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The complete qedushta cycle[1] colloquially called “yotsrot,” although it is not technically yotsrot but rather qerovot for Shabbat Zakhor by Qallir, including all the catenae of verses and repeated refrains often skipped in Ashkenazi practice. Alphabetical texts are translated with alphabetical acrostics.
Note: “The CAUSE” is used to translate the Divine Name YHVH, based on the philosophical idea of God as the Prime Mover and on the interpretation of the Name as a causative form of the copula – “causes to be.” This translation also uses the plural pronouns They/Their/Them to refer to God as a pluralis majestatis, and to avoid the implications of God being assigned a gender. (Find Ibn Ezra’s commentary on Genesis 1:1 for a discussion of the pluralis majestatis when referring to God.) All divine referents (pronouns, epithets, names) are rendered in unicase.
| Source (Hebrew) | Translation (English) |
|---|---|
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ׃ אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם אֱלֹהֵי יִצְחָק וֵאלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב׃ הָאֵל הַגָּדוֹל הַגִּבּוֹר וְהַנּוֹרָא אֵל עֶלְיוֹן׃ גּוֹמֵל חֲסָדִים טוֹבִים וְקוֹנֵה הַכֹּל וְזוֹכֵר חַסְדֵי אָבוֹת וּמֵבִיא גוֹאֵל לִבְנֵי בְנֵיהֶם לְמַֽעַן שְׁמוֹ בְּאַהֲבָה׃ מֶֽלֶךְ עוֹזֵר וּמוֹשִֽׁיעַ וּמָגֵן׃ |
Blessed are You, o Cause, our God and God of our ancestors God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob. The Deity, great and mighty and awesome; the almighty Deity, who well repays kindness, and possesses all, and remembers the kindnesses of ancestors and sends a redeemer to their descendants for Their Name’s sake, in love. Sovereign, Help and Rescue and Shield — |
רשות |
Reshut |
מִסּוֹד חֲכָמִים וּנְבוֹנִים וּמִלֶּֽמֶד דַּֽעַת מְבִינִים אֶפְתְּחָה פִּי בְּשִׁיר וּרְנָנִים לְהוֹדוֹת וּלְהַלֵּל פְּנֵי שׁוֹכֵן מְעוֹנִים׃ |
By the counsel of sages and scholars, and the study of knowledge-understanders, let me open my mouth in song and cheer to thank and praise the countenance of the Dweller on High.[2] This brief reshut was not written by Qallir. It is inserted into the Ashkenazi rite here to justify the practice of inserting piyyutim. |
מגן |
Magen |
אַזְכִּיר סֶֽלָה זִכְרוֹן מַעֲשִׂים בַּיָּמִים הָאֵֽלֶּה נִזְכָּרִים וְנַעֲשִׂים גָּחוֹן גָּח מִבֵּין עֲכָסִים דֵּרְאוֹנוֹ לְהַזְכִּיר לְרֶֽקֶב כְּעָסִים׃ |
Always I will recall the remembrance of acts By these days remembered and kept as facts. Creeping out from among the snakes on its ribcage, Disgusting to recall, rotting in rage. |
הַחֽוֹחַ הֵנֵץ מִגַּלְגַּל וְדַרְדַּר וּמִדּוֹר לְדוֹר גֻּלְגַּל וְדֻרְדַּר זֵֽכֶר עֲוֺן אֲבוֹתָיו הׇקְדַּר חַטַּאת אִמּוֹ בְּלִי לְהַעְדַּר׃ |
Erupting from tumbleweed and thistle, the thorn From age to age would whirl on, unworn. Gloomed he his father’s eyes by iniquity to recall.[3] A midrash found in multiple places, including Midrash Tanḥuma Ki Tetze 4:1, states that Isaac went blind from looking at Esau. He sinned against his mother; let it not fall! |
טָרַף אַף וַיַּשְׁחֵת רַֽחַם יְחוּמָתוֹ מִקְּלֹט בְּהֵרָיוֹן יַֽחַם כְּהׇפְקַד לְשָׁלִישׁוֹ חֵטְא נֹֽחַם לֻבַּט לְהִלָּחֵם בְּלוֹחֲמֵי לָֽחֶם׃ |
In rage he tore, destroying the womb; Jerking his conceiver not to enjoy the bedroom.[4] Midrash Tanḥuma Ki Tetze 4:1 states that in being born, Esau injured Rebecca’s uterus, leaving her unable to orgasm. Kin third-generation[5] ’Amaleq, the grandson of Esau. was appointed vengeance’s sin: Let them hastily fight those who took the bread in.[6] Israel, that ate the manna. |
מַהֲלַךְ אַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת פַּרְסָה נָע וְנָד מִכְמֹֽרֶת לְפׇרְסָה סָע מִשֵּׂעִיר וְהִכְמִין פְּרוּסָה עָיֵף וְיָגֵעַ מְבוּשָׁיו לְסׇרְסָה׃ |
Making the four-hundred parasang walk[7] Midrash Tanḥuma Beshallaḥ 25:2 states ‘Amaleq had to travel four hundred parasangs to reach Israel. he tread, Nomadically traveling with a net to spread. On his way from Seir, he hid it laid out, Planning, for shame! to mutilate the tired and worn out. |
פּוֹעֵל שְׂטִימַת בְּכוֹרָה לַעֲכֹר צְמִיתוּת צֹאן קׇדָשִׁים לִמְכֹּר קְלוֹנוֹ הׇחֳרַט בָּעֵט לִזְכֹּר רֵאשִׁית גּוֹיִם לְגַלַּע בְּזָכוֹר׃ |
Quite enraged at the disrupted birthright, he acted Resolving to sell the holy flock for slavery protracted. Stylus-engraved is his disgrace to remember To be the first nation to be scratched with “Remember!” |
שַׁדַּי זָכַר לַֽיְלָה חוֹלֵק שֹֽׁרֶשׁ וְעָנָף בַּחֲלַקְלַק לְהַחֲלֵק תְּמוּר כִּי חֲשָׁלָיו הִמְלֵק תָּבַע לְהִזָּכֵר מַֽעַשׂ עֲמָלֵק׃ |
Upon remembering the night-divider,[8] Abraham, referencing the Covenant of the Pieces in Genesis 15 the Surveyor[9] A translation of the divine name Shaddai, based on Bereshit Rabbah 46:3 (on Genesis 17:1) that the name means “the One who said ‘enough’ (dai).” Vitiated in slipperiness the wood and root of the slayer. Exchange for strangling those yonder delayed, Zealously They demand we recall ‘Amaleq’s raid. |
In most modern Ashkenazi practice, the catenae of verses inserted after the first three piyyutim are not recited. | |
כַּכָּתוּב׃ זָכ֕וֹר אֵ֛ת אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֥ה לְךָ֖ עֲמָלֵ֑ק בַּדֶּ֖רֶךְ בְּצֵאתְכֶ֥ם מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃ (דברים כה:יז) |
As it is written: Remember what ‘Amaleq did to you on the way as you went out from Egypt. (Deuteronomy 25:17) |
וְנֶאֱמַר׃ וַיַּרְא֙ אֶת־עֲמָלֵ֔ק וַיִּשָּׂ֥א מְשָׁל֖וֹ וַיֹּאמַ֑ר רֵאשִׁ֤ית גּוֹיִם֙ עֲמָלֵ֔ק וְאַחֲרִית֖וֹ עֲדֵ֥י אֹבֵֽד׃ (במדבר כד:כ) |
And it is said: And he saw ‘Amaleq and raised his tune and said: first of nations is ‘Amaleq, but its end will be final destruction. (Numbers 24:20) |
וְנֶאֱמַר׃ זֵ֣כֶר צַ֭דִּיק לִבְרָכָ֑ה וְשֵׁ֖ם רְשָׁעִ֣ים יִרְקָֽב׃ (משלי י:ז) |
And it is said: The memory of the righteous is for a blessing, and the name of the wicked rots. (Proverbs 10:7) |
וְנֶאֱמַר׃ יִזָּכֵ֤ר ׀ עֲוֺ֣ן אֲ֭בֹתָיו אֶל־יְהֹוָ֑ה וְחַטַּ֥את אִ֝מּ֗וֹ אַל־תִּמָּֽח׃ (תהלים קט:יד) |
And it is said: Let iniquity to his father be recalled to the Cause; and do not erase the sin at his mother! (Psalms 109:14) |
וְנֶאֱמַר׃ וְהַיָּמִ֣ים הָ֠אֵ֠לֶּה נִזְכָּרִ֨ים וְנַעֲשִׂ֜ים בְּכׇל־דּ֣וֹר וָד֗וֹר מִשְׁפָּחָה֙ וּמִשְׁפָּחָ֔ה מְדִינָ֥ה וּמְדִינָ֖ה וְעִ֣יר וָעִ֑יר וִימֵ֞י הַפּוּרִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה לֹ֤א יַֽעַבְרוּ֙ מִתּ֣וֹךְ הַיְּהוּדִ֔ים וְזִכְרָ֖ם לֹא־יָס֥וּף מִזַּרְעָֽם׃ (אסתר ט:כח) |
And it is said: And these days are recalled and done in each and every generation, each and every family, each and every state, each and every city, and these days of Purim will not pass from amongst the Jews, and their memory will not end from their seed. (Esther 9:28) |
וְנֶאֱמַר׃ אֵ֥ין זִכְר֖וֹן לָרִאשֹׁנִ֑ים וְגַ֨ם לָאַחֲרֹנִ֜ים שֶׁיִּהְי֗וּ לֹֽא־יִהְיֶ֤ה לָהֶם֙ זִכָּר֔וֹן עִ֥ם שֶׁיִּהְי֖וּ לָאַחֲרֹנָֽה׃ (קהלת א:יא) |
And it is said: There is no memory of the former, and so too the latter that will be will have no memory, as they will be at the latter. (Ecclesiastes 1:11) |
לָאַחֲרֹנָֽה יִסְעוּ שֶׁבָּם שָׁלַט כִּי הֶעָנָן מַטָּם פָּלַט לְעֵת יִמָּחֶה וְלֹא יֻמְלַט יְגֹנֵן עַם גָּנוֹן וּמֻפְלָט׃ |
At the latter going out among them, he prevailed, for the cloud excluded the tribe that trailed.[10] According to Midrash Tanḥuma Ki Tetze 10:1, the tribe of Dan, the hindmost tribe, was excluded from the cloud of glory on account of being idolators, and were thus the tribe that ‘Amaleq defeated. None will escape when they are erased; They shield the people shielded and saved in haste. |
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה מָגֵן אַבְרָהָם׃ |
Blessed are You, o Cause, shield of Abraham. |
אַתָּה גִּבּוֹר לְעוֹלָם אֲדֹנָי מְחַיֵּה מֵתִים אַתָּה רַב לְהוֹשִֽׁיעַ׃ מַשִּׁיב הָרֽוּחַ וּמוֹרִיד הַגָּֽשֶׁם׃ מְכַלְכֵּל חַיִּים בְּחֶֽסֶד מְחַיֵּה מֵתִים בְּרַחֲמִים רַבִּים׃ סוֹמֵךְ נוֹפְלִים וְרוֹפֵא חוֹלִים וּמַתִּיר אֲסוּרִים וּמְקַיֵּם אֱמוּנָתוֹ לִישֵׁנֵי עָפָר׃ מִי כָמֽוֹךָ בַּֽעַל גְּבוּרוֹת וּמִי דוֹמֶה לָּךְ׃ מֶֽלֶךְ מֵמִית וּמְחַיֶּה וּמַצְמִֽיחַ יְשׁוּעָה׃ וְנֶאֱמָן אַתָּה לְהַחֲיוֹת מֵתִים — |
You are mighty forever, Master, You bring life to the dead, greatly saving. You turn the wind and send down the rain. You provide for life in kindness, reviving the dead in great mercy, lift the fallen, heal the sick, free the bound, and keep faith with sleepers in the dust. Who is like You, Master of Powerful Acts, and who can be compared to You? Sovereign, who brings death and life and causes salvation to sprout. And trusted are You to revive the dead — |
מחיה |
Meḥayeh |
תְּמִימִים בְּעוֹדָם בְּסִין רְפוּדִים שִׁבּוּץ עֲדִי עֲדָיִים אֲפוּדִים רָֽצוּ שְׁלוֹל מַתַּן לַפִּידִים קָפְצוּ יָדַֽיִם רָפוֹת בִּרְפִידִים׃ |
Zenithal ones, yet in Sin,[11] Exodus 16:1 were enclothed Yes, in finery wrapped, as befits the betrothed. Exactly when taking the gift of flame Weak at Rephidim, their hands became lame.[12] Midrash Tanḥuma, Beshallaḥ 25:2 states that ‘Amaleq had to travel through five nations’ land to reach Israel. |
צוֹרֵר אִסֵּף כׇּל־אֲסַפְסוּף פּוֹשֵֽׁעַ סְבִיבוֹת מַחֲנָם אָסוּף עֲלוֹת פְּעָמֵֽימוֹ מִמְּצוּלוֹת סוּף סִבֵּר לְקׇמְלָם כְּקָנֶה וָסוּף׃ |
Villainously he horded up all his horde Upon their camp to do crime as they gathered toward. To those whose feet ascended from the deep-sea reeds, Sought he to cut them down like canes and reeds. |
נֻדַּד וַיָּֽעׇף שָׁלֹשׁ פְּעָמִים מְחַזֵּר בְּנִינֵי חֲמִשָּׁה עֲמָמִים לֵץ הֻכָּה וּפֶֽתִי הֶעֱמִים כֻּלַּל לְהִתְיַחֵס נְדִיבֵי עַמִּים׃ |
Roaming, he flew at them on three occasions,[13] Exodus 17, Deuteronomy 25, and I Samuel 15, according to B. Megillah 7a. Quickly going by the descendants of five nations.[14] Midrash Tanḥuma, Beshallaḥ 25:4 states that ‘Amaleq could only attack because Israel’s hands had grown weak in the fulfillment of the mitzvot. Prudent was the simple when the mocker was struck,[15] Jethro. Midrash Tanḥuma, Yitro 3:2 states that Jethro had heard about the destruction of ‘Amaleq before converting. On this, to join the princely people he had the luck. |
יָהַר לֵץ וְהֶעֱמִיד מְסִלָּה טִיכּוּס בַּחוּרַי בְּזִמָּה סִלָּה חַמּוּקֵי יְרֵכַי בָּם לְפׇסְלָה זֶֽרַע לְהַרְבִּֽיעַ וּלְהַתְעִיב סְגֻלָּה׃ |
Notoriously, the mocker set up a highway Mashing down my young men with behavior astray. Looking to defile my rounded thighs, Knocked up the treasure the way they despise.[16] Midrash Tanḥuma, Beshallaḥ 25:2 states that ‘Amaleq commited male-on-male rape against Israel. |
וַיִּשְׂטֹם שְׂטִימַת יְשִׁישׁוֹ הַמְּחֻבָּא הֵחֵל לָבוֹא מֵרֹאשׁ בַּמַּחְבָּא דָּגַר שֵׁנִית בְּחֶֽרֶב לְהוּבָה גָּשׁ בַּשְּׁלִישִׁי בַּעֲלִיל בְּחוֹבָה׃ |
Jealous, like his grandfather’s grudge, he was hidden Initially coming out from being hidden. He broke out the second time with a flaming sword, Going forth the third time, from our sin, aboveboard. |
בְּמׇשְׁלוֹ שֶׁשְׁכִי בְּאוֹם מוֹשְׁלִים בְּפֶֽרֶק עָמַד מְסוֹר נְשׁוּלִים אָמְרוּ לְכוּ וְנַכְחִיד נִכְשָׁלִים אָז כְּמֵאָז זִנֵּב כׇּל־הַנֶּחֱשָׁלִים׃ |
From the Sheshkhite’s[17] Nebuchadnezzar. Sheshakh is atbash cipher for Babylonia, a term used already in Jeremah 25:26. rule over the ruling folk, Encamped he to inform on refugees as he spoke. Declaring, “Come, let us destroy those much maligned,” By the same way he had anciently tailed those behind. |
כַּכָּתוּב׃ אֲשֶׁ֨ר קָֽרְךָ֜ בַּדֶּ֗רֶךְ וַיְזַנֵּ֤ב בְּךָ֙ כׇּל־הַנֶּחֱשָׁלִ֣ים אַֽחֲרֶ֔יךָ וְאַתָּ֖ה עָיֵ֣ף וְיָגֵ֑עַ וְלֹ֥א יָרֵ֖א אֱלֹהִֽים׃ (דברים כה:יח) |
As it is written: …who came upon you on the way and tailed you, all those behind after you, as you were tired and weary, and had no fear of God. (Deuteronomy 25:18) |
וְנֶאֱמַר׃ אָמְר֗וּ לְ֭כוּ וְנַכְחִידֵ֣ם מִגּ֑וֹי וְלֹֽא־יִזָּכֵ֖ר שֵֽׁם־יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל עֽוֹד׃ (תהלים פג:ה) |
And it is said: They said, “Come, let us destroy them from nationhood, and let the name of Israel no more be recalled.” (Psalms 83:5) |
וְנֶאֱמַר׃ לֵ֣ץ תַּ֭כֶּה וּפֶ֣תִי יַעְרִ֑ם וְהוֹכִ֥יחַ לְ֝נָב֗וֹן יָבִ֥ין דָּֽעַת׃ (משלי יט:כה) |
And it is said: You strike the mocker and the simple becomes prudent; but reprove the intelligent and he will understand knowledge (Proverbs 19:25) |
וְנֶאֱמַר׃ הֶן־כׇּל־אֵ֭לֶּה יִפְעַל־אֵ֑ל פַּעֲמַ֖יִם שָׁל֣וֹשׁ עִם־גָּֽבֶר׃ (איוב לג:כט) |
And it is said: Hey, all these the Deity does, twice, three times to a man. (Job 33:29) |
וְנֶאֱמַר׃ כָּרוּ־לִ֣י זֵדִ֣ים שִׁיח֑וֹת אֲ֝שֶׁ֗ר לֹ֣א כְתוֹרָתֶֽךָ׃ (תהלים קט:פה) |
And it is said: The insolent dug pits for me, which is not per Your Teaching. (Psalms 119:85) |
וְנֶאֱמַר׃ תָּשִׁ֨יב לָהֶ֥ם גְּמ֛וּל יְהֹוָ֖ה כְּמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה יְדֵיהֶֽם׃ (איכה ג:סג) |
And it is said: Turn back to them recompense, Cause, as per their handiwork. (Lamentations 3:64) |
וְנֶאֱמַר׃ תִּמְצָ֣א יָ֭דְךָ לְכׇל־אֹיְבֶ֑יךָ יְ֝מִֽינְךָ֗ תִּמְצָ֥א שֹׂנְאֶֽיךָ׃ (תהלים כא:ט) |
And it is said, Your hand is enough for all Your enemies; Your right hand is enough for Your foes. (Psalms 21:9) |
שֹׂנְאֶֽיךָ הֵם יִלְבְּשׁוּ בֹֽשֶׁת כְּמוֹ בְּצַלְעִי שָׂמְחוּ בַיַּבָּֽשֶׁת בַּעֲטוֹתְךָ עֲשֶֽׂרֶת עֶדְיֵי תִלְבּֽוֹשֶׁת לְהַגְשִׁים תֶּֽחִי לְצוֹלַֽעַת תַּחְבֹּֽשֶׁת׃ |
Your foes will wear their disgrace, As they rejoiced at my fall out of thirst at that place.[18] Rephidim, where Israel had no water. When You are wrapped in Your ten garments of grace,[19] Find the midrash first found in Pesiqta d-Rav Kahana 22:5, but also found in Devarim Rabbah 2:37, which lists ten times Israel uses the language of “clothing” to praise God. Rain down life to treat the limping one’s face. |
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה מְחַיֵּה הַמֵּתִים׃ |
Blessed are You, o Cause, who revives the dead. |
משלש |
Meshalesh |
אֲצִילֵי מְרֵעִי נֶֽכֶד שֵׂעִיר תּוֹלְדוֹת אֵלֶּה בְנֵי־שֵׂעִיר בְּקַשָּׁם אָצוּ אִשִּׁי לְהַבְעִיר שְׁאוֹנָם חָרְשׁוּ כְּשָׂדֶה עִיר׃ |
As my tormentors’ zealous foes, the heirs of Seir, Brood of “yonder children of Seir,” Charged with their straw, my fire to sear Exultantly plowing my city clear. |
גּוֹי גָּדוֹל שֶׁלֹּא הִזְכַּֽרְתָּ רִשְׁיוֹנוֹתָיו לָמָה אָז זָכַֽרְתָּ דְּגָלִים בְּלֹא הוֹן מָכַֽרְתָּ קְדוֹשִׁים בַּזּוֹנָה וּבַיַּֽיִן הִמְכַּֽרְתָּ׃ |
Did You not recall the nation great? Why, then, did You remember their sinful state? Exchanging the bannered hosts for a price of no weight, Vine’s blood and whores as the holy’s rebate! |
הִזָּכֵר לָאֲדוֹמִים נָוֶה נִאֲרוּ צָרִים אֲשֶׁר חוֹמוֹת עִרְעֲרוּ וְעַד הַיְסוֹד עָֽרוּ עָֽרוּ פִּימוֹ דִּבְּרוּ בְגֵאוּת וּפָעָרוּ׃ |
For the Edomites who burned the Sanctum, recall, Unpleasant ones who battered the wall. “Get it to the foundation, let it fall, let it fall!” They gaped open their mouths and shouted in gall. |
זֶה אֵין לְפָנֶֽיךָ שִׁכְחָה עֶבְרָתָם שְׁמָֽרָה נֶֽצַח מִלְּשַׁכְּחָה חֵֽלֶף לֹא־יָדְעוּ עֲשׂוֹת נְכוֹחָה סִפְרָם חֲתוֹם לְיוֹם תּוֹכֵחָה טַֽעַם חוֹק בְּדָת מוּכַח נִזָּכֵר כִּי לֹא תִשָּׁכַח יוֹם בֹּא עִמָּם לְהִתְוַכַּח מִכַּאן צִוִּֽיתָ לְעַמְּךָ לֹא תִּשְׁכָּח׃ |
Hence, You, before whom none forget Store their rage forever, not to forget In that they did not know to do as they were let, Ratify their book for the day they’ll regret! Just as the law quotes, it demonstrates Keenly it will be put in mind, lest the memory abates Let Them come strive with them on that very date; Marking Your people not to forget per Your mandate! |
כַּכָּתוּב׃ וְהָיָ֡ה בְּהָנִ֣יחַ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֣יךָ ׀ לְ֠ךָ֠ מִכׇּל־אֹ֨יְבֶ֜יךָ מִסָּבִ֗יב בָּאָ֙רֶץ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יְהֹוָה־אֱ֠לֹהֶ֠יךָ נֹתֵ֨ן לְךָ֤ נַחֲלָה֙ לְרִשְׁתָּ֔הּ תִּמְחֶה֙ אֶת־זֵ֣כֶר עֲמָלֵ֔ק מִתַּ֖חַת הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם לֹ֖א תִּשְׁכָּֽח׃ (דברים כה:יט) |
As it is written: And when the Cause your God makes you rest from all your enemies around in the land that the Cause your God is giving you as an estate to inherit, you will erase the memory of ‘Amaleq from under heaven; do not forget! (Deuteronomy 25:19) |
וְנֶאֱמַר׃ זְכֹ֤ר יְהֹוָ֨ה ׀ לִבְנֵ֬י אֱד֗וֹם אֵת֮ י֤וֹם יְֽר֫וּשָׁלָ֥͏ִם הָ֭אֹ֣מְרִים עָ֤רוּ ׀ עָ֑רוּ עַ֗֝ד הַיְס֥וֹד בָּֽהּ׃ (תהלים קלז:ז) |
And it is said: Remember, Cause, the children of Edom, on the day of Jerusalem, saying “Raze it, raze it down to its foundation!” (Psalms 137:7) |
וְנֶאֱמַר׃ תִּרְדֹּ֤ף בְּאַף֙ וְתַשְׁמִידֵ֔ם מִתַּ֖חַת שְׁמֵ֥י יְהֹוָֽה׃ (איכה ג:סו) |
And it is said: Tear after them in rage and destroy them from under the Cause’s heavens. (Lamentations 3:66) |
יָקַשׁ לֵץ לְחָרֵף צְבָאוֹת הַחֲתוּמֵי בְרִית בְּצָבָא וָאוֹת וְהֻפְקַד מִדָּה בְּמִדָּה לְתוֹצָאוֹת דַּֽעַת כִּי לְעֵת הַמְּצִיאוֹת הוּא יִפָּקֵד בְּשֵׁם יְהֹוָה צְבָאוֹת׃ |
Jeering, he set a wounding tripline Upon the troops sealed with the covenant sign. Deemed measure for measure, payback condign, As knowledge that at the chosen deadline He will be accounted for by the Cause divine. |
כַּכָּתוּב׃ כֹּ֤ה אָמַר֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה צְבָא֔וֹת פָּקַ֕דְתִּי אֵ֛ת אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֥ה עֲמָלֵ֖ק לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אֲשֶׁר־שָׂ֥ם לוֹ֙ בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְ בַּעֲלֹת֖וֹ מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃ (שמואל א׳ טו:ב) |
As it is written: Thus says the Cause of Forces: I have accounted for what ‘Amaleq did to Israel, setting upon them on the path as they went up from Egypt. (I Samuel 15:2) |
וְנֶאֱמַר׃ הֲלֽוֹא־שָׁמַ֤עְתָּ לְמֵֽרָחוֹק֙ אוֹתָ֣הּ עָשִׂ֔יתִי מִ֥ימֵי קֶ֖דֶם וִיצַרְתִּ֑יהָ עַתָּ֣ה הֲבֵאתִ֔יהָ וּתְהִ֗י לְהַשְׁא֛וֹת גַּלִּ֥ים נִצִּ֖ים עָרִ֥ים בְּצֻרֽוֹת׃ (ישעיה לז:כו, מלכים ב׳ יט:כה) |
And it is said: Did you not hear from afar? I did that, from days of yore I crafted it, now I have brought it about, and it has happened; to ruin to desolate heaps fortified cities. (Isaiah 37:26, II Kings 19:25) |
וְנֶאֱמַר׃ מֵתִים֙ בַּל־יִ֣חְי֔וּ רְפָאִ֖ים בַּל־יָקֻ֑מוּ לָכֵ֤ן פָּקַ֙דְתָּ֙ וַתַּשְׁמִידֵ֔ם וַתְּאַבֵּ֥ד כׇּל־זֵ֖כֶר לָֽמוֹ׃ (ישעיה כו:יד) |
And it is said: The dead shall not live, the ghosts shall not rise, thus You accounted for them and wiped them out, ending all their memory. (Isaiah 26:14) |
וְנֶאֱמַר׃ יִמְלֹ֤ךְ יְהֹוָ֨ה ׀ לְעוֹלָ֗ם אֱלֹהַ֣יִךְ צִ֭יּוֹן לְדֹ֥ר וָדֹ֗ר הַֽלְﬞלוּ־יָֽהּ׃ (תהלים קמו:י) |
And it is said: The Cause reigns forever; your God, Zion, from generation to generation; praise Yah! (Psalms 146:10) |
וְאַתָּ֥ה קָד֑וֹשׁ י֝וֹשֵׁ֗ב תְּהִלּ֥וֹת יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (תהלים כב:ד) |
And You are holy, enthroned on Israel’s praise. (Psalms 22:4) |
אל נא |
El Na |
אֵל נָא! בְּלָשׁוֹן אֲשֶׁר הִזְכַּֽרְתָּ לְזוֹכְרֶֽיךָ זְכוֹר בּוֹ בְלָשׁוֹן הִזְכִּירֽוּךָ נָא אַתָּה זְכוֹר וְאִם־הֵמָּה כְּאָדָם עָבְרוּ בְרִית מִלִּזְכּוֹר וְאַתָּה אֵל וְלֹא־אִישׁ לָמָּה לֹא־תִזְכּוֹר |
Deity, please! By the phrase that You made Your rememberers recall, “remember” By that very phrase they make You recall – “please remember!” And if they, mortals, breached the covenant they should remember, You are a Deity, not a mortal, so why don’t You remember? |
בְּזֹאת יָדַֽעְתִּי כִּי־יֵשׁ־לְךָ לִזְכּוֹר אֲבָל תָּשֽׁוֹחַ עָלַי נַפְשִׁי עַד־זָכוֹר תִּזְכּוֹר וּמַה־כֹּחִי כִּי־אֲיַחֵל לְקֵץ זָכוֹר וּמַה־קִּצִּי כִּי־אַאֲרִיךְ נַפְשִׁי עַד־שֶׁתִּזְכּוֹר |
By this I know that You have it in You to remember, But my soul sinks in me until You remember, remember![20] Find Lamentations 3:20 And what strength do I have to wait for the final “Remember?” And what patience to draw out my soul until You remember? |
אִם לֹא־לְמַעֲנִי תִּזְכּוֹר לְמַעַנְךָ וּלְמַֽעַן יְרוּשָׁלַֽיִם זְכוֹר חוֹק כִּי־לֹא־תִשָּׁכַח עֵדוּת זְכוֹר וְאוֹמֵר אִם־אֶשְׁכָּחֵךְ עַתָּה לָהּ זְכוֹר |
If not for my sake You will remember, Then for Your own, and for Jerusalem’s, remember. The law, the testimony not to be forgotten, remember! Saying “If I forget you, Jerusalem” now, it You must remember! |
וְתִפְקוֹד וְתִזְכּוֹר כְּאֵב צָר לַעֲכוֹר פִּֽיהוּ לִסְכּוֹר לָנֽוּעַ כַּשִּׁכּוֹר וְעוֹד בַּל־תִּמְכּוֹר נְקוּבֵי בֵּן בְּכוֹר נְכוּרֵי בְלֶֽתֶךְ וָכוֹר וּפְאֵרָךְ אֶזְכּוֹר וַאֲרַצְּךָ לִזְכּוֹר בְּפָרָשַׁת זָכוֹר׃ |
And account for the tormentor’s painful afflictions and remember; Shut his mouth; let him stumble like one too drunk to remember. And never again sell off those entitled the firstborn member, Bought for a letekh and kor,[21] Find Hosea 3:2 as Your glory I remember. And I will, as You wish, remember, with the portion of “Remember!” |
חי וקיים |
Ḥay v-Qayyam |
חַי וְקַיָּם נוֹרָא וּמָרוֹם וְקָדוֹשׁ! |
Living and enduring, awesome and exalted and holy! |
אָץ קוֹצֵץ בֶּן קוֹצֵץ קְצוּצַי לְקַצֵּץ בְּדִבּוּר מְפוֹצֵץ רְצוּצַי לְרַצֵּץ לֵץ בְּבֹא לְלוֹצֵץ פֻּלַץ וְנִתְלוֹצֵץ כְּעָץ מְחַצְּצִים לְחַצֵּץ כְּנֵץ עַל־צִפּוֹר לְנַצֵּץ׃ |
Expressly Thorn Thornson[22] ‘Amaleq would trim off the tail, with shattering speech, assailed ones to assail. Laughing came the leerer, but was staggered, to wail: “Fire arrows, like an eagle that swoops on a quail!” |
עָב בָּקַע מֵרֹאשׁ יְחִידִים מֶֽנּוּ גְרוֹשׁ חָל וַיֵּֽלֶךְ וַיִּפְרוֹשׁ וַיָּֽשׇׁב עַל־גַּבִּי חֲרוֹשׁ זֻמַּן וְהׇנְקַב לְרֹאשׁ רֵאשִׁית גּוֹיִם לָרַע לִדְרוֹשׁ הֱיוֹת לְכׇל־בּוֹגְדִים רֹאשׁ וְצִפְעוֹ תְּלוֹת בְּמִבְחַר בְּרוֹשׁ׃ |
As the cloud broke overhead to exclude some guys,[23] The tribe of Dan, which according to the midrash was the rearguard attacked by ‘Amaleq on account of not being protected by the clouds of glory, due to their tendency towards idol worship. he started off and attacked, with a back-plowing reprise. Zenith he was entitled, first of nations to despise, The arch-traitor whose viper[24] Haman would to the choice cypress gallows rise. |
רָץ וְהִקְרָה בַּדֶּֽרֶךְ עֲיֵפֵי טַרְחוּת דֶּֽרֶךְ וּפָץ לֹא־זוֹ הַדֶּֽרֶךְ תָּעוּ בַמִּדְבָּר בִּישִׁימוֹן דָּֽרֶךְ בְּנָחָשׁ עֲלֵי דֶֽרֶךְ שָׁלַח יָד בְּחַמּוּקֵי יֶֽרֶךְ וְעַל כׇּל־רֹאשׁ דֶּֽרֶךְ זִנֵּב כׇּל־עוֹבְרֵי דָּֽרֶךְ׃ | |
יָעַף וְעָף וְחָשׁ וּמֵחוּר פֶּֽתֶן רָחַשׁ וְנוֹדַע כִּי הוּחָשׁ מִשּֽׁוֹרֶשׁ נָחָשׁ רָגַשׁ וְלָחַשׁ וְעֵת לֵדָתוֹ נִחַשׁ וּבִכְשָׁפָיו הׇכְחַשׁ וּבְחַלָּשׁ נֶחֱלַשׁ וְלֹא־חָשׁ׃ |
He flew, flying quick, from the python crept from its pit, Known from the snake’s root he would hoof it. And he whispered, muttering his birthchart to calculate it, but his wizardry weakened him to silently submit. |
בִּכְשָׁפָיו הִלְלוֹ וּבִקְסָמָיו חִלְּלוֹ יוֹם הֶעֱמִיד וְזִלְלוֹ שֶֽׁמֶשׁ הִדְמִים וְזִלְזְלוֹ יָגַע וְלֹא־הוּנַּח לוֹ וְלַחֲרָפוֹת נִחֲלוֹ עַד־בֹּא הַשֶּֽׁמֶשׁ הִזְחִילוֹ לְהִמָּחוֹת הוּא וְכׇל־חֵילוֹ׃ |
Quelled was by with his own magic! He was misled. He[27] Moses. According to Midrash Tanḥuma, Beshallaḥ 28:1, ‘Amaleq calculated the best time to attack via astrology, and Moses stopped them by holding up the revolution of the sun and moon and rendering their predictions invalid. held back the day, stopping the sun ahead. As shame was his portion, rest did not bestead, Lingering until sunrise, he and his force to be struck dead. |
קָט וְשֵׁן חָרַק וְנֶאָצוֹת שָׁרַק זְמוֹרָה בְּאַפּוֹ הֵרַק וְחַרְבּוֹ הִבְרַק לַמִּילָה פֵּרַק וּכְלַפֵּי מַעֲלָה זָרַק וּלְשֵׁם שֶֽׁמֶן תּוּרַק בְּעַזּוּת יָרוֹק יָרַק׃ |
Lashing out, gnashing teeth, he screamed words abhorred, Smelling the stench, he unsheathed his sword. Lopping off the circumcised parts, he threw them upward,[28] According to Midrash Tanḥuma Ki Tetzei 9-10, this is the meaning of “he tailed you” (Deut. 25:18). The ‘Amaleqites cut off the penises of Israel and threw them upwards saying “You chose this! Take what You chose!” and at the Name sweeter than oil[29] Find Song of Songs 1:3 spat a hateful word. |
יָהּ אֶשְׁכּוֹל הַכֹּֽפֶר צָו אֶל־מְשׁוּל עֹֽפֶר זִכְרוֹן מִשְׁלֵי אֵֽפֶר כְּתֹ֨ב זֹ֤את זִכָּרוֹן֙ בַּסֵּ֔פֶר רֻשַּׁם בְּזֶה סֵֽפֶר בַּתּוֹרָה וּבַנְּבִיאִים וּבַכְּתוּבִים לְהֵחָפֵר לְהִמָּחוֹת מִסֵּֽפֶר וְלֹא יִכָּתֵב עִם־כׇּל־הַכָּתוּב לַחַיִּים בַּסֵּֽפֶר׃ |
Instructed Yah the All-Atoning[30] Literally “the henna cluster.” Find Shabbat 88b on Song of Songs 1:14 to he with a fawn’s look,[31] Moses, who was humble, like a fawn. Scatter his memory like ash! Write this memory in a book![32] Exodus 17:14 Recounted is his shamedness in the Teaching, Prophets, and Writings, in this very book, That he be erased from the book and not written with those written for life in the book. |
אֵל נָא לְעוֹלָם תָּעֳרׇץ וּלְעוֹלָם תֻּקְדָּשׁ וּלְעוֹלְמֵי עוֹלָמִים תִּמְלֹךְ וְתִתְנַשֵּׂא הָאֵל מֶלֶךְ נוֹרָא מָרוֹם וְקָדוֹשׁ כִּי אַתָּה הוּא מֶלֶךְ מַלְכֵי הַמְּלָכִים מַׄלְכוּתוֹ נֶֽׄצַח נׄוֹרְאוֹתָיו שִֽׂׄיחוּ סַׄפְּרוּ עֻׄזּוֹ פָּׄאֲרֽוּהוּ צְׄבָאָיו קַׄדְּשֽׁוּהוּ רׄוֹמְמֽוּהוּ רֹׄן שִׁׄיר וָשֶֽׁבַח תֹּֽׄקֶף תְּׄהִלוֹת תִּׄפְאַרְתּוֹ׃ |
Deity, please, forever are You adored and forever are You sanctified and forever and aye will You reign and be exalted, the Deity, sovereign, awesome, high and holy, for You are the Sovereign, Sovereign of sovereigns, whose sovereignty is eternal; tell Their awesomenesses, recount Their strength, glorify Their forces, sanctify Them, exalt Them, cheer, song, and laudation, mighty praises of Their glory. |
וּבְכֵן — זָכ֕וֹר אֵ֛ת אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֥ה לְךָ֖ עֲמָלֵ֑ק׃ (דברים כה:יז) |
And so — Remember what ‘Amaleq did to you. (Deuteronomy 25:17) |
וּמַח שְׁמוֹ וְזִכְרוֹ וְנִמַּח זְכוּרוֹ מִלְּהַזְכִּירוֹ בְּזִכְרוֹן קָדוֹשׁ׃ |
And erase his name and memory,[33] In many texts, written יִמַּח שְׁמוֹ וְזִכְרוֹ — “his name and memory should be erased!” A common scribal mix-up between vav and yod. and we will erase his memory from him being recalled in memory, Holy! |
יַֽעַן אֲשֶׁר לֹא־זָכַר וְנֶחְשַׁב כַּנֵכָר מִלְּהִזָּכַר בְּזִכְרוֹן קָדוֹשׁ׃ |
Since he did not remember, and he is considered like a stranger, not to be recalled in memory, Holy! |
זָכוֹר אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר הִגְוִֽיעַ אָב לְלֹא עִתּוֹ בְּרָצֽוֹחַ וְגָנוֹב וְנָאוֹף בִּעֲתוֹ גָּרַע חָמֵשׁ שָׁנִים מִמִחְיָתוֹ׃ וּמַח שְׁמוֹ וְזִכְרוֹ וְנִמַּח זְכוּרוֹ מִלְּהַזְכִּירוֹ בְּזִכְרוֹן קָדוֹשׁ׃ |
Remember a man[34] Esau. According to Midrash Tanḥuma Ki Tetzei 4:1, Abraham lived five years fewer than Isaac because in those five years Esau committed two sins: sleeping with an engaged woman and killing someone who made the father untimely die; by killing and stealing, in adultery he would lie; causing five years to be taken from the life of the guy. And erase… |
זָכוֹר בּוֹזֶה עַל־גְּמִילוּת חֶֽסֶד גּוֹעֵל אָח עָשׂ לִזְקֵנוֹ חֶֽסֶד דּוֹמֶה לַמָּ֣ס מֵרֵעֵ֣הוּ חָ֑סֶד׃ יַֽעַן אֲשֶׁר לֹא־זָכַר וְנֶחְשַׁב כַּנֵכָר מִלְּהִזָּכַר בְּזִכְרוֹן קָדוֹשׁ׃ |
Remember boorishly he disdained acts of respect, Contemning his brother paying his elder last respects, Deemed one withholding from his friend respect.[35] Job 6:14 Since he… |
זָכוֹר גִּלָּה עֶרְוַת מְצוּאַת שָׂדֶה דָּם שָׁפַךְ בְּבוֹאוֹ מִן־הַשָּׂדֶה הָפַךְ לֵב אָב שָׂח בַּשָּׂדֶה׃ וּמַח שְׁמוֹ וְזִכְרוֹ וְנִמַּח זְכוּרוֹ מִלְּהַזְכִּירוֹ בְּזִכְרוֹן קָדוֹשׁ׃ |
Remember carnally he stripped a woman in the field, Doing bloodshed as he came back from the field; Erred the heart of the father meditating in the field.[36] Isaac. Find Genesis 24:63. And erase… |
זָכוֹר דָּחוּי בְּאֹזֶן הָעֲרֵלָה הַבּוֹזֶה בְּכוֹרָה בְּכוֹס הַתַּרְעֵלָה וּפָרַק מֶֽנּוּ עוֹל וּמָשַׁךְ לוֹ עָֽרְלָה׃ יַֽעַן אֲשֶׁר לֹא־זָכַר וְנֶחְשַׁב כַּנֵכָר מִלְּהִזָּכַר בְּזִכְרוֹן קָדוֹשׁ׃ |
Remember deferring with a deaf ear, Eschewing the birthright for a cup of staggering fear, Flipping off the yoke, from circumcision he did veer.[37] According to Pirkei d’Rabbi Eliezer 2:10, Esau despised the circumcision. The yoke refers to the Divine commandments. Since he… |
זָכוֹר הֲפַכְפַּךְ דֶּֽרֶךְ אִישׁ וָזָר וְהִכְהָה מְאוֹר אָב בַּעֲשַׁן עֲבוֹדַת זָר זָמַם בְּלֵב הֱיוֹת לְאָח לְאַכְזָר׃ וּמַח שְׁמוֹ וְזִכְרוֹ וְנִמַּח זְכוּרוֹ מִלְּהַזְכִּירוֹ בְּזִכְרוֹן קָדוֹשׁ׃ |
Remember erratic was that man’s path, and strange; For he dimmed his father’s light in smoke of worship strange,[38] According to Midrash Tanḥuma, Toldot 8, the smoke from Esau’s idol-worshipping wives made Isaac go blind. Getting into his heart to fraternal cruelty arrange. And erase… |
זָכוֹר וְנִתְעוֹלֵל לְרֶֽבַע כְּאִשָּׁה זְדוֹן לִבּוֹ הִשִּׁיאוֹ בָּאְשָׁה חַתּוּ גִבּוֹרָיו לִהְיוֹת כְּלֵב אִשָּׁה׃ יַֽעַן אֲשֶׁר לֹא־זָכַר וְנֶחְשַׁב כַּנֵכָר מִלְּהִזָּכַר בְּזִכְרוֹן קָדוֹשׁ׃ |
Remember for he would get screwed like a girl[39] A bit of casual homophobia here. There’s a worrying through-line of painting Esau and ‘Amaleq as gay in a lot of these texts. Perhaps this is a reflection of Roman position towards homosexuality, which was often more liberal than the rabbinic approach. That being said, Esau is depicted here as bottoming, something the Romans themselves had a tendency to look down on. In any case, it’s disconcerting and I personally do not like it. Going to such depravity with the heart of a churl, His warriors will be pained like the heart of a girl. Since he… |
זָכוֹר זֶֽרַע מְרֵעִים נִתְעָב וְנֶאֱלָח חָלַק לְהַשְׁחִית וְלוֹמַר הֶאָח טָמְנוּ גֵּאִים פַּח לְחַבֵּל אָח׃ וּמַח שְׁמוֹ וְזִכְרוֹ וְנִמַּח זְכוּרוֹ מִלְּהַזְכִּירוֹ בְּזִכְרוֹן קָדוֹשׁ׃ |
Remember gross and tainted evildoers’ seed! He set out with “Aha!” to make the smooth one[40] Jacob. bleed. In pride he hid for his brother a net to mislead. And erase… |
זָכוֹר חָנַט מֶֽנּוּ עֲמָלֵקִי טָס כְּיֶֽלֶק לְאַבֵּד חֶלְקִי יָרֽוֹעַ כַּבִּירִים לְעֵין כֹּל לְלוֹקְקִי׃ יַֽעַן אֲשֶׁר לֹא־זָכַר וְנֶחְשַׁב כַּנֵכָר מִלְּהִזָּכַר בְּזִכְרוֹן קָדוֹשׁ׃ |
Remember he from whom the ‘Amaleqite did sprout, Invading to ruin my portion like locusts throughout, Jeapordizing the great to lick my blood all-out. Since he… |
זָכוֹר טָפַשׁ מֵהַעֲרִימָה יָרַד וְכִתֵּת עַמִּי עַד־חׇרְמָה כְּמוֹ כֵן חֻיַּב לְהַחֲרִימָה׃ וּמַח שְׁמוֹ וְזִכְרוֹ וְנִמַּח זְכוּרוֹ מִלְּהַזְכִּירוֹ בְּזִכְרוֹן קָדוֹשׁ׃ |
Remember insane, lacking any sense, Jabbing at my people to destruction thence, Karma thus suggests destruction as recompense. And erase… |
זָכוֹר יוֹשֵׁב הַנֶּֽגֶב בְּלִי־עוֹל כַּעֲרָד כְּסוּת וְלָשׁוֹן שִׁנָּה הֱיוֹת מֶֽלֶךְ עֲרָד לִשְׁבּוֹת שֶֽׁבִי מָרַד וְחָרַד׃ יַֽעַן אֲשֶׁר לֹא־זָכַר וְנֶחְשַׁב כַּנֵכָר מִלְּהִזָּכַר בְּזִכְרוֹן קָדוֹשׁ׃ |
Remember jackass-like, unyoked the southerner, Kit and speech he changed to be Arad’s governor,[41] A midrash first found in Midrash Tanḥuma Ḥukat 18:1 suggests that the king of ‘Arad mentioned in Numbers 21:1 was ‘Amaleq. Another midrash found in Midrash Aggadah Numbers 21:1 and repeated by Rashi suggests that this was because the ‘Amaleqites changed their speech and clothing to appear as Canaanites, so that if Israel prayed to defeat the Canaanites their prayers would not work. Looting captives as he rebelled and shuddered her. Since he… |
זָכוֹר כְּ֝סִ֗יל שׁוֹנֶ֥ה בְאִוַּלְתּֽוֹ לְתַעֲרוּבַת מִדְיָן בַּעֲלוֹתוֹ מִהֵר יְרֻבֶּֽשֶׁת וְגִלָּה נַבְלוּתוֹ׃ וּמַח שְׁמוֹ וְזִכְרוֹ וְנִמַּח זְכוּרוֹ מִלְּהַזְכִּירוֹ בְּזִכְרוֹן קָדוֹשׁ׃ |
Remember knuckleheadedly returning to his folly[42] Proverbs 26:11 Looking to ally with Midian for another volley, Moving fast, Jerubbeshet[43] Another name for Gideon or Jerubbaal, who fought with the ‘Amaleqites in their alliance with Midian in Judges 6 and 7. brought his evil to finale. And erase… |
זָכוֹר לְקַעֲקֵֽעַ בִּצָתוֹ מִשֹּֽׁרֶשׁ מִלַּעֲזוֹב לוֹ עָנָף וְגַם שֹֽׁרֶשׁ נֶעֱנַשׁ קִישִׁי כִּי הִשְׁאִיר לוֹ שֹֽׁרֶשׁ׃ יַֽעַן אֲשֶׁר לֹא־זָכַר וְנֶחְשַׁב כַּנֵכָר מִלְּהִזָּכַר בְּזִכְרוֹן קָדוֹשׁ׃ |
Remember “leave no seed, uproot! May none leave him a branch or root!” Now the Qishite[44] Shaul. was punished for leaving him a root. Since he… |
זָכוֹר מַעֲשֵׂה אֲגַג מַעֲדַנּוֹת נָשִׁים כְּשִׁכְּלָה חַרְבּוֹ לְעַנּוֹת סֹרַס שְׁאֵרוֹ לְשִׁסּוּף יַעֲנוֹת׃ וּמַח שְׁמוֹ וְזִכְרוֹ וְנִמַּח זְכוּרוֹ מִלְּהַזְכִּירוֹ בְּזִכְרוֹן קָדוֹשׁ׃ |
Remember matters done by Agag the chained, Nastily with his sword, women he profaned. Ostriches ate his hacked off bits,[45] According to Midrash Tanḥuma, Ki Tetzei 9:1, commenting on I Samuel 15:32-33, Shmuel cut pieces off Agag’s flesh and fed them to ostriches as was ordained. And erase… |
זָכוֹר נָגִיד לְחׇמְלוֹ הִסְכִּים סָר מִמְּלוּכָה מִבֵּין נְסִיכִים עוֹלֵל הַנּוֹתָר עָמַד לְשִׂכִּים׃ יַֽעַן אֲשֶׁר לֹא־זָכַר וְנֶחְשַׁב כַּנֵכָר מִלְּהִזָּכַר בְּזִכְרוֹן קָדוֹשׁ׃ |
Remember noble Shaul, who to spare him agreed. Out went his reign from among princes with this deed. Pullulated the remnant to stand as a thorny weed. Since he… |
זָכוֹר סִבֵּב צִקְלַג וָנֶֽגֶב עֲמָלֵ֥ק יֹושֵׁ֖ב בְּאֶ֣רֶץ הַנֶּ֑גֶב פִּגְּרוֹ טוֹב רוֹאִי מְנַשֵּׁף בְּעֻגָב׃ וּמַח שְׁמוֹ וְזִכְרוֹ וְנִמַּח זְכוּרוֹ מִלְּהַזְכִּירוֹ בְּזִכְרוֹן קָדוֹשׁ׃ | |
זָכוֹר עָרִיץ בְּעַמּוֹנִים נֶחְבָּא פֶּֽרֶץ כַּרְמֵי עֵין גֶּֽדִי כְּהוּבָא צ וֹרְבוּ אִישׁ בְּאָחִיו בְּחֶֽרֶב לְהוּבָה׃ יַֽעַן אֲשֶׁר לֹא־זָכַר וְנֶחְשַׁב כַּנֵכָר מִלְּהִזָּכַר בְּזִכְרוֹן קָדוֹשׁ׃ |
Remember persecutor who among Ammonites hid, Quartered in Ein Gedi for its vineyards to be rid,[48] Referring to the battle against Ammon in II Chronicles 20 at “Ḥatzetzon Tamar, that is, Ein Gedi,” as well as Genesis 14:4 which states that th “field of the ‘Amaleqites” was in Ḥatzetzon Tamar. Ravage one another with the flaming sword they did! Since he… |
זָכוֹר פְּלֵטִים אֲשֶׁר בְּאַף הִסְעִיר צְבָאַי בְּלֶכְתָּם אֶל־הַר שֵׂעִיר קַנֹּא לִנְקוֹם עֲיָרוֹת שֵׂעִיר׃ וּמַח שְׁמוֹ וְזִכְרוֹ וְנִמַּח זְכוּרוֹ מִלְּהַזְכִּירוֹ בְּזִכְרוֹן קָדוֹשׁ׃ |
Remember quaking rage as he shook up the refugees, Regarding the flight to Mt. Seir of my armies, Seir’s towns’ vengeance he was zealous to appease. And erase… |
זָכוֹר צָג בְּפֶֽרֶק לְהַסְגִּיר שְׂרִידַי קָם בְּרֹאשׁ דְּרָכִים לִסְעוֹד אֶת־רוֹדַי רָדַף וּמָסַר בְּיָדָם פְּרוּדַי רְפוּדַי׃ יַֽעַן אֲשֶׁר לֹא־זָכַר וְנֶחְשַׁב כַּנֵכָר מִלְּהִזָּכַר בְּזִכְרוֹן קָדוֹשׁ׃ |
Remember rising at the pass to close on the runaways, Standing to help my oppressors at the crossways, To pursue and hand over to them my scattered strays. Since he… |
זָכוֹר קָפַץ לְשַֽׁעַר הַשָּׁמַֽיִם רָעַשׁ וְשָׁאַג מִי לִי בַּשָּׁמַֽיִם שָׁלַט וַיִּגְדַּל עַד־לַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ וּמַח שְׁמוֹ וְזִכְרוֹ וְנִמַּח זְכוּרוֹ מִלְּהַזְכִּירוֹ בְּזִכְרוֹן קָדוֹשׁ׃ |
Remember springing up to the gates of heaven, There he stormed, shouting “Who is mine in heaven?” Upon which he reigned, swelling up to heaven. And erase… |
זָכוֹר רָד אֶל־חָנֵף לְהַחֲנִיף מַמְלֶֽכֶת שִׁמְשַׁי אֲשֶׁר שִׁמְשׁוֹ מְאַמֶּֽשֶׁת וְהוֹלֶֽכֶת תַּמָה הִלְשִׁין לְרַפּוֹתָהּ מִמְלֶֽאכֶת׃ יַֽעַן אֲשֶׁר לֹא־זָכַר וְנֶחְשַׁב כַּנֵכָר מִלְּהִזָּכַר בְּזִכְרוֹן קָדוֹשׁ׃ |
Remember to flatter the hypocrite’s kingdom he came, Up went Shimshai[49] A midrash found in the fifth petiḥta to Esther Rabbah, as well as in Rav Saadia Gaon’s commentary on Ezra 4:6, states that Shimshai, the scribe who sent slander against Israel to prevent them from building the Temple, was a son of Haman. The Hebrew word for “sun” is shemesh. whose sun eclipsed, per his name, Vilifying the pure that their labor be made lame. Since he… |
זָכוֹר שָׁקַל אֲלָפִים עֲשָׂרָה שְׁתִילִים מֵאָה הֶחֶנִיט לְשִׂבְרָה שִׁעֵר מֵהֶם עֲשָׂרָה לִשְׂרָרָה׃ וּמַח שְׁמוֹ וְזִכְרוֹ וְנִמַּח זְכוּרוֹ מִלְּהַזְכִּירוֹ בְּזִכְרוֹן קָדוֹשׁ׃ |
Remember underwriter of ten thousand by weight[50] Haman, who weighted out ten thousand talents as a bribe to the king. Virile was he, a hundred seeds he did germinate,[51] According to B. Megillah 15b, Haman had two hundred and eight sons, the gematria of וְרֹ֣ב in Esther 5:11. Wazirs ten of them he did delegate. And erase… |
זָכוֹר תָּבַע לְהָפֵר חֻמָּשִׁים תְּמִימָה קָצַב לְכַלּוֹת חֲמֻשִׁים תַּכְלִית שִׁבְעִים נִתְלָה עַל־חֲמִשִּׁים׃ יַֽעַן אֲשֶׁר לֹא־זָכַר וְנֶחְשַׁב כַּנֵכָר מִלְּהִזָּכַר בְּזִכְרוֹן קָדוֹשׁ׃ |
Remember vouched he to destroy the five;[52] Books of the Torah. Whole year he set that the armed[53] Israel. Find Exodus 13:18 would not survive Expired after seventy,[54] Days. Bereshit Rabbah 100:6 points out that between Haman’s letter sent out on 13 Nisan and Mordechai’s letter on 23 Sivan was exactly seventy days. on the fifty[55] Cubits. The wooden gallows (or possibly an impalement spike or a crucifix — the Hebrew just says “wood”) on which Haman was hanged was fifty cubits tall. hanged, not alive. Since he… |
סילוק |
Silluq |
וּבְכֵן וּלְךָ תַעֲלֶה קְדֻשָּׁה כִּי אַתָּה קְדוֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל וּמוֹשִֽׁיעַ׃ |
And thus, to You holiness ascends, For You are the Holy One and Savior of Israel. |
אֱלֹהִ֥ים אַל־דֳּמִי־לָ֑ךְ בְּקוֹל מַֽיִם רַבִּים נִשְׁמַע קוֹלָךְ מַשְׁמִֽיעַ וּמְצַוֶּה לְעַמְּךָ בְּקִנְיַן פׇּעֳלָךְ זָכ֕וֹר אֵ֛ת אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֥ה לָךְ אֲשֶׁ֨ר קָֽרְךָ֜ וַיַּחֲשִׁילָךְ וְהָיָ֡ה בְּהָנִ֣יחַ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֣יךָ לָךְ תִּמְחֶה זִכְרוֹ מִכׇּל־גְּבוּלָךְ וְהֵם יָשִֽׁיבוּ וְיֹאמְרוּ לָךְ וּמִשֶׁלָּךְ עוֹד יִתְּנוּ לָךְ אָנָא הָקֵם אֶת־דְּבַר מִלּוּלָךְ עַד־שָׁאַתָּה מְצַוֵּֽנוּ הִזָּכֵר לָךְ אַתָּה זְכוֹר אֵת אֲשֶׁר עָשׂוּ לָךְ זְכוֹר יְהֹוָה אֶת־יוֹם זְבוּלָךְ הַמִּתְגָּאִים וְנוֹאֲמִים פֹּה מַה־לָּךְ הַשּׁוֹלְחִים זְמוֹרוֹת בְּאַף לְחַלְּלָךְ זְכוֹר כִּסֵּא כְּבוֹד גׇּדְלָךְ אֲשֶׁר מִגְּרוּ וְנִאֲצוּ לְמוּלָךְ וְשִׁלְחוּ בָּאֵשׁ הֵיכָלָךְ וַיַּשִּֽׁימוּ כׇּל־גְּבוּלָךְ וְשִׁדְּדוּ וְנִתְּקוּ יְרִיעוֹת אׇהֳלָךְ אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוִּ֔יתָה לֹא־יָבֹ֥אוּ בַקָּהָ֖ל לָֽךְ אָמְר֗וּ לְ֭כוּ וְנַכְחִידֵ֣ם מִגּ֑וֹי בִּגְלָלָךְ וְלֹֽא־יִזָּכֵ֖ר שֵֽׁם הִלּוּלָךְ עָ֭לֶיךָ יַעֲזֹ֣ב חֵילָךְ וְיוֹתֵר מֵאֲשֶׁר עָשׂוּ לָֽנוּ עָֽשׂוּ לָךְ׃ |
God, do not silence Yourself![56] Psalms 83:2 At the mighty waters’ sound let Your voice be heard, making heard and commanding Your people to acquire Your work — “remember what he did to you,[57] Deuteronomy 25:17 who came upon you[58] Deuteronomy 25:18 and cut you off, and when the Cause your God makes you rest,[59] Deuteronomy 25:19 erase his name and memory!” And they respond and say to You, giving to You again what is Yours: “Please, fulfill the word You spoke!” As You commanded us to recall, You must remember what they did to You! Remember, Cause, the day of Your splendor,[60] Meaning the Temple. This refers to the day of the destruction of the Temple. Find Psalms 137:7, where “the day of Jerusalem” refers to the day of Jerusalem’s destruction. when they self-aggrandizingly proclaimed, “What do You have here?” They stuck out their penises to defile Your nostril! Remember Your great throne of glory, that they cut down and derided before You! And they sent fire upon Your palace, and laid waste to all Your borders, and looted and pillaged the hangings of Your tent — those of which You commanded should not come into the congregation![61] Lamentations 1:10 They said, “Come, let us destroy them from nationhood[62] Psalms 83:5 for Your sake, that no longer recalled shall be the name of[63] Psalms 83:5 Your glory; You upon whom the hapless trust![64] Find Psalms 10:14 And more than what they did to us, they did to You. |
אוֹתָֽנוּ בַּמִּדְבָּר נִלְחָֽמוּ וְאוֹתְךָ בְּיִשׁוּב נִתְלָחֲמוּ אוֹתָֽנוּ חוּץ לַמַּחֲנֶה הָֽמוּ וְאוֹתְךָ בְּקֶֽרֶב הַמַּחֲנֶה נָהָֽמוּ אוֹתָֽנוּ פְּלֵיטֵי עָנָן זָמָֽמוּ וְאוֹתְךָ כַּפּֽוֹרֶת עָנָן גָּמָֽמוּ אוֹתָֽנוּ לַחֲשׁוּלֵי עָב דִּמּוּ וְאוֹתְךָ עֲלוֹת עַל־בָּמֳתֵי עָב דָּמָֽמוּ אוֹתָֽנוּ חוּץ מִמְּחִיצָה קָֽמוּ וְאוֹתְךָ לִפְנַי וְלִפְנִים קִדְּמוּ אוֹתָֽנוּ בְּרִחוּק מָקוֹם אִשְּׁמוּ וְאוֹתְךָ בְּקֶֽרֶב מְקוֹמְךָ שִׁמְּמוּ אוֹתָֽנוּ חוּץ מִישִׁיבָתֵֽנוּ רָֽמוּ וְאוֹתְךָ בִּמְכוֹן שִׁבְתְּךָ דַּֽמוּ אוֹתָֽנוּ אוֹת בְּרִית מִשְׁאֵר הֵרִֽימוּ וְאוֹתְךָ עֲשֶֽׂרֶת אַבִּירֵי בְרִית הֶחֱרִֽימוּ אוֹתָֽנוּ בְהַנָחַת יְדֵי עָנָיו הֵרִֽימוּ וְאוֹתְךָ תְּלוֹת יָד לְמוּלְךָ הֵרִֽימוּ אוֹתָֽנוּ נִתְיַעֲצוּ וְסוֹד הֶעֱרִֽימוּ וְאוֹתְךָ כְּרוּבֵי סוֹדְךָ לַחֲרָפוֹת הִגְרִֽימוּ׃ |
To us they fought in the wilderness. But to You they made war in settlements. To us outside the camp they harrassed; But to You within the camp they roared. To us the cloud’s exiles they violated; But to You the clouded purgation-cover they razed. To us they cut down the cumulus-ejected, But to You ascending to the cumulus they sought. To us outside the barrier they rose, But to You within and without they went in. To us far from the place[65] Jerusalem they charged, But to You within Your place they laid waste. To us outside our dwellings they cast us down, But to You in Your set abode they cut down. To us the covenant-sign[66] Circumcision they tore from us, But to You ten covenantal nobilities[67] The Ten Commandments they destroyed. To us they rose as the humble’s[68] Moses hands rested, But to You they raised their hanging hand against You. To us they plotted and conspired in secret But to You Your secret mount-angels they vilely removed. |
וְאַתָּ֣ה יְ֭הֹוָה לְעוֹלָ֣ם תֵּשֵׁ֑ב וְהוּא נֶגְדְּךָ בְּמַטָּה יוֹשֵׁב תָּפוּשׂ מִדְבָּר וְכׇל־הַיִשּׁוּב אֲנִי וְאַפְסִי עוֹד בְּלֵב מִתְחַשֵּׁב אִם לֹא עַתָּה תָקוּם וְתַקְשֵׁב בִּשְׁלֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה קִימוֹת נְקָמוֹת לְחַשֵּׁב בְּפַֽחַד וָפַֽחַת וָפַח לִפְקוֹד עַל־הַיּוֹשֵׁב וְאִם־אַֽיִן כַּגֵּר תֵּחָשֵׁב וְכׇל־הַמּוֹנֶה וְסוֹפֵר וְחוֹשֵׁב קֵץ הַפְּלָאוֹת לְהָבִין וּלְחַשֵּׁב נָשְׁתָה גְבוּרָתוֹ מִמְּחַשֵׁב וְלֹא־יִמְצָא מַעֲנֶה לְהָשֵׁב וְיֶחֱשֶׁה דוּמִיָּה מֵהַקְשֵׁב וּבֶאֱמוּנָה כְּסָלָיו יְיַשֵׁב וְזֹאת עַל־לִבּוֹ יָשֵׁב וְיֹאמַר עַד־יַשְׁקִ֣יף וְיֵ֔רֶא וְיַקְשֵׁב׃ |
And You, the Cause, forever are enthroned;[69] Psalms 102:12 but he against You sits below. Seizing wilderness and settlement, “I and none like me!” thinking in his heart. If You do not rise now and give heed, with thirteen rising of calculated vengeance, in terror and tartarus and trap to account for the inhabitant, if not, like a stranger You would be considered! But all who count and ennumerate and calculate the final wonders, to understand and be calculated, all his strength of mind would be forgotten, and he would find no answer to be answered, and hold silent, quiet from hearing. But with faith he would settle his loins, and set this on his heart, and say, “Till They look down and see”[70] Lamentations 3:50 and hearken. |
וְנֶחֱשַֽׁבְתִּי כְּעֵד זוֹמֵם כׇּל־הַיּוֹם מְדַמֵּם וְ֭נַפְשִׁי נִבְהֲלָ֣ה מְאֹ֑ד וּמִשְׁתּוֹמֵם וְאַתָּ֥ יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה עַד־מָתָֽי רוֹאֶה וְדוֹמֵם זְכוֹר בֵּית מִקְדָּשְׁךָ הַשָּׁמֵם כׇּל־עוֹבֵר עָלָיו מִשְׁתּוֹמֵם מָתַי תִּתְנַשֵּׂא וְתִתְרוֹמֵם וְזֶֽכֶר אֹֽמֶר פִּיךָ קוֹמֵם בְּשָׁלֹשׁ עִתּוֹת עֲמָלֵק לְהָמֵם בְּשָׁלֹשׁ מִיתוֹת זִכְרָם לְהַדְמֵם בִּשְׁלֹֽשֶׁת יְמֵי אֲפֵלָה נׇגְהָם לְהַעֲמֵם בְּשִׁבְעָה יְמֵי עֶבְרָה לְהַרְשִׁימֵם בַּעֲשֶֽׂרֶת מִינֵי שְׁמָד לְהַאֲשִׁימֵם׃ |
But I am considered like a false witness, always making it up, and my soul is very afraid[71] Psalms 6:4 and astonished, and You, Cause, how long[72] Psalms 6:4 will You see and be silent? Remember Your destroyed Temple; all who pass by are astonished. When will You be lifted and exalted, and fulfill the memory of Your mouth’s word — with three eras to to stun ‘Amaleq, with three deaths to darken their memory, with three days of darkness to fade out their glow, with seven days of rage to brand them, with ten kinds of apostasy to render them guilty? |
וּכְמוֹ מֵעֲשָׂרָה דְבָרִים עִכְּבוּ עָם מֵעֲנוֹת וּמִשֶֽׁבַע מִצְוֺת הַמְּיֻשָׁנוֹת כֵּן בְּעֶֽשֶׂר וָשֶֽׁבַע יֻשְׁכְּרוּ לְעַנּוֹת וּבַת־קוֹל תֵּצֵא מִמְּעוֹנוֹת וּתְפוֹצֵץ בְּכׇל־הַמַּחֲנוֹת זִכְרוֹן דְּבָרִים לְהַגִּיד וְלַעֲנוֹת אַל־תִּזְכְּרוּ רִאשׁוֹנוֹת בִּֽינוּ־נָא יְשׁוּעוֹת אַחֲרוֹנוֹת וְהַזְכִּֽירוּ זֵֽכֶר רְנָנוֹת עֲמָלֵק אֲשֶׁר־בָּא וְעִוֵּת מַחֲנוֹת וְהֵקַר אֶתְכֶם בִּפְנֵי בָנוֹת וְיָצָא לוֹ שֵׁם בְּכׇל־הַמְּדִינוֹת רְאוּ עַתָּה זֹאת לְתַנּוֹת אֵיךְ נִמְחֶה בְּחֶֽתֶף בְּכׇל־פִּנּוֹת וּצְבָא הַמָּרוֹם אֲשֶׁר בִּמְעוֹנוֹת אֲשֶׁר הֻסְמַךְ עֲלֵיהֶם בְּמַשְׁעֵנוֹת יִפְקוֹד עֲלֵיהֶם אֶת־הָעֲוֺנוֹת לְרוֹב יָמִים לְהִמָּנוֹת לַחֲשׁוֹב לָהֶם חֶשְׁבּוֹנוֹת לְהַפִּילָם לְתֹֽפֶת דֵּרְאוֹנוֹת וַהֲמוֹן לְאֻמִּים וְכׇל־הַלְּשׁוֹנוֹת עַל־עוֹזֵר וְעָזוּר יִשְׂאוּ קִינוֹת וְכָשַׁל עוֹזֵר וְנָפַל עָזוּר מְקוֹנְנוֹת׃ |
And just as they stopped the people from testifying to the Ten Commandments, and the seven most ancient commandments,[73] The seven commandments of Noah thus let them be drunken with ten and seven harms. And a divine voice should come out from the lofty abodes, and proclaim in all the camps the mention of these things to tell and answer: “Do not recall the former; understand the latter salvations, and recall the memory of cheering! ‘Amaleq who came and corrupted the camps, and accosted you before the daughters,[74] The other nations, according to the midrashic interpretation of Song of Songs 2:2 and gained a name for himself before the nations; now look at this, to tell how he is erased suddenly[75] Literally, “in a snatch.” Find Proverbs 23:28 and Rashi’s commentary for this usage. from all corners! And the force on high in the lofty abodes on which he used to rely as support will account for them the iniquities, to be counted over many days, to calculate their calculations, to throw them into the abhorrent underworld. And the multitudinous nations and all the tongues will raise a lament to the helper and helped — “Stumbled is the helper; fallen the helped!” they lament. |
וְיֵדַע כׇּל־פָּעוּל כִּי לֹא־שָׁכַֽחְתָּ וְיָבִין כׇּל־יְצִיר כִּי שְׁמָם שִׁכַּֽחְתָּ וְשֵׂעִיר וְשָׂרָיו אָז וִכַּֽחְתָּ וַעֲמָלֵק וְטַפְסְרָיו הוֹכַֽחְתָּ וְאִתָּם בַּמִּשְׁפָּט נִתְוַכַּֽחְתָּ וְיֻזְכְּרוּ עַם אֲשֶׁר זָכַֽרְתָּ כִּי לְטוֹבָה אוֹתָם זָכַֽרְתָּ וּבְזִכְרוֹן טוֹב אִתָּם נִזְכַּֽרְתָּ׃ |
And all works will know You did not forget, and all creatures will understand that their name You made forgotten, and Seir and its princes You thus disputed, and ‘Amaleq and its potentates You punished, and with them in judgment You argued. But the people You remembered will be remembered, because for good You remembered them, and in memory of good with them You are recalled. |
וְהַמַּזְכִּרִים֙ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֔ה יֹאמְר֣וּ תָ֭מִיד יִגְדַּ֣ל יְהֹוָ֑ה וְיֹ֭אמְרוּ גְּאוּלֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה כֵּ֠ן יֹאבְד֤וּ כׇל־אוֹיְבֶ֙יךָ֙ יְהֹוָ֔ה וְהָעֹמְדִ֥ים בְּבֵית־יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה וְהַבֹּטְחִ֥ים בַּיהֹוָ֑ה וְהַשְּׁ֭תוּלִים בְּבֵ֣ית יְהֹוָ֑ה יֶחֱזוּ בְּנֹעַם־יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה וְיַגִּֽידוּ כִּי אֵין־קָד֥וֹשׁ כַּיהֹוָ֖ה כִּ֣י אֵ֤ל רַחוּם֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אַ֭שְׁרֵי כׇּל־יְרֵ֣א יְהֹוָ֑ה ט֗וֹב לְהֹד֥וֹת לַיהֹוָ֑ה ט֗וֹב לַחֲס֥וֹת בַּיהֹוָ֑ה רַנְּנ֣וּ צַ֭דִּיקִים בַּֽיהֹוָ֑ה ק֣וֹל אֹמְרִ֡ים הוֹדוּ֩ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֨ה כִּ֛י הֵ֥ם זֶ֖רַע בֵּרַ֥ךְ יְהֹוָֽה זֶה־הַ֭יּוֹם עָשָׂ֣ה יְהֹוָ֑ה כִּ֤י אֵ֣ל גָּד֣וֹל יְהֹוָ֑ה בָּר֣וּךְ הַ֭בָּא בְּשֵׁ֣ם יְהֹוָ֑ה שׂ֧וֹשׂ אָשִׂ֣ישׂ בַּֽיהֹוָ֗ה׃ |
And those who recall the Cause[76] Isaiah 62:6 with additional conjunction Will always say “greatened be the Cause!”[77] Psalms 40:17 And thus will say the redeemed of the Cause:[78] Psalms 107:2 with additional conjunction “So may all Your enemies fall, Cause!:”[79] Judges 5:31 And those standing in the house of the Cause[80] Psalms 134:1 with additional conjunction And trusting in the Cause[81] Psalms 125:1 with additional conjunction And those planted in the house of the Cause[82] Psalms 92:14 with additional conjunction and article Will see the pleasantness of the Cause[83] Psalms 27:4 with altered verb conjugation And tell that none are holy like the Cause[84] I Samuel 2:2 For a merciful Deity is the Cause![85] Deuteronomy 4:21 Content are all who revere the Cause.[86] Psalms 128:1 It is good to thank the Cause.[87] Psalms 92:2 It is good to trust in the Cause.[88] Psalms 118:8-9 Cheer, righteous ones, in the Cause![89] Psalms 33:1 The voice of those saying “Give thanks to the Cause,”[90] Jeremiah 33:11 For they are a seed blessed by the Cause.[91] Isaiah 61:9 This day was made by the Cause![92] Psalms 118:24 For a great Deity is the Cause![93] Psalms 95:2 Blessed be one who comes in the name of the Cause.[94] Psalms 118:26 I will rejoice, rejoice in the Cause![95] Isaiah 61:1 |
וְאִם כׇּל־הַמּוֹעֲדִים יִהְיוּ בְּטֵלִים יְמֵי הַפּוּרִים לֹא־נִבְטָלִים וְזִכְרָ֖ם לֹא־יָס֥וּף מִנֻּטָּלִים וְיֻזְכְּרוּ לָעַד גְּאוּלִים לְשָׂשׂוֹן וּלְשִׂמְחַת גִּילִים מִפְעֲלוֹת אֱלֹהִים מְגַלִּים וֶעֱזוּז נוֹרְאוֹתָיו מַגְדִּילִים וְשָׁרִים כְּחוֹלְלִים בַּעֲשֶֽׂרֶת מִינֵי עָשׂוֹר מְסַלְסְלִים בְּכִנּוֹרוֹת וּבִנְבָלִים בַּעֲשֶֽׂרֶת מִינֵי הַלֵּל מְהַלְלִים בַּעֲשֶֽׂרֶת מִינֵי שִׂמְחָה צוֹהֲלִים וְשַׂרְפֵי הַקֹּֽדֶשׁ הַמְּעֻלִּים כְּתַלְמִיד לָרַב יִהְיוּ לָֽמוֹ שׁוֹאֲלִים מַה־פָּעַל אֵל אֵלִים׃ |
And if all the festivals will be nullified, the days of Purim will not be nullified,[96] A midrash also found in Midrash Mishlei 9:1, based on Esther 9:28 — cited in the next line. and their memory will not cease from those taken up; and the redemptions will be remembered forever, for joy and cheerful happiness. The acts of God they will reveal, and Their mighty deeds they will exalt, and singers as dancers trilling with ten kinds of ten-stringed lyres, with citharas and lutes, praising with ten kinds of praises, celebrating with ten kinds of happiness. And the most exalted holy snake-angels will ask them, like a student asks his teacher, “What has the Deity of deities done?” |
כִּי אֵֽלֶּה יִהְיוּ מִבִּפְנִים וְאֵֽלֶּה מִלִּפְנֵיהֶם מְפַנִּים וְאֵֽלֶּה חוּצָה לָּֽמוֹ פּוֹנִים וְאֵֽלֶּה לִפְנַי וְלִפְנִים בְּצֵ֥ל שַׁ֝דַּ֗י מִתְלוֹנְנִים וּבַחֲמִשָּׁה קוֹלוֹת הַצְּפוּנִים ק֤וֹל ׀ רִנָּ֬ה וִישׁוּעָ֗ה מַצְפִּינִים בְּאׇהֳלֵ֥י צַדִּיקִ֑ים צְפוּנִים הַהוֹגִים בִּיקָרָה מִפְּנִינִים וְקִדְּמוּ שָׁרִים אַחַר נוֹגְנִים לָדַֽעַת אֵיךְ הֵם מְנַגְּנִים בְּגַאֲוַת אֲפִיקֵ֣י מָגִנִּ֑ים בְּצִלָּם הֱיוֹת גְּנוּנִים וּבְאֶבְרָתָם מִתְגּוֹנְנִים וְעַל־חוֹמוֹתָם מִתְמַנִּים לַשׁוֹעֲרִים וּלְשׁוֹמְרִים מְמֻנִּים כׇּל־הַיּוֹם וְכׇל־הַלַּֽיְלָה מְזֻמָּנִים לְהַזְכִּיר קְדֻשַּׁת נוֹצֵר אֱמוּנִים לְהַעֲרִיץ זְכִירַת גּוֹי שֹׁמֵ֥ר אֱמֻנִֽים וּבְשֵׁם יִשְׂרָאֵל מִתְכַּנִּים וּבְשִׁלּוּשׁ קְדֻשָּׁה לְקָדוֹשׁ מִתְכַּוְּנִים שְׁתַּֽיִם בְּרֹאשׁ בָּנִים מַשְׁכִּינִים וְאַחַת בְּרֹאשׁ מַלְכָּם מַתְקִינִים וּבִשְׁלׇשְׁתָּם הֵם נְכוֹנִים כִּסֵּא שָׁלֵם וְשֵׁם שָׁלֵם מְכִינִים וּבְשִׁלּוּשׁ קְדֻשָּׁה עֲנוֹת כְּאָז מְבִינִים קְרוֹא זֶה־אֶל־זֶה מְכַוְּנִים וּבְכִנּוּי שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁ קוֹרְאִים וּמְכַנִּים׃ |
For these ones[97] Israel will be on the inside, and those ones[98] The angelic hosts will clear the way before them, and those ones ones will face them from outside, and these ones within and without, in the shade of the Surveyor[99] Psalms 91:1 lodging, and with the five reserved voices,[100] Bavli Berakhot 6b, on Jeremiah 33:11. (1) The voice of joy and (2) the voice of happiness, (3) the voice of the groom and (4) the voice of the bride, and (5) the voice of those saying “Give thanks to the Cause!” the preserved sound of cheer and salvation hidden in the tents of the righteous,[101] Psalms 118:15. An acrostic of the five words in this verse — ק֤ׄוֹל ׀ רִׄנָּ֬ה וִׄישׁוּעָ֗ה בְּׄאׇהֳלֵ֥י צַׄדִּיקִ֑ים — are used as a backronym for the term קרובץ used in Ashkenazi practice to refer to the piyyuṭim added to the ‘amidah on Purim. This is a false etymology — it is actually just a derivation of קרובות. But it shows the links between this verse and Purim, despite the fact that this verse, as part of the Hallel service, is not actually said on Purim! who meditate on that which is more precious than pearls.[102] The Torah. The singers[103] Israel will come first, then afterwards the musicians,[104] The angelic hosts to know how they play. In the pride of protective scales,[105] Job 41:7. Referring to the Leviathan. under their shadow they will be shielded, and in their pinions they will shield themselves. As gatekeepers and guardians will they[106] The angelic hosts be set, ready all day and all night, to recall the holiness of the guardians of faith, and to proclaim the memory of the nation keeping faith.[107] Isaiah 26:2 And by Israel’s name they will be referred, and in threefold holinesses to the Holy they will devote — two they set on the head of the children[108] Israel and one they prepare for the head of their Sovereign. And with all three they are prepared, and a complete throne and complete name they prepare, and with the threefold holiness they answer as of old, understanding, calling one to another they direct, and by the moniker of the holy name they call and refer: |
כַּכּתוּב עַל־יַד נְבִיאֶֽךָ… |
As is written by Your prophet’s hand…[109] From here the qedusha and the rest of the repetition of Shaḥarit is recited as usual. (Followers of the Vilna Gaon recite the qedushta after the repetition, so as not to interrupt it.) |
Notes
| 1 | colloquially called “yotsrot,” although it is not technically yotsrot but rather qerovot |
|---|---|
| 2 | This brief reshut was not written by Qallir. It is inserted into the Ashkenazi rite here to justify the practice of inserting piyyutim. |
| 3 | A midrash found in multiple places, including Midrash Tanḥuma Ki Tetze 4:1, states that Isaac went blind from looking at Esau. |
| 4 | Midrash Tanḥuma Ki Tetze 4:1 states that in being born, Esau injured Rebecca’s uterus, leaving her unable to orgasm. |
| 5 | ’Amaleq, the grandson of Esau. |
| 6 | Israel, that ate the manna. |
| 7 | Midrash Tanḥuma Beshallaḥ 25:2 states ‘Amaleq had to travel four hundred parasangs to reach Israel. |
| 8 | Abraham, referencing the Covenant of the Pieces in Genesis 15 |
| 9 | A translation of the divine name Shaddai, based on Bereshit Rabbah 46:3 (on Genesis 17:1) that the name means “the One who said ‘enough’ (dai).” |
| 10 | According to Midrash Tanḥuma Ki Tetze 10:1, the tribe of Dan, the hindmost tribe, was excluded from the cloud of glory on account of being idolators, and were thus the tribe that ‘Amaleq defeated. |
| 11 | Exodus 16:1 |
| 12 | Midrash Tanḥuma, Beshallaḥ 25:2 states that ‘Amaleq had to travel through five nations’ land to reach Israel. |
| 13 | Exodus 17, Deuteronomy 25, and I Samuel 15, according to B. Megillah 7a. |
| 14 | Midrash Tanḥuma, Beshallaḥ 25:4 states that ‘Amaleq could only attack because Israel’s hands had grown weak in the fulfillment of the mitzvot. |
| 15 | Jethro. Midrash Tanḥuma, Yitro 3:2 states that Jethro had heard about the destruction of ‘Amaleq before converting. |
| 16 | Midrash Tanḥuma, Beshallaḥ 25:2 states that ‘Amaleq commited male-on-male rape against Israel. |
| 17 | Nebuchadnezzar. Sheshakh is atbash cipher for Babylonia, a term used already in Jeremah 25:26. |
| 18 | Rephidim, where Israel had no water. |
| 19 | Find the midrash first found in Pesiqta d-Rav Kahana 22:5, but also found in Devarim Rabbah 2:37, which lists ten times Israel uses the language of “clothing” to praise God. |
| 20 | Find Lamentations 3:20 |
| 21 | Find Hosea 3:2 |
| 22 | ‘Amaleq |
| 23 | The tribe of Dan, which according to the midrash was the rearguard attacked by ‘Amaleq on account of not being protected by the clouds of glory, due to their tendency towards idol worship. |
| 24 | Haman |
| 25 | Israel. Find Song of Songs 7:2 |
| 26 | Dan. Find Genesis 49:17 |
| 27 | Moses. According to Midrash Tanḥuma, Beshallaḥ 28:1, ‘Amaleq calculated the best time to attack via astrology, and Moses stopped them by holding up the revolution of the sun and moon and rendering their predictions invalid. |
| 28 | According to Midrash Tanḥuma Ki Tetzei 9-10, this is the meaning of “he tailed you” (Deut. 25:18). The ‘Amaleqites cut off the penises of Israel and threw them upwards saying “You chose this! Take what You chose!” |
| 29 | Find Song of Songs 1:3 |
| 30 | Literally “the henna cluster.” Find Shabbat 88b on Song of Songs 1:14 |
| 31 | Moses, who was humble, like a fawn. |
| 32 | Exodus 17:14 |
| 33 | In many texts, written יִמַּח שְׁמוֹ וְזִכְרוֹ — “his name and memory should be erased!” A common scribal mix-up between vav and yod. |
| 34 | Esau. According to Midrash Tanḥuma Ki Tetzei 4:1, Abraham lived five years fewer than Isaac because in those five years Esau committed two sins: sleeping with an engaged woman and killing someone |
| 35 | Job 6:14 |
| 36 | Isaac. Find Genesis 24:63. |
| 37 | According to Pirkei d’Rabbi Eliezer 2:10, Esau despised the circumcision. The yoke refers to the Divine commandments. |
| 38 | According to Midrash Tanḥuma, Toldot 8, the smoke from Esau’s idol-worshipping wives made Isaac go blind. |
| 39 | A bit of casual homophobia here. There’s a worrying through-line of painting Esau and ‘Amaleq as gay in a lot of these texts. Perhaps this is a reflection of Roman position towards homosexuality, which was often more liberal than the rabbinic approach. That being said, Esau is depicted here as bottoming, something the Romans themselves had a tendency to look down on. In any case, it’s disconcerting and I personally do not like it. |
| 40 | Jacob. |
| 41 | A midrash first found in Midrash Tanḥuma Ḥukat 18:1 suggests that the king of ‘Arad mentioned in Numbers 21:1 was ‘Amaleq. Another midrash found in Midrash Aggadah Numbers 21:1 and repeated by Rashi suggests that this was because the ‘Amaleqites changed their speech and clothing to appear as Canaanites, so that if Israel prayed to defeat the Canaanites their prayers would not work. |
| 42 | Proverbs 26:11 |
| 43 | Another name for Gideon or Jerubbaal, who fought with the ‘Amaleqites in their alliance with Midian in Judges 6 and 7. |
| 44 | Shaul. |
| 45 | According to Midrash Tanḥuma, Ki Tetzei 9:1, commenting on I Samuel 15:32-33, Shmuel cut pieces off Agag’s flesh and fed them to ostriches |
| 46 | Numbers 13:29 |
| 47 | David, referencing the narrative in II Samuel 1. |
| 48 | Referring to the battle against Ammon in II Chronicles 20 at “Ḥatzetzon Tamar, that is, Ein Gedi,” as well as Genesis 14:4 which states that th “field of the ‘Amaleqites” was in Ḥatzetzon Tamar. |
| 49 | A midrash found in the fifth petiḥta to Esther Rabbah, as well as in Rav Saadia Gaon’s commentary on Ezra 4:6, states that Shimshai, the scribe who sent slander against Israel to prevent them from building the Temple, was a son of Haman. The Hebrew word for “sun” is shemesh. |
| 50 | Haman, who weighted out ten thousand talents as a bribe to the king. |
| 51 | According to B. Megillah 15b, Haman had two hundred and eight sons, the gematria of וְרֹ֣ב in Esther 5:11. |
| 52 | Books of the Torah. |
| 53 | Israel. Find Exodus 13:18 |
| 54 | Days. Bereshit Rabbah 100:6 points out that between Haman’s letter sent out on 13 Nisan and Mordechai’s letter on 23 Sivan was exactly seventy days. |
| 55 | Cubits. The wooden gallows (or possibly an impalement spike or a crucifix — the Hebrew just says “wood”) on which Haman was hanged was fifty cubits tall. |
| 56 | Psalms 83:2 |
| 57 | Deuteronomy 25:17 |
| 58 | Deuteronomy 25:18 |
| 59 | Deuteronomy 25:19 |
| 60 | Meaning the Temple. This refers to the day of the destruction of the Temple. Find Psalms 137:7, where “the day of Jerusalem” refers to the day of Jerusalem’s destruction. |
| 61 | Lamentations 1:10 |
| 62 | Psalms 83:5 |
| 63 | Psalms 83:5 |
| 64 | Find Psalms 10:14 |
| 65 | Jerusalem |
| 66 | Circumcision |
| 67 | The Ten Commandments |
| 68 | Moses |
| 69 | Psalms 102:12 |
| 70 | Lamentations 3:50 |
| 71 | Psalms 6:4 |
| 72 | Psalms 6:4 |
| 73 | The seven commandments of Noah |
| 74 | The other nations, according to the midrashic interpretation of Song of Songs 2:2 |
| 75 | Literally, “in a snatch.” Find Proverbs 23:28 and Rashi’s commentary for this usage. |
| 76 | Isaiah 62:6 with additional conjunction |
| 77 | Psalms 40:17 |
| 78 | Psalms 107:2 with additional conjunction |
| 79 | Judges 5:31 |
| 80 | Psalms 134:1 with additional conjunction |
| 81 | Psalms 125:1 with additional conjunction |
| 82 | Psalms 92:14 with additional conjunction and article |
| 83 | Psalms 27:4 with altered verb conjugation |
| 84 | I Samuel 2:2 |
| 85 | Deuteronomy 4:21 |
| 86 | Psalms 128:1 |
| 87 | Psalms 92:2 |
| 88 | Psalms 118:8-9 |
| 89 | Psalms 33:1 |
| 90 | Jeremiah 33:11 |
| 91 | Isaiah 61:9 |
| 92 | Psalms 118:24 |
| 93 | Psalms 95:2 |
| 94 | Psalms 118:26 |
| 95 | Isaiah 61:1 |
| 96 | A midrash also found in Midrash Mishlei 9:1, based on Esther 9:28 — cited in the next line. |
| 97 | Israel |
| 98 | The angelic hosts |
| 99 | Psalms 91:1 |
| 100 | Bavli Berakhot 6b, on Jeremiah 33:11. (1) The voice of joy and (2) the voice of happiness, (3) the voice of the groom and (4) the voice of the bride, and (5) the voice of those saying “Give thanks to the Cause!” |
| 101 | Psalms 118:15. An acrostic of the five words in this verse — ק֤ׄוֹל ׀ רִׄנָּ֬ה וִׄישׁוּעָ֗ה בְּׄאׇהֳלֵ֥י צַׄדִּיקִ֑ים — are used as a backronym for the term קרובץ used in Ashkenazi practice to refer to the piyyuṭim added to the ‘amidah on Purim. This is a false etymology — it is actually just a derivation of קרובות. But it shows the links between this verse and Purim, despite the fact that this verse, as part of the Hallel service, is not actually said on Purim! |
| 102 | The Torah. |
| 103 | Israel |
| 104 | The angelic hosts |
| 105 | Job 41:7. Referring to the Leviathan. |
| 106 | The angelic hosts |
| 107 | Isaiah 26:2 |
| 108 | Israel |
| 109 | From here the qedusha and the rest of the repetition of Shaḥarit is recited as usual. (Followers of the Vilna Gaon recite the qedushta after the repetition, so as not to interrupt it.) |
“קְדוּשְׁתָּאוֹת לְשַׁבָּת זָכוֹר | Qedushtaot for Shabbat Zakhor, by Elazar ben Qallir” is shared through the Open Siddur Project under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) 4.0 International copyleft license.
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