מַעֲרָבוֹת לְיוֹם שְׁבִיעִי שֶׁל־פֶּסַח | Ma’aravot for the 7th day of Pesaḥ (minhag Ashkenaz), by Rabbi Menaḥem ben Yaaqov of Worms

Contributor(s):

Isaac Gantwerk Mayer (transcription & naqdanut), Isaac Gantwerk Mayer (translation) and Menaḥem ben Jacob of Worms

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7 April 2026 under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) 4.0 International copyleft license

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12th century C.E., 50th century A.M., Alphabetic Acrostic, מערבות maaravot, פיוטים piyyuṭim, rhyming translation, שירת הים Shirat haYam

The Minhag Ashkenaz (western Germany, codified in Frankfurt) Maȝaravot for the seventh day of Pesaḥ, by Rabbi Menaḥem ben Jacob of Worms.

Source (Hebrew)	Translation (English)
חזן בָּרְכוּ אֶת־יְהֹוָה הַמְבֹרָךְ׃	Prayer leader: Bless the blessings-worthy Cause!
קהל וחזן אחריהם בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה הַמְבֹרָךְ לְעֹלָם וָעֶד׃	Congregation, followed by prayer-leader: Blessed be the blessings-worthy Cause forever and aye!
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר בִּדְבָרוֹ מַעֲרִיב עֲרָבִים בְּחׇכְמָה פּוֹתֵֽחַ שְׁעָרִים וּבִתְבוּנָה מְשַׁנֶּה עִתִּים וּמַחֲלִיף אֶת־הַזְּמַנִּים וּמְסַדֵּר אֶת־הַכּוֹכָבִים בְּמִשְׁמְרוֹתֵיהֶם בָּרָקִֽיעַ כִּרְצוֹנוֹ. בּוֹרֵא יוֹם וָלָֽיְלָה גּוֹלֵל אוֹר מִפְּנֵי־חֹֽשֶׁךְ וְחֹֽשֶׁךְ מִפְּנֵי־אוֹר וּמַעֲבִיר יוֹם וּמֵבִיא לָֽיְלָה וּמַבְדִּיל בֵּין יוֹם וּבֵין לָֽיְלָה יְהֹוָה צְבָאוֹת שְׁמוֹ אֵל חַי וְקַיָּם תָּמִיד יִמְלוֹךְ עָלֵֽינוּ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד׃	Blessed are You, Cause our God, Sovereign of the universe, who with Their word evens the evening, in wisdom opens the gates, and in understanding changes the occasions and replaces the times and sets the stars in their orbits in the firmament as They will. Creator of day and night, who rolls light from before darkness and darkness from before light, making day pass and bringing night, and distinguishing between day and night — the Cause of Multitudes is Their name. God, living and enduring, will always reign over us forever and ever.
אוֹרִי וְיִשְׁעִי עַל־הַיָּם נִגְלָה בְּהַחֲשִׁיכוֹ לְצָרַי וְלִי הֵאִיר אֲפֵלָה גְּדֻלַּת מַעֲשָׂיו נִפְלָאִים וְנוֹרָאִים לְהַלְּלָה וַיְהִ֤י הֶֽעָנָן֙ וְהַחֹ֔שֶׁךְ וַיָּ֖אֶר אֶת־הַלָּ֑יְלָה׃ (שמות יד:כ)	At the sea was revealed my salvation and light, By my foes darkening, but for me making darkness bright. Great deeds, miraculous and awesome, a praiseworthy sight! And there was cloud and darkness, and it lit up the night. (Exodus 14:20)
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה הַמַּעֲרִיב עֲרָבִים׃	Blessed are You, Cause, who evens the evening.
אַהֲבַת עוֹלָם בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל עַמְּךָ אָהַבְתָּ תּוֹרָה וּמִצְוֹת חֻקִּים וּמִשְׁפָּטִים אוֹתָנוּ לִמַּדְתָּ׃ עַל־כֵּן יהוה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ בְּשׇׁכְבֵֽנוּ וּבְקוּמֵֽנוּ נָשִֽׂיחַ בְּחֻקֶּֽיךָ וְנִשְׂמַח בְּדִבְרֵי תּוֹרָתֶֽךָ וּמִצְוֹתֶֽיךָ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד כִּי הֵם חַיֵּֽינוּ וְאֹֽרֶךְ יָמֵֽינוּ וּבָהֶם נֶהְגֶּה יוֹמָם וָלָֽיְלָה׃ וְאַהֲבָתְךָ אַל־תָּסִיר מִמֶּֽנּוּ לְעוֹלָמִים׃	Eternal love have You loved the house of Israel Your people. Torah and commandments, precepts and rulings You have taught us. Thus, Cause our God, when we lie down and rise up, we will meditate on your precepts, and rejoice in the words of Your Torah and commandments forever and ever, for they are our life and the length of our days, and on them we will ponder day and night. And let Your love not depart from us forevermore.
הֵעִיר בְּרִית יְשֵׁנִים לְשַׁלֵּם בָּנִים גְּמוּלָם וַיּוֹצֵא עַמּוֹ בְּשָׂשׂוֹן בְּאֶבְרָתוֹ נְטָלָם זָכַר חַסְדּוֹ וֶאֱמוּנָתוֹ בִּידִידוּת לְנַהֲלָם בְּאַהֲבָת֥וֹ וּבְחֶמְלָת֖וֹ ה֣וּא גְאָלָ֑ם׃ (ישעיה סג:ט)	Evoking the sleepers’^[1] The ancestors, called “sleepers in Hebron” covenant, to pay back justly their heir, When Their people left in joy, on Their wings to bear, Zealously heeding Their mercy and faith, in love, to inherit a share. They redeemed them in Their love and care. (Isaiah 63:9)
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אוֹהֵב עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל׃	Blessed are You, Cause, who loves Their people Israel.
ממשיכים משְׁמַ֖ע עד מֹשֶׁה וּבְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל לְךָ עָנוּ שִׁירָה…	Continue from the Shəmaȝ onwards to “Moshe and the children of Israel responded to You in song.”
אוֹדֶה חַסְדּוֹ הִפְלָא מַעֲשָׂיו וְנִפְלְאוֹתָיו בִּמְצוּלָה נ֝וֹרָא֗וֹת עַל־יַם׃	Allow me to thank Their mercy of wonders, Their deeds at the abyss, and Their wonders awesome by the sea.^[2] Psalms 106:22
בִּקְהַל עָם אֲהַלְלָה בְּמוֹשַׁב זְקֵנִים אֲגַדְּלָה רֹגַ֣ע הַיָּ֔ם׃	By the people’s gathering, my praise telling; let me glorify in the elders’ dwelling storming the sea.^[3] Isaiah 51:15
גִּזְבָּר בִּנְטוֹת יָדוֹ גָּֽאוּ גַּלִּים נֶגְדּוֹ יִֽרְעַ֥ם הַ֝יָּ֗ם׃	Comptroller^[4] Moses. See Bavli Bekhorot 5a stretched out his hand. Swollen waves before him did stand, making roar the sea^[5] Psalms 96:11
דָּגוּל בִּכְבוֹדוֹ נִגְלָה אָז נִקְרַע בְּחַלְחָלָה וַיַּעֲמֹ֥ד הַיָּ֖ם׃	Distinguished One^[6] Referring to God, based on the midrashic interpretation of Song of Songs 5:10 was in glory revealed, thus torn as it reeled, stood the sea.^[7] Jonah 1:15
הֱשִׁיבוֹ נֶאֱמָן בְּזַעְפּוֹ גְּאוֹן גַּלֶּֽיךָ אֵיפוֹא מַה־לְּךָ֣ הַ֭יָּם׃	Enraged, the faithful one^[8] Moses started yelling: “Where was your glorious swelling?^[9] A reference to the midrash found in Mekhilta d’Rabbi Yishmael, Beshallaḥ 5:7. What’s the deal, sea?”^[10] Psalms 114:5
וְשִׁבְטֵי־יָהּ הָמְמוּ שָׂרֵי יְהוּדָה רָגְמוּ אֶל־תּ֖וֹךְ הַיָּֽם׃	Frightened, Yah’s tribes clamored. Judah’s princes threw stones^[11] A reference to the midrash found in Mekhilta d’Rabbi Yishmael, Beshallaḥ 6:1 that hammered to the midst of the sea.^[12] Exodus 14:23
זָכָה מְלוּכָה לְהַשְׁרִישׁוֹ הָיְתָ֣ה יְהוּדָ֣ה לְקׇדְשׁ֑וֹ בִּמְצֻל֥וֹת יָ֖ם׃	Granted was sovereignty to their root’s name Judah Their holy one became^[13] Psalms 114:2 in the abysses of the sea.^[14] Micah 7:19
חָצָה לִגְזוּרִים וּמֻלִים דֶּֽרֶךְ לַעֲבֹר גְּאוּלִים מַֽעֲמַקֵּי־יָ֔ם׃	Halving for the circumcised;^[15] According to the Mekhilta d’Rabbi Yishmael, Beshallaḥ 4:9, the sea was split by merit of the circumcision. This connection is also found in the piyyut Yom le-Yabasha. a path for the redeemed ones mobilized from the depths of the sea.^[16] Isaiah 51:10
טוֹב בְּכֵן שִׁירָתוֹ פָּתַח בְּאָז זְמִירָתוֹ צָהֲל֖וּ מִיָּֽם׃	Inasmuch the good one^[17] Moses based on Exodus 2:2 sang opening with a hymn of “thus”^[18] The first word of the Song of the Sea, in Exodus 15:1 that rang shouting from the sea.^[19] Isaiah 24:14
יְשָׁרִים קִדְּמוּ רוֹנְנִים אַחַר אֵלִים מְנַגְּנִים מ֭וֹשֵׁל בְּגֵא֣וּת הַיָּ֑ם׃	Just ones preceded the cheerers,^[20] According to the midrashic interpretation of Psalms 68:26, the angels did not begin to sing that day until Israel began to sing at the sea. after which the divine-angels made music clearer, reigning in pride of the sea.^[21] Psalms 89:10
כְּבוֹלוֹס צְדָדִים הִקְפָּה וּמִלְּמַֽעְלָה כְּמִין כִּפָּה יְכַסּ֥וּ עַל־יָֽם׃	Knot-like froze the ocean’s foam, above it, in the form of a dome,^[22] A reference to the midrash found in Mekhilta d’Rabbi Yishmael, Beshallaḥ 5:1. The next few verses are largely based on this specific midrash describing ten miracles God performed at the Reed Sea. covering over the sea.^[23] Habakkuk 2:1
לְכׇל־אֲפָסִים נִגְלוּ אוֹתוֹתָיו כִּי גָּדְלוּ קַצְוֵי־אֶ֗֝רֶץ וְיָ֣ם׃	Limits all were laid bare, Their signs great beyond compare; the ends of land and sea.^[24] Psalms 65:6
מִי כָמֽוֹהוּ נֶהְדָּר חָסִין בְּכֹֽחַ נֶאְדָּר הַקּוֹרֵ֣א לְמֵֽי־הַיָּ֗ם׃	Majestic! Who is like Them? Power from noble strength’s stem, calling to the waters of the sea.^[25] Amos 5:8
נִהֵל יְדִידָיו בְּאַֽהַב זְרוֹעוֹ מַחְצֶֽבֶת רַֽהַב הִיא֙ הַמַּחֲרֶ֣בֶת יָ֔ם׃	Nuturingly They led the cherished ones east. Their right hand hews the beast who is the destroyer of the sea.^[26] Isaiah 51:10
סְלָעִים הָפַךְ זֵידוֹנִים שִׁבַּר רָאשֵׁי תַּנִּינִים הָפַךְ לְיַבָּשָׁה יָם׃	Oceanic arrogance was made stone; They shattered the dragon’s heads^[27] Find Psalms 74:13 alone; turning to dry land the sea.^[28] Find Psalms 66:6
עֲרֵמוֹת מַֽיִם נֶעֶרְמוּ תְּהוֹמוֹת בָּהֶם נִלְחָֽמוּ בְּקַרְקַ֣ע הַיָּ֔ם׃	Piles of water were piled; their abysses made war, riled, at the floor of the sea.^[29] Amos 9:3
פֵּרוּרִים בְּעֻזּוֹ פּוֹרָֽרוּ נֵד אֶחָד נִצְבָּֽרוּ כַּ֭נֵּד מֵ֣י הַיָּ֑ם׃	Quantifying, by Their strength, into crumbs the deep, gathered into a single heap, like a heap the water of the sea.^[30] Psalms 33:7
צֶֽמֶד סוּסִים וְרוֹכְבִים עוֹלִים וְיוֹרְדִים מְשֻׁלָּבִים עַד־נִבְכֵי־יָ֑ם׃	Riders and horses hitched up rising and descending, mixed up, to the fonts of the sea.^[31] Job 38:16
קִלְּעָם בְּבִזָּה מְעֻטָּרִים קִשּׁוּטֵי זְהָבִים וְתוֹרִים עַל־שְׂפַ֥ת הַיָּֽם׃	Stone-like, They cast down the loot-adorned fold,^[32] A reference to the midrash found in Mekhilta d’Rabbi Yishmael, Beshallaḥ 7:13 doves and ornaments of gold, by the shore of the sea.^[33] Exodus 14:30
רִבָּה פְּלָאָיו לְנוֹסְסָה נֶֽגֶד אֲבוֹתָם עָשָׂה בָּ֣קַע יָ֭ם׃	To do miracles, wonders They multiplied upon their ancestors Their act applied: They split the sea.^[34] Psalms 78:13
שְׁבִילָיו רָֽאוּ וַהֲלִיכוֹתָיו וְלֹא־נוֹדְעוּ עִקְּבוֹתָיו אֱלֹהִים בַּיָּם׃	Upon seeing Their paths and ways in that zone, Their tracks were not known;^[35] Find Psalms 77:20 o God, in the sea.^[36] While not found in any manuscript of Psalms, some rabbinic texts (for instance, Yalqut Shimoni, remez 818) include the word אֱלֹהִים in quotations of Psalms 77:20.
תְּמוּנַת גִּבּוֹר נִדְמָה יְהֹוָ֖ה אִ֣ישׁ מִלְחָמָ֑ה יָרָ֣ה בַיָּ֑ם׃	Visioned akin to a warrior of yore,^[37] A reference to the midrash found in Mekhilta d’Rabbi Yishmael, Shira 4:1 The Cause, a being of war,^[38] Exodus 15:3 cast down in the sea!^[39] Exodus 15:4
מַפְלִיא מִקֶּֽדֶם נוֹרָאוֹת עוֹד יַרְאֵֽנוּ נִפְלָאוֹת וּמַטֵּ֙הוּ֙ עַל־הַיָּ֔ם׃	While They wondrously did awesomeness then,^[40] The next few stanzas are largely based on Isaiah’s prophecy of return in Isaiah 11. They should show us wonders again, And Their staff over the sea.^[41] Isaiah 10:26
נִדָּחִים יַדְרִיךְ בַּנְּעָלִים וְהִכָּֽהוּ לְשִׁבְעָה נְחָלִים אֵ֚ת לְשׁ֣וֹן יָם׃	Xenized exiles They will lead in sandals, and strike into seven channels the gulf of the sea.^[42] Isaiah 11:15
חׇפְשִׁים יַדְרִיר שִׁירַֽיִם נִשְׁאָרִים מֵאַשּׁוּר וּמִמִּצְרַֽיִם וּמֵאִיֵּ֖י הַיָּֽם׃	Yet another song the free liberated ones will sing, from Assyria and Egypt returning, and from the isles of the sea.^[43] Isaiah 11:11
מֵאֲרָצוֹת יְקַבֵּץ לְגׇאֳלָם יְנַטְּלֵם כִּימֵי עוֹלָם מִצָּפ֣וֹן וּמִיָּ֔ם׃	Zenithally They’ll gather them, redeeming from the lands, as in days of old taking them in Their hands, from the mountainous north and the western sea.^[44] Isaiah 49:12. Usually translated as “from the north and west” (because the mountains are to the north of Israel, while the sea is to its west), here this more poetic translation is used to preserve the refrain of “sea.”
בְּחַצְרוֹת אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ יֵצְאוּ מַֽיִם חַיִּים וְיֵרָפְאוּ חֶצְיָ֗ם אֶל־הַיָּם֙׃	Meandering out in our God’s camp naturally fresh healing water^[45] The next few stanzas are largely based on the prophecy of water flowing from the Temple in Ezekiel 47. will decamp half of it towards the sea.^[46] Zechariah 14:8
רַבִּים מוֹשְׁכִים וְהוֹלְכִים וּמִן־הַמִּקְדָּשׁ מְפַכִּים הֹלְכִ֣ים אֶל־הַיָּ֔ם׃	Channeling, most of it will go out, emitting from the Temple, pouring out, going to the sea.^[47] Ecclesiastes 1:7
יַעֲלוּ עַל־שָׂפָה עֲצֵי מַאֲכָל לִתְרוּפָה קְצִירֶ֣הָ עַד־יָ֑ם׃	Jammed together, going up to the shore, come fruit-trees for a cure, its branches to the sea.^[48] Psalms 80:12
קְצִין עַם יַפְרֵשׁ מִגֶּֽזַע יִשַׁי שֹֽׁרֶשׁ וְ֭יֵרְדְּ מִיָּ֣ם עַד־יָ֑ם׃	Boss of the people will divide, son of Jesse’s root’s side, and rule from sea to sea.^[49] Psalms 72:8
בְּיָמֵֽינוּ יוֹפִֽיעַ הֲדָרוֹ יָקֵ֥ם יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־דְּבָר֑וֹ עָשָׂ֥ה אֶת־הַיָּ֖ם׃	In our days, let Their splendor be heard! The Cause fulfill Their word,^[50] I Samuel 1:23 They who made the sea!^[51] Jonah 1:9
טְלָאָיו נִהֵל כְּאוֹמֵן מוֹשִֽׁיעַ וְגוֹאֵל יְקַר זִיו רָֽאוּ וְהִכִּֽירוּ כְּבוֹד אֵל כִּלְ כְּלָם דְּבַשׁ מִסֶּֽלַע הֶחֱסָם בְּצִלּוֹ לְהִצָּאֵל בְּֽ֭מַקְהֵלוֹת בָּרְכ֣וּ אֱלֹהִ֑ים אֲ֝דֹנָ֗י מִמְּק֥וֹר יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (תהלים סח:כז)	Tending nursely was the Savior and Redeemer to Their lambs. In seeing splendid glory, they got the Deity’s glorious plans. Crag-born luscious honey provided, sheltered in Their shade’s spans; In troops, bless God, the Master, source of Israel’s clans! (Psalms 68:27)
בְּגִילָה בְּרִינָה בְּשִׂמְחָה רַבָּה וְאָמְרוּ כֻלָּם מִֽי־כָמֹ֤כָה בָּֽאֵלִם֙ יְהֹוָ֔ה מִ֥י כָּמֹ֖כָה נֶאְדָּ֣ר בַּקֹּ֑דֶשׁ נוֹרָ֥א תְהִלֹּ֖ת עֹ֥שֵׂה פֶֽלֶא׃ (שמות טו:יא) מַלְכוּתְךָ רָאוּ בָנֶֽיךָ בּוֹקֵֽעַ יָם לִפְנֵי מֹשֶׁה׃	In cheer and joy and great gladness and all said, Who is like You among the deities, Cause? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in praise, wonder-working? (Exodus 15:11) Your sovereignty your children saw, splitting the sea before Moshe.
מִפְעַל נוֹרְאוֹתָיו סָפוּן מִי לְגַדְּלֵֽהוּ עֹֽצֶם פְּלָאוֹתָיו אֲשֶׁר הִפְלִיא לַמַּעֲנֵֽהוּ צֶֽמַח קְדֹשָׁיו אָֽנִי וְלִי מוֹרָשָׁה לְקַלְּסֵֽהוּ׃ זֶ֤ה אֵלִי֙ וְאַנְוֵ֔הוּ אֱלֹהֵ֥י אָבִ֖י וַאֲרֹמְמֶֽנְהוּ׃ (שמות טו:יא)	Mighty never-seen acts; who can greaten Them? Overwhelming powers, wonders done for Them. Child, quoth I, of Their holy, and my portion is to plaudit Them. This is my Deity, I will exalt Them, my father’s God, I will exult Them! (Exodus 15:2)
זֶה צוּר יִשְׂעֵֽנוּ פָּצוּ פֶה וְאָמְרוּ׃ יְהֹוָ֥ה ׀ יִמְלֹ֖ךְ לְעֹלָ֥ם וָעֶֽד׃ (שמות טו:יח) וְנֶאֱמַר כִּֽי־פָדָ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶֽת־יַעֲקֹ֑ב וּגְאָל֕וֹ מִיַּ֖ד חָזָ֥ק מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃ (ירמיה לא:י)	This is the God of our salvation! They split open their mouths and said:^[52] Many communities say instead of this special archaic maȝaravot form the standard זֶ֤ה אֵלִי֙ עָנוּ וְאָמְרוּ “This is my God! (Ex. 15:2) they answered and said” The Cause will reign forever and ever! (Exodus 15:18) And it is said, the Cause rescued Jacob and redeemed him from a hand stronger than his. (Jeremiah 31:10)
רָכַב עַל כְּרוּב בְּרָקִים רָב מַלְכִּי שָׁלַח מִמָּרוֹם הִמְשַֽׁנִי מִמַּֽיִם הִמְשִׁיכִי תַּמָּתִי רַעְיָתִי פָּץ קוּמִי וּלְכִי כִּ֣י אׇמְנָ֔ם כִּ֥י גֹאֵ֖ל אָנֹ֑כִי׃	Rider on mount-angels, my Sovereign in great flash surely sent from on high to draw me from the splash. Thus, my Pure One, my Friend, open, come in a dash, for perhaps a redeemer have I^[53] Ruth 3:12, as read. in cache.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה מֶֽלֶךְ צוּר יִשְׂרָאֵל וְגוֹאֲלוֹ׃	Blessed are You, Cause, Sovereign, Rock and Redeemer of Israel.^[54] Many communities say instead of this special archaic maȝaravot form the standard גָּאַל יִשְׂרָאֵל “Redeemer of Israel” (based on Debra Reed Blank’s interpretation of גָּאַל as a nomen agentis akin to סַלָּח or גַנָּב in her essay “The Curious Theological Grammar of Ga’al Yisrael,” in The Experience of Jewish Liturgy (2011). For those who reject said interpretation this could be translated as “who redeemed Israel.”)
הַשְׁכִּיבֵֽנוּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ לְשָׁלוֹם וְהַעֲמִידֵֽנוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ לְחַיִּים וּפְרוֹשׂ עָלֵֽינוּ סֻכַּת שְׁלוֹמֶֽךָ וְתַקְּנֵֽנוּ בְּעֵצָה טוֹבָה מִלְּפָנֶֽיךָ וְהוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ לְמַֽעַן שְׁמֶֽךָ וְהָגֵן בַּעֲדֵֽנוּ וְהָסֵר מֵעָלֵֽינוּ אוֹיֵב דֶּֽבֶר וְחֶֽרֶב וְרָעָב וְיָגוֹן וְהָסֵר שָׂטָן מִלְּפָנֵֽינוּ וּמֵאַחֲרֵֽינוּ וּבְצֵל כְּנָפֶֽיךָ תַּסְתִּירֵֽנוּ כִּי אֵל שׁוֹמְרֵֽנוּ וּמַצִּילֵֽנוּ אָֽתָּה כִּי אֵל מֶֽלֶךְ חַנּוּן וְרַחוּם אָֽתָּה וּשְׁמוֹר צֵאתֵֽנוּ וּבוֹאֵֽנוּ לְחַיִּים וּלְשָׁלוֹם מֵעַתָּה וְעַד־עוֹלָם וּפְרֹשׂ עָלֵֽינוּ סֻכַּת שְׁלוֹמֶֽךָ׃	Lay us down, Cause our God, for peace, and raise us up, our Sovereign, for life, and spread over us Your peace’s lean-to, and establish us in good sense before You, and save us for Your name’s sake, and shield us and remove from us enemy, plague, and sword, and famine, and sorrow, and remove the satan from before us and behind us, and in Your pinions’ shade shelter us, for a Deity who guards and saves us are You, for a sovereign merciful and compassionate Deity are You, and guard our exits and entrances for life and for peace from now and forevermore, spread over us Your peace’s lean-to.
מָתַי אָבוֹא וְאֵרָאֶה פְּנֵי אֱלֹהִים לְהַקְבִּילָה נוֹי חוֹמוֹת מַגִּיעוֹת כִּסֵּא כָבוֹד לְמַֽעְלָה חֵיל וְאַרְמוֹן עַל־מִשְׁפָּטוֹ וְהָעִיר עַל־תִּלָּהּ מִכְלַל יֹֽפִי יוֹפִֽיעַ כְּעִיר שֶׁחֻבְּרָה לָהּ בַּמְּסִלָּה בֵּית אֵל עוֹלָה שְׂרִידֵי גּוֹלָה לְהָגִילָה אֱלֹ֘הִ֤ים יְכוֹנְנֶ֖הָ עַד־עוֹלָ֣ם סֶֽלָה׃ (תהלים מח:ט)	Might I enter and be seen, appearing before the face of God? Nice walls around the Throne of Glory above. Castle and high wall on Their judgement, even the city on its tell, mightily beautiful, be revealed like a city bordered around with a highway of Bethel, the exile’s remnants ascending to celebrate! God will establish it forevermore, selah. (Psalms 48:9)
נִכְסְפָ֬ה וְגַם־כָּלְתָ֨ה ׀ נַפְשִׁי֮ אֶל־יֹֽפִי מִכְלוֹלֶֽיהָ מִדֵּי חׇדְשָׁהּ וְשַׁבַּתָּהּ לְהֵרָאוֹת תָּמִיד עָלֶֽיהָ בַּעֲלוֹת כָּעָב קְרוּאֶֽיהָ לְשַׁלֵּשׁ פַּעֲמֵי רְגָלֶֽיהָ לְסַבֵּב צִיּוֹן וּלְהַקִּיף וְלִסְפֹּר אֶת־מִגְדָּלֶֽיהָ בִּירָנִיּוֹת נוֹסָפִין לָהּ לְמִשְׁמַר נוֹי זְבוּלֶֽיהָ יִקְרְא֤וּ לִירוּשָׁלַ֙͏ִם֙ כִּסֵּ֣א יְהֹוָ֔ה וְנִקְו֨וּ אֵלֶ֧יהָ׃ (ירמיה ג:יז)	Wasting away in longing is my soul^[55] Psalms 84:3 for its total beauty, every new moon and sabbath to be seen always upon it, as those called to it go up like a cloud to treble its footsteps, (i.e. the three pilgrimage festivals) surrounding and encircling Zion and counting its towers, additional fortresses for it to guard its beautiful splendor; they will call Jerusalem the Cause’s Throne and trust in it. (Jeremiah 3:17)
חִכִּֽיתִי לַיהֹוָה אוֹתוֹתָיו כִּימֵי עוֹלָם לְמַשְׁמֵשׁ עַל־אֱדוֹם עֶֽשֶׂר נְגָעִים עוֹד יְחַמֵּשׁ תֹּֽהוּ וָבֹֽהוּ רוֹמִי לְשַׁמֵּשׁ וְעָלַֽיִךְ צִיּוֹן כְּבוֹדוֹ יֵרָאֶה בֹּֽקֶר וָרֶֽמֶשׁ יְהֹוָה לְאוֹר עוֹלָם יִהְיֶה שַֽׁחַר וָאֶֽמֶשׁ לְאוֹר עוֹלָם לֹא יִהְיֶה לָּךְ עוֹד הַשֶּֽׁמֶשׁ׃	I have trusted in the Cause’s signs, coming and going as days of old, on Edom, ten more plagues^[56] A reference to the midrash found in Pesiqta d-Rav Kahana 7:11 will be made fivefold; chaos-schmaos^[57] Some texts include בִּכְרַךְ גָּדוֹל “in the great city” here. served to Rome, and on you, Zion, Their glory will be seen morning and eve; the Cause for eternal glory will be morning and night; for an eternal light, there will no longer be sun upon you.^[58] Find Isaiah 60:19
מְאוֹר מְשָׁרְתָיו יַזְהִיר כְּזֹֽהַר הָרָקִֽיעַ לְהִתְחַדֵּשׁ הַנּוֹתָר בְּצִיּוֹן קָדוֹשׁ יֵאָמֵר לוֹ לְהִתְקַדֵּשׁ אַדִּיר יְהֹוָה שָׁם לֹא יַעַבְרֶֽנּוּ טָמֵא לְהָדֵשׁ לֹא־יוֹסִיף לָבוֹא בּוֹ עָרֵל וְקָדֵשׁ שְׂרִידִים אֲשֶׁר יְהֹוָה קוֹרֵא יִכָּנְסוּ לַפַּרְדֵּס לִבְשִׁ֣י ׀ בִּגְדֵ֣י תִפְאַרְתֵּ֗ךְ יְרוּשָׁלַ֙͏ִם֙ עִ֣יר הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ׃ (ישעיה נב:א)	From the light of Their ministers illuminates as the lumination of the firmament to renew the remnant in Zion, “holy” it will be called to be sanctified, Noble is the Cause who will not allow the impure to pass through there to tread No more will the uncircumcised and cult-prostitute come into it! The remnants that the Cause calls will be gatherered to the garden. Don your clothes of splendor, Jerusalem, holy city! (Isaiah 52:1)
בְּרֹאשׁ חֲמִשָּׁה הָרִים מִקְדַּשׁ אֵל לְכוֹנְנָה בֵּית אֱלֹהִים תַּֽחַת זִיו כְּבוֹדוֹ לְגוֹנְנָה יַרְחִֽיבוּ אֹהָלֶֽיהָ יְרִיעוֹת מִשְׁכְּנֹתֶֽיהָ יַֽטּוּ לְשַׁכְּנָה עוֹלָה וּמַרְחֶֽבֶת לְמַֽעְלָה וְנָסְבָה וְרָחֲבָה בָּעֶלְיוֹנָה קְבוּצֵי גָּלֻיּוֹת מִתְקַבְּצוֹת וְנָחוֹת בְּבֵית מְלוֹנָה וּפְדוּיֵ֨י יְהֹוָ֜ה יְשֻׁב֗וּן וּבָ֤אוּ צִיּוֹן֙ בְּרִנָּ֔ה׃ (ישעיה לה:י)	By summit of five peaks,^[59] A reference to the midrash found in Pesiqta d-Rav Kahana 21:4 the Deity will establish it, the house of God under Their radiant bright glory in shielding; its tents will broaden poles, its dwellings yet extending to dwell within those going up and around on high, coming and going out broad at the highest.^[60] The angels The gatherings of exiles gathered and resting in the lodging-houses, and the Cause’s redeemed will dwell, and Zion will come in cheer. (Isaiah 35:10)
חָׄזָׄקׄ וְׄאַׄמִּׄץׄ לְעֵינֵֽינוּ רוּחוֹ הַטּוֹבָה יָעִיר שְׁנַת גְּאֻלָּה יַרְאֵֽנוּ יְחַיֵּֽנוּ רַב וְצָעִיר מִיַּד בֶּן־נֵכָר יִפְצֵֽנוּ מִיַּד בְּנֵי שֵׂעִיר קוֹל מֵהֵיכָל קוֹל שָׁאוֹן מַחֲרִיבָיו יַסְעִיר חוֹמַת אֵשׁ סָבִיב לָהּ שַׁלֵּם יְשַׁלֵּם הַמַּבְעִיר הִתְפַּלְלוּ בַעֲדָהּ וְדִרְשׁוּ אֶת־שְׁלוֹם הָעִיר׃	Be strong and courageous for our eyes; Their great spirit will rouse, the year of redemption They will show us, enlivening us both young and old. Soon the foreigner will open at us, soon the son of Seir, a sound from the Palace, a sound of tumult from its ruiners stormed; a wall of fire surrounding it, its burners will be repaid, repaid! Pray on its behalf and seek the peace of the city.^[61] See Jeremiah 29:7
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה הַפּוֹרֵשׂ סֻכַּת שָׁלוֹם עָלֵֽינוּ וְעַל־כׇּל־עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל וְעַל־יְרוּשָׁלָיִם׃	Blessed are You, Cause, who spreads the lean-to of peace over us and over all Israel and over Jerusalem.

Notes

Notes
1	The ancestors, called “sleepers in Hebron”
2	Psalms 106:22
3	Isaiah 51:15
4	Moses. See Bavli Bekhorot 5a
5	Psalms 96:11
6	Referring to God, based on the midrashic interpretation of Song of Songs 5:10
7	Jonah 1:15
8	Moses
9	A reference to the midrash found in Mekhilta d’Rabbi Yishmael, Beshallaḥ 5:7.
10	Psalms 114:5
11	A reference to the midrash found in Mekhilta d’Rabbi Yishmael, Beshallaḥ 6:1
12	Exodus 14:23
13	Psalms 114:2
14	Micah 7:19
15	According to the Mekhilta d’Rabbi Yishmael, Beshallaḥ 4:9, the sea was split by merit of the circumcision. This connection is also found in the piyyut Yom le-Yabasha.
16	Isaiah 51:10
17	Moses based on Exodus 2:2
18	The first word of the Song of the Sea, in Exodus 15:1
19	Isaiah 24:14
20	According to the midrashic interpretation of Psalms 68:26, the angels did not begin to sing that day until Israel began to sing at the sea.
21	Psalms 89:10
22	A reference to the midrash found in Mekhilta d’Rabbi Yishmael, Beshallaḥ 5:1. The next few verses are largely based on this specific midrash describing ten miracles God performed at the Reed Sea.
23	Habakkuk 2:1
24	Psalms 65:6
25	Amos 5:8
26	Isaiah 51:10
27	Find Psalms 74:13
28	Find Psalms 66:6
29	Amos 9:3
30	Psalms 33:7
31	Job 38:16
32	A reference to the midrash found in Mekhilta d’Rabbi Yishmael, Beshallaḥ 7:13
33	Exodus 14:30
34	Psalms 78:13
35	Find Psalms 77:20
36	While not found in any manuscript of Psalms, some rabbinic texts (for instance, Yalqut Shimoni, remez 818) include the word אֱלֹהִים in quotations of Psalms 77:20.
37	A reference to the midrash found in Mekhilta d’Rabbi Yishmael, Shira 4:1
38	Exodus 15:3
39	Exodus 15:4
40	The next few stanzas are largely based on Isaiah’s prophecy of return in Isaiah 11.
41	Isaiah 10:26
42	Isaiah 11:15
43	Isaiah 11:11
44	Isaiah 49:12. Usually translated as “from the north and west” (because the mountains are to the north of Israel, while the sea is to its west), here this more poetic translation is used to preserve the refrain of “sea.”
45	The next few stanzas are largely based on the prophecy of water flowing from the Temple in Ezekiel 47.
46	Zechariah 14:8
47	Ecclesiastes 1:7
48	Psalms 80:12
49	Psalms 72:8
50	I Samuel 1:23
51	Jonah 1:9
52	Many communities say instead of this special archaic maȝaravot form the standard זֶ֤ה אֵלִי֙ עָנוּ וְאָמְרוּ “This is my God! (Ex. 15:2) they answered and said”
53	Ruth 3:12, as read.
54	Many communities say instead of this special archaic maȝaravot form the standard גָּאַל יִשְׂרָאֵל “Redeemer of Israel” (based on Debra Reed Blank’s interpretation of גָּאַל as a nomen agentis akin to סַלָּח or גַנָּב in her essay “The Curious Theological Grammar of Ga’al Yisrael,” in The Experience of Jewish Liturgy (2011). For those who reject said interpretation this could be translated as “who redeemed Israel.”)
55	Psalms 84:3
56	A reference to the midrash found in Pesiqta d-Rav Kahana 7:11
57	Some texts include בִּכְרַךְ גָּדוֹל “in the great city” here.
58	Find Isaiah 60:19
59	A reference to the midrash found in Pesiqta d-Rav Kahana 21:4
60	The angels
61	See Jeremiah 29:7

Isaac Gantwerk Mayer (transcription & naqdanut)

From a family of musicians, Isaac Gantwerk Mayer believes that creative art is one of the most powerful ways to get in touch with the divine. He composes music and poetry in Hebrew and English. (He also translates and authors his own original works.) Isaac runs a Jewish music transcription service, which will transcribe and set any Jewish music in any language, recorded or written. Contact his service on Facebook or via his music blog.

Isaac Gantwerk Mayer (translation)

From a family of musicians, Isaac Gantwerk Mayer believes that creative art is one of the most powerful ways to get in touch with the divine. He composes music and poetry in Hebrew and English. (He also authors his own original works and transcribes Hebrew and Aramaic text, adding niqqud and t'amim as needed.) Isaac runs a Jewish music transcription service, which will transcribe and set any Jewish music in any language, recorded or written. Contact his service on Facebook or via his music blog.

Menaḥem ben Jacob of Worms

Menaḥem ben Yaaqov ben Shlomo ben Menaḥem, (d. 1203), of Worms, was a rabbi, scholar, and paytan. His teacher was Efraim ben Yitsḥaq (c. 1110–1175). Menaḥem was one of the three scholars (including Eleazar ben Judah ben Kalonymos and Kalonymos ben Gershom) who formed the rabbinical court of Worms at the end of the 12th century. Menaḥem's works are primarily laments. One of his poems deals with a brief siege of Worms by King Otto Ⅳ from February 10 to 13, 1201. Afterward, the Jewish community of Worms also took up arms and participated in the defense of the city. Although he was a specialist in Halakhah, the surviving material on this subject is limited. A catalogue of his works with 33 entries is published by Zunz, and an appreciation by Karfogel.

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