizkor Prayer
אַל־תִּירא כִּי־עִמְּךָ אָנִי, אַל־תִּשְׁתָּע כִּי־אָנִי אֱלֹהֶיךָ.
אִמַּצְתִּיךָ אַף־עֲזַרְתִּיךָ בִּימִים צִדְקִי.
Do not fear, for I am with you.
Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you. I will help you.
I will sustain you through My power. (Isaiah 41:10)
God above, at this sacred hour, we remember with love and reverence those no longer with us.
We recall family members and dear friends whose souls are with You.
We also remember those who, throughout our history, gave their lives for the sanctification of Your name – those who perished so that Judaism might survive.
We remember the innocent victims of ruthless pogroms. We recall the six million who were slaughtered during the Holocaust.
We also remember the heroes who fought and died to give life to the State of Israel and to guarantee its continued existence.
And we remember the countless good people of all nations and faiths who dedicated their lives to the betterment of humanity and our world, those who struggled to promote freedom, liberty, and a better, safer, healthier life for all.
May their repose be in paradise. May their memory be a blessing.
(Rabbi Howard Kahn, Congregation Beth El from JGH Shabbat Shalom Prayer Booklet)
Psalm 15
(א) מִזְמ֗וֹר לְדָ֫וִ֥ד יְ֭הֹוָה מִי־יָג֣וּר בְּאָהֳלֶ֑ךָ מִֽי־יִ֝שְׁכֹּ֗ן בְּהַ֣ר קָדְשֶֽׁךָ: (ב) הוֹלֵ֣ךְ תָּ֭מִים וּפֹעֵ֥ל צֶ֑דֶק וְ֘דֹבֵ֥ר אֱ֝מֶ֗ת בִּלְבָבֽוֹ: (ג) לֹֽא־רָגַ֨ל ׀ עַל־לְשֹׁנ֗וֹ לֹא־עָשָׂ֣ה לְרֵעֵ֣הוּ רָעָ֑ה וְ֝חֶרְפָּ֗ה לֹא־נָ֘שָׂ֥א עַל־קְרֹֽבוֹ: (ד) נִבְזֶ֤ה ׀ בְּֽעֵ֘ינָ֤יו נִמְאָ֗ס וְאֶת־יִרְאֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֣ה יְכַבֵּ֑ד נִשְׁבַּ֥ע לְ֝הָרַ֗ע וְלֹ֣א יָמִֽר: (ה) כַּסְפּ֤וֹ ׀ לֹא־נָ֘תַ֚ן בְּנֶ֗שֶׁךְ וְשֹׁ֥חַד עַל־נָקִ֗י לֹֽא־לָ֫קָ֥ח עֹ֥שֵׂה אֵ֑לֶּה לֹ֖א יִמּ֣וֹט לְעוֹלָֽם:
Dear God, who may enter your Temple
and Who may worship on your holy mountain?
A person who obey’s God in everything
and always does what is right,
whose words are true and sincere and does not slander others.
This is a person who does not wrong his friends nor spreads rumors about his neighbors.
This is a person who despises those whom God rejects, but honors those who obey the Eternal.
This person always does what is promised no matter how much it may cost.
He does not take advantage of the needy nor can he be bribed to testify against the innocent.
Whoever does these things will always be secure.
Prayer - The Precious Gift of Memory
Dear God, I thank You for the precious gift of memory, as I remember the many people who were a source of love and blessing for me during the days, months, and years we spent together. May their memory be a source of strength for me. May I always remember the joy and blessings they brought into my life. As I cherish the best wishes and dreams they had for me, may I also have the strength to forgive them for their shortcomings. May I continue to be inspired by their highest values, and help me live in such a way as to make those values real in my life and in the lives of those I touch. (Rabbi Lewis John Eron)
Eil Maleh Rachamim
אֵל מָלֵא רַחֲמִים שׁוֹכֵן בַּמְּרוֹמִים. הַמְצֵא מְנוּחָה נְכוֹנָה עַל כַּנְפֵי הַשְּׁכִינָה. בְּמַעֲלוֹת קְדוֹשִׁים וּטְהוֹרִים כְּזֹֽהַר הָרָקִֽיעַ מַזְהִירִים אֶת נְשָׁמוֹת קְרוֹבֵינוּ וְאַהוּבֵינוּ שֶׁהָלְכוּ לְעוֹלָמָם, בְּגַן עֵֽדֶן תְּהֵא מְנוּחֳתָם. לָכֵן בַּֽעַל הָרַחֲמִים יַסְתִּירֵֽהֶם בְּסֵֽתֶר כְּנָפָיו לְעוֹלָמִים. וְיִצְרוֹר בִּצְרוֹר הַחַיִּים אֶת נִשְׁמוֹתָם. יְיָ הוּא נַחֲלוֹתָם: וְיָנֽוּחוּ בְּשָׁלוֹם עַל מִשְׁכָּבוֹתָם. וְנֹאמַר אָמֵן:
Eternal God, Fountain of Compassion, help me find blessings in the memory of those I love, as today I remember all those close and dear to me – my dear:
father / mother / sister / brother / child / husband / wife
grandchild / grandparents / aunts / uncles / cousins
partner / neighbors / co-workers / comrades
teachers / friends
May their memory be a source of strength and encouragement for me today and every day, and let me say, “Amen.”
Psalm 23
(א) מִזְמ֥וֹר לְדָוִ֑ד יְהֹ֘וָ֥ה רֹ֝עִ֗י לֹ֣א אֶחְסָֽר: (ב) בִּנְא֣וֹת דֶּ֭שֶׁא יַרְבִּיצֵ֑נִי עַל־מֵ֖י מְנֻח֣וֹת יְנַֽהֲלֵֽנִי: (ג) נַפְשִׁ֥י יְשׁוֹבֵ֑ב יַנְחֵ֥נִי בְמַעְגְּלֵי־צֶ֝֗דֶק לְמַ֣עַן שְׁמֽוֹ: (ד) גַּ֤ם כִּֽי־אֵלֵ֨ךְ בְּגֵ֢יא צַלְמָ֡וֶת לֹא־אִ֘ירָ֤א רָ֗ע כִּי־אַתָּ֥ה עִמָּדִ֑י שִׁבְטְךָ֥ וּ֝מִשְׁעַנְתֶּ֗ךָ הֵ֣מָּה יְנַֽחֲמֻֽנִי: (ה) תַּֽ֘עֲרֹ֚ךְ לְפָנַ֨י ׀ שֻׁלְחָ֗ן נֶ֥גֶד צֹרְרָ֑י דִּשַּׁ֖נְתָּ בַשֶּׁ֥מֶן רֹ֝אשִׁ֗י כּ֘וֹסִ֥י רְוָיָֽה: (ו) אַ֤ךְ ט֣וֹב וָחֶ֣סֶד יִ֭רְדְּפוּנִי כָּל־יְמֵ֣י חַיָּ֑י וְשַׁבְתִּ֖י בְּבֵית־יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה לְאֹ֣רֶךְ יָמִֽים:
A Psalm of David: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul;
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
for Thou art with me;
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23)
Mourners’ Kaddish
יִתְגַּדַּל וְיִתְקַדַּשׁ שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא. בְּעָלְמָא דִּי בְרָא כִרְעוּתֵהּ, וְיַמְלִיךְ מַלְכוּתֵהּ בְּחַיֵּיכוֹן וּבְיוֹמֵיכוֹן וּבְחַיֵּי דְכָל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל. בַּעֲגָלָא וּבִזְמַן קָרִיב וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן:
Yitgadal v'yitkadash sh'meih raba. B'al'ma di v'ra chiruteih, v'yamlich malchuteih b'chayeichon uv'yomeichon uv'chayei d'chol beit yisra-eil, ba-agala uvizman kariv, v'imru amein.
יְהֵא שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא מְבָרַךְ לְעָלַם וּלְעָלְמֵי עָלְמַיָּא:
Y'hei sh'meih raba m'varach l'alam ul'al'mei al'maya.
יִתְבָּרַךְ וְיִשְׁתַּבַּח, וְיִתְפָּאַר וְיִתְרוֹמַם וְיִתְנַשֵּׂא וְיִתְהַדָּר וְיִתְעַלֶּה וְיִתְהַלָּל שְׁמֵהּ דְּקֻדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא לְעֵֽלָּא וּלְעֵלָּא מִן כָּל בִּרְכָתָא וְשִׁירָתָא, תֻּשְׁבְּחָתָא וְנֶחֱמָתָא, דַּאֲמִירָן בְּעָלְמָא, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן:
Yitbarach v'yishtabach v'yitpa-ar v'yitromam v'yitnasei v'yithadar v'yitaleh v'yithalal sh'meih d'kudsha b'rich hu,’eila ul’eila min kol birchata v'shirata tushb'chata v'nechemata, da-amiran b'al'ma, v'imru amein.
יְהֵא שְׁלָמָא רַבָּא מִן שְׁמַיָּא וְחַיִּים עָלֵֽינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן:
Y'hei sh'lama raba min sh'maya, v'chayim aleinu v'al kol yisra-eil, v'imru amein.
עֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו, הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם, עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל וְעַל כָּל יוֹשְׁבֵי תֵבֵל, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן:
Oseh shalom bimromav, hu ya-aseh shalom aleinu v'al kol yisra-eil, v'imru amein.
May God’s name be made great and holy in the world, which God created according to His will.
May God’s dominion become real in your lives and throughout your days and in the life of all Israel, and may this happen speedily and soon, and let us say, “Amen!”
May God’s exalted name be blessed in this and in all worlds forever!
May the Blessed One’s holy name be blessed, praised, glorified, exalted, proclaimed, glorified, elevated, and lauded well beyond all the words of blessing, song, praise and consolation that we can utter in this world, and let us say, “Amen!”
May there be abounding peace and life from heaven for us and for all Israel, and let us say, “Amen!”
May the One who creates peace in the heavens above, grant peace to us, to all Israel and to all who share this world, and let us say, “Amen!”
Returning the Torah Scroll to the Aron Kodesh / the Holy Ark
יְהַלְלוּ אֶת שֵׁם יְיָ, כִּי נִשְׂגָּב שְׁמוֹ לְבַדּוֹ:
Y'hal'lu et sheim Adonai, ki nisgav sh'mo l'vado.
Praise the Eternal’s name, for it alone is supreme.
הוֹדוֹ עַל אֶֽרֶץ וְשָׁמָֽיִם. וַיָּֽרֶם קֶֽרֶן לְעַמּוֹ,
תְּהִלָּה לְכָל חֲסִידָיו, לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עַם קְרוֹבוֹ, הַלְלוּיָהּ.
Hodo al eretz v'shamayim. Vayarem keren l'amo, t'hilah l'chol chasidav,
livnei yisra-eil am k'rovo, hal'luyah.
God’s majesty abides on the earth and in the heavens. God has lifted up our people’s strength. Praise to all God’s loyal ones. To the children of Israel, a people close to God. Hallelujah! (Psalm 148:13-14)
(We place the Torah scroll back into the Aron Kodesh / the Holy Ark.)
עֵץ חַיִּים הִיא לַמַּחֲזִיקִים בָּהּ, וְתֹמְכֶֽיהָ מְאֻשָׁר.
דְּרָכֶֽיהָ דַרְכֵי נֹֽעַם, וְכָל נְתִיבוֹתֶֽיהָ שָׁלוֹם.
הֲשִׁיבֵֽנוּ יְיָ, אֵלֶֽיךָ וְנָשֽׁוּבָה, חַדֵּשׁ יָמֵֽינוּ כְּקֶֽדֶם.
Eitz chayim hi lamachazikim bah, v'tom'cheha m'ushar.
D'racheha darchei noam, v'chol n'tivoteha shalom.
Hashiveinu Adonai eilecha v'nashuvah, chadeish yameinu k'kedem.
It is a tree of life to those who hold fast to it, and its supporters are happy. Its ways are ways of pleasantness and all its paths are paths of peace. (Proverbs 3:18,17) Return us to You, Dear God, and we will return. Renew our days as of old. (Lamentations 5:21)
HaTifilah
אֲדֹנָי שְׂפָתַי תִּפְתָּח וּפִי יַגִּיד תְּהִלָּתֶךָ:
Adonay s'fatai tiftach, ufi yagid t'hilatecha.
O Dear God, open now my lips,
so that my mouth may declare Your praises! (Psalm 51:17)
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ וְאִמּוֹתֵינוּ, אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם, אֱלֹהֵי יִצְחָק, וֵאלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב, אֱלֹהֵי שָׂרָה, אֱלֹהֵי רִבְקָה, אֱלֹהֵי לֵאָה, וֵאלֹהֵי רָחֵל. הָאֵל הַגָּדוֹל הַגִּבּוֹר וְהַנּוֹרָא, אֵל עֶלְיוֹן, גּוֹמֵל חֲסָדִים טוֹבִים, וְקוֹנֵה הַכֹּל, וְזוֹכֵר חַסְדֵי אָבוֹת וְאִמַהוֹת, וּמֵבִיא גְאֻלָּה לִבְנֵי בְנֵיהֶם לְמַעַן שְׁמוֹ בְּאַהֲבָה:
Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu veilohei avoteinu vimoteinu elohei Avraham, elohei Yitzchak, veilohei Ya-akov, elohei Sarah, elohei Rivka, elohei Leia, veilohei Racheil. Ha-eil hagadol hagibor v'hanora, eil elyon, gomeil chasadim tovim, v'koneih hakol, v'zocheir chasdei avot v’imahot, umeivi g’ula livnei v'neihem, l'ma-an sh'mo b'ahavah.
We bless and praise You, Eternal One, our God and God of our ancestors; God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, God of Sarah, God of Rebecca, God of Rachel and God of Leah. You are the great, mighty and awesome God. You are God most high. You are the source of all good deeds of loving-kindness, the one who establishes all. You recall the devotion of our ancestors, and with love You will bring redemption to their children’s children, for the sake of Your name.
מִסּוֹד חֲכָמִים וּנְבוֹנִים, וּמִלֶּֽמֶד דַּֽעַת מְבִינִים,
אֶפְתְּחָה פִי בִּתְפִלָה וּבְתַחֲנוּנִים, לְחַלּוֹת וּלְחַנֵּן פְּנֵי מֶֽלֶךְ מָלֵא רַחֲמִים מוֹחֵל וְסוֹלֵֽחַ לַעֲוֹנִים.
Misod chachamim un'vonim, umilemed da-at m'vinim,
eft'chah fi bitfilah uv'tachanunim, l'chalot ul'chanein p'nei melech malchei rachamim mocheil v'solei-ach la-avonim.
Fortified with the insights of the wise and discerning and with the erudition of scholars, I open my mouth in prayer and supplication to entreat and welcome the Sovereign Source of Abounding Compassion, who pardons and forgives iniquity.
זָכְרֵֽנוּ לְחַיִּים, מֶֽלֶךְ חָפֵץ בַּחַיִּים, וְכָתְבֵֽנוּ בְּסֵֽפֶר הַחַיִּים, לְמַעַנְךָ אֱלֹהִים חַיִּים.
Zoch'reinu l'chayim, melech chafeitz bachayim, v'chot'veinu b'seifer hachayim, l'ma-ancha elohim chayim.
מֶֽלֶךְ עוֹזֵר וּמוֹשִֽׁיעַ וּמָגֵן: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, מָגֵן אַבְרָהָם וְעֶזְרַת שָׂרָה:
Melech ozeir umoshi-a umagein. Baruch atah Adonai, magein Avraham ve-ezrat Sarah.
Remember us to life, Sovereign God who delights in life, and inscribe us in the Book of Life, for Your sake, O God of Life! You are the Sovereign One who aids, saves and protects. We bless and praise You, Eternal One, Abraham’s shield and Sarah’s help.
אַתָּה גִּבּוֹר לְעוֹלָם אֲדֹנָי, מְחַיֵּה הַכֹּל אַֽתָּה, רַב לְהוֹשִֽׁיעַ: מְכַלְכֵּל חַיִּים בְּחֶֽסֶד, מְחַיֵּה הַכֹּל בְּרַחֲמִים רַבִּים, סוֹמֵךְ נוֹפְלִים, וְרוֹפֵא חוֹלִים, וּמַתִּיר אֲסוּרִים, וּמְקַיֵּם אֱמוּנָתוֹ לִישֵׁנֵי עָפָר, מִי כָמֽוֹךָ בַּֽעַל גְּבוּרוֹת וּמִי דֽוֹמֶה לָּךְ, מֶֽלֶךְ מֵמִית וּמְחַיֶּה וּמַצְמִֽיחַ יְשׁוּעָה: מִי כָמוֹךָ אַב הָרַחֲמִים, זוֹכֵר יְצוּרָיו לְחַיִּים בְּרַחֲמִים: וְנֶאֱמָן אַתָּה לְהַחֲיוֹת הַכֹּל. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, מְחַיֵּה הַכֹּל:
Atah gibor l'olam adonay, m'chayeih hakol atah, rav l'hoshi-a. M'chalkeil chayim b'chesed, m'chayeih hakol b'rachamim rabim, someich nof'lim, v'rofei cholim, umatir asurim, um'kayeim emunato lisheinei afar, mi chamocha ba-al g'vurot umi domeh lach, melech meimit um'chayeh umatzmi-ach y'shuah. Mi chamocha av harachamim, zocheir y'tzurav l'chayim b'rachamim. V'ne-eman atah l'hachayot hakol. Baruch atah Adonai, m'chayeih hakol.
You are mighty forever, Dear God. You renew all life. You are great in deliverance. You sustain all life with loving-kindness. You renew all life with great compassion, lifting up those who fall, healing the ill, freeing the captives, and keeping faith with those asleep in the dust. Who is like You, Master of Power? Who is similar to You, Sovereign Source of Life and Death, and who makes way for redemption? Who is like You, Fountain of Compassion, who with mercy recalls all creatures to life? You are the faithful source of all life. We bless and praise You, Eternal One, who brings life to all.
Kedushah
נַעֲרִיצְךָ וְנַקְדִּישְׁךָ כְּסוֹד שִֽׂיחַ שַׂרְפֵי קֹֽדֶשׁ הַמַּקְדִּישִׁים שִׁמְךָ בַּקֹּֽדֶשׁ,
כַּכָּתוּב עַל יַד נְבִיאֶֽךָ: וְקָרָא זֶה אֶל זָה וְאָמַר:
Na-aritz'cha v'nakdish'cha, k'sod si-ach sarfei kodesh hamakdishim shimcha bakodesh,
kakatuv al yad n'vi-echa, v'kara zeh el zeh v'amar:
We will adore and sanctify You, according to the mystic meditation of the holy seraphim, who in sanctity sanctify Your name, as Your prophet has written, “Each angel calls out to the other and says,
קָדוֹשׁ, קָדוֹשׁ, קָדוֹשׁ יְיָ צְבָאוֹת,
מְלֹא כָל־הָאָֽרֶץ כְּבוֹדוֹ.
Kadosh, kadosh, kadosh, adonai tz'va-ot, m'lo chol ha-aretz k'vodo.
‘Holy, holy, holy is the Eternal Ruler of Heaven’s Hosts;
the whole world is full of God’s glory.’” (Isaiah 6:3)
כְּבוֹדוֹ מָלֵא עוֹלָם, מְשָׁרְתָיו שׁוֹאֲלִים זֶה לָזֶה אַיֵּה מְקוֹם כְּבוֹדוֹ, לְעֻמָּתָם בָּרוּךְ יֹאמֵֽרוּ:
K'vodo malei olam, m'shar'tav shoalim zeh lazeh, ayeih m'kom k'vodo, l'umatam baruch yomeiru:
God’s glorious presence fills the world, yet the ministering angels ask each other, “In what place can God’s glory best be found?” Then, in a burst of blessed awareness, they respond to each other,
בָּרוּךְ כְּבוֹד יְיָ מִמְּקוֹמוֹ.
Baruch k'vod adonai mim'komo.
“Blessed is the Eternal’s glorious presence, which flows from every place of encounter with God!” (Ezekiel 3:12)
מִמְּקוֹמוֹ הוּא יִפֶן בְּרַחֲמִים,
וְיָחֹן עַם הַמְיַחֲדִים שְׁמוֹ עֶֽרֶב וָבֹֽקֶר,
בְּכָל יוֹם תָּמִיד, פַּעֲמַֽיִם בְּאַהֲבָה שְׁמַע אוֹמְרִים:
Mim'komo hu yifen b'rachamim,
v'yachon am hamyachadim sh'mo erev vavoker
b'chol yom tamid, pa-amayim b'ahavah sh'ma om'rim:
From that place of sacred meeting, God will compassionately turn and shower mercy upon the people who, twice every day, at dusk and at dawn, declare the unity of the holy name as they say with love, “Shema – Listen!”
שְׁמַ֖ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יְהוָֹ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ יְהוָֹ֥ה אֶחָֽד:
Sh'ma Yisra-eil, Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad.
Listen well, people of Israel, the Eternal is our God, the Eternal One Alone! (Deuteronomy 6:4)
הוּא אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, הוּא אָבִֽינוּ, הוּא מַלְכֵּֽנוּ, הוּא מוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ,
וְהוּא יַשְׁמִיעֵֽנוּ בְּרַחֲמָיו שֵׁנִית לְעֵינֵי כָּל חָי: לִהְיוֹת לָכֶם לֵאלֹהִים -
Hu eloheinu, hu avinu, hu malkeinu, hu moshi-einu,
v'hu yashmi-einu b'rachamav sheinit l'einei kol chay, lihyot lachem leilohim,
This is our God! This is our Source! This is our Sovereign! This is our Redeemer! This is the One who will again in mercy reaffirm the bond between us by proclaiming before all the living,
אֲנִי יְיָ אֱלֹהֵיכֶם.
Ani Adonai eloheichem.
“I, the Eternal One, am your God!” (Numbers 15:41)
אַדִּיר אַדִּירֵֽנוּ, יְיָ אֲדֹנֵינוּ, מָה אַדִּיר שִׁמְךָ בְּכָל הָאָֽרֶץ.
וְהָיָה יְיָ מֶֽלֶךְ עַל כָּל הָאָֽרֶץ, בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא יִהְיֶה יְיָ אֶחָד וּשְׁמוֹ אֶחָד.
וּבְדִבְרֵי קָדְשְׁךָ כָּתוּב לֵאמֹר:
Adir adireinu, Adonai adoneinu, mah adir shimcha b'chal ha-aretz.
V'hayah Adonai l'melech al kol ha-aretz, bayom hahu yihyeh Adonai echad ush'mo echad.
Uv'divrei kodsh'cha katuv leimor:
How exceedingly great You appear to us, Eternal One, and how great is Your name throughout all the earth! “Soon the time will come when the Eternal One will reign over all earth.
On that day shall the Eternal be one and God’s holy name be one.” (Zechariah 14:9)
And thus the Psalmist proclaimed:
יִמְלֹךְ יְיָ לְעוֹלָם, אֱלֹהַֽיִךְ צִיּוֹן לְדֹר וָדֹר: הַלְלוּיָהּ.
Yimloch Adonai l'olam, elohayich tziyon, l'dor vador, hal'luyah.
“The Eternal will reign forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Hallelujah!” (Psalm 146:10)
לְדוֹר וָדוֹר נַגִּיד גָּדְלֶֽךָ וּלְנֵֽצַח נְצָחִים קְדֻשָּׁתְךָ נַקְדִּישׁ, וְשִׁבְחֲךָ, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, מִפִּֽינוּ לֹא יָמוּשׁ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד, כִּי אֵל מֶֽלֶךְ גָּדוֹל וְקָדוֹש אָֽתָּה. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, הָמֶּלֶךְ הַקָּדוֹשׁ.
L'dor vador nagid god'lecha, ul'neitzach n'tzachim k'dushat'cha nakdish, v'shivchacha eloheinu, mipinu lo yamush l'olam va-ed, ki eil melech gadol v'kadosh atah. Baruch atah Adonai, ha-melech hakadosh.
From one generation to the next, we proclaim Your greatness, and for all eternities, we declare Your holiness. May Your praise, Dear God, never depart from our mouths, because You are the great and holy sovereign God. We bless and praise You as the holy king.
Selichot – Confessional Prayers
שְׁמַע קוֹלֵֽנוּ, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, חוּס וְרַחֵם עָלֵֽינוּ, וְקַבֵּל בְּרַחֲמִים וּבְרָצוֹן אֶת תְּפִלָּתֵֽנוּ.
Sh'ma koleinu, Adonai eloheinu, chus v'racheim aleinu, v'kabeil b'rachamim uv'ratzon et t'filateinu.
הֲשִׁיבֵֽנוּ יְיָ אֵלֶֽיךָ וְנָשֽׁוּבָה, חַדֵּשׁ יָמֵֽינוּ כְּקֶֽדֶם.
Hashiveinu Adonai eilecha v'nashuvah, chadeish yameinu k'kedem.
Hear our voice, Eternal One, our God! Show mercy and compassion! With love and favor, accept our prayer.
Return to us, Dear God, and we will return. Renew our days as of old. (Lamentations 5:21)
Respond to our words, acknowledge our meditations. (Psalm 5:2)
May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to You. (Psalm 19:15)
Do not banish us from Your presence; do not take Your holy spirit away from us. (Psalm 51:13)
Do not cast us off in old age; when our strength declines, do not forsake us. (Psalm 71:9)
Do not forsake us, Eternal One, our God! Do not distance Yourself from us! (Psalm 38:22)
Help us discover Your ways and bend our hearts in love and reverence to You.
We call upon You, the Guide and Companion of our Ancestors, to forgive us, pardon us and grant us atonement.
כִּי אָֽנוּ עַמֶּךָ, וְאַתָּה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ;
אָֽנוּ בַָנֶֽיךָ וְאַתָּה אָבִֽינוּ.
Ki anu amecha, v'atah eloheinu;
anu vanecha v'atah avinu.
אָֽנוּ עֲבָדֶֽיךָ, וְאַתָּה אֲדוֹנֵֽנוּ;
אָֽנוּ קְהָלֶֽךָ, וְאַתָּה חֶלְקֵֽנוּ.
Anu avadecha, v'atah adoneinu;
anu k'halecha, v'atah chelkeinu.
אָֽנוּ נַחֲלָתֶֽךָ, וְאַתָּה גוֹרָלֵֽנוּ;
אָֽנוּ צֹאנֶֽךָ, וְאַתָּה רוֹעֵֵֽֽנוּ.
Anu nachalatecha, v'atah goraleinu;
anu tzonecha, v'atah roei-nu.
אָֽנוּ כַרְמֶֽךָ, וְאַתָּה נוֹטְרֵֽנוּ;
אָֽנוּ פְעֻלָּתֶֽךָ, וְאַתָּה יוֹצְרֵֽנוּ.
Anu charmecha, v'atah not'reinu;
anu f'ulatecha, v'atah yotz'reinu.
אָֽנוּ רַעְיָתֶֽךָ, וְאַתָּה דוֹדֵֽנוּ;
אָֽנוּ סְגֻלָּתֶֽךָ, וְאַתָּה קְרוֹבֵֽנוּ.
Anu rayatecha, v'atah dodeinu;
anu s'gulatecha, v'atah k'roveinu.
אָֽנוּ עַמֶּֽךָ, וְאַתָּה מַלְכֵּֽנוּ;
אָֽנוּ מַאֲמִירֶֽיךָ, וְאַתָּה מַאֲמִירֵֽנוּ.
Anu amecha, v'atah malkeinu;
anu ma-amirecha, v'atah ma-amireinu.
For we are Your people, and You are our God.
We are Your children, and You are our Father.
We are Your servants, and You are our Master.
We are Your congregation, and You are our Portion.
We are Your possession, and You are our Destiny.
We are Your flock, and You are our Shepherd.
We are Your vineyard, and You are our Guardian.
We are Your work, and You are our Creator.
We are Your faithful, and You are our Beloved.
We are Your treasure, and You are our Protector.
We are Your subjects, and You are our King.
We are Your chosen ones, and You are our Chosen One.
We are insolent, but You are merciful and compassionate. We are stubborn, but You are patient. We are laden with sin, but You are abounding in mercy. We are like a passing shadow, but You, our God and our ancestors’ God, are the One whose years are beyond count.
Beloved One of our ancestors and of us, welcome our prayers and do not hide Yourself from our supplications. In truth, we are neither so arrogant nor so stubborn as to say to You, “We are righteous and have not sinned,” for, without a doubt, we have sinned.
Ashamnu – We Have Transgressed
אָשַֽׁמְנוּ, בָּגַֽדְנוּ, גָּזַֽלְנוּ, דִּבַּֽרְנוּ דֹֽפִי. הֶעֱוִֽינוּ, וְהִרְשַֽׁעְנוּ, זַֽדְנוּ, חָמַֽסְנוּ, טַָפַֽלְנוּ שֶֽׁקֶר. יָעַֽצְנוּ רָע, כִּזַּֽבְנוּ, לַֽצְנוּ, מָרַֽדְנוּ, נִאַֽצְנוּ, סָרַֽרְנוּ, עָוִֽינוּ, פָּשַֽׁעְנוּ, צָרַֽרְנוּ, קִשִּֽׁינוּ עֹֽרֶף. רָשַֽׁעְנוּ, שִׁחַֽתְנוּ, תִּעַֽבְנוּ, תָּעִֽינוּ, תִּעְתָּֽעְנוּ.
Ashamnu, bagadnu, gazalnu, dibarnu dofi. He-evinu, v'hirshanu, zadnu, chamasnu, tafalnu sheker. Ya-atznu ra, kizavnu, latznu, maradnu, ni-atznu, sararnu, avinu, pashanu, tzararnu, kishinu oref. Rashanu, shichatnu, ti-avnu, tainu, tita'nu.
We have transgressed. We have betrayed. We have robbed. We have spoken slanderously. We have acted perversely. We have done evil. We have acted presumptuously. We have been violent. We have lied. We have been false. We have advised evil. We have spoken falsely. We have mocked. We have rebelled. We have blasphemed. We have revolted. We have acted crookedly. We have sinned. We have oppressed. We have been stubborn. We have acted wickedly. We have committed abominations. We have gone astray. We have led others astray.
Forgive us, Dear God, for we have sinned! Pardon us, Holy One, for we have transgressed! For you, Blessed One, are good and always ready to forgive. You are abounding in mercy to all who call upon You in truth.
Al Cheit – For the Sin
Al cheit shechatanu – For the sin that we have sinned against You under stress or through choice.
Al cheit shechatanu – For the sin that we have sinned against You openly or secretly.
Al cheit shechatanu – For the sin that we have sinned against You in stubbornness or in error.
Al cheit shechatanu – For the sin that we have sinned against You in our heart.
Al cheit shechatanu – For the sin that we have sinned against You by word of mouth.
Al cheit shechatanu – For the sin that we have sinned against You by abuse of power.
Al cheit shechatanu – For the sin that we have sinned against You by dealing wrongly with family, friends, and neighbors.
Al cheit shechatanu – For the sin that we have sinned against You by speaking ill of others.
Al cheit shechatanu – For the sin that we have sinned against You by disregarding our blessings.
וְעַל כֻּלָּם, אֱלֽוֹהַּ סְלִיחוֹת, סְלַח לָֽנוּ, מְחַל לָֽנוּ, כַּפֶּר-לָֽנוּ.
Ve Al koolan Eloha seleechot, selach lanoo, mechal lanoo, kaper lanoo.
For all these sins, O God of forgiveness,
Bear with us! Pardon us! Forgive us!
Avinu Malcheinu
(Not on Shabbat)
אָבִֽינוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ! שְׁמַע קוֹלֵֽנוּ.
Avinu malkeinu, sh'ma koleinu.
אָבִֽינוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ! חָטָֽאנוּ לְפָנֶֽיךָ.
Avinu malkeinu, chatanu l'fanecha.
אָבִֽינוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ! חֲמוֹל עָלֵֽינוּ וְעַל עוֹלָלֵֽנוּ וְטַפֵּֽנוּ.
Avinu malkeinu, chamol aleinu v'al olaleinu v'tapeinu.
אָבִֽינוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ! כַּלֵּה דֶּֽבֶר וְחֶֽרֶב וְרָעָב מֵעָלֵינוּ.
Avinu malkeinu, kaleih dever v'cherev v'ra-av mei-aleinu.
אָבִֽינוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ! כַּלֵּה כָּל צַר וּמַשְׂטִין מֵעָלֵֽינוּ.
Avinu malkeinu, kaleih kol tzar umastin mei-aleinu.
אָבִֽינוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ! כָּתְבֵֽנוּ בְּסֵֽפֶר חַיִּים טוֹבִים.
Avinu malkeinu, kot'veinu b'seifer chayim tovim.
אָבִֽינוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ! חַדֵּשׁ עָלֵֽינוּ שָׁנָה טוֹבָה.
Avinu malkeinu, chadeish aleinu shanah tovah.
Our Father, our King, hear our prayer.
Our Teacher, our Ruler, we have sinned against You.
Our Friend, our Leader, have mercy upon us and upon our children.
Our Mother, our Protector, keep plague, war, and famine far from us.
Our Partner, our Commander, cause all hatred and oppression to vanish from the earth.
Our Companion, our Shepherd, inscribe us for blessings in the Book of Life.
Our Lover, our Guardian, let the new year be good to us.
Our Source, our Sovereign, be gracious unto us and answer us.
Deal with us righteously and mercifully and deliver us.
!אָבִֽינוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ! חָנֵּֽנוּ וַעֲנֵֽנוּ, כִּי אֵין בָּֽנוּ מַעֲשִׂים, עֲשֵׂה עִמָּנוּ צְדָקָה וָחֶסֶד וְהוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ
Avinu malkeinu, choneinu va-aneinu, ki ein banu ma-asim, aseih imanu tz'dakah vachesed v'hoshi-einu.
Avinu Malcheinu, be gracious to us and answer us, because we cannot earn Your love through what we do or profess. Treat us with Tz’dakah, “charity”, and with Chesed, “love”, and deliver us.
Blessing for Peace
שִׂים שָׁלוֹם טוֹבָה וּבְרָכָה, חֵן וָחֶֽסֶד וְרַחֲמִים, עָלֵֽינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל עַמֶּֽךָ. בָּרְכֵֽנוּ, אָבִֽינוּ, כֻּלָּֽנוּ כְּאֶחָד בְּאוֹר פָּנֶֽיךָ, כִּי באוֹר פָּנֶֽיךָ נָתַֽתָּ לָּֽנוּ, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, תּוֹרַת חַיִּים וְאַֽהֲבַת חֶֽסֶד, וּצְדָקָה וּבְרָכָה וְרַחֲמִים וְחַיִּים וְשָׁלוֹם, וְטוֹב בְּעֵינֶֽיךָ לְבָרֵךְ אֶת עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּכָל עֵת וּבְכָל שָׁעָה בִּשְׁלוֹמֶֽךָ.
Sim shalom tovah uv'rachah, chein vachesed v'rachamim, aleinu v'al kol yisra-eil amecha. Bar'cheinu, avinu, kulanu k'echad b'or panecha, ki v'or panecha natata lanu, Adonai eloheinu, torat chayim v'ahavat chesed, utz'dakah uv'rachah v'rachamim v'chayim v'shalom, v'tov b'einecha l'vareich et am'cha yisra-eil b'chol eit uv'chol sha-ah bishlomecha.
Let peace, goodness, blessing, grace, favor, and compassion flow upon us and upon all Your people Israel. Bless all of us as one, Divine Source of Peace, with Your light, because through Your light You have given us the Torah of Life, and Loving-kindness, the source of justice, blessing, mercy, vitality, and peace. May it be pleasing to You to bless Your people Israel at every hour and every moment with Your gift of peace.
בְּסֵֽפֶר חַיִּים, בְּרָכָה, וְשָׁלוֹם, וּפַרְנָסָה טוֹבָה, נִזָּכֵר וְנִכָּתֵב לְפָנֶֽיךָ, אֲנַֽחְנוּ וְכָל עַמְּךָ בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, לְחַיִּים טוֹבִים וּלְשָׁלוֹם. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה, יְיָ, עוֹשֵׂה הַשָּׁלוֹם.
B'seifer chayim, b'rachah, v'shalom, ufarnasah tovah, nizacheir v'nikateiv l'fanecha, anachnu v'chol am'cha beit yisra-eil, l'chayim tovim ul'shalom. Baruch atah Adonai, oseh hashalom.
May we and all Your people Israel be remembered and written in the Book of Life, Blessing, Peace, and Prosperity in Your sacred presence, so that we may enjoy a life full of goodness and peace. We bless and praise You, Dear God, as the one who establishes peace.
לְשָׁנָה טוֹבָה תִּכָּתֵבוּ וְתִּחָתֵמוּ!
LeShanah tovah Tikateivu vetichateimu!
May we all be inscribed and sealed for a year of goodness
in the Book of Life!