![the Open Siddur Project [logo]](https://opensiddur.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Open-Siddur-Project-Logo-2016.svg){kind=logo}
The poetic genre known as ḳerovot, brief poems woven throughout the repetition of the weekday Amidah, is nowadays most closely associated with Elazar haḲalir’s Purim “Ḳrovetz“, a majestically interwoven piece of piyyut if ever there was one. This is the traditional Ashkenazi qerovot added to the Musaf repetition for Shabbat HaḤodesh, alongside a gender-neutral translation first made in 2022 but being posted here now.
| 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 — |
רִאשׁ֥וֹן אִמַּֽצְתָּ לְפֶֽרַח שׁוֹשַׁנִּים אָמוּץ לְעוֹרֵר מֵרֶֽדֶם יְשֵׁנִים בְּזׇכְרְךָ בְּרִית רִאשֹׁנִים בִּצְפוֹן חֲדָשִׁים גַּם יְשֵׁנִים גַּלּוֹתוֹ בְּדַת שִׁנּוּנִים גָּזַר רֹאשׁ לְאַרְבָּעָה רָאשֵׁי שָׁנִים׃ |
The First[1] The entire poem is based on Isaiah 41:27 — “First to Ẓíōn, behold here they are! And to Jerusalem, a herald I send.” The word “first” here is recontextualized to refer to Nisan, the first month. You established for the lily-blossom[2] A poetic synonym for Israel. Appointed to awaken the sleeping from their slumber. In Your memory of the covenant with the first ones[3] Namely, the Patriarchs. Gazing upon the new as well as the old[4] According to the commentators, referring to both the Oral and Written law. Revealed in the explicit law, Established as the first of the four new years. |
לְאַרְבָּעָה רָאשֵׁי שָׁנִים בַּמַּחֲזֶה בֵּאַֽרְתָּ זֶה מִזֶּה לַחוֹזֶה כַּאֲשֶׁר שָׁמַֽעְנוּ כֵּן עוֹד נֶחֱזֶה גּוֹנֲנֵֽנוּ בְּמָגֵן בַּחֹֽדֶשׁ הַזֶּה׃ |
Four new years in a vision You explained directly to the Seer.[5] Namely, Moses. As we heard, so may we yet see! Shield us with a shield in this month! |
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 — |
לְצִיּ֖וֹן דְּרוֹר חַֽשְׁתָּ בּוֹ קְפוֹת דְּבַר אוֹר יְקָרוֹת לִקְפוֹת הַחֹֽדֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר יְשׁוּעוֹת בּוֹ מַקִּיפוֹת הַחוֹסִים בּוֹ מַתְקִיפוֹת וּמֶֽנוּ מַתְחִילוֹת וְתוֹקְפוֹת וּוְעַד רֹאשׁ לְאַרְבַּע תְּקוּפוֹת׃ |
To Ẓíōn You rushed freedom’s appearance, Speaking glorious light to be revealed. In this month in which rescues happen,[6] Nisan. Those who trust in Them will be empowered, And from it begin to increase power, as appointed as the first of the four seasons. |
אַרְבַּע תְּקוּפוֹת בַּשָּׁנָה תְּחַדֵּשׁ אוֹרָם כְּבָרִאשֹׁנָה כַּאֲשֶׁר שָׁמַֽעְנוּ כֵּן עוֹד חִישׁ נָא הַחֲיֵֽנוּ בְגֶֽשֶׁם בָּרִאשׁוֹן לְחׇדְשֵׁי הַשָּׁנָה׃ |
Four seasons in the year — Renew their light as of old. Just as we heard, so too help us please! Enliven us with rain in this first of the year’s months! |
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה מְחַיֵּה הַמֵתִים׃ |
Blessed are You, o Cause, who revives the dead. |
נַעֲרִיצְךָ וְנַקְדִּישְׁךָ כְּסוֹד שִֽׂיחַ שַׂרְפֵי קֹֽדֶשׁ הַמַּקְדִּישִׁים שִׁמְךָ בַּקֹֽדֶשׁ כַּכָּתוּב עַל יַד נְבִיאֶֽךָ וְקָרָ֨א זֶ֤ה אֶל־זֶה֙ וְאָמַ֔ר קָד֧וֹשׁ ׀ קָד֛וֹשׁ קָד֖וֹשׁ יהו֣ה צְבָא֑וֹת מְלֹ֥א כׇל־הָאָ֖רֶץ כְּבוֹדֽוֹ׃ |
We sanctify and revere You, like the secret conversations of the holy seraphim who sanctify Your name in holiness, as it is written by Your prophet, And they called one to another and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Cause of Multitudes, the whole earth is full of Their glory! |
כְּבוֹדֽוֹ מָלֵא עוֹלָם מְשָׁרְתָיו שׁוֹאֲלִים זֶה לָזֶה אַיֵּה מְקוֹם כְּבוֹדוֹ לְעֻמָּתָם בָּר֥וּךְ יֹאמֵֽרוּ בָּר֥וּךְ כְּבוֹד־יְהֹוָ֖ה מִמְּקוֹמֽוֹ׃ |
Their glory fills the world, Their attendants ask one to another, Where is the place of Their glory? And to each they answer, Blessed: Blessed be the glory of the Cause from its place! |
מִמְּקוֹמֽוֹ הוּא יִפֶן בְּרַחֲמִים וְיָחוֹן עַם הַמְיַחֲדִים שְׁמוֹ עֶֽרֶב וָבֽוֹקֶר בְּכׇל־יוֹם תָּמִיד פַּעֲמַֽיִם בְּאַהֲבָה שְׁמַ֖ע אוֹמְרִים׃ שְׁמַ֖ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יהו֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ יהו֥ה ׀ אֶחָֽד׃ |
From its place They will turn to us in compassion, and grace the people who unify Their Name, evening and morning every day, always, twice a day saying Listen: Listen, Israel! The Cause is your God, the Cause is One! |
אֶחָֽד הוּא אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ הוּא אָבִֽינוּ הוּא מַלְכֵּֽנוּ הוּא מוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ וְהוּא יַשְׁמִיעֵֽנוּ בְּרַחֲמָיו שֵׁנִית לְעֵינֵי כׇּל־חַי לִהְי֥וֹת לָכֶ֖ם לֵאלֹהִ֑ים אֲנִ֖י יהו֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ |
One is our God, our Parent, our Sovereign, our Rescuer, who will rescue us in compassion again before all life, to be to you a God — I am the Cause your God. |
וּבְדִבְרֵי קׇדְשְׁךָ כָּתוּב לֵאמֹר: יִמְלֹ֤ךְ יהו֨ה ׀ לְעוֹלָ֗ם אֱלֹהַ֣יִךְ צִ֭יּוֹן לְדֹ֥ר וָדֹ֗ר הַֽלְלוּ־יָֽהּ׃ |
And in Your holy writings it is written, saying: The Cause will reign forever; Your God, o Ẓíōn, is from generation to generation; praise the SOURCE! |
לְדֹ֥ר וָדֹ֗ר נַגִּיד גׇּדְלֶֽךָ וּלְנֵֽצַח נְצָחִים קְדֻשָּׁתְךָ נַקְדִּישׁ וְשִׁבְחֲךָ אֱלֹהֽינוּ מִפִּֽינוּ לֹא יָמוּשׁ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד כִּי אֵל מֶֽלֶךְ גָּדוֹל וְקָדוֹשׁ אָֽתָּה — |
From generation to generation We will tell of Your glory, and in this and all eternities we will sanctify Your holiness, and Your praises, o God, will never depart from our mouths, for a God, Sovereign, great and holy are You — |
הִנֵּ֣ה זֶה בָּא לִפְרָקִים זָמוּן לִגְאוֹל רְצוּצֵי אֲרָקִים חֹֽדֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר רְבִיבִים בּוֹ מְרִיקִים חַשְׁרַת מַֽיִם לְמַלְּאֹת רֵיקִים טִיעוֹת לְרַוּוֹת וִירָקִים טְלָאִים בּוֹ לְהָקִים בְּאַרְבָּעָה פְרָקִים׃ |
Indeed he[7] The Messiah will come in his eras Timed to redeem the oppressed of the realms. The month of showers pouring down, Overflowing water filling the empty, Sprouts and herbs quenching, Raising lambs for the four eras. |
אַרְבָּעָה פְרָקִים כְּבַמַּחֲזֶה בֵּאַֽרְתָּ זֶה מִזֶּה לַחוֹזֶה כַּאֲשֶׁר שָׁמַֽעְנוּ כֵּן עוֹד נֶחֱזֶה וְנַקְדִּישְׁךָ קָדוֹשׁ בַּחֹֽדֶשׁ הַזֶּה׃ |
Four eras as in the vision You explained directly to the Seer. As we heard, so may we yet see! And let us sanctify You as holy in this month. |
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה הָאֵל הַקָּדוֹשׁ׃ |
Blessed are You, o Cause, the holy Deity. |
ללא בראש חודש ניסן: |
Not on Rosh Ḥodesh Nisan: |
תִּ֯כַּֽנְתָּ שַׁ֯בָּת רָ֯צִיתָ קׇ֯רְבְּנוֹתֶֽיהָ צִ֯וִּֽיתָ פֵּ֯רוּשֶֽׁיהָ עִ֯ם סִ֯דּוּרֵי נְ֯סָכֶֽיהָ מְ֯עַנְּגֶֽיהָ לְ֯עוֹלָם כָּ֯בוֹד יִ֯נְחָֽלוּ ט֯וֹעֲמֶֽיהָ חַ֯יִּים זָֽ֯כוּ וְ֯גַם הָ֯אוֹהֲבִים דְּ֯בָרֶֽיהָ גְּ֯דֻלָּה בָ֯חָֽרוּ אָ֯ז מִ֯סִּינַי נִ֯צְטַֽוּוּ וַתְּצַ֯וֵּֽנוּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ לְהַקְרִיב בָּהּ קׇרְבַּן מוּסַף֯ שַׁבָּת כָּ֯רָאוּי׃ |
You established Sabbath and desired its sacrifices, commanding its elaboration with the order of libations. Its enjoyers will forever inherit glory, its savorers have merited life, and also those who love its words have chosen greatness. As from Sinai it was commanded, and You commanded us, Cause our God, to offer upon it the addition sacrifice of Sabbath as seen. |
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶֽיךָ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ שֶׁתַּעֲלֵֽנוּ בְשִׂמְחָה לְאַרְצֵֽנוּ וְתִטָּעֵֽנוּ בִּגְבוּלֵֽנוּ וְשָׁם נַעֲשֶׂה לְפָנֶֽיךָ אֶת־קׇרְבְּנוֹת חוֹבוֹתֵֽינוּ תְּמִידִים כְּסִדְרָם וּמוּסָפִים כְּהִלְכָתָם׃ |
May it be willed before You, Cause our God and God of our ancestors, that You return in joy to our land and plant us in our borders, and there we will perform before You our mandated sacrifices, the daily ones by their order, and the additional ones by their laws. |
וְאֶת מוּסַף יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת הַזֶּה נַעֲשֶׂה וְנַקְרִיב לְפָנֶֽיךָ בְּאַהֲבָה כְּמִצְוַת רְצוֹנֶֽךָ כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתַֽבְתָּ עָלֵֽינוּ בְּתוֹרָתֶֽךָ עַל יְדֵי מֹשֶׁה עַבְדֶּֽךָ מִפִּי כְבוֹדֶֽךָ כָּאָמוּר׃ וּבְיוֹם֙ הַשַּׁבָּ֔ת שְׁנֵֽי־כְבָשִׂ֥ים בְּנֵֽי־שָׁנָ֖ה תְּמִימִ֑ם וּשְׁנֵ֣י עֶשְׂרֹנִ֗ים סֹ֧לֶת מִנְחָ֛ה בְּלוּלָ֥ה בַשֶּׁ֖מֶן וְנִסְכּֽוֹ׃ עֹלַ֥ת שַׁבַּ֖ת בְּשַׁבַּתּ֑וֹ עַל־עֹלַ֥ת הַתָּמִ֖יד וְנִסְכָּֽהּ׃ |
And the addition for this Sabbath day we will perform and sacrifice before You in love, per the commandment of Your desire, as You wrote for us in Your Teaching, by the hand of Moses Your servant from Your glorious Mouth, as said: And on the Sabbath day, two pure year-old lambs, and two-tenths of an ephah of semolina as a grain-offering mixed with oil and its libation. The whole-offering of Sabbath on its Sabbath, with the daily offering and its libation. |
בראש חודש ניסן: |
On Rosh Ḥodesh Nisan: |
אַתָּה יָצַֽרְתָּ עוֹלָמְךָ מִקֶּֽדֶם כִּלִּֽיתָ מְלַאכְתְּךָ בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי אָהַֽבְתָּ אוֹתָֽנוּ וְרָצִֽיתָ בָּנוּ וְרוֹמַמְתָּֽנוּ מִכׇּל־הַלְּשׁוֹנוֹת וְקִדַּשְׁתָּֽנוּ בְּמִצְווֹתֶֽיךָ וְקֵרַבְתָּֽנוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ לַעֲבוֹדָתֶֽךָ וְשִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ עָלֵֽינוּ קָרָֽאתָ׃ |
You made Your world of old, You finished Your work on the seventh day, You loved us and desired us and exalted us from all the tongues and sanctified us with Your commandments and brought us close, our Sovereign, to Your labor, and Your great and holy name You called over us. |
וַתִּתֶּן לָנוּ יהוה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ בְּאַהֲבָה שַׁבָּתוֹת לִמְנוּחָה וְרָאשֵׁי חֳדָשִׁים לְכַפָּרָה וּלְפִי שֶׁחָטָֽאנוּ לְפָנֶֽיךָ אֲנַֽחְנוּ וַאֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ חׇרְבָה עִירֵֽנוּ וְשָׁמֵם בֵּית מִקְדָּשֵֽׁנוּ וְגָלָה יְקָרֵֽנוּ וְנֻטַּל כָּבוֹד מִבֵּית חַיֵּֽינוּ וְאֵין אֲנַֽחְנוּ יְכוֹלִים לַעֲשׂוֹת חוֹבוֹתֵֽינוּ בְּבֵית בְּחִירָתֶֽךָ בַּבַּֽיִת הַגָּדוֹל וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ שֶׁנִּקְרָא שִׁמְךָ עָלָיו מִפְּנֵי הַיָּד שֶׁנִּשְׁתַּלְּחָה בְמִקְדָּשֶֽׁךָ׃ |
And You gave us, Cause our God, in love, Sabbaths of rest, and new moons for repentance, but since we and our ancestors sinned before You our city was destroyed and our Holy Temple was made desolate, and our honor was uncovered and glory was stripped from the house of our lives, and we cannot do our mandates in Your chosen house, in the great and holy House upon which Your name was called, on account of the hand that was sent out against Your Temple. |
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ יהוה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ שֶׁתַּעֲלֵֽנוּ בְשִׂמְחָה לְאַרְצֵֽנוּ וְתִטָּעֵֽנוּ בִּגְבוּלֵֽנוּ וְשָׁם נַעֲשֶׂה לְפָנֶיךָ אֶת־קׇרְבְּנוֹת חוֹבוֹתֵֽינוּ תְּמִידִים כְּסִדְרָם וּמוּסָפִים כְּהִלְכָתָם׃ |
May it be willed before You, Cause our God and God of our ancestors, that You return in joy to our land and plant us in our borders, and there we will perform before You our mandated sacrifices, the daily ones by their order, and the additional ones by their laws. |
וְאֶת־מוּסְפֵי יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת הַזֶּה וְיוֹם רֹאשׁ הַחֹֽדֶשׁ הַזֶּה נַעֲשֶׂה וְנַקְרִיב לְפָנֶֽיךָ בְּאַהֲבָה כְּמִצְוַת רְצוֹנֶֽךָ כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתַֽבְתָּ עָלֵֽינוּ בְּתוֹרָתֶֽךָ עַל יְדֵי מֹשֶׁה עַבְדֶּֽךָ מִפִּי כְבוֹדֶֽךָ כָּאָמוּר׃ וּבְיוֹם֙ הַשַּׁבָּ֔ת שְׁנֵֽי־כְבָשִׂ֥ים בְּנֵֽי־שָׁנָ֖ה תְּמִימִ֑ם וּשְׁנֵ֣י עֶשְׂרֹנִ֗ים סֹ֧לֶת מִנְחָ֛ה בְּלוּלָ֥ה בַשֶּׁ֖מֶן וְנִסְכּֽוֹ׃ עֹלַ֥ת שַׁבַּ֖ת בְּשַׁבַּתּ֑וֹ עַל־עֹלַ֥ת הַתָּמִ֖יד וְנִסְכָּֽהּ׃ |
And the additions for this Sabbath day and this new moon day we will perform and sacrifice before You in love, per the commandment of Your desire, as You wrote for us in Your Teaching, by the hand of Moses Your servant from Your glorious Mouth, as said: And on the Sabbath day, two pure year-old lambs, and two-tenths of an epha of semolina as a grain-offering mixed with oil and its libation. The whole-offering of Sabbath on its Sabbath, with the daily offering and its libation. |
וּבְרָאשֵׁי֙ חׇדְשֵׁיכֶ֔ם תַּקְרִ֥יבוּ עֹלָ֖ה לַיהֹוָ֑ה פָּרִ֨ים בְּנֵֽי־בָקָ֤ר שְׁנַ֙יִם֙ וְאַ֣יִל אֶחָ֔ד כְּבָשִׂ֧ים בְּנֵי־שָׁנָ֛ה שִׁבְעָ֖ה תְּמִימִֽם׃ וּמִנְחָתָם וְנִסְכֵּיהֶם כִּמְדֻבָּר שְׁלשָׁה עֶשְׂרֹנִים לַפָּר וּשְׁנֵי עֶשְׂרֹנִים לָאָֽיִל וְעִשָּׂרוֹן לַכֶּֽבֶש וְיַֽיִן כְּנִסְכּו וְשָׂעִיר לְכַפֵּר וּשְׁנֵי תְמִידִים כְּהִלְכָתָם׃ |
And at the beginnings of your months you will sacrifice a whole-offering to the Cause, two bulls of the herd, one ram, seven pure year-old lambs. And their grain-offerings and libations as said: three-tenths of an ephah per bull, two-tenths per ram, one-tenth per sheep, and wine per its libations, and a goat for atonement, and the two daily offerings per their law. |
יִשְׂמְחוּ בְמַלְכוּתְךָ שׁוֹמְרֵי שַׁבָּת וְקוֹרְאֵי עֹֽנֶג׃ עַם מְקַדְּשֵׁי שְׁבִיעִי כֻּלָּם יִשְׂבְּעוּ וְיִתְעַנְּגוּ מִטּוּבֶֽךָ וְהַשְׁבִיעִי רָצִֽיתָ בּוֹ וְקִדַּשְׁתּוֹ חֶמְדַת יָמִים אוֹתוֹ קָרָֽאתָ זֵֽכֶר לְמַעֲשֶׂה בְרֵאשִׁית׃ |
Those who guard the Sabbath and enjoy it will rejoice in Your sovereignty. The people that sanctifies the seventh day will all be sated and enjoy Your goodness, and the seventh You desired and sanctified, You called it the most pleasant of days, a remembrance of the matters of creation. |
אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ רְצֵה בִמְנוּחָתֵֽנוּ׃ קַדְּשֵֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְווֹתֶֽיךָ וְתֵן חֶלְקֵֽנוּ בְּתוֹרָתֶֽךָ׃ שַׂבְּעֵֽנוּ מִטּוּבֶֽךָ וְשַׂמְחֵֽנוּ בִּישׁוּעָתֶֽךָ׃ וְטַהֵר לִבֵּֽנוּ לְעׇבְדְּךָ בֶּאֱמֶת וְהַנְחִילֵֽנוּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ בְּאַהֲבָה וּבְרָצוֹן שַׁבָּת קׇדְשֶֽׁךָ וְיָנוּחוּ בָהּ יִשְׂרָאֵל מְקַדְּשֵׁי שְׁמֶֽךָ׃ |
Our God and God of our ancestors, desire our rest. Sanctify us with Your commandments, and give us our portion in Your Teaching. Sate us with Your goodness, and let us rejoice in Your rescue. And purify our hearts to serve You in truth, and let us inherit, o Cause our God, in love and desire, your holy Sabbath, that Israel who sanctifies Your name may rest upon it — |
הִנָּ֑ם יָמִים הַמְבֹרָכִים יוֹרֶה וּמַלְקוֹשׁ בְּאִבָּם פּוֹרְכִים כֹּֽחַ תֵּת בַּאֲבִיבִים רָבִּים כַּרְמֶל לְהַקְלִיא אָבִיב פֵּרוּכִים לְשַׁנֵּן מִפְעֲלוֹת מֵצִיץ מֵחֲרַכִּים לְפָנָיו קוֹרְאִים עִנְיַן אַרְבָּעָה עֲרָכִים׃ |
These are the blessed days! Early and late rain in its set time breaks out, Giving strength to the unripe grain, roasting the ripe ones to crunch. To drill in the deeds of the Gazer through the Windows,[8] Referring to God, who looks from heaven. before Them we read the matter of the four portions.[9] Referring to the four weeks up to Pesach with a special maftir — Sheqalim, Zakhor, Parah, and finally haḤodesh. |
אַרְבָּעָה עֲרָכִים אֲשַׁנְנָה סְפוֹר מִסּוֹת פִּרְחֵי שׁוֹשַׁנָּה כַּאֲשֶׁר שָׁמַֽעְנוּ כֵּן עוֹד חִישׁ נָא עַנְּגֵֽנוּ בְּנֹֽפֶשׁ בָּרִאשׁוֹן לְחׇדְשֵׁי הַשָּׁנָה׃ |
Four portions let me drill in, Telling the trials of the rose-bloom.[10] A poetic synonym for Israel. Just as we heard, so too help us please! Let us enjoy a breather in this first of the year’s months! |
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה מְקַדֵּשׁ הַשַּׁבָּת (בר׳׳ח: וְיִשְׂרָאֵל וְרָאשֵׁי חֳדָשִׁים)׃ |
Blessed are You, o Cause, who sanctifies the Sabbath (on Rosh Ḥodesh add: and Israel and new moons). |
רְצֵה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ בְּעַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל וּבִתְפִלָּתָם וְהָשֵׁב אֶת־הָעֲבוֹדָה לִדְבִיר בֵּיתֶֽךָ וְאִשֵּׁי יִשְׂרָאֵל וּתְפִלָּתָם בְּאַהֲבָה תְּקַבֵּל בְּרָצוֹן וּתְהִי לְרָצוֹן תָּמִיד עֲבוֹדַת יִשְׂרָאֵל עַמֶּֽךָ׃ וְתֶחֱזֶֽינָה עֵינֵֽינוּ בְּשׁוּבְךָ לְצִיּוֹן בְּרַחֲמִים — |
Desire, Cause our God, your people Israel and its prayers, and return the service to the sanctum of Your House, and the fires of Israel and its prayers, in love receive in desire, and may the service of Israel your people always be desired. And may our eyes behold Your return to Ẓíōn in compassion — |
וְלִירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם מוֹפַת הוּחַק בּוֹ כַּסוּת מֵעֵין כׇּל־חַי לְהִתְכַּסוֹת נְקָמוֹת אֲשֶׁר בְּלֵב מְכוּסוֹת נִתְכְּנוּ בְּמוֹעֵד זֶה הֱיוֹת טְכוּסוֹת שֶׂה לְבֵית אָבוֹת מְנוֹת בְּמִכְסוֹת סַבּוֹת עָלָיו עָסִים אַרְבַּע כּוֹסוֹת׃ |
And to Jerusalem are set this time’s miracles, hidden, from all life’s glare. The vengeance kept in the heart will in the end come in this month in full. One lamb per household will be given proportionally, assembled in the feast with four cups.[11] The paschal offering, with the seder. |
אַרְבַּע כּוֹסוֹת כְּבַמַּחֲזֶה בֵּאַֽרְתָּ זֶה מִזֶּה לַחוֹזֶה כַּאֲשֶׁר שָׁמַֽעְנוּ כֵּן עוֹד נֶחֱזֶה רְצֵנוּ כְשַׁי בַּחֹֽדֶשׁ הַזֶּה׃ |
Four cups as in the vision,[12] The vision referred to in this stanza is the one told to Joseph in Genesis 40:11-13. You explained directly to the Seer. As we heard, so may we yet see! Accept us as an offering in this month. |
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה הַמַּחֲזִיר שְׁכִינָתוֹ לְצִיּוֹן׃ |
Blessed are You, Cause, who returns Their presence to Ẓíōn. |
יחיד אומר: מוֹדִים אֲנַֽחְנוּ לָךְ שֶׁאַתָּה הוּא יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ אֱלֹהֵי כׇל־בָּשָׁר יוֹצְרֵֽנוּ יוֹצֵר בְּרֵאשִׁית׃ בְּרָכוֹת וְהוֹדָאוֹת לְשִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ עַל שֶׁהֶחֱיִיתָֽנוּ וְקִיַּמְתָּֽנוּ׃ כֵּן תְּחַיֵּֽנוּ וּתְקַיְּמֵֽנוּ וְתֶאֱסוֹף גָּלֻיּוֹתֵֽינוּ לְחַצְרוֹת קׇדְשֶֽׁךָ לִשְׁמֹר חֻקֶּֽיךָ וְלַעֲשׂוֹת רְצוֹנְךָ וּלְעׇבְדְךָ בְלֵבָֽב שָׁלֵם עַל שֶׁאֲנַֽחְנוּ מוֹדִים לָךְ׃ בָּרוּךְ אֵל הַהוֹדָאֽוֹת׃ |
An individual says: We are thankful for You, for You are the Cause our God and God of our ancestors, God of all flesh, our Maker, Maker of creation. Blessings and thanksgivings to Your Great and Holy Name, for You have given us life and held us up. So too may You give us life and hold us up and gather our exiled to Your holy courtyard to guard Your rules and do Your desire and serve You wholeheartedly, for which we thank You. Blessed is the God of thanksgiving. |
ש״ץ אומר: מוֹדִים אֲנַֽחְנוּ לָךְ שָׁאַתָּה הוּא יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד צוּר חַיֵּֽינוּ מָגֵן יִשְׁעֵֽנוּ אַתָּה הוּא לְדוֹר וָדוֹר׃ נוֹדֶה לְךָ וּנְסַפֵּר תְּהִלָּתֶֽךָ עַל חַיֵּינוּ הַמְּסוּרִים בְּיָדֶֽיךָ וְעַל נִשְׁמוֹתֵינוּ הַפְּקֻדּוֹת לָךְ וְעַל נִסֶּֽיךָ שֶׁבְּכׇל־יוֹם עִמָּֽנוּ וְעַל נִפְלְאוֹתֶֽיךָ וְטוֹבוֹתֶֽיךָ שֶׁבְּכׇל־עֵת עֶֽרֶב וָבֹֽקֶר וְצׇהֳרָֽיִם׃ הַטּוֹב כִּי לֹא כָלוּ רַחֲמֶֽיךָ וְהַמְרַחֵם כִּי לֹא תַֽמּוּ חֲסָדֶֽיךָ מֵעוֹלָם קִוִּֽינוּ לָךְ׃ וְעַל |
the precentor continues: We are thankful for You, for You are the Cause our God and God of our ancestors forever and ever. Fortress of our lives, Shield of our salvation are You. In each generation we give thanks to You and recount Your praises for our lives are placed in Your hands, and for our souls entrusted to You, and for Your miracles that are with us each day, and for Your wonders that are every evening and morning and afternoon. O Good One, whose compassion never ceases, Compassionate One, whose mercy never ends, forever we trust in You. And for all that, |
כֻּלָּם יִתְבָּרַךְ וְיִתְרוֹמַם שִׁמְךָ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ תָּמִיד לְעוֹלָם וָעֵד׃ וְכׇל־הַחַיִּים יוֹדֽוּךָ סֶּֽלָה וִיהַלְלוּ אֶת־שִׁמְךָ בֶּאֱמֶת הָאֵל יְשׁוּעָתֵֽנוּ וְעֶזְרָתֵֽנוּ סֶלָה — |
may Your Name be blessed and exalted, our Sovereign, forever and ever. And all life should thank You, selah, and praise Your Name in truth, God of our rescue and help, selah — |
מְבַשֵּׂ֥ר עַם זְכִיּוֹת עֲצוּרִים לְהַעֲלוֹת מְצוּל דָּכִיּוֹת פְּדוּיִם חִוָה בְּמַשְׂכִּיּוֹת פְּצֽוֹחַ שִׁירִים תְּמוּר בְּכִיּוֹת צִבְאוֹת כׇּל־חֶמְדַת שְׂכִיּוֹת צַאֲנָן יַצִּֽיעַ לְרוֹשֵׁשׁ אַרְבַּע מַלְכֻיּוֹת׃ |
A herald for the righteous people Will bring up the imprisoned from the horrid depths. Their liberation was described in wordplay. Breaking out in songs rather than weeping, Getting all the glorious multiudes. In Zaanan[13] According to the midrash, another term for Jerusalem They will reach out to crush the four kingdoms. |
אַרְבַּע מַלְכֻיּוֹת נָדוּשׁ נָא בְּמַדּוֹתְךָ פְּעֻלָּתָם כְּבָרִאשׁוֹנָה כַּאֲשֶׁר שָׁמַֽעְנוּ כֵּן עוֹד חִישׁ נָא וְתֵיטִיב לָֽנוּ בְּטוּבְךָ בָּרִאשׁוֹן לְחׇדְשֵׁי הַשָּׁנָה׃ |
Four kingdoms be trampled, please! Measure per measure repay them as of old. Just as we heard, so too help us please! Be good to us in goodness in this first of the year’s months! |
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה הַטּוֹב שִׁמְךָ וּלְךָ נָאֶה לְהוֹדוֹת׃ |
Blessed are You, Cause, whose Name is Good; to You thanks befits. |
אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ בָּרְכֵֽנוּ בַבְּרָכָה הַמְשֻׁלֶּֽשֶׁת בַּתּוֹרָה הַכְּתוּבָה עַל־יְדֵי מֹשֶׁה עַבְדֶּֽךָ הָאֲמוּרָה מִפִּי אַהֲרֹן וּבָנָיו כֹּהֲנִים עַם קְדוֹשֶֽׁךָ כָּאָמוּר׃ יְבָרֶכְךָ֥ יהו֖ה וְיִשְׁמְרֶֽךָ׃ יָאֵ֨ר יהו֧ה ׀ פָּנָ֛יו אֵלֶ֖יךָ וִֽיחֻנֶּֽךָּ׃ יִשָּׂ֨א יהו֤ה ׀ פָּנָיו֙ אֵלֶ֔יךָ וְיָשֵׂ֥ם לְךָ֖ שָׁלֽוֹם׃ |
Our God and God of our ancestors, bless us with the tripartite blessing in the Teaching, written by the hand of Moses Your servant, spoken by the mouth of Aaron and his children, priests, Your holy people, as said: The Cause bless and keep you. The Cause shine Their face on you and grace you. The Cause turn Their face to you and give you peace.[14] In the diaspora, recited as here, by the cantor. In Israel, recited by the priests. |
שִׂים שָׁלוֹם טוֹבָה וּבְרָכָה חֵן וָחֶֽסֶד וְרַחֲמִים עָלֵֽינוּ וְעַל־כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל עַמֶּֽךָ׃ בָּרֲכֵֽנוּ אָבִֽינוּ כֻּלָּֽנוּ כְּאֶחָד בְּאוֹר פָּנֶֽיךָ כִּי בְאוֹר פָּנֶֽיךָ נָתַתָּ לָּֽנוּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ תּוֹרַת חַיִּים וְאַהֲבַת חֶֽסֶד וּצְדָקָה וּבְרָכָה וְרַחֲמִים וְחַיִּים וְשָׁלוֹם׃ וְטוֹב בְּעֵינֶֽיךָ לְבָרֵךְ אֶת־עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּכׇל־עֵת וּבְכׇל־שָׁעָה בִּשְׁלוֹמֶֽךָ — |
Grant peace, goodness, blessing, grace, mercy, and compassion, on us and on all Israel Your people. Bless us, our Parent, all of us as one, in the light of Your Face, for in the light of Your Face You have given us, o Cause our God, living Torah, and love of mercy, and justice, and blessing, and compassion, and life, and peace. And may it be good in Your eyes to bless Your people Israel at all times and in every hour with Your peace— |
אֶתֵּֽן קוֹל כְּשׁוֹרְרוּ רָאשִׁים קְרוֹא בְּגָרוֹן בְּגֵיא הַחֲרָשִׁים רָאשֵׁי תַנִינִים אֲשֶׁר עַל־גַבִּי הָיוּ חוֹרְשִׁים רְאוֹתָם בְּזֶה חֹֽדֶשׁ מְגוֹרָשִׁים שִׁיר חָדָשׁ וְהֶגֶא מִדְרָשִׁים תְּרַנֵּנָה שְׂפָתַי בְּשׁוּרִי אַרְבָּעָה חֳרָשִׁים׃ |
I will bring my full voice as when the chieftains[15] Namely, Moses and Aaron. sang. Call out full-throatedly in the Valley of the Experts.[16] The Sanhedrin’s quarters. The heads of the dragons who had pressed on my back will be seen in this month, pulverized. A new song and speculative interpretation will my lips sing out when I see the four craftsmen.[17] Mentioned in Zechariah 2:3. In the Talmud Bavli, Sukkah 52b, they are said to be the Davidide messiah, the Josephide messiah, Elijah, and the Righteous Priest. |
אַרְבָּעָה חֳרָשִׁים כְּבַמַּחֲזֶה בֵּאַֽרְתָּ זֶה מִזֶּה לַחוֹזֶה כַּאֲשֶׁר שָׁמַֽעְנוּ כֵּן עוֹד נֶחֱזֶה בָּרְכֵֽנוּ בְּשָׁלוֹם בַּחֹֽדֶשׁ הַזֶּה׃ |
Four craftsmen as in the vision,[18] The vision referred to in this stanza is the one told to Zechariah in Zechariah 2:1—4. You explained directly to the Seer. As we heard, so may we yet see! Bless us with peace in this month. |
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה הַמְבָרֵךְ אֶת־עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל בַּשָּׁלוֹם׃ |
Blessed are You, Cause, who blesses Their people Israel with peace. |
Notes
| 1 | The entire poem is based on Isaiah 41:27 — “First to Ẓíōn, behold here they are! And to Jerusalem, a herald I send.” The word “first” here is recontextualized to refer to Nisan, the first month. |
|---|---|
| 2 | A poetic synonym for Israel. |
| 3 | Namely, the Patriarchs. |
| 4 | According to the commentators, referring to both the Oral and Written law. |
| 5 | Namely, Moses. |
| 6 | Nisan. |
| 7 | The Messiah |
| 8 | Referring to God, who looks from heaven. |
| 9 | Referring to the four weeks up to Pesach with a special maftir — Sheqalim, Zakhor, Parah, and finally haḤodesh. |
| 10 | A poetic synonym for Israel. |
| 11 | The paschal offering, with the seder. |
| 12 | The vision referred to in this stanza is the one told to Joseph in Genesis 40:11-13. |
| 13 | According to the midrash, another term for Jerusalem |
| 14 | In the diaspora, recited as here, by the cantor. In Israel, recited by the priests. |
| 15 | Namely, Moses and Aaron. |
| 16 | The Sanhedrin’s quarters. |
| 17 | Mentioned in Zechariah 2:3. In the Talmud Bavli, Sukkah 52b, they are said to be the Davidide messiah, the Josephide messiah, Elijah, and the Righteous Priest. |
| 18 | The vision referred to in this stanza is the one told to Zechariah in Zechariah 2:1—4. |
“קרובות למוסף שבת החודש | Ḳerovot for Musaf Shabbat haḤodesh 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.
Leave a Reply