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Tefilat haShir refers to an ancient (perhaps dating back to the Temple era!) custom of reciting the fifteen psalms of ascents (Psalms 120 to 134) before Psuqei d’Zimra. First identified as a unique segment of the Eretz-Yisrael rite by Prof. Ezra Fleischer z”l, this custom was so beloved by the Jews who followed the western rite that long after the rest of its prayer traditions were abandoned it was preserved by the Western-rite Jews of Cairo (see Vered Raziel-Kretzmer, “How Late was the Palestinian Rite Practiced in Egypt?” Tarbiz 85 [2018], heb.)
Tefilat haShir was preserved in variant forms in several other communities. For instance, it is found in the Maḥzor Aram Ṣoba, published in 1560 for use of the Musta’aravi Jews of Aleppo. It is also found in the Krymchak variant of the Romaniote rite, also known as Minhag Kaffa. In both cases it would be recited exclusively on sabbaths and festivals. (Note that this was not the case in the old Eretz Yisrael rite, where it was a daily practice!)
The Kaffa and Aram Ṣoba forms of the Tefilat haShir cycle are very similar, with a few differences in the introduction and the ending. Their core is the fifteen songs of ascents, interlaced with linking verses from elsewhere in Tanakh featuring a Leitwort (theme-word) related to the psalm. Both are included here, with color coding for substantial differences and footnotes to mark minor distinctions.
In Minhag Kaffa, as printed in 1735, the Birkat haShir cycle is inserted after the morning Torah study cycle. In the Maḥzor Aram Ṣoba, it is the beginning of the service, the first thing recited in the synagogue after monring blessings, and consequently inserted before the Torah study cycle.
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) |
|---|---|
The elaborate introduction to the cycle found in the Maḥzor Aram Ṣoba: | |
וְאֵ֛לֶּה דִּבְרֵ֥י דָוִ֖ד הָאַחֲרֹנִ֑ים נְאֻ֧ם דָּוִ֣ד בֶּן־יִשַׁ֗י וּנְאֻ֤ם הַגֶּ֙בֶר֙ הֻ֣קַם עָ֔ל מְשִׁ֙יחַ֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יַעֲקֹ֔ב וּנְעִ֖ים זְמִר֥וֹת יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (שמואל ב׳ כג:א) |
And these are the last words of David! Quoth David son of Jesse, and quoth the man raised on high, anointed by Jacob’s God, and sweet singer of Israel. (II Samuel 23:1) |
אַנְעִים זְמִירוֹת לְאַדִּיר וְנוֹרָא בְּמַאֲמָרוֹ הַכֹּל בָּרָא גָּ֥וֹל אַתָּ֛ה וְגָד֥וֹל שִׁמְךָ֖ בִּגְבוּרָֽה (ירמיה י:ו) דְּבָרְךָ נִצָּב בַּשָּׁמַֽיִם עֶלְיוֹן וְנוֹרָא |
Allow me to sweetly sing to the Noble and Awesome By whose word all was created. Great are You, and great is Your name in might! (Jeremiah 10:6) Dicta of Yours stand in heaven, high and awesome! |
הַיּוֹדֵֽעַ וָעֵד מִי־יֹאמַר דַּרְכִּי נִסְתָּֽרָה וְאַתָּה אֱלֹֽהַּ סְלִיחוֹת עֹז לְכַפָּרָה זְדוֹנֵֽנוּ הַעֲבֵֽר בְּסוּרֵֽנוּ כַּפָּרָה סֹרֵרָה חוּס וְרַחֵם עַל עַם נְשׂוּאֵי אֶבְרָה |
Ever-knowing Witness! Who says “my path is hidden” when You are the Sole God of forgiving, strong in atoning? Zero out our willful sins in our straying; atone for the wayward! Have mercy and compassion on the people lifted by wings! |
ט֣וֹב יְהֹוָ֔ה לְמָע֖וֹז בְּי֣וֹם צָרָ֑ה (נחום א:ז) יָהּ הַצִּילֵֽנוּ מֵאַף וְחָרָה כַּנֵּס נְדוּחֵי שֶׂה פְּזוּרָה |
To be a refuge on a stressful day, the Cause is good. (Naḥum 1:7) Yah! Save us from wrath and rage! Compile the exiles of the scattered sheep. |
לְמַֽעַן שִׁמְךָ הָאֵל הַגָּדוֹל הַגִּבּוֹר וְהַנּוֹרָא מֶֽלֶךְ אַדִּיר וְנוֹרָא נַאֲקָתֵֽנוּ קְשֹׁב נֶאְזָר בִּגְבוּרָה שׂוֹטְנֵֽנוּ וְצוֹרְרֵֽנוּ תַּפִּיל בְּזַֽעַם וְעֶבְרָה |
Look to Your name, great, mighty, awesomeDeity, Majestic and awesome Sovereign! Notice our groaning, Girt in Might! Splatter our adversaries and foes in ire and fury! |
עָמַֽדְנוּ בְּבַקָּשָׁה לְפָנֶֽיךָ אָיֹם וְנוֹרָא פְּנֵה אֵלֵֽינוּ כִּי אֲֽנַחְנוּ בְּצָרָה צְרוּרָה צוּר כִּי שִׁמְךָ עָלֵֽינוּ נִקְרָא קָרֵב קִצֵּֽנוּ וְיִשְׁעֵֽנוּ לְהָאִירָה רָם הוֹצִיאֵֽנוּ מֵחֲשֵׁכָה לְאוֹרָה |
O Terrific and Awesome, we stand before You in pleas. Face us, for we are wrapped up in stress! Charged with Your name are we, o Rock. Quicken our fate and salvation to enlighten! Remove us, Lofty One, from darkness to light! |
שַׁדַּי שׁוֹכֵן שְׁמֵי שִׁפְרָה וְעִמֵּהּ שְׁרֵי נְהוֹרָא שְׁעֵה שַׁוְעַת שׂוֹרְרֵי שִׁיר וְהַלֵּל מִפִּי עַם נִבְרָא תַּבַּֽעְנָה שְׂפָתֵֽינוּ תְּהִלָּה בְּתוֹדָה וְקוֹל זִמְרָה׃ |
Sheltering in the auratic heavens, the Surveyor with whom light abides.[1] ”With whom light abides” is in Aramaic, a borrowing from Daniel 2:22 Show heed to the song-singers’s cry and praise from the created people’s mouth. Thanks, praise, and the sound of song will burst from our lips. |
כַּכָּתוּב – תַּבַּ֣עְנָה שְׂפָתַ֣י תְּהִלָּ֑ה כִּ֖י תְלַמְּדֵ֣נִי חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃ תַּ֣עַן לְ֭שׁוֹנִי אִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ כִּ֖י כׇל־מִצְוֺתֶ֣יךָ צֶּֽדֶק׃ תְּהִי־יָדְךָ֥ לְעׇזְרֵ֑נִי כִּ֖י פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ בָחָֽרְתִּי׃ תָּאַ֣בְתִּי לִישׁוּעָתְךָ֣ יְהֹוָ֑ה וְ֝ת֥וֹרָתְךָ֗ שַׁעֲשֻׁעָֽי׃ תְּֽחִי־נַ֭פְשִׁי וּֽתְהַלְﬞלֶ֑ךָּ וּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥ךָ יַעְזְרֻֽנִי׃ תָּעִ֗יתִי כְּשֶׂ֣ה אֹ֭בֵד בַּקֵּ֣שׁ עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ כִּ֥י מִ֝צְוֺתֶ֗יךָ לֹ֣א שָׁכָֽחְתִּי׃ (תהלים קיט:קעא-קעו) |
As it is written: Thus my lips will burst with praise, for You taught me Your laws. Thoughts of You will my tongue call, for all Your commandments are justice. That Your hand be my help! For Your testimonies I chose. Thirsting am I for Your salvation, Cause, and Your teaching is my delight. That my soul live and praise You, and You justice help me! Though like a lost sheep I strayed, search out Your servant, for Your commandments I have not forgotten. (Psalms 119:171–176) |
לְהַגִּ֣יד בַּבֹּ֣קֶר חַסְדֶּ֑ךָ וֶ֝אֱמֽוּנָתְךָ֗ בַּלֵּילֽוֹת׃ (תהלים צב:ג) יְֽהֹוָ֗ה בֹּ֖קֶר תִּשְׁמַ֣ע קוֹלִ֑י בֹּ֥קֶר אֶֽעֱרׇךְ־לְ֝ךָ֗ וַאֲצַפֶּֽה׃ (תהלים ה:ד) וַאֲנִ֤י ׀ אֵלֶ֣יךָ יְהֹוָ֣ה שִׁוַּ֑עְתִּי וּ֝בַבֹּ֗קֶר תְּֽפִלָּתִ֥י תְקַדְּמֶֽךָּ׃ (תהלים פג:יד) וּ֭לְשׁוֹנִי תֶּהְגֶּ֣ה צִדְקֶ֑ךָ כׇּל־הַ֝יּוֹם תְּהִלָּתֶֽךָ׃ (תהלים לה:כח) אָשִׁ֤ירָה נָּא֙ לִֽידִידִ֔י שִׁירַ֥ת דּוֹדִ֖י לְכַרְמ֑וֹ כֶּ֛רֶם הָיָ֥ה לִֽידִידִ֖י בְּקֶ֥רֶן בֶּן־שָֽׁמֶן׃ (ישעיה ה:א) בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא יוּשַׁ֥ר הַשִּׁיר־הַזֶּ֖ה בְּאֶ֣רֶץ יְהוּדָ֑ה עִ֣יר עׇז־לָ֔נוּ יְשׁוּעָ֥ה יָשִׁ֖ית חוֹמ֥וֹת וָחֵֽל׃ (ישעיה כו:א) שִׁ֥יר הַשִּׁירִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר לִשְׁלֹמֹֽה׃ (שיר השירים א:א) וַאֲנִ֤י ׀ אָשִׁ֣יר עֻזֶּךָ֮ וַאֲרַנֵּ֥ן לַבֹּ֗קֶר חַ֫סְדֶּ֥ךָ כִּֽי־הָיִ֣יתָ מִשְׂגָּ֣ב לִ֑י וּ֝מָנ֗וֹס בְּי֣וֹם צַר־לִֽי׃ (תהלים נט:יז) |
To tell in the morning Your mercy, and Your faithfulness at night. (Psalms 92:3) O Cause, in the morning hear my voice, in the morning I set before You and wait. (Psalms 5:4) And I cry out to You, Cause, and in the morning my prayer goes before You. (Psalms 88:14) And my tongue pronounces Your justice, all day Your praise. (Psalms 35:28) Let me sing, please, of my beloved, a song of my beloved, for his vineyard; a vineyard my beloved had on the rich hill. (Isaiah 5:1) On that day will this song be sung in the land of Judah: a strong city is ours! Salvation set, walls and forts. (Isaiah 26:1) The song of songs that is Solomon’s. (Song of Songs 1:1) And as for me, I sing Your strength, and I cheer for the morning Your mercy, for You were my refuge and shelter on a stressful day of mine. (Psalms 59:17) |
The catena introduction found in Minhag Kaffa: | |
וְאֵ֛לֶּה דִּבְרֵ֥י דָוִ֖ד הָאַחֲרֹנִ֑ים נְאֻ֧ם דָּוִ֣ד בֶּן־יִשַׁ֗י וּנְאֻ֤ם הַגֶּ֙בֶר֙ הֻ֣קַם עָ֔ל מְשִׁ֙יחַ֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יַעֲקֹ֔ב וּנְעִ֖ים זְמִר֥וֹת יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ ר֥וּחַ יְהֹוָ֖ה דִּבֶּר־בִּ֑י וּמִלָּת֖וֹ עַל־לְשׁוֹנִֽי׃ (שמואל ב׳ כג:א-ב) וַאֲנִ֤י ׀ אָשִׁ֣יר עֻזֶּךָ֮ וַאֲרַנֵּ֥ן לַבֹּ֗קֶר חַ֫סְדֶּ֥ךָ כִּֽי־הָיִ֣יתָ מִשְׂגָּ֣ב לִ֑י וּ֝מָנ֗וֹס בְּי֣וֹם צַר־לִֽי׃ (תהלים נט:יז) בַּצַּר־לִ֤י ׀ אֶ֥קְרָ֣א יְהֹוָה֮ וְאֶל־אֱלֹהַ֢י אֲשַׁ֫וֵּ֥עַ יִשְׁמַ֣ע מֵהֵיכָל֣וֹ קוֹלִ֑י וְ֝שַׁוְעָתִ֗י לְפָנָ֤יו ׀ תָּב֬וֹא בְאׇזְנָֽיו׃ (תהלים יח:ז) יְהֹוָ֖ה לְהוֹשִׁיעֵ֑נִי וּנְגִנוֹתַ֧י נְנַגֵּ֛ן כׇּל־יְמֵ֥י חַיֵּ֖ינוּ עַל־בֵּ֥ית יְהֹוָֽה׃ (ישעיה לח:כ) שִׁמְע֣וּ מְלָכִ֔ים הַאֲזִ֖ינוּ רֹֽזְנִ֑ים אָנֹכִ֗י לַֽיהֹוָה֙ אָנֹכִ֣י אָשִׁ֔ירָה אֲזַמֵּ֕ר לַֽיהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (שופטים ה:ג) |
And these are the last words of David! Quoth David son of Jesse, and quoth the man raised on high, anointed by Jacob’s God, and sweet singer of Israel. The Cause’s spirit spoke in me, and Their word on my tongue. (II Samuel 23:1–2) And as for me, I sing Your strength, and I cheer for the morning Your mercy, for You were my refuge and shelter on a stressful day of mine. (Psalms 59:17) In my stress I call to the Cause, and to my God I cry; They hear my voice from Their palace, and my cry before Them comes into Their ears. (Psalms 18:7) The Cause to save me, and my harmonies we will harmonize all the days of our lives to the house of the Cause. (Isaiah 38:20) Hear, kings; give ear, princes! As for me, to the Cause, as for me, let me sing, I will hymn to the Cause, God of Israel. (Judges 5:3) |
תהלים קכ |
Psalms 120 |
שִׁ֗יר הַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת |
A song of ascents. |
אֶל־יְ֭הֹוָה בַּצָּרָ֣תָה לִּ֑י קָ֝רָ֗אתִי וַֽיַּעֲנֵֽנִי׃ יְֽהֹוָ֗ה הַצִּ֣ילָה נַ֭פְשִׁי מִשְּׂפַת־שֶׁ֑קֶר מִלָּשׁ֥וֹן רְמִיָּֽה׃ מַה־יִּתֵּ֣ן לְ֭ךָ וּמַה־יֹּסִ֥יף לָ֗ךְ לָשׁ֥וֹן רְמִיָּֽה׃ חִצֵּ֣י גִבּ֣וֹר שְׁנוּנִ֑ים עִ֗֝ם גַּחֲלֵ֥י רְתָמִֽים׃ |
To the Cause in the strife I faced, I called and They answered. Cause, redeem my being from lying lips, from slippery tongue! What can you get, what can you gain, o slippery tongue? Warrior’s arrows, sharpened, hot coals of bramble. |
אֽוֹיָה־לִ֭י כִּי־גַ֣רְתִּי מֶ֑שֶׁךְ שָׁ֝כַ֗נְתִּי עִֽם־אׇהֳלֵ֥י קֵדָֽר׃ רַ֭בַּת שָֽׁכְנָה־לָּ֣הּ נַפְשִׁ֑י עִ֗֝ם שׂוֹנֵ֥א שָׁלֽוֹם׃ אֲֽנִי־שָׁ֭לוֹם וְכִ֣י אֲדַבֵּ֑ר הֵ֗֝מָּה לַמִּלְחָמָֽה׃ |
Woe is me, for I dwell in Meshekh, that I live with the nomads’ tents! So long I myself have lived here, with those who hate peace. I am “Peace!” but as I speak, they are for war. |
וְר֣וּחַ לָֽבְשָׁ֗ה אֶת־עֲמָשַׂי֮ רֹ֣אשׁ [השלושים] הַשָּׁלִישִׁים֒ לְךָ֤ דָוִיד֙ וְעִמְּךָ֣ בֶן־יִשַׁ֔י שָׁל֨וֹם ׀ שָׁל֜וֹם לְךָ֗ וְשָׁלוֹם֙ לְעֹ֣זְרֶ֔ךָ כִּ֥י עֲזָֽרְךָ֖ אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ וַיְקַבְּלֵ֣ם דָּוִ֔יד וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֖ם בְּרָאשֵׁ֥י הַגְּדֽוּד׃ (דברי הימים א׳ יב:יט) בּוֹרֵ֖א [נוב] נִ֣יב שְׂפָתָ֑יִם שָׁל֨וֹם ׀ שָׁל֜וֹם לָרָח֧וֹק וְלַקָּר֛וֹב אָמַ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה וּרְפָאתִֽיו׃ (ישעיה נז:יט) |
And a spirit enwrapped Amashai, head of the adjutants: “To you, David, and to your people, Jesses’s on, peace! Peace to you, and peace to your Helper, for your God helped you!” And David welcomed them and set them at the head of the troop. (I Chronicles 12:19) Creator of the speech of lips — peace, peace to the near and far! — said the Cause — and I will heal him. (Isaiah 57:19)[2] This verse only found in Maḥzor Aram Ṣoba. |
תהלים קכא |
Psalms 121 |
שִׁ֗יר לַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת |
A song for ascents. |
אֶשָּׂ֣א עֵ֭ינַי אֶל־הֶהָרִ֑ים מֵ֝אַ֗יִן יָבֹ֥א עֶזְרִֽי׃ עֶ֭זְרִי מֵעִ֣ם יְהֹוָ֑ה עֹ֝שֵׂ֗ה שָׁמַ֥יִם וָאָֽרֶץ׃ אַל־יִתֵּ֣ן לַמּ֣וֹט רַגְלֶ֑ךָ אַל־יָ֝נ֗וּם שֹׁמְרֶֽךָ׃ הִנֵּ֣ה לֹֽא־יָ֭נוּם וְלֹ֣א יִישָׁ֑ן שׁ֝וֹמֵ֗ר יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ יְהֹוָ֥ה שֹׁמְרֶ֑ךָ יְהֹוָ֥ה צִ֝לְּךָ֗ עַל־יַ֥ד יְמִינֶֽךָ׃ יוֹמָ֗ם הַשֶּׁ֥מֶשׁ לֹֽא־יַכֶּ֗כָּה וְיָרֵ֥חַ בַּלָּֽיְלָה׃ יְֽהֹוָ֗ה יִשְׁמׇרְךָ֥ מִכׇּל־רָ֑ע יִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר אֶת־נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃ יְֽהֹוָ֗ה יִשְׁמׇר־צֵאתְךָ֥ וּבוֹאֶ֑ךָ מֵ֝עַתָּ֗ה וְעַד־עוֹלָֽם׃ |
I lift my eyes to the mountains — from where will my help come? My help is from with the Cause, Maker of heaven and earth. They will not let your foot slip; your Guardian does not slumber. Hey, neither slumbering nor sleeping is Israel’s Guardian! The Cause is your guardian, the Cause is the shade on your right hand. By day the sun will not strike you, nor the moon by night. The Cause will guard you from all evil, will guard your life. The Cause will guard your goings and comings from now and forevermore. |
וְהָיָ֣ה ׀ בְּאַחֲרִ֣ית הַיָּמִ֗ים נָכ֨וֹן יִֽהְיֶ֜ה הַ֤ר בֵּית־יְהֹוָה֙ בְּרֹ֣אשׁ הֶהָרִ֔ים וְנִשָּׂ֖א מִגְּבָע֑וֹת וְנָהֲר֥וּ אֵלָ֖יו כׇּל־הַגּוֹיִֽם׃ וְֽהָלְכ֞וּ עַמִּ֣ים רַבִּ֗ים וְאָֽמְרוּ֙ לְכ֣וּ ׀ וְנַעֲלֶ֣ה אֶל־הַר־יְהֹוָ֗ה אֶל־בֵּית֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יַעֲקֹ֔ב וְיֹרֵ֙נוּ֙ מִדְּרָכָ֔יו וְנֵלְכָ֖ה בְּאֹרְחֹתָ֑יו כִּ֤י מִצִּיּוֹן֙ תֵּצֵ֣א תוֹרָ֔ה וּדְבַר־יְהֹוָ֖ה מִירוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ (ישעיה ב:ב-ג) |
And at the end of days will the mountain of the house of the Cause be properly at the head of mountains, and raised over hills, and all the nations will stream towards it. And many peoples will walk and say, “Let’s go ascend to the mountain of the Cause, to the house of Jacob’s God, and we wil learn from Their ways and walk in Their paths!” For from Zion will come teaching, and the word of the Cause from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:2–3) |
תהלים קכב |
Psalms 122 |
שִׁ֥יר הַֽמַּעֲל֗וֹת לְדָ֫וִ֥ד |
A song of ascents, David’s. |
שָׂ֭מַחְתִּי בְּאֹמְרִ֣ים לִ֑י בֵּ֖ית יְהֹוָ֣ה נֵלֵֽךְ׃ עֹ֭מְדוֹת הָי֣וּ רַגְלֵ֑ינוּ בִּ֝שְׁעָרַ֗יִךְ יְרוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ יְרוּשָׁלַ֥͏ִם הַבְּנוּיָ֑ה כְּ֝עִ֗יר שֶׁחֻבְּרָה־לָּ֥הּ יַחְדָּֽו׃ שֶׁשָּׁ֨ם עָל֪וּ שְׁבָטִ֡ים שִׁבְטֵי־יָ֭הּ עֵד֣וּת לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל לְ֝הֹד֗וֹת לְשֵׁ֣ם יְהֹוָֽה׃ כִּ֤י שָׁ֨מָּה ׀ יָשְׁב֣וּ כִסְא֣וֹת לְמִשְׁפָּ֑ט כִּ֝סְא֗וֹת לְבֵ֣ית דָּוִֽד׃ |
I rejoiced when they said to me, “To the house of the Cause we go up!” Our feet were standing in your gates, Jerusalem. Jerusalem, built up like a city knit together. For there the tribes ascended; the tribes of Yah, witnesses for Israel to give thanks to the name of the Cause. For there sat the thrones of judgement, the thrones of the house of David. |
שַׁ֭אֲלוּ שְׁל֣וֹם יְרוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם יִ֝שְׁלָ֗יוּ אֹהֲבָֽיִךְ׃ יְהִי־שָׁל֥וֹם בְּחֵילֵ֑ךְ שַׁ֝לְוָ֗ה בְּאַרְמְנוֹתָֽיִךְ׃ לְ֭מַעַן אַחַ֣י וְרֵעָ֑י אֲדַבְּרָה־נָּ֖א שָׁל֣וֹם בָּֽךְ׃ לְ֭מַעַן בֵּית־יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ אֲבַקְשָׁ֖ה ט֣וֹב לָֽךְ׃ |
Seek the peace of Jerusalem; may those who love you be at peace. May there be peace within your walls, prosperity in your palaces. For the sake of my siblings and comrades, I wish to speak, please, of your peace. For the sake of the House of the Cause our God, I request good for you. |
כִּֽי־לִ֤י בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ עֲבָדִ֔ים עֲבָדַ֣י הֵ֔ם אֲשֶׁר־הוֹצֵ֥אתִי אוֹתָ֖ם מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם אֲנִ֖י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ (ויקרא כה:נה) כִּֽי־עֲבָדַ֣י הֵ֔ם אֲשֶׁר־הוֹצֵ֥אתִי אֹתָ֖ם מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם לֹ֥א יִמָּכְר֖וּ מִמְכֶּ֥רֶת עָֽבֶד׃ (ויקרא כה:מב) נַחְפְּשָׂ֤ה דְרָכֵ֙ינוּ֙ וְֽנַחְקֹ֔רָה וְנָשׁ֖וּבָה עַד־יְהֹוָֽה׃ נִשָּׂ֤א לְבָבֵ֙נוּ֙ אֶל־כַּפָּ֔יִם אֶל־אֵ֖ל בַּשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ (איכה ג:מ-מא) |
[3] Two notes: (1) from here on, the bolded Leitworte of the catena correspond to the following psalm rather than the previous. (2) These verses, as well as the entirely of Psalm 123, are entirely missing from the Maḥzor Aram Ṣoba. For Mine are the children of Israel, servants, My servants they are, whom I took from the land of Egypt; I am the Cause your God. (Leviticus 25:55) For My servants are they, whom I took from the land of Egypt; not to be sold for a servant’s price. (Leviticus 25:42) Let us search and investigate our ways and return to the Cause. Let us lift up our hearts in our palms to the Deity in heaven. (Lamentations 3:40–41) |
תהלים קכג |
Psalms 123 |
שִׁ֗יר הַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת |
A song of ascents. |
אֵ֭לֶיךָ נָשָׂ֣אתִי אֶת־עֵינַ֑י הַ֝יֹּשְׁבִ֗י בַּשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ הִנֵּ֨ה כְעֵינֵ֪י עֲבָדִ֡ים אֶל־יַ֤ד אֲֽדוֹנֵיהֶ֗ם כְּעֵינֵ֣י שִׁפְחָה֮ אֶל־יַ֢ד גְּבִ֫רְתָּ֥הּ כֵּ֣ן עֵ֭ינֵינוּ אֶל־יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ עַ֗֝ד שֶׁיְּחׇנֵּֽנוּ׃ |
To You I raise my eyes, the Dweller in heaven. Hey, like the eyes of servants to their masters’ hands, like the eyes of a maid to her mistress’s hand, thus our eyes are to the Cause our God until They grace us. |
חׇנֵּ֣נוּ יְהֹוָ֣ה חׇנֵּ֑נוּ כִּי־רַ֗֝ב שָׂבַ֥עְנוּ בֽוּז׃ רַבַּת֮ שָֽׂבְעָה־לָּ֢הּ נַ֫פְשֵׁ֥נוּ הַלַּ֥עַג הַשַּׁאֲנַנִּ֑ים הַ֝בּ֗וּז [לגאיונים] לִגְאֵ֥י יוֹנִֽים׃ |
Grace us, Cause, grace us, for we are so sated with contempt. Greatly sated are our souls with the mocking of the complacent, the contempt of the arrogant-oppressors. |
לוּלֵ֡י אֱלֹהֵ֣י אָבִי֩ אֱלֹהֵ֨י אַבְרָהָ֜ם וּפַ֤חַד יִצְחָק֙ הָ֣יָה לִ֔י כִּ֥י עַתָּ֖ה רֵיקָ֣ם שִׁלַּחְתָּ֑נִי אֶת־עׇנְיִ֞י וְאֶת־יְגִ֧יעַ כַּפַּ֛י רָאָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים וַיּ֥וֹכַח אָֽמֶשׁ׃ (בראשית לא:מב) |
Were it not for the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, being mine, you would have now sent me off empty! My poverty and the toil of my hands God saw and decided last night. (Genesis 31:42) |
תהלים קכד |
Psalms 124 |
שִׁ֥יר הַֽמַּעֲל֗וֹת לְדָ֫וִ֥ד |
A song of ascents, David’s. |
לוּלֵ֣י יְ֭הֹוָה שֶׁהָ֣יָה לָ֑נוּ יֹאמַר־נָ֗֝א יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ לוּלֵ֣י יְ֭הֹוָה שֶׁהָ֣יָה לָ֑נוּ בְּק֖וּם עָלֵ֣ינוּ אָדָֽם׃ אֲ֭זַי חַיִּ֣ים בְּלָע֑וּנוּ בַּחֲר֖וֹת אַפָּ֣ם בָּֽנוּ׃ אֲ֭זַי הַמַּ֣יִם שְׁטָפ֑וּנוּ נַ֗֝חְלָה עָבַ֥ר עַל־נַפְשֵֽׁנוּ׃ אֲ֭זַי עָבַ֣ר עַל־נַפְשֵׁ֑נוּ הַ֝מַּ֗יִם הַזֵּידוֹנִֽים׃ בָּר֥וּךְ יְהֹוָ֑ה שֶׁלֹּ֥א נְתָנָ֥נוּ טֶ֗֝רֶף לְשִׁנֵּיהֶֽם׃ נַפְשֵׁ֗נוּ כְּצִפּ֥וֹר נִמְלְטָה֮ מִפַּ֢ח י֫וֹקְשִׁ֥ים הַפַּ֥ח נִשְׁבָּ֗ר וַאֲנַ֥חְנוּ נִמְלָֽטְנוּ׃ עֶ֭זְרֵנוּ בְּשֵׁ֣ם יְהֹוָ֑ה עֹ֝שֵׂ֗ה שָׁמַ֥יִם וָאָֽרֶץ׃ |
Were it not for the Cause who has been ours — Israel should say — were it not for the Cause who has been ours when a mortal rises against us, then we would have been swallowed alive in their furious rage at us; then the water would have swept us away, the torrent would pass over our necks, then the raging waters would pass over our necks. Blessed be the Cause who did not give us to be prey to their teeth. Our neck is like a bird escaping from a fowler’s trap, the trap shattered, we escaped. Our help is in the name of the Cause, Maker of heaven and earth. |
בָּר֣וּךְ הַגֶּ֔בֶר אֲשֶׁ֥ר יִבְטַ֖ח בַּיהֹוָ֑ה וְהָיָ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה מִבְטַחֽוֹ׃ (ירמיה יז:ז) בִּטְח֥וּ בַיהֹוָ֖ה עֲדֵי־עַ֑ד כִּ֚י בְּיָ֣הּ יְהֹוָ֔ה צ֖וּר עוֹלָמִֽים׃ (ישעיה כו:ד) וְיִבְטְח֣וּ בְ֭ךָ יוֹדְעֵ֣י שְׁמֶ֑ךָ כִּ֤י לֹֽא־עָזַ֖בְתָּ דֹרְשֶׁ֣יךָ יְהֹוָֽה׃ (תהלים ט:יא) |
Blessed be the man who trusts in the Cause, and for whom the Cause is his trust. (Jeremiah 17:7) Trust in the Cause forever and aye, for in Yah the Cause is the rock of eternities. (Isaiah 26:4) And those who know Your name trust in You, for You have not abandoned those who seek You out, Cause. (Psalms 9:11)[4] This verse only found in Minhag Kaffa. |
תהלים קכה |
Psalms 125 |
שִׁ֗יר הַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת |
A song of ascents. |
הַבֹּטְחִ֥ים בַּיהֹוָ֑ה כְּֽהַר־צִיּ֥וֹן לֹא־יִ֝מּ֗וֹט לְעוֹלָ֥ם יֵשֵֽׁב׃ יְֽרוּשָׁלַ֗͏ִם הָרִים֮ סָבִ֢יב לָ֥֫הּ וַ֭יהֹוָה סָבִ֣יב לְעַמּ֑וֹ מֵ֝עַתָּ֗ה וְעַד־עוֹלָֽם׃ |
Those trusting in the Cause are like Mount Zion, unshaking, forever dwelling. Jerusalem, mountains surround her; and the Cause surrounds Their people from now and forevermore. |
כִּ֤י לֹ֪א יָנ֡וּחַ שֵׁ֤בֶט הָרֶ֗שַׁע עַל֮ גּוֹרַ֢ל הַֽצַּדִּ֫יקִ֥ים לְמַ֡עַן לֹא־יִשְׁלְח֖וּ הַצַּדִּיקִ֨ים בְּעַוְלָ֬תָה יְדֵיהֶֽם׃ הֵיטִ֣יבָה יְ֭הֹוָה לַטּוֹבִ֑ים וְ֝לִישָׁרִ֗ים בְּלִבּוֹתָֽם׃ וְהַמַּטִּ֤ים עֲֽקַלְקַלּוֹתָ֗ם יוֹלִיכֵ֣ם יְ֭הֹוָה אֶת־פֹּעֲלֵ֣י הָאָ֑וֶן שָׁ֝ל֗וֹם עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ |
For the staff of the wicked will never rest on the lot of the righteous — in that the righteous not set their hands to iniquity. Do good, Cause, to the good, and the upright-hearted. But the bent in their crookedness, the Cause will lead them by their wicked deeds; peace upon Israel! |
וְאָשִׁ֤יבָה יָדִי֙ עָלַ֔יִךְ וְאֶצְרֹ֥ף כַּבֹּ֖ר סִיגָ֑יִךְ וְאָסִ֖ירָה כׇּל־בְּדִילָֽיִךְ׃ וְאָשִׁ֤יבָה שֹׁפְטַ֙יִךְ֙ כְּבָרִ֣אשֹׁנָ֔ה וְיֹעֲצַ֖יִךְ כְּבַתְּחִלָּ֑ה אַֽחֲרֵי־כֵ֗ן יִקָּ֤רֵא לָךְ֙ עִ֣יר הַצֶּ֔דֶק קִרְיָ֖ה נֶאֱמָנָֽה׃ צִיּ֖וֹן בְּמִשְׁפָּ֣ט תִּפָּדֶ֑ה וְשָׁבֶ֖יהָ בִּצְדָקָֽה׃ (ישעיה א:כה-כז) |
Thus I may turn My hand towards you and clean your scum with lye, so I may remove your waste. Thus I may return your judges as of old and your advisors as of yore, and after that you will be called the Righteous City, the Faithful Town! Zion in judgement will be saved, and returned in righteousness! (Isaiah 1:25–27)[5] Just Isaiah 1:26–27 in Maḥzor Aram Ṣoba |
תהלים קכו |
Psalms 126 |
שִׁ֗יר הַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת |
A song of ascents. |
בְּשׁ֣וּב יְ֭הֹוָה אֶת־שִׁיבַ֣ת צִיּ֑וֹן הָ֝יִ֗ינוּ כְּחֹלְמִֽים׃ אָ֤ז יִמָּלֵ֪א שְׂח֡וֹק פִּ֮ינוּ֮ וּלְשׁוֹנֵ֢נוּ רִ֫נָּ֥ה אָ֭ז יֹאמְר֣וּ בַגּוֹיִ֑ם הִגְדִּ֥יל יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת עִם־אֵֽלֶּה׃ הִגְדִּ֣יל יְ֭הֹוָה לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת עִמָּ֗נוּ הָיִ֥ינוּ שְׂמֵחִֽים׃ שׁוּבָ֣ה יְ֭הֹוָה אֶת־שְׁבִיתֵ֑נוּ [שבותנ] כַּאֲפִיקִ֥ים בַּנֶּֽגֶב׃ הַזֹּרְעִ֥ים בְּדִמְעָ֗ה בְּרִנָּ֥ה יִקְצֹֽרוּ׃ הָ֘ל֤וֹךְ יֵלֵ֨ךְ ׀ וּבָכֹה֮ נֹשֵׂ֢א מֶשֶׁךְ־הַ֫זָּ֥רַע בֹּא־יָבֹ֥א בְרִנָּ֑ה נֹ֝שֵׂ֗א אֲלֻמֹּתָֽיו׃ |
When the Cause would return the returning of Zion we would be like dreamers. Thus full would be our mouths with laughter and our tongues joy; thus the nations will say, “The Cause has done greatness with them!” The Cause has done greatness with us, we would be happy. Return, Cause, our returning, like arroyos in the desert. Those who sow in tears will reap in joy. One going out weeping, carrying a seed-bag will come in cheer carrying his sheaves. |
ה֣וֹי בֹּנֶ֤ה בֵיתוֹ֙ בְּֽלֹא־צֶ֔דֶק וַעֲלִיּוֹתָ֖יו בְּלֹ֣א מִשְׁפָּ֑ט בְּרֵעֵ֙הוּ֙ יַעֲבֹ֣ד חִנָּ֔ם וּפֹעֲל֖וֹ לֹ֥א יִתֶּן־לֽוֹ׃ (ירמיה כב:יב) אָ֖ז אָמַ֣ר שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה יְהֹוָ֣ה אָמַ֔ר לִשְׁכֹּ֖ן בָּעֲרָפֶֽל׃ בָּנֹ֥ה בָנִ֛יתִי בֵּ֥ית זְבֻ֖ל לָ֑ךְ מָכ֥וֹן לְשִׁבְתְּךָ֖ עוֹלָמִֽים׃ (מלכים א׳ ח:יב-יג) |
Woe, one who builds his house unfairly, his high chambers unjustly; who works his fellow without pay, and does not repay his labor! (Jeremiah 22:12)[6] This verse only found in Minhag Kaffa. Thus Solomon said, “The Cause said to dwell in a cumulus. Building I have built a glory-house for You, a foundation of Your dwelling eternal.” (I Kings 8:12–13)[7] Only I Kings 8:13 found in Minhag Kaffa |
תהלים קכז |
Psalms 127 |
שִׁ֥יר הַֽמַּעֲל֗וֹת לִשְׁלֹ֫מֹ֥ה |
A song of ascents, Solomon’s. |
אִם־יְהֹוָ֤ה ׀ לֹא־יִבְנֶ֬ה בַ֗יִת שָׁ֤וְא עָמְל֣וּ בוֹנָ֣יו בּ֑וֹ אִם־יְהֹוָ֥ה לֹא־יִשְׁמׇר־עִ֗֝יר שָׁ֤וְא ׀ שָׁקַ֬ד שׁוֹמֵֽר׃ שָׁ֤וְא לָכֶ֨ם מַשְׁכִּ֪ימֵֽי ק֡וּם מְאַחֲרֵי־שֶׁ֗בֶת אֹ֭כְלֵי לֶ֣חֶם הָעֲצָבִ֑ים כֵּ֤ן יִתֵּ֖ן לִידִיד֣וֹ שֵׁנָֽא׃ |
If the Cause will not build a house, vainly do its builders toil on it; if the Cause will not guard a city, vainly do its guards look out. Vainly do you wake up early, stay up late, eating bread of sorrow; as They give Their beloved sleep. |
הִנֵּ֤ה נַחֲלַ֣ת יְהֹוָ֣ה בָּנִ֑ים שָׂ֝כָ֗ר פְּרִ֣י הַבָּֽטֶן׃ כְּחִצִּ֥ים בְּיַד־גִּבּ֑וֹר כֵּ֗֝ן בְּנֵ֣י הַנְּעוּרִֽים׃ אַשְׁרֵ֤י הַגֶּ֗בֶר אֲשֶׁ֤ר מִלֵּ֥א אֶת־אַשְׁפָּת֗וֹ מֵ֫הֶ֥ם לֹֽא־יֵבֹ֑שׁוּ כִּֽי־יְדַבְּר֖וּ אֶת־אוֹיְבִ֣ים בַּשָּֽׁעַר׃ |
Hey, the Cause’s inheritence is children, reward is the womb’s fruit. Like arrows in the hand of the warrior are children of youth. Content is the man who fills his quiver with them; they will be unshamed when speaking with the emenies in the gate. |
אַ֥שְֽׁרֵי־אָדָם֮ שֹׁמֵ֢עַֽ֫ לִ֥י לִשְׁקֹ֣ד עַל־דַּ֭לְתֹתַי י֤וֹם ׀ י֑וֹם לִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר מְזוּזֹ֥ת פְּתָחָֽי׃ (משלי ח:לד) אַשְׁרֵ֤י אֱנוֹשׁ֙ יַֽעֲשֶׂה־זֹּ֔את וּבֶן־אָדָ֖ם יַחֲזִ֣יק בָּ֑הּ שֹׁמֵ֤ר שַׁבָּת֙ מֵֽחַלְּל֔וֹ וְשֹׁמֵ֥ר יָד֖וֹ מֵעֲשׂ֥וֹת כׇּל־רָֽע׃ (שיעיה נו:ב) |
Content is the mortal who listens to me,[8] “Me” in context is not God, but the personification of wisdom, and thus not capitalized. to guard my gates day by day, to guard the doorposts of my openings. (Proverbs 8:34) Content is the human who does so, the mortal child who holds strongly to it: guarding the sabbath from its profanation, his hand from doing any evil. (Isaiah 56:2) |
תהלים קכח |
Psalms 128 |
שִׁ֗יר הַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת |
A song of ascents. |
אַ֭שְׁרֵי כׇּל־יְרֵ֣א יְהֹוָ֑ה הַ֝הֹלֵ֗ךְ בִּדְרָכָֽיו׃ יְגִ֣יעַ כַּ֭פֶּיךָ כִּ֣י תֹאכֵ֑ל אַ֝שְׁרֶ֗יךָ וְט֣וֹב לָֽךְ׃ אֶשְׁתְּךָ֤ ׀ כְּגֶ֥פֶן פֹּרִיָּה֮ בְּיַרְכְּתֵ֢י בֵ֫יתֶ֥ךָ בָּ֭נֶיךָ כִּשְׁתִלֵ֣י זֵיתִ֑ים סָ֝בִ֗יב לְשֻׁלְחָנֶֽךָ׃ הִנֵּ֣ה כִי־כֵ֭ן יְבֹ֥רַךְ גָּ֗בֶר יְרֵ֣א יְהֹוָֽה׃ |
Content are all those who revere the Cause, who walk in Their ways. Your handiwork you will consume, you will be content and it will be good for you. Your wife, like a fruitful vine in the recesses of your house; your children like olive-plants around your table. Hey, this is how a man reverent of the Cause is blessed. |
יְבָרֶכְךָ֥ יְהֹוָ֗ה מִצִּ֫יּ֥וֹן וּ֭רְאֵה בְּט֣וּב יְרוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם כֹּ֗֝ל יְמֵ֣י חַיֶּֽיךָ׃ וּרְאֵֽה־בָנִ֥ים לְבָנֶ֑יךָ שָׁ֝ל֗וֹם עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ |
May the Cause bless you from Zion! And see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life. And see children of your children — peace upon Israel! |
וָאֶעֱבֹ֤ר עָלַ֙יִךְ֙ וָֽאֶרְאֵ֔ךְ מִתְבּוֹסֶ֖סֶת בְּדָמָ֑יִךְ וָאֹ֤מַר לָךְ֙ בְּדָמַ֣יִךְ חֲיִ֔י וָאֹ֥מַר לָ֖ךְ בְּדָמַ֥יִךְ חֲיִֽי׃ רְבָבָ֗ה כְּצֶ֤מַח הַשָּׂדֶה֙ נְתַתִּ֔יךְ וַתִּרְבִּי֙ וַֽתִּגְדְּלִ֔י וַתָּבֹ֖אִי בַּעֲדִ֣י עֲדָיִ֑ים שָׁדַ֤יִם נָכֹ֙נוּ֙ וּשְׂעָרֵ֣ךְ צִמֵּ֔חַ וְאַ֖תְּ עֵרֹ֥ם וְעֶרְיָֽה׃ (יחזקאל טז:ו-ז) |
And I passed over you and saw you wallowing in your blood, and I said to you, “By your blood you will live,” and I said to you, “By your blood you will live.” Increase like the vegetation of the field I gave you, and you increased and grew and came decorated in decorations, your breasts firmed and your hair grew, though you were naked and bare. (Ezekiel 16:6–7) |
תהלים קכט |
Psalms 129 |
שִׁ֗יר הַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת |
A song of ascents. |
רַ֭בַּת צְרָר֣וּנִי מִנְּעוּרַ֑י יֹאמַר־נָ֗֝א יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ רַ֭בַּת צְרָר֣וּנִי מִנְּעוּרָ֑י גַּ֗֝ם לֹא־יָ֥כְלוּ לִֽי׃ עַל־גַּ֭בִּי חָרְשׁ֣וּ חֹרְשִׁ֑ים הֶ֝אֱרִ֗יכוּ [למענותם] לְמַעֲנִיתָֽם׃ |
Increasingly have they stressed me since my youth — Israel should say — increasingly have they stressed me since my youth, yet they have not overcome me. On my back ploughers have ploughed, lengthening their furrows. |
יְהֹוָ֥ה צַדִּ֑יק קִ֝צֵּ֗ץ עֲב֣וֹת רְשָׁעִֽים׃ |
The Cause righteously snapped the ropes of the wicked. |
יֵ֭בֹשׁוּ וְיִסֹּ֣גוּ אָח֑וֹר כֹּ֗֝ל שֹׂנְאֵ֥י צִיּֽוֹן׃ יִ֭הְיוּ כַּחֲצִ֣יר גַּגּ֑וֹת שֶׁקַּדְמַ֖ת שָׁלַ֣ף יָבֵֽשׁ׃ שֶׁלֹּ֤א מִלֵּ֖א כַפּ֥וֹ קוֹצֵ֗ר וְחִצְנ֥וֹ מְעַמֵּֽר׃ וְלֹ֤א אָמְר֨וּ ׀ הָעֹבְרִ֗ים בִּרְכַּֽת־יְהֹוָ֥ה אֲלֵיכֶ֑ם בֵּרַ֥כְנוּ אֶ֝תְכֶ֗ם בְּשֵׁ֣ם יְהֹוָֽה׃ |
They should be ashamed, turned back, all who hate Zion. They should be like roof-grass, which before it is pulled dries, filling neither the harvester’s palm nor the sheave-gatherer’s chest. Let no passersby say “the Cause’s blessing upon you! We have blessed you in the Cause’s name!” |
קָרָ֤אתִי שִׁמְךָ֙ יְהֹוָ֔ה מִבּ֖וֹר תַּחְתִּיּֽוֹת׃ קוֹלִ֖י שָׁמָ֑עְתָּ אַל־תַּעְלֵ֧ם אׇזְנְךָ֛ לְרַוְחָתִ֖י לְשַׁוְעָתִֽי׃ קָרַ֙בְתָּ֙ בְּי֣וֹם אֶקְרָאֶ֔ךָּ אָמַ֖רְתָּ אַל־תִּירָֽא׃ (איכה ג:נה-נז) |
I called Your name, Cause, from the lowest pits. My voice You heard; do not hide Your ear from relieving my cry! You came close on the day I called You; saying “Do not fear.” (Lamentations 3:55–57) |
תהלים קל |
Psalms 130 |
שִׁ֥יר הַֽמַּעֲל֑וֹת |
A song of ascents. |
מִמַּעֲמַקִּ֖ים קְרָאתִ֣יךָ יְהֹוָֽה׃ אֲדֹנָי֮ שִׁמְעָ֢ה בְק֫וֹלִ֥י תִּהְיֶ֣ינָה אׇ֭זְנֶיךָ קַשֻּׁב֑וֹת לְ֝ק֗וֹל תַּחֲנוּנָֽי׃ |
From the depths I have called You, Cause. Master, hear my voice, may Your ears be inclined to the sound of my petitions! |
אִם־עֲוֺנ֥וֹת תִּשְׁמׇר־יָ֑הּ אֲ֝דֹנָ֗י מִ֣י יַעֲמֹֽד׃ כִּֽי־עִמְּךָ֥ הַסְּלִיחָ֑ה לְ֝מַ֗עַן תִּוָּרֵֽא׃ |
If You account for iniquities, Yah, Master, who can stand? For with You is forgiveness, that You be revered. |
קִוִּ֣יתִי יְ֭הֹוָה קִוְּתָ֣ה נַפְשִׁ֑י וְֽלִדְבָר֥וֹ הוֹחָֽלְתִּי׃ נַפְשִׁ֥י לַאדֹנָ֑י מִשֹּׁמְרִ֥ים לַ֝בֹּ֗קֶר שֹׁמְרִ֥ים לַבֹּֽקֶר׃ |
I wait for the Cause, my being awaits, for Their word I have hoped. My being is for the Master as those watching for the morning watch for the morning. |
יַחֵ֥ל יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אֶל־יְ֫הֹוָ֥ה כִּֽי־עִם־יְהֹוָ֥ה הַחֶ֑סֶד וְהַרְבֵּ֖ה עִמּ֣וֹ פְדֽוּת׃ וְ֭הוּא יִפְדֶּ֣ה אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל מִ֝כֹּ֗ל עֲוֺנֹתָֽיו׃ |
Israel, hope for the Cause, for with the Cause is mercy and great redemption. And They will redeem Israel from all its iniquities. |
וְהָאִ֥ישׁ מֹשֶׁ֖ה עָנָ֣ו מְאֹ֑ד מִכֹּל֙ הָֽאָדָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־פְּנֵ֥י הָאֲדָמָֽה׃ (במדבר יב:ג) לֹא־כֵ֖ן עַבְדִּ֣י מֹשֶׁ֑ה בְּכׇל־בֵּיתִ֖י נֶאֱמָ֥ן הֽוּא׃ (במדבר יב:ז) |
And the man Moses was very humble, more than any mortal on the face of the earth. (Numbers 12:3)[9] Note that there is no Leitwort in common here, but rather a theme: humility. Not so My servant Moses; in all My house he is trusted. (Numbers 12:7) |
תהלים קלא |
Psalms 131 |
שִׁ֥יר הַֽמַּעֲל֗וֹת לְדָ֫וִ֥ד |
A song of ascents, David’s. |
יְהֹוָ֤ה ׀ לֹא־גָבַ֣הּ לִ֭בִּי וְלֹא־רָמ֣וּ עֵינַ֑י וְלֹֽא־הִלַּ֓כְתִּי ׀ בִּגְדֹל֖וֹת וּבְנִפְלָא֣וֹת מִמֶּֽנִּי׃ אִם־לֹ֤א שִׁוִּ֨יתִי ׀ וְדוֹמַ֗מְתִּי נַ֫פְשִׁ֥י כְּ֭גָמֻל עֲלֵ֣י אִמּ֑וֹ כַּגָּמֻ֖ל עָלַ֣י נַפְשִֽׁי׃ יַחֵ֣ל יִ֭שְׂרָאֵל אֶל־יְהֹוָ֑ה מֵ֝עַתָּ֗ה וְעַד־עוֹלָֽם׃ |
O Cause, my heart is not high, nor my eyes lofty, nor have I walked in what is too great and profound for me. Haven’t I been calm and stilled my soul like a toddler[10] Literally: newly weaned child with his mother; like a toddler upon me is my being! Israel will await the Cause from now and forevermore. |
וְעַתָּ֗ה קוּמָ֞ה יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהִים֙ לְֽנוּחֶ֔ךָ אַתָּ֖ה וַאֲר֣וֹן עֻזֶּ֑ךָ כֹּהֲנֶ֜יךָ יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהִים֙ יִלְבְּשׁ֣וּ תְשׁוּעָ֔ה וַחֲסִידֶ֖יךָ יִשְׂמְח֥וּ בַטּֽוֹב׃ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֔ים אַל־תָּשֵׁ֖ב פְּנֵ֣י מְשִׁיחֶ֑ךָ זׇכְרָ֕ה לְחַֽסְדֵ֖י דָּוִ֥יד עַבְדֶּֽךָ׃ (דברי הימים ב׳ ו:מא-מב) |
And now, rise, Cause God, to Your rest-place, You and the ark of Your strength; Your priests, Cause God, will wear salvation, and Your pious ones will rejoice in good. Cause God, do not turn back Your anointed one’s face; remember the mercies of David Your servant. (II Chronicles 6:41–42)[11] Note that in Maḥzor Aram Ṣoba the first half of 6:41 is replaced with Psalm 132:8, but this is not included here, because it is likely a printer’s error, seeing as (1) nowhere else is a verse from the psalm in question found in the psalm’s respective catena, (2) Chronicles is an understudied book and it is very possible the editor didn’t recognize the text and “corrected” it to the more well-known verse in Psalms, and (3) the passage in Chronicles, a relatively late book, is likely a reference to this very psalm, being close enough in content that marking specific Leitworte would make almost the entire text bold. |
תהלים קלב |
Psalms 132 |
שִׁ֗יר הַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת |
A song of ascents. |
זְכוֹר־יְהֹוָ֥ה לְדָוִ֑ד אֵ֗֝ת כׇּל־עֻנּוֹתֽוֹ׃ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נִ֭שְׁבַּע לַֽיהֹוָ֑ה נָ֝דַ֗ר לַאֲבִ֥יר יַעֲקֹֽב׃ אִם־אָ֭בֹא בְּאֹ֣הֶל בֵּיתִ֑י אִם־אֶ֝עֱלֶ֗ה עַל־עֶ֥רֶשׂ יְצוּעָֽי׃ אִם־אֶתֵּ֣ן שְׁנַ֣ת לְעֵינָ֑י לְֽעַפְעַפַּ֥י תְּנוּמָֽה׃ עַד־אֶמְצָ֣א מָ֭קוֹם לַיהֹוָ֑ה מִ֝שְׁכָּנ֗וֹת לַאֲבִ֥יר יַעֲקֹֽב׃ |
Remember, Cause, David, all his self-affliction! As he swore a vow to the Cause, to Jacob’s Might: “I should not enter the tent of my house, nor go up onto my bed-couch, nor give sleep to my eyes, slumber to my eyelids; until I find a place for the Cause, abodes for Jacob’s Might.” |
הִנֵּֽה־שְׁמַעֲנ֥וּהָ בְאֶפְרָ֑תָה מְ֝צָאנ֗וּהָ בִּשְׂדֵי־יָֽעַר׃ נָב֥וֹאָה לְמִשְׁכְּנוֹתָ֑יו נִ֝שְׁתַּחֲוֶ֗ה לַהֲדֹ֥ם רַגְלָֽיו׃ |
Hey, we heard it by Ephrath, we found it in the forest fields. Let’s come to Their abodes, let’s bow to Their footstool! |
קוּמָ֣ה יְ֭הֹוָה לִמְנוּחָתֶ֑ךָ אַ֝תָּ֗ה וַאֲר֥וֹן עֻזֶּֽךָ׃ כֹּהֲנֶ֥יךָ יִלְבְּשׁוּ־צֶ֑דֶק וַחֲסִידֶ֥יךָ יְרַנֵּֽנוּ׃ |
Rise, Cause, to Your resting-place, You and the ark of Your strength; Your priests will wear righteousness and Your pious ones will cheer. |
בַּ֭עֲבוּר דָּוִ֣ד עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ אַל־תָּ֝שֵׁ֗ב פְּנֵ֣י מְשִׁיחֶֽךָ׃ נִשְׁבַּֽע־יְהֹוָ֨ה ׀ לְדָוִ֡ד אֱמֶת֮ לֹא־יָשׁ֢וּב מִ֫מֶּ֥נָּה מִפְּרִ֥י בִטְנְךָ֑ אָ֝שִׁ֗ית לְכִסֵּא־לָֽךְ׃ אִֽם־יִשְׁמְר֬וּ בָנֶ֨יךָ ׀ בְּרִיתִי֮ וְעֵדֹתִ֥י ז֗וֹ אֲלַ֫מְּדֵ֥ם גַּם־בְּנֵיהֶ֥ם עֲדֵי־עַ֑ד יֵ֝שְׁב֗וּ לְכִסֵּא־לָֽךְ׃ |
For the sake of David Your servant do not turn back Your anointed one’s face. The Cause swore to David truly, unrenounced: “From the fruit of your womb I will set a throne for you. If your children guard My covenant and this testimony of Mine I teach them, their children will forevermore sit on the throne for you.” |
כִּי־בָחַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֣ה בְּצִיּ֑וֹן אִ֝וָּ֗הּ לְמוֹשָׁ֥ב לֽוֹ׃ זֹאת־מְנוּחָתִ֥י עֲדֵי־עַ֑ד פֹּה־אֵ֝שֵׁ֗ב כִּ֣י אִוִּתִֽיהָ׃ צֵ֭ידָהּ בָּרֵ֣ךְ אֲבָרֵ֑ךְ אֶ֝בְיוֹנֶ֗יהָ אַשְׂבִּ֥יעַֽ לָֽחֶם׃ וְֽ֭כֹהֲנֶיהָ אַלְבִּ֣ישׁ יֶ֑שַׁע וַ֝חֲסִידֶ֗יהָ רַנֵּ֥ן יְרַנֵּֽנוּ׃ שָׁ֤ם אַצְמִ֣יחַ קֶ֣רֶן לְדָוִ֑ד עָרַ֥כְתִּי נֵ֗֝ר לִמְשִׁיחִֽי׃ א֭וֹיְבָיו אַלְבִּ֣ישׁ בֹּ֑שֶׁת וְ֝עָלָ֗יו יָצִ֥יץ נִזְרֽוֹ׃ |
For the Cause chose Zion, desiring it as Their seat: “This is My resting-place forevermore, here I will sit for I desire it. Its provisions I will bless, blessing; its needy ones I will sate with bread. And its priests I will clothe in salvation, and its pious ones will cheer, cheering. There I will sprout up a horn for David, arranging a light for My anointed. His enemies I will cloth in shame, and on him his crown will shine.” |
טוֹבִ֥ים הַשְּׁנַ֖יִם מִן־הָאֶחָ֑ד אֲשֶׁ֧ר יֵשׁ־לָהֶ֛ם שָׂכָ֥ר ט֖וֹב בַּעֲמָלָֽם׃ (קהלת ד:ט) וְאִֽם־יִתְקְפוֹ֙ הָאֶחָ֔ד הַשְּׁנַ֖יִם יַעַמְד֣וּ נֶגְדּ֑וֹ וְהַחוּט֙ הַֽמְשֻׁלָּ֔שׁ לֹ֥א בִמְהֵרָ֖ה יִנָּתֵֽק׃ (קהלת ד:יב) |
Good are two, more so than one, for they have a good reqard for their labor. (Ecclesiastes 4:9) And if one attacks, two can stand against it; and the threefold cord is not quickly broken! (Ecclesiastes 4:12) |
תהלים קלג |
Psalms 133 |
שִׁ֥יר הַֽמַּעֲל֗וֹת לְדָ֫וִ֥ד |
A song of ascents, David’s. |
הִנֵּ֣ה מַה־טּ֭וֹב וּמַה־נָּעִ֑ים שֶׁ֖בֶת אַחִ֣ים גַּם־יָֽחַד׃ כַּשֶּׁ֤מֶן הַטּ֨וֹב ׀ עַל־הָרֹ֗אשׁ יֹרֵ֗ד עַֽל־הַזָּקָ֥ן זְקַֽן־אַהֲרֹ֑ן שֶׁ֝יֹּרֵ֗ד עַל־פִּ֥י מִדּוֹתָֽיו׃ כְּטַל־חֶרְמ֗וֹן שֶׁיֹּרֵד֮ עַל־הַרְרֵ֢י צִ֫יּ֥וֹן כִּ֤י שָׁ֨ם ׀ צִוָּ֣ה יְ֭הֹוָה אֶת־הַבְּרָכָ֑ה חַ֝יִּ֗ים עַד־הָעוֹלָֽם׃ |
Hey, how good and how pleasant is it when brothers dwell together! Like good oil on the head, descending down the beard, Aaron’s beard, descending to the collar of his garb. Like Hermon’s dew, descending on the mountains of Zion, for there the Cause commanded blessing, life until eternity! |
ק֗וּמוּ בָּרְכוּ֙ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם מִן־הָעוֹלָ֖ם עַד־הָעוֹלָ֑ם וִיבָֽרְכוּ֙ שֵׁ֣ם כְּבֹדֶ֔ךָ וּמְרוֹמַ֥ם עַל־כׇּל־בְּרָכָ֖ה וּתְהִלָּֽה׃ (נחמיה ט:ה) |
Come, bless the Cause your God, from eternity to eternity! And may Your glorious name be blessed and exalted over all blessing and praise. (Nehemiah 9:5) |
תהלים קלד |
Psalms 134 |
שִׁ֗יר הַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת |
A song of ascents. |
הִנֵּ֤ה ׀ בָּרכ֣וּ אֶת־יְ֭הֹוָה כׇּל־עַבְדֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה הָעֹמְדִ֥ים בְּבֵית־יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה בַּלֵּילֽוֹת׃ שְׂאֽוּ־יְדֵכֶ֥ם קֹ֑דֶשׁ וּ֝בָרְכ֗וּ אֶת־יְהֹוָֽה׃ יְבָרֶכְךָ֣ יְ֭הֹוָה מִצִּיּ֑וֹן עֹ֝שֵׂ֗ה שָׁמַ֥יִם וָאָֽרֶץ׃ |
Hey, bless the Cause, all servants of the Cause, standing in the house of the Cause nightly. Raise your hands in holiness and bless the Cause. The Cause, Maker of heaven and earth, will bless you from Zion. |
These final two psalms and their catenae are only found in the Maḥzor Aram Ṣoba: | |
תהלים קלה |
Psalms 135 |
הַ֥לְלוּ־יָ֨הּ ׀ הַֽ֭לְלוּ אֶת־שֵׁ֣ם יְהֹוָ֑ה הַֽ֝לְל֗וּ עַבְדֵ֥י יְהֹוָֽה׃ שֶׁ֣֭עֹמְדִים בְּבֵ֣ית יְהֹוָ֑ה בְּ֝חַצְר֗וֹת בֵּ֣ית אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃ הַֽלְלוּ־יָ֭הּ כִּֽי־ט֣וֹב יְהֹוָ֑ה זַמְּר֥וּ לִ֝שְׁמ֗וֹ כִּ֣י נָעִֽים׃ |
Praise Yah! Praise the name of the Cause! Praise, servants of the Cause, who stand in the Cause’s house; in the courts of our God’s house! Praise Yah, for the Cause is good; hymn Their name for it is sweet! |
כִּֽי־יַעֲקֹ֗ב בָּחַ֣ר ל֣וֹ יָ֑הּ יִ֝שְׂרָאֵ֗ל לִסְגֻלָּתֽוֹ׃ כִּ֤י אֲנִ֣י יָ֭דַעְתִּי כִּֽי־גָד֣וֹל יְהֹוָ֑ה וַ֝אֲדֹנֵ֗ינוּ מִכׇּל־אֱלֹהִֽים׃ |
For Yah chose Jacob for Themself; Israel Their treasure. For I know the Cause is great, and our Master over all deities. |
כֹּ֤ל אֲשֶׁר־חָפֵ֥ץ יְהֹוָ֗ה עָ֫שָׂ֥ה בַּשָּׁמַ֥יִם וּבָאָ֑רֶץ בַּ֝יַּמִּ֗ים וְכׇל־תְּהֹמֽוֹת׃ מַעֲלֶ֣ה נְשִׂאִים֮ מִקְצֵ֢ה הָ֫אָ֥רֶץ בְּרָקִ֣ים לַמָּטָ֣ר עָשָׂ֑ה מֽוֹצֵא־ר֗֝וּחַ מֵאֽוֹצְרוֹתָֽיו׃ |
All that the Cause desires is done, on heaven and on earth, in the seas and all the abysses. Raising clouds from the earth’s edge, They made lightning for rain, letting out wind from its vaults. |
שֶׁ֭הִכָּה בְּכוֹרֵ֣י מִצְרָ֑יִם מֵ֝אָדָ֗ם עַד־בְּהֵמָֽה׃ שָׁלַ֤ח ׀ אוֹתֹ֣ת וּ֭מֹפְתִים בְּתוֹכֵ֣כִי מִצְרָ֑יִם בְּ֝פַרְעֹ֗ה וּבְכׇל־עֲבָדָֽיו׃ |
They smote the firstborn of Egypt, from man to beast. They sent signs and portents into the midst of Egypt; against Pharaoh and all his servants. |
שֶׁ֭הִכָּה גּוֹיִ֣ם רַבִּ֑ים וְ֝הָרַ֗ג מְלָכִ֥ים עֲצוּמִֽים׃ לְסִיח֤וֹן ׀ מֶ֤לֶךְ הָאֱמֹרִ֗י וּ֭לְעוֹג מֶ֣לֶךְ הַבָּשָׁ֑ן וּ֝לְכֹ֗ל מַמְלְכ֥וֹת כְּנָֽעַן׃ וְנָתַ֣ן אַרְצָ֣ם נַחֲלָ֑ה נַ֝חֲלָ֗ה לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל עַמּֽוֹ׃ |
They smote great nations, and killed mighty kings, Siḥon king of Amurru, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan, and gave their land as inheritance, inheritance for Israel Their people. |
יְ֭הֹוָה שִׁמְךָ֣ לְעוֹלָ֑ם יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה זִכְרְךָ֥ לְדֹר־וָדֹֽר׃ כִּֽי־יָדִ֣ין יְהֹוָ֣ה עַמּ֑וֹ וְעַל־עֲ֝בָדָ֗יו יִתְנֶחָֽם׃ |
Cause, Your name is forever! Cause, Your memory to each generation. For the Cause will judge Their people and avenge Their servants. |
עֲצַבֵּ֣י הַ֭גּוֹיִם כֶּ֣סֶף וְזָהָ֑ב מַ֝עֲשֵׂ֗ה יְדֵ֣י אָדָֽם׃ פֶּֽה־לָ֭הֶם וְלֹ֣א יְדַבֵּ֑רוּ עֵינַ֥יִם לָ֝הֶ֗ם וְלֹ֣א יִרְאֽוּ׃ אׇזְנַ֣יִם לָ֭הֶם וְלֹ֣א יַאֲזִ֑ינוּ אַ֗֝ף אֵין־יֶשׁ־ר֥וּחַ בְּפִיהֶֽם׃ כְּ֭מוֹהֶם יִהְי֣וּ עֹשֵׂיהֶ֑ם כֹּ֖ל אֲשֶׁר־בֹּטֵ֣חַ בָּהֶֽם׃ |
The nations’ idols are silver and gold, the work of human hand. Mouths they have but do not speak; eyes they have but do not see; ears they have but do not hear; noses but no breath in them. Like them will be their makers, all who trust in them. |
בֵּ֣ית יִ֭שְׂרָאֵל בָּרְכ֣וּ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֑ה בֵּ֥ית אַ֝הֲרֹ֗ן בָּרְכ֥וּ אֶת־יְהֹוָֽה׃ בֵּ֣ית הַ֭לֵּוִי בָּרְכ֣וּ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֑ה יִֽרְאֵ֥י יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה בָּרְכ֥וּ אֶת־יְהֹוָֽה׃ בָּ֘ר֤וּךְ יְהֹוָ֨ה ׀ מִצִּיּ֗וֹן שֹׁ֘כֵ֤ן יְֽרוּשָׁלָ֗͏ִם הַֽלְלוּ־יָֽהּ׃ |
House of Israel, bless the Cause! House of Aaron, bless the Cause! House of Levi, bless the Cause! God-fearers, bless the Cause! Bless the Cause from Zion, dwelling in Jerusalem. Praise Yah! |
כֹּה־אָמַ֞ר הָאֵ֣ל ׀ יְהֹוָ֗ה בּוֹרֵ֤א הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ וְנ֣וֹטֵיהֶ֔ם רֹקַ֥ע הָאָ֖רֶץ וְצֶאֱצָאֶ֑יהָ נֹתֵ֤ן נְשָׁמָה֙ לָעָ֣ם עָלֶ֔יהָ וְר֖וּחַ לַהֹלְכִ֥ים בָּֽהּ׃ (ישעיה מב:ה) יוֹצֵ֥ר אוֹר֙ וּבוֹרֵ֣א חֹ֔שֶׁךְ עֹשֶׂ֥ה שָׁל֖וֹם וּב֣וֹרֵא רָ֑ע אֲנִ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה עֹשֶׂ֥ה כׇל־אֵֽלֶּה׃ (ישעיה מה:ז) |
Thus said the Deity Cause, Creator of heaven and its expanse, Stretcher of the earth and its produce, granting breath to the people upon it, and spirit to those walking upon it, (Isaiah 42:5) Maker of light and Creator of dark, Maker of peace and Creator of evil, I the Cause do all this. (Isaiah 45:7) |
תהלים קלו |
Psalms 136 |
הוֹד֣וּ לַיהֹוָ֣ה כִּי־ט֑וֹב כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ ה֭וֹדוּ לֵאלֹהֵ֣י הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ ה֭וֹדוּ לַאֲדֹנֵ֣י הָאֲדֹנִ֑ים כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ |
Thank the Cause, who is good, whose mercy is eternal! Thank the God of gods, whose mercy is eternal! Thank the Master of masters, whose mercy is eternal! |
לְעֹ֘שֵׂ֤ה נִפְלָא֣וֹת גְּדֹל֣וֹת לְבַדּ֑וֹ כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ לְעֹשֵׂ֣ה הַ֭שָּׁמַיִם בִּתְבוּנָ֑ה כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ לְרֹקַ֣ע הָ֭אָרֶץ עַל־הַמָּ֑יִם כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ |
Who does great wonders alone, whose mercy is eternal! Who makes heaven in intelligence, whose mercy is eternal! Who stretches land on the water, whose mercy is eternal! |
לְ֭עֹשֵׂה אוֹרִ֣ים גְּדֹלִ֑ים כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ אֶת־הַ֭שֶּׁמֶשׁ לְמֶמְשֶׁ֣לֶת בַּיּ֑וֹם כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ אֶת־הַיָּרֵ֣חַ וְ֭כוֹכָבִים לְמֶמְשְׁל֣וֹת בַּלָּ֑יְלָה כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ |
Who makes great lights, whose mercy is eternal! The sun to rule the day, whose mercy is eternal! The moon and stars to rule by night, whose mercy is eternal! |
לְמַכֵּ֣ה מִ֭צְרַיִם בִּבְכוֹרֵיהֶ֑ם כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ וַיּוֹצֵ֣א יִ֭שְׂרָאֵל מִתּוֹכָ֑ם כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ בְּיָ֣ד חֲ֭זָקָה וּבִזְר֣וֹעַ נְטוּיָ֑ה כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ |
Who smites Egypt’s firstborn, whose mercy is eternal! and brings Israel from in it, whose mercy is eternal! with a strong hand and outstretched arm, whose mercy is eternal! |
לְגֹזֵ֣ר יַם־ס֭וּף לִגְזָרִ֑ים כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ וְהֶעֱבִ֣יר יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל בְּתוֹכ֑וֹ כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ וְנִ֘עֵ֤ר פַּרְעֹ֣ה וְחֵיל֣וֹ בְיַם־ס֑וּף כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ |
Who splits the Reed Sea to splittings, whose mercy is eternal! to let Israel pass through it, whose mercy is eternal! And emptied Pharaoh and his forces in the Reed Sea, whose mercy is eternal! |
לְמוֹלִ֣יךְ עַ֭מּוֹ בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ |
Who led Their people in the wilds, whose mercy is eternal! |
לְ֭מַכֵּה מְלָכִ֣ים גְּדֹלִ֑ים כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ וַֽ֭יַּהֲרֹג מְלָכִ֣ים אַדִּירִ֑ים כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ לְ֭סִיחוֹן מֶ֣לֶךְ הָאֱמֹרִ֑י כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ וּ֭לְעוֹג מֶ֣לֶךְ הַבָּשָׁ֑ן כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ |
Who smote great kings, whose mercy is eternal! And killed mighty kings, whose mercy is eternal! Siḥon king of Amurru, whose mercy is eternal! and Og king of Bashan, whose mercy is eternal! |
וְנָתַ֣ן אַרְצָ֣ם לְנַחֲלָ֑ה כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ נַ֭חֲלָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל עַבְדּ֑וֹ כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ |
And gave their land as inheritance, whose mercy is eternal! Inheritance for Israel Their servant, whose mercy is eternal! |
שֶׁ֭בְּשִׁפְלֵנוּ זָ֣כַר לָ֑נוּ כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ וַיִּפְרְקֵ֥נוּ מִצָּרֵ֑ינוּ כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ נֹתֵ֣ן לֶ֭חֶם לְכׇל־בָּשָׂ֑ר כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ |
Who in our lowness remembered us, whose mercy is eternal! And saved us from our stresses, whose mercy is eternal! Who gives bread to all flesh, whose mercy is eternal! |
ה֭וֹדוּ לְאֵ֣ל הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ |
Thank the God of Heaven, whose mercy is eternal! |
כִּ֥י־גָ֘בַ֤ר עָלֵ֨ינוּ ׀ חַסְדּ֗וֹ וֶאֱמֶת־יְהֹוָ֥ה לְעוֹלָ֗ם הַֽלְלוּ־יָֽהּ׃ (תהלים קיז:ב) וְאַתָּ֥ה קָד֑וֹשׁ י֝וֹשֵׁ֗ב תְּהִלּ֥וֹת יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ בְּ֭ךָ בָּטְח֣וּ אֲבֹתֵ֑ינוּ בָּ֝טְח֗וּ וַֽתְּפַלְּטֵֽמוֹ׃ אֵלֶ֣יךָ זָעֲק֣וּ וְנִמְלָ֑טוּ בְּךָ֖ בָטְח֣וּ וְלֹא־בֽוֹשׁוּ׃ (תהלים כב:ד-ו) וַאֲנַ֤חְנוּ עַמְּךָ֨ ׀ וְצֹ֥אן מַרְעִיתֶ֮ךָ֮ נ֤וֹדֶ֥ה לְּךָ֗ לְע֫וֹלָ֥ם לְד֥וֹר וָדֹ֑ר נְ֝סַפֵּ֗ר תְּהִלָּתֶֽךָ׃ (תהלים עט:יג) הוֹשַׁ֤ע יְהֹוָה֙ אֶֽת־עַמְּךָ֔ אֵ֖ת שְׁאֵרִ֥ית יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (ירמיה לא:ו) הֽוֹשִׁיעֵ֨נוּ ׀ יְ֘הֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֵ֗ינוּ וְקַבְּצֵ֮נוּ֮ מִֽן־הַגּ֫וֹיִ֥ם לְ֭הֹדוֹת לְשֵׁ֣ם קׇדְשֶׁ֑ךָ לְ֝הִשְׁתַּבֵּ֗חַ בִּתְהִלָּתֶֽךָ׃ בָּ֤רֽוּךְ־יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֵ֪י יִשְׂרָאֵ֡ל מִן־הָ֤עוֹלָ֨ם ׀ וְעַ֬ד הָעוֹלָ֗ם וְאָמַ֖ר כׇּל־הָעָ֥ם אָמֵ֗ן הַֽלְלוּ־יָֽהּ׃ (תהלים קו:מז-מח) בָּר֖וּךְ יְהֹוָ֥ה לְעוֹלָ֗ם אָ֘מֵ֥ן ׀ וְאָמֵֽן׃ (תהלים פט:נג) |
For great is Their kindness over us, and the truth of the Cause is forever. Praise Yah! (Psalms 117:2) And You are holy, seated on Israel’s praises. In You our ancestors trusted, they trusted and You rescued them. To You they cried, and escaped; in You they trusted and were unashamed. (Psalms 22:4–6) And we are Your people and the flock You shepherd; we thank You forever, from era to era we will tell Your praise. (Psalms 79:13) Save, Cause, Your people, the remnant of Israel! (Jeremiah 31:6) Save us, Cause our God, and gather us from the nations, to thank Your holy name and laud Your praise. Bless the Cause, God of Israel, from eternity until eternity, and all the people say amen, praise Yah! (Psalms 106:47–48) Bless the Cause forever, amen and amen! (Psalms 89:53) |
Notes
| 1 | ”With whom light abides” is in Aramaic, a borrowing from Daniel 2:22 |
|---|---|
| 2 | This verse only found in Maḥzor Aram Ṣoba. |
| 3 | Two notes: (1) from here on, the bolded Leitworte of the catena correspond to the following psalm rather than the previous. (2) These verses, as well as the entirely of Psalm 123, are entirely missing from the Maḥzor Aram Ṣoba. |
| 4 | This verse only found in Minhag Kaffa. |
| 5 | Just Isaiah 1:26–27 in Maḥzor Aram Ṣoba |
| 6 | This verse only found in Minhag Kaffa. |
| 7 | Only I Kings 8:13 found in Minhag Kaffa |
| 8 | “Me” in context is not God, but the personification of wisdom, and thus not capitalized. |
| 9 | Note that there is no Leitwort in common here, but rather a theme: humility. |
| 10 | Literally: newly weaned child |
| 11 | Note that in Maḥzor Aram Ṣoba the first half of 6:41 is replaced with Psalm 132:8, but this is not included here, because it is likely a printer’s error, seeing as (1) nowhere else is a verse from the psalm in question found in the psalm’s respective catena, (2) Chronicles is an understudied book and it is very possible the editor didn’t recognize the text and “corrected” it to the more well-known verse in Psalms, and (3) the passage in Chronicles, a relatively late book, is likely a reference to this very psalm, being close enough in content that marking specific Leitworte would make almost the entire text bold. |
“סדר תפילת השיר | Seder Tefilat haShir — the recitation of the Songs of Ascents before Shabbat and Festival services, as found in Maḥzor Aram Ṣoba and Minhag Kaffa” 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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