the Five Megillot • the Open Siddur Project ✍ פְּרוֺיֶקְט הַסִּדּוּר הַפָּתוּחַ

💬 מְגִלַּת אֵיכָה | Megillat Eikhah: Chantable English translation with trōp, by Len Fellman

Yirmiyah ben Ḥilkiyah haKohen — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 00:54:11 +0000

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Recordings

Chapter 1:
https://archive.org/download/eikhah-with-english-transtropilation-audio-len-fellman-2020/Eikhah%20with%20English%20transtropilation%20-%20chapter%201%20%28Len%20Fellman%202020%29.mp3

Chapter 2:
https://archive.org/download/eikhah-with-english-transtropilation-audio-len-fellman-2020/Eikhah%20with%20English%20transtropilation%20-%20chapter%202%20%28Len%20Fellman%202020%29.mp3

Chapter 3:
https://archive.org/download/eikhah-with-english-transtropilation-audio-len-fellman-2020/Eikhah%20with%20English%20transtropilation%20-%20chapter%203%20%28Len%20Fellman%202020%29.mp3

Chapter 4:
https://archive.org/download/eikhah-with-english-transtropilation-audio-len-fellman-2020/Eikhah%20with%20English%20transtropilation%20-%20chapter%204%20%28Len%20Fellman%202020%29.mp3

Chapter 5:
https://archive.org/download/eikhah-with-english-transtropilation-audio-len-fellman-2020/Eikhah%20with%20English%20transtropilation%20-%20chapter%205%20%28Len%20Fellman%202020%29.mp3

This English version of Lamentations has been prepared by drawing on the following translations: The Stone Edition Tanach, JPS, H.L. Ginsberg, David Seidenberg, James Moffatt, Jerusalem Bible, New King James Bible.

The goal was to create an English reading that can be sung to the traditional trōps that are used for the Hebrew, but which follows the Hebrew with its trōps as closely as possible.

If one examines the authoritative translations, it becomes clear that there are many passages in the text of whose meaning the experts are unsure. In those situations I attempted to choose a reading which scans well with the melody, and which agrees with some (or at least one) of the authoritative renderings.

The trōp melodies I used were taken from the book CHANTING THE HEBREW BIBLE by Joshua R. Jacobson. In order to adapt the trōp symbols to a left-to-right language like English, I reversed the direction of the following trōp symbols: mercha tip’cha munach tevir kadma/pashta geresh gershayim

However, I left these the way they are: telisha katana telisha gedola

I also indicate a mercha/tipcha pair or a kadma/geresh pair by “wrapping it around” the phrase which will have the combined melody, as in: Renew our days She weeps bitterly

I also frequently indicate an entire English phrase to be chanted to a single trōp melody, as in: clings to her skirts

Chapter 3 of Lamentations is sung by singing each set of three verses to three melodies, in turn. I grouped each set of three verses together, as in 1-3, 4-6, etc. The first two of the three melodies end their first half (the “half-cadence”) with a high note, and the third with a “falling tone”. I have marked the corresponding syllable with an arrow: ↗ for the high note or half-cadence of the first melody, ↑ for the high note of the second melody, and ↘ for the “falling tone” of the third melody.

Source (Hebrew)	Translation (English)
אֵיכָה א	CHAPTER 1
¹ אֵיכָ֣ה ׀ יָשְׁבָ֣ה בָדָ֗ד הָעִיר֙ רַבָּ֣תִי עָ֔ם הָיְתָ֖ה כְּאַלְמָנָ֑ה רַּבָּ֣תִי בַגּוֹיִ֗ם שָׂרָ֙תִי֙ בַּמְּדִינ֔וֹת הָיְתָ֖ה לָמַֽס׃ ס	¹ How \| she sits alone the city once full of people. She has become like a widow, the greatest among the nations, the princess among the provinces. She is reduced to slavery.
² בָּכ֨וֹ תִבְכֶּ֜ה בַּלַּ֗יְלָה וְדִמְעָתָהּ֙ עַ֣ל לֶֽחֱיָ֔הּ אֵֽין־לָ֥הּ מְנַחֵ֖ם מִכָּל־אֹהֲבֶ֑יהָ כָּל־רֵעֶ֙יהָ֙ בָּ֣גְדוּ בָ֔הּ הָ֥יוּ לָ֖הּ לְאֹיְבִֽים׃ ס	² She weeps bitterly in the night. Her tears run down her cheeks. There is none to comfort her from all her lovers. Her companions have all betrayed her ; they have become her enemies.
³ גָּֽלְתָ֨ה יְהוּדָ֤ה מֵעֹ֙נִי֙ וּמֵרֹ֣ב עֲבֹדָ֔ה הִ֚יא יָשְׁבָ֣ה בַגּוֹיִ֔ם לֹ֥א מָצְאָ֖ה מָנ֑וֹחַ כָּל־רֹדְפֶ֥יהָ הִשִּׂיג֖וּהָ בֵּ֥ין הַמְּצָרִֽים׃ ס	³ Judah is exiled in affliction and by hard labor. She sits among the nations but she finds there no relief.
⁴ דַּרְכֵ֨י צִיּ֜וֹן אֲבֵל֗וֹת מִבְּלִי֙ בָּאֵ֣י מוֹעֵ֔ד כָּל־שְׁעָרֶ֙יהָ֙ שֽׁוֹמֵמִ֔ין כֹּהֲנֶ֖יהָ נֶאֱנָחִ֑ים בְּתוּלֹתֶ֥יהָ נּוּג֖וֹת וְהִ֥יא מַר־לָֽהּ׃ ס	⁴ The roads to Ẓíōn are mourning for want of festival pilgrims. All her gateways are deserted. Her priests are groaning. Her maidens are afflicted; she is embittered.
⁵ הָי֨וּ צָרֶ֤יהָ לְרֹאשׁ֙ אֹיְבֶ֣יהָ שָׁל֔וּ כִּֽי־יְהוָ֥ה הוֹגָ֖הּ עַ֣ל רֹב־פְּשָׁעֶ֑יהָ עוֹלָלֶ֛יהָ הָלְכ֥וּ שְׁבִ֖י לִפְנֵי־צָֽר׃ ס	⁵ Her oppressors have become her master; her enemies prosper. Since God has aggrieved her for the greatness of her sins. Her young children have left her as prisoners before the oppressor.
⁶ וַיֵּצֵ֥א מן־בת־ מִבַּת־צִיּ֖וֹן כָּל־הֲדָרָ֑הּ הָי֣וּ שָׂרֶ֗יהָ כְּאַיָּלִים֙ לֹא־מָצְא֣וּ מִרְעֶ֔ה וַיֵּלְכ֥וּ בְלֹא־כֹ֖חַ לִפְנֵ֥י רוֹדֵֽף׃ ס	⁶ Gone from the daughter of Ẓíōn is all her splendor. Even her leaders have become like deer that find no pasture, that flee without strength before their pursuer.
⁷ זָֽכְרָ֣ה יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם יְמֵ֤י עָנְיָהּ֙ וּמְרוּדֶ֔יהָ כֹּ֚ל מַחֲמֻדֶ֔יהָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָי֖וּ מִ֣ימֵי קֶ֑דֶם בִּנְפֹ֧ל עַמָּ֣הּ בְּיַד־צָ֗ר וְאֵ֤ין עוֹזֵר֙ לָ֔הּ רָא֣וּהָ צָרִ֔ים שָׂחֲק֖וּ עַ֥ל מִשְׁבַּתֶּֽהָ׃ ס	⁷ Jerusalem remembers her days of misery and her roaming ; All of the treasures that were hers in the days of old when her people fell into the hand of the enemy, and there was none to help her. The oppressor did gaze at her and laughed at her downfall.
⁸ חֵ֤טְא חָֽטְאָה֙ יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם עַל־כֵּ֖ן לְנִידָ֣ה הָיָ֑תָה כָּֽל־מְכַבְּדֶ֤יהָ הִזִּיל֙וּהָ֙ כִּי־רָא֣וּ עֶרְוָתָ֔הּ גַּם־הִ֥יא נֶאֶנְחָ֖ה וַתָּ֥שָׁב אָחֽוֹר׃ ס	⁸ Jerusalem has sinned very grievously. Therefore she has become an outcast. All who honored her now despise her, for they have seen her nakedness. And she herself sighs and turns away.
⁹ טֻמְאָתָ֣הּ בְּשׁוּלֶ֗יהָ לֹ֤א זָֽכְרָה֙ אַחֲרִיתָ֔הּ וַתֵּ֣רֶד פְּלָאִ֔ים אֵ֥ין מְנַחֵ֖ם לָ֑הּ רְאֵ֤ה יְהוָה֙ אֶת־עָנְיִ֔י כִּ֥י הִגְדִּ֖יל אוֹיֵֽב׃ ס	⁹ Her uncleanness clings to her skirts. She never thought this would be her end. She descended amazingly low. There is no one to comfort her. Behold, Adonai, my affliction, because the enemy is triumphant.
¹⁰ יָדוֹ֙ פָּ֣רַשׂ צָ֔ר עַ֖ל כָּל־מַחֲמַדֶּ֑יהָ כִּֽי־רָאֲתָ֤ה גוֹיִם֙ בָּ֣אוּ מִקְדָּשָׁ֔הּ אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוִּ֔יתָה לֹא־יָבֹ֥אוּ בַקָּהָ֖ל לָֽךְ׃ ס	¹⁰ The oppressor has spread out his hand over everything that she treasured. For she saw the nations invade her holy place, whom You had forbidden to attend Your assembly.
¹¹ כָּל־עַמָּ֤הּ נֶאֱנָחִים֙ מְבַקְּשִׁ֣ים לֶ֔חֶם נָתְנ֧וּ מחמודיהם מַחֲמַדֵּיהֶ֛ם בְּאֹ֖כֶל לְהָשִׁ֣יב נָ֑פֶשׁ רְאֵ֤ה יְהוָה֙ וְֽהַבִּ֔יטָה כִּ֥י הָיִ֖יתִי זוֹלֵלָֽה׃ ס	¹¹ All her people are sighing, searching for bread. They gave up their most precious things in exchange for food, to restore their life. See, Adonai, and behold, for I have become so despised.
¹² ל֣וֹא אֲלֵיכֶם֮ כָּל־עֹ֣בְרֵי דֶרֶךְ֒ הַבִּ֣יטוּ וּרְא֗וּ אִם־יֵ֤שׁ מַכְאוֹב֙ כְּמַכְאֹבִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר עוֹלַ֖ל לִ֑י אֲשֶׁר֙ הוֹגָ֣ה יְהוָ֔ה בְּי֖וֹם חֲר֥וֹן אַפּֽוֹ׃ ס	¹² May it not befall you, all you who pass by! Behold, and see if there be pain like my pain which was meted out to me. with which Adonai has afflicted me on the day of His fierce anger.
¹³ מִמָּר֛וֹם שָֽׁלַח־אֵ֥שׁ בְּעַצְמֹתַ֖י וַיִּרְדֶּ֑נָּה פָּרַ֨שׂ רֶ֤שֶׁת לְרַגְלַי֙ הֱשִׁיבַ֣נִי אָח֔וֹר נְתָנַ֙נִי֙ שֹֽׁמֵמָ֔ה כָּל־הַיּ֖וֹם דָּוָֽה׃ ס	¹³ From on high he sent a fire into my bones, which overpowered them. He spread a net for my feet; he hurled me backwards. He has left me deserted. All day long I endure sickness.
¹⁴ נִשְׂקַד֩ עֹ֨ל פְּשָׁעַ֜י בְּיָד֗וֹ יִשְׂתָּֽרְג֛וּ עָל֥וּ עַל־צַוָּארִ֖י הִכְשִׁ֣יל כֹּחִ֑י נְתָנַ֣נִי אֲדֹנָ֔י בִּידֵ֖י לֹא־אוּכַ֥ל קֽוּם׃ ס	¹⁴ Weighing me down is the yoke of my transgressions. By His hand they were lashed, and thrust upon my neck; It saps my strength. The Lord has given me over into hands that I can’t withstand.
¹⁵ סִלָּ֨ה כָל־אַבִּירַ֤י ׀ אֲדֹנָי֙ בְּקִרְבִּ֔י קָרָ֥א עָלַ֛י מוֹעֵ֖ד לִשְׁבֹּ֣ר בַּחוּרָ֑י גַּ֚ת דָּרַ֣ךְ אֲדֹנָ֔י לִבְתוּלַ֖ת בַּת־יְהוּדָֽה׃ ס	¹⁵ The Lord has trampled all the warriors that are in my midst. He has called against me an assembly to crush my young men. As in a press, the Lord has trodden fair maiden, daughter of Judah.
¹⁶ עַל־אֵ֣לֶּה ׀ אֲנִ֣י בוֹכִיָּ֗ה עֵינִ֤י ׀ עֵינִי֙ יֹ֣רְדָה מַּ֔יִם כִּֽי־רָחַ֥ק מִמֶּ֛נִּי מְנַחֵ֖ם מֵשִׁ֣יב נַפְשִׁ֑י הָי֤וּ בָנַי֙ שֽׁוֹמֵמִ֔ים כִּ֥י גָבַ֖ר אוֹיֵֽב׃ ס	¹⁶ For all of these things \| I am crying. My eyes––my eyes are flowing in tears, because so far from me is any comforter to restore my soul. My children are in despair because the enemy has proved too strong.
¹⁷ פֵּֽרְשָׂ֨ה צִיּ֜וֹן בְּיָדֶ֗יהָ אֵ֤ין מְנַחֵם֙ לָ֔הּ צִוָּ֧ה יְהוָ֛ה לְיַעֲקֹ֖ב סְבִיבָ֣יו צָרָ֑יו הָיְתָ֧ה יְרוּשָׁלִַ֛ם לְנִדָּ֖ה בֵּינֵיהֶֽם׃ ס	¹⁷ Zion stretches out her hands. There is no one to comfort her. God has commanded concerning Jacob that his enemies should surround him. Jerusalem has become a thing unclean among them.
¹⁸ צַדִּ֥יק ה֛וּא יְהוָ֖ה כִּ֣י פִ֣יהוּ מָרִ֑יתִי שִׁמְעוּ־נָ֣א כָל־עמים הָֽעַמִּ֗ים וּרְאוּ֙ מַכְאֹבִ֔י בְּתוּלֹתַ֥י וּבַחוּרַ֖י הָלְכ֥וּ בַשֶּֽׁבִי׃ ס	¹⁸ Righteous is He, Adonai, for I rebelled against His word. Listen now, all you peoples, and behold my agony. My maidens and young men walked into captivity.
¹⁹ קָרָ֤אתִי לַֽמְאַהֲבַי֙ הֵ֣מָּה רִמּ֔וּנִי כֹּהֲנַ֥י וּזְקֵנַ֖י בָּעִ֣יר גָּוָ֑עוּ כִּֽי־בִקְשׁ֥וּ אֹ֙כֶל֙ לָ֔מוֹ וְיָשִׁ֖יבוּ אֶת־נַפְשָֽׁם׃ ס	¹⁹ I called to my lovers: they deceived me. My priests and my elders breathed their last inside the city, as they sought food for themselves to restore their souls.
²⁰ רְאֵ֨ה יְהוָ֤ה כִּֽי־צַר־לִי֙ מֵעַ֣י חֳמַרְמָ֔רוּ נֶהְפַּ֤ךְ לִבִּי֙ בְּקִרְבִּ֔י כִּ֥י מָר֖וֹ מָרִ֑יתִי מִח֥וּץ שִׁכְּלָה־חֶ֖רֶב בַּבַּ֥יִת כַּמָּֽוֶת׃ ס	²⁰ See, Adonai, my distress; my innards are churning. My heart has turned over within me, because I rebelled so grievously. Outside, the sword strikes down, At home, it’s like death.
²¹ שָׁמְע֞וּ כִּ֧י נֶאֱנָחָ֣ה אָ֗נִי אֵ֤ין מְנַחֵם֙ לִ֔י כָּל־אֹ֨יְבַ֜י שָׁמְע֤וּ רָֽעָתִי֙ שָׂ֔שׂוּ כִּ֥י אַתָּ֖ה עָשִׂ֑יתָ הֵבֵ֥אתָ יוֹם־קָרָ֖אתָ וְיִֽהְי֥וּ כָמֽוֹנִי׃ ס	²¹ They have heard that I am sighing. There is none to give comfort to me. All of my enemies heard of my plight and rejoiced, for it was You who have done it. Bring the day that you proclaimed–– let them become like me.
²² תָּבֹ֨א כָל־רָעָתָ֤ם לְפָנֶ֙יךָ֙ וְעוֹלֵ֣ל לָ֔מוֹ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר עוֹלַ֛לְתָּ לִ֖י עַ֣ל כָּל־פְּשָׁעָ֑י כִּֽי־רַבּ֥וֹת אַנְחֹתַ֖י וְלִבִּ֥י דַוָּֽי׃ פ	²² Let all their evil come before You, and You will treat them in the same way as you have treated me for all my transgressions. For great is my groaning, final melody and my heart is sickened.
אֵיכָה ב	CHAPTER 2
¹ אֵיכָה֩ יָעִ֨יב בְּאַפּ֤וֹ ׀ אֲדֹנָי֙ אֶת־בַּת־צִיּ֔וֹן הִשְׁלִ֤יךְ מִשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ אֶ֔רֶץ תִּפְאֶ֖רֶת יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְלֹא־זָכַ֥ר הֲדֹם־רַגְלָ֖יו בְּי֥וֹם אַפּֽוֹ׃ ס	¹ Alas, Adonai has darkened in his anger the daughter of Ẓíōn. He has cast down from heaven to the earth the glory of Israel, and remembered not His footstool on the day of his anger.
² בִּלַּ֨ע אֲדֹנָ֜י לא וְלֹ֣א חָמַ֗ל אֵ֚ת כָּל־נְא֣וֹת יַעֲקֹ֔ב הָרַ֧ס בְּעֶבְרָת֛וֹ מִבְצְרֵ֥י בַת־יְהוּדָ֖ה הִגִּ֣יעַ לָאָ֑רֶץ חִלֵּ֥ל מַמְלָכָ֖ה וְשָׂרֶֽיהָ׃ ס	² The Lord has laid waste, showing no pity. All of the dwellings of Jacob He shattered in his displeasure. Fair Judah’s stronghold He has thrown to the ground. He profaned the kingdom and its leaders.
³ גָּדַ֣ע בָּֽחֳרִי אַ֗ף כֹּ֚ל קֶ֣רֶן יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל הֵשִׁ֥יב אָח֛וֹר יְמִינ֖וֹ מִפְּנֵ֣י אוֹיֵ֑ב וַיִּבְעַ֤ר בְּיַעֲקֹב֙ כְּאֵ֣שׁ לֶֽהָבָ֔ה אָכְלָ֖ה סָבִֽיב׃ ס	³ He cut down, in burning anger, all the dignity of Israel. He turned backward His right hand before the enemy. He burned through Jacob like a flaming fire, consuming on all sides.
⁴ דָּרַ֨ךְ קַשְׁתּ֜וֹ כְּאוֹיֵ֗ב נִצָּ֤ב יְמִינוֹ֙ כְּצָ֔ר וַֽיַּהֲרֹ֔ג כֹּ֖ל מַחֲמַדֵּי־עָ֑יִן בְּאֹ֙הֶל֙ בַּת־צִיּ֔וֹן שָׁפַ֥ךְ כָּאֵ֖שׁ חֲמָתֽוֹ׃ ס	⁴ He has bent his bow like an enemy ; poised his right hand like a foe. And he slew all who delighted the eye. In the tent of the daughter of Ẓíōn He poured out, like fire, His great fury.
⁵ הָיָ֨ה אֲדֹנָ֤י ׀ כְּאוֹיֵב֙ בִּלַּ֣ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בִּלַּע֙ כָּל־אַרְמְנוֹתֶ֔יהָ שִׁחֵ֖ת מִבְצָרָ֑יו וַיֶּ֙רֶב֙ בְּבַת־יְהוּדָ֔ה תַּאֲנִיָּ֖ה וַאֲנִיָּֽה׃ ס	⁵ Adonai became like an enemy ; He consumed Israel; consumed all her citadels ; destroyed her fortresses. He increased in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation.
⁶ וַיַּחְמֹ֤ס כַּגַּן֙ שֻׂכּ֔וֹ שִׁחֵ֖ת מוֹעֲד֑וֹ שִׁכַּ֨ח יְהוָ֤ה ׀ בְּצִיּוֹן֙ מוֹעֵ֣ד וְשַׁבָּ֔ת וַיִּנְאַ֥ץ בְּזַֽעַם־אַפּ֖וֹ מֶ֥לֶךְ וְכֹהֵֽן׃ ס	⁶ He stripped His sukkah like it was a garden ; He shattered His place of meeting. He made to be forgotten in Ẓíōn sabbath and festival. He spurned, in the rage of His anger, king and priest.
⁷ זָנַ֨ח אֲדֹנָ֤י ׀ מִזְבְּחוֹ֙ נִאֵ֣ר מִקְדָּשׁ֔וֹ הִסְגִּיר֙ בְּיַד־אוֹיֵ֔ב חוֹמֹ֖ת אַרְמְנוֹתֶ֑יהָ ק֛וֹל נָתְנ֥וּ בְּבֵית־יְהוָ֖ה כְּי֥וֹם מוֹעֵֽד׃ ס	⁷ Adonai abhorred His altar; abandoned His sanctuary. He handed over to the enemy’s hand the walls of its citadels. A great noise they made in the house of God as on the day of a festival.
⁸ חָשַׁ֨ב יְהוָ֤ה ׀ לְהַשְׁחִית֙ חוֹמַ֣ת בַּת־צִיּ֔וֹן נָ֣טָה קָ֔ו לֹא־הֵשִׁ֥יב יָד֖וֹ מִבַּלֵּ֑עַ וַיַּֽאֲבֶל־חֵ֥ל וְחוֹמָ֖ה יַחְדָּ֥ו אֻמְלָֽלוּ׃ ס	⁸ Adonai resolved to destroy the wall of Ẓíōn’s daughter. He stretched out a line. He did not draw back His hand from destroying–– bringing mourning to rampart and wall, they crumble together.
⁹ טָבְע֤וּ בָאָ֙רֶץ֙ שְׁעָרֶ֔יהָ אִבַּ֥ד וְשִׁבַּ֖ר בְּרִיחֶ֑יהָ מַלְכָּ֨הּ וְשָׂרֶ֤יהָ בַגּוֹיִם֙ אֵ֣ין תּוֹרָ֔ה גַּם־נְבִיאֶ֕יהָ לֹא־מָצְא֥וּ חָז֖וֹן מֵיְהוָֽה׃ ס	⁹ Sunk into the earth are her gates. He has smashed her bars into pieces. Her king and leaders are in exile ; there is no torah. And their prophets: they find no vision from Adonai.
¹⁰ יֵשְׁב֨וּ לָאָ֤רֶץ יִדְּמוּ֙ זִקְנֵ֣י בַת־צִיּ֔וֹן הֶֽעֱל֤וּ עָפָר֙ עַל־רֹאשָׁ֔ם חָגְר֖וּ שַׂקִּ֑ים הוֹרִ֤ידוּ לָאָ֙רֶץ֙ רֹאשָׁ֔ן בְּתוּלֹ֖ת יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ ס	¹⁰ They sit on the ground, silent, the elders of fair Ẓíōn. They have sprinkled dust on their heads, and wrapped themselves in sackcloth. The girls bowed their heads to the ground–– the maidens of Jerusalem.
¹¹ כָּל֨וּ בַדְּמָע֤וֹת עֵינַי֙ חֳמַרְמְר֣וּ מֵעַ֔י נִשְׁפַּ֤ךְ לָאָ֙רֶץ֙ כְּבֵדִ֔י עַל־שֶׁ֖בֶר בַּת־עַמִּ֑י בֵּֽעָטֵ֤ף עוֹלֵל֙ וְיוֹנֵ֔ק בִּרְחֹב֖וֹת קִרְיָֽה׃ ס	¹¹ My eyes waste away with weeping, my innards are burning, poured out on the ground are my organs, at the ruin of my daughter people. as children––mere infants––are fainting in the squares of the city.
¹² לְאִמֹּתָם֙ יֹֽאמְר֔וּ אַיֵּ֖ה דָּגָ֣ן וָיָ֑יִן בְּהִֽתְעַטְּפָ֤ם כֶּֽחָלָל֙ בִּרְחֹב֣וֹת עִ֔יר בְּהִשְׁתַּפֵּ֣ךְ נַפְשָׁ֔ם אֶל־חֵ֖יק אִמֹּתָֽם׃ ס	¹² To their mothers they kept asking: “Where is the grain and wine?” As they languish like the dying in the squares of the city. as their souls ebb away in the bosoms of their mothers.
¹³ מָֽה־אֲעִידֵ֞ךְ מָ֣ה אֲדַמֶּה־לָּ֗ךְ הַבַּת֙ יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם מָ֤ה אַשְׁוֶה־לָּךְ֙ וַאֲנַֽחֲמֵ֔ךְ בְּתוּלַ֖ת בַּת־צִיּ֑וֹן כִּֽי־גָד֥וֹל כַּיָּ֛ם שִׁבְרֵ֖ךְ מִ֥י יִרְפָּא־לָֽךְ׃ ס	¹³ How to bear witness for you? To what can I compare you, O daughter of Jerusalem? To what can I liken you, that I may console you? O maiden, daughter of Ẓíōn. For great, like the sea, is your ruin. Who can heal you?
¹⁴ נְבִיאַ֗יִךְ חָ֤זוּ לָךְ֙ שָׁ֣וְא וְתָפֵ֔ל וְלֹֽא־גִלּ֥וּ עַל־עֲוֺנֵ֖ךְ לְהָשִׁ֣יב שביתך שְׁבוּתֵ֑ךְ וַיֶּ֣חֱזוּ לָ֔ךְ מַשְׂא֥וֹת שָׁ֖וְא וּמַדּוּחִֽים׃ ס	¹⁴ Your prophets envisioned for you delusion and folly. They did not reveal your iniquities; this might have restored your fortunes. And what they offered to you was visions of vanity and deception.
¹⁵ סָֽפְק֨וּ עָלַ֤יִךְ כַּפַּ֙יִם֙ כָּל־עֹ֣בְרֵי דֶ֔רֶךְ שָֽׁרְקוּ֙ וַיָּנִ֣עוּ רֹאשָׁ֔ם עַל־בַּ֖ת יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם הֲזֹ֣את הָעִ֗יר שֶׁיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ כְּלִ֣ילַת יֹ֔פִי מָשׂ֖וֹשׂ לְכָל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃ ס	¹⁵ They clap their hands at you, all who pass your way. They hiss, and shake their heads at the daughter of Jerusalem: “Is this it? the city that was called ‘perfect in beauty’, ‘the joy of the whole earth?’”
¹⁶ פָּצ֨וּ עָלַ֤יִךְ פִּיהֶם֙ כָּל־א֣וֹיְבַ֔יִךְ שָֽׁרְקוּ֙ וַיַּֽחַרְקוּ־שֵׁ֔ן אָמְר֖וּ בִּלָּ֑עְנוּ אַ֣ךְ זֶ֥ה הַיּ֛וֹם שֶׁקִּוִּינֻ֖הוּ מָצָ֥אנוּ רָאִֽינוּ׃ ס	¹⁶ They open their mouths against you, all your enemies. They whistle and grind their teeth. They say, “We devoured her.” Indeed this is the day that we have been waiting for. We have arrived; we have seen it.
¹⁷ עָשָׂ֨ה יְהוָ֜ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר זָמָ֗ם בִּצַּ֤ע אֶמְרָתוֹ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוָּ֣ה מִֽימֵי־קֶ֔דֶם הָרַ֖ס וְלֹ֣א חָמָ֑ל וַיְשַׂמַּ֤ח עָלַ֙יִךְ֙ אוֹיֵ֔ב הֵרִ֖ים קֶ֥רֶן צָרָֽיִךְ׃ ס	¹⁷ God has accomplished what He Has purposed. He fulfilled His decree, that he commanded from days of old. He tore down, and did not pity. He let an enemy rejoice over you. He raised the pride of your foes.
¹⁸ צָעַ֥ק לִבָּ֖ם אֶל־אֲדֹנָ֑י חוֹמַ֣ת בַּת־צִ֠יּוֹן הוֹרִ֨ידִי כַנַּ֤חַל דִּמְעָה֙ יוֹמָ֣ם וָלַ֔יְלָה אַֽל־תִּתְּנִ֤י פוּגַת֙ לָ֔ךְ אַל־תִּדֹּ֖ם בַּת־עֵינֵֽךְ׃ ס	¹⁸ Their heart cried out to the Lord. Walls of the daughter of Ẓíōn Let tears run down like a river. Day and night, give yourself no respite. Don’t let even your eyes find rest.
¹⁹ ק֣וּמִי ׀ רֹ֣נִּי בליל בַלַּ֗יְלָה לְרֹאשׁ֙ אַשְׁמֻר֔וֹת שִׁפְכִ֤י כַמַּ֙יִם֙ לִבֵּ֔ךְ נֹ֖כַח פְּנֵ֣י אֲדֹנָ֑י שְׂאִ֧י אֵלָ֣יו כַּפַּ֗יִךְ עַל־נֶ֙פֶשׁ֙ עֽוֹלָלַ֔יִךְ הָעֲטוּפִ֥ים בְּרָעָ֖ב בְּרֹ֥אשׁ כָּל־חוּצֽוֹת׃ ס	¹⁹ Arise! Cry out in the night at the beginning of the watches. Pour out your heart like water. before the face of Adonai. Lift up to Him your hands, for the life of your young children who swoon from hunger at every street corner.
²⁰ רְאֵ֤ה יְהוָה֙ וְֽהַבִּ֔יטָה לְמִ֖י עוֹלַ֣לְתָּ כֹּ֑ה אִם־תֹּאכַ֨לְנָה נָשִׁ֤ים פִּרְיָם֙ עֹלֲלֵ֣י טִפֻּחִ֔ים אִם־יֵהָרֵ֛ג בְּמִקְדַּ֥שׁ אֲדֹנָ֖י כֹּהֵ֥ן וְנָבִֽיא׃ ס	²⁰ See, Adonai, and behold: whom have you ever treated so? Should the women eat their little ones, the children they have nursed? Should there be slain, in God’s holy place, priest and prophet?
²¹ שָׁכְב֨וּ לָאָ֤רֶץ חוּצוֹת֙ נַ֣עַר וְזָקֵ֔ן בְּתוּלֹתַ֥י וּבַחוּרַ֖י נָפְל֣וּ בֶחָ֑רֶב הָרַ֙גְתָּ֙ בְּי֣וֹם אַפֶּ֔ךָ טָבַ֖חְתָּ לֹ֥א חָמָֽלְתָּ׃ ס	²¹ On the ground, in the streets they lie, young and old. My maidens and young men fell by the sword. You slew them on the day of your anger. You slaughtered them ; you showed no mercy.
²² תִּקְרָא֩ כְי֨וֹם מוֹעֵ֤ד מְגוּרַי֙ מִסָּבִ֔יב וְלֹ֥א הָיָ֛ה בְּי֥וֹם אַף־יְהוָ֖ה פָּלִ֣יט וְשָׂרִ֑יד אֲשֶׁר־טִפַּ֥חְתִּי וְרִבִּ֖יתִי אֹיְבִ֥י כִלָּֽם׃ פ	²² You invited ––as on a feast day –– my neighbors from all around. There were none, on the day of God’s wrath: refugees or survivors. Those that I nursed and brought up, final melody my enemy has wiped out.
אֵיכָה ג	CHAPTER 3 special melody––see note below
¹ אֲנִ֤י הַגֶּ֙בֶר֙ רָאָ֣ה עֳנִ֔י בְּשֵׁ֖בֶט עֶבְרָתֽוֹ׃ ² אוֹתִ֥י נָהַ֛ג וַיֹּלַ֖ךְ חֹ֥שֶׁךְ וְלֹא־אֽוֹר׃ ³ אַ֣ךְ בִּ֥י יָשֻׁ֛ב יַהֲפֹ֥ךְ יָד֖וֹ כָּל־הַיּֽוֹם׃ ס	^1-3 I am the man who has seen affliction↗ by the rod of his anger. Me––he has lead and driven↑ in darkness, not in light. Surely on me He brings down His hand↘ the whole day long.
⁴ בִּלָּ֤ה בְשָׂרִי֙ וְעוֹרִ֔י שִׁבַּ֖ר עַצְמוֹתָֽי׃ ⁵ בָּנָ֥ה עָלַ֛י וַיַּקַּ֖ף רֹ֥אשׁ וּתְלָאָֽה׃ ⁶ בְּמַחֲשַׁכִּ֥ים הוֹשִׁיבַ֖נִי כְּמֵתֵ֥י עוֹלָֽם׃ ס	^4-6 He wore away my flesh and skin↗, and shattered my bones. He has besieged me and surrounded me↑ with bitterness and woe. He has made me dwell in darkness↘ like men long dead.
⁷ גָּדַ֧ר בַּעֲדִ֛י וְלֹ֥א אֵצֵ֖א הִכְבִּ֥יד נְחָשְׁתִּֽי׃ ⁸ גַּ֣ם כִּ֤י אֶזְעַק֙ וַאֲשַׁוֵּ֔עַ שָׂתַ֖ם תְּפִלָּתִֽי׃ ⁹ גָּדַ֤ר דְּרָכַי֙ בְּגָזִ֔ית נְתִיבֹתַ֖י עִוָּֽה׃ ס	^7-9 He has walled me in till I can’t escape↗. He has weighed me down with chains. And when I cry and plead↑ He shuts out my prayer. He has blocked my way with boulders↘. He has twisted my path.
¹⁰ דֹּ֣ב אֹרֵ֥ב הוּא֙ לִ֔י אריה אֲרִ֖י בְּמִסְתָּרִֽים׃ ¹¹ דְּרָכַ֥י סוֹרֵ֛ר וַֽיְפַשְּׁחֵ֖נִי שָׂמַ֥נִי שֹׁמֵֽם׃ ¹² דָּרַ֤ךְ קַשְׁתוֹ֙ וַיַּצִּיבֵ֔נִי כַּמַּטָּרָ֖א לַחֵֽץ׃ ס	^10-12 He is a lurking bear to me↗, a lion in hiding. He has filled my path with thorns↑, torn me in pieces, left me forlorn. He has directed His bow↘ and made me the arrow’s mark.
¹³ הֵבִיא֙ בְּכִלְיוֹתָ֔י בְּנֵ֖י אַשְׁפָּתֽוֹ׃ ¹⁴ הָיִ֤יתִי שְּׂחֹק֙ לְכָל־עַמִּ֔י נְגִינָתָ֖ם כָּל־הַיּֽוֹם׃ ¹⁵ הִשְׂבִּיעַ֥נִי בַמְּרוֹרִ֖ים הִרְוַ֥נִי לַעֲנָֽה׃ ס	^13-15 He shot into my vitals↗ the arrows of His quiver. I am a derision to my people↑, they taunt me all day long. He has filled me up with bitterness↘, and made me drink wormwood.
¹⁶ וַיַּגְרֵ֤ס בֶּֽחָצָץ֙ שִׁנָּ֔י הִכְפִּישַׁ֖נִי בָּאֵֽפֶר׃ ¹⁷ וַתִּזְנַ֧ח מִשָּׁל֛וֹם נַפְשִׁ֖י נָשִׁ֥יתִי טוֹבָֽה׃ ¹⁸ וָאֹמַר֙ אָבַ֣ד נִצְחִ֔י וְתוֹחַלְתִּ֖י מֵיְהוָֽה׃ ס	^16-18 He has broken my teeth with gravel↗, and covered me with ashes. He has bereft me of all peace↑; I forgot what it is to prosper. I said, “my strength has perished↘, even my hope in God.”
¹⁹ זְכָר־עָנְיִ֥י וּמְרוּדִ֖י לַעֲנָ֥ה וָרֹֽאשׁ׃ ²⁰ זָכ֣וֹר תִּזְכּ֔וֹר ותשיח וְתָשׁ֥וֹחַ עָלַ֖י נַפְשִֽׁי׃ ²¹ זֹ֛את אָשִׁ֥יב אֶל־לִבִּ֖י עַל־כֵּ֥ן אוֹחִֽיל׃ ס	^19-21 Remember my afflictions and sorrow↗, the wormwood and the gall. My soul remembers clearly↑, and is now bowed down within me. Here’s what I’ll tell my heart↘, and so recover hope:
²² חַֽסְדֵ֤י יְהוָה֙ כִּ֣י לֹא־תָ֔מְנוּ כִּ֥י לֹא־כָל֖וּ רַחֲמָֽיו׃ ²³ חֲדָשִׁים֙ לַבְּקָרִ֔ים רַבָּ֖ה אֱמוּנָתֶֽךָ׃ ²⁴ חֶלְקִ֤י יְהוָה֙ אָמְרָ֣ה נַפְשִׁ֔י עַל־כֵּ֖ן אוֹחִ֥יל לֽוֹ׃ ס	^22-24 The kindness of the Lord has not ended↗, His mercies not exhausted. They are new every morning↑. Raba emunatecha. “My portion is God”, says my soul↘, thus do I hope in Him.
²⁵ ט֤וֹב יְהוָה֙ לְקֹוָ֔ו לְנֶ֖פֶשׁ תִּדְרְשֶֽׁנּוּ׃ ²⁶ ט֤וֹב וְיָחִיל֙ וְדוּמָ֔ם לִתְשׁוּעַ֖ת יְהוָֽה׃ ²⁷ ט֣וֹב לַגֶּ֔בֶר כִּֽי־יִשָּׂ֥א עֹ֖ל בִּנְעוּרָֽיו׃ ס	^25-27 God is good to the one who trusts↗, to every soul that seeks Him. It is good to wait in silence↑ for salvation from Adonai. It is good that a man bear the yoke↘ from his youth and on.
²⁸ יֵשֵׁ֤ב בָּדָד֙ וְיִדֹּ֔ם כִּ֥י נָטַ֖ל עָלָֽיו׃ ²⁹ יִתֵּ֤ן בֶּֽעָפָר֙ פִּ֔יהוּ אוּלַ֖י יֵ֥שׁ תִּקְוָֽה׃ ³⁰ יִתֵּ֧ן לְמַכֵּ֛הוּ לֶ֖חִי יִשְׂבַּ֥ע בְּחֶרְפָּֽה׃ ס	^28-30 Let him sit alone in silence↗, because God lays it upon him, to put his lips to the dust↑: perhaps there still is hope. Let him offer his cheek to the smiter↘. and suffer all men’s taunts.
³¹ כִּ֣י לֹ֥א יִזְנַ֛ח לְעוֹלָ֖ם אֲדֹנָֽי׃ ³² כִּ֣י אִם־הוֹגָ֔ה וְרִחַ֖ם כְּרֹ֥ב חסדו חֲסָדָֽיו׃ ³³ כִּ֣י לֹ֤א עִנָּה֙ מִלִּבּ֔וֹ וַיַּגֶּ֖ה בְנֵי־אִֽישׁ׃ ס	^31-33 For the Lord will not cast us off↗ forever and ever. He wounds, but He shows compassion↑, abundant is His kindness. For He is loathe to cause pain or grief↘ to the sons of men.
³⁴ לְדַכֵּא֙ תַּ֣חַת רַגְלָ֔יו כֹּ֖ל אֲסִ֥ירֵי אָֽרֶץ׃ ³⁵ לְהַטּוֹת֙ מִשְׁפַּט־גָּ֔בֶר נֶ֖גֶד פְּנֵ֥י עֶלְיֽוֹן׃ ³⁶ לְעַוֵּ֤ת אָדָם֙ בְּרִיב֔וֹ אֲדֹנָ֖י לֹ֥א רָאָֽה׃ ס	^34-36 To crush under His feet↗ all the prisoners of the earth, To deny a man his rights↑ before the face of the Most High, to deprive a man of justice↘, does not the Lord see it?
³⁷ מִ֣י זֶ֤ה אָמַר֙ וַתֶּ֔הִי אֲדֹנָ֖י לֹ֥א צִוָּֽה׃ ³⁸ מִפִּ֤י עֶלְיוֹן֙ לֹ֣א תֵצֵ֔א הָרָע֖וֹת וְהַטּֽוֹב׃ ³⁹ מַה־יִּתְאוֹנֵן֙ אָדָ֣ם חָ֔י גֶּ֖בֶר עַל־חטאו חֲטָאָֽיו׃ ס	^37-39 Who’s will can be fulfilled↗, if God did not ordain it? From the mouth of the Most High↑ do not good and evil come? Of what should a living man complain↘? Only for his own sins!
⁴⁰ נַחְפְּשָׂ֤ה דְרָכֵ֙ינוּ֙ וְֽנַחְקֹ֔רָה וְנָשׁ֖וּבָה עַד־יְהוָֽה׃ ⁴¹ נִשָּׂ֤א לְבָבֵ֙נוּ֙ אֶל־כַּפָּ֔יִם אֶל־אֵ֖ל בַּשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ ⁴² נַ֤חְנוּ פָשַׁ֙עְנוּ֙ וּמָרִ֔ינוּ אַתָּ֖ה לֹ֥א סָלָֽחְתָּ׃ ס	^40-42 Let us search and examine our ways↗, and return to Adonai. Let us lift up our hearts and our hands↑ to God who is in the heavens. We transgressed and we rebelled↘, and You have not forgiven.
⁴³ סַכֹּ֤תָה בָאַף֙ וַֽתִּרְדְּפֵ֔נוּ הָרַ֖גְתָּ לֹ֥א חָמָֽלְתָּ׃ ⁴⁴ סַכּ֤וֹתָה בֶֽעָנָן֙ לָ֔ךְ מֵעֲב֖וֹר תְּפִלָּֽה׃ ⁴⁵ סְחִ֧י וּמָא֛וֹס תְּשִׂימֵ֖נוּ בְּקֶ֥רֶב הָעַמִּֽים׃ ס	^43-45 You wrapped Yourself in wrath and pursued↗ us, and slain us without pity. You covered Yourself with a cloud↑ so prayer cannot pass through it. You have made us filth and refuse↘ among the nations.
⁴⁶ פָּצ֥וּ עָלֵ֛ינוּ פִּיהֶ֖ם כָּל־אֹיְבֵֽינוּ׃ ⁴⁷ פַּ֧חַד וָפַ֛חַת הָ֥יָה לָ֖נוּ הַשֵּׁ֥את וְהַשָּֽׁבֶר׃ ⁴⁸ פַּלְגֵי־מַ֙יִם֙ תֵּרַ֣ד עֵינִ֔י עַל־שֶׁ֖בֶר בַּת־עַמִּֽי׃ ס	^46-48 Our enemies have opened their mouths↗ in chorus against us. Panic and pitfall befell us↑, ravages and ruin. My eyes run with streams of water↘ at my poor people’s ruin.
⁴⁹ עֵינִ֧י נִגְּרָ֛ה וְלֹ֥א תִדְמֶ֖ה מֵאֵ֥ין הֲפֻגֽוֹת׃ ⁵⁰ עַד־יַשְׁקִ֣יף וְיֵ֔רֶא יְהוָ֖ה מִשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ ⁵¹ עֵינִי֙ עֽוֹלְלָ֣ה לְנַפְשִׁ֔י מִכֹּ֖ל בְּנ֥וֹת עִירִֽי׃ ס	^49-51 My eyes flow without ceasing↗, and find no relief. Until the Lord looks down↑ and sees us from the heavens. My eyes are sore with sorrow↘ for the maidens of my city.
⁵² צ֥וֹד צָד֛וּנִי כַּצִּפּ֖וֹר אֹיְבַ֥י חִנָּֽם׃ ⁵³ צָֽמְת֤וּ בַבּוֹר֙ חַיָּ֔י וַיַּדּוּ־אֶ֖בֶן בִּֽי׃ ⁵⁴ צָֽפוּ־מַ֥יִם עַל־רֹאשִׁ֖י אָמַ֥רְתִּי נִגְזָֽרְתִּי׃ ס	^52-54 They hunted me down like a bird↗, those who hate me for no reason. They dropped me to die in a dungeon↑, and threw stones down upon me. The waters flowed over my head↘. and I said “I am cut off.”
⁵⁵ קָרָ֤אתִי שִׁמְךָ֙ יְהוָ֔ה מִבּ֖וֹר תַּחְתִּיּֽוֹת׃ ⁵⁶ קוֹלִ֖י שָׁמָ֑עְתָּ אַל־תַּעְלֵ֧ם אָזְנְךָ֛ לְרַוְחָתִ֖י לְשַׁוְעָתִֽי׃ ⁵⁷ קָרַ֙בְתָּ֙ בְּי֣וֹם אֶקְרָאֶ֔ךָּ אָמַ֖רְתָּ אַל־תִּירָֽא׃ ס	^55-57 I called on your name, Adonai↗, from the depths of the dungeon. You then heard me crying↑: “Don’t close your ears to my pleading.” You drew near on the day that I called↘You, and said to me, “Do not fear!”
⁵⁸ רַ֧בְתָּ אֲדֹנָ֛י רִיבֵ֥י נַפְשִׁ֖י גָּאַ֥לְתָּ חַיָּֽי׃ ⁵⁹ רָאִ֤יתָה יְהוָה֙ עַוָּ֣תָתִ֔י שָׁפְטָ֖ה מִשְׁפָּטִֽי׃ ⁶⁰ רָאִ֙יתָה֙ כָּל־נִקְמָתָ֔ם כָּל־מַחְשְׁבֹתָ֖ם לִֽי׃ ס	^58-60 You have defended the cause of my soul↗; you have redeemed my life. Adonai, you see how I am wronged↑, O vindicate my right! You have seen all of their vengeance↘, all their designs toward me.
⁶¹ שָׁמַ֤עְתָּ חֶרְפָּתָם֙ יְהוָ֔ה כָּל־מַחְשְׁבֹתָ֖ם עָלָֽי׃ ⁶² שִׂפְתֵ֤י קָמַי֙ וְהֶגְיוֹנָ֔ם עָלַ֖י כָּל־הַיּֽוֹם׃ ⁶³ שִׁבְתָּ֤ם וְקִֽימָתָם֙ הַבִּ֔יטָה אֲנִ֖י מַנְגִּינָתָֽם׃ ס	^61-63 You have heard their reproach Adonai↗, the schemes they plot against me. The talk of the men who attack me↑; their muttering all day long. Observe their sitting and rising↘; I am their taunting song.
⁶⁴ תָּשִׁ֨יב לָהֶ֥ם גְּמ֛וּל יְהוָ֖ה כְּמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה יְדֵיהֶֽם׃ ⁶⁵ תִּתֵּ֤ן לָהֶם֙ מְגִנַּת־לֵ֔ב תַּאֲלָֽתְךָ֖ לָהֶֽם׃ ⁶⁶ תִּרְדֹּ֤ף בְּאַף֙ וְתַשְׁמִידֵ֔ם מִתַּ֖חַת שְׁמֵ֥י יְהוָֽה׃ פ	^64-66 Pay them back, Adonai↗ according to their deeds. Give them anguish of heart↑, Your curse should be upon them! Pursue them in wrath and destroy them↘, from under the heaven of God.
אֵיכָה ד	CHAPTER 4
¹ אֵיכָה֙ יוּעַ֣ם זָהָ֔ב יִשְׁנֶ֖א הַכֶּ֣תֶם הַטּ֑וֹב תִּשְׁתַּפֵּ֙כְנָה֙ אַבְנֵי־קֹ֔דֶשׁ בְּרֹ֖אשׁ כָּל־חוּצֽוֹת׃ ס	¹ Alas, the gold is dulled, debased, the finest gold. Sacred gems are scattered upon every street corner.
² בְּנֵ֤י צִיּוֹן֙ הַיְקָרִ֔ים הַמְסֻלָּאִ֖ים בַּפָּ֑ז אֵיכָ֤ה נֶחְשְׁבוּ֙ לְנִבְלֵי־חֶ֔רֶשׂ מַעֲשֵׂ֖ה יְדֵ֥י יוֹצֵֽר׃ ס	² The sons of Ẓíōn are precious, worth their weight in fine gold. How they are treated as earthen jugs, The work of the potter’s hand.
³ גַּם־תנין תַּנִּים֙ חָ֣לְצוּ שַׁ֔ד הֵינִ֖יקוּ גּוּרֵיהֶ֑ן בַּת־עַמִּ֣י לְאַכְזָ֔ר כי ענים כַּיְעֵנִ֖ים בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃ ס	³ Even the jackels present the breast and give suck to their young ones. But my poor people has become cruel like the ostriches in the wilderness.
⁴ דָּבַ֨ק לְשׁ֥וֹן יוֹנֵ֛ק אֶל־חכּ֖וֹ בַּצָּמָ֑א עֽוֹלָלִים֙ שָׁ֣אֲלוּ לֶ֔חֶם פֹּרֵ֖שׂ אֵ֥ין לָהֶֽם׃ ס	⁴ The tongue of the baby at the breast cleaves to his palate, for thirst. The young children ask for bread. Not one person spares a scrap for them.
⁵ הָאֹֽכְלִים֙ לְמַ֣עֲדַנִּ֔ים נָשַׁ֖מּוּ בַּחוּצ֑וֹת הָאֱמֻנִים֙ עֲלֵ֣י תוֹלָ֔ע חִבְּק֖וּ אַשְׁפַּתּֽוֹת׃ ס	⁵ Those who once ate all the best food now lie rotting on the street. Those brought up in scarlet clothing huddle now on heaps of garbage.
⁶ וַיִּגְדַּל֙ עֲוֺ֣ן בַּת־עַמִּ֔י מֵֽחַטַּ֖את סְדֹ֑ם הַֽהֲפוּכָ֣ה כְמוֹ־רָ֔גַע וְלֹא־חָ֥לוּ בָ֖הּ יָדָֽיִם׃ ס	⁶ All the crimes of my poor people have outdone the sins of Sodom. which was overturned in a moment, no time for a man to wring his hands.
⁷ זַכּ֤וּ נְזִירֶ֙יהָ֙ מִשֶּׁ֔לֶג צַח֖וּ מֵחָלָ֑ב אָ֤דְמוּ עֶ֙צֶם֙ מִפְּנִינִ֔ים סַפִּ֖יר גִּזְרָתָֽם׃ ס	⁷ Her elect ones were purer even than snow, and they were whiter still than milk. Ruddy like rubies was their complexion, Like the sapphire in their features.
⁸ חָשַׁ֤ךְ מִשְּׁחוֹר֙ תָּֽאֳרָ֔ם לֹ֥א נִכְּר֖וּ בַּחוּצ֑וֹת צָפַ֤ד עוֹרָם֙ עַל־עַצְמָ֔ם יָבֵ֖שׁ הָיָ֥ה כָעֵֽץ׃ ס	⁸ Now their appearance is blacker than soot, They go unrecognized in the streets. Their skin has shriveled on their bones, it has become as dry as wood.
⁹ טוֹבִ֤ים הָיוּ֙ חַלְלֵי־חֶ֔רֶב מֵֽחַלְלֵ֖י רָעָ֑ב שֶׁ֣הֵ֤ם יָז֙וּבוּ֙ מְדֻקָּרִ֔ים מִתְּנוּבֹ֖ת שָׂדָֽי׃ ס	⁹ We’d rather be slain by the sword [than to find death [by starvation, For these pine away. They are striken for lack of the fruits of the field.
¹⁰ יְדֵ֗י נָשִׁים֙ רַחֲמָ֣נִיּ֔וֹת בִּשְּׁל֖וּ יַלְדֵיהֶ֑ן הָי֤וּ לְבָרוֹת֙ לָ֔מוֹ בְּשֶׁ֖בֶר בַּת־עַמִּֽי׃ ס	¹⁰ With their own hands, the women of tender hearts have boiled their own children. This became their food in the wreckage of the daughter of my people.
¹¹ כִּלָּ֤ה יְהוָה֙ אֶת־חֲמָת֔וֹ שָׁפַ֖ךְ חֲר֣וֹן אַפּ֑וֹ וַיַּצֶּת־אֵ֣שׁ בְּצִיּ֔וֹן וַתֹּ֖אכַל יְסוֹדֹתֶֽיהָ׃ ס	¹¹ The Lord has vented all His fury. He poured out His burning anger. He has kindled a fire in Ẓíōn that has devoured its foundations.
¹² לֹ֤א הֶאֱמִ֙ינוּ֙ מַלְכֵי־אֶ֔רֶץ וכל כֹּ֖ל יֹשְׁבֵ֣י תֵבֵ֑ל כִּ֤י יָבֹא֙ צַ֣ר וְאוֹיֵ֔ב בְּשַׁעֲרֵ֖י יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ ס	¹² The kings of the earth did not believe, nor did anyone in all the world, that a foe or an enemy could ever enter into the gates of Jerusalem.
¹³ מֵֽחַטֹּ֣את נְבִיאֶ֔יהָ עֲוֺנ֖וֹת כֹּהֲנֶ֑יהָ הַשֹּׁפְכִ֥ים בְּקִרְבָּ֖הּ דַּ֥ם צַדִּיקִֽים׃ ס	¹³ From the sins of her prophets and the crimes of her priests, who had shed in her midst the blood of the righteous ones.
¹⁴ נָע֤וּ עִוְרִים֙ בַּֽחוּצ֔וֹת נְגֹֽאֲל֖וּ בַּדָּ֑ם בְּלֹ֣א יֽוּכְל֔וּ יִגְּע֖וּ בִּלְבֻשֵׁיהֶֽם׃ ס	¹⁴ They roamed like blind men through the streets, being defiled with blood. so that no one there would dare to brush up against their clothing..
¹⁵ ס֣וּרוּ טָמֵ֞א קָ֣רְאוּ לָ֗מוֹ ס֤וּרוּ ס֙וּרוּ֙ אַל־תִּגָּ֔עוּ כִּ֥י נָצ֖וּ גַּם־נָ֑עוּ אָֽמְרוּ֙ בַּגּוֹיִ֔ם לֹ֥א יוֹסִ֖יפוּ לָגֽוּר׃ ס	¹⁵ “Get away, unclean one!” were the cries of people to them. “Keep away! Do not touch us!” So they fled away and now wander. People said among the nations: “They may no longer sojourn here.”
¹⁶ פְּנֵ֤י יְהוָה֙ חִלְּקָ֔ם לֹ֥א יוֹסִ֖יף לְהַבִּיטָ֑ם פְּנֵ֤י כֹהֲנִים֙ לֹ֣א נָשָׂ֔אוּ זקנים וּזְקֵנִ֖ים לֹ֥א חָנָֽנוּ׃ ס	¹⁶ The face of God has dispersed them. He will no more give them a glance. They respected the priests no longer, paid no attention to the prophets.
¹⁷ עודינה עוֹדֵ֙ינוּ֙ תִּכְלֶ֣ינָה עֵינֵ֔ינוּ אֶל־עֶזְרָתֵ֖נוּ הָ֑בֶל בְּצִפִּיָּתֵ֣נוּ צִפִּ֔ינוּ אֶל־גּ֖וֹי לֹ֥א יוֹשִֽׁעַ׃ ס	¹⁷ Our eyes are strained and failing, watching vainly for our deliverance. We were watching for a nation Egypt that was never there to save us.
¹⁸ צָד֣וּ צְעָדֵ֔ינוּ מִלֶּ֖כֶת בִּרְחֹבֹתֵ֑ינוּ קָרַ֥ב קִצֵּ֛ינוּ מָלְא֥וּ יָמֵ֖ינוּ כִּי־בָ֥א קִצֵּֽינוּ׃ ס	¹⁸ Our enemies eyed our steps, so we could not walk in our streets. Our doom is near. Our days are over, yea our end has come.
¹⁹ קַלִּ֤ים הָיוּ֙ רֹדְפֵ֔ינוּ מִנִּשְׁרֵ֖י שָׁמָ֑יִם עַל־הֶהָרִ֣ים דְּלָקֻ֔נוּ בַּמִּדְבָּ֖ר אָ֥רְבוּ לָֽנוּ׃ ס	¹⁹ They were swifter ––our pursuers–– than the eagles in the sky. In the mountains, they did hunt us, in the desert, laid in wait for us.
²⁰ ר֤וּחַ אַפֵּ֙ינוּ֙ מְשִׁ֣יחַ יְהוָ֔ה נִלְכַּ֖ד בִּשְׁחִיתוֹתָ֑ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָמַ֔רְנוּ בְּצִלּ֖וֹ נִֽחְיֶ֥ה בַגּוֹיִֽם׃ ס	²⁰ The breath of our nostrils, God’s own anointed King Josiah, our king was captured in their traps, of whom we had said, “Under his shadow, we will live among the nations.”
²¹ שִׂ֤ישִׂי וְשִׂמְחִי֙ בַּת־אֱד֔וֹם יושבתי יוֹשֶׁ֖בֶת בְּאֶ֣רֶץ ע֑וּץ גַּם־עָלַ֙יִךְ֙ תַּעֲבָר־כּ֔וֹס תִּשְׁכְּרִ֖י וְתִתְעָרִֽי׃ ס	²¹ Rejoice and exult, daughter of Edom, you that dwell in the land of Uz. To you, in turn the cup will pass. It will make you drunk ; you will show your nakedness
²² תַּם־עֲוֺנֵךְ֙ בַּת־צִיּ֔וֹן לֹ֥א יוֹסִ֖יף לְהַגְלוֹתֵ֑ךְ פָּקַ֤ד עֲוֺנֵךְ֙ בַּת־אֱד֔וֹם גִּלָּ֖ה עַל־חַטֹּאתָֽיִךְ׃ פ	²² Your crime is atoned for, daughter of Ẓíōn. He will no more send you into captivity. But daughter of Edom, your guilt He will punish, your transgressions final melody will be laid bare.
אֵיכָה ה	CHAPTER 5
¹ זְכֹ֤ר יְהוָה֙ מֶֽה־הָ֣יָה לָ֔נוּ הביט הַבִּ֖יטָה וּרְאֵ֥ה אֶת־חֶרְפָּתֵֽנוּ׃	¹ Recall, Adonai, what has befallen us. Behold and see our disgrace.
² נַחֲלָתֵ֙נוּ֙ נֶֽהֶפְכָ֣ה לְזָרִ֔ים בָּתֵּ֖ינוּ לְנָכְרִֽים׃	² Our inheritance turned over to strangers, and our houses unto aliens.
³ יְתוֹמִ֤ים הָיִ֙ינוּ֙ אין וְאֵ֣ין אָ֔ב אִמֹּתֵ֖ינוּ כְּאַלְמָנֽוֹת׃	³ We have become like orphans. There is no father. And our mothers are as widows.
⁴ מֵימֵ֙ינוּ֙ בְּכֶ֣סֶף שָׁתִ֔ינוּ עֵצֵ֖ינוּ בִּמְחִ֥יר יָבֹֽאוּ׃	⁴ Our own water –– we pay money to drink it. And our firewood we get for a price.
⁵ עַ֤ל צַוָּארֵ֙נוּ֙ נִרְדָּ֔פְנוּ יָגַ֖עְנוּ לא וְלֹ֥א הֽוּנַ֖ח לָֽנוּ׃	⁵ To our very necks, we are pursued. We labor, but nothing is left to us.
⁶ מִצְרַ֙יִם֙ נָתַ֣נּוּ יָ֔ד אַשּׁ֖וּר לִשְׂבֹּ֥עַֽ לָֽחֶם׃	⁶ To Egypt we stretched out a hand, and to Assyria, just to get enough bread.
⁷ אֲבֹתֵ֤ינוּ חָֽטְאוּ֙ אינם וְאֵינָ֔ם אנחנו וַאֲנַ֖חְנוּ עֲוֺנֹתֵיהֶ֥ם סָבָֽלְנוּ׃	⁷ Our fathers have sinned, and are no more. We have all suffered for their iniquities.
⁸ עֲבָדִים֙ מָ֣שְׁלוּ בָ֔נוּ פֹּרֵ֖ק אֵ֥ין מִיָּדָֽם׃	⁸ Slaves ruled over us. There is none to deliver us from their hand.
⁹ בְּנַפְשֵׁ֙נוּ֙ נָבִ֣יא לַחְמֵ֔נוּ מִפְּנֵ֖י חֶ֥רֶב הַמִּדְבָּֽר׃	⁹ At the risk of our lives, we get our bread, because of the sword of the wilderness.
¹⁰ עוֹרֵ֙נוּ֙ כְּתַנּ֣וּר נִכְמָ֔רוּ מִפְּנֵ֖י זַלְעֲפ֥וֹת רָעָֽב׃	¹⁰ Our skin is hot like a furnace. because of the burning heat of famine.
¹¹ נָשִׁים֙ בְּצִיּ֣וֹן עִנּ֔וּ בְּתֻלֹ֖ת בְּעָרֵ֥י יְהוּדָֽה׃	¹¹ The women in Ẓíōn were ravaged, the maidens in the towns of Judah.
¹² שָׂרִים֙ בְּיָדָ֣ם נִתְל֔וּ פְּנֵ֥י זְקֵנִ֖ים לֹ֥א נֶהְדָּֽרוּ׃	¹² The leaders have been hanged by their hands. The faces of elders are not respected.
¹³ בַּחוּרִים֙ טְח֣וֹן נָשָׂ֔אוּ וּנְעָרִ֖ים בָּעֵ֥ץ כָּשָֽׁלוּ׃	¹³ Young men carry a millstone. And children stagger under loads of wood.
¹⁴ זְקֵנִים֙ מִשַּׁ֣עַר שָׁבָ֔תוּ בַּחוּרִ֖ים מִנְּגִינָתָֽם׃	¹⁴ The elders are gone from the gate, the young men from their music.
¹⁵ שָׁבַת֙ מְשׂ֣וֹשׂ לִבֵּ֔נוּ נֶהְפַּ֥ךְ לְאֵ֖בֶל מְחֹלֵֽנוּ׃	¹⁵ The joy in our hearts has vanished, our dancing has turned into mourning.
¹⁶ נָֽפְלָה֙ עֲטֶ֣רֶת רֹאשֵׁ֔נוּ אֽוֹי־נָ֥א לָ֖נוּ כִּ֥י חָטָֽאנוּ׃	¹⁶ The crown has fallen from our heads. Woe to us, for we have sinned.
¹⁷ עַל־זֶ֗ה הָיָ֤ה דָוֶה֙ לִבֵּ֔נוּ עַל־אֵ֖לֶּה חָשְׁכ֥וּ עֵינֵֽינוּ׃	¹⁷ Because of this, our hearts are sickened. This is why our eyes grow dim.
¹⁸ עַ֤ל הַר־צִיּוֹן֙ שֶׁשָּׁמֵ֔ם שׁוּעָלִ֖ים הִלְּכוּ־בֽוֹ׃ פ	¹⁸ For the mountain of Ẓíōn, which lies desolate, while the foxes prowl over it.
¹⁹ אַתָּ֤ה יְהוָה֙ לְעוֹלָ֣ם תֵּשֵׁ֔ב כִּסְאֲךָ֖ לְדֹ֥ר וָדֽוֹר׃	¹⁹ Yet You Adonai will sit forever upon Your throne, through all generations.
²⁰ לָ֤מָּה לָנֶ֙צַח֙ תִּשְׁכָּחֵ֔נוּ תַּֽעַזְבֵ֖נוּ לְאֹ֥רֶךְ יָמִֽים׃	²⁰ You cannot mean to forget us forever, and forsake us for all time?
²¹ הֲשִׁיבֵ֨נוּ יְהוָ֤ה ׀ אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ ונשוב וְֽנָשׁ֔וּבָה חַדֵּ֥שׁ יָמֵ֖ינוּ כְּקֶֽדֶם׃	²¹ Turn us back to Yourself God, and we shall return. Renew our days as of old.
²² כִּ֚י אִם־מָאֹ֣ס מְאַסְתָּ֔נוּ קָצַ֥פְתָּ עָלֵ֖ינוּ עַד־מְאֹֽד׃	²² You can’t have rejected us utterly. You have raged against us, it is enough.
הֲשִׁיבֵ֨נוּ יְהוָ֤ה ׀ אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ וְֽנָשׁ֔וּבָה חַדֵּ֥שׁ יָמֵ֖ינוּ כְּקֶֽדֶם׃	²¹ Turn us back to Yourself God, and we shall return. final melody Renew our days as of old.

💬 מגילת קהלת | Megillat Qohelet (Ecclesiastes): Chantable English translation with trōp, by Len Fellman

the Mesorah (TaNaKh) — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 06:42:38 +0000

DOWNLOAD:

ODT | PDF (sans Hebrew)
ODT | PDF (with Hebrew)
PDF (with Hebrew and embedded audio)

This is an English translation of Megillat Qohelet, (Kohelet/Ecclesiastes), transtropilated (a term coined by Len Fellman to describe texts where the Masoretic cantillation has been applied to the translation). The translation provided here is based on the translations by H.L.Ginsberg, Stone Ed. Tanach, Jerusalem Bible, New King James Bible, and the JPS Tanach (both 1917 & 1999). It is chanted by Len Fellman according to the melodies of Portnoy & Wolff.

Source

Recordings

Please visit the Internet Archive for audio recordings of Len Fellman chanting Megillat Qohelet, in English and Hebrew.

Chapter 1:
https://archive.org/download/QoheletWithEnglishTranstropilationLenFellman2018/Len%20Fellman%20-%20Qohelet%20chapter%201%20%28English%29.mp3

Chapter 2:
https://archive.org/download/QoheletWithEnglishTranstropilationLenFellman2018/Len%20Fellman%20-%20Qohelet%20chapter%202%20%28English%29.mp3

Chapter 3:
https://archive.org/download/QoheletWithEnglishTranstropilationLenFellman2018/Len%20Fellman%20-%20Qohelet%20chapter%203%20%28English%29.mp3

Chapter 4:
https://archive.org/download/QoheletWithEnglishTranstropilationLenFellman2018/Len%20Fellman%20-%20Qohelet%20chapter%204%20%28English%29.mp3

Chapter 5:
https://archive.org/download/QoheletWithEnglishTranstropilationLenFellman2018/Len%20Fellman%20-%20Qohelet%20chapter%205%20%28English%29.mp3

Chapter 6:
https://archive.org/download/QoheletWithEnglishTranstropilationLenFellman2018/Len%20Fellman%20-%20Qohelet%20chapter%206%20%28English%29.mp3

Chapter 7:
https://archive.org/download/QoheletWithEnglishTranstropilationLenFellman2018/Len%20Fellman%20-%20Qohelet%20chapter%207%20%28English%29.mp3

Chapter 8:
https://archive.org/download/QoheletWithEnglishTranstropilationLenFellman2018/Len%20Fellman%20-%20Qohelet%20chapter%208%20%28English%29.mp3

Chapter 9:
https://archive.org/download/QoheletWithEnglishTranstropilationLenFellman2018/LenFellman-QoheletChapter9english.mp3

Chapter 10:
https://archive.org/download/QoheletWithEnglishTranstropilationLenFellman2018/LenFellman-QoheletChapter10english.mp3

Chapter 11:
https://archive.org/download/QoheletWithEnglishTranstropilationLenFellman2018/LenFellman-QoheletChapter11english.mp3

Chapter 12:
https://archive.org/download/QoheletWithEnglishTranstropilationLenFellman2018/LenFellman-QoheletChapter12english.mp3

💬 מְגִלַּת אֵיכָה | Megillat Eikhah (Lamentations) in acrostic English translation by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer

Yirmiyah ben Ḥilkiyah haKohen — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 23:03:20 +0000

An original gender-neutral translation of the book of Lamentations, preserving the alphabetical acrostic through closest parallels to the Hebrew letter. (The Hebrew alphabet is represented as A B G D E W Z H Th I K L M N S O C P Q R Sh T. In chapters 2 through 4 O and P are reversed.)

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)
פרק א׳	CHAPTER 1
¹ אֵיכָ֣ה ׀ יָשְׁבָ֣ה בָדָ֗ד הָעִיר֙ רַבָּ֣תִי עָ֔ם הָיְתָ֖ה כְּאַלְמָנָ֑ה רַּבָּ֣תִי בַגּוֹיִ֗ם שָׂרָ֙תִי֙ בַּמְּדִינ֔וֹת הָיְתָ֖ה לָמַֽס׃ ס	Alas, she sits alone! The city great with people has become a widow; great in nations, noble in lands, has become corvée.
² בָּכ֨וֹ תִבְכֶּ֜ה בַּלַּ֗יְלָה וְדִמְעָתָהּ֙ עַ֣ל לֶֽחֱיָ֔הּ אֵֽין־לָ֥הּ מְנַחֵ֖ם מִכָּל־אֹהֲבֶ֑יהָ כָּל־רֵעֶ֙יהָ֙ בָּ֣גְדוּ בָ֔הּ הָ֥יוּ לָ֖הּ לְאֹיְבִֽים׃ ס	By the night she weeps, weeps, and her tears are on her cheeks, none of her lovers comfort her; all her friends have betrayed her, they have become like enemies.
³ גָּֽלְתָ֨ה יְהוּדָ֤ה מֵעֹ֙נִי֙ וּמֵרֹ֣ב עֲבֹדָ֔ה הִ֚יא יָשְׁבָ֣ה בַגּוֹיִ֔ם לֹ֥א מָצְאָ֖ה מָנ֑וֹחַ כָּל־רֹדְפֶ֥יהָ הִשִּׂיג֖וּהָ בֵּ֥ין הַמְּצָרִֽים׃ ס	Gone into exile is Judah from affliction, and from great labor, she dwells among the nations and finds no rest; all her pursuers overtook her between straits.
⁴ דַּרְכֵ֨י צִיּ֜וֹן אֲבֵל֗וֹת מִבְּלִי֙ בָּאֵ֣י מוֹעֵ֔ד כָּל־שְׁעָרֶ֙יהָ֙ שֽׁוֹמֵמִ֔ין כֹּהֲנֶ֖יהָ נֶאֱנָחִ֑ים בְּתוּלֹתֶ֥יהָ נּוּג֖וֹת וְהִ֥יא מַר־לָֽהּ׃ ס	Devoid of festival pilgrims, Ẓion’s paths mourn, her gates are desolate, her priests groan; her virgins are aggreived and she is bitter.
⁵ הָי֨וּ צָרֶ֤יהָ לְרֹאשׁ֙ אֹיְבֶ֣יהָ שָׁל֔וּ כִּֽי־יְהוָ֥ה הוֹגָ֖הּ עַ֣ל רֹב־פְּשָׁעֶ֑יהָ עוֹלָלֶ֛יהָ הָלְכ֥וּ שְׁבִ֖י לִפְנֵי־צָֽר׃ ס	Enemies of hers have become the head, her foes are satistied, for the Cause has aggrieved her for her great crimes; her children have gone captive before the foe.
⁶ וַיֵּצֵ֥א מן־בת־ מִבַּת־צִיּ֖וֹן כָּל־הֲדָרָ֑הּ הָי֣וּ שָׂרֶ֗יהָ כְּאַיָּלִים֙ לֹא־מָצְא֣וּ מִרְעֶ֔ה וַיֵּלְכ֥וּ בְלֹא־כֹ֖חַ לִפְנֵ֥י רוֹדֵֽף׃ ס	Without all her splendor is fair Ẓion; her ministers are like deer finding no pasture, and they are gone without strength from before the pursuer.
⁷ זָֽכְרָ֣ה יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם יְמֵ֤י עָנְיָהּ֙ וּמְרוּדֶ֔יהָ כֹּ֚ל מַחֲמֻדֶ֔יהָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָי֖וּ מִ֣ימֵי קֶ֑דֶם בִּנְפֹ֧ל עַמָּ֣הּ בְּיַד־צָ֗ר וְאֵ֤ין עוֹזֵר֙ לָ֔הּ רָא֣וּהָ צָרִ֔ים שָׂחֲק֖וּ עַ֥ל מִשְׁבַּתֶּֽהָ׃ ס	Zenithward Jerusalem remembers in the days of her affliction and nadir, all her treasures he had in days of yore; as her people fall to the foe’s hand, and none help her, the foes saw her and laughted at her desolations.
⁸ חֵ֤טְא חָֽטְאָה֙ יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם עַל־כֵּ֖ן לְנִידָ֣ה הָיָ֑תָה כָּֽל־מְכַבְּדֶ֤יהָ הִזִּיל֙וּהָ֙ כִּי־רָא֣וּ עֶרְוָתָ֔הּ גַּם־הִ֥יא נֶאֶנְחָ֖ה וַתָּ֥שָׁב אָחֽוֹר׃ ס	Horribly has Jerusalem sinned, thus she has become like one unclean; all who honored her despise her, for they saw her nakedness, and she too groans and turns back.
⁹ טֻמְאָתָ֣הּ בְּשׁוּלֶ֗יהָ לֹ֤א זָֽכְרָה֙ אַחֲרִיתָ֔הּ וַתֵּ֣רֶד פְּלָאִ֔ים אֵ֥ין מְנַחֵ֖ם לָ֑הּ רְאֵ֤ה יְהוָה֙ אֶת־עָנְיִ֔י כִּ֥י הִגְדִּ֖יל אוֹיֵֽב׃ ס	There in her skirt was her filth, she did not remember her end, so she fell drastically, with none to comfort her: “See, o Cause, my affliction, for the enemy has become great!”
¹⁰ יָדוֹ֙ פָּ֣רַשׂ צָ֔ר עַ֖ל כָּל־מַחֲמַדֶּ֑יהָ כִּֽי־רָאֲתָ֤ה גוֹיִם֙ בָּ֣אוּ מִקְדָּשָׁ֔הּ אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוִּ֔יתָה לֹא־יָבֹ֥אוּ בַקָּהָ֖ל לָֽךְ׃ ס	In all her treasures the adversary has spread his hand, for she saw the nations — of which You commanded they should not come into the congregation — come into her Temple.
¹¹ כָּל־עַמָּ֤הּ נֶאֱנָחִים֙ מְבַקְּשִׁ֣ים לֶ֔חֶם נָתְנ֧וּ מחמודיהם מַחֲמַדֵּיהֶ֛ם בְּאֹ֖כֶל לְהָשִׁ֣יב נָ֑פֶשׁ רְאֵ֤ה יְהוָה֙ וְֽהַבִּ֔יטָה כִּ֥י הָיִ֖יתִי זוֹלֵלָֽה׃ ס	Keening are all her people, seeking bread, having given their pleasant things for food to return their life. “See, o Cause, and behold how I have become craven!”
¹² ל֣וֹא אֲלֵיכֶם֮ כָּל־עֹ֣בְרֵי דֶרֶךְ֒ הַבִּ֣יטוּ וּרְא֗וּ אִם־יֵ֤שׁ מַכְאוֹב֙ כְּמַכְאֹבִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר עוֹלַ֖ל לִ֑י אֲשֶׁר֙ הוֹגָ֣ה יְהוָ֔ה בְּי֖וֹם חֲר֥וֹן אַפּֽוֹ׃ ס	Let it not fall on you, all passers-by! Behold and see if there is any pain like my pain, which was acted upon me, for the Cause has aggrieved me on the day of boiling rage.
¹³ מִמָּר֛וֹם שָֽׁלַח־אֵ֥שׁ בְּעַצְמֹתַ֖י וַיִּרְדֶּ֑נָּה פָּרַ֨שׂ רֶ֤שֶׁת לְרַגְלַי֙ הֱשִׁיבַ֣נִי אָח֔וֹר נְתָנַ֙נִי֙ שֹֽׁמֵמָ֔ה כָּל־הַיּ֖וֹם דָּוָֽה׃ ס	Moving fire from on high into my bones, dominating them; They spread a net for my feet, turned me around, gave me desolation and faint all day long.
¹⁴ נִשְׂקַד֩ עֹ֨ל פְּשָׁעַ֜י בְּיָד֗וֹ יִשְׂתָּֽרְג֛וּ עָל֥וּ עַל־צַוָּארִ֖י הִכְשִׁ֣יל כֹּחִ֑י נְתָנַ֣נִי אֲדֹנָ֔י בִּידֵ֖י לֹא־אוּכַ֥ל קֽוּם׃ ס	Noted by Their hand is the yoke of my crimes, they are entangled, coming up my neck, making my strength fail; the Lord has given me over to the hands of those against whom I cannot stand.
¹⁵ סִלָּ֨ה כָל־אַבִּירַ֤י ׀ אֲדֹנָי֙ בְּקִרְבִּ֔י קָרָ֥א עָלַ֛י מוֹעֵ֖ד לִשְׁבֹּ֣ר בַּחוּרָ֑י גַּ֚ת דָּרַ֣ךְ אֲדֹנָ֔י לִבְתוּלַ֖ת בַּת־יְהוּדָֽה׃ ס	Strong ones within me the Lord has thrown aside, calling an assembly against me to shatter my young men; the Lord has winepress-crushed the virgin fair Judah.
¹⁶ עַל־אֵ֣לֶּה ׀ אֲנִ֣י בוֹכִיָּ֗ה עֵינִ֤י ׀ עֵינִי֙ יֹ֣רְדָה מַּ֔יִם כִּֽי־רָחַ֥ק מִמֶּ֛נִּי מְנַחֵ֖ם מֵשִׁ֣יב נַפְשִׁ֑י הָי֤וּ בָנַי֙ שֽׁוֹמֵמִ֔ים כִּ֥י גָבַ֖ר אוֹיֵֽב׃ ס	Over these things I weep; my eye, my eye runs with water, for a comforter who returns my soul is far from me; my children are desolate, for the enemy has won.
¹⁷ פֵּֽרְשָׂ֨ה צִיּ֜וֹן בְּיָדֶ֗יהָ אֵ֤ין מְנַחֵם֙ לָ֔הּ צִוָּ֧ה יְהוָ֛ה לְיַעֲקֹ֖ב סְבִיבָ֣יו צָרָ֑יו הָיְתָ֧ה יְרוּשָׁלִַ֛ם לְנִדָּ֖ה בֵּינֵיהֶֽם׃ ס	Projecting forth her hands is Ẓion, but none comfort her, the Cause commanded that those around Jacob be his enemies; Jerusalem has become like one unclean among them.
¹⁸ צַדִּ֥יק ה֛וּא יְהוָ֖ה כִּ֣י פִ֣יהוּ מָרִ֑יתִי שִׁמְעוּ־נָ֣א כָל־עמים הָֽעַמִּ֗ים וּרְאוּ֙ מַכְאֹבִ֔י בְּתוּלֹתַ֥י וּבַחוּרַ֖י הָלְכ֥וּ בַשֶּֽׁבִי׃ ס	Certainly the Cause is in the right, for I have rebelled against Their Mouth; hear, please, all _the peoples, and see my pain! My virgins and young men have gone captive.
¹⁹ קָרָ֤אתִי לַֽמְאַהֲבַי֙ הֵ֣מָּה רִמּ֔וּנִי כֹּהֲנַ֥י וּזְקֵנַ֖י בָּעִ֣יר גָּוָ֑עוּ כִּֽי־בִקְשׁ֥וּ אֹ֙כֶל֙ לָ֔מוֹ וְיָשִׁ֖יבוּ אֶת־נַפְשָֽׁם׃ ס	Questing for my lovers, but they decieved me; my priests and elders have perished in the city, as they sought food for them to return their souls.
²⁰ רְאֵ֨ה יְהוָ֤ה כִּֽי־צַר־לִי֙ מֵעַ֣י חֳמַרְמָ֔רוּ נֶהְפַּ֤ךְ לִבִּי֙ בְּקִרְבִּ֔י כִּ֥י מָר֖וֹ מָרִ֑יתִי מִח֥וּץ שִׁכְּלָה־חֶ֖רֶב בַּבַּ֥יִת כַּמָּֽוֶת׃ ס	Regard, o Cause, my distress! My innards burn, my heart turns within me, for I have rebelled rebelliously; outside the sword bereaves, inside is deathlike.
²¹ שָׁמְע֞וּ כִּ֧י נֶאֱנָחָ֣ה אָ֗נִי אֵ֤ין מְנַחֵם֙ לִ֔י כָּל־אֹ֨יְבַ֜י שָׁמְע֤וּ רָֽעָתִי֙ שָׂ֔שׂוּ כִּ֥י אַתָּ֖ה עָשִׂ֑יתָ הֵבֵ֥אתָ יוֹם־קָרָ֖אתָ וְיִֽהְי֥וּ כָמֽוֹנִי׃ ס	Surely they heard that I groan, none comfort me, all my enemies who heard my evil rejoiced, for You did it; You brought the day You called for and they will be like me.
²² תָּבֹ֨א כָל־רָעָתָ֤ם לְפָנֶ֙יךָ֙ וְעוֹלֵ֣ל לָ֔מוֹ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר עוֹלַ֛לְתָּ לִ֖י עַ֣ל כָּל־פְּשָׁעָ֑י כִּֽי־רַבּ֥וֹת אַנְחֹתַ֖י וְלִבִּ֥י דַוָּֽי׃ פ	Take their evil before you and act upon them as You acted upon me for all my crimes; for my groans are many and my heart is faint.
פרק ב׳	CHAPTER 2
¹ אֵיכָה֩ יָעִ֨יב בְּאַפּ֤וֹ ׀ אֲדֹנָי֙ אֶת־בַּת־צִיּ֔וֹן הִשְׁלִ֤יךְ מִשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ אֶ֔רֶץ תִּפְאֶ֖רֶת יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְלֹא־זָכַ֥ר הֲדֹם־רַגְלָ֖יו בְּי֥וֹם אַפּֽוֹ׃ ס	Alas, beclouded in the Lord’s rage is fair Ẓion! They cast down Israel’s beauty from heaven to earth, and have not remembered Their footstool on the day of Their anger.
² בִּלַּ֨ע אֲדֹנָ֜י לא וְלֹ֣א חָמַ֗ל אֵ֚ת כָּל־נְא֣וֹת יַעֲקֹ֔ב הָרַ֧ס בְּעֶבְרָת֛וֹ מִבְצְרֵ֥י בַת־יְהוּדָ֖ה הִגִּ֣יעַ לָאָ֑רֶץ חִלֵּ֥ל מַמְלָכָ֖ה וְשָׂרֶֽיהָ׃ ס	Billets of Jacob has the Lord swallowed without mercy, throwing down in wrath the strongholds of fair Judah, They brought them to earth, profaning the regime and its ministers.
³ גָּדַ֣ע בָּֽחֳרִי אַ֗ף כֹּ֚ל קֶ֣רֶן יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל הֵשִׁ֥יב אָח֛וֹר יְמִינ֖וֹ מִפְּנֵ֣י אוֹיֵ֑ב וַיִּבְעַ֤ר בְּיַעֲקֹב֙ כְּאֵ֣שׁ לֶֽהָבָ֔ה אָכְלָ֖ה סָבִֽיב׃ ס	Greatly angry, They cut off all the horn of Israel, drawing back Their Right Hand from the enemy, and burning in Jacob like a flaming fire devouring all around.
⁴ דָּרַ֨ךְ קַשְׁתּ֜וֹ כְּאוֹיֵ֗ב נִצָּ֤ב יְמִינוֹ֙ כְּצָ֔ר וַֽיַּהֲרֹ֔ג כֹּ֖ל מַחֲמַדֵּי־עָ֑יִן בְּאֹ֙הֶל֙ בַּת־צִיּ֔וֹן שָׁפַ֥ךְ כָּאֵ֖שׁ חֲמָתֽוֹ׃ ס	Drawing Their Bow like an enemy, making Their Right Hand stand like a foe, and killing all those pleasant to the eye; in the tent of fair Ẓion pouring out rage like fire.
⁵ הָיָ֨ה אֲדֹנָ֤י ׀ כְּאוֹיֵב֙ בִּלַּ֣ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בִּלַּע֙ כָּל־אַרְמְנוֹתֶ֔יהָ שִׁחֵ֖ת מִבְצָרָ֑יו וַיֶּ֙רֶב֙ בְּבַת־יְהוּדָ֔ה תַּאֲנִיָּ֖ה וַאֲנִיָּֽה׃ ס	Enemylike has the Lord become, swallowing up Israel, swallowing up her palaces, destroying her strongholds; and increasing in fair Judah mourning and moaning.
⁶ וַיַּחְמֹ֤ס כַּגַּן֙ שֻׂכּ֔וֹ שִׁחֵ֖ת מוֹעֲד֑וֹ שִׁכַּ֨ח יְהוָ֤ה ׀ בְּצִיּוֹן֙ מוֹעֵ֣ד וְשַׁבָּ֔ת וַיִּנְאַ֥ץ בְּזַֽעַם־אַפּ֖וֹ מֶ֥לֶךְ וְכֹהֵֽן׃ ס	While They stripped the Tent like a garden, destroying the assembly; the Cause made assembly and Sabbath forgotten in Ẓion, and in indignant rage rejected king and priest.
⁷ זָנַ֨ח אֲדֹנָ֤י ׀ מִזְבְּחוֹ֙ נִאֵ֣ר מִקְדָּשׁ֔וֹ הִסְגִּיר֙ בְּיַד־אוֹיֵ֔ב חוֹמֹ֖ת אַרְמְנוֹתֶ֑יהָ ק֛וֹל נָתְנ֥וּ בְּבֵית־יְהוָ֖ה כְּי֥וֹם מוֹעֵֽד׃ ס	Zealously has the Lord rejected the altar, abhorred the sanctuary, giving the walls of her palaces into the hand of the enemy; they raised their voice in the house of the Cause as on an assembly day.
⁸ חָשַׁ֨ב יְהוָ֤ה ׀ לְהַשְׁחִית֙ חוֹמַ֣ת בַּת־צִיּ֔וֹן נָ֣טָה קָ֔ו לֹא־הֵשִׁ֥יב יָד֖וֹ מִבַּלֵּ֑עַ וַיַּֽאֲבֶל־חֵ֥ל וְחוֹמָ֖ה יַחְדָּ֥ו אֻמְלָֽלוּ׃ ס	Having in mind to destroy the wall of fair Ẓion, the Cause stretched the line, hand not withdrawing rom consumption; making the rampart and wall mourn, together languishing.
⁹ טָבְע֤וּ בָאָ֙רֶץ֙ שְׁעָרֶ֔יהָ אִבַּ֥ד וְשִׁבַּ֖ר בְּרִיחֶ֑יהָ מַלְכָּ֨הּ וְשָׂרֶ֤יהָ בַגּוֹיִם֙ אֵ֣ין תּוֹרָ֔ה גַּם־נְבִיאֶ֕יהָ לֹא־מָצְא֥וּ חָז֖וֹן מֵיְהוָֽה׃ ס	There her gates are sunk into the earth, They have destroyed and broken her bars; her king and princes are among the nations, without teaching, and what’s more, her prophets have found no vision from the Cause.
¹⁰ יֵשְׁב֨וּ לָאָ֤רֶץ יִדְּמוּ֙ זִקְנֵ֣י בַת־צִיּ֔וֹן הֶֽעֱל֤וּ עָפָר֙ עַל־רֹאשָׁ֔ם חָגְר֖וּ שַׂקִּ֑ים הוֹרִ֤ידוּ לָאָ֙רֶץ֙ רֹאשָׁ֔ן בְּתוּלֹ֖ת יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ ס	In silence the elders of fair Ẓion sit on the ground, they cast dust on their heads and girded with sackcloth; the virgins of Jerusalem hang down their heads to earth.
¹¹ כָּל֨וּ בַדְּמָע֤וֹת עֵינַי֙ חֳמַרְמְר֣וּ מֵעַ֔י נִשְׁפַּ֤ךְ לָאָ֙רֶץ֙ כְּבֵדִ֔י עַל־שֶׁ֖בֶר בַּת־עַמִּ֑י בֵּֽעָטֵ֤ף עוֹלֵל֙ וְיוֹנֵ֔ק בִּרְחֹב֖וֹת קִרְיָֽה׃ ס	Kaput are my eyes with tears, my innards burn, my liver is poured on the earth for the brokenness of my fair people; as the children and infants languish in the streets of the city.
¹² לְאִמֹּתָם֙ יֹֽאמְר֔וּ אַיֵּ֖ה דָּגָ֣ן וָיָ֑יִן בְּהִֽתְעַטְּפָ֤ם כֶּֽחָלָל֙ בִּרְחֹב֣וֹת עִ֔יר בְּהִשְׁתַּפֵּ֣ךְ נַפְשָׁ֔ם אֶל־חֵ֖יק אִמֹּתָֽם׃ ס	Languishing like the wounded in the streets of the city, they ask their mothers “Where is grain and wine?” as their soul is poured out into their mother’s bosom.
¹³ מָֽה־אֲעִידֵ֞ךְ מָ֣ה אֲדַמֶּה־לָּ֗ךְ הַבַּת֙ יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם מָ֤ה אַשְׁוֶה־לָּךְ֙ וַאֲנַֽחֲמֵ֔ךְ בְּתוּלַ֖ת בַּת־צִיּ֑וֹן כִּֽי־גָד֥וֹל כַּיָּ֛ם שִׁבְרֵ֖ךְ מִ֥י יִרְפָּא־לָֽךְ׃ ס	My fair Jerusalem, what could I call to witness for you, what could I compare to you? What could I equate to you, so as to comfort you, virgin fair Ẓion? For great as the sea is your brokenness, who can heal you?
¹⁴ נְבִיאַ֗יִךְ חָ֤זוּ לָךְ֙ שָׁ֣וְא וְתָפֵ֔ל וְלֹֽא־גִלּ֥וּ עַל־עֲוֺנֵ֖ךְ לְהָשִׁ֣יב שביתך שְׁבוּתֵ֑ךְ וַיֶּ֣חֱזוּ לָ֔ךְ מַשְׂא֥וֹת שָׁ֖וְא וּמַדּוּחִֽים׃ ס	Nothing but vanity and folly have your prophets envisioned for you, and they have not uncovered your iniquity to return your captivity; but they have envisioned for you burdens of vanity and enticements.
¹⁵ סָֽפְק֨וּ עָלַ֤יִךְ כַּפַּ֙יִם֙ כָּל־עֹ֣בְרֵי דֶ֔רֶךְ שָֽׁרְקוּ֙ וַיָּנִ֣עוּ רֹאשָׁ֔ם עַל־בַּ֖ת יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם הֲזֹ֣את הָעִ֗יר שֶׁיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ כְּלִ֣ילַת יֹ֔פִי מָשׂ֖וֹשׂ לְכָל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃ ס	Sarcastically the passers-by clap their hands at you, they hiss and shake their head at fair Jerusalem: “Is this the city that was called ‘perfect beauty, joy of all the earth?’”
¹⁶ פָּצ֨וּ עָלַ֤יִךְ פִּיהֶם֙ כָּל־א֣וֹיְבַ֔יִךְ שָֽׁרְקוּ֙ וַיַּֽחַרְקוּ־שֵׁ֔ן אָמְר֖וּ בִּלָּ֑עְנוּ אַ֣ךְ זֶ֥ה הַיּ֛וֹם שֶׁקִּוִּינֻ֖הוּ מָצָ֥אנוּ רָאִֽינוּ׃ ס	Parting their mouth wide at you, your enemies hiss and clatter their teeth, and say, “We have swallowed her! Yes, this is the day that we hoped for, we have found it, seen it!”
¹⁷ עָשָׂ֨ה יְהוָ֜ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר זָמָ֗ם בִּצַּ֤ע אֶמְרָתוֹ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוָּ֣ה מִֽימֵי־קֶ֔דֶם הָרַ֖ס וְלֹ֣א חָמָ֑ל וַיְשַׂמַּ֤ח עָלַ֙יִךְ֙ אוֹיֵ֔ב הֵרִ֖ים קֶ֥רֶן צָרָֽיִךְ׃ ס	Only what the Cause plotted was done; finishing Their word commanded in days of yore, throwing down without mercy, making the enemy rejoice, raising the foe’s horn.
¹⁸ צָעַ֥ק לִבָּ֖ם אֶל־אֲדֹנָ֑י חוֹמַ֣ת בַּת־צִ֠יּוֹן הוֹרִ֨ידִי כַנַּ֤חַל דִּמְעָה֙ יוֹמָ֣ם וָלַ֔יְלָה אַֽל־תִּתְּנִ֤י פוּגַת֙ לָ֔ךְ אַל־תִּדֹּ֖ם בַּת־עֵינֵֽךְ׃ ס	Ceaselessly their heart cried to the Lord: “Wall of fair Ẓion, let tears fall down like a river daily and nightly; do not intermit yourself, do not silence your pupil!”
¹⁹ ק֣וּמִי ׀ רֹ֣נִּי בליל בַלַּ֗יְלָה לְרֹאשׁ֙ אַשְׁמֻר֔וֹת שִׁפְכִ֤י כַמַּ֙יִם֙ לִבֵּ֔ךְ נֹ֖כַח פְּנֵ֣י אֲדֹנָ֑י שְׂאִ֧י אֵלָ֣יו כַּפַּ֗יִךְ עַל־נֶ֙פֶשׁ֙ עֽוֹלָלַ֔יִךְ הָעֲטוּפִ֥ים בְּרָעָ֖ב בְּרֹ֥אשׁ כָּל־חוּצֽוֹת׃ ס	Quick, get up, call in the night at the start of the watches, pour your heart like water before the face of the Lord; raise your palms to Them for the life of your children languishing from hunger at the head of every street!
²⁰ רְאֵ֤ה יְהוָה֙ וְֽהַבִּ֔יטָה לְמִ֖י עוֹלַ֣לְתָּ כֹּ֑ה אִם־תֹּאכַ֨לְנָה נָשִׁ֤ים פִּרְיָם֙ עֹלֲלֵ֣י טִפֻּחִ֔ים אִם־יֵהָרֵ֛ג בְּמִקְדַּ֥שׁ אֲדֹנָ֖י כֹּהֵ֥ן וְנָבִֽיא׃ ס	Regard, o Cause, and consider, to whom have You acted thus? Will women eat their fruit, their dandled children? Will priest and prophet be killed in the temple of the Lord?
²¹ שָׁכְב֨וּ לָאָ֤רֶץ חוּצוֹת֙ נַ֣עַר וְזָקֵ֔ן בְּתוּלֹתַ֥י וּבַחוּרַ֖י נָפְל֣וּ בֶחָ֑רֶב הָרַ֙גְתָּ֙ בְּי֣וֹם אַפֶּ֔ךָ טָבַ֖חְתָּ לֹ֥א חָמָֽלְתָּ׃ ס	Should lads and elders lie outside in the courtyards? My virgins and young men have fallen by the word! You killed them on the day of Your rage, slaughtering without mercy!
²² תִּקְרָא֩ כְי֨וֹם מוֹעֵ֤ד מְגוּרַי֙ מִסָּבִ֔יב וְלֹ֥א הָיָ֛ה בְּי֥וֹם אַף־יְהוָ֖ה פָּלִ֣יט וְשָׂרִ֑יד אֲשֶׁר־טִפַּ֥חְתִּי וְרִבִּ֖יתִי אֹיְבִ֥י כִלָּֽם׃ פ	Terrors You called all around, as if on an assembly day, and on the day of the Cause’s rage there no escape or remnant; those I dandled and raised my enemy has finished off!
פרק ג׳	CHAPTER 3
¹ אֲנִ֤י הַגֶּ֙בֶר֙ רָאָ֣ה עֳנִ֔י בְּשֵׁ֖בֶט עֶבְרָתֽוֹ׃ ² אוֹתִ֥י נָהַ֛ג וַיֹּלַ֖ךְ חֹ֥שֶׁךְ וְלֹא־אֽוֹר׃ ³ אַ֣ךְ בִּ֥י יָשֻׁ֛ב יַהֲפֹ֥ךְ יָד֖וֹ כָּל־הַיּֽוֹם׃ ס	Affliction, I am the man who has seen it, by the staff of Their rage. Assigning me to walk in darkness and not light. Against me They have indeed turned Their Hand all day.
⁴ בִּלָּ֤ה בְשָׂרִי֙ וְעוֹרִ֔י שִׁבַּ֖ר עַצְמוֹתָֽי׃ ⁵ בָּנָ֥ה עָלַ֛י וַיַּקַּ֖ף רֹ֥אשׁ וּתְלָאָֽה׃ ⁶ בְּמַחֲשַׁכִּ֥ים הוֹשִׁיבַ֖נִי כְּמֵתֵ֥י עוֹלָֽם׃ ס	Burning out my flesh and skin, They broke my bones, Built against me, and struck me with venom and hardship. By dark places They made me dwell, like the ancient dead.
⁷ גָּדַ֧ר בַּעֲדִ֛י וְלֹ֥א אֵצֵ֖א הִכְבִּ֥יד נְחָשְׁתִּֽי׃ ⁸ גַּ֣ם כִּ֤י אֶזְעַק֙ וַאֲשַׁוֵּ֔עַ שָׂתַ֖ם תְּפִלָּתִֽי׃ ⁹ גָּדַ֤ר דְּרָכַי֙ בְּגָזִ֔ית נְתִיבֹתַ֖י עִוָּֽה׃ ס	Girdling me about so I cannot leave, They made my copper-fetters heavy. Granted, I cry to be saved, and They shut out my prayer. Girdling my paths with stone, They made my paths crooked,
¹⁰ דֹּ֣ב אֹרֵ֥ב הוּא֙ לִ֔י אריה אֲרִ֖י בְּמִסְתָּרִֽים׃ ¹¹ דְּרָכַ֥י סוֹרֵ֛ר וַֽיְפַשְּׁחֵ֖נִי שָׂמַ֥נִי שֹׁמֵֽם׃ ¹² דָּרַ֤ךְ קַשְׁתוֹ֙ וַיַּצִּיבֵ֔נִי כַּמַּטָּרָ֖א לַחֵֽץ׃ ס	Dealt with me like a bear lying in wait, a lion^[1] Ketiv: lioness hidden. Drew aside my paths and torn me, making me desolate. Drawing Their bow, They set me as a mark for the arrow,
¹³ הֵבִיא֙ בְּכִלְיוֹתָ֔י בְּנֵ֖י אַשְׁפָּתֽוֹ׃ ¹⁴ הָיִ֤יתִי שְּׂחֹק֙ לְכָל־עַמִּ֔י נְגִינָתָ֖ם כָּל־הַיּֽוֹם׃ ¹⁵ הִשְׂבִּיעַ֥נִי בַמְּרוֹרִ֖ים הִרְוַ֥נִי לַעֲנָֽה׃ ס	Entering into my innards the produce of Their quiver. Even to my people I have become a joke, their songs all day. Engorging me with bitterness, They sated me with wormwood.
¹⁶ וַיַּגְרֵ֤ס בֶּֽחָצָץ֙ שִׁנָּ֔י הִכְפִּישַׁ֖נִי בָּאֵֽפֶר׃ ¹⁷ וַתִּזְנַ֧ח מִשָּׁל֛וֹם נַפְשִׁ֖י נָשִׁ֥יתִי טוֹבָֽה׃ ¹⁸ וָאֹמַר֙ אָבַ֣ד נִצְחִ֔י וְתוֹחַלְתִּ֖י מֵיְהוָֽה׃ ס	With gravel They ground my teeth, They trampled me in ashes. While my soul has long left peace, I have forgotten goodness. When I said, “My endurance is lost, as is my hope from the Cause.”
¹⁹ זְכָר־עָנְיִ֥י וּמְרוּדִ֖י לַעֲנָ֥ה וָרֹֽאשׁ׃ ²⁰ זָכ֣וֹר תִּזְכּ֔וֹר ותשיח וְתָשׁ֥וֹחַ עָלַ֖י נַפְשִֽׁי׃ ²¹ זֹ֛את אָשִׁ֥יב אֶל־לִבִּ֖י עַל־כֵּ֥ן אוֹחִֽיל׃ ס	Zero in on my affliction and my nadir, wormwood and venom. Zealously my soul remembers them, and sinks^[2] Ketiv: speaks in me. Zeroing in on this in my mind so that I have hope:
²² חַֽסְדֵ֤י יְהוָה֙ כִּ֣י לֹא־תָ֔מְנוּ כִּ֥י לֹא־כָל֖וּ רַחֲמָֽיו׃ ²³ חֲדָשִׁים֙ לַבְּקָרִ֔ים רַבָּ֖ה אֱמוּנָתֶֽךָ׃ ²⁴ חֶלְקִ֤י יְהוָה֙ אָמְרָ֣ה נַפְשִׁ֔י עַל־כֵּ֖ן אוֹחִ֥יל לֽוֹ׃ ס	How could the Cause’s kindness be spent? Their compassion has not failed. How great is Your faithfulness! They are renewed each morning. Here my portion is the Cause — says my soul — thus I trust Them.
²⁵ ט֤וֹב יְהוָה֙ לְקֹוָ֔ו לְנֶ֖פֶשׁ תִּדְרְשֶֽׁנּוּ׃ ²⁶ ט֤וֹב וְיָחִיל֙ וְדוּמָ֔ם לִתְשׁוּעַ֖ת יְהוָֽה׃ ²⁷ ט֣וֹב לַגֶּ֔בֶר כִּֽי־יִשָּׂ֥א עֹ֖ל בִּנְעוּרָֽיו׃ ס	The Cause is good to those who who wait for Them, to the soul seeking Them. Thus it is good for a person to quietly wait for the Cause’s rescue. Thus it is good for a man to bear a yoke in his youth.
²⁸ יֵשֵׁ֤ב בָּדָד֙ וְיִדֹּ֔ם כִּ֥י נָטַ֖ל עָלָֽיו׃ ²⁹ יִתֵּ֤ן בֶּֽעָפָר֙ פִּ֔יהוּ אוּלַ֖י יֵ֥שׁ תִּקְוָֽה׃ ³⁰ יִתֵּ֧ן לְמַכֵּ֛הוּ לֶ֖חִי יִשְׂבַּ֥ע בְּחֶרְפָּֽה׃ ס	In silence he should sit, for They laid it on him. In the dust he should put his mouth, maybe then there will be hope. Indeed, he should turn his cheek to his smiter, to be full of reproach.
³¹ כִּ֣י לֹ֥א יִזְנַ֛ח לְעוֹלָ֖ם אֲדֹנָֽי׃ ³² כִּ֣י אִם־הוֹגָ֔ה וְרִחַ֖ם כְּרֹ֥ב חסדו חֲסָדָֽיו׃ ³³ כִּ֣י לֹ֤א עִנָּה֙ מִלִּבּ֔וֹ וַיַּגֶּ֖ה בְנֵי־אִֽישׁ׃ ס	Keep on — the Lord will not cast off forever. Keeping compassion, even when causing grief, as per Their great kindness. Keen to afflict They are not, nor to aggrieve mortals.
³⁴ לְדַכֵּא֙ תַּ֣חַת רַגְלָ֔יו כֹּ֖ל אֲסִ֥ירֵי אָֽרֶץ׃ ³⁵ לְהַטּוֹת֙ מִשְׁפַּט־גָּ֔בֶר נֶ֖גֶד פְּנֵ֥י עֶלְיֽוֹן׃ ³⁶ לְעַוֵּ֤ת אָדָם֙ בְּרִיב֔וֹ אֲדֹנָ֖י לֹ֥א רָאָֽה׃ ס	Letting the prisoners of earth be crushed underfoot? Leaving off the rights of a man before the Highest One’s face? Letting one’s cause be subverted? The Lord does not see it.
³⁷ מִ֣י זֶ֤ה אָמַר֙ וַתֶּ֔הִי אֲדֹנָ֖י לֹ֥א צִוָּֽה׃ ³⁸ מִפִּ֤י עֶלְיוֹן֙ לֹ֣א תֵצֵ֔א הָרָע֖וֹת וְהַטּֽוֹב׃ ³⁹ מַה־יִּתְאוֹנֵן֙ אָדָ֣ם חָ֔י גֶּ֖בֶר עַל־חטאו חֲטָאָֽיו׃ ס	May anyone say what comes to pass if the Lord has not commanded it? Mustn’t evil and good come out from the Highest One’s mouth? May a living person complain, a man for his sins?
⁴⁰ נַחְפְּשָׂ֤ה דְרָכֵ֙ינוּ֙ וְֽנַחְקֹ֔רָה וְנָשׁ֖וּבָה עַד־יְהוָֽה׃ ⁴¹ נִשָּׂ֤א לְבָבֵ֙נוּ֙ אֶל־כַּפָּ֔יִם אֶל־אֵ֖ל בַּשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ ⁴² נַ֤חְנוּ פָשַׁ֙עְנוּ֙ וּמָרִ֔ינוּ אַתָּ֖ה לֹ֥א סָלָֽחְתָּ׃ ס	Now let us search and test our ways and return to the Cause. Now let us raise our hearts in our palms to the Deity in heaven. Now we have sinned and rebelled; You have not pardoned.
⁴³ סַכֹּ֤תָה בָאַף֙ וַֽתִּרְדְּפֵ֔נוּ הָרַ֖גְתָּ לֹ֥א חָמָֽלְתָּ׃ ⁴⁴ סַכּ֤וֹתָה בֶֽעָנָן֙ לָ֔ךְ מֵעֲב֖וֹר תְּפִלָּֽה׃ ⁴⁵ סְחִ֧י וּמָא֛וֹס תְּשִׂימֵ֖נוּ בְּקֶ֥רֶב הָעַמִּֽים׃ ס	So You covered us with anger and pursued us; killing us without mercy. Secreting Yourself in a cloud, lest prayer pass through. Slag and spoilage You have made us amongst the peoples.
⁴⁶ פָּצ֥וּ עָלֵ֛ינוּ פִּיהֶ֖ם כָּל־אֹיְבֵֽינוּ׃ ⁴⁷ פַּ֧חַד וָפַ֛חַת הָ֥יָה לָ֖נוּ הַשֵּׁ֥את וְהַשָּֽׁבֶר׃ ⁴⁸ פַּלְגֵי־מַ֙יִם֙ תֵּרַ֣ד עֵינִ֔י עַל־שֶׁ֖בֶר בַּת־עַמִּֽי׃ ס	Parted open against us are the mouths of all our enemies. Panic and pitfall are upon us, calamity and crumbling. Profusely my eyes water with tears, for the brokenness of my fair people.
⁴⁹ עֵינִ֧י נִגְּרָ֛ה וְלֹ֥א תִדְמֶ֖ה מֵאֵ֥ין הֲפֻגֽוֹת׃ ⁵⁰ עַד־יַשְׁקִ֣יף וְיֵ֔רֶא יְהוָ֖ה מִשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ ⁵¹ עֵינִי֙ עֽוֹלְלָ֣ה לְנַפְשִׁ֔י מִכֹּ֖ל בְּנ֥וֹת עִירִֽי׃ ס	Outpouring are my eyes, unceasing, without intermission, On until the Cause looks out and sees from Heaven. On my soul my eye has acted, from all my city’s daughters.
⁵² צ֥וֹד צָד֛וּנִי כַּצִּפּ֖וֹר אֹיְבַ֥י חִנָּֽם׃ ⁵³ צָֽמְת֤וּ בַבּוֹר֙ חַיָּ֔י וַיַּדּוּ־אֶ֖בֶן בִּֽי׃ ⁵⁴ צָֽפוּ־מַ֥יִם עַל־רֹאשִׁ֖י אָמַ֥רְתִּי נִגְזָֽרְתִּי׃ ס	Chasing me, chasing like a bird, my unreasoning enemies. Ceasing my life in the pit, throwing stones upon me. Choking with water over my head, I said, “I am cut off.”
⁵⁵ קָרָ֤אתִי שִׁמְךָ֙ יְהוָ֔ה מִבּ֖וֹר תַּחְתִּיּֽוֹת׃ ⁵⁶ קוֹלִ֖י שָׁמָ֑עְתָּ אַל־תַּעְלֵ֧ם אָזְנְךָ֛ לְרַוְחָתִ֖י לְשַׁוְעָתִֽי׃ ⁵⁷ קָרַ֙בְתָּ֙ בְּי֣וֹם אֶקְרָאֶ֔ךָּ אָמַ֖רְתָּ אַל־תִּירָֽא׃ ס	Questing was I for Your Name, Cause, from the lowest pit. Quaking of my voice You heard — don’t hide Your ear as I cry for help and relief! Quoth You on the day You came near when I called, “Do not fear.”
⁵⁸ רַ֧בְתָּ אֲדֹנָ֛י רִיבֵ֥י נַפְשִׁ֖י גָּאַ֥לְתָּ חַיָּֽי׃ ⁵⁹ רָאִ֤יתָה יְהוָה֙ עַוָּ֣תָתִ֔י שָׁפְטָ֖ה מִשְׁפָּטִֽי׃ ⁶⁰ רָאִ֙יתָה֙ כָּל־נִקְמָתָ֔ם כָּל־מַחְשְׁבֹתָ֖ם לִֽי׃ ס	Representative, Lord, of my soul’s cases, You redeemed my life. Regarding my wrongdoing, Cause, judge my judgement! Regard all their vengeances and their plots against me.
⁶¹ שָׁמַ֤עְתָּ חֶרְפָּתָם֙ יְהוָ֔ה כָּל־מַחְשְׁבֹתָ֖ם עָלָֽי׃ ⁶² שִׂפְתֵ֤י קָמַי֙ וְהֶגְיוֹנָ֔ם עָלַ֖י כָּל־הַיּֽוֹם׃ ⁶³ שִׁבְתָּ֤ם וְקִֽימָתָם֙ הַבִּ֔יטָה אֲנִ֖י מַנְגִּינָתָֽם׃ ס	Surely You heard their taunts, Cause, and all their plots against me! Susurrations daily of the lips of those rising up against me. Shanty of theirs am I — look upon their sitting down and rising up!
⁶⁴ תָּשִׁ֨יב לָהֶ֥ם גְּמ֛וּל יְהוָ֖ה כְּמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה יְדֵיהֶֽם׃ ⁶⁵ תִּתֵּ֤ן לָהֶם֙ מְגִנַּת־לֵ֔ב תַּאֲלָֽתְךָ֖ לָהֶֽם׃ ⁶⁶ תִּרְדֹּ֤ף בְּאַף֙ וְתַשְׁמִידֵ֔ם מִתַּ֖חַת שְׁמֵ֥י יְהוָֽה׃ פ	Turn back to them recompense, Cause, as per their handiwork. Toughness of heart give to them, Your curse upon them! Tear after them in rage and destroy them from under the Cause’s heavens.
פרק ד׳	CHAPTER 4
¹ אֵיכָה֙ יוּעַ֣ם זָהָ֔ב יִשְׁנֶ֖א הַכֶּ֣תֶם הַטּ֑וֹב תִּשְׁתַּפֵּ֙כְנָה֙ אַבְנֵי־קֹ֔דֶשׁ בְּרֹ֖אשׁ כָּל־חוּצֽוֹת׃ ס	Alas, the gold is dimmed, the fine aurum changed! The holy stones poured out at the heads of the street.
² בְּנֵ֤י צִיּוֹן֙ הַיְקָרִ֔ים הַמְסֻלָּאִ֖ים בַּפָּ֑ז אֵיכָ֤ה נֶחְשְׁבוּ֙ לְנִבְלֵי־חֶ֔רֶשׂ מַעֲשֵׂ֖ה יְדֵ֥י יוֹצֵֽר׃ ס	Boys of Ẓion, precious, comparable to gilt; alas, they are treated as clay pots the potter’s handiwork!
³ גַּם־תנין תַּנִּים֙ חָ֣לְצוּ שַׁ֔ד הֵינִ֖יקוּ גּוּרֵיהֶ֑ן בַּת־עַמִּ֣י לְאַכְזָ֔ר כי ענים כַּיְעֵנִ֖ים בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃ ס	Golden jackals^[3] Ketiv: monsters even breastfeed their pups; my fair people is as cruel as ostriches^[4] Ketiv: for they call in the desert.
⁴ דָּבַ֨ק לְשׁ֥וֹן יוֹנֵ֛ק אֶל־חכּ֖וֹ בַּצָּמָ֑א עֽוֹלָלִים֙ שָׁ֣אֲלוּ לֶ֔חֶם פֹּרֵ֖שׂ אֵ֥ין לָהֶֽם׃ ס	Drawn is the infant’s tongue to his palate from thirst; children ask for bread but none break it for them.
⁵ הָאֹֽכְלִים֙ לְמַ֣עֲדַנִּ֔ים נָשַׁ֖מּוּ בַּחוּצ֑וֹת הָאֱמֻנִים֙ עֲלֵ֣י תוֹלָ֔ע חִבְּק֖וּ אַשְׁפַּתּֽוֹת׃ ס	Eaters of desserts are desolate in the courtyards, those used to wearing scarlet grab on to middens.
⁶ וַיִּגְדַּל֙ עֲוֺ֣ן בַּת־עַמִּ֔י מֵֽחַטַּ֖את סְדֹ֑ם הַֽהֲפוּכָ֣ה כְמוֹ־רָ֔גַע וְלֹא־חָ֥לוּ בָ֖הּ יָדָֽיִם׃ ס	Why, my fair people’s iniquity is greater than Sodom’s sin, for it was overthrown in a moment and no hands fell upon her.
⁷ זַכּ֤וּ נְזִירֶ֙יהָ֙ מִשֶּׁ֔לֶג צַח֖וּ מֵחָלָ֑ב אָ֤דְמוּ עֶ֙צֶם֙ מִפְּנִינִ֔ים סַפִּ֖יר גִּזְרָתָֽם׃ ס	Zinc-white were their princes, purer than snow, whiter than milk, their bodies redder than rubies, polished like sapphire.
⁸ חָשַׁ֤ךְ מִשְּׁחוֹר֙ תָּֽאֳרָ֔ם לֹ֥א נִכְּר֖וּ בַּחוּצ֑וֹת צָפַ֤ד עוֹרָם֙ עַל־עַצְמָ֔ם יָבֵ֖שׁ הָיָ֥ה כָעֵֽץ׃ ס	How dark as coal their visages, unrecognized in the courts, their skin is shriveled on their bones, dried up like wood.
⁹ טוֹבִ֤ים הָיוּ֙ חַלְלֵי־חֶ֔רֶב מֵֽחַלְלֵ֖י רָעָ֑ב שֶׁ֣הֵ֤ם יָז֙וּבוּ֙ מְדֻקָּרִ֔ים מִתְּנוּבֹ֖ת שָׂדָֽי׃ ס	Those fallen to the sword are better off than those fallen to hunger, for they ooze, pierced through by the crops of the field.
¹⁰ יְדֵ֗י נָשִׁים֙ רַחֲמָ֣נִיּ֔וֹת בִּשְּׁל֖וּ יַלְדֵיהֶ֑ן הָי֤וּ לְבָרוֹת֙ לָ֔מוֹ בְּשֶׁ֖בֶר בַּת־עַמִּֽי׃ ס	In compassionate women’s hands children have been cooked, devoured in the breaking of my fair people.
¹¹ כִּלָּ֤ה יְהוָה֙ אֶת־חֲמָת֔וֹ שָׁפַ֖ךְ חֲר֣וֹן אַפּ֑וֹ וַיַּצֶּת־אֵ֣שׁ בְּצִיּ֔וֹן וַתֹּ֖אכַל יְסוֹדֹתֶֽיהָ׃ ס	Concluded is the Cause’s rage; They have poured out Their hot anger, kindling a fire in Ẓion and eating her foundations.
¹² לֹ֤א הֶאֱמִ֙ינוּ֙ מַלְכֵי־אֶ֔רֶץ וכל כֹּ֖ל יֹשְׁבֵ֣י תֵבֵ֑ל כִּ֤י יָבֹא֙ צַ֣ר וְאוֹיֵ֔ב בְּשַׁעֲרֵ֖י יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ ס	Leaders of earth did not believe,^[5] Ketiv: nor did all the land’s inhabitants, that the foe and enemy could come into Jerusalem’s gates.
¹³ מֵֽחַטֹּ֣את נְבִיאֶ֔יהָ עֲוֺנ֖וֹת כֹּהֲנֶ֑יהָ הַשֹּׁפְכִ֥ים בְּקִרְבָּ֖הּ דַּ֥ם צַדִּיקִֽים׃ ס	Meted from the sins of her prophets, the iniquities of her priests, who shed righteous blood in her midst.
¹⁴ נָע֤וּ עִוְרִים֙ בַּֽחוּצ֔וֹת נְגֹֽאֲל֖וּ בַּדָּ֑ם בְּלֹ֣א יֽוּכְל֔וּ יִגְּע֖וּ בִּלְבֻשֵׁיהֶֽם׃ ס	Nomadizing blindly through the courtyards, stained with blood, that none could touch their garments.
¹⁵ ס֣וּרוּ טָמֵ֞א קָ֣רְאוּ לָ֗מוֹ ס֤וּרוּ ס֙וּרוּ֙ אַל־תִּגָּ֔עוּ כִּ֥י נָצ֖וּ גַּם־נָ֑עוּ אָֽמְרוּ֙ בַּגּוֹיִ֔ם לֹ֥א יוֹסִ֖יפוּ לָגֽוּר׃ ס	“Scram! Filth!” they shouted at them. “Scram! Scram! Don’t touch me!” So they wandered and roamed; it was said in the nations “they will not stay here longer.”
¹⁶ פְּנֵ֤י יְהוָה֙ חִלְּקָ֔ם לֹ֥א יוֹסִ֖יף לְהַבִּיטָ֑ם פְּנֵ֤י כֹהֲנִים֙ לֹ֣א נָשָׂ֔אוּ זקנים וּזְקֵנִ֖ים לֹ֥א חָנָֽנוּ׃ ס	Passed away from them was the face of the Cause, who will look upon them no longer. They did not not lift up the faces of priests,^[6] Ketiv: and did not grace elders.
¹⁷ עודינה עוֹדֵ֙ינוּ֙ תִּכְלֶ֣ינָה עֵינֵ֔ינוּ אֶל־עֶזְרָתֵ֖נוּ הָ֑בֶל בְּצִפִּיָּתֵ֣נוּ צִפִּ֔ינוּ אֶל־גּ֖וֹי לֹ֥א יוֹשִֽׁעַ׃ ס	Our eyes even now are pining for our help in vain; as we wait, we wait for a nation that will not save us.
¹⁸ צָד֣וּ צְעָדֵ֔ינוּ מִלֶּ֖כֶת בִּרְחֹבֹתֵ֑ינוּ קָרַ֥ב קִצֵּ֛ינוּ מָלְא֥וּ יָמֵ֖ינוּ כִּי־בָ֥א קִצֵּֽינוּ׃ ס	Checked were our steps from walking in our streets. Our end is soon, our days are done for our end has come.
¹⁹ קַלִּ֤ים הָיוּ֙ רֹדְפֵ֔ינוּ מִנִּשְׁרֵ֖י שָׁמָ֑יִם עַל־הֶהָרִ֣ים דְּלָקֻ֔נוּ בַּמִּדְבָּ֖ר אָ֥רְבוּ לָֽנוּ׃ ס	Quicker than eagles of the sky were our pursuers; they chased us in the mountains, ambushed us in the desert.
²⁰ ר֤וּחַ אַפֵּ֙ינוּ֙ מְשִׁ֣יחַ יְהוָ֔ה נִלְכַּ֖ד בִּשְׁחִיתוֹתָ֑ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָמַ֔רְנוּ בְּצִלּ֖וֹ נִֽחְיֶ֥ה בַגּוֹיִֽם׃ ס	Respiring of our life — the anointed of the Cause! — was captured in their traps; the one whom we thought we would live among the nations in his shade.
²¹ שִׂ֤ישִׂי וְשִׂמְחִי֙ בַּת־אֱד֔וֹם יושבתי יוֹשֶׁ֖בֶת בְּאֶ֣רֶץ ע֑וּץ גַּם־עָלַ֙יִךְ֙ תַּעֲבָר־כּ֔וֹס תִּשְׁכְּרִ֖י וְתִתְעָרִֽי׃ ס	Shout for joy, fair Edom, dwelling^[7] Ketiv: a dwelling in the land of Uẓ; upon you to the cup will pass, you will get drunk and strip bare.
²² תַּם־עֲוֺנֵךְ֙ בַּת־צִיּ֔וֹן לֹ֥א יוֹסִ֖יף לְהַגְלוֹתֵ֑ךְ פָּקַ֤ד עֲוֺנֵךְ֙ בַּת־אֱד֔וֹם גִּלָּ֖ה עַל־חַטֹּאתָֽיִךְ׃ פ	Taken away is your iniquity, fair Ẓion; They will exile you no longer. Your iniquity, fair Edom, They will note, and uncover all your sins.
פרק ה׳	CHAPTER 5
¹ זְכֹ֤ר יְהוָה֙ מֶֽה־הָ֣יָה לָ֔נוּ הביט הַבִּ֖יטָה וּרְאֵ֥ה אֶת־חֶרְפָּתֵֽנוּ׃	Remember, Cause, what has become of us; regard and see our shame!
² נַחֲלָתֵ֙נוּ֙ נֶֽהֶפְכָ֣ה לְזָרִ֔ים בָּתֵּ֖ינוּ לְנָכְרִֽים׃	Our inheritance turned over to strangers; our homes to foreigners!
³ יְתוֹמִ֤ים הָיִ֙ינוּ֙ אין וְאֵ֣ין אָ֔ב אִמֹּתֵ֖ינוּ כְּאַלְמָנֽוֹת׃	We have become orphans^[8] Ketiv: “and” without a father, our mothers like widows.
⁴ מֵימֵ֙ינוּ֙ בְּכֶ֣סֶף שָׁתִ֔ינוּ עֵצֵ֖ינוּ בִּמְחִ֥יר יָבֹֽאוּ׃	Our water we pay to drink, our wood comes at a price.
⁵ עַ֤ל צַוָּארֵ֙נוּ֙ נִרְדָּ֔פְנוּ יָגַ֖עְנוּ לא וְלֹ֥א הֽוּנַ֖ח לָֽנוּ׃	At our necks we are pursued, we are exhausted,^[9] Ketiv: “and” given no rest.
⁶ מִצְרַ֙יִם֙ נָתַ֣נּוּ יָ֔ד אַשּׁ֖וּר לִשְׂבֹּ֥עַֽ לָֽחֶם׃	To Egypt we hold out our hand, to Assyria, for our fill of bread.
⁷ אֲבֹתֵ֤ינוּ חָֽטְאוּ֙ אינם וְאֵינָ֔ם אנחנו וַאֲנַ֖חְנוּ עֲוֺנֹתֵיהֶ֥ם סָבָֽלְנוּ׃	Our ancestors sinned and^[10] Ketiv: NO “and” are no more, and^[11] Ketiv: NO “and” we bear their guilt.
⁸ עֲבָדִים֙ מָ֣שְׁלוּ בָ֔נוּ פֹּרֵ֖ק אֵ֥ין מִיָּדָֽם׃	Slaves rule over us, and none rescue from their hand.
⁹ בְּנַפְשֵׁ֙נוּ֙ נָבִ֣יא לַחְמֵ֔נוּ מִפְּנֵ֖י חֶ֥רֶב הַמִּדְבָּֽר׃	We risk our lives to get bread, from the sword of the desert.
¹⁰ עוֹרֵ֙נוּ֙ כְּתַנּ֣וּר נִכְמָ֔רוּ מִפְּנֵ֖י זַלְעֲפ֥וֹת רָעָֽב׃	Our skin glows like an oven, from the fever of hunger.
¹¹ נָשִׁים֙ בְּצִיּ֣וֹן עִנּ֔וּ בְּתֻלֹ֖ת בְּעָרֵ֥י יְהוּדָֽה׃	Women in Ẓion they afflicted, virgins in the cities of Judah.
¹² שָׂרִים֙ בְּיָדָ֣ם נִתְל֔וּ פְּנֵ֥י זְקֵנִ֖ים לֹ֥א נֶהְדָּֽרוּ׃	Ministers they hanged by their hands, no respect shown to elders.
¹³ בַּחוּרִים֙ טְח֣וֹן נָשָׂ֔אוּ וּנְעָרִ֖ים בָּעֵ֥ץ כָּשָֽׁלוּ׃	Young men carry millstones, lads stagger with wood.
¹⁴ זְקֵנִים֙ מִשַּׁ֣עַר שָׁבָ֔תוּ בַּחוּרִ֖ים מִנְּגִינָתָֽם׃	Elders gone from the gate, young men from their songs.
¹⁵ שָׁבַת֙ מְשׂ֣וֹשׂ לִבֵּ֔נוּ נֶהְפַּ֥ךְ לְאֵ֖בֶל מְחֹלֵֽנוּ׃	Gone is our hearts’ joy, our dancing turned to mourning.
¹⁶ נָֽפְלָה֙ עֲטֶ֣רֶת רֹאשֵׁ֔נוּ אֽוֹי־נָ֥א לָ֖נוּ כִּ֥י חָטָֽאנוּ׃	The crown has fallen from our head, woe is us for our sins!
¹⁷ עַל־זֶ֗ה הָיָ֤ה דָוֶה֙ לִבֵּ֔נוּ עַל־אֵ֖לֶּה חָשְׁכ֥וּ עֵינֵֽינוּ׃	For this, our hearts are faint, for these our eyes are darkened.
¹⁸ עַ֤ל הַר־צִיּוֹן֙ שֶׁשָּׁמֵ֔ם שׁוּעָלִ֖ים הִלְּכוּ־בֽוֹ׃ פ	For Mount Ẓion, which is desolate, foxes dwell upon it.
¹⁹ אַתָּ֤ה יְהוָה֙ לְעוֹלָ֣ם תֵּשֵׁ֔ב כִּסְאֲךָ֖ לְדֹ֥ר וָדֽוֹר׃	You, Cause, are forever enthroned; Your seat is for all generations.
²⁰ לָ֤מָּה לָנֶ֙צַח֙ תִּשְׁכָּחֵ֔נוּ תַּֽעַזְבֵ֖נוּ לְאֹ֥רֶךְ יָמִֽים׃	Why have You entirely forgotten us, left us for so long?
²¹ הֲשִׁיבֵ֨נוּ יְהוָ֤ה ׀ אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ ונשוב וְֽנָשׁ֔וּבָה חַדֵּ֥שׁ יָמֵ֖ינוּ כְּקֶֽדֶם׃	Return us, Cause, so we can return; renew our days as of old!
²² כִּ֚י אִם־מָאֹ֣ס מְאַסְתָּ֔נוּ קָצַ֥פְתָּ עָלֵ֖ינוּ עַד־מְאֹֽד׃	For have you rejected, rejected us, been enraged at us so much!?
הֲשִׁיבֵ֨נוּ יְהוָ֤ה ׀ אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ וְֽנָשׁ֔וּבָה חַדֵּ֥שׁ יָמֵ֖ינוּ כְּקֶֽדֶם׃	Return us, Cause, so we can return; renew our days as of old!

Notes

Notes
1	Ketiv: lioness
2	Ketiv: speaks
3	Ketiv: monsters
4	Ketiv: for they call
5	Ketiv: nor did
6	Ketiv: and
7	Ketiv: a dwelling
8	Ketiv: “and”
9	Ketiv: “and”
10	Ketiv: NO “and”
11	Ketiv: NO “and”

💬 מְגִלַּת אֵיכָה | Megillat Eikhah (Lamentations) for Reading on Tishah b’Av, translation by Rabbi David Seidenberg (neohasid·org)

David Seidenberg (translation) — Sun, 07 Aug 2016 23:27:46 +0000

This translation of Laments, the book of mourning poems read on Tishah b’Av, uses principles of the Buber-Rosenzweig Bible. It strives to be “concordant”, translating related Hebrew words with related English words and following the order and syntax of the Hebrew where possible. It also focuses on the more physical, earthy meaning of words, in order to draw the reader from modern towards more ancient ways of seeing and feeling. Sometimes alternate translations are given, indicated by a slash. (When reading aloud, simply pick one of the translations. For YHVH, you can read Adonai or Hashem or “the Eternal”.) James Moffatt’s 1922 translation was consulted. As a somewhat literal translation, Laments uses “He” and “His” as pronouns for God, even though Torah and common sense command us not to make an exclusively male or female image of God. If you are using Laments liturgically, please feel encouraged to change the pronouns. For brief essays on the theology of Eikhah and more, see the bottom of this page.

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Source (Hebrew)	Translation (English)
פרק א׳	CHAPTER 1
¹ אֵיכָ֣ה ׀ יָשְׁבָ֣ה בָדָ֗ד הָעִיר֙ רַבָּ֣תִי עָ֔ם הָיְתָ֖ה כְּאַלְמָנָ֑ה רַּבָּ֣תִי בַגּוֹיִ֗ם שָׂרָ֙תִי֙ בַּמְּדִינ֔וֹת הָיְתָ֖ה לָמַֽס׃ ס	Eikhah! How can it be – that she sat alone, the city so great / so swelled with people? She was like a widow. The one great among the nations, ministering among the states, became a slave caste.
² בָּכ֨וֹ תִבְכֶּ֜ה בַּלַּ֗יְלָה וְדִמְעָתָהּ֙ עַ֣ל לֶֽחֱיָ֔הּ אֵֽין־לָ֥הּ מְנַחֵ֖ם מִכָּל־אֹהֲבֶ֑יהָ כָּל־רֵעֶ֙יהָ֙ בָּ֣גְדוּ בָ֔הּ הָ֥יוּ לָ֖הּ לְאֹיְבִֽים׃ ס	Crying, she will cry in the night, her tear upon her cheek There is none for her, no comforter, from all her lovers. All her companions played traitor with her. They became for her enemies.
³ גָּֽלְתָ֨ה יְהוּדָ֤ה מֵעֹ֙נִי֙ וּמֵרֹ֣ב עֲבֹדָ֔ה הִ֚יא יָשְׁבָ֣ה בַגּוֹיִ֔ם לֹ֥א מָצְאָ֖ה מָנ֑וֹחַ כָּל־רֹדְפֶ֥יהָ הִשִּׂיג֖וּהָ בֵּ֥ין הַמְּצָרִֽים׃ ס	She, Judah, was exiled, by poverty, and by (so) much hard labor She sat among the nations, not finding any rest; All her pursuers caught up with her between the confined places.
⁴ דַּרְכֵ֨י צִיּ֜וֹן אֲבֵל֗וֹת מִבְּלִי֙ בָּאֵ֣י מוֹעֵ֔ד כָּל־שְׁעָרֶ֙יהָ֙ שֽׁוֹמֵמִ֔ין כֹּהֲנֶ֖יהָ נֶאֱנָחִ֑ים בְּתוּלֹתֶ֥יהָ נּוּג֖וֹת וְהִ֥יא מַר־לָֽהּ׃ ס	Ẓíōn’s roads are mourning from being without festival-goers, all her gates desolated; Her priests are moaning, her girls grieving; And she – it is bitterness for her.
⁵ הָי֨וּ צָרֶ֤יהָ לְרֹאשׁ֙ אֹיְבֶ֣יהָ שָׁל֔וּ כִּֽי־יְהוָ֥ה הוֹגָ֖הּ עַ֣ל רֹב־פְּשָׁעֶ֑יהָ עוֹלָלֶ֛יהָ הָלְכ֥וּ שְׁבִ֖י לִפְנֵי־צָֽר׃ ס	Her tormentors were at the head, her enemies had ease For YHVH aggrieved her for the greatness of her sins. Her babes walked captive before foe;
⁶ וַיֵּצֵ֥א מן־בת־ מִבַּת־צִיּ֖וֹן כָּל־הֲדָרָ֑הּ הָי֣וּ שָׂרֶ֗יהָ כְּאַיָּלִים֙ לֹא־מָצְא֣וּ מִרְעֶ֔ה וַיֵּלְכ֥וּ בְלֹא־כֹ֖חַ לִפְנֵ֥י רוֹדֵֽף׃ ס	and all her splendor went out from daughter Ẓíōn ! Her ministers, like deer, not finding a place to graze; and (so) they walked, without strength, before a pursuer.
⁷ זָֽכְרָ֣ה יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם יְמֵ֤י עָנְיָהּ֙ וּמְרוּדֶ֔יהָ כֹּ֚ל מַחֲמֻדֶ֔יהָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָי֖וּ מִ֣ימֵי קֶ֑דֶם בִּנְפֹ֧ל עַמָּ֣הּ בְּיַד־צָ֗ר וְאֵ֤ין עוֹזֵר֙ לָ֔הּ רָא֣וּהָ צָרִ֔ים שָׂחֲק֖וּ עַ֥ל מִשְׁבַּתֶּֽהָ׃ ס	Jerusalem remembered the days of her poverty / affliction and her downsliding, all her precious things which were from days long ago, while her people fell into a foe’s hand; and there is no help for her. They saw her, her tormentors, laughing over her becoming stilled.
⁸ חֵ֤טְא חָֽטְאָה֙ יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם עַל־כֵּ֖ן לְנִידָ֣ה הָיָ֑תָה כָּֽל־מְכַבְּדֶ֤יהָ הִזִּיל֙וּהָ֙ כִּי־רָא֣וּ עֶרְוָתָ֔הּ גַּם־הִ֥יא נֶאֶנְחָ֖ה וַתָּ֥שָׁב אָחֽוֹר׃ ס	Sinning she sinned, Jerusalem. For this an outcast / nidah she became. All who honor her despise her, for they saw her nakedness. Also her, she is moaning, and turned around backward.
⁹ טֻמְאָתָ֣הּ בְּשׁוּלֶ֗יהָ לֹ֤א זָֽכְרָה֙ אַחֲרִיתָ֔הּ וַתֵּ֣רֶד פְּלָאִ֔ים אֵ֥ין מְנַחֵ֖ם לָ֑הּ רְאֵ֤ה יְהוָה֙ אֶת־עָנְיִ֔י כִּ֥י הִגְדִּ֖יל אוֹיֵֽב׃ ס	Her blood / tum’ah in her skirts, she didn’t remember her end after, she descended wondrously. There is no comforter for her. YHVH, see my poverty / my humiliation, for an enemy became great.
¹⁰ יָדוֹ֙ פָּ֣רַשׂ צָ֔ר עַ֖ל כָּל־מַחֲמַדֶּ֑יהָ כִּֽי־רָאֲתָ֤ה גוֹיִם֙ בָּ֣אוּ מִקְדָּשָׁ֔הּ אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוִּ֔יתָה לֹא־יָבֹ֥אוּ בַקָּהָ֖ל לָֽךְ׃ ס	A foe / Trauma spread out his hand over all her precious things; She saw other nations come within her holy place, which you commanded her: “They won’t come in with the community to you.”
¹¹ כָּל־עַמָּ֤הּ נֶאֱנָחִים֙ מְבַקְּשִׁ֣ים לֶ֔חֶם נָתְנ֧וּ מחמודיהם מַחֲמַדֵּיהֶ֛ם בְּאֹ֖כֶל לְהָשִׁ֣יב נָ֑פֶשׁ רְאֵ֤ה יְהוָה֙ וְֽהַבִּ֔יטָה כִּ֥י הָיִ֖יתִי זוֹלֵלָֽה׃ ס	All her people are moaning seeking bread; They gave up their precious things for food to restore life. See, YHVH, and look (at how) I was despised.
¹² ל֣וֹא אֲלֵיכֶם֮ כָּל־עֹ֣בְרֵי דֶרֶךְ֒ הַבִּ֣יטוּ וּרְא֗וּ אִם־יֵ֤שׁ מַכְאוֹב֙ כְּמַכְאֹבִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר עוֹלַ֖ל לִ֑י אֲשֶׁר֙ הוֹגָ֣ה יְהוָ֔ה בְּי֖וֹם חֲר֥וֹן אַפּֽוֹ׃ ס	Never to you, all who pass on the way. (All of you) look, and see – Could there be pain like my pain which was doled out to me, which YHVH caused to grieve in the day of His furious anger?
¹³ מִמָּר֛וֹם שָֽׁלַח־אֵ֥שׁ בְּעַצְמֹתַ֖י וַיִּרְדֶּ֑נָּה פָּרַ֨שׂ רֶ֤שֶׁת לְרַגְלַי֙ הֱשִׁיבַ֣נִי אָח֔וֹר נְתָנַ֙נִי֙ שֹֽׁמֵמָ֔ה כָּל־הַיּ֖וֹם דָּוָֽה׃ ס	From a height He sent fire in my bones and overwhelmed them. He spread out a net for my feet; He turned me / repelled me backward; He made me desolate, all day – sickness.
¹⁴ נִשְׂקַד֩ עֹ֨ל פְּשָׁעַ֜י בְּיָד֗וֹ יִשְׂתָּֽרְג֛וּ עָל֥וּ עַל־צַוָּארִ֖י הִכְשִׁ֣יל כֹּחִ֑י נְתָנַ֣נִי אֲדֹנָ֔י בִּידֵ֖י לֹא־אוּכַ֥ל קֽוּם׃ ס	The harness of my sins lashed on, they were tied down by His hand, brought up onto my neck, making my strength fail. Adonai gave me over into (such) hands that I am unable to stand up.
¹⁵ סִלָּ֨ה כָל־אַבִּירַ֤י ׀ אֲדֹנָי֙ בְּקִרְבִּ֔י קָרָ֥א עָלַ֛י מוֹעֵ֖ד לִשְׁבֹּ֣ר בַּחוּרָ֑י גַּ֚ת דָּרַ֣ךְ אֲדֹנָ֔י לִבְתוּלַ֖ת בַּת־יְהוּדָֽה׃ ס	Adonai spurned all my mighty warriors within me, he called out over me a feast for breaking my boys; a winepress—Adonai stomped— for daughter Judah’s girl.
¹⁶ עַל־אֵ֣לֶּה ׀ אֲנִ֣י בוֹכִיָּ֗ה עֵינִ֤י ׀ עֵינִי֙ יֹ֣רְדָה מַּ֔יִם כִּֽי־רָחַ֥ק מִמֶּ֛נִּי מְנַחֵ֖ם מֵשִׁ֣יב נַפְשִׁ֑י הָי֤וּ בָנַי֙ שֽׁוֹמֵמִ֔ים כִּ֥י גָבַ֖ר אוֹיֵֽב׃ ס	Over these, I am crying; My eye, my eye, she drops water. For so far from me is any comforter, a restorer for my life. My children were decimated, for an enemy overwhelmed / triumphed.
¹⁷ פֵּֽרְשָׂ֨ה צִיּ֜וֹן בְּיָדֶ֗יהָ אֵ֤ין מְנַחֵם֙ לָ֔הּ צִוָּ֧ה יְהוָ֛ה לְיַעֲקֹ֖ב סְבִיבָ֣יו צָרָ֑יו הָיְתָ֧ה יְרוּשָׁלִַ֛ם לְנִדָּ֖ה בֵּינֵיהֶֽם׃ ס	Ẓíōn spread out with her hands, there is no comforter for her. YHVH commanded for Jacob, surrounding him, his tormentors. Jerusalem became outcast / nidah between them.
¹⁸ צַדִּ֥יק ה֛וּא יְהוָ֖ה כִּ֣י פִ֣יהוּ מָרִ֑יתִי שִׁמְעוּ־נָ֣א כָל־עמים הָֽעַמִּ֗ים וּרְאוּ֙ מַכְאֹבִ֔י בְּתוּלֹתַ֥י וּבַחוּרַ֖י הָלְכ֥וּ בַשֶּֽׁבִי׃ ס	Righteous is YHVH, for his mouth I rebelled (against). Listen, please—all peoples— and see my pain! My girls and my boys walked captive / into captivity.
¹⁹ קָרָ֤אתִי לַֽמְאַהֲבַי֙ הֵ֣מָּה רִמּ֔וּנִי כֹּהֲנַ֥י וּזְקֵנַ֖י בָּעִ֣יר גָּוָ֑עוּ כִּֽי־בִקְשׁ֥וּ אֹ֙כֶל֙ לָ֔מוֹ וְיָשִׁ֖יבוּ אֶת־נַפְשָֽׁם׃ ס	I called to my lovers. Those deceived me. My priests, and my elders, they wasted away in the city, while they sought food for themselves, (that) would bring back their life / soul.
²⁰ רְאֵ֨ה יְהוָ֤ה כִּֽי־צַר־לִי֙ מֵעַ֣י חֳמַרְמָ֔רוּ נֶהְפַּ֤ךְ לִבִּי֙ בְּקִרְבִּ֔י כִּ֥י מָר֖וֹ מָרִ֑יתִי מִח֥וּץ שִׁכְּלָה־חֶ֖רֶב בַּבַּ֥יִת כַּמָּֽוֶת׃ ס	See YHVH – for mine is torment, my guts were churning, my heart overturned within me, for rebelling I rebelled. From outside sword bereaving; In the house, like death itself.
²¹ שָׁמְע֞וּ כִּ֧י נֶאֱנָחָ֣ה אָ֗נִי אֵ֤ין מְנַחֵם֙ לִ֔י כָּל־אֹ֨יְבַ֜י שָׁמְע֤וּ רָֽעָתִי֙ שָׂ֔שׂוּ כִּ֥י אַתָּ֖ה עָשִׂ֑יתָ הֵבֵ֥אתָ יוֹם־קָרָ֖אתָ וְיִֽהְי֥וּ כָמֽוֹנִי׃ ס	They listened – for I am moaning, there is no comforter for me. All my enemies listened for my evil doom. They rejoiced, for You did it, You brought the day You called for – and let them be(come) like me.
²² תָּבֹ֨א כָל־רָעָתָ֤ם לְפָנֶ֙יךָ֙ וְעוֹלֵ֣ל לָ֔מוֹ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר עוֹלַ֛לְתָּ לִ֖י עַ֣ל כָּל־פְּשָׁעָ֑י כִּֽי־רַבּ֥וֹת אַנְחֹתַ֖י וְלִבִּ֥י דַוָּֽי׃ פ	May all their evil come before You, and deal to them as You dealt to me for all my sins. For so much are my sighs, and my heart is sickened.
פרק ב׳	CHAPTER 2
¹ אֵיכָה֩ יָעִ֨יב בְּאַפּ֤וֹ ׀ אֲדֹנָי֙ אֶת־בַּת־צִיּ֔וֹן הִשְׁלִ֤יךְ מִשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ אֶ֔רֶץ תִּפְאֶ֖רֶת יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְלֹא־זָכַ֥ר הֲדֹם־רַגְלָ֖יו בְּי֥וֹם אַפּֽוֹ׃ ס	Eikhah! How can it be! In His anger Adonai clouded over daughter Ẓíōn. He cast down, from skies (to) earth, Israel’s glory, and didn’t remember His foot’s resting place in His day of anger.
² בִּלַּ֨ע אֲדֹנָ֜י לא וְלֹ֣א חָמַ֗ל אֵ֚ת כָּל־נְא֣וֹת יַעֲקֹ֔ב הָרַ֧ס בְּעֶבְרָת֛וֹ מִבְצְרֵ֥י בַת־יְהוּדָ֖ה הִגִּ֣יעַ לָאָ֑רֶץ חִלֵּ֥ל מַמְלָכָ֖ה וְשָׂרֶֽיהָ׃ ס	Adonai devoured—He had no pity— all of Jacob’s pastures. He tore down with His burning daughter Judah’s fortifications; He reached to the very ground. He violated kingdom and her ministers.
³ גָּדַ֣ע בָּֽחֳרִי אַ֗ף כֹּ֚ל קֶ֣רֶן יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל הֵשִׁ֥יב אָח֛וֹר יְמִינ֖וֹ מִפְּנֵ֣י אוֹיֵ֑ב וַיִּבְעַ֤ר בְּיַעֲקֹב֙ כְּאֵ֣שׁ לֶֽהָבָ֔ה אָכְלָ֖ה סָבִֽיב׃ ס	With ferocious anger He hacked off all of Israel’s horn. He turned His right hand backward before the enemy. Burning into Jacob, like fire flaming consuming (all) around.
⁴ דָּרַ֨ךְ קַשְׁתּ֜וֹ כְּאוֹיֵ֗ב נִצָּ֤ב יְמִינוֹ֙ כְּצָ֔ר וַֽיַּהֲרֹ֔ג כֹּ֖ל מַחֲמַדֵּי־עָ֑יִן בְּאֹ֙הֶל֙ בַּת־צִיּ֔וֹן שָׁפַ֥ךְ כָּאֵ֖שׁ חֲמָתֽוֹ׃ ס	He worked His bow like an enemy, He stood His right hand firm as a foe / a tormentor and he murdered everything precious to the eye; In daughter Ẓíōn’s tent He poured out His wrath like fire.
⁵ הָיָ֨ה אֲדֹנָ֤י ׀ כְּאוֹיֵב֙ בִּלַּ֣ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בִּלַּע֙ כָּל־אַרְמְנוֹתֶ֔יהָ שִׁחֵ֖ת מִבְצָרָ֑יו וַיֶּ֙רֶב֙ בְּבַת־יְהוּדָ֔ה תַּאֲנִיָּ֖ה וַאֲנִיָּֽה׃ ס	Adonai was like an enemy; He devoured / swallowed Israel. He devoured all her citadels, undermined His fortifications; And He multiplied in daughter Ẓíōn grief and groaning.
⁶ וַיַּחְמֹ֤ס כַּגַּן֙ שֻׂכּ֔וֹ שִׁחֵ֖ת מוֹעֲד֑וֹ שִׁכַּ֨ח יְהוָ֤ה ׀ בְּצִיּוֹן֙ מוֹעֵ֣ד וְשַׁבָּ֔ת וַיִּנְאַ֥ץ בְּזַֽעַם־אַפּ֖וֹ מֶ֥לֶךְ וְכֹהֵֽן׃ ס	Like a garden, He tore apart His sukkah, destroyed His feast. YHVH caused Shabbat and festival to be forgotten in Ẓíōn, by the rage of His anger king and priest.
⁷ זָנַ֨ח אֲדֹנָ֤י ׀ מִזְבְּחוֹ֙ נִאֵ֣ר מִקְדָּשׁ֔וֹ הִסְגִּיר֙ בְּיַד־אוֹיֵ֔ב חוֹמֹ֖ת אַרְמְנוֹתֶ֑יהָ ק֛וֹל נָתְנ֥וּ בְּבֵית־יְהוָ֖ה כְּי֥וֹם מוֹעֵֽד׃ ס	Adonai abhorred His altar, disdained His holy place. He shut by an enemy’s hand the walls of her citadels. They gave a shout in YHVH’s house like a festival day.
⁸ חָשַׁ֨ב יְהוָ֤ה ׀ לְהַשְׁחִית֙ חוֹמַ֣ת בַּת־צִיּ֔וֹן נָ֣טָה קָ֔ו לֹא־הֵשִׁ֥יב יָד֖וֹ מִבַּלֵּ֑עַ וַיַּֽאֲבֶל־חֵ֥ל וְחוֹמָ֖ה יַחְדָּ֥ו אֻמְלָֽלוּ׃ ס	YHVH determined to ruin daughter Ẓíōn’s wall, stretched a line, didn’t turn His hand back from swallowing up, and He made rampart and wall mourn, together made wretched.
⁹ טָבְע֤וּ בָאָ֙רֶץ֙ שְׁעָרֶ֔יהָ אִבַּ֥ד וְשִׁבַּ֖ר בְּרִיחֶ֑יהָ מַלְכָּ֨הּ וְשָׂרֶ֤יהָ בַגּוֹיִם֙ אֵ֣ין תּוֹרָ֔ה גַּם־נְבִיאֶ֕יהָ לֹא־מָצְא֥וּ חָז֖וֹן מֵיְהוָֽה׃ ס	They drowned in the earth, her gates. He smashed and broke her bars. Her king and her ministers in the nations, there is no Torah / no teaching. Even her prophets found no vision from YHVH.
¹⁰ יֵשְׁב֨וּ לָאָ֤רֶץ יִדְּמוּ֙ זִקְנֵ֣י בַת־צִיּ֔וֹן הֶֽעֱל֤וּ עָפָר֙ עַל־רֹאשָׁ֔ם חָגְר֖וּ שַׂקִּ֑ים הוֹרִ֤ידוּ לָאָ֙רֶץ֙ רֹאשָׁ֔ן בְּתוּלֹ֖ת יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ ס	They sat down to the earth, they stayed silent, daughter Ẓíōn’s elders, they lifted dust over their head, tied on sackcloth. They let their head down to the earth, Jerusalem’s girls.
¹¹ כָּל֨וּ בַדְּמָע֤וֹת עֵינַי֙ חֳמַרְמְר֣וּ מֵעַ֔י נִשְׁפַּ֤ךְ לָאָ֙רֶץ֙ כְּבֵדִ֔י עַל־שֶׁ֖בֶר בַּת־עַמִּ֑י בֵּֽעָטֵ֤ף עוֹלֵל֙ וְיוֹנֵ֔ק בִּרְחֹב֖וֹת קִרְיָֽה׃ ס	My eyes were used up by the tears, my guts churned up, my organs poured out to the ground over the shattering of my daughter people, with exhaustion of babe and suckling in the town’s squares.
¹² לְאִמֹּתָם֙ יֹֽאמְר֔וּ אַיֵּ֖ה דָּגָ֣ן וָיָ֑יִן בְּהִֽתְעַטְּפָ֤ם כֶּֽחָלָל֙ בִּרְחֹב֣וֹת עִ֔יר בְּהִשְׁתַּפֵּ֣ךְ נַפְשָׁ֔ם אֶל־חֵ֖יק אִמֹּתָֽם׃ ס	To their mothers they would say, “Where is grain and wine?,” stretching themselves out, like a corpse, in city streets, with their life force pouring out onto their mothers’ chest.
¹³ מָֽה־אֲעִידֵ֞ךְ מָ֣ה אֲדַמֶּה־לָּ֗ךְ הַבַּת֙ יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם מָ֤ה אַשְׁוֶה־לָּךְ֙ וַאֲנַֽחֲמֵ֔ךְ בְּתוּלַ֖ת בַּת־צִיּ֑וֹן כִּֽי־גָד֥וֹל כַּיָּ֛ם שִׁבְרֵ֖ךְ מִ֥י יִרְפָּא־לָֽךְ׃ ס	What can I make testify? What will I liken to you? O daughter Jerusalem! What can I compare to you (that) I may comfort you, daughter Ẓíōn’s girl? For great, like the sea, is your shattering – who will bring healing to you?
¹⁴ נְבִיאַ֗יִךְ חָ֤זוּ לָךְ֙ שָׁ֣וְא וְתָפֵ֔ל וְלֹֽא־גִלּ֥וּ עַל־עֲוֺנֵ֖ךְ לְהָשִׁ֣יב שביתך שְׁבוּתֵ֑ךְ וַיֶּ֣חֱזוּ לָ֔ךְ מַשְׂא֥וֹת שָׁ֖וְא וּמַדּוּחִֽים׃ ס	For you did your prophets envision deception, and irrelevance, revealing nothing for your wrong to turn back your destiny / your captivity, and they envisioned for you a burden of deceit and dejections.
¹⁵ סָֽפְק֨וּ עָלַ֤יִךְ כַּפַּ֙יִם֙ כָּל־עֹ֣בְרֵי דֶ֔רֶךְ שָֽׁרְקוּ֙ וַיָּנִ֣עוּ רֹאשָׁ֔ם עַל־בַּ֖ת יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם הֲזֹ֣את הָעִ֗יר שֶׁיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ כְּלִ֣ילַת יֹ֔פִי מָשׂ֖וֹשׂ לְכָל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃ ס	They struck their hands over you, all who passed on the road, they hissed and they shook their head over daughter Jerusalem: “Is this it? The city they said (was) beauty’s completion, joy’s source for all the earth?”
¹⁶ פָּצ֨וּ עָלַ֤יִךְ פִּיהֶם֙ כָּל־א֣וֹיְבַ֔יִךְ שָֽׁרְקוּ֙ וַיַּֽחַרְקוּ־שֵׁ֔ן אָמְר֖וּ בִּלָּ֑עְנוּ אַ֣ךְ זֶ֥ה הַיּ֛וֹם שֶׁקִּוִּינֻ֖הוּ מָצָ֥אנוּ רָאִֽינוּ׃ ס	They crack open their mouth over you, all your enemies. They hissed, and they grit teeth. They said: We swallowed; Akh! This day that we hoped for, we found, we saw!
¹⁷ עָשָׂ֨ה יְהוָ֜ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר זָמָ֗ם בִּצַּ֤ע אֶמְרָתוֹ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוָּ֣ה מִֽימֵי־קֶ֔דֶם הָרַ֖ס וְלֹ֣א חָמָ֑ל וַיְשַׂמַּ֤ח עָלַ֙יִךְ֙ אוֹיֵ֔ב הֵרִ֖ים קֶ֥רֶן צָרָֽיִךְ׃ ס	YHVH did what He conspired; He pushed through His saying which He commanded from early days. He tore down and showed no pity. He made an enemy rejoice over you; your tormentors’ horn was exalted.
¹⁸ צָעַ֥ק לִבָּ֖ם אֶל־אֲדֹנָ֑י חוֹמַ֣ת בַּת־צִ֠יּוֹן הוֹרִ֨ידִי כַנַּ֤חַל דִּמְעָה֙ יוֹמָ֣ם וָלַ֔יְלָה אַֽל־תִּתְּנִ֤י פוּגַת֙ לָ֔ךְ אַל־תִּדֹּ֖ם בַּת־עֵינֵֽךְ׃ ס	Their heart screamed out to Adonai. Wall of daughter Ẓíōn, let down a tear like a torrent, day and night. Don’t give yourself any break; Don’t let your daughter eye fall silent.
¹⁹ ק֣וּמִי ׀ רֹ֣נִּי בליל בַלַּ֗יְלָה לְרֹאשׁ֙ אַשְׁמֻר֔וֹת שִׁפְכִ֤י כַמַּ֙יִם֙ לִבֵּ֔ךְ נֹ֖כַח פְּנֵ֣י אֲדֹנָ֑י שְׂאִ֧י אֵלָ֣יו כַּפַּ֗יִךְ עַל־נֶ֙פֶשׁ֙ עֽוֹלָלַ֔יִךְ הָעֲטוּפִ֥ים בְּרָעָ֖ב בְּרֹ֥אשׁ כָּל־חוּצֽוֹת׃ ס	Get up! Sing out in the night to the first of the nightwatches: Pour out your heart like water right before Adonai! Lift your palms toward him – for the life of your babies stretched out by famine at every street head!
²⁰ רְאֵ֤ה יְהוָה֙ וְֽהַבִּ֔יטָה לְמִ֖י עוֹלַ֣לְתָּ כֹּ֑ה אִם־תֹּאכַ֨לְנָה נָשִׁ֤ים פִּרְיָם֙ עֹלֲלֵ֣י טִפֻּחִ֔ים אִם־יֵהָרֵ֛ג בְּמִקְדַּ֥שׁ אֲדֹנָ֖י כֹּהֵ֥ן וְנָבִֽיא׃ ס	See, YHVH, and look: Whom did you treat / deal with thus? If women will eat their fruit, coddled babies –; If priest and prophet are murdered in Adonai’s holy place –!
²¹ שָׁכְב֨וּ לָאָ֤רֶץ חוּצוֹת֙ נַ֣עַר וְזָקֵ֔ן בְּתוּלֹתַ֥י וּבַחוּרַ֖י נָפְל֣וּ בֶחָ֑רֶב הָרַ֙גְתָּ֙ בְּי֣וֹם אַפֶּ֔ךָ טָבַ֖חְתָּ לֹ֥א חָמָֽלְתָּ׃ ס	Laid down to the earth (in the) streets, young and old, my girls and my boys, they fell by sword; You murdered in the day of Your anger. You slaughtered, You had no pity.
²² תִּקְרָא֩ כְי֨וֹם מוֹעֵ֤ד מְגוּרַי֙ מִסָּבִ֔יב וְלֹ֥א הָיָ֛ה בְּי֥וֹם אַף־יְהוָ֖ה פָּלִ֣יט וְשָׂרִ֑יד אֲשֶׁר־טִפַּ֥חְתִּי וְרִבִּ֖יתִי אֹיְבִ֥י כִלָּֽם׃ פ	You would call, like a festival day, (for) my neighbors from all around; and (so) in YHVH’s day of anger there weren’t any escaped or remaining which I had nursed and raised – my enemy finished them all.
פרק ג׳	CHAPTER 3
¹ אֲנִ֤י הַגֶּ֙בֶר֙ רָאָ֣ה עֳנִ֔י בְּשֵׁ֖בֶט עֶבְרָתֽוֹ׃ ² אוֹתִ֥י נָהַ֛ג וַיֹּלַ֖ךְ חֹ֥שֶׁךְ וְלֹא־אֽוֹר׃ ³ אַ֣ךְ בִּ֥י יָשֻׁ֛ב יַהֲפֹ֥ךְ יָד֖וֹ כָּל־הַיּֽוֹם׃ ס	I am the man who saw affliction through the rod of His burning anger. Me did He drive and He led – darkness and no light; Akh – Even against me He turned upending His hand, all the day.
⁴ בִּלָּ֤ה בְשָׂרִי֙ וְעוֹרִ֔י שִׁבַּ֖ר עַצְמוֹתָֽי׃ ⁵ בָּנָ֥ה עָלַ֛י וַיַּקַּ֖ף רֹ֥אשׁ וּתְלָאָֽה׃ ⁶ בְּמַחֲשַׁכִּ֥ים הוֹשִׁיבַ֖נִי כְּמֵתֵ֥י עוֹלָֽם׃ ס	He wore away my flesh and my skin, broke my bones; He built against me and surrounded – gall and wormwood. In darkening-nights He made me dwell like those ever dead;
⁷ גָּדַ֧ר בַּעֲדִ֛י וְלֹ֥א אֵצֵ֖א הִכְבִּ֥יד נְחָשְׁתִּֽי׃ ⁸ גַּ֣ם כִּ֤י אֶזְעַק֙ וַאֲשַׁוֵּ֔עַ שָׂתַ֖ם תְּפִלָּתִֽי׃ ⁹ גָּדַ֤ר דְּרָכַי֙ בְּגָזִ֔ית נְתִיבֹתַ֖י עִוָּֽה׃ ס	He barricaded against me, and I cannot go out / get away, He weighed down my brass (shackle). Even when I would cry and plea, He stopped up my prayer; He barricaded my ways with stone blocks; my paths He twisted.
¹⁰ דֹּ֣ב אֹרֵ֥ב הוּא֙ לִ֔י אריה אֲרִ֖י בְּמִסְתָּרִֽים׃ ¹¹ דְּרָכַ֥י סוֹרֵ֛ר וַֽיְפַשְּׁחֵ֖נִי שָׂמַ֥נִי שֹׁמֵֽם׃ ¹² דָּרַ֤ךְ קַשְׁתוֹ֙ וַיַּצִּיבֵ֔נִי כַּמַּטָּרָ֖א לַחֵֽץ׃ ס	For me He was a bear ambushing, a lion in hiding places / stalking; My ways He diverts and He would tear me up. He made me desolate. He worked His bow and stood me up as a target for the arrow;
¹³ הֵבִיא֙ בְּכִלְיוֹתָ֔י בְּנֵ֖י אַשְׁפָּתֽוֹ׃ ¹⁴ הָיִ֤יתִי שְּׂחֹק֙ לְכָל־עַמִּ֔י נְגִינָתָ֖ם כָּל־הַיּֽוֹם׃ ¹⁵ הִשְׂבִּיעַ֥נִי בַמְּרוֹרִ֖ים הִרְוַ֥נִי לַעֲנָֽה׃ ס	He guided into my kidneys what came from His quiver. I was a laughingstock for all my people, their song all the day. He sated me with bitter herbs, and overfillled me with wormwood;
¹⁶ וַיַּגְרֵ֤ס בֶּֽחָצָץ֙ שִׁנָּ֔י הִכְפִּישַׁ֖נִי בָּאֵֽפֶר׃ ¹⁷ וַתִּזְנַ֧ח מִשָּׁל֛וֹם נַפְשִׁ֖י נָשִׁ֥יתִי טוֹבָֽה׃ ¹⁸ וָאֹמַר֙ אָבַ֣ד נִצְחִ֔י וְתוֹחַלְתִּ֖י מֵיְהוָֽה׃ ס	He broke my teeth with gravel, and pressed me into the ashes. My soul was spurned from peace; I forgot goodness, and I said, “I have lost from YHVH my endurance and my hope!”
¹⁹ זְכָר־עָנְיִ֥י וּמְרוּדִ֖י לַעֲנָ֥ה וָרֹֽאשׁ׃ ²⁰ זָכ֣וֹר תִּזְכּ֔וֹר ותשיח וְתָשׁ֥וֹחַ עָלַ֖י נַפְשִֽׁי׃ ²¹ זֹ֛את אָשִׁ֥יב אֶל־לִבִּ֖י עַל־כֵּ֥ן אוֹחִֽיל׃ ס	Remembering my affliction and my scattering – wormwood and gall; Remeber, my soul will remember, and she will sink down upon me. (Still) this will I turn toward my heart, for so will I hope:
²² חַֽסְדֵ֤י יְהוָה֙ כִּ֣י לֹא־תָ֔מְנוּ כִּ֥י לֹא־כָל֖וּ רַחֲמָֽיו׃ ²³ חֲדָשִׁים֙ לַבְּקָרִ֔ים רַבָּ֖ה אֱמוּנָתֶֽךָ׃ ²⁴ חֶלְקִ֤י יְהוָה֙ אָמְרָ֣ה נַפְשִׁ֔י עַל־כֵּ֖ן אוֹחִ֥יל לֽוֹ׃ ס	YHVH’s love / kindnesses – they are never done, for His mercies were not used up. They are new by every morning, great is your trust / faithfulness! My portion is YHVH – said my soul – therefore so will I hope for Him.
²⁵ ט֤וֹב יְהוָה֙ לְקֹוָ֔ו לְנֶ֖פֶשׁ תִּדְרְשֶֽׁנּוּ׃ ²⁶ ט֤וֹב וְיָחִיל֙ וְדוּמָ֔ם לִתְשׁוּעַ֖ת יְהוָֽה׃ ²⁷ ט֣וֹב לַגֶּ֔בֶר כִּֽי־יִשָּׂ֥א עֹ֖ל בִּנְעוּרָֽיו׃ ס	Good is YHVH to those waiting for Him, to a soul / person that would seek Him. Good – and he should wait and be silent, wait for YHVH‘s salvation Good it is for a man that he carry a yoke in his youth.
²⁸ יֵשֵׁ֤ב בָּדָד֙ וְיִדֹּ֔ם כִּ֥י נָטַ֖ל עָלָֽיו׃ ²⁹ יִתֵּ֤ן בֶּֽעָפָר֙ פִּ֔יהוּ אוּלַ֖י יֵ֥שׁ תִּקְוָֽה׃ ³⁰ יִתֵּ֧ן לְמַכֵּ֛הוּ לֶ֖חִי יִשְׂבַּ֥ע בְּחֶרְפָּֽה׃ ס	Let him sit alone and be silent, since He laid (it) on him; he should put his mouth in the dust – maybe there is hope; Put out his cheek for the one who strikes, be satiated with shame.
³¹ כִּ֣י לֹ֥א יִזְנַ֛ח לְעוֹלָ֖ם אֲדֹנָֽי׃ ³² כִּ֣י אִם־הוֹגָ֔ה וְרִחַ֖ם כְּרֹ֥ב חסדו חֲסָדָֽיו׃ ³³ כִּ֣י לֹ֤א עִנָּה֙ מִלִּבּ֔וֹ וַיַּגֶּ֖ה בְנֵי־אִֽישׁ׃ ס	For Adonai would not spurn forever; for He aggrieved and showed mercy, according to His love’s abundance; for He did not afflict from His heart, and aggrieve human beings.
³⁴ לְדַכֵּא֙ תַּ֣חַת רַגְלָ֔יו כֹּ֖ל אֲסִ֥ירֵי אָֽרֶץ׃ ³⁵ לְהַטּוֹת֙ מִשְׁפַּט־גָּ֔בֶר נֶ֖גֶד פְּנֵ֥י עֶלְיֽוֹן׃ ³⁶ לְעַוֵּ֤ת אָדָם֙ בְּרִיב֔וֹ אֲדֹנָ֖י לֹ֥א רָאָֽה׃ ס	To crush under His feet all imprisoned of the land, to make bent a man’s judgement, right to the face of Elyon, to twist /wrong a person in his struggle – wouldn’t Adonai see (that)?
³⁷ מִ֣י זֶ֤ה אָמַר֙ וַתֶּ֔הִי אֲדֹנָ֖י לֹ֥א צִוָּֽה׃ ³⁸ מִפִּ֤י עֶלְיוֹן֙ לֹ֣א תֵצֵ֔א הָרָע֖וֹת וְהַטּֽוֹב׃ ³⁹ מַה־יִּתְאוֹנֵן֙ אָדָ֣ם חָ֔י גֶּ֖בֶר עַל־חטאו חֲטָאָֽיו׃ ס	Who is this who spoke and it was – didn’t Adonai so command? From the mouth of Elyon don’t the evils and the good come out? How could a living person complain, a man, (if punished) for his sins?
⁴⁰ נַחְפְּשָׂ֤ה דְרָכֵ֙ינוּ֙ וְֽנַחְקֹ֔רָה וְנָשׁ֖וּבָה עַד־יְהוָֽה׃ ⁴¹ נִשָּׂ֤א לְבָבֵ֙נוּ֙ אֶל־כַּפָּ֔יִם אֶל־אֵ֖ל בַּשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ ⁴² נַ֤חְנוּ פָשַׁ֙עְנוּ֙ וּמָרִ֔ינוּ אַתָּ֖ה לֹ֥א סָלָֽחְתָּ׃ ס	Let us search our ways and dig deep, and let us return to YHVH, Let us lift our hearts up to our hands (stretching them) toward El in the heavens. Us, we sinned and rebelled, You – you did not pardon.
⁴³ סַכֹּ֤תָה בָאַף֙ וַֽתִּרְדְּפֵ֔נוּ הָרַ֖גְתָּ לֹ֥א חָמָֽלְתָּ׃ ⁴⁴ סַכּ֤וֹתָה בֶֽעָנָן֙ לָ֔ךְ מֵעֲב֖וֹר תְּפִלָּֽה׃ ⁴⁵ סְחִ֧י וּמָא֛וֹס תְּשִׂימֵ֖נוּ בְּקֶ֥רֶב הָעַמִּֽים׃ ס	You took shelter in such anger, and you would pursue us, you murdered without pitying; You sheltered yourself within a cloud, far beyond prayer; Scum and refuse You would make us in the midst of the peoples.
⁴⁶ פָּצ֥וּ עָלֵ֛ינוּ פִּיהֶ֖ם כָּל־אֹיְבֵֽינוּ׃ ⁴⁷ פַּ֧חַד וָפַ֛חַת הָ֥יָה לָ֖נוּ הַשֵּׁ֥את וְהַשָּֽׁבֶר׃ ⁴⁸ פַּלְגֵי־מַ֙יִם֙ תֵּרַ֣ד עֵינִ֔י עַל־שֶׁ֖בֶר בַּת־עַמִּֽי׃ ס	All our enemies crack open their mouth against us; Trepidation and trap were ours, the ruination and the shattering. My eye drops floods of water for my daughter people’s shattering;
⁴⁹ עֵינִ֧י נִגְּרָ֛ה וְלֹ֥א תִדְמֶ֖ה מֵאֵ֥ין הֲפֻגֽוֹת׃ ⁵⁰ עַד־יַשְׁקִ֣יף וְיֵ֔רֶא יְהוָ֖ה מִשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ ⁵¹ עֵינִי֙ עֽוֹלְלָ֣ה לְנַפְשִׁ֔י מִכֹּ֖ל בְּנ֥וֹת עִירִֽי׃ ס	My eye streams and won’t silence herself, (she cries) without stutters, until YHVH would look down and see from heaven. My eye doles sorrow to my soul over all my city’s daughters.
⁵² צ֥וֹד צָד֛וּנִי כַּצִּפּ֖וֹר אֹיְבַ֥י חִנָּֽם׃ ⁵³ צָֽמְת֤וּ בַבּוֹר֙ חַיָּ֔י וַיַּדּוּ־אֶ֖בֶן בִּֽי׃ ⁵⁴ צָֽפוּ־מַ֥יִם עַל־רֹאשִׁ֖י אָמַ֥רְתִּי נִגְזָֽרְתִּי׃ ס	Hunting, they hunted me, like a bird, (becoming) my enemies for no reason; they sealed off my life in the pit, and cast stone against me; waters flowed over my head, “I am cut off,” I said.
⁵⁵ קָרָ֤אתִי שִׁמְךָ֙ יְהוָ֔ה מִבּ֖וֹר תַּחְתִּיּֽוֹת׃ ⁵⁶ קוֹלִ֖י שָׁמָ֑עְתָּ אַל־תַּעְלֵ֧ם אָזְנְךָ֛ לְרַוְחָתִ֖י לְשַׁוְעָתִֽי׃ ⁵⁷ קָרַ֙בְתָּ֙ בְּי֣וֹם אֶקְרָאֶ֔ךָּ אָמַ֖רְתָּ אַל־תִּירָֽא׃ ס	I called Your name, YHVH, from a pit far underground. You heard my voice: Don’t hide / conceal your ear to my (plea for) relief, to my cry. You were near the day I would call, you said, “Don’t fear.”
⁵⁸ רַ֧בְתָּ אֲדֹנָ֛י רִיבֵ֥י נַפְשִׁ֖י גָּאַ֥לְתָּ חַיָּֽי׃ ⁵⁹ רָאִ֤יתָה יְהוָה֙ עַוָּ֣תָתִ֔י שָׁפְטָ֖ה מִשְׁפָּטִֽי׃ ⁶⁰ רָאִ֙יתָה֙ כָּל־נִקְמָתָ֔ם כָּל־מַחְשְׁבֹתָ֖ם לִֽי׃ ס	Adonai, you struggled (in) my soul’s struggles; you saved my life. You saw my twisting; (now) judge my judgement! You saw all their vengeance all their designs for me.
⁶¹ שָׁמַ֤עְתָּ חֶרְפָּתָם֙ יְהוָ֔ה כָּל־מַחְשְׁבֹתָ֖ם עָלָֽי׃ ⁶² שִׂפְתֵ֤י קָמַי֙ וְהֶגְיוֹנָ֔ם עָלַ֖י כָּל־הַיּֽוֹם׃ ⁶³ שִׁבְתָּ֤ם וְקִֽימָתָם֙ הַבִּ֔יטָה אֲנִ֖י מַנְגִּינָתָֽם׃ ס	You heard their shaming, YHVH, all their designs against me, the speech of those rising against me, their obsession over me every day, (whether) sitting or rising – Look! I am their singsong!
⁶⁴ תָּשִׁ֨יב לָהֶ֥ם גְּמ֛וּל יְהוָ֖ה כְּמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה יְדֵיהֶֽם׃ ⁶⁵ תִּתֵּ֤ן לָהֶם֙ מְגִנַּת־לֵ֔ב תַּאֲלָֽתְךָ֖ לָהֶֽם׃ ⁶⁶ תִּרְדֹּ֤ף בְּאַף֙ וְתַשְׁמִידֵ֔ם מִתַּ֖חַת שְׁמֵ֥י יְהוָֽה׃ פ	You will pay them back, YHVH, according to the work of their hands; You will make theirs a heart walled up – let your curse be for them! Pursue in anger and destroy them from under YHVH‘s heavens.
פרק ד׳	CHAPTER 4
¹ אֵיכָה֙ יוּעַ֣ם זָהָ֔ב יִשְׁנֶ֖א הַכֶּ֣תֶם הַטּ֑וֹב תִּשְׁתַּפֵּ֙כְנָה֙ אַבְנֵי־קֹ֔דֶשׁ בְּרֹ֖אשׁ כָּל־חוּצֽוֹת׃ ס	Eikhah! How can it be that gold becomes dull, the best gold transmuted, stones of the holy poured / dumped out at every street head;
² בְּנֵ֤י צִיּוֹן֙ הַיְקָרִ֔ים הַמְסֻלָּאִ֖ים בַּפָּ֑ז אֵיכָ֤ה נֶחְשְׁבוּ֙ לְנִבְלֵי־חֶ֔רֶשׂ מַעֲשֵׂ֖ה יְדֵ֥י יוֹצֵֽר׃ ס	Ẓíōn ‘s children, precious ones, weighed against the purest gold – how can it be that they are counted as clay jars, work of a maker’s hands?
³ גַּם־תנין תַּנִּים֙ חָ֣לְצוּ שַׁ֔ד הֵינִ֖יקוּ גּוּרֵיהֶ֑ן בַּת־עַמִּ֣י לְאַכְזָ֔ר כי ענים כַּיְעֵנִ֖ים בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃ ס	Even jackals draw out a breast, would give suck to their cubs. (But) my daughter people – so cruel, like ostriches in the wilderness.
⁴ דָּבַ֨ק לְשׁ֥וֹן יוֹנֵ֛ק אֶל־חִכּ֖וֹ בַּצָּמָ֑א עֽוֹלָלִים֙ שָׁ֣אֲלוּ לֶ֔חֶם פֹּרֵ֖שׂ אֵ֥ין לָהֶֽם׃ ס	A suckling’s tongue, stuck to its palate with such thirst, babes sought bread – none break it off for them.
⁵ הָאֹֽכְלִים֙ לְמַ֣עֲדַנִּ֔ים נָשַׁ֖מּוּ בַּחוּצ֑וֹת הָאֱמֻנִים֙ עֲלֵ֣י תוֹלָ֔ע חִבְּק֖וּ אַשְׁפַּתּֽוֹת׃ ס	The ones who eat for delicacies were wasted in the streets, the ones nursed on scarlet were hugging trash heaps.
⁶ וַיִּגְדַּל֙ עֲוֺ֣ן בַּת־עַמִּ֔י מֵֽחַטַּ֖את סְדֹ֑ם הַֽהֲפוּכָ֣ה כְמוֹ־רָ֔גַע וְלֹא־חָ֥לוּ בָ֖הּ יָדָֽיִם׃ ס	And my daughter people’s iniquity grew great, beyond the sin of Sodom, the one overthrown, as (in) a moment, and no hands were laid on her.
⁷ זַכּ֤וּ נְזִירֶ֙יהָ֙ מִשֶּׁ֔לֶג צַח֖וּ מֵחָלָ֑ב אָ֤דְמוּ עֶ֙צֶם֙ מִפְּנִינִ֔ים סַפִּ֖יר גִּזְרָתָֽם׃ ס	Her Nazirites were pure beyond snow, clearer than milk, red of bone, more than rubies, their cut shape sapphire crystal.
⁸ חָשַׁ֤ךְ מִשְּׁחוֹר֙ תָּֽאֳרָ֔ם לֹ֥א נִכְּר֖וּ בַּחוּצ֑וֹת צָפַ֤ד עוֹרָם֙ עַל־עַצְמָ֔ם יָבֵ֖שׁ הָיָ֥ה כָעֵֽץ׃ ס	(Now) darkened beyond black soot is their form, they are not recognized in the streets, their skin stretched taut over their bone, it was dried out like a stick.
⁹ טוֹבִ֤ים הָיוּ֙ חַלְלֵי־חֶ֔רֶב מֵֽחַלְלֵ֖י רָעָ֑ב שֶׁ֣הֵ֤ם יָז֙וּבוּ֙ מְדֻקָּרִ֔ים מִתְּנוּבֹ֖ת שָׂדָֽי׃ ס	Better were the sword-slain than the famine-slain, for those drain away, stabbed through from (want of) produce of the field.
¹⁰ יְדֵ֗י נָשִׁים֙ רַחֲמָ֣נִיּ֔וֹת בִּשְּׁל֖וּ יַלְדֵיהֶ֑ן הָי֤וּ לְבָרוֹת֙ לָ֔מוֹ בְּשֶׁ֖בֶר בַּת־עַמִּֽי׃ ס	Merciful hands of merciful women stewed their children – they became provision for them in the shattering of my daughter people.
¹¹ כִּלָּ֤ה יְהוָה֙ אֶת־חֲמָת֔וֹ שָׁפַ֖ךְ חֲר֣וֹן אַפּ֑וֹ וַיַּצֶּת־אֵ֣שׁ בְּצִיּ֔וֹן וַתֹּ֖אכַל יְסוֹדֹתֶֽיהָ׃ ס	YHVH used up His fury, poured out His burning anger, and He kindled a fire in Ẓíōn, and it consumed her foundations.
¹² לֹ֤א הֶאֱמִ֙ינוּ֙ מַלְכֵי־אֶ֔רֶץ וכל כֹּ֖ל יֹשְׁבֵ֣י תֵבֵ֑ל כִּ֤י יָבֹא֙ צַ֣ר וְאוֹיֵ֔ב בְּשַׁעֲרֵ֖י יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ ס	They would not have believed, kings of the earth all worldly inhabitants, that tormentor and enemy would come into the gates of Jerusalem.
¹³ מֵֽחַטֹּ֣את נְבִיאֶ֔יהָ עֲוֺנ֖וֹת כֹּהֲנֶ֑יהָ הַשֹּׁפְכִ֥ים בְּקִרְבָּ֖הּ דַּ֥ם צַדִּיקִֽים׃ ס	(It was) because of her prophets’ sins, her priests’ wrongs / iniquities, the ones who poured out inside her the blood of righteous people.
¹⁴ נָע֤וּ עִוְרִים֙ בַּֽחוּצ֔וֹת נְגֹֽאֲל֖וּ בַּדָּ֑ם בְּלֹ֣א יֽוּכְל֔וּ יִגְּע֖וּ בִּלְבֻשֵׁיהֶֽם׃ ס	They were shaking / staggering, blind in the streets, defiled with the blood, with none able / willing to come in contact with their clothes.
¹⁵ ס֣וּרוּ טָמֵ֞א קָ֣רְאוּ לָ֗מוֹ ס֤וּרוּ ס֙וּרוּ֙ אַל־תִּגָּ֔עוּ כִּ֥י נָצ֖וּ גַּם־נָ֑עוּ אָֽמְרוּ֙ בַּגּוֹיִ֔ם לֹ֥א יוֹסִ֖יפוּ לָגֽוּר׃ ס	“Get out! Contaminated! Tamei!” they would call to them, “Get out! Get out! Don’t touch!” For they fled, even staggered. They said in the nations, they will no more (be allowed) to dwell.
¹⁶ פְּנֵ֤י יְהוָה֙ חִלְּקָ֔ם לֹ֥א יוֹסִ֖יף לְהַבִּיטָ֑ם פְּנֵ֤י כֹהֲנִים֙ לֹ֣א נָשָׂ֔אוּ זקנים וּזְקֵנִ֖ים לֹ֥א חָנָֽנוּ׃ ס	YHVH’s presence / face divided them, He would no more look at them / notice them – (for) priest’s faces they did not lift up, and (to) elders they did not show grace.
¹⁷ עודינה עוֹדֵ֙ינוּ֙ תִּכְלֶ֣ינָה עֵינֵ֔ינוּ אֶל־עֶזְרָתֵ֖נוּ הָ֑בֶל בְּצִפִּיָּתֵ֣נוּ צִפִּ֔ינוּ אֶל־גּ֖וֹי לֹ֥א יוֹשִֽׁעַ׃ ס	Still will our eyes be used up / failing, toward our help, (which is) emptiness. In our seeking, we sought /we peered toward a nation not (able to) save.
¹⁸ צָד֣וּ צְעָדֵ֔ינוּ מִלֶּ֖כֶת בִּרְחֹבֹתֵ֑ינוּ קָרַ֥ב קִצֵּ֛ינוּ מָלְא֥וּ יָמֵ֖ינוּ כִּי־בָ֥א קִצֵּֽינוּ׃ ס	They hunted / tracked our steps, (driven) from going in our squares. Our end draws close, our days filled, for our end has come.
¹⁹ קַלִּ֤ים הָיוּ֙ רֹדְפֵ֔ינוּ מִנִּשְׁרֵ֖י שָׁמָ֑יִם עַל־הֶהָרִ֣ים דְּלָקֻ֔נוּ בַּמִּדְבָּ֖ר אָ֥רְבוּ לָֽנוּ׃ ס	Swift were they, our pursuers, more than eagles of the heavens. Over the mountains they chased us, in the wilderness they laid ambush for us.
²⁰ ר֤וּחַ אַפֵּ֙ינוּ֙ מְשִׁ֣יחַ יְהוָ֔ה נִלְכַּ֖ד בִּשְׁחִיתוֹתָ֑ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָמַ֔רְנוּ בְּצִלּ֖וֹ נִֽחְיֶ֥ה בַגּוֹיִֽם׃ ס	Breath of our nose, YHVH’s anointed, he was trapped by their destructions, (the one) whom we said, “In his shade we will live with the nations.”
²¹ שִׂ֤ישִׂי וְשִׂמְחִי֙ בַּת־אֱד֔וֹם יושבתי יוֹשֶׁ֖בֶת בְּאֶ֣רֶץ ע֑וּץ גַּם־עָלַ֙יִךְ֙ תַּעֲבָר־כּ֔וֹס תִּשְׁכְּרִ֖י וְתִתְעָרִֽי׃ ס	Rejoice and be happy, daughter Edom, dwelling in the land of Utz – a cup will also pass over (to) you, you will drink and strip yourself naked.
²² תַּם־עֲוֺנֵךְ֙ בַּת־צִיּ֔וֹן לֹ֥א יוֹסִ֖יף לְהַגְלוֹתֵ֑ךְ פָּקַ֤ד עֲוֺנֵךְ֙ בַּת־אֱד֔וֹם גִּלָּ֖ה עַל־חַטֹּאתָֽיִךְ׃ פ	Completed your iniquity, daughter Ẓíōn, no more to be exiled / exposed. He has charged your iniquity, daughter Edom, (to) expose (you) for your sins.
פרק ה׳	CHAPTER 5
¹ זְכֹ֤ר יְהוָה֙ מֶֽה־הָ֣יָה לָ֔נוּ הביט הַבִּ֖יטָה וּרְאֵ֥ה אֶת־חֶרְפָּתֵֽנוּ׃	YHVH, remember what was ours. Look, and see our abuse / our shame!
² נַחֲלָתֵ֙נוּ֙ נֶֽהֶפְכָ֣ה לְזָרִ֔ים בָּתֵּ֖ינוּ לְנָכְרִֽים׃	Our inheritance overturned to strangers, our houses to foreigners.
³ יְתוֹמִ֤ים הָיִ֙ינוּ֙ אין וְאֵ֣ין אָ֔ב אִמֹּתֵ֖ינוּ כְּאַלְמָנֽוֹת׃	We were orphans, there is no father, our mothers like widows.
⁴ מֵימֵ֙ינוּ֙ בְּכֶ֣סֶף שָׁתִ֔ינוּ עֵצֵ֖ינוּ בִּמְחִ֥יר יָבֹֽאוּ׃	Our water we drank for money; our wood came (only) with a price.
⁵ עַ֤ל צַוָּארֵ֙נוּ֙ נִרְדָּ֔פְנוּ יָגַ֖עְנוּ לא וְלֹ֥א הֽוּנַ֖ח לָֽנוּ׃	On our neck we were pursued, weary, and none would let us (rest).
⁶ מִצְרַ֙יִם֙ נָתַ֣נּוּ יָ֔ד אַשּׁ֖וּר לִשְׂבֹּ֥עַֽ לָֽחֶם׃	Egypt, we stretched a hand, Assyria, to satisfy bread.
⁷ אֲבֹתֵ֤ינוּ חָֽטְאוּ֙ אינם וְאֵינָ֔ם אנחנו וַאֲנַ֖חְנוּ עֲוֺנֹתֵיהֶ֥ם סָבָֽלְנוּ׃	Our fathers sinned and are not, and we shouldered their iniquities.
⁸ עֲבָדִים֙ מָ֣שְׁלוּ בָ֔נוּ פֹּרֵ֖ק אֵ֥ין מִיָּדָֽם׃	Slaves ruled us. None can break us out from their hand.
⁹ בְּנַפְשֵׁ֙נוּ֙ נָבִ֣יא לַחְמֵ֔נוּ מִפְּנֵ֖י חֶ֥רֶב הַמִּדְבָּֽר׃	For our lives we bring our bread, from before the wilderness’s sword.
¹⁰ עוֹרֵ֙נוּ֙ כְּתַנּ֣וּר נִכְמָ֔רוּ מִפְּנֵ֖י זַלְעֲפ֥וֹת רָעָֽב׃	Our skin like a furnace, glowing, from before the delirium of hunger.
¹¹ נָשִׁים֙ בְּצִיּ֣וֹן עִנּ֔וּ בְּתֻלֹ֖ת בְּעָרֵ֥י יְהוּדָֽה׃	Women in Ẓíōn were victimized, girls, in Judah’s towns.
¹² שָׂרִים֙ בְּיָדָ֣ם נִתְל֔וּ פְּנֵ֥י זְקֵנִ֖ים לֹ֥א נֶהְדָּֽרוּ׃	Ministers by their hand were hung. Elders’ faces shown no majesty / respect.
¹³ בַּחוּרִים֙ טְח֣וֹן נָשָׂ֔אוּ וּנְעָרִ֖ים בָּעֵ֥ץ כָּשָֽׁלוּ׃	Boys would carry a millstone, and youths, stumbling with wood.
¹⁴ זְקֵנִים֙ מִשַּׁ֣עַר שָׁבָ֔תוּ בַּחוּרִ֖ים מִנְּגִינָתָֽם׃	Elders ceased from gate, boys from their play.
¹⁵ שָׁבַת֙ מְשׂ֣וֹשׂ לִבֵּ֔נוּ נֶהְפַּ֥ךְ לְאֵ֖בֶל מְחֹלֵֽנוּ׃	Our heart stopped any joy, our dance overturned into mourning.
¹⁶ נָֽפְלָה֙ עֲטֶ֣רֶת רֹאשֵׁ֔נוּ אֽוֹי־נָ֥א לָ֖נוּ כִּ֥י חָטָֽאנוּ׃	The crown on our head is fallen; Oy for us! For we sinned.
¹⁷ עַל־זֶ֗ה הָיָ֤ה דָוֶה֙ לִבֵּ֔נוּ עַל־אֵ֖לֶּה חָשְׁכ֥וּ עֵינֵֽינוּ׃	For this our heart was sickened. For these our eyes darkened.
¹⁸ עַ֤ל הַר־צִיּוֹן֙ שֶׁשָּׁמֵ֔ם שׁוּעָלִ֖ים הִלְּכוּ־בֽוֹ׃ פ	For Mount Ẓíōn, that was desolated foxes went through her.
¹⁹ אַתָּ֤ה יְהוָה֙ לְעוֹלָ֣ם תֵּשֵׁ֔ב כִּסְאֲךָ֖ לְדֹ֥ר וָדֽוֹר׃	You, YHVH will sit for all world-time, Your throne (lasts) for generations.
²⁰ לָ֤מָּה לָנֶ֙צַח֙ תִּשְׁכָּחֵ֔נוּ תַּֽעַזְבֵ֖נוּ לְאֹ֥רֶךְ יָמִֽים׃	Why would you forget us forever? Abandon us for the span of time’s days?
²¹ הֲשִׁיבֵ֨נוּ יְהוָ֤ה ׀ אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ ונשוב וְֽנָשׁ֔וּבָה חַדֵּ֥שׁ יָמֵ֖ינוּ כְּקֶֽדֶם׃	Turn us, YHVH, toward you, and we will turn. Renew our days, like long before,
²² כִּ֚י אִם־מָאֹ֣ס מְאַסְתָּ֔נוּ קָצַ֥פְתָּ עָלֵ֖ינוּ עַד־מְאֹֽד׃	except if rejecting you rejected us / loathed us, were enraged over us, so very much—!
הֲשִׁיבֵ֨נוּ יְהוָ֤ה ׀ אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ וְֽנָשׁ֔וּבָה חַדֵּ֥שׁ יָמֵ֖ינוּ כְּקֶֽדֶם׃	Turn us, YHVH, toward you, and we will turn. Make our days new again, like dawn / long ago.

This work is updated annually based on the source material posted to neohasid.org, here.

For Reb Dovid’s essay on cannibalism in Eikhah, please read “To Prey or to Pray? The Lessons of Famine on Tishah b’Av” (The Jew & the Carrot blog, 2008-08-07).

Rabbi Seidenberg writes:

Some notes on the theology of Eikhah:

1. Tishah b’Av could not be more relevant than it is today, when the crisis of war refugees and fear of terrorism have overwhelmed the political process in so many countries. We think of Tishah b’Av as a time of mourning, but it is more importantly a call to identify with the experience of the refugee, being thrown into a hostile world without shelter or protection. That’s what happened to the Jewish people when the Temple, and the nation and society it stood for, were destroyed, when they became “like deer, not finding a place to graze, walking without strength before a pursuer.” (1:6)

2. The author(s) of Eikhah (traditionally Jeremiah) believed that what happened to Jerusalem was an expression of divine judgment. The idea that tragedy and disaster are punishment for our sins may seem alien to most most modern Jews. This is also why it is hard to connect the Holocaust with Tishah b’Av. But this theology can be consoling, because it allows people to find meaning in tragedy.

3. For the ancients, the choices were to believe that the destruction was God’s punishment, or that God no longer cared about what happened to them. It is easy to imagine why people would choose a punishing God over an uncaring God (though the latter possibility is suggested in the very last verse of Eikhah). Even though Eikhah sounds like it’s about God punishing us, it’s not really a theodicy, but a prayer that tragedies prove God still cares about us, instead of proving God’s indifference.

4. That doesn’t mean we need to accept this theology – even in Eikhah itself, this idea is questioned. Only in the third chapter is Ẓíōn’s destruction seen consistently as fair and just punishment. In all the other chapters, the degree of divine punishment is (subtly) described as excessive and abusive. The poet repeatedly begs God to pay attention: “See, YHVH, and look: whom did You treat thus? If women will eat their fruit, coddled babes – !”(2:20; also 1:9,11,20, 4:16, 5:1). It’s as if other people could see and understand the tragedy that unfolded (1:12), but God could not.

5. This suggests one way to confront the images of sexual abuse in Eikhah: “All who honor her despise her, for they saw her nakedness.” (1:8; also 1:10, 4:21, 5:11) In the prophets, such abuse is a metaphor for the “just” punishment that follows Israel’s “adulterous” pursuit of other gods. But in Eikhah, the metaphor is used to hold up a mirror to God, to show that the punishment was intolerably abusive.

6. The real theology of Eikhah is expressed in the verse, “What can I compare to you, daughter Jerusalem, that I may comfort you?” (2:13) What images, what words, can help people bear the memory of tragedy? The poet is willing to say whatever is needed to enable people to find meaning.

7. There is another way to look at the idea of divine punishment. According to Jeremiah, the reason for exile was that Israel did not let the land rest every seven years during the Sabbatical year. (2 Chron. 36:21) That is why 490 years without Shmitah were followed by 70 years of exile. In an age when we have reason to believe that our ecological “sins” are coming home to roost, the connection between natural disaster and divine retribution is not so farfetched.

8. What does this mean? The Torah portrays the land as a subject with rights and interests that take priority over our needs. Especially in the flood story and the laws of the Jubilee and Shmita years (Lev. 25)—and in the consequences that are supposed to befall if the people do not observe these laws (Lev. 26)—the Torah teaches that God will take the side of the land against the people if force to. The land will “enjoy her Sabbaths” (Lev. 26:34,43) – even if that means the people are exiled or wiped out. From the divine perspective, justice encompasses the land. What has intrinsic value is not humanity but justice, which is humanity’s potential. See: neohasid.org/torah/genesis-shmitah

9. The Torah outlines six curses for not observing the Sabbatical year that describe how the relationship between the people and the land can unravel. Two curses involve children being eaten – first by wild animals (v.22) and then by their parents (v.29). That image is repeated in Eikhah (2:20, 4:10), and it is the main connection between Eikhah and Leviticus. The curses in Leviticus end with: “you will be lost in the nations and the land of your enemies will eat you” (v.38). Because the Jewish people was in exile for so long, the last curse does not sound like the worst. But if the land eats us, this represents a complete reversal of the right relationship between people and land.

10. In ancient times, people believed that the Temple existed to promote the fertility of the land and the people. The Temple brought abundance into the world; its rituals were performed for the sake of the land and all her species, not just for the Jews but for all humanity and all life. So one more way to look at the Temple’s destruction is that its purpose had already been destroyed by the way the people treated the land.

11. However, the idea that destruction came because of how the Jewish people treated the land is not found anywhere in Eikhah, where the identification of the people with the land is total. Instead, Jerusalem’s physical downfall results from a moral downfall in the relationships between human beings. In Jeremiah too, the fate of Jerusalem is sealed only after the rich, who had briefly set their slaves free, immediately re-enslave them when it looks like the danger has passed. (Jer. 34) How we treat the stranger, the poor, the refugee, determines if we can remain in the land.

12. We can expect more wars over resources, as well as people fleeing areas that have flooded or become deserts, as climate change puts more pressure on our ecosystems and our social systems. We need all the spiritual resources we can muster to stay open to the humanity of the refugee and the stranger while also taking care of each other. If we sympathize with these ideas, Eikhah is an invitation to move towards justice for all people, for all species, and for the land herself.

Rabbi David Mevorach Seidenberg,
2017/5777.

Some of this material is excerpted from Kabbalah and Ecology (Cambridge University Press 2015).

Source

💬 מגילת רות | Megillat Ruth, Yiddish translation by Yehoyesh Blumgarten (1910)

Yehoyesh Shloyme Blumgarten (translation) — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 21:42:06 +0000

“Ruth in Boaz’s Field ” (1828) by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld (1794–1872)

For the reading of Megillat Ruth on Shavuot, I have presented here the Masoretic text of Ruth according to the R’ Seth (Avi) Kaddish’s experimental Miqra ‘al pi haMesorah side-by-side with Yehoyesh (Yehoash) Blumgarten’s masterful translation in Yiddish. I have organized the text of the Mesorah according to the paragraph divisions set by Yehoyesh in his 1910 translation. (Transcription of Yehoyesh performed by the Yehoyesh Transcription Project.)

Source (Hebrew)	Translation (Yiddish)
א ^א וַיְהִ֗י בִּימֵי֙ שְׁפֹ֣ט הַשֹּׁפְטִ֔ים וַיְהִ֥י רָעָ֖ב בָּאָ֑רֶץ וַיֵּ֨לֶךְ אִ֜ישׁ מִבֵּ֧ית לֶ֣חֶם יְהוּדָ֗ה לָגוּר֙ בִּשְׂדֵ֣י מוֹאָ֔ב ה֥וּא וְאִשְׁתּ֖וֹ וּשְׁנֵ֥י בָנָֽיו׃ ^ב וְשֵׁ֣ם הָאִ֣ישׁ אֱֽלִימֶ֡לֶךְ וְשֵׁם֩ אִשְׁתּ֨וֹ נׇעֳמִ֜י וְשֵׁ֥ם שְׁנֵֽי־בָנָ֣יו ׀ מַחְל֤וֹן וְכִלְיוֹן֙ אֶפְרָתִ֔ים מִבֵּ֥ית לֶ֖חֶם יְהוּדָ֑ה וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ שְׂדֵֽי־מוֹאָ֖ב וַיִּֽהְיוּ־שָֽׁם׃	1 ¹ און עס איז געװען אין די טעג װאָס די שוֹפֿטים האָבן געהערשט, איז געװען אַ הונגער אין לאַנד. און אַ מאַן איז געגאַנגען פֿון בית-לֶחֶם-יהודה זיך אױפֿצוהאַלטן אין פֿעלד פֿון מואָבֿ, ער מיט זײַן װײַב און זײַנע צװײ זין. ² און דער נאָמען פֿון דעם מאַן איז געװען אֶלימֶלֶך, און דער נאָמען פֿון זײַן װײַב נָעֳמי, און דער נאָמען פֿון זײַנע צװײ זין מַכלוֹן און כִּליוֹן – אֶפֿרָתער פֿון בית-לֶחֶם-יהודה. און זײ זײַנען געקומען אין פֿעלד פֿון מואָבֿ, און זײַנען דאָרטן געװען.
^ג וַיָּ֥מָת אֱלִימֶ֖לֶךְ אִ֣ישׁ נׇעֳמִ֑י וַתִּשָּׁאֵ֥ר הִ֖יא וּשְׁנֵ֥י בָנֶֽיהָ׃ ^ד וַיִּשְׂא֣וּ לָהֶ֗ם נָשִׁים֙ מֹֽאֲבִיּ֔וֹת שֵׁ֤ם הָאַחַת֙ עׇרְפָּ֔ה וְשֵׁ֥ם הַשֵּׁנִ֖ית ר֑וּת וַיֵּ֥שְׁבוּ שָׁ֖ם כְּעֶ֥שֶׂר שָׁנִֽים׃	³ איז געשטאָרבן אֶלימֶלֶך, נָעמיס מאַן, און זי איז איבערגעבליבן, מיט אירע צװײ זין. ⁴ און זײ האָבן גענומען מואָבֿער װײַבער: דער נאָמען פֿון אײנער איז געװען עָרפָּה און דער נאָמען פֿון דער צװײטער רות. און זײ זײַנען דאָרטן געזעסן אַרום צען יאָר.
^ה וַיָּמֻ֥תוּ גַם־שְׁנֵיהֶ֖ם מַחְל֣וֹן וְכִלְי֑וֹן וַתִּשָּׁאֵר֙ הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה מִשְּׁנֵ֥י יְלָדֶ֖יהָ וּמֵאִישָֽׁהּ׃ ^ו וַתָּ֤קָם הִיא֙ וְכַלֹּתֶ֔יהָ וַתָּ֖שָׁב מִשְּׂדֵ֣י מוֹאָ֑ב כִּ֤י שָֽׁמְעָה֙ בִּשְׂדֵ֣ה מוֹאָ֔ב כִּֽי־פָקַ֤ד יְהֹוָה֙ אֶת־עַמּ֔וֹ לָתֵ֥ת לָהֶ֖ם לָֽחֶם׃ ^ז וַתֵּצֵ֗א מִן־הַמָּקוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הָֽיְתָה־שָּׁ֔מָּה וּשְׁתֵּ֥י כַלּוֹתֶ֖יהָ עִמָּ֑הּ וַתֵּלַ֣כְנָה בַדֶּ֔רֶךְ לָשׁ֖וּב אֶל־אֶ֥רֶץ יְהוּדָֽה׃	⁵ און זײ בײדע, מַכלוֹן און כִּליוֹן, זײַנען געשטאָרבן, און די פֿרױ איז געבליבן פֿאַרעלנדט פֿון אירע בײדע קינדער און איר מאַן. ⁶ און זי איז אױפֿגעשטאַנען מיט אירע שניר, און האָט זיך אומגעקערט פֿון פֿעלד פֿון מואָבֿ, װאָרום זי האָט געהערט אין פֿעלד פֿון מואָבֿ אַז גאָט האָט געדאַכט אָן זײַן פֿאָלק, זײ צו געבן ברױט. ⁷ און זי איז אַרױס פֿון דעם אָרט װאָס זי איז דאָרטן געװען, און אירע בײדע שניר מיט איר, און זײ זײַנען געגאַנגען אין װעג, כּדי זיך אומצוקערן צום לאַנד יהודה.
^ח וַתֹּ֤אמֶר נׇעֳמִי֙ לִשְׁתֵּ֣י כַלֹּתֶ֔יהָ לֵ֣כְנָה שֹּׁ֔בְנָה אִשָּׁ֖ה לְבֵ֣ית אִמָּ֑הּ יעשה יַ֣עַשׂ יְהֹוָ֤ה עִמָּכֶם֙ חֶ֔סֶד כַּאֲשֶׁ֧ר עֲשִׂיתֶ֛ם עִם־הַמֵּתִ֖ים וְעִמָּדִֽי׃ ^ט יִתֵּ֤ן יְהֹוָה֙ לָכֶ֔ם וּמְצֶ֣אןָ מְנוּחָ֔ה אִשָּׁ֖ה בֵּ֣ית אִישָׁ֑הּ וַתִּשַּׁ֣ק לָהֶ֔ן	⁸ האָט נָעמי געזאָגט צו אירע בײדע שניר: גײט קערט אײַך אום איטלעכע צו איר מוטערס הױז. ⁹ זאָל גאָט טאָן מיט אײַך חסד אַזױ װי איר האָט געטאָן מיט די געשטאָרבענע און מיט מיר. זאָל אײַך גאָט געבן איר זאָלט געפֿינען מנוחה איטלעכע אין הױז פֿון איר מאַן.
וַתִּשֶּׂ֥אנָה קוֹלָ֖ן וַתִּבְכֶּֽינָה׃ ^י וַתֹּאמַ֖רְנָה־לָּ֑הּ כִּֽי־אִתָּ֥ךְ נָשׁ֖וּב לְעַמֵּֽךְ׃ ^יא וַתֹּ֤אמֶר נׇעֳמִי֙ שֹׁ֣בְנָה בְנֹתַ֔י לָ֥מָּה תֵלַ֖כְנָה עִמִּ֑י הַֽעֽוֹד־לִ֤י בָנִים֙ בְּֽמֵעַ֔י וְהָי֥וּ לָכֶ֖ם לַאֲנָשִֽׁים׃ ^יב שֹׁ֤בְנָה בְנֹתַי֙ לֵ֔כְןָ כִּ֥י זָקַ֖נְתִּי מִהְי֣וֹת לְאִ֑ישׁ כִּ֤י אָמַ֙רְתִּי֙ יֶשׁ־לִ֣י תִקְוָ֔ה גַּ֣ם הָיִ֤יתִי הַלַּ֙יְלָה֙ לְאִ֔ישׁ וְגַ֖ם יָלַ֥דְתִּי בָנִֽים׃ ^יג הֲלָהֵ֣ן ׀ תְּשַׂבֵּ֗רְנָה עַ֚ד אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִגְדָּ֔לוּ הֲלָהֵן֙ תֵּֽעָגֵ֔נָה לְבִלְתִּ֖י הֱי֣וֹת לְאִ֑ישׁ אַ֣ל בְּנֹתַ֗י כִּֽי־מַר־לִ֤י מְאֹד֙ מִכֶּ֔ם כִּֽי־יָצְאָ֥ה בִ֖י יַד־יְהֹוָֽה׃	און זי האָט זײ געקושט; און זײ האָבן אױפֿגעהױבן זײער קָול און האָבן געװײנט. ¹⁰ און זײ האָבן צו איר געזאָגט: נײן, נײַערט מיר װעלן מיט דיר זיך אומקערן צו דײַן פֿאָלק. ¹¹ האָט נָעמי געזאָגט: קערט אײַך אום, טעכטער מײַנע, צוּ װאָס זאָלט איר גײן מיט מיר? האָב איך דען נאָך זין אין מײַן לײַב, אַז זײ זאָלן אײַך װערן פֿאַר מאַנען? ¹² קערט אײַך אום, טעכטער מײַנע, גײט, װאָרום איך בין צו אַלט צו האָבן אַ מאַן; לאָמיך שױן זאָגן, איך האָב אַ האָפֿענונג, איך זאָל נאָך די נאַכט האָבן אַ מאַן, און זאָל אױך געבערן זין, ¹³ װעט איר דען אױף זײ אױסקוקן ביז זײ װעלן גרױס װערן? װעט איר צוליב זײ בלײַבן זיצן ניט צו נעמען קײן מאַן? נײן, טעכטער מײַנע! װאָרום מיר איז פֿיל ביטערער פֿון אײַך, װײַל גאָטס האַנט איז אױסגעגאַנגען אױף מיר.
^יד וַתִּשֶּׂ֣נָה קוֹלָ֔ן וַתִּבְכֶּ֖ינָה ע֑וֹד וַתִּשַּׁ֤ק עׇרְפָּה֙ לַחֲמוֹתָ֔הּ וְר֖וּת דָּ֥בְקָה בָּֽהּ׃ ^טו וַתֹּ֗אמֶר הִנֵּה֙ שָׁ֣בָה יְבִמְתֵּ֔ךְ אֶל־עַמָּ֖הּ וְאֶל־אֱלֹהֶ֑יהָ שׁ֖וּבִי אַחֲרֵ֥י יְבִמְתֵּֽךְ׃ ^טז וַתֹּ֤אמֶר רוּת֙ אַל־תִּפְגְּעִי־בִ֔י לְעׇזְבֵ֖ךְ לָשׁ֣וּב מֵאַחֲרָ֑יִךְ כִּ֠י אֶל־אֲשֶׁ֨ר תֵּלְכִ֜י אֵלֵ֗ךְ וּבַאֲשֶׁ֤ר תָּלִ֙ינִי֙ אָלִ֔ין עַמֵּ֣ךְ עַמִּ֔י וֵאלֹהַ֖יִךְ אֱלֹהָֽי׃ ^יז בַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר תָּמ֙וּתִי֙ אָמ֔וּת וְשָׁ֖ם אֶקָּבֵ֑ר כֹּה֩ יַעֲשֶׂ֨ה יְהֹוָ֥ה לִי֙ וְכֹ֣ה יוֹסִ֔יף כִּ֣י הַמָּ֔וֶת יַפְרִ֖יד בֵּינִ֥י וּבֵינֵֽךְ׃	¹⁴ האָבן זײ אױפֿגעהױבן זײער קָול און האָבן װידער געװײנט. און עָרפָּה האָט זיך צעקושט מיט איר שװיגער, אָבער רות האָט זיך באַהעפֿט אָן איר. ¹⁵ האָט זי געזאָגט: זע, דײַן שװעגערין האָט זיך אומגעקערט צו איר פֿאָלק און צו איר גאָט; קער זיך אום נאָך דײַן שװעגערין. ¹⁶ האָט רות געזאָגט: זאָלסט מיך ניט בעטן דיך צו פֿאַרלאָזן, זיך אומצוקערן פֿון הינטער דיר, װאָרום װוּהין דו װעסט גײן, װעל איך גײן, און װוּ דו װעסט נעכטיקן, װעל איך נעכטיקן; דײַן פֿאָלק איז מײַן פֿאָלק, און דײַן גאָט איז מײַן גאָט. ¹⁷ װוּ דו װעסט שטאַרבן, װעל איך שטאַרבן, און דאָרטן װעל איך באַגראָבן װערן. זאָל מיר גאָט טאָן אַזױ און נאָך מער! נאָר דער טױט װעט פֿאַנאַנדערשײדן צװישן מיר און צװישן דיר.
^יח וַתֵּ֕רֶא כִּֽי־מִתְאַמֶּ֥צֶת הִ֖יא לָלֶ֣כֶת אִתָּ֑הּ וַתֶּחְדַּ֖ל לְדַבֵּ֥ר אֵלֶֽיהָ׃ ^יט וַתֵּלַ֣כְנָה שְׁתֵּיהֶ֔ם עַד־בּוֹאָ֖נָה בֵּ֣ית לָ֑חֶם וַיְהִ֗י כְּבוֹאָ֙נָה֙ בֵּ֣ית לֶ֔חֶם וַתֵּהֹ֤ם כׇּל־הָעִיר֙ עֲלֵיהֶ֔ן וַתֹּאמַ֖רְנָה הֲזֹ֥את נׇעֳמִֽי׃ ^כ וַתֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶ֔ן אַל־תִּקְרֶ֥אנָה לִ֖י נׇעֳמִ֑י קְרֶ֤אןָ לִי֙ מָרָ֔א כִּי־הֵמַ֥ר שַׁדַּ֛י לִ֖י מְאֹֽד׃ ^כא אֲנִי֙ מְלֵאָ֣ה הָלַ֔כְתִּי וְרֵיקָ֖ם הֱשִׁיבַ֣נִי יְהֹוָ֑ה לָ֣מָּה תִקְרֶ֤אנָה לִי֙ נׇעֳמִ֔י וַֽיהֹוָה֙ עָ֣נָה בִ֔י וְשַׁדַּ֖י הֵ֥רַֽע לִֽי׃	¹⁸ און זי האָט געזען, אַז זי האַלט זיך פֿעסט צו גײן מיט איר, און זי האָט אױפֿגעהערט זי אָפּצורעדן. ¹⁹ און זײ זײַנען בײדע געגאַנגען ביז זײ זײַנען געקומען קײן בית-לֶחֶם. און עס איז געװען, װי זײ זײַנען אָנגעקומען קײן בית-לֶחֶם, אַזױ האָט די גאַנצע שטאָט געטומלט מיט זײ, און די װײַבער האָבן געזאָגט: איז דאָס נָעמי? ²⁰ האָט זי צו זײ געזאָגט: איר זאָלט מיך ניט רופֿן נָעמי, רופֿט מיך מָרָה, װאָרום דער אַלמאַכטיקער האָט מיר זײער פֿאַרביטערט. ²¹ אַ פֿולע בין איך אַרױסגעגאַנגען, און לײדיק האָט מיך גאָט אומגעקערט. נאָך װאָס רופֿט איר מיך נָעמי, אַז גאָט איז מײַן קלעגער געװאָרן, און דער אַלמאַכטיקער האָט מיר שלעכטס געטאָן.
^כב וַתָּ֣שׇׁב נׇעֳמִ֗י וְר֨וּת הַמּוֹאֲבִיָּ֤ה כַלָּתָהּ֙ עִמָּ֔הּ הַשָּׁ֖בָה מִשְּׂדֵ֣י מוֹאָ֑ב וְהֵ֗מָּה בָּ֚אוּ בֵּ֣ית לֶ֔חֶם בִּתְחִלַּ֖ת קְצִ֥יר שְׂעֹרִֽים׃	²² אַזױ האָט זיך אומגעקערט נָעמי, און איר שנור רות די מואָבֿערין מיט איר, די װאָס האָט זיך אומגעקערט פֿון דעם פֿעלד פֿון מואָבֿ. און זײ זײַנען אָנגעקומען אין בית-לֶחֶם אין אָנהײב גערשטנשניט.
ב ^א וּֽלְנׇעֳמִ֞י מידע מוֹדָ֣ע לְאִישָׁ֗הּ אִ֚ישׁ גִּבּ֣וֹר חַ֔יִל מִמִּשְׁפַּ֖חַת אֱלִימֶ֑לֶךְ וּשְׁמ֖וֹ בֹּֽעַז׃	2 ¹ און נָעמי האָט געהאַט איר מאַנס אַ קרובֿ, אַ װוילפֿאַרמעגלעכן מאַן פֿון אֶלימֶלֶכס משפּחה, װאָס זײַן נאָמען איז געװען בוֹעַז.
^ב וַתֹּ֩אמֶר֩ ר֨וּת הַמּוֹאֲבִיָּ֜ה אֶֽל־נׇעֳמִ֗י אֵֽלְכָה־נָּ֤א הַשָּׂדֶה֙ וַאֲלַקֳּטָ֣ה בַֽשִּׁבֳּלִ֔ים אַחַ֕ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֶמְצָא־חֵ֖ן בְּעֵינָ֑יו וַתֹּ֥אמֶר לָ֖הּ לְכִ֥י בִתִּֽי׃	² און רות די מואָבֿערין האָט געזאָגט צו נָעמין: לאָמיך גײן, איך בעט דיך, אין פֿעלד, און איך װעל אױפֿקלײַבן זאַנגען הינטער דעם װאָס איך װעל געפֿינען לײַטזעליקײַט אין זײַנע אױגן. האָט זי געזאָגט צו איר: גײ, מײַן טאָכטער.
^ג וַתֵּ֤לֶךְ וַתָּבוֹא֙ וַתְּלַקֵּ֣ט בַּשָּׂדֶ֔ה אַחֲרֵ֖י הַקֹּצְרִ֑ים וַיִּ֣קֶר מִקְרֶ֔הָ חֶלְקַ֤ת הַשָּׂדֶה֙ לְבֹ֔עַז אֲשֶׁ֖ר מִמִּשְׁפַּ֥חַת אֱלִימֶֽלֶךְ׃ ^ד וְהִנֵּה־בֹ֗עַז בָּ֚א מִבֵּ֣ית לֶ֔חֶם וַיֹּ֥אמֶר לַקּוֹצְרִ֖ים יְהֹוָ֣ה עִמָּכֶ֑ם וַיֹּ֥אמְרוּ ל֖וֹ יְבָרֶכְךָ֥ יְהֹוָֽה׃ ^ה וַיֹּ֤אמֶר בֹּ֙עַז֙ לְֽנַעֲר֔וֹ הַנִּצָּ֖ב עַל־הַקּוֹצְרִ֑ים לְמִ֖י הַנַּעֲרָ֥ה הַזֹּֽאת׃ ^ו וַיַּ֗עַן הַנַּ֛עַר הַנִּצָּ֥ב עַל־הַקּוֹצְרִ֖ים וַיֹּאמַ֑ר נַעֲרָ֤ה מֽוֹאֲבִיָּה֙ הִ֔יא הַשָּׁ֥בָה עִֽם־נׇעֳמִ֖י מִשְּׂדֵ֥י מוֹאָֽב׃ ^ז וַתֹּ֗אמֶר אֲלַקֳּטָה־נָּא֙ וְאָסַפְתִּ֣י בָעֳמָרִ֔ים אַחֲרֵ֖י הַקּוֹצְרִ֑ים וַתָּב֣וֹא וַֽתַּעֲמ֗וֹד מֵאָ֤ז הַבֹּ֙קֶר֙ וְעַד־עַ֔תָּה זֶ֛ה שִׁבְתָּ֥הּ הַבַּ֖יִת מְעָֽט׃ ^ח וַיֹּ֩אמֶר֩ בֹּ֨עַז אֶל־ר֜וּת הֲל֧וֹא שָׁמַ֣עַתְּ בִּתִּ֗י אַל־תֵּֽלְכִי֙ לִלְקֹט֙ בְּשָׂדֶ֣ה אַחֵ֔ר וְגַ֛ם לֹ֥א תַעֲבוּרִ֖י מִזֶּ֑ה וְכֹ֥ה תִדְבָּקִ֖ין עִם־נַעֲרֹתָֽי׃ ^ט עֵינַ֜יִךְ בַּשָּׂדֶ֤ה אֲשֶׁר־יִקְצֹרוּן֙ וְהָלַ֣כְתְּ אַחֲרֵיהֶ֔ן הֲל֥וֹא צִוִּ֛יתִי אֶת־הַנְּעָרִ֖ים לְבִלְתִּ֣י נׇגְעֵ֑ךְ וְצָמִ֗ת וְהָלַכְתְּ֙ אֶל־הַכֵּלִ֔ים וְשָׁתִ֕ית מֵאֲשֶׁ֥ר יִשְׁאֲב֖וּן הַנְּעָרִֽים׃	³ איז זי אַװעק, און איז געקומען און האָט געקליבן אין פֿעלד הינטער די שניטערס, און אױף איר טראַף האָט זיך געטראָפֿן דאָס שטיק פֿעלד פֿון בוֹעַזן װאָס פֿון אֶלימֶלֶכס משפּחה. ⁴ ערשט בוֹעַז איז אָנגעקומען פֿון בית-לֶחֶם, און האָט געזאָגט צו די שניטערס: גאָט מיט אײַך! און זײ האָבן צו אים געזאָגט: בענטשן זאָל דיך גאָט! ⁵ האָט בוֹעַז געזאָגט צו זײַן יונג װאָס איז געשטאַנען איבער די שניטערס: װעמעס איז די דאָזיקע יונגע פֿרױ? ⁶ האָט געענטפֿערט דער יונג װאָס איז געשטאַנען איבער די שניטערס, און האָט געזאָגט: דאָס איז אַ יונגע פֿרױ אַ מואָבֿערין, װאָס האָט זיך אומגעקערט מיט נָעמין פֿון דעם פֿעלד פֿון מואָבֿ; ⁷ און זי האָט געזאָגט: לאָמיך קלײַבן, איך בעט דיך, און אױפֿזאַמלען צװישן די גאַרבן הינטער די שניטערס; און זי איז געקומען און איז געשטאַנען פֿון זינט פֿרימאָרגן אַזש ביז אַצונד; דאָס בלײַבן אירס אין דער הײם איז בלױז געװען אַ װײַלע. ⁸ האָט בוֹעַז געזאָגט צו רותן: פֿאַר װאָר, דו הערסט, מײַן טאָכטער? זאָלסט ניט גײן קלײַבן אין אַן אַנדער פֿעלד, און זאָלסט אױך ניט אַװעקגײן פֿון דאַנען; נאָר דאָ זאָלסטו זיך האַלטן מיט מײַנע מײדלעך. ⁹ דײַנע אױגן זאָלן זײַן אױף דעם פֿעלד װאָס זײ שנײַדן, און זאָלסט גײן הינטער זײ. פֿאַר װאָר, איך האָב באַפֿױלן די יונגען, דיך ניט אָנצורירן; און אַז דיר װעט דאָרשטן, זאָלסטו גײן צו די כּלים, און טרינקען פֿון װאַנען די יונגען שעפּן.
^י וַתִּפֹּל֙ עַל־פָּנֶ֔יהָ וַתִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ אָ֑רְצָה וַתֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֗יו מַדּ֩וּעַ֩ מָצָ֨אתִי חֵ֤ן בְּעֵינֶ֙יךָ֙ לְהַכִּירֵ֔נִי וְאָנֹכִ֖י נָכְרִיָּֽה׃ ^יא וַיַּ֤עַן בֹּ֙עַז֙ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לָ֔הּ הֻגֵּ֨ד הֻגַּ֜ד לִ֗י כֹּ֤ל אֲשֶׁר־עָשִׂית֙ אֶת־חֲמוֹתֵ֔ךְ אַחֲרֵ֖י מ֣וֹת אִישֵׁ֑ךְ וַתַּֽעַזְבִ֞י אָבִ֣יךְ וְאִמֵּ֗ךְ וְאֶ֙רֶץ֙ מֽוֹלַדְתֵּ֔ךְ וַתֵּ֣לְכִ֔י אֶל־עַ֕ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־יָדַ֖עַתְּ תְּמ֥וֹל שִׁלְשֽׁוֹם׃ ^[א*] יב יְשַׁלֵּ֥ם יְהֹוָ֖ה פׇּעֳלֵ֑ךְ וּתְהִ֨י מַשְׂכֻּרְתֵּ֜ךְ שְׁלֵמָ֗ה מֵעִ֤ם יְהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֖את לַחֲס֥וֹת תַּֽחַת־כְּנָפָֽיו׃ ^יג וַ֠תֹּ֠אמֶר אֶמְצָא־חֵ֨ן בְּעֵינֶ֤יךָ אֲדֹנִי֙ כִּ֣י נִֽחַמְתָּ֔נִי וְכִ֥י דִבַּ֖רְתָּ עַל־לֵ֣ב שִׁפְחָתֶ֑ךָ וְאָֽנֹכִי֙ לֹ֣א אֶהְיֶ֔ה כְּאַחַ֖ת שִׁפְחֹתֶֽיךָ׃ ^יד וַיֹּ֩אמֶר֩ לָ֨ה בֹ֜עַז לְעֵ֣ת הָאֹ֗כֶל גֹּ֤שִֽׁי הֲלֹם֙ וְאָכַ֣לְתְּ מִן־הַלֶּ֔חֶם וְטָבַ֥לְתְּ פִּתֵּ֖ךְ בַּחֹ֑מֶץ	¹⁰ איז זי געפֿאַלן אױף איר פּנים, און האָט זיך געבוקט צו דער ערד, און האָט צו אים געזאָגט: פֿאַר װאָס האָב איך געפֿונען לײַטזעליקײַט אין דײַנע אױגן, מיך צו דערקענען, אַז איך בין אַ פֿרעמדע? ¹¹ האָט בוֹעַז געענטפֿערט און האָט צו איר געזאָגט: דערצײלן איז מיר דערצײלט געװאָרן אַלץ װאָס דו האָסט געטאָן מיט דײַן שװיגער נאָך דײַן מאַנס טױט, און אַז דו האָסט פֿאַרלאָזן דײַן פֿאָטער און דײַן מוטער, און דאָס לאַנד פֿון דײַן געבאָרנשאַפֿט, און ביסט געגאַנגען צו אַ פֿאָלק װאָס דו האָסט ניט געקענט פֿון נעכטן-אײערנעכטן. ¹² זאָל גאָט באַצאָלן דײַן טוּונג, און דײַן שׂכר זאָל זײַן פֿאַרפֿול פֿון יהוה דעם גאָט פֿון ישׂראל, װאָס דו ביסט געקומען זיך באַשיצן אונטער זײַנע פֿליגלען. ¹³ האָט זי געזאָגט: לאָמיך געפֿינען לײַטזעליקײַט אין דײַנע אױגן, מײַן האַר! װײַל דו האָסט מיך געטרײסט, און װײַל דו האָסט גערעדט צום האַרצן פֿון דײַן דינסט, און איך בין צו מאָל ניט װי אײנע פֿון דײַנע דינסטן. ¹⁴ האָט בוֹעַז צו איר געזאָגט: אין דער צײַט פֿון עסן, גענען אַהער, און װעסט עסן פֿון דעם ברױט, און װעסט אײַנטונקען דײַן ביסן אין זױערס.
וַתֵּ֙שֶׁב֙ מִצַּ֣ד הַקֹּצְרִ֔ים וַיִּצְבׇּט־לָ֣הּ קָלִ֔י וַתֹּ֥אכַל וַתִּשְׂבַּ֖ע וַתֹּתַֽר׃ ^טו וַתָּ֖קׇם לְלַקֵּ֑ט וַיְצַו֩ בֹּ֨עַז אֶת־נְעָרָ֜יו לֵאמֹ֗ר גַּ֣ם בֵּ֧ין הָעֳמָרִ֛ים תְּלַקֵּ֖ט וְלֹ֥א תַכְלִימֽוּהָ׃ ^טז וְגַ֛ם שֹׁל־תָּשֹׁ֥לּוּ לָ֖הּ מִן־הַצְּבָתִ֑ים וַעֲזַבְתֶּ֥ם וְלִקְּטָ֖ה וְלֹ֥א תִגְעֲרוּ־בָֽהּ׃	און זי איז געזעסן בײַ דער זײַט פֿון די שניטערס, און מע האָט איר דערלאַנגט געברענטע זאַנגען, און זי האָט געגעסן און איז זאַט געװאָרן, און האָט נאָך איבערגעלאָזן. ¹⁵ און װי זי איז אױפֿגעשטאַנען צו קלײַבן, האָט בוֹעַז באַפֿױלן זײַנע יונגען, אַזױ צו זאָגן: אױך צװישן די גאַרבן זאָל זי קלײַבן, און איר זאָלט זי ניט פֿאַרשעמען. ¹⁶ און אױך אַרױסציען פֿון די בינטלעך זאָלט איר פֿאַר איר אַרױסציען, און איבערלאָזן, אַז זי זאָל אױפֿקלײַבן; און איר זאָלט ניט אָנשרײַען אױף איר.
^יז וַתְּלַקֵּ֥ט בַּשָּׂדֶ֖ה עַד־הָעָ֑רֶב וַתַּחְבֹּט֙ אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁר־לִקֵּ֔טָה וַיְהִ֖י כְּאֵיפָ֥ה שְׂעֹרִֽים׃ ^יח וַתִּשָּׂא֙ וַתָּב֣וֹא הָעִ֔יר וַתֵּ֥רֶא חֲמוֹתָ֖הּ אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁר־לִקֵּ֑טָה וַתּוֹצֵא֙ וַתִּתֶּן־לָ֔הּ אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר־הוֹתִ֖רָה מִשׇּׂבְעָֽהּ׃ ^יט וַתֹּ֩אמֶר֩ לָ֨הּ חֲמוֹתָ֜הּ אֵיפֹ֨ה לִקַּ֤טְתְּ הַיּוֹם֙ וְאָ֣נָה עָשִׂ֔ית יְהִ֥י מַכִּירֵ֖ךְ בָּר֑וּךְ וַתַּגֵּ֣ד לַחֲמוֹתָ֗הּ אֵ֤ת אֲשֶׁר־עָֽשְׂתָה֙ עִמּ֔וֹ וַתֹּ֗אמֶר שֵׁ֤ם הָאִישׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשִׂ֧יתִי עִמּ֛וֹ הַיּ֖וֹם בֹּֽעַז׃ ^כ וַתֹּ֨אמֶר נׇעֳמִ֜י לְכַלָּתָ֗הּ בָּר֥וּךְ הוּא֙ לַיהֹוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר֙ לֹא־עָזַ֣ב חַסְדּ֔וֹ אֶת־הַחַיִּ֖ים וְאֶת־הַמֵּתִ֑ים וַתֹּ֧אמֶר לָ֣הּ נׇעֳמִ֗י קָר֥וֹב לָ֙נוּ֙ הָאִ֔ישׁ מִֽגֹּאֲלֵ֖נוּ הֽוּא׃ ^כא וַתֹּ֖אמֶר ר֣וּת הַמּוֹאֲבִיָּ֑ה גַּ֣ם ׀ כִּי־אָמַ֣ר אֵלַ֗י עִם־הַנְּעָרִ֤ים אֲשֶׁר־לִי֙ תִּדְבָּקִ֔ין עַ֣ד אִם־כִּלּ֔וּ אֵ֥ת כׇּל־הַקָּצִ֖יר אֲשֶׁר־לִֽי׃ ^כב וַתֹּ֥אמֶר נׇעֳמִ֖י אֶל־ר֣וּת כַּלָּתָ֑הּ ט֣וֹב בִּתִּ֗י כִּ֤י תֵֽצְאִי֙ עִם־נַ֣עֲרוֹתָ֔יו וְלֹ֥א יִפְגְּעוּ־בָ֖ךְ בְּשָׂדֶ֥ה אַחֵֽר׃	¹⁷ און זי האָט געקליבן אין פֿעלד ביזן אָװנט, און זי האָט אױסגעקלאַפּט װאָס זי האָט אָנגעקליבן, און עס איז געװען אַרום אַן אֵיפָֿה גערשטן. ¹⁸ און זי האָט עס גענומען און איז אַרײַנגעגאַנגען אין שטאָט. און איר שװיגער האָט געזען װאָס זי האָט אָנגעקליבן, אױך האָט זי אַרױסגענומען און איר געגעבן װאָס זי האָט איבערגעלאָזן נאָך איר זעט. ¹⁹ האָט איר שװיגער צו איר געזאָגט: װוּ האָסטו געקליבן הײַנט, און װוּ האָסטו געאַרבעט? געבענטשט זאָל זײַן דער װאָס האָט זיך אומגעקוקט אױף דיר! האָט זי דערצײלט איר שװיגער בײַ װעמען זי האָט געאַרבעט, און זי האָט געזאָגט: דער נאָמען פֿון דעם מאַן װאָס איך האָב בײַ אים הײַנט געאַרבעט, איז בוֹעַז. ²⁰ האָט נָעמי געזאָגט צו איר שנור: געבענטשט זאָל ער זײַן פֿון גאָט, װאָס האָט ניט פֿאַרלאָזן זײַן חסד מיט די לעבעדיקע און מיט די טױטע! און נָעמי האָט צו איר געזאָגט: דער מאַן איז אונדזערער אַ נאָנטער, ער איז פֿון אונדזערע אױסלײזער. ²¹ האָט רות די מואָבֿערין געזאָגט: ער האָט מיר אױך אָנגעזאָגט: לעבן די יונגען װאָס בײַ מיר זאָלסטו זיך האַלטן, ביז װאַנען זײ װעלן ענדיקן דעם גאַנצן שניט װאָס בײַ מיר. ²² האָט נָעמי געזאָגט צו רות איר שנור: עס איז גוט, מײַן טאָכטער, אַז דו זאָלסט אַרױסגײן מיט זײַנע מײדלעך, און מע זאָל דיך ניט אָנטרעפֿן אין אַן אַנדער פֿעלד.
^כג וַתִּדְבַּ֞ק בְּנַעֲר֥וֹת בֹּ֙עַז֙ לְלַקֵּ֔ט עַד־כְּל֥וֹת קְצִֽיר־הַשְּׂעֹרִ֖ים וּקְצִ֣יר הַֽחִטִּ֑ים וַתֵּ֖שֶׁב אֶת־חֲמוֹתָֽהּ׃	²³ און זי האָט זיך געהאַלטן אָן בוֹעַזעס מײדלעך, צו קלײַבן ביז צום סָוף פֿון גערשטנשניט און װײצשניט. און זי איז געזעסן בײַ איר שװיגער.
ג ^א וַתֹּ֥אמֶר לָ֖הּ נׇעֳמִ֣י חֲמוֹתָ֑הּ בִּתִּ֕י הֲלֹ֧א אֲבַקֶּשׁ־לָ֛ךְ מָנ֖וֹחַ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יִֽיטַב־לָֽךְ׃ ^ב וְעַתָּ֗ה הֲלֹ֥א בֹ֙עַז֙ מֹֽדַעְתָּ֔נוּ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָיִ֖ית אֶת־נַעֲרוֹתָ֑יו הִנֵּה־ה֗וּא זֹרֶ֛ה אֶת־גֹּ֥רֶן הַשְּׂעֹרִ֖ים הַלָּֽיְלָה׃ ^ג וְרָחַ֣צְתְּ ׀ וָסַ֗כְתְּ וְשַׂ֧מְתְּ שמלתך שִׂמְלֹתַ֛יִךְ עָלַ֖יִךְ וירדתי וְיָרַ֣דְתְּ הַגֹּ֑רֶן אַל־תִּוָּדְעִ֣י לָאִ֔ישׁ עַ֥ד כַּלֹּת֖וֹ לֶאֱכֹ֥ל וְלִשְׁתּֽוֹת׃ ^ד וִיהִ֣י בְשׇׁכְב֗וֹ וְיָדַ֙עַתְּ֙ אֶת־הַמָּקוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִשְׁכַּב־שָׁ֔ם וּבָ֛את וְגִלִּ֥ית מַרְגְּלֹתָ֖יו ושכבתי וְשָׁכָ֑בְתְּ וְהוּא֙ יַגִּ֣יד לָ֔ךְ אֵ֖ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר תַּעֲשִֽׂין׃ ^ה וַתֹּ֖אמֶר אֵלֶ֑יהָ כֹּ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־תֹּאמְרִ֥י [אֵלַ֖י] אֶֽעֱשֶֽׂה׃	3 ¹ און נָעמי איר שװיגער האָט צו איר געזאָגט: מײַן טאָכטער, זאָל איך דיר ניט אױפֿזוכן אַן אָפּרו װאָס זאָל גוט זײַן פֿאַר דיר? ² און אַצונד, איז ניט בוֹעַז אונדזערער אַ קרוב – דער װאָס דו ביסט געװען מיט זײַנע מײדלעך? אָט װינטשופֿלט ער די נאַכט דעם שײַער גערשטן. ³ זאָלסטו זיך אַרומװאַשן און באַזאַלבן, און אָנטאָן אױף דיר דײַנע קלײדער, און אַראָפּנידערן צום שײַער; זאָלסט זיך ניט לאָזן מערקן פֿון דעם מאַן, ביז ער האָט געענדיקט עסן און טרינקען. ⁴ און עס װעט זײַן װי ער װעט זיך לײגן, אַזױ זאָלסטו מערקן דעם אָרט װאָס ער װעט זיך דאָרטן לײגן, און זאָלסט צוקומען און אָפּדעקן זײַן צופֿוסן, און זיך אַװעקלײגן; און ער װעט דיר זאָגן װאָס דו זאָלסט טאָן. ⁵ האָט זי צו איר געזאָגט: אַלץ װאָס דו זאָגסט מיר װעל איך טאָן.
^ו וַתֵּ֖רֶד הַגֹּ֑רֶן וַתַּ֕עַשׂ כְּכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־צִוַּ֖תָּה חֲמוֹתָֽהּ׃ ^ז וַיֹּ֨אכַל בֹּ֤עַז וַיֵּשְׁתְּ֙ וַיִּיטַ֣ב לִבּ֔וֹ וַיָּבֹ֕א לִשְׁכַּ֖ב בִּקְצֵ֣ה הָעֲרֵמָ֑ה וַתָּבֹ֣א בַלָּ֔ט וַתְּגַ֥ל מַרְגְּלֹתָ֖יו וַתִּשְׁכָּֽב׃ ^ח וַֽיְהִי֙ בַּחֲצִ֣י הַלַּ֔יְלָה וַיֶּחֱרַ֥ד הָאִ֖ישׁ וַיִּלָּפֵ֑ת וְהִנֵּ֣ה אִשָּׁ֔ה שֹׁכֶ֖בֶת מַרְגְּלֹתָֽיו׃ ^ט וַיֹּ֖אמֶר מִי־אָ֑תְּ וַתֹּ֗אמֶר אָֽנֹכִי֙ ר֣וּת אֲמָתֶ֔ךָ וּפָרַשְׂתָּ֤ כְנָפֶ֙ךָ֙ עַל־אֲמָ֣תְךָ֔ כִּ֥י גֹאֵ֖ל אָֽתָּה׃ ^י וַיֹּ֗אמֶר בְּרוּכָ֨ה אַ֤תְּ לַֽיהֹוָה֙ בִּתִּ֔י הֵיטַ֛בְתְּ חַסְדֵּ֥ךְ הָאַחֲר֖וֹן מִן־הָרִאשׁ֑וֹן לְבִלְתִּי־לֶ֗כֶת אַֽחֲרֵי֙ הַבַּ֣חוּרִ֔ים אִם־דַּ֖ל וְאִם־עָשִֽׁיר׃ ^יא וְעַתָּ֗ה בִּתִּי֙ אַל־תִּ֣ירְאִ֔י כֹּ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־תֹּאמְרִ֖י אֶעֱשֶׂה־לָּ֑ךְ כִּ֤י יוֹדֵ֙עַ֙ כׇּל־שַׁ֣עַר עַמִּ֔י כִּ֛י אֵ֥שֶׁת חַ֖יִל אָֽתְּ׃ ^יב וְעַתָּה֙ כִּ֣י אׇמְנָ֔ם כִּ֥י (אם) גֹאֵ֖ל אָנֹ֑כִי וְגַ֛ם יֵ֥שׁ גֹּאֵ֖ל קָר֥וֹב מִמֶּֽנִּי׃ ^יג לִ֣ינִי ׀ הַלַּ֗יְלָה וְהָיָ֤ה בַבֹּ֙קֶר֙ אִם־יִגְאָלֵ֥ךְ טוֹב֙ יִגְאָ֔ל וְאִם־לֹ֨א יַחְפֹּ֧ץ לְגׇאֳלֵ֛ךְ וּגְאַלְתִּ֥יךְ אָנֹ֖כִי חַי־יְהֹוָ֑ה שִׁכְבִ֖י עַד־הַבֹּֽקֶר׃	⁶ און זי האָט אַראָפּגענידערט צום שײַער, און האָט געטאָן אַזױ װי אַלץ װאָס איר שװיגער האָט איר געהײסן. ⁷ און בוֹעַז האָט געגעסן און געטרונקען, און זײַן האַרץ איז געװען פֿרײלעך, און ער איז געגאַנגען זיך לײגן אין עק פֿון דעם תּבֿואה-הױפֿן. איז זי צוגעקומען שטילערהײט, און האָט אָפּגעדעקט זײַן צופֿוסן, און האָט זיך געלײגט. ⁸ און עס איז געװען אין האַלבע נאַכט, האָט דער מאַן אױפֿגעציטערט, און ער האָט זיך אױסגעדרײט, ערשט אַ פֿרױ ליגט אים צו פֿוסן. ⁹ האָט ער געזאָגט: װער ביסטו? האָט זי געזאָגט: איך בין רות דײַן דינסט; און זאָלסט אױסשפּרײטן דײַן ברעג קלײד איבער דײַן דינסט, װאָרום אַן אױסלײזער ביסטו. ¹⁰ האָט ער געזאָגט: געבענטשט זאָלסטו זײַן פֿון גאָט, מײַן טאָכטער; דײַן לעצטע גוטסקײט האָסטו נאָך שענער געטאָן פֿון דער ערשטער, ניט צו גײן נאָך די בחורים, צי אָרים צי רײַך. ¹¹ און אַצונד, מײַן טאָכטער, זאָלסטו ניט מוֹרא האָבן; אַלץ װאָס דו װעסט זאָגן, װעל איך דיר טאָן, װאָרום דער גאַנצער טױער פֿון מײַן פֿאָלק װײס אַז דו ביסט אַ װוילע פֿרױ. ¹² און אַצונד, יאָ אמת, אַז אַן אױסלײזער בין איך, אָבער פֿאַראַן אַן אױסלײזער נענטער פֿון מיר. ¹³ בלײַב די נאַכט, און עס װעט זײַן אין דער פֿרי, אױב ער װעט דיך אױסלײזן, איז גוט, זאָל ער אױסלײזן; אױב אָבער ער װעט דיך ניט װעלן אױסלײזן, װעל איך דיך אױסלײזן, אַזױ װי גאָט לעבט! ליג ביז אין דער פֿרי.
^יד וַתִּשְׁכַּ֤ב מַרְגְּלוֹתָו֙ עַד־הַבֹּ֔קֶר וַתָּ֕קׇם בטרום בְּטֶ֛רֶם יַכִּ֥יר אִ֖ישׁ אֶת־רֵעֵ֑הוּ וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אַל־יִוָּדַ֔ע כִּי־בָ֥אָה הָאִשָּׁ֖ה הַגֹּֽרֶן׃	¹⁴ איז זי געלעגן בײַ אים צו פֿוסן ביז באַגינען, און זי איז אױפֿגעשטאַנען אײדער אײנער האָט געקענט דערקענען דעם אַנדערן; װאָרום ער האָט געזאָגט: עס זאָל ניט דערװוּסט װערן אַז די פֿרױ איז געקומען אין שײַער.
^טו וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הָ֠בִ֠י הַמִּטְפַּ֧חַת אֲשֶׁר־עָלַ֛יִךְ וְאֶחֳזִי־בָ֖הּ וַתֹּ֣אחֶז בָּ֑הּ וַיָּ֤מׇד שֵׁשׁ־שְׂעֹרִים֙ וַיָּ֣שֶׁת עָלֶ֔יהָ וַיָּבֹ֖א הָעִֽיר׃	¹⁵ און ער האָט געזאָגט: גיב אַהער דאָס טוך װאָס אױף דיר, און האַלט עס צו. האָט זי עס צוגעהאַלטן, און ער האָט אַרײַנגעמאָסטן זעקס מאָס גערשטן, און אַרױפֿגעטאָן אױף איר. און ער איז אַרײַנגעגאַנגען אין שטאָט.
^טז וַתָּבוֹא֙ אֶל־חֲמוֹתָ֔הּ וַתֹּ֖אמֶר מִי־אַ֣תְּ בִּתִּ֑י וַתַּ֨גֶּד־לָ֔הּ אֵ֛ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂה־לָ֖הּ הָאִֽישׁ׃ ^יז וַתֹּ֕אמֶר שֵׁשׁ־הַשְּׂעֹרִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה נָ֣תַן לִ֑י כִּ֚י אָמַ֣ר [אֵלַ֔י] אַל־תָּב֥וֹאִי רֵיקָ֖ם אֶל־חֲמוֹתֵֽךְ׃ ^יח וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ שְׁבִ֣י בִתִּ֔י עַ֚ד אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֵּֽדְעִ֔ין אֵ֖יךְ יִפֹּ֣ל דָּבָ֑ר כִּ֣י לֹ֤א יִשְׁקֹט֙ הָאִ֔ישׁ כִּֽי־אִם־כִּלָּ֥ה הַדָּבָ֖ר הַיּֽוֹם׃	¹⁶ און זי איז געקומען צו איר שװיגער, האָט זי געזאָגט: װי איז דאָס מיט דיר, מײַן טאָכטער? האָט זי איר דערצײלט אַלץ װאָס דער מאַן האָט צו איר געטאָן. ¹⁷ און זי האָט געזאָגט: די זעקס מאָס גערשטן האָט ער מיר געגעבן, װײַל ער האָט צו מיר געזאָגט: זאָלסט ניט קומען מיט לײדיקן צו דײַן שװיגער. ¹⁸ האָט זי געזאָגט: זיץ, מײַן טאָכטער, ביז װאַנען װעסט װיסן װי די זאַך װעט אױספֿאַלן, װאָרום דער מאַן װעט ניט רוען, ביז ער האָט געענדיקט די זאַך הײַנט.
ד ^א וּבֹ֨עַז עָלָ֣ה הַשַּׁ֘עַר֮ וַיֵּ֣שֶׁב שָׁם֒ וְהִנֵּ֨ה הַגֹּאֵ֤ל עֹבֵר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֶּר־בֹּ֔עַז וַיֹּ֛אמֶר ס֥וּרָה שְׁבָה־פֹּ֖ה פְּלֹנִ֣י אַלְמֹנִ֑י וַיָּ֖סַר וַיֵּשֵֽׁב׃	4 ¹ און בוֹעַז איז אַרױפֿגעגאַנגען צום טױער, און האָט זיך דאָרטן געזעצט, ערשט דער אױסלײזער פֿון װעמען בוֹעַז האָט גערעדט, גײט פֿאַרבײַ. האָט ער געזאָגט: קום אַהער זעץ זיך דאָ, דער און דער. איז ער צוגעקומען און האָט זיך געזעצט.
^ב וַיִּקַּ֞ח עֲשָׂרָ֧ה אֲנָשִׁ֛ים מִזִּקְנֵ֥י הָעִ֖יר וַיֹּ֣אמֶר שְׁבוּ־פֹ֑ה וַיֵּשֵֽׁבוּ׃ ^ג וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לַגֹּאֵ֔ל חֶלְקַת֙ הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר לְאָחִ֖ינוּ לֶאֱלִימֶ֑לֶךְ מָכְרָ֣ה נׇעֳמִ֔י הַשָּׁ֖בָה מִשְּׂדֵ֥ה מוֹאָֽב׃ ^ד וַאֲנִ֨י אָמַ֜רְתִּי אֶגְלֶ֧ה אׇזְנְךָ֣ לֵאמֹ֗ר קְ֠נֵ֠ה נֶ֥גֶד הַיֹּשְׁבִים֮ וְנֶ֣גֶד זִקְנֵ֣י עַמִּי֒ אִם־תִּגְאַל֙ גְּאָ֔ל וְאִם־לֹ֨א יִגְאַ֜ל הַגִּ֣ידָה לִּ֗י ואדע וְאֵֽדְעָה֙ כִּ֣י אֵ֤ין זוּלָֽתְךָ֙ לִגְא֔וֹל וְאָנֹכִ֖י אַחֲרֶ֑יךָ וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אָנֹכִ֥י אֶגְאָֽל׃ ^ה וַיֹּ֣אמֶר בֹּ֔עַז בְּיוֹם־קְנוֹתְךָ֥ הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה מִיַּ֣ד נׇעֳמִ֑י וּ֠מֵאֵ֠ת ר֣וּת הַמּוֹאֲבִיָּ֤ה אֵֽשֶׁת־הַמֵּת֙ קניתי קָנִ֔יתָ לְהָקִ֥ים שֵׁם־הַמֵּ֖ת עַל־נַחֲלָתֽוֹ׃ ^ו וַיֹּ֣אמֶר הַגֹּאֵ֗ל לֹ֤א אוּכַל֙ לגאול לִגְאׇל־לִ֔י פֶּן־אַשְׁחִ֖ית אֶת־נַחֲלָתִ֑י גְּאַל־לְךָ֤ אַתָּה֙ אֶת־גְּאֻלָּתִ֔י כִּ֥י לֹא־אוּכַ֖ל לִגְאֹֽל׃	² און ער האָט גענומען צען מענטשן פֿון די עלטסטע פֿון שטאָט, און ער האָט געזאָגט: זעצט אײַך דאָ. און זײ האָבן זיך געזעצט. ³ האָט ער געזאָגט צום אױסלײזער: נָעמי װאָס האָט זיך אומגעקערט פֿון פֿעלד פֿון מואָבֿ, פֿאַרקױפֿט דאָס שטיק פֿעלד װאָס האָט געהערט צו אונדזער ברודער, צו אֶלימֶלֶכן. ⁴ האָב איך געקלערט: איך װעל אַנטפּלעקן דײַן אױער, אַזױ צו זאָגן: קױף עס אַנטקעגן פֿאַר די װאָס זיצן דאָ, און אַנטקעגן פֿאַר די עלטסטע פֿון מײַן פֿאָלק. אױב דו װילסט אױסלײזן, לײז אױס! אױב אָבער מע װעט ניט אױסלײזן, זאָג מיר, כּדי איך זאָל עס װיסן, װאָרום ניטאָ קײנער אַחוץ דיר אױסצולײזן, און איך בין נאָך דיר. האָט ער געזאָגט: איך װעל אױסלײזן. ⁵ האָט בוֹעַז געזאָגט: אין דעם טאָג װאָס דו קױפֿסט דאָס פֿעלד פֿון נָעמיס האַנט, און פֿון רות דער מואָבֿערין, האָסטו געקױפֿט די װײַב פֿון דעם געשטאָרבענעם, כּדי אױפֿצושטעלן דעם נאָמען פֿון דעם געשטאָרבענעם אױף זײַן נחלה. ⁶ האָט דער אױסלײזער געזאָגט: איך קען עס ניט אױסלײזן פֿאַר מיר, װאָרום איך װעל נאָך פֿאַרדאַרבן מײַן אײגענע נחלה. לײז דיר דו אױס װאָס איך דאַרף אױסלײזן, װאָרום איך קען ניט אױסלײזן.
^ז וְזֹאת֩ לְפָנִ֨ים בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל עַל־הַגְּאֻלָּ֤ה וְעַל־הַתְּמוּרָה֙ לְקַיֵּ֣ם כׇּל־דָּבָ֔ר שָׁלַ֥ף אִ֛ישׁ נַעֲל֖וֹ וְנָתַ֣ן לְרֵעֵ֑הוּ וְזֹ֥את הַתְּעוּדָ֖ה בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃	⁷ און אַזױ איז געװען פֿאַרצײַטן אין ישׂראל: בײַ אַן אױסלײז אָדער בײַ אַן אױסבײַט, צו באַפֿעסטיקן עפּעס אַ זאַך, האָט אײנער אַראָפּגעצױגן זײַן שוך און געגעבן דעם אַנדערן. און דאָס איז געװען צום עדות אין ישׂראל.
^ח וַיֹּ֧אמֶר הַגֹּאֵ֛ל לְבֹ֖עַז קְנֵה־לָ֑ךְ וַיִּשְׁלֹ֖ף נַעֲלֽוֹ׃ ^ט וַיֹּ֩אמֶר֩ בֹּ֨עַז לַזְּקֵנִ֜ים וְכׇל־הָעָ֗ם עֵדִ֤ים אַתֶּם֙ הַיּ֔וֹם כִּ֤י קָנִ֙יתִי֙ אֶת־כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֶאֱלִימֶ֔לֶךְ וְאֵ֛ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר לְכִלְי֖וֹן וּמַחְל֑וֹן מִיַּ֖ד נׇעֳמִֽי׃ ^י וְגַ֣ם אֶת־ר֣וּת הַמֹּאֲבִיָּה֩ אֵ֨שֶׁת מַחְל֜וֹן קָנִ֧יתִי לִ֣י לְאִשָּׁ֗ה לְהָקִ֤ים שֵׁם־הַמֵּת֙ עַל־נַ֣חֲלָת֔וֹ וְלֹא־יִכָּרֵ֧ת שֵׁם־הַמֵּ֛ת מֵעִ֥ם אֶחָ֖יו וּמִשַּׁ֣עַר מְקוֹמ֑וֹ עֵדִ֥ים אַתֶּ֖ם הַיּֽוֹם׃ ^יא וַיֹּ֨אמְר֜וּ כׇּל־הָעָ֧ם אֲשֶׁר־בַּשַּׁ֛עַר וְהַזְּקֵנִ֖ים עֵדִ֑ים יִתֵּן֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֶֽת־הָאִשָּׁ֜ה הַבָּאָ֣ה אֶל־בֵּיתֶ֗ךָ כְּרָחֵ֤ל ׀ וּכְלֵאָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר בָּנ֤וּ שְׁתֵּיהֶם֙ אֶת־בֵּ֣ית יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַעֲשֵׂה־חַ֣יִל בְּאֶפְרָ֔תָה וּקְרָא־שֵׁ֖ם בְּבֵ֥ית לָֽחֶם׃ ^יב וִיהִ֤י בֵֽיתְךָ֙ כְּבֵ֣ית פֶּ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־יָלְדָ֥ה תָמָ֖ר לִיהוּדָ֑ה מִן־הַזֶּ֗רַע אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִתֵּ֤ן יְהֹוָה֙ לְךָ֔ מִן־הַֽנַּעֲרָ֖ה הַזֹּֽאת׃	⁸ האָט דער אױסלײזער געזאָגט צו בוֹעַזן: קױף עס דיר. און ער האָט אַראָפּגעצױגן זײַן שוך. ⁹ און בוֹעַז האָט געזאָגט צו די עלטסטע, און צו דעם גאַנצן פֿאָלק: איר זײַט עדות הײַנט, אַז איך האָב אָפּגעקױפֿט אַלץ װאָס האָט געהערט צו אֶלימֶלֶכן, און אַלץ װאָס האָט געהערט צו כִּליוֹנען און מַחלוֹנען, פֿון נָעמיס האַנט. ¹⁰ און אױך רות די מואָבֿערין, מַכלוֹנס װײַב, האָב איך געקױפֿט מיר פֿאַר אַ װײַב, כּדי אױפֿצושטעלן דעם נאָמען פֿון דעם געשטאָרבענעם אױף זײַן נחלה, אַז דער נאָמען פֿון דעם געשטאָרבענעם זאָל ניט פֿאַרשניטן װערן פֿון צװישן זײַנע ברידער, און פֿון דעם טױער פֿון זײַן אָרט; איר זײַט עדות הײַנט. ¹¹ האָט געזאָגט דאָס גאַנצע פֿאָלק װאָס אין טױער, און די עלטסטע: עדות! גאָט זאָל געבן אַז די װײַב װאָס קומט אָן אין דײַן הױז, זאָל זײַן אַזױ װי רחל און אַזױ װי לאה װאָס זײ בײדע האָבן אױפֿגעבױט דאָס הױז פֿון ישׂראל! און טו אױף העלדישקײט אין אֶפֿרָת, און האָב אַ באַרופֿענעם נאָמען אין בית-לֶחֶם! ¹² און דײַן הױז זאָל זײַן אַזױ װי דאָס הױז פֿון פֶּרֶצן װאָס תָּמָר האָט געבאָרן יהודהן, פֿון דעם זאָמען װאָס גאָט װעט דיר געבן פֿון דער דאָזיקער יונגער פֿרױ!
^יג וַיִּקַּ֨ח בֹּ֤עַז אֶת־רוּת֙ וַתְּהִי־ל֣וֹ לְאִשָּׁ֔ה וַיָּבֹ֖א אֵלֶ֑יהָ וַיִּתֵּ֨ן יְהֹוָ֥ה לָ֛הּ הֵרָי֖וֹן וַתֵּ֥לֶד בֵּֽן׃ ^יד וַתֹּאמַ֤רְנָה הַנָּשִׁים֙ אֶֽל־נׇעֳמִ֔י בָּר֣וּךְ יְהֹוָ֔ה אֲ֠שֶׁ֠ר לֹ֣א הִשְׁבִּ֥ית לָ֛ךְ גֹּאֵ֖ל הַיּ֑וֹם וְיִקָּרֵ֥א שְׁמ֖וֹ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ ^טו וְהָ֤יָה לָךְ֙ לְמֵשִׁ֣יב נֶ֔פֶשׁ וּלְכַלְכֵּ֖ל אֶת־שֵׂיבָתֵ֑ךְ כִּ֣י כַלָּתֵ֤ךְ אֲ‍ֽשֶׁר־אֲהֵבַ֙תֶךְ֙ יְלָדַ֔תּוּ אֲשֶׁר־הִיא֙ ט֣וֹבָה לָ֔ךְ מִשִּׁבְעָ֖ה בָּנִֽים׃	¹³ און בוֹעַז האָט גענומען רותן, און זי איז אים געװאָרן פֿאַר אַ װײַב, און ער איז צו איר געקומען, און גאָט האָט איר געגעבן טראָגשאַפֿט, און זי האָט געבאָרן אַ זון. ¹⁴ האָבן די װײַבער געזאָגט צו נָעמין: געלױבט איז גאָט װאָס ער האָט דיך הײַנט ניט געלאָזן אָן אַן אױסלײזער, און זאָל זײַן נאָמען זײַן באַרופֿן אין ישׂראל! ¹⁵ און ער זאָל דיר זײַן פֿאַר אַ דערקװיקער פֿון דער זעל, און אױף אױסצוהאַלטן דײַן עלטער װאָרום דײַן שנור װאָס האָט דיך ליב, האָט אים געבאָרן, װאָס זי איז דיר בעסער װי זיבן זין.
^טז וַתִּקַּ֨ח נׇעֳמִ֤י אֶת־הַיֶּ֙לֶד֙ וַתְּשִׁתֵ֣הוּ בְחֵיקָ֔הּ וַתְּהִי־ל֖וֹ לְאֹמֶֽנֶת׃ ^יז וַתִּקְרֶ֩אנָה֩ ל֨וֹ הַשְּׁכֵנ֥וֹת שֵׁם֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר יֻלַּד־בֵּ֖ן לְנׇעֳמִ֑י וַתִּקְרֶ֤אנָֽה שְׁמוֹ֙ עוֹבֵ֔ד ה֥וּא אֲבִֽי־יִשַׁ֖י אֲבִ֥י דָוִֽד׃	¹⁶ און נָעמי האָט גענומען דאָס קינד, און האָט עס אַרײַנגעטאָן אין איר בוזעם, און זי איז אים געװען פֿאַר אַ דערציערין. ¹⁷ און די שכנות האָבן אים געגעבן אַ נאָמען, אַזױ צו זאָגן: אַ זון איז געבאָרן געװאָרן בײַ נָעמין; און זײ האָבן גערופֿן זײַן נאָמען עוֹבֵד. דאָס איז דער פֿאָטער פֿון יִשַי דעם פֿאָטער פֿון דודן.
יח וְאֵ֙לֶּה֙ תּוֹלְד֣וֹת פָּ֔רֶץ פֶּ֖רֶץ הוֹלִ֥יד אֶת־חֶצְרֽוֹן׃ ^יט וְחֶצְרוֹן֙ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־רָ֔ם וְרָ֖ם הוֹלִ֥יד אֶת־עַמִּֽינָדָֽב׃ ^כ וְעַמִּֽינָדָב֙ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־נַחְשׁ֔וֹן וְנַחְשׁ֖וֹן הוֹלִ֥יד אֶת־שַׂלְמָֽה׃ ^כא וְשַׂלְמוֹן֙ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־בֹּ֔עַז וּבֹ֖עַז הוֹלִ֥יד אֶת־עוֹבֵֽד׃ ^כב וְעֹבֵד֙ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־יִשָׁ֔י וְיִשַׁ֖י הוֹלִ֥יד אֶת־דָּוִֽד׃	¹⁸ און דאָס זײַנען די געבורטן פֿון פֶּרֶצן: פֶּרֶץ האָט געבאָרן חֶצרוֹנען; ¹⁹ און חֶצרוֹן האָט געבאָרן רָמען, און רָם האָט געבאָרן עַמינָדָבן; ²⁰ און עַמינָדָב האָט געבאָרן נַחשוֹנען, און נַחשוֹן האָט געבאָרן שַׂלמָהן; ²¹ און שַׂלמוֹן האָט געבאָרן בוֹעַזן, און בוֹעַז האָט געבאָרן עוֹבֵדן; ²² און עוֹבֵד האָט געבאָרן יִשַין, און יִשַי האָט געבאָרן דודן.

💬 מגילת רות | Megillat Rut (translated by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer, 2024)

the Mesorah (TaNaKh) — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 15:50:19 +0000

A new original translation of the Book of Ruth, using gender-neutral terminology for God and with relevant names calqued in footnotes.

Source (Hebrew)	Translation (English)
רות פרק א וַיְהִ֗י בִּימֵי֙ שְׁפֹ֣ט הַשֹּׁפְטִ֔ים וַיְהִ֥י רָעָ֖ב בָּאָ֑רֶץ וַיֵּ֨לֶךְ אִ֜ישׁ מִבֵּ֧ית לֶ֣חֶם יְהוּדָ֗ה לָגוּר֙ בִּשְׂדֵ֣י מוֹאָ֔ב ה֥וּא וְאִשְׁתּ֖וֹ וּשְׁנֵ֥י בָנָֽיו׃ וְשֵׁ֣ם הָאִ֣ישׁ אֱֽלִימֶ֡לֶךְ וְשֵׁם֩ אִשְׁתּ֨וֹ נׇעֳמִ֜י וְשֵׁ֥ם שְׁנֵֽי־בָנָ֣יו ׀ מַחְל֤וֹן וְכִלְיוֹן֙ אֶפְרָתִ֔ים מִבֵּ֥ית לֶ֖חֶם יְהוּדָ֑ה וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ שְׂדֵֽי־מוֹאָ֖ב וַיִּֽהְיוּ־שָֽׁם׃ וַיָּ֥מׇת אֱלִימֶ֖לֶךְ אִ֣ישׁ נׇעֳמִ֑י וַתִּשָּׁאֵ֥ר הִ֖יא וּשְׁנֵ֥י בָנֶֽיהָ׃ וַיִּשְׂא֣וּ לָהֶ֗ם נָשִׁים֙ מֹֽאֲבִיּ֔וֹת שֵׁ֤ם הָאַחַת֙ עׇרְפָּ֔ה וְשֵׁ֥ם הַשֵּׁנִ֖ית ר֑וּת וַיֵּ֥שְׁבוּ שָׁ֖ם כְּעֶ֥שֶׂר שָׁנִֽים׃ וַיָּמֻ֥תוּ גַם־שְׁנֵיהֶ֖ם מַחְל֣וֹן וְכִלְי֑וֹן וַתִּשָּׁאֵר֙ הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה מִשְּׁנֵ֥י יְלָדֶ֖יהָ וּמֵאִישָֽׁהּ׃ וַתָּ֤קׇם הִיא֙ וְכַלֹּתֶ֔יהָ וַתָּ֖שׇׁב מִשְּׂדֵ֣י מוֹאָ֑ב כִּ֤י שָֽׁמְעָה֙ בִּשְׂדֵ֣ה מוֹאָ֔ב כִּֽי־פָקַ֤ד יְהֹוָה֙ אֶת־עַמּ֔וֹ לָתֵ֥ת לָהֶ֖ם לָֽחֶם׃ וַתֵּצֵ֗א מִן־הַמָּקוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הָֽיְתָה־שָּׁ֔מָּה וּשְׁתֵּ֥י כַלּוֹתֶ֖יהָ עִמָּ֑הּ וַתֵּלַ֣כְנָה בַדֶּ֔רֶךְ לָשׁ֖וּב אֶל־אֶ֥רֶץ יְהוּדָֽה׃ וַתֹּ֤אמֶר נׇעֳמִי֙ לִשְׁתֵּ֣י כַלֹּתֶ֔יהָ לֵ֣כְנָה שֹּׁ֔בְנָה אִשָּׁ֖ה לְבֵ֣ית אִמָּ֑הּ יעשה יַ֣עַשׂ יְהֹוָ֤ה עִמָּכֶם֙ חֶ֔סֶד כַּאֲשֶׁ֧ר עֲשִׂיתֶ֛ם עִם־הַמֵּתִ֖ים וְעִמָּדִֽי׃ יִתֵּ֤ן יְהֹוָה֙ לָכֶ֔ם וּמְצֶ֣אןָ מְנוּחָ֔ה אִשָּׁ֖ה בֵּ֣ית אִישָׁ֑הּ וַתִּשַּׁ֣ק לָהֶ֔ן וַתִּשֶּׂ֥אנָה קוֹלָ֖ן וַתִּבְכֶּֽינָה׃ וַתֹּאמַ֖רְנָה־לָּ֑הּ כִּֽי־אִתָּ֥ךְ נָשׁ֖וּב לְעַמֵּֽךְ׃ וַתֹּ֤אמֶר נׇעֳמִי֙ שֹׁ֣בְנָה בְנֹתַ֔י לָ֥מָּה תֵלַ֖כְנָה עִמִּ֑י הַעֽוֹד־לִ֤י בָנִים֙ בְּֽמֵעַ֔י וְהָי֥וּ לָכֶ֖ם לַאֲנָשִֽׁים׃ שֹׁ֤בְנָה בְנֹתַי֙ לֵ֔כְןָ כִּ֥י זָקַ֖נְתִּי מִהְי֣וֹת לְאִ֑ישׁ כִּ֤י אָמַ֙רְתִּי֙ יֶשׁ־לִ֣י תִקְוָ֔ה גַּ֣ם הָיִ֤יתִי הַלַּ֙יְלָה֙ לְאִ֔ישׁ וְגַ֖ם יָלַ֥דְתִּי בָנִֽים׃ הֲלָהֵ֣ן ׀ תְּשַׂבֵּ֗רְנָה עַ֚ד אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִגְדָּ֔לוּ הֲלָהֵן֙ תֵּעָגֵ֔נָה לְבִלְתִּ֖י הֱי֣וֹת לְאִ֑ישׁ אַ֣ל בְּנֹתַ֗י כִּֽי־מַר־לִ֤י מְאֹד֙ מִכֶּ֔ם כִּֽי־יָצְאָ֥ה בִ֖י יַד־יְהֹוָֽה׃ וַתִּשֶּׂ֣נָה קוֹלָ֔ן וַתִּבְכֶּ֖ינָה ע֑וֹד וַתִּשַּׁ֤ק עׇרְפָּה֙ לַחֲמוֹתָ֔הּ וְר֖וּת דָּ֥בְקָה בָּֽהּ׃ וַתֹּ֗אמֶר הִנֵּה֙ שָׁ֣בָה יְבִמְתֵּ֔ךְ אֶל־עַמָּ֖הּ וְאֶל־אֱלֹהֶ֑יהָ שׁ֖וּבִי אַחֲרֵ֥י יְבִמְתֵּֽךְ׃ וַתֹּ֤אמֶר רוּת֙ אַל־תִּפְגְּעִי־בִ֔י לְעׇזְבֵ֖ךְ לָשׁ֣וּב מֵאַחֲרָ֑יִךְ כִּ֠י אֶל־אֲשֶׁ֨ר תֵּלְכִ֜י אֵלֵ֗ךְ וּבַאֲשֶׁ֤ר תָּלִ֙ינִי֙ אָלִ֔ין עַמֵּ֣ךְ עַמִּ֔י וֵאלֹהַ֖יִךְ אֱלֹהָֽי׃ בַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר תָּמ֙וּתִי֙ אָמ֔וּת וְשָׁ֖ם אֶקָּבֵ֑ר כֹּה֩ יַעֲשֶׂ֨ה יְהֹוָ֥ה לִי֙ וְכֹ֣ה יוֹסִ֔יף כִּ֣י הַמָּ֔וֶת יַפְרִ֖יד בֵּינִ֥י וּבֵינֵֽךְ׃ וַתֵּ֕רֶא כִּֽי־מִתְאַמֶּ֥צֶת הִ֖יא לָלֶ֣כֶת אִתָּ֑הּ וַתֶּחְדַּ֖ל לְדַבֵּ֥ר אֵלֶֽיהָ׃ וַתֵּלַ֣כְנָה שְׁתֵּיהֶ֔ם עַד־בּוֹאָ֖נָה בֵּ֣ית לָ֑חֶם וַיְהִ֗י כְּבוֹאָ֙נָה֙ בֵּ֣ית לֶ֔חֶם וַתֵּהֹ֤ם כׇּל־הָעִיר֙ עֲלֵיהֶ֔ן וַתֹּאמַ֖רְנָה הֲזֹ֥את נׇעֳמִֽי׃ וַתֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶ֔ן אַל־תִּקְרֶ֥אנָה לִ֖י נׇעֳמִ֑י קְרֶ֤אןָ לִי֙ מָרָ֔א כִּֽי־הֵמַ֥ר שַׁדַּ֛י לִ֖י מְאֹֽד׃ אֲנִי֙ מְלֵאָ֣ה הָלַ֔כְתִּי וְרֵיקָ֖ם הֱשִׁיבַ֣נִי יְהֹוָ֑ה לָ֣מָּה תִקְרֶ֤אנָה לִי֙ נׇעֳמִ֔י וַֽיהֹוָה֙ עָ֣נָה בִ֔י וְשַׁדַּ֖י הֵ֥רַֽע לִֽי׃ וַתָּ֣שׇׁב נׇעֳמִ֗י וְר֨וּת הַמּוֹאֲבִיָּ֤ה כַלָּתָהּ֙ עִמָּ֔הּ הַשָּׁ֖בָה מִשְּׂדֵ֣י מוֹאָ֑ב וְהֵ֗מָּה בָּ֚אוּ בֵּ֣ית לֶ֔חֶם בִּתְחִלַּ֖ת קְצִ֥יר שְׂעֹרִֽים׃	Ruth, chapter 1 And it was, in the days the judges judged, there was a famine in the land, and a man went from Bethlehem^[1] house of bread in Judah, to stay in the fields of Moab,^[2] from the father him and his wife and his two sons. And the man’s name was Elimelekh,^[3] my God is sovereign and his wife’s name was Naʿomi,^[4] my sweetness and his two sons were named Maḥlon^[5] sickness and Khilyon,^[6] destruction Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah, and they came to the fields of Moab and were there. And Elimelekh Naʿomi’s husband^[7] The word translated as ”husband” is equivalent to the word translated as ”man” depending on the context. died, and she remained with her two sons. And they took Moabite wives — one named ʿOrpah^[8] her nape and the other named Ruth,^[9] girlfriend and they stayed there around ten years. And the two of them also died, Maḥlon and Khilyon, and the woman remained without her two sons and her husband. And she got up with her daughters-in-law and returned from the fields of Moab, because she heard in the fields of Moab that the Cause accounted for Their people to give them bread. And she left the place that she had been, and her two daughters-in-law with her, and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. And Naʿomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return, each woman to her father’s house. Let the Cause do kindness to you just as you did with the dead and me. May the Cause grant you that you find rest, each woman in her husband’s house.” And she kissed them and they raised their voice and cried. And they said to her, “But with you we will return to your people!” And Naʿomi said, “Return, my daughters! Why would you go with me? Do I still have sons in my innards that you would have as husbands? Return, my daughters, go! For I am too old to have a husband, for if I had said I had hope, if I had a husband tonight and bore children, would you wait until they grew? Would you cloister yourself rather than having a husband? No, my daughters! For I am far bitterer than you, for the Cause’s hand went out against me.” And they raised their voices and cried more, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth stuck with her. And she said, “Hey, your sister-in-law returned to her people and her god. Return after your sister-in-law!” And Ruth said, “Do not entreat me to leave you, to return from after you; for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge, your people is my people, and your God is my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried; thus and more will the Cause do to me and if death separates me from you!” And she saw that she obstinately went with her, and refrained from speaking to her. And the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem, and it was when they came to Bethlehem that all the city murmered about it and said, “Is that Naʿomi!?” And she said to them, “Don’t call me Naʿomi! Call me Mara,^[10] bitter for Shaddai has embittered me greatly. I went full and the Cause returned me empty; why would you call me Naʿomi, when the Cause afflicted me and Shaddai harmed me?” And Naʿomi returned, with Ruth the Moabite her daughter-in-law, returning from the fields of Moab, and they came to Bethlehem at the start of the barley harvest.
רות פרק ב וּֽלְנׇעֳמִ֞י מידע מוֹדָ֣ע לְאִישָׁ֗הּ אִ֚ישׁ גִּבּ֣וֹר חַ֔יִל מִמִּשְׁפַּ֖חַת אֱלִימֶ֑לֶךְ וּשְׁמ֖וֹ בֹּֽעַז׃ וַתֹּ֩אמֶר֩ ר֨וּת הַמּוֹאֲבִיָּ֜ה אֶֽל־נׇעֳמִ֗י אֵלְﬞכָה־נָּ֤א הַשָּׂדֶה֙ וַאֲלַקֳּטָ֣ה בַֽשִּׁבֳּלִ֔ים אַחַ֕ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֶמְצָא־חֵ֖ן בְּעֵינָ֑יו וַתֹּ֥אמֶר לָ֖הּ לְכִ֥י בִתִּֽי׃ וַתֵּ֤לֶךְ וַתָּבוֹא֙ וַתְּלַקֵּ֣ט בַּשָּׂדֶ֔ה אַחֲרֵ֖י הַקֹּצְרִ֑ים וַיִּ֣קֶר מִקְרֶ֔הָ חֶלְקַ֤ת הַשָּׂדֶה֙ לְבֹ֔עַז אֲשֶׁ֖ר מִמִּשְׁפַּ֥חַת אֱלִימֶֽלֶךְ׃ וְהִנֵּה־בֹ֗עַז בָּ֚א מִבֵּ֣ית לֶ֔חֶם וַיֹּ֥אמֶר לַקּוֹצְרִ֖ים יְהֹוָ֣ה עִמָּכֶ֑ם וַיֹּ֥אמְרוּ ל֖וֹ יְבָרֶכְךָ֥ יְהֹוָֽה׃ וַיֹּ֤אמֶר בֹּ֙עַז֙ לְנַֽעֲר֔וֹ הַנִּצָּ֖ב עַל־הַקּוֹצְרִ֑ים לְמִ֖י הַנַּעֲרָ֥ה הַזֹּֽאת׃ וַיַּ֗עַן הַנַּ֛עַר הַנִּצָּ֥ב עַל־הַקּוֹצְרִ֖ים וַיֹּאמַ֑ר נַעֲרָ֤ה מֽוֹאֲבִיָּה֙ הִ֔יא הַשָּׁ֥בָה עִֽם־נׇעֳמִ֖י מִשְּׂדֵ֥י מוֹאָֽב׃ וַתֹּ֗אמֶר אֲלַקֳּטָה־נָּא֙ וְאָסַפְתִּ֣י בָעֳמָרִ֔ים אַחֲרֵ֖י הַקּוֹצְרִ֑ים וַתָּב֣וֹא וַֽתַּעֲמ֗וֹד מֵאָ֤ז הַבֹּ֙קֶר֙ וְעַד־עַ֔תָּה זֶ֛ה שִׁבְתָּ֥הּ הַבַּ֖יִת מְעָֽט׃ וַיֹּ֩אמֶר֩ בֹּ֨עַז אֶל־ר֜וּת הֲל֧וֹא שָׁמַ֣עַתְּ בִּתִּ֗י אַל־תֵּֽלְכִי֙ לִלְקֹט֙ בְּשָׂדֶ֣ה אַחֵ֔ר וְגַ֛ם לֹ֥א תַעֲבוּרִ֖י מִזֶּ֑ה וְכֹ֥ה תִדְבָּקִ֖ין עִם־נַעֲרֹתָֽי׃ עֵינַ֜יִךְ בַּשָּׂדֶ֤ה אֲשֶׁר־יִקְצֹרוּן֙ וְהָלַ֣כְתְּ אַחֲרֵיהֶ֔ן הֲל֥וֹא צִוִּ֛יתִי אֶת־הַנְּעָרִ֖ים לְבִלְתִּ֣י נׇגְעֵ֑ךְ וְצָמִ֗ת וְהָלַכְתְּ֙ אֶל־הַכֵּלִ֔ים וְשָׁתִ֕ית מֵאֲשֶׁ֥ר יִשְׁאֲב֖וּן הַנְּעָרִֽים׃ וַתִּפֹּל֙ עַל־פָּנֶ֔יהָ וַתִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ אָ֑רְצָה וַתֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֗יו מַדּ֩וּעַ֩ מָצָ֨אתִי חֵ֤ן בְּעֵינֶ֙יךָ֙ לְהַכִּירֵ֔נִי וְאָנֹכִ֖י נׇכְרִיָּֽה׃ וַיַּ֤עַן בֹּ֙עַז֙ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לָ֔הּ הֻגֵּ֨ד הֻגַּ֜ד לִ֗י כֹּ֤ל אֲשֶׁר־עָשִׂית֙ אֶת־חֲמוֹתֵ֔ךְ אַחֲרֵ֖י מ֣וֹת אִישֵׁ֑ךְ וַתַּעַזְבִ֞י אָבִ֣יךְ וְאִמֵּ֗ךְ וְאֶ֙רֶץ֙ מֽוֹלַדְתֵּ֔ךְ וַתֵּ֣לְכִ֔י אֶל־עַ֕ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־יָדַ֖עַתְּ תְּמ֥וֹל שִׁלְשֽׁוֹם׃ יְשַׁלֵּ֥ם יְהֹוָ֖ה פׇּעֳלֵ֑ךְ וּתְהִ֨י מַשְׂכֻּרְתֵּ֜ךְ שְׁלֵמָ֗ה מֵעִ֤ם יְהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֖את לַחֲס֥וֹת תַּחַת־כְּנָפָֽיו׃ וַ֠תֹּ֠אמֶר אֶמְצָא־חֵ֨ן בְּעֵינֶ֤יךָ אֲדֹנִי֙ כִּ֣י נִֽחַמְתָּ֔נִי וְכִ֥י דִבַּ֖רְתָּ עַל־לֵ֣ב שִׁפְחָתֶ֑ךָ וְאָֽנֹכִי֙ לֹ֣א אֶהְיֶ֔ה כְּאַחַ֖ת שִׁפְחֹתֶֽיךָ׃ וַיֹּ֩אמֶר֩ לָ֨הֿ בֹ֜עַז לְעֵ֣ת הָאֹ֗כֶל גֹּ֤שִֽׁי הֲלֹם֙ וְאָכַ֣לְתְּ מִן־הַלֶּ֔חֶם וְטָבַ֥לְתְּ פִּתֵּ֖ךְ בַּחֹ֑מֶץ וַתֵּ֙שֶׁב֙ מִצַּ֣ד הַקֹּצְרִ֔ים וַיִּצְבׇּט־לָ֣הּ קָלִ֔י וַתֹּ֥אכַל וַתִּשְׂבַּ֖ע וַתֹּתַֽר׃ וַתָּ֖קׇם לְלַקֵּ֑ט וַיְצַו֩ בֹּ֨עַז אֶת־נְעָרָ֜יו לֵאמֹ֗ר גַּ֣ם בֵּ֧ין הָעֳמָרִ֛ים תְּלַקֵּ֖ט וְלֹ֥א תַכְלִימֽוּהָ׃ וְגַ֛ם שֹׁל־תָּשֹׁ֥לּוּ לָ֖הּ מִן־הַצְּבָתִ֑ים וַעֲזַבְתֶּ֥ם וְלִקְּטָ֖ה וְלֹ֥א תִגְעֲרוּ־בָֽהּ׃ וַתְּלַקֵּ֥ט בַּשָּׂדֶ֖ה עַד־הָעָ֑רֶב וַתַּחְבֹּט֙ אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁר־לִקֵּ֔טָה וַיְהִ֖י כְּאֵיפָ֥ה שְׂעֹרִֽים׃ וַתִּשָּׂא֙ וַתָּב֣וֹא הָעִ֔יר וַתֵּ֥רֶא חֲמוֹתָ֖הּ אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁר־לִקֵּ֑טָה וַתּוֹצֵא֙ וַתִּתֶּן־לָ֔הּ אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר־הוֹתִ֖רָה מִשׇּׂבְעָֽהּ׃ וַתֹּ֩אמֶר֩ לָ֨הּ חֲמוֹתָ֜הּ אֵיפֹ֨ה לִקַּ֤טְתְּ הַיּוֹם֙ וְאָ֣נָה עָשִׂ֔ית יְהִ֥י מַכִּירֵ֖ךְ בָּר֑וּךְ וַתַּגֵּ֣ד לַחֲמוֹתָ֗הּ אֵ֤ת אֲשֶׁר־עָֽשְׂתָה֙ עִמּ֔וֹ וַתֹּ֗אמֶר שֵׁ֤ם הָאִישׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשִׂ֧יתִי עִמּ֛וֹ הַיּ֖וֹם בֹּֽעַז׃ וַתֹּ֨אמֶר נׇעֳמִ֜י לְכַלָּתָ֗הּ בָּר֥וּךְ הוּא֙ לַיהֹוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר֙ לֹא־עָזַ֣ב חַסְדּ֔וֹ אֶת־הַחַיִּ֖ים וְאֶת־הַמֵּתִ֑ים וַתֹּ֧אמֶר לָ֣הּ נׇעֳמִ֗י קָר֥וֹב לָ֙נוּ֙ הָאִ֔ישׁ מִֽגֹּאֲלֵ֖נוּ הֽוּא׃ וַתֹּ֖אמֶר ר֣וּת הַמּוֹאֲבִיָּ֑ה גַּ֣ם ׀ כִּי־אָמַ֣ר אֵלַ֗י עִם־הַנְּעָרִ֤ים אֲשֶׁר־לִי֙ תִּדְבָּקִ֔ין עַ֣ד אִם־כִּלּ֔וּ אֵ֥ת כׇּל־הַקָּצִ֖יר אֲשֶׁר־לִֽי׃ וַתֹּ֥אמֶר נׇעֳמִ֖י אֶל־ר֣וּת כַּלָּתָ֑הּ ט֣וֹב בִּתִּ֗י כִּ֤י תֵצְאִי֙ עִם־נַ֣עֲרוֹתָ֔יו וְלֹ֥א יִפְגְּעוּ־בָ֖ךְ בְּשָׂדֶ֥ה אַחֵֽר׃ וַתִּדְבַּ֞ק בְּנַעֲר֥וֹת בֹּ֙עַז֙ לְלַקֵּ֔ט עַד־כְּל֥וֹת קְצִֽיר־הַשְּׂעֹרִ֖ים וּקְצִ֣יר הַחִטִּ֑ים וַתֵּ֖שֶׁב אֶת־חֲמוֹתָֽהּ׃	Ruth, chapter 2 And Naʿomi had a known relative on her husband’s side, quite a wealthy man from Elimelekh’s family, named Boʿaz.^[11] inner strength And Ruth the Moabite said to Naʿomi, “Please let me go to the field so I can gather in the grain, after someone in whose eyes I would find grace.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” And she went and came and gathered in the field after the harvesters, and what should happen but the portion of field was Boʿaz’s, from Elimelekh’s family! And hey, Boʿaz was coming from Bethlehem, and he said to the harvesters, ”The Cause be with you!” and they said to him, ”The Cause bless you!” And Boʿaz said to his guy overseeing the harvesters, ”Whose girl is this?” And the guy overseeing the harvesters answered and said, ”A Moabite girl is she, having returned with Naʿomi from the fields of Moab. And she said, ’Let me gather, please, and I will collect in the sheaves^[12] Omers after the harvesters,’ and she went and stood from the morning until now; barely any time has she sat in the hut.” And Boʿaz said to Ruth, ”Haven’t you heard, my daughter? Don’t go gather in another field, and don’t pass from here, but stick with my girls. Your eyes on the field they’re harvesting, and go after them; haven’t I ordered the guys not to harass you? And if you thirst, go to the jars and drink what the guys have drawn.” And she fell on her face and prostrated to the ground and said to him, ”Why have I found grace in your eyes, to recognize me though I am a foreigner?” And Boʿaz answered and said to her, ”It was told, told to me all that you did for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband, that you left your father and mother and the land of your birth and went to a people that you did not know the day and days before. May the Cause repay your labor, and may your reward be complete with the Cause, God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge!” And she said, ”I have found grace in your eyes, milord, that you comforted me and spoke to the heart of your servant, though I am not even like one of your servants.” And Boʿaz said to ’er^[13] Purposeful spelling, to reflect the lack of mappiq on the hei. at suppertime, ”Come over here and eat fromt he bread and dip your pita in vinegar!” And she sat by the side of the harvesters, and he grabbed her some roasted grain and she ate and was sated and had leftovers. And she got up to gather, and Boʿaz commanded his guys, quote: ”Both let her gather among the sheaves without humiliating her, and pull out, pull out some from the bales and leave them for her to gather, and do not rebuke her.” And she gathered in the field until evening, and threshed what she had gathered, about an ephah^[14] Around 40 liters — 10 omer of barley. And she took and came to town and showed her mother-in-law what she had gathered and went out and gave her what was left over from her satiety. And her mother-in-law said to her, ”Where did you gather today, and to where did you work? May your recognizer be blessed!” And she told her mother-in-law what she did with him, and said, ”The name of the man with whom I worked today was Boʿaz.” And Naʿomi said to her daughter-in-law, ”Blessed be he to the Cause, who has not abandoned Their kindness to the living and the dead!” And then Naʿomi told her, ”A relative of ours is this man, from our redeemers is he!” And Ruth the Moabite said, ”Also, he said to me, ’stick with the guys that are with me, until they finish with all my harvest.’” And Naʿomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, ”It’s good, my daughter, that you go out with his girls, and not be harassed in another field.” And she stuck with Boʿaz’ girls to gather until the end of the barley-harvest and the wheat-harvest, and returned to her mother-in-law.
רות פרק ג וַתֹּ֥אמֶר לָ֖הּ נׇעֳמִ֣י חֲמוֹתָ֑הּ בִּתִּ֕י הֲלֹ֧א אֲבַקֶּשׁ־לָ֛ךְ מָנ֖וֹחַ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יִֽיטַב־לָֽךְ׃ וְעַתָּ֗ה הֲלֹ֥א בֹ֙עַז֙ מֹֽדַעְתָּ֔נוּ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָיִ֖ית אֶת־נַעֲרוֹתָ֑יו הִנֵּה־ה֗וּא זֹרֶ֛ה אֶת־גֹּ֥רֶן הַשְּׂעֹרִ֖ים הַלָּֽיְלָה׃ וְרָחַ֣צְתְּ ׀ וָסַ֗כְתְּ וְשַׂ֧מְתְּ שמלתך שִׂמְלֹתַ֛יִךְ עָלַ֖יִךְ וירדתי וְיָרַ֣דְתְּ הַגֹּ֑רֶן אַל־תִּוָּדְעִ֣י לָאִ֔ישׁ עַ֥ד כַּלֹּת֖וֹ לֶאֱכֹ֥ל וְלִשְׁתּֽוֹת׃ וִיהִ֣י בְשׇׁכְב֗וֹ וְיָדַ֙עַתְּ֙ אֶת־הַמָּקוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִשְׁכַּב־שָׁ֔ם וּבָ֛את וְגִלִּ֥ית מַרְגְּלֹתָ֖יו ושכבתי וְשָׁכָ֑בְתְּ וְהוּא֙ יַגִּ֣יד לָ֔ךְ אֵ֖ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר תַּעֲשִֽׂין׃ וַתֹּ֖אמֶר אֵלֶ֑יהָ כֹּ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־תֹּאמְרִ֥י אֵלַ֖י אֶעֱשֶֽׂה׃ וַתֵּ֖רֶד הַגֹּ֑רֶן וַתַּ֕עַשׂ כְּכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־צִוַּ֖תָּה חֲמוֹתָֽהּ׃ וַיֹּ֨אכַל בֹּ֤עַז וַיֵּשְׁתְּ֙ וַיִּיטַ֣ב לִבּ֔וֹ וַיָּבֹ֕א לִשְׁכַּ֖ב בִּקְצֵ֣ה הָעֲרֵמָ֑ה וַתָּבֹ֣א בַלָּ֔ט וַתְּגַ֥ל מַרְגְּלֹתָ֖יו וַתִּשְׁכָּֽב׃ וַֽיְהִי֙ בַּחֲצִ֣י הַלַּ֔יְלָה וַיֶּחֱרַ֥ד הָאִ֖ישׁ וַיִּלָּפֵ֑ת וְהִנֵּ֣ה אִשָּׁ֔ה שֹׁכֶ֖בֶת מַרְגְּלֹתָֽיו׃ וַיֹּ֖אמֶר מִי־אָ֑תְּ וַתֹּ֗אמֶר אָֽנֹכִי֙ ר֣וּת אֲמָתֶ֔ךָ וּפָרַשְׂתָּ֤ כְנָפֶ֙ךָ֙ עַל־אֲמָ֣תְךָ֔ כִּ֥י גֹאֵ֖ל אָֽתָּה׃ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר בְּרוּכָ֨ה אַ֤תְּ לַֽיהֹוָה֙ בִּתִּ֔י הֵיטַ֛בְתְּ חַסְדֵּ֥ךְ הָאַחֲר֖וֹן מִן־הָרִאשׁ֑וֹן לְבִלְתִּי־לֶ֗כֶת אַֽחֲרֵי֙ הַבַּ֣חוּרִ֔ים אִם־דַּ֖ל וְאִם־עָשִֽׁיר׃ וְעַתָּ֗ה בִּתִּי֙ אַל־תִּ֣ירְאִ֔י כֹּ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־תֹּאמְרִ֖י אֶעֱשֶׂה־לָּ֑ךְ כִּ֤י יוֹדֵ֙עַ֙ כׇּל־שַׁ֣עַר עַמִּ֔י כִּ֛י אֵ֥שֶׁת חַ֖יִל אָֽתְּ׃ וְעַתָּה֙ כִּ֣י אׇמְנָ֔ם כִּ֥י אם גֹאֵ֖ל אָנֹ֑כִי וְגַ֛ם יֵ֥שׁ גֹּאֵ֖ל קָר֥וֹב מִמֶּֽנִּי׃ לִ֣ינִי ׀ הַלַּ֗יְלָה וְהָיָ֤ה בַבֹּ֙קֶר֙ אִם־יִגְאָלֵ֥ךְ טוֹב֙ יִגְאָ֔ל וְאִם־לֹ֨א יַחְפֹּ֧ץ לְגׇאֳלֵ֛ךְ וּגְאַלְתִּ֥יךְ אָנֹ֖כִי חַי־יְהֹוָ֑ה שִׁכְבִ֖י עַד־הַבֹּֽקֶר׃ וַתִּשְׁכַּ֤ב מַרְגְּלוֹתָו֙ עַד־הַבֹּ֔קֶר וַתָּ֕קׇם בטרום בְּטֶ֛רֶם יַכִּ֥יר אִ֖ישׁ אֶת־רֵעֵ֑הוּ וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אַל־יִוָּדַ֔ע כִּי־בָ֥אָה הָאִשָּׁ֖ה הַגֹּֽרֶן׃ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הָ֠בִ֠י הַמִּטְפַּ֧חַת אֲשֶׁר־עָלַ֛יִךְ וְאֶחֳזִי־בָ֖הּ וַתֹּ֣אחֶז בָּ֑הּ וַיָּ֤מׇד שֵׁשׁ־שְׂעֹרִים֙ וַיָּ֣שֶׁת עָלֶ֔יהָ וַיָּבֹ֖א הָעִֽיר׃ וַתָּבוֹא֙ אֶל־חֲמוֹתָ֔הּ וַתֹּ֖אמֶר מִי־אַ֣תְּ בִּתִּ֑י וַתַּ֨גֶּד־לָ֔הּ אֵ֛ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂה־לָ֖הּ הָאִֽישׁ׃ וַתֹּ֕אמֶר שֵׁשׁ־הַשְּׂעֹרִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה נָ֣תַן לִ֑י כִּ֚י אָמַ֣ר אֵלַ֔י אַל־תָּב֥וֹאִי רֵיקָ֖ם אֶל־חֲמוֹתֵֽךְ׃ וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ שְׁבִ֣י בִתִּ֔י עַ֚ד אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֵּֽדְעִ֔ין אֵ֖יךְ יִפֹּ֣ל דָּבָ֑ר כִּ֣י לֹ֤א יִשְׁקֹט֙ הָאִ֔ישׁ כִּֽי־אִם־כִּלָּ֥ה הַדָּבָ֖ר הַיּֽוֹם׃	Ruth, chapter 3 And Naʿomi her mother-in-law said to her, ”My daughter, shouldn’t I find you rest that would be good for you? And now, isn’t Boʿaz, whose girls you were with, our known relative? And he’ll be winnowing at the barley threshing-floor tonight! So you’ll wash and make yourself up and put on your dress and go down to the threshing-floor — don’t make yourself known to the man until he’s done eating and drinking. And when he’s lying down, and you know the place where he is lying down, you’ll come and uncover his feet and lie there, and he will tell you what to do.” And she told her, ”All that you say to me^[15] ”to me” is read but not written I will do.” And she went down to the threshing-floor and did all that her mother-in-law commanded her. And Boʿaz ate and drank and felt good, and he went to sleep by the bale, and she went silently and uncovered his feet and slept. And it was at midnight, and the man shook awake and turned up,^[16] A humorous translation of the hapax legomenon וַיִּלָּפֵ֑ת , which appears to have the same root as לֶפֶת (turnip). and hey — a woman sleeping at his feet! And he said, ”Who are you?” And she said, ”I am Ruth your handmaid, and spread your cloak over your handmaid because you are a redeemer.” And he said, ”Blessed are you to the Cause, my daughter; your latest kindness is even better than your first, in not going after the young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, fear not; all that you have said I will do for you, for all my people’s gate knows that a valiant woman are you. And now, although I am^[17] ”may be” is written. a redeemer, there is also a closer redeemer than me. Lodge tonight, and come morning, if he will redeem you, good — let him redeem! But if he doesn’t want to redeem you, I myself will redeem you — as the Cause lives! Stay here until morning.” And she slept at his feet until morning, and got up before one man could recognize and other, and he said, ”Don’t let it be known that a woman came to the threshing-floor!” And he said, ”Proffer me that cloak on you, and hold it out,” and she held it out, and he measured six bits of barley, and he put it on her, and she came to the town. And she came to her mother-in-law and she said, ”Who are you? My daughter?” And she told her everything that the man did to her. And she said, ”These six bits of barley he gave me, because he said to me^[18] ”to me” is read but not written ’you shouldn’t return empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’” And she said, ”Sit, my daughter, until you know how the matter will fall, because that man will not be silent unless the matter ends today.”
רות פרק ד וּבֹ֨עַז עָלָ֣ה הַשַּׁ֘עַר֮ וַיֵּ֣שֶׁב שָׁם֒ וְהִנֵּ֨ה הַגֹּאֵ֤ל עֹבֵר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֶּר־בֹּ֔עַז וַיֹּ֛אמֶר ס֥וּרָה שְׁבָה־פֹּ֖ה פְּלֹנִ֣י אַלְמֹנִ֑י וַיָּ֖סַר וַיֵּשֵֽׁב׃ וַיִּקַּ֞ח עֲשָׂרָ֧ה אֲנָשִׁ֛ים מִזִּקְנֵ֥י הָעִ֖יר וַיֹּ֣אמֶר שְׁבוּ־פֹ֑ה וַיֵּשֵֽׁבוּ׃ וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לַגֹּאֵ֔ל חֶלְקַת֙ הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר לְאָחִ֖ינוּ לֶאֱלִימֶ֑לֶךְ מָכְרָ֣ה נׇעֳמִ֔י הַשָּׁ֖בָה מִשְּׂדֵ֥ה מוֹאָֽב׃ וַאֲנִ֨י אָמַ֜רְתִּי אֶגְלֶ֧ה אׇזְנְךָ֣ לֵאמֹ֗ר קְ֠נֵ֠ה נֶ֥גֶד הַיֹּשְׁבִים֮ וְנֶ֣גֶד זִקְנֵ֣י עַמִּי֒ אִם־תִּגְאַל֙ גְּאָ֔ל וְאִם־לֹ֨א יִגְאַ֜ל הַגִּ֣ידָה לִּ֗י ואדע וְאֵֽדְעָה֙ כִּ֣י אֵ֤ין זוּלָֽתְךָ֙ לִגְא֔וֹל וְאָנֹכִ֖י אַחֲרֶ֑יךָ וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אָנֹכִ֥י אֶגְאָֽל׃ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר בֹּ֔עַז בְּיוֹם־קְנוֹתְךָ֥ הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה מִיַּ֣ד נׇעֳמִ֑י וּ֠מֵאֵ֠ת ר֣וּת הַמּוֹאֲבִיָּ֤ה אֵֽשֶׁת־הַמֵּת֙ קניתי קָנִ֔יתָ לְהָקִ֥ים שֵׁם־הַמֵּ֖ת עַל־נַחֲלָתֽוֹ׃ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר הַגֹּאֵ֗ל לֹ֤א אוּכַל֙ לגאול לִגְאׇל־לִ֔י פֶּן־אַשְׁחִ֖ית אֶת־נַחֲלָתִ֑י גְּאַל־לְךָ֤ אַתָּה֙ אֶת־גְּאֻלָּתִ֔י כִּ֥י לֹא־אוּכַ֖ל לִגְאֹֽל׃ וְזֹאת֩ לְפָנִ֨ים בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל עַל־הַגְּאֻלָּ֤ה וְעַל־הַתְּמוּרָה֙ לְקַיֵּ֣ם כׇּל־דָּבָ֔ר שָׁלַ֥ף אִ֛ישׁ נַעֲל֖וֹ וְנָתַ֣ן לְרֵעֵ֑הוּ וְזֹ֥את הַתְּעוּדָ֖ה בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ וַיֹּ֧אמֶר הַגֹּאֵ֛ל לְבֹ֖עַז קְנֵה־לָ֑ךְ וַיִּשְׁלֹ֖ף נַעֲלֽוֹ׃ וַיֹּ֩אמֶר֩ בֹּ֨עַז לַזְּקֵנִ֜ים וְכׇל־הָעָ֗ם עֵדִ֤ים אַתֶּם֙ הַיּ֔וֹם כִּ֤י קָנִ֙יתִי֙ אֶת־כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֶאֱלִימֶ֔לֶךְ וְאֵ֛ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר לְכִלְי֖וֹן וּמַחְל֑וֹן מִיַּ֖ד נׇעֳמִֽי׃ וְגַ֣ם אֶת־ר֣וּת הַמֹּאֲבִיָּה֩ אֵ֨שֶׁת מַחְל֜וֹן קָנִ֧יתִי לִ֣י לְאִשָּׁ֗ה לְהָקִ֤ים שֵׁם־הַמֵּת֙ עַל־נַ֣חֲלָת֔וֹ וְלֹֽא־יִכָּרֵ֧ת שֵׁם־הַמֵּ֛ת מֵעִ֥ם אֶחָ֖יו וּמִשַּׁ֣עַר מְקוֹמ֑וֹ עֵדִ֥ים אַתֶּ֖ם הַיּֽוֹם׃ וַיֹּ֨אמְר֜וּ כׇּל־הָעָ֧ם אֲשֶׁר־בַּשַּׁ֛עַר וְהַזְּקֵנִ֖ים עֵדִ֑ים יִתֵּן֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֶֽת־הָאִשָּׁ֜ה הַבָּאָ֣ה אֶל־בֵּיתֶ֗ךָ כְּרָחֵ֤ל ׀ וּכְלֵאָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר בָּנ֤וּ שְׁתֵּיהֶם֙ אֶת־בֵּ֣ית יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַעֲשֵׂה־חַ֣יִל בְּאֶפְרָ֔תָה וּקְרָא־שֵׁ֖ם בְּבֵ֥ית לָֽחֶם׃ וִיהִ֤י בֵֽיתְךָ֙ כְּבֵ֣ית פֶּ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־יָלְדָ֥ה תָמָ֖ר לִיהוּדָ֑ה מִן־הַזֶּ֗רַע אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִתֵּ֤ן יְהֹוָה֙ לְךָ֔ מִן־הַֽנַּעֲרָ֖ה הַזֹּֽאת׃ וַיִּקַּ֨ח בֹּ֤עַז אֶת־רוּת֙ וַתְּהִי־ל֣וֹ לְאִשָּׁ֔ה וַיָּבֹ֖א אֵלֶ֑יהָ וַיִּתֵּ֨ן יְהֹוָ֥ה לָ֛הּ הֵרָי֖וֹן וַתֵּ֥לֶד בֵּֽן׃ וַתֹּאמַ֤רְנָה הַנָּשִׁים֙ אֶֽל־נׇעֳמִ֔י בָּר֣וּךְ יְהֹוָ֔ה אֲ֠שֶׁ֠ר לֹ֣א הִשְׁבִּ֥ית לָ֛ךְ גֹּאֵ֖ל הַיּ֑וֹם וְיִקָּרֵ֥א שְׁמ֖וֹ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ וְהָ֤יָה לָךְ֙ לְמֵשִׁ֣יב נֶ֔פֶשׁ וּלְכַלְכֵּ֖ל אֶת־שֵׂיבָתֵ֑ךְ כִּ֣י כַלָּתֵ֤ךְ אֲֽשֶׁר־אֲהֵבַ֙תֶךְ֙ יְלָדַ֔תּוּ אֲשֶׁר־הִיא֙ ט֣וֹבָה לָ֔ךְ מִשִּׁבְעָ֖ה בָּנִֽים׃ וַתִּקַּ֨ח נׇעֳמִ֤י אֶת־הַיֶּ֙לֶד֙ וַתְּשִׁתֵ֣הוּ בְחֵיקָ֔הּ וַתְּהִי־ל֖וֹ לְאֹמֶֽנֶת׃ וַתִּקְרֶ֩אנָה֩ ל֨וֹ הַשְּׁכֵנ֥וֹת שֵׁם֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר יֻלַּד־בֵּ֖ן לְנׇעֳמִ֑י וַתִּקְרֶ֤אנָֽה שְׁמוֹ֙ עוֹבֵ֔ד ה֥וּא אֲבִֽי־יִשַׁ֖י אֲבִ֥י דָוִֽד׃ [פ]	Ruth, chapter 4 And Boʿaz was going up to the gate and sat there, and hey, the redeemer whom Boʿaz spoke of was passing by, and he said, ”Turn around, sit here, Ploni Almoni!”^[19] So-and-so, John Doe and he turned around and sat. And he took ten men from the town elders and said, ”Sit here,” and they sat. And he said to the redeemer, ”The portion of the field that was our brother Elimelekh’s, Naʿomi who came back from the fields of Moab is selling. And I had thought I should reveal to your ear, to say, acquire it facing the seated and facing the elders of my people. If you will redeem, redeem! But if one will not redeem, please tell me so I can know,^[20] Written: ”and I will know” because none but you can redeem and I after you,” And he said, ”I will redeem.” And Boʿaz said, ”On the day you acquire the field from Naʿomi, so too of Ruth the Moabite wife of the deceased you^[21] Written: ”I” will acquire, to raise the deceased’s name over his inheritance.” And the redeemer said, ”I cannot redeem for me, lest I ruin my inheritance. Redeem for yourself, you, my redemption, for I cannot redeem.” And this was done back then in Israel for redeeming and exchange, to fulfill any matter: a man remʿOved his shoe and gave it to his fellow, and thus was the validation in Israel. And the redeemer said to Boʿaz, ”Acquire it yourself, ” and he remʿOved his shoe. And Boʿaz said to the elders and all the people, ”Witnesses are you today that I acquired all that was Elimelekh’s and all that was Khilyon and Maḥlon’s from Naʿomi. And so too Ruth the Moabite the wife of Maḥlon I have acquired for myself as a wife, to raise the deceased’s name over his inheritance, and so the deceased’s name will not be cut off from his brothers and from the gates of his place — you are witnesses today!” And all the people in the gate and the elders said, ”We witness! May the Cause grant the wife coming into your house like Rachel and Leah who both built the house of Israel, and be mighty in Ephratha and of called name in Bethlehem! And may your house be like the house of Peretz who Tamar bore to Yehuda, from the seed that the Cause gives you from this girl!” And Boʿaz took Ruth and she was his wife, and he came onto her, and the Cause gave her pregnancy and she bore a son. And the women said to Naʿomi, ”Blessed be the Cause who has not withheld from you a redeemer today, and let his name be called in Israel! And let him renew your soul and fulfill your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you and is better to you than seven sons bore him!” And Naʿomi took the boy and held him in her lap, and became his nanny. And the neighborhood women called his name, saying, ”A son, born to Naʿomi!” and they called his name ʿOved,^[22] servant he was the father of Yishai,^[23] I have the father of David.
וְאֵ֙לֶּה֙ תּוֹלְד֣וֹת פָּ֔רֶץ פֶּ֖רֶץ הוֹלִ֥יד אֶת־חֶצְרֽוֹן׃ וְחֶצְרוֹן֙ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־רָ֔ם וְרָ֖ם הוֹלִ֥יד אֶת־עַמִּינָדָֽב׃ וְעַמִּֽינָדָב֙ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־נַחְשׁ֔וֹן וְנַחְשׁ֖וֹן הוֹלִ֥יד אֶת־שַׂלְמָֽה׃ וְשַׂלְמוֹן֙ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־בֹּ֔עַז וּבֹ֖עַז הוֹלִ֥יד אֶת־עוֹבֵֽד׃ וְעֹבֵד֙ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־יִשָׁ֔י וְיִשַׁ֖י הוֹלִ֥יד אֶת־דָּוִֽד׃	And these are the generations of Peretz: Peretz begat Ḥetzron^[24] girt And Ḥetzron begat Ram,^[25] high and Ram begat ʿAmminadav.^[26] my people’s noble And ʿAmminadav begat Naḥshon,^[27] snake-diviner and Naḥshon begat Salmah.^[28] garb And Salmon begat Boʿaz, and Boʿaz begat ʿOved. And ʿOved begat Yishai, and Yishai begat David.

Notes

Notes
1	house of bread
2	from the father
3	my God is sovereign
4	my sweetness
5	sickness
6	destruction
7	The word translated as ”husband” is equivalent to the word translated as ”man” depending on the context.
8	her nape
9	girlfriend
10	bitter
11	inner strength
12	Omers
13	Purposeful spelling, to reflect the lack of mappiq on the hei.
14	Around 40 liters — 10 omer
15	”to me” is read but not written
16	A humorous translation of the hapax legomenon וַיִּלָּפֵ֑ת , which appears to have the same root as לֶפֶת (turnip).
17	”may be” is written.
18	”to me” is read but not written
19	So-and-so, John Doe
20	Written: ”and I will know”
21	Written: ”I”
22	servant
23	I have
24	girt
25	high
26	my people’s noble
27	snake-diviner
28	garb

💬 מגילת רות | Megillat Rūt: Chantable English translation with trōp, by Len Fellman

the Mesorah (TaNaKh) — Thu, 21 May 2020 10:45:05 +0000

DOWNLOAD:

PDF | ODT (sans Hebrew)
PDF | ODT (with Hebrew)
PDF (with Hebrew and embedded audio)

This is a megillah reading for Rūt (Ruth), transtropilated. (Transtropilation is the term coined by Len Fellman to describe the process of translating from cantillated Hebrew, as closely as possible, “word for word and trōp for trōp”, with the main purpose being to aid a person with minimal Hebrew training in following the Hebrew leyning word for word.) This translation is based on the following translations: Aryeh Kaplan’s The Living Torah (also my source for proper names & transliterations), Richard Elliott Friedman’s The Bible With Sources Revealed, Everett Fox’s The Five Books of Moses, The Stone Edition Tanach, The JPS Tanakh (Hebrew-English 2nd Ed. 2000) along with Orlinsky’s Notes on the New Translation of the Torah, The Jerusalem Bible (1966, also my source for topic headings), The New King James Bible; occasionally, esp. for Haftarot: The Torah—A Modern Commentary by Plaut et al; for Megillot, I also use H.L. Ginsberg’s The Five Megillot and Jonah.

Source

Recordings

Ruth chapter 1:
https://archive.org/download/megillat-ruth-with-english-transtropilation-audio-len-fellman-2020/Megillat%20Ruth%20with%20Transtropilation%20-%2001%20-%20Ruth%20chapter%201%20%28Hebrew%20%26%20English%29.mp3

Ruth chapter 2:
https://archive.org/download/megillat-ruth-with-english-transtropilation-audio-len-fellman-2020/Megillat%20Ruth%20with%20Transtropilation%20-%2002%20-%20Ruth%20chapter%202%20%28Hebrew%20%26%20English%29.mp3

Ruth chapter 3:
https://archive.org/download/megillat-ruth-with-english-transtropilation-audio-len-fellman-2020/Megillat%20Ruth%20with%20Transtropilation%20-%2003%20-%20Ruth%20chapter%203%20%28Hebrew%20%26%20English%29.mp3

Ruth chapter 4:
https://archive.org/download/megillat-ruth-with-english-transtropilation-audio-len-fellman-2020/Megillat%20Ruth%20with%20Transtropilation%20-%2004%20-%20Ruth%20chapter%204%20%28Hebrew%20%26%20English%29.mp3

💬 מגילת אסתר | Megillat Esther: Chantable English translation with trōp, by Len Fellman

the Mesorah (TaNaKh) — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 22:19:34 +0000

DOWNLOAD:

PDF | ODT (sans Hebrew)
PDF | ODT (with Hebrew)

This is a megillah reading for Esther, transtropilated. (Transtropilation is the term coined by Len Fellman to describe the process of translating from cantillated Hebrew, as closely as possible, “word for word and trōp for trōp”, with the main purpose being to aid a person with minimal Hebrew training in following the Hebrew leyning word for word.) This translation is based on the following translations: Aryeh Kaplan’s The Living Torah (also my source for proper names & transliterations), Richard Elliott Friedman’s The Bible With Sources Revealed, Everett Fox’s The Five Books of Moses, The Stone Edition Tanach, The JPS Tanakh (Hebrew-English 2nd Ed. 2000) along with Orlinsky’s Notes on the New Translation of the Torah, The Jerusalem Bible (1966, also my source for topic headings), The New King James Bible; occasionally, esp. for Haftarot: The Torah—A Modern Commentary by Plaut et al; for Megillot, I also use H.L. Ginsberg’s The Five Megillot and Jonah.

Source

Recordings

Esther chapter 1
https://archive.org/download/megillat-esther-with-transtropilation-len-fellman-2019/Megillat%20Esther%20ch.01%20%28Len%20Fellman%202019%29.mp3

English transtropilation:
https://archive.org/download/megillat-esther-with-transtropilation-len-fellman-2019/Megillat%20Esther%20with%20English%20transtropilation%20ch.01%20%28Len%20Fellman%202019%29.mp3

Esther chapter 2
https://archive.org/download/megillat-esther-with-transtropilation-len-fellman-2019/Megillat%20Esther%20ch.02%20%28Len%20Fellman%202019%29.mp3

Esther chapter 3
https://archive.org/download/megillat-esther-with-transtropilation-len-fellman-2019/Megillat%20Esther%20ch.03%20%28Len%20Fellman%202019%29.mp3

Esther chapter 4
https://archive.org/download/megillat-esther-with-transtropilation-len-fellman-2019/Megillat%20Esther%20ch.04%20%28Len%20Fellman%202019%29.mp3

Esther chapter 5
https://archive.org/download/megillat-esther-with-transtropilation-len-fellman-2019/Megillat%20Esther%20ch.05%20%28Len%20Fellman%202019%29.mp3

Esther chapter 6
https://archive.org/download/megillat-esther-with-transtropilation-len-fellman-2019/Megillat%20Esther%20ch.06%20%28Len%20Fellman%202019%29.mp3

Esther chapter 7
https://archive.org/download/megillat-esther-with-transtropilation-len-fellman-2019/Megillat%20Esther%20ch.07%20%28Len%20Fellman%202019%29.mp3

Esther chapter 8
https://archive.org/download/megillat-esther-with-transtropilation-len-fellman-2019/Megillat%20Esther%20ch.08%20%28Len%20Fellman%202019%29.mp3

Esther chapter 9
https://archive.org/download/megillat-esther-with-transtropilation-len-fellman-2019/Megillat%20Esther%20ch.09%20%28Len%20Fellman%202019%29.mp3

Esther chapter 10
https://archive.org/download/megillat-esther-with-transtropilation-len-fellman-2019/Megillat%20Esther%20ch.10%20%28Len%20Fellman%202019%29.mp3

💬 שִׁיר הַשִּׁירִים | Shir haShirim :: the Song of Songs, chantable English translation with trōp by Len Fellman

Len Fellman (translation) — Tue, 09 Apr 2019 02:54:10 +0000

DOWNLOAD:

PDF | ODT (sans Hebrew)
PDF (sans Hebrew with audio)
PDF | ODT (with Hebrew)
PDF (with Hebrew and audio)

This is a reading for the Song of Songs (Shir haShirim, a/k/a Canticles), transtropilated. (Transtropilation is the term coined by Len Fellman to describe the process of translating from cantillated Hebrew, as closely as possible, “word for word and trōp for trōp”, with the main purpose being to aid a person with minimal Hebrew training in following the Hebrew leyning word for word.) This translation is based on the following translations: Ariel and Chana Bloch, H.L. Ginsberg’s The Five Megillot and Jonah, Marcia Falk, and The JPS Tanakh (Hebrew-English 2nd Ed. 2000), The Jerusalem Bible (1966), and the New King James Bible.

Source

Recordings

Shir haShirim chapter 1
https://archive.org/download/Shir-HaShirim-with-English-Transtropilation-audio-Len-Fellman-2019/Len%20Fellman%20-%20Shir%20haShirim%20chapter%201%20%28Hebrew%29.mp3
English transtropilation:
https://archive.org/download/Shir-HaShirim-with-English-Transtropilation-audio-Len-Fellman-2019/Len%20Fellman%20-%20Shir%20haShirim%20chapter%201%20%28English%29.mp3

Shir haShirim chapter 2
https://archive.org/download/Shir-HaShirim-with-English-Transtropilation-audio-Len-Fellman-2019/Len%20Fellman%20-%20Shir%20haShirim%20chapter%202%20%28Hebrew%29.mp3
English transtropilation:
https://archive.org/download/Shir-HaShirim-with-English-Transtropilation-audio-Len-Fellman-2019/Len%20Fellman%20-%20Shir%20haShirim%20chapter%202%20%28English%29.mp3

Shir haShirim chapter 3
https://archive.org/download/Shir-HaShirim-with-English-Transtropilation-audio-Len-Fellman-2019/Len%20Fellman%20-%20Shir%20haShirim%20chapter%203%20%28Hebrew%29.mp3
English transtropilation:
https://archive.org/download/Shir-HaShirim-with-English-Transtropilation-audio-Len-Fellman-2019/Len%20Fellman%20-%20Shir%20haShirim%20chapter%203%20%28English%29.mp3

Shir haShirim chapter 4
https://archive.org/download/Shir-HaShirim-with-English-Transtropilation-audio-Len-Fellman-2019/Len%20Fellman%20-%20Shir%20haShirim%20chapter%204%20%28Hebrew%29.mp3
English transtropilation:
https://archive.org/download/Shir-HaShirim-with-English-Transtropilation-audio-Len-Fellman-2019/Len%20Fellman%20-%20Shir%20haShirim%20chapter%204%20%28English%29.mp3

Shir haShirim chapter 5
https://archive.org/download/Shir-HaShirim-with-English-Transtropilation-audio-Len-Fellman-2019/Len%20Fellman%20-%20Shir%20haShirim%20chapter%205%20%28Hebrew%29.mp3
English transtropilation:
https://archive.org/download/Shir-HaShirim-with-English-Transtropilation-audio-Len-Fellman-2019/Len%20Fellman%20-%20Shir%20haShirim%20chapter%205%20%28English%29.mp3

Shir haShirim chapter 6
https://archive.org/download/Shir-HaShirim-with-English-Transtropilation-audio-Len-Fellman-2019/Len%20Fellman%20-%20Shir%20haShirim%20chapter%206%20%28Hebrew%29.mp3
English transtropilation:
https://archive.org/download/Shir-HaShirim-with-English-Transtropilation-audio-Len-Fellman-2019/Len%20Fellman%20-%20Shir%20haShirim%20chapter%206%20%28English%29.mp3

Shir haShirim chapter 7
https://archive.org/download/Shir-HaShirim-with-English-Transtropilation-audio-Len-Fellman-2019/Len%20Fellman%20-%20Shir%20haShirim%20chapter%207%20%28Hebrew%29.mp3
English transtropilation:
https://archive.org/download/Shir-HaShirim-with-English-Transtropilation-audio-Len-Fellman-2019/Len%20Fellman%20-%20Shir%20haShirim%20chapter%207%20%28English%29.mp3

Shir haShirim chapter 8
https://archive.org/download/Shir-HaShirim-with-English-Transtropilation-audio-Len-Fellman-2019/Len%20Fellman%20-%20Shir%20haShirim%20chapter%208%20%28Hebrew%29.mp3
English transtropilation:
https://archive.org/download/Shir-HaShirim-with-English-Transtropilation-audio-Len-Fellman-2019/Len%20Fellman%20-%20Shir%20haShirim%20chapter%208%20%28English%29.mp3

💬 סדר מגילת אסתר עם פסוקים שנאמרו על אסתר ומרדכי | Seder Megillat Esther (with verses to be said for Esther and Mordekhai)

Aharon N. Varady (transcription) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 07:22:57 +0000

Minhagim

Rabbi Rallis Wiesenthal explains that in the tradition of Ashkenaz, “three tsedakah boxes are put out. a) זכר למחצית השקל (the half shekel) which is given to benefit torah scholars in Jerusalem, b) מתנות לאביונים (gifts for the needy), and c) אגרא דתעניתא צדקה, (the cost of the meals one would have eaten that day). The minhag was to give שלוח מנות (gifts of food) after the daytime megillah reading, and not before.”

Shmueli Gonzales writes, “It is a mitsvah on Purim for everyone to read Megillat Esther, or hear it read; once at night, and again during the day. In the evening it is read after the Maariv Amidah and the Full-Kaddish is recited; in the morning the Shaḥarit Amidah and Ḥatzi-Kaddish is recited, followed by the Torah reading, and then the Megillah is read at that point. The Megillah is to be unrolled and folded into three parts, as one would a letter. It is the custom of ḤaBaD to say the שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ blessing both at night and by day.

R’ Wiesenthal adds, “A request for absolute quiet (שתיקה יפה בשעת קריאת המגילה וברכותיה!‏) is made before the blessings for the megillah reading. According to R. Yisroel Strauss of KAJ WH ‘Groggers (sirens, whistles, etc) are fairly new, 30-35 years. In fact most of the noise is still generated with stamping feet and banging of the shtender covers. The first mention of המן (Hâman) gets about four seconds and the rest about 1-2 seconds, his wife זרש (Zeresh) gets equal treatment.’”

During a public reading, four verses are read aloud by the assembled (2:5, 8:15-16, 10:3). As three of these verses pertain specifically to Mordekhai’s role in the story, a growing custom at megillah readings is to include three verses that underscore Esther’s role in the story, “since it is Esther who risks her life to save the Jewish people,” as Julia Andelman explains. These are the verses 2:7, 5:1, and 9:32. I’ve highlighted in yellow all of these verses and included their transliteration. –Aharon Varady

Source (Hebrew)	Translation (English)
לפני קריאת המגילה החזן אומר הברכות האלו:‏	Before reading Megillat Esther the following blessings are said; listeners respond אָמֵן.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֺתָיו, וְצִוָּֽנוּ עַל מִקְרָא מְגִלָּה:‏	Blessed are you, Hashem our elo’ah, cosmic majesty, who sanctifies us through mitsvot, and commands us concerning the reading of the Megillah.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה:‏	Blessed are you, Hashem our elo’ah, cosmic majesty, who made miracles for our ancestors in their days in this season.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָֽנוּ וְקִיְּמָֽנוּ וְהִגִּיעָֽנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה:‏	Blessed are you, Hashem our elo’ah, cosmic majesty, who has kept us alive, and has preserved us, and enabled us to reach this season.
מְגִלָּת אֶסְתֵּר	Megillat Esther
אֶסְתֵּר א https://archive.org/download/megilatestherhillelhayyimlaveryyisraeli2010/Megilat%20Esther%20Chapter%2001%20%28Hillel%20%E1%B8%A4ayyim%20Lavery-Yisra%C3%ABli%202010%29.mp3	Chapter 1
¹ וַיְהִ֖י בִּימֵ֣י אֲחַשְׁוֵר֑וֹשׁ ה֣וּא אֲחַשְׁוֵר֗וֹשׁ הַמֹּלֵךְ֙ מֵהֹ֣דּוּ וְעַד־כּ֔וּשׁ שֶׁ֛בַע וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים וּמֵאָ֖ה מְדִינָֽה׃ ² בַּיָּמִ֖ים הָהֵ֑ם כְּשֶׁ֣בֶת ׀ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֗וֹשׁ עַ֚ל כִּסֵּ֣א מַלְכוּת֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּשׁוּשַׁ֥ן הַבִּירָֽה׃ ³ בִּשְׁנַ֤ת שָׁלוֹשׁ֙ לְמָלְכ֔וֹ עָשָׂ֣ה מִשְׁתֶּ֔ה לְכָל־שָׂרָ֖יו וַעֲבָדָ֑יו חֵ֣יל ׀ פָּרַ֣ס וּמָדַ֗י הַֽפַּרְתְּמִ֛ים וְשָׂרֵ֥י הַמְּדִינ֖וֹת לְפָנָֽיו׃ ⁴ בְּהַרְאֹת֗וֹ אֶת־עֹ֙שֶׁר֙ כְּב֣וֹד מַלְכוּת֔וֹ וְאֶ֨ת־יְקָ֔ר תִּפְאֶ֖רֶת גְּדוּלָּת֑וֹ יָמִ֣ים רַבִּ֔ים שְׁמוֹנִ֥ים וּמְאַ֖ת יֽוֹם׃	¹ Now it came to pass in the days of Aḥashverosh—this is Aḥashverosh who reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over a hundred and seven and twenty provinces— ² that in those days, when the king Aḥashverosh sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the castle, ³ in the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the army of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him; ⁴ when he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty, many days, even a hundred and fourscore days.
⁵ וּבִמְל֣וֹאת ׀ הַיָּמִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה עָשָׂ֣ה הַמֶּ֡לֶךְ לְכָל־הָעָ֣ם הַנִּמְצְאִים֩ בְּשׁוּשַׁ֨ן הַבִּירָ֜ה לְמִגָּ֧דוֹל וְעַד־קָטָ֛ן מִשְׁתֶּ֖ה שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֑ים בַּחֲצַ֕ר גִּנַּ֥ת בִּיתַ֖ן הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ ⁶ ח֣וּר ׀ כַּרְפַּ֣ס וּתְכֵ֗לֶת אָחוּז֙ בְּחַבְלֵי־ב֣וּץ וְאַרְגָּמָ֔ן עַל־גְּלִ֥ילֵי כֶ֖סֶף וְעַמּ֣וּדֵי שֵׁ֑שׁ מִטּ֣וֹת ׀ זָהָ֣ב וָכֶ֗סֶף עַ֛ל רִֽצְפַ֥ת בַּהַט־וָשֵׁ֖שׁ וְדַ֥ר וְסֹחָֽרֶת׃ ⁷ וְהַשְׁקוֹת֙ בִּכְלֵ֣י זָהָ֔ב וְכֵלִ֖ים מִכֵּלִ֣ים שׁוֹנִ֑ים וְיֵ֥ין מַלְכ֛וּת רָ֖ב כְּיַ֥ד הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ ⁸ וְהַשְּׁתִיָּ֥ה כַדָּ֖ת אֵ֣ין אֹנֵ֑ס כִּי־כֵ֣ן ׀ יִסַּ֣ד הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ עַ֚ל כָּל־רַ֣ב בֵּית֔וֹ לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת כִּרְצ֥וֹן אִישׁ־וָאִֽישׁ׃	⁵ And when these days were fulfilled, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the castle, both great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace; ⁶ there were hangings of white, fine cotton, and blue, bordered with cords of fine linen and purple, upon silver rods and pillars of marble; the couches were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of green, and white, and shell, and onyx marble. ⁷ And they gave them drink in vessels of gold— the vessels being diverse one from another—and royal wine in abundance, according to the bounty of the king. ⁸ And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel; for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure.
⁹ גַּ֚ם וַשְׁתִּ֣י הַמַּלְכָּ֔ה עָשְׂתָ֖ה מִשְׁתֵּ֣ה נָשִׁ֑ים בֵּ֚ית הַמַּלְכ֔וּת אֲשֶׁ֖ר לַמֶּ֥לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרֽוֹשׁ׃ {ס}	⁹ Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Aḥashverosh.
¹⁰ בַּיּוֹם֙ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י כְּט֥וֹב לֵב־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ בַּיָּ֑יִן אָמַ֡ר לִ֠מְהוּמָן בִּזְּתָ֨א חַרְבוֹנָ֜א בִּגְתָ֤א וַאֲבַגְתָא֙ זֵתַ֣ר וְכַרְכַּ֔ס שִׁבְעַת֙ הַסָּ֣רִיסִ֔ים הַמְשָׁ֣רְתִ֔ים אֶת־פְּנֵ֖י הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרֽוֹשׁ׃ ¹¹ לְ֠הָבִיא אֶת־וַשְׁתִּ֧י הַמַּלְכָּ֛ה לִפְנֵ֥י הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ בְּכֶ֣תֶר מַלְכ֑וּת לְהַרְא֨וֹת הָֽעַמִּ֤ים וְהַשָּׂרִים֙ אֶת־יָפְיָ֔הּ כִּֽי־טוֹבַ֥ת מַרְאֶ֖ה הִֽיא׃ ¹² וַתְּמָאֵ֞ן הַמַּלְכָּ֣ה וַשְׁתִּ֗י לָבוֹא֙ בִּדְבַ֣ר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּיַ֣ד הַסָּרִיסִ֑ים וַיִּקְצֹ֤ף הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ מְאֹ֔ד וַחֲמָת֖וֹ בָּעֲרָ֥ה בֽוֹ׃	¹⁰ On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Bizzeta, Ḥarbona, Bigta, and Avagta, Zetar, and Kharkas, the seven chamberlains that ministered in the presence of Aḥashverosh the king, ¹¹ to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to show the peoples and the princes her beauty; for she was fair to look on. ¹² But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by the chamberlains; therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
¹³ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ לַחֲכָמִ֖ים יֹדְעֵ֣י הָֽעִתִּ֑ים כִּי־כֵן֙ דְּבַ֣ר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ לִפְנֵ֕י כָּל־יֹדְעֵ֖י דָּ֥ת וָדִֽין׃ ¹⁴ וְהַקָּרֹ֣ב אֵלָ֗יו כַּרְשְׁנָ֤א שֵׁתָר֙ אַדְמָ֣תָא תַרְשִׁ֔ישׁ מֶ֥רֶס מַרְסְנָ֖א מְמוּכָ֑ן שִׁבְעַ֞ת שָׂרֵ֣י ׀ פָּרַ֣ס וּמָדַ֗י רֹאֵי֙ פְּנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ הַיֹּשְׁבִ֥ים רִאשֹׁנָ֖ה בַּמַּלְכֽוּת׃ ¹⁵ כְּדָת֙ מַֽה־לַּעֲשׂ֔וֹת בַּמַּלְכָּ֖ה וַשְׁתִּ֑י עַ֣ל ׀ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹֽא־עָשְׂתָ֗ה אֶֽת־מַאֲמַר֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ בְּיַ֖ד הַסָּרִיסִֽים׃ {ס}	¹³ Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times—for so was the king’s manner toward all that knew law and judgment; ¹⁴ and the next unto him was Karsh’na, Shetar, Admata, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memukhan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the king’s face, and sat the first in the kingdom: ¹⁵ ’What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, forasmuch as she has not done the bidding of the king Aḥashverosh by the chamberlains?’
¹⁶ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר מומכן מְמוּכָ֗ן לִפְנֵ֤י הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ וְהַשָּׂרִ֔ים לֹ֤א עַל־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ לְבַדּ֔וֹ עָוְתָ֖ה וַשְׁתִּ֣י הַמַּלְכָּ֑ה כִּ֤י עַל־כָּל־הַשָּׂרִים֙ וְעַל־כָּל־הָ֣עַמִּ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֕ר בְּכָל־מְדִינ֖וֹת הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרֽוֹשׁ׃ ¹⁷ כִּֽי־יֵצֵ֤א דְבַר־הַמַּלְכָּה֙ עַל־כָּל־הַנָּשִׁ֔ים לְהַבְז֥וֹת בַּעְלֵיהֶ֖ן בְּעֵינֵיהֶ֑ן בְּאָמְרָ֗ם הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֡וֹשׁ אָמַ֞ר לְהָבִ֨יא אֶת־וַשְׁתִּ֧י הַמַּלְכָּ֛ה לְפָנָ֖יו וְלֹא־בָֽאָה׃ ¹⁸ וְֽהַיּ֨וֹם הַזֶּ֜ה תֹּאמַ֣רְנָה ׀ שָׂר֣וֹת פָּֽרַס־וּמָדַ֗י אֲשֶׁ֤ר שָֽׁמְעוּ֙ אֶת־דְּבַ֣ר הַמַּלְכָּ֔ה לְכֹ֖ל שָׂרֵ֣י הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וּכְדַ֖י בִּזָּי֥וֹן וָקָֽצֶף׃ ¹⁹ אִם־עַל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ ט֗וֹב יֵצֵ֤א דְבַר־מַלְכוּת֙ מִלְּפָנָ֔יו וְיִכָּתֵ֛ב בְּדָתֵ֥י פָֽרַס־וּמָדַ֖י וְלֹ֣א יַעֲב֑וֹר אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־תָב֜וֹא וַשְׁתִּ֗י לִפְנֵי֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ וּמַלְכוּתָהּ֙ יִתֵּ֣ן הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ לִרְעוּתָ֖הּ הַטּוֹבָ֥ה מִמֶּֽנָּה׃ ²⁰ וְנִשְׁמַע֩ פִּתְגָ֨ם הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ אֲשֶֽׁר־יַעֲשֶׂה֙ בְּכָל־מַלְכוּת֔וֹ כִּ֥י רַבָּ֖ה הִ֑יא וְכָל־הַנָּשִׁ֗ים יִתְּנ֤וּ יְקָר֙ לְבַעְלֵיהֶ֔ן לְמִגָּד֖וֹל וְעַד־קָטָֽן׃	¹⁶ And Memukhan answered before the king and the princes: ‘Vashti the queen has not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the peoples, that are in all the provinces of the king Aḥashverosh. ¹⁷ For this deed of the queen will come abroad unto all women, to make their husbands contemptible in their eyes, when it will be said: The king Aḥashverosh commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not. ¹⁸ And this day will the princesses of Persia and Media who have heard of the deed of the queen say the like unto all the king’s princes. So will there arise enough contempt and wrath. ¹⁹ If it please the king, let there go forth a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, that Vashti come no more before king Aḥashverosh, and that the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. ²⁰ And when the king’s decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his kingdom, great though it be, all the wives will give to their husband’s honour, both to great and small.’
²¹ וַיִּיטַב֙ הַדָּבָ֔ר בְּעֵינֵ֥י הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ וְהַשָּׂרִ֑ים וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ כִּדְבַ֥ר מְמוּכָֽן׃ ²² וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח סְפָרִים֙ אֶל־כָּל־מְדִינ֣וֹת הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ אֶל־מְדִינָ֤ה וּמְדִינָה֙ כִּכְתָבָ֔הּ וְאֶל־עַ֥ם וָעָ֖ם כִּלְשׁוֹנ֑וֹ לִהְי֤וֹת כָּל־אִישׁ֙ שֹׂרֵ֣ר בְּבֵית֔וֹ וּמְדַבֵּ֖ר כִּלְשׁ֥וֹן עַמּֽוֹ׃ {פ}	²¹ And the word pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memukhan; ²² for he sent letters into all the king’s provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and speak according to the language of his people.
אֶסְתֵּר ב https://archive.org/download/megilatestherhillelhayyimlaveryyisraeli2010/Megilat%20Esther%20Chapter%2002%20%28Hillel%20%E1%B8%A4ayyim%20Lavery-Yisra%C3%ABli%202010%29.mp3	Chapter 2
¹ אַחַר֙ הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה כְּשֹׁ֕ךְ חֲמַ֖ת הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֑וֹשׁ זָכַ֤ר אֶת־וַשְׁתִּי֙ וְאֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֔תָה וְאֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר־נִגְזַ֖ר עָלֶֽיהָ׃ ² וַיֹּאמְר֥וּ נַעֲרֵֽי־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ מְשָׁרְתָ֑יו יְבַקְשׁ֥וּ לַמֶּ֛לֶךְ נְעָר֥וֹת בְּתוּל֖וֹת טוֹב֥וֹת מַרְאֶֽה׃ ³ וְיַפְקֵ֨ד הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ פְּקִידִים֮ בְּכָל־מְדִינ֣וֹת מַלְכוּתוֹ֒ וְיִקְבְּצ֣וּ אֶת־כָּל־נַעֲרָֽה־בְ֠תוּלָה טוֹבַ֨ת מַרְאֶ֜ה אֶל־שׁוּשַׁ֤ן הַבִּירָה֙ אֶל־בֵּ֣ית הַנָּשִׁ֔ים אֶל־יַ֥ד הֵגֶ֛א סְרִ֥יס הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ שֹׁמֵ֣ר הַנָּשִׁ֑ים וְנָת֖וֹן תַּמְרוּקֵיהֶֽן׃ ⁴ וְהַֽנַּעֲרָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר תִּיטַב֙ בְּעֵינֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ תִּמְלֹ֖ךְ תַּ֣חַת וַשְׁתִּ֑י וַיִּיטַ֧ב הַדָּבָ֛ר בְּעֵינֵ֥י הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ וַיַּ֥עַשׂ כֵּֽן׃ {ס}	¹ After these things, when the wrath of king Aḥashverosh was assuaged, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her. ² Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him: ‘Let there be sought for the king young virgins fair to look on; ³ and let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the castle, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Heygeh the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their ointments be given them; ⁴ and let the maiden that pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.’ And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.
⁵ אִ֣ישׁ יְהוּדִ֔י הָיָ֖ה בְּשׁוּשַׁ֣ן הַבִּירָ֑ה וּשְׁמ֣וֹ מָרְדֳּכַ֗י בֶּ֣ן יָאִ֧יר בֶּן־שִׁמְעִ֛י בֶּן־קִ֖ישׁ אִ֥ישׁ יְמִינִֽי׃ ⁶ אֲשֶׁ֤ר הָגְלָה֙ מִיר֣וּשָׁלַ֔יִם עִם־הַגֹּלָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הָגְלְתָ֔ה עִ֖ם יְכָנְיָ֣ה מֶֽלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֶגְלָ֔ה נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֖ר מֶ֥לֶךְ בָּבֶֽל׃ ⁷ וַיְהִ֨י אֹמֵ֜ן אֶת־הֲדַסָּ֗ה הִ֤יא אֶסְתֵּר֙ בַּת־דֹּד֔וֹ כִּ֛י אֵ֥ין לָ֖הּ אָ֣ב וָאֵ֑ם וְהַנַּעֲרָ֤ה יְפַת־תֹּ֙אַר֙ וְטוֹבַ֣ת מַרְאֶ֔ה וּבְמ֤וֹת אָבִ֙יהָ֙ וְאִמָּ֔הּ לְקָחָ֧הּ מָרְדֳּכַ֛י ל֖וֹ לְבַֽת׃	⁵ Ish yehudi haya beshushan habira ushemo Mordekhai ben Yaˈir ben-Shimˈi ben-Kish ish yemini There was a certain Jew in Shushan the castle, whose name was Mordekhai the son of Yair the son of Shim’i the son of Kish, a Benjamite, ⁶ who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives that had been carried away with Yekhoniah king of Yehudah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. ⁷ Vayehi omen et-Hadassa hee Esther bat-dodo ki eyn lah av vaˈem vehannaˈara yefat-toˈar vetovat marˈeh uvemot aviha veˈimmah lekaḥah Mordekhai lo levat And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter; for she had neither father nor mother, and the maiden was of beautiful form and fair to look on; and when her father and mother were dead, Mordekhai took her for his own daughter.
⁸ וַיְהִ֗י בְּהִשָּׁמַ֤ע דְּבַר־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ וְדָת֔וֹ וּֽבְהִקָּבֵ֞ץ נְעָר֥וֹת רַבּ֛וֹת אֶל־שׁוּשַׁ֥ן הַבִּירָ֖ה אֶל־יַ֣ד הֵגָ֑י וַתִּלָּקַ֤ח אֶסְתֵּר֙ אֶל־בֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ אֶל־יַ֥ד הֵגַ֖י שֹׁמֵ֥ר הַנָּשִֽׁים׃ ⁹ וַתִּיטַ֨ב הַנַּעֲרָ֣ה בְעֵינָיו֮ וַתִּשָּׂ֣א חֶ֣סֶד לְפָנָיו֒ וַ֠יְבַהֵל אֶת־תַּמְרוּקֶ֤יהָ וְאֶת־מָנוֹתֶ֙הָ֙ לָתֵ֣ת לָ֔הּ וְאֵת֙ שֶׁ֣בַע הַנְּעָר֔וֹת הָרְאֻי֥וֹת לָֽתֶת־לָ֖הּ מִבֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיְשַׁנֶּ֧הָ וְאֶת־נַעֲרוֹתֶ֛יהָ לְט֖וֹב בֵּ֥ית הַנָּשִֽׁים׃	⁸ So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was published, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the castle, to the custody of Heygeh, that Esther was taken into the king’s house, to the custody of Heygeh, keeper of the women. ⁹ And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her ointments, with her portions, and the seven maidens, who were meet to be given her out of the king’s house; and he advanced her and her maidens to the best place in the house of the women.
¹⁰ לֹא־הִגִּ֣ידָה אֶסְתֵּ֔ר אֶת־עַמָּ֖הּ וְאֶת־מֽוֹלַדְתָּ֑הּ כִּ֧י מָרְדֳּכַ֛י צִוָּ֥ה עָלֶ֖יהָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־תַגִּֽיד׃ ¹¹ וּבְכָל־י֣וֹם וָי֔וֹם מָרְדֳּכַי֙ מִתְהַלֵּ֔ךְ לִפְנֵ֖י חֲצַ֣ר בֵּית־הַנָּשִׁ֑ים לָדַ֙עַת֙ אֶת־שְׁל֣וֹם אֶסְתֵּ֔ר וּמַה־יֵּעָשֶׂ֖ה בָּֽהּ׃	¹⁰ Esther had not made known her people nor her kindred; for Mordekhai had charged her that she should not tell it. ¹¹ And Mordekhai walked every day before the court of the women’s house, to know how Esther did, and what would become of her.
¹² וּבְהַגִּ֡יעַ תֹּר֩ נַעֲרָ֨ה וְנַעֲרָ֜ה לָב֣וֹא ׀ אֶל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֗וֹשׁ מִקֵּץ֩ הֱי֨וֹת לָ֜הּ כְּדָ֤ת הַנָּשִׁים֙ שְׁנֵ֣ים עָשָׂ֣ר חֹ֔דֶשׁ כִּ֛י כֵּ֥ן יִמְלְא֖וּ יְמֵ֣י מְרוּקֵיהֶ֑ן שִׁשָּׁ֤ה חֳדָשִׁים֙ בְּשֶׁ֣מֶן הַמֹּ֔ר וְשִׁשָּׁ֤ה חֳדָשִׁים֙ בַּבְּשָׂמִ֔ים וּבְתַמְרוּקֵ֖י הַנָּשִֽׁים׃ ¹³ וּבָזֶ֕ה הַֽנַּעֲרָ֖ה בָּאָ֣ה אֶל־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ אֵת֩ כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֨ר תֹּאמַ֜ר יִנָּ֤תֵֽן לָהּ֙ לָב֣וֹא עִמָּ֔הּ מִבֵּ֥ית הַנָּשִׁ֖ים עַד־בֵּ֥ית הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ ¹⁴ בָּעֶ֣רֶב ׀ הִ֣יא בָאָ֗ה וּ֠בַבֹּקֶר הִ֣יא שָׁבָ֞ה אֶל־בֵּ֤ית הַנָּשִׁים֙ שֵׁנִ֔י אֶל־יַ֧ד שַֽׁעֲשְׁגַ֛ז סְרִ֥יס הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ שֹׁמֵ֣ר הַפִּֽילַגְשִׁ֑ים לֹא־תָב֥וֹא עוֹד֙ אֶל־הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ כִּ֣י אִם־חָפֵ֥ץ בָּ֛הּ הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ וְנִקְרְאָ֥ה בְשֵֽׁם׃	¹² Now when the turn of every maiden was come to go in to king Aḥashverosh, after that it had been done to her according to the law for the women, twelve months—for so were the days of their anointing accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six month with sweet odours, and with other ointments of the women — ¹³ when then the maiden came unto the king, whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house. ¹⁴ In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s chamberlain, who kept the concubines; she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and she were called by name.
¹⁵ וּבְהַגִּ֣יעַ תֹּר־אֶסְתֵּ֣ר בַּת־אֲבִיחַ֣יִל דֹּ֣ד מָרְדֳּכַ֡י אֲשֶׁר֩ לָקַֽח־ל֨וֹ לְבַ֜ת לָב֣וֹא אֶל־הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ לֹ֤א בִקְשָׁה֙ דָּבָ֔ר כִּ֠י אִ֣ם אֶת־אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֹאמַ֛ר הֵגַ֥י סְרִיס־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ שֹׁמֵ֣ר הַנָּשִׁ֑ים וַתְּהִ֤י אֶסְתֵּר֙ נֹשֵׂ֣את חֵ֔ן בְּעֵינֵ֖י כָּל־רֹאֶֽיהָ׃ ¹⁶ וַתִּלָּקַ֨ח אֶסְתֵּ֜ר אֶל־הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ֙ אֶל־בֵּ֣ית מַלְכוּת֔וֹ בַּחֹ֥דֶשׁ הָעֲשִׂירִ֖י הוּא־חֹ֣דֶשׁ טֵבֵ֑ת בִּשְׁנַת־שֶׁ֖בַע לְמַלְכוּתֽוֹ׃ ¹⁷ וַיֶּאֱהַ֨ב הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ אֶת־אֶסְתֵּר֙ מִכָּל־הַנָּשִׁ֔ים וַתִּשָּׂא־חֵ֥ן וָחֶ֛סֶד לְפָנָ֖יו מִכָּל־הַבְּתוּלֹ֑ת וַיָּ֤שֶׂם כֶּֽתֶר־מַלְכוּת֙ בְּרֹאשָׁ֔הּ וַיַּמְלִיכֶ֖הָ תַּ֥חַת וַשְׁתִּֽי׃ ¹⁸ וַיַּ֨עַשׂ הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ מִשְׁתֶּ֣ה גָד֗וֹל לְכָל־שָׂרָיו֙ וַעֲבָדָ֔יו אֵ֖ת מִשְׁתֵּ֣ה אֶסְתֵּ֑ר וַהֲנָחָ֤ה לַמְּדִינוֹת֙ עָשָׂ֔ה וַיִּתֵּ֥ן מַשְׂאֵ֖ת כְּיַ֥ד הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃	¹⁵ Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Aviḥayil the uncle of Mordekhai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Heygeh the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her. ¹⁶ So Esther was taken unto king Aḥashverosh into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Teveth, in the seventh year of his reign. ¹⁷ And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. ¹⁸ Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the bounty of the king.
¹⁹ וּבְהִקָּבֵ֥ץ בְּתוּל֖וֹת שֵׁנִ֑ית וּמָרְדֳּכַ֖י יֹשֵׁ֥ב בְּשַֽׁעַר־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ ²⁰ אֵ֣ין אֶסְתֵּ֗ר מַגֶּ֤דֶת מֽוֹלַדְתָּהּ֙ וְאֶת־עַמָּ֔הּ כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה עָלֶ֖יהָ מָרְדֳּכָ֑י וְאֶת־מַאֲמַ֤ר מָרְדֳּכַי֙ אֶסְתֵּ֣ר עֹשָׂ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר הָיְתָ֥ה בְאָמְנָ֖ה אִתּֽוֹ׃ {ס}	¹⁹ And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, and Mordekhai sat in the king’s gate— ²⁰ Esther had not yet made known her kindred nor her people; as Mordekhai had charged her; for Esther did the commandment of Mordekhai, like as when she was brought up with him—
²¹ בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵ֔ם וּמָרְדֳּכַ֖י יֹשֵׁ֣ב בְּשַֽׁעַר־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ קָצַף֩ בִּגְתָ֨ן וָתֶ֜רֶשׁ שְׁנֵֽי־סָרִיסֵ֤י הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ מִשֹּׁמְרֵ֣י הַסַּ֔ף וַיְבַקְשׁוּ֙ לִשְׁלֹ֣חַ יָ֔ד בַּמֶּ֖לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵֽרֹשׁ׃ ²² וַיִּוָּדַ֤ע הַדָּבָר֙ לְמָרְדֳּכַ֔י וַיַּגֵּ֖ד לְאֶסְתֵּ֣ר הַמַּלְכָּ֑ה וַתֹּ֧אמֶר אֶסְתֵּ֛ר לַמֶּ֖לֶךְ בְּשֵׁ֥ם מָרְדֳּכָֽי׃	²¹ in those days, while Mordekhai sat in the king’s gate, two of the king’s chamberlains, Bigtan and Teresh, of those that kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hands on the king Aḥashverosh. ²² And the thing became known to Mordekhai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther told the king thereof in Mordekhai’s name.
²³ וַיְבֻקַּ֤שׁ הַדָּבָר֙ וַיִּמָּצֵ֔א וַיִּתָּל֥וּ שְׁנֵיהֶ֖ם עַל־עֵ֑ץ וַיִּכָּתֵ֗ב בְּסֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לִפְנֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ {פ}	²³ And when inquisition was made of the matter, and it was found to be so, they were both hanged on a tree; and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.
אֶסְתֵּר ג https://archive.org/download/megilatestherhillelhayyimlaveryyisraeli2010/Megilat%20Esther%20Chapter%2003%20%28Hillel%20%E1%B8%A4ayyim%20Lavery-Yisra%C3%ABli%202010%29.mp3	Chapter 3
¹ אַחַ֣ר ׀ הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה גִּדַּל֩ הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֜וֹשׁ אֶת־הָמָ֧ן בֶּֽן־הַמְּדָ֛תָא הָאֲגָגִ֖י וַֽיְנַשְּׂאֵ֑הוּ וַיָּ֙שֶׂם֙ אֶת־כִּסְא֔וֹ מֵעַ֕ל כָּל־הַשָּׂרִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר אִתּֽוֹ׃	¹ After these things did king Aḥashverosh promote Hâman the son of Hammedâta ha-Agagi, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.
² וְכָל־עַבְדֵ֨י הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ אֲשֶׁר־בְּשַׁ֣עַר הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ כֹּרְעִ֤ים וּמִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִים֙ לְהָמָ֔ן כִּי־כֵ֖ן צִוָּה־ל֣וֹ הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וּמָ֨רְדֳּכַ֔י לֹ֥א יִכְרַ֖ע וְלֹ֥א יִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶֽה׃ ³ וַיֹּ֨אמְר֜וּ עַבְדֵ֥י הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ אֲשֶׁר־בְּשַׁ֥עַר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ לְמָרְדֳּכָ֑י מַדּ֙וּעַ֙ אַתָּ֣ה עוֹבֵ֔ר אֵ֖ת מִצְוַ֥ת הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃	² And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed down, and prostrated themselves before Hâman; for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordekhai bowed not down, nor prostrated himself before him. ³ Then the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, said unto Mordekhai: ‘Why do you transgress the king’s commandment?’
⁴ וַיְהִ֗י באמרם כְּאָמְרָ֤ם אֵלָיו֙ י֣וֹם וָי֔וֹם וְלֹ֥א שָׁמַ֖ע אֲלֵיהֶ֑ם וַיַּגִּ֣ידוּ לְהָמָ֗ן לִרְאוֹת֙ הֲיַֽעַמְדוּ֙ דִּבְרֵ֣י מָרְדֳּכַ֔י כִּֽי־הִגִּ֥יד לָהֶ֖ם אֲשֶׁר־ה֥וּא יְהוּדִֽי׃ ⁵ וַיַּ֣רְא הָמָ֔ן כִּי־אֵ֣ין מָרְדֳּכַ֔י כֹּרֵ֥עַ וּמִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֖ה ל֑וֹ וַיִּמָּלֵ֥א הָמָ֖ן חֵמָֽה׃ ⁶ וַיִּ֣בֶז בְּעֵינָ֗יו לִשְׁלֹ֤ח יָד֙ בְּמָרְדֳּכַ֣י לְבַדּ֔וֹ כִּֽי־הִגִּ֥ידוּ ל֖וֹ אֶת־עַ֣ם מָרְדֳּכָ֑י וַיְבַקֵּ֣שׁ הָמָ֗ן לְהַשְׁמִ֧יד אֶת־כָּל־הַיְּהוּדִ֛ים אֲשֶׁ֛ר בְּכָל־מַלְכ֥וּת אֲחַשְׁוֵר֖וֹשׁ עַ֥ם מָרְדֳּכָֽי׃	⁴ Now it came to pass, when they spoke daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Hâman, to see whether Mordekhai’s words would stand; for he had told them that he was a Jew. ⁵ And when Hâman saw that Mordekhai bowed not down, nor prostrated himself before him, then was Hâman full of wrath. ⁶ But it seemed contemptible in his eyes to lay hands on Mordekhai alone; for they had made known to him the people of Mordekhai; wherefore Hâman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Aḥashverosh, even the people of Mordekhai.
⁷ בַּחֹ֤דֶשׁ הָרִאשׁוֹן֙ הוּא־חֹ֣דֶשׁ נִיסָ֔ן בִּשְׁנַת֙ שְׁתֵּ֣ים עֶשְׂרֵ֔ה לַמֶּ֖לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֑וֹשׁ הִפִּ֣יל פּוּר֩ ה֨וּא הַגּוֹרָ֜ל לִפְנֵ֣י הָמָ֗ן מִיּ֧וֹם ׀ לְי֛וֹם וּמֵחֹ֛דֶשׁ לְחֹ֥דֶשׁ שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂ֖ר הוּא־חֹ֥דֶשׁ אֲדָֽר׃ {ס}	⁷ In the first month, which is the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Aḥashverosh, they cast pur, that is, the lot, before Hâman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.
⁸ וַיֹּ֤אמֶר הָמָן֙ לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ יֶשְׁנ֣וֹ עַם־אֶחָ֗ד מְפֻזָּ֤ר וּמְפֹרָד֙ בֵּ֣ין הָֽעַמִּ֔ים בְּכֹ֖ל מְדִינ֣וֹת מַלְכוּתֶ֑ךָ וְדָתֵיהֶ֞ם שֹׁנ֣וֹת מִכָּל־עָ֗ם וְאֶת־דָּתֵ֤י הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ אֵינָ֣ם עֹשִׂ֔ים וְלַמֶּ֥לֶךְ אֵין־שֹׁוֶ֖ה לְהַנִּיחָֽם׃ ⁹ אִם־עַל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ ט֔וֹב יִכָּתֵ֖ב לְאַבְּדָ֑ם וַעֲשֶׂ֨רֶת אֲלָפִ֜ים כִּכַּר־כֶּ֗סֶף אֶשְׁקוֹל֙ עַל־יְדֵי֙ עֹשֵׂ֣י הַמְּלָאכָ֔ה לְהָבִ֖יא אֶל־גִּנְזֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ ¹⁰ וַיָּ֧סַר הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ אֶת־טַבַּעְתּ֖וֹ מֵעַ֣ל יָד֑וֹ וַֽיִּתְּנָ֗הּ לְהָמָ֧ן בֶּֽן־הַמְּדָ֛תָא הָאֲגָגִ֖י צֹרֵ֥ר הַיְּהוּדִֽים׃ ¹¹ וַיֹּ֤אמֶר הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ לְהָמָ֔ן הַכֶּ֖סֶף נָת֣וּן לָ֑ךְ וְהָעָ֕ם לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת בּ֖וֹ כַּטּ֥וֹב בְּעֵינֶֽיךָ׃	⁸ And Hâman said unto king Aḥashverosh: ‘There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom; and their laws are diverse from those of every people; neither keep they the king’s laws; therefore it profits not the king to suffer them. ⁹ If it please the king, let it be written that they be destroyed; and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those that have the charge of the king’s business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.’ ¹⁰ And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Hâman the son of Hammedâta ha-Agagi, the Jews’ enemy. ¹¹ And the king said unto Hâman: ‘The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seems good to thee.’
¹² וַיִּקָּרְאוּ֩ סֹפְרֵ֨י הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ בַּחֹ֣דֶשׁ הָרִאשׁ֗וֹן בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁ֨ה עָשָׂ֣ר יוֹם֮ בּוֹ֒ וַיִּכָּתֵ֣ב כְּֽכָל־אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֣ה הָמָ֡ן אֶ֣ל אֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנֵֽי־הַ֠מֶּלֶךְ וְֽאֶל־הַפַּח֞וֹת אֲשֶׁ֣ר ׀ עַל־מְדִינָ֣ה וּמְדִינָ֗ה וְאֶל־שָׂ֤רֵי עַם֙ וָעָ֔ם מְדִינָ֤ה וּמְדִינָה֙ כִּכְתָבָ֔הּ וְעַ֥ם וָעָ֖ם כִּלְשׁוֹנ֑וֹ בְּשֵׁ֨ם הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרֹשׁ֙ נִכְתָּ֔ב וְנֶחְתָּ֖ם בְּטַבַּ֥עַת הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ ¹³ וְנִשְׁל֨וֹחַ סְפָרִ֜ים בְּיַ֣ד הָרָצִים֮ אֶל־כָּל־מְדִינ֣וֹת הַמֶּלֶךְ֒ לְהַשְׁמִ֡יד לַהֲרֹ֣ג וּלְאַבֵּ֣ד אֶת־כָּל־הַ֠יְּהוּדִים מִנַּ֨עַר וְעַד־זָקֵ֨ן טַ֤ף וְנָשִׁים֙ בְּי֣וֹם אֶחָ֔ד בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁ֥ה עָשָׂ֛ר לְחֹ֥דֶשׁ שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂ֖ר הוּא־חֹ֣דֶשׁ אֲדָ֑ר וּשְׁלָלָ֖ם לָבֽוֹז׃	¹² Then were the king’s scribes called in the first month, on the thirteenth day thereof, and there was written, according to all that Hâman commanded, unto the king’s satraps, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the princes of every people; to every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Aḥashverosh was it written, and it was sealed with the king’s ring. ¹³ And letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.
¹⁴ פַּתְשֶׁ֣גֶן הַכְּתָ֗ב לְהִנָּ֤תֵֽן דָּת֙ בְּכָל־מְדִינָ֣ה וּמְדִינָ֔ה גָּל֖וּי לְכָל־הָֽעַמִּ֑ים לִהְי֥וֹת עֲתִדִ֖ים לַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃	¹⁴ The copy of the writing, to be given out for a decree in every province, was to be published unto all peoples, that they should be ready against that day.
¹⁵ הָֽרָצִ֞ים יָצְא֤וּ דְחוּפִים֙ בִּדְבַ֣ר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְהַדָּ֥ת נִתְּנָ֖ה בְּשׁוּשַׁ֣ן הַבִּירָ֑ה וְהַמֶּ֤לֶךְ וְהָמָן֙ יָשְׁב֣וּ לִשְׁתּ֔וֹת וְהָעִ֥יר שׁוּשָׁ֖ן נָבֽוֹכָה׃ {פ}	¹⁵ The posts went forth in haste by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given out in Shushan the castle; and the king and Hâman sat down to drink; but the city of Shushan was perplexed.
אֶסְתֵּר ד https://archive.org/download/megilatestherhillelhayyimlaveryyisraeli2010/Megilat%20Esther%20Chapter%2004%20%28Hillel%20%E1%B8%A4ayyim%20Lavery-Yisra%C3%ABli%202010%29.mp3	Chapter 4
¹ וּמָרְדֳּכַ֗י יָדַע֙ אֶת־כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר נַעֲשָׂ֔ה וַיִּקְרַ֤ע מָרְדֳּכַי֙ אֶת־בְּגָדָ֔יו וַיִּלְבַּ֥שׁ שַׂ֖ק וָאֵ֑פֶר וַיֵּצֵא֙ בְּת֣וֹךְ הָעִ֔יר וַיִּזְעַ֛ק זְעָקָ֥ה גְדֹלָ֖ה וּמָרָֽה׃ ² וַיָּב֕וֹא עַ֖ד לִפְנֵ֣י שַֽׁעַר־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ כִּ֣י אֵ֥ין לָב֛וֹא אֶל־שַׁ֥עַר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ בִּלְב֥וּשׁ שָֽׂק׃ ³ וּבְכָל־מְדִינָ֣ה וּמְדִינָ֗ה מְקוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר דְּבַר־הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ וְדָתוֹ֙ מַגִּ֔יעַ אֵ֤בֶל גָּדוֹל֙ לַיְּהוּדִ֔ים וְצ֥וֹם וּבְכִ֖י וּמִסְפֵּ֑ד שַׂ֣ק וָאֵ֔פֶר יֻצַּ֖ע לָֽרַבִּֽים׃	¹ Now when Mordekhai knew all that was done, Mordekhai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; ² and he came even before the king’s gate; for none might enter within the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. ³ And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
⁴ ותבואינה וַ֠תָּבוֹאנָה נַעֲר֨וֹת אֶסְתֵּ֤ר וְסָרִיסֶ֙יהָ֙ וַיַּגִּ֣ידוּ לָ֔הּ וַתִּתְחַלְחַ֥ל הַמַּלְכָּ֖ה מְאֹ֑ד וַתִּשְׁלַ֨ח בְּגָדִ֜ים לְהַלְבִּ֣ישׁ אֶֽת־מָרְדֳּכַ֗י וּלְהָסִ֥יר שַׂקּ֛וֹ מֵעָלָ֖יו וְלֹ֥א קִבֵּֽל׃ ⁵ וַתִּקְרָא֩ אֶסְתֵּ֨ר לַהֲתָ֜ךְ מִסָּרִיסֵ֤י הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֶעֱמִ֣יד לְפָנֶ֔יהָ וַתְּצַוֵּ֖הוּ עַֽל־מָרְדֳּכָ֑י לָדַ֥עַת מַה־זֶּ֖ה וְעַל־מַה־זֶּֽה׃	⁴ And Esther’s maidens and her chamberlains came and told it her; and the queen was exceedingly pained; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordekhai; and to take his sackcloth from off him; but he accepted it not. ⁵ Then called Esther for Hatakh, one of the king’s chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and charged him to go to Mordekhai, to know what this was, and why it was.
⁶ וַיֵּצֵ֥א הֲתָ֖ךְ אֶֽל־מָרְדֳּכָ֑י אֶל־רְח֣וֹב הָעִ֔יר אֲשֶׁ֖ר לִפְנֵ֥י שַֽׁעַר־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ ⁷ וַיַּגֶּד־ל֣וֹ מָרְדֳּכַ֔י אֵ֖ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר קָרָ֑הוּ וְאֵ֣ת ׀ פָּרָשַׁ֣ת הַכֶּ֗סֶף אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָמַ֤ר הָמָן֙ לִ֠שְׁקוֹל עַל־גִּנְזֵ֥י הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ ביהודיים בַּיְּהוּדִ֖ים לְאַבְּדָֽם׃ ⁸ וְאֶת־פַּתְשֶׁ֣גֶן כְּתָֽב־הַ֠דָּת אֲשֶׁר־נִתַּ֨ן בְּשׁוּשָׁ֤ן לְהַשְׁמִידָם֙ נָ֣תַן ל֔וֹ לְהַרְא֥וֹת אֶת־אֶסְתֵּ֖ר וּלְהַגִּ֣יד לָ֑הּ וּלְצַוּ֣וֹת עָלֶ֗יהָ לָב֨וֹא אֶל־הַמֶּ֧לֶךְ לְהִֽתְחַנֶּן־ל֛וֹ וּלְבַקֵּ֥שׁ מִלְּפָנָ֖יו עַל־עַמָּֽהּ׃	⁶ So Hatakh went forth to Mordekhai unto the broad place of the city, which was before the king’s gate. ⁷ And Mordekhai told him of all that had happened unto him, and the exact sum of the money that Hâman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. ⁸ Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given out in Shushan to destroy them, to show it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her; and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him, for her people.
⁹ וַיָּב֖וֹא הֲתָ֑ךְ וַיַּגֵּ֣ד לְאֶסְתֵּ֔ר אֵ֖ת דִּבְרֵ֥י מָרְדֳּכָֽי׃ ¹⁰ וַתֹּ֤אמֶר אֶסְתֵּר֙ לַהֲתָ֔ךְ וַתְּצַוֵּ֖הוּ אֶֽל־מָרְדֳּכָֽי׃ ¹¹ כָּל־עַבְדֵ֣י הַמֶּ֡לֶךְ וְעַם־מְדִינ֨וֹת הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ יֽוֹדְעִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר כָּל־אִ֣ישׁ וְאִשָּׁ֡ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר יָבֽוֹא־אֶל־הַמֶּלֶךְ֩ אֶל־הֶחָצֵ֨ר הַפְּנִימִ֜ית אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹֽא־יִקָּרֵ֗א אַחַ֤ת דָּתוֹ֙ לְהָמִ֔ית לְ֠בַד מֵאֲשֶׁ֨ר יֽוֹשִׁיט־ל֥וֹ הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ אֶת־שַׁרְבִ֥יט הַזָּהָ֖ב וְחָיָ֑ה וַאֲנִ֗י לֹ֤א נִקְרֵ֙אתי֙ לָב֣וֹא אֶל־הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ זֶ֖ה שְׁלוֹשִׁ֥ים יֽוֹם׃ ¹² וַיַּגִּ֣ידוּ לְמָרְדֳּכָ֔י אֵ֖ת דִּבְרֵ֥י אֶסְתֵּֽר׃ {פ}	⁹ And Hatakh came and told Esther the words of Mordekhai. ¹⁰ Then Esther spoke unto Hatakh, and gave him a message unto Mordekhai: ¹¹ ’All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law for him, that he be put to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live; but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.’ ¹² And they told to Mordekhai Esther’s words.
¹³ וַיֹּ֥אמֶר מָרְדֳּכַ֖י לְהָשִׁ֣יב אֶל־אֶסְתֵּ֑ר אַל־תְּדַמִּ֣י בְנַפְשֵׁ֔ךְ לְהִמָּלֵ֥ט בֵּית־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ מִכָּל־הַיְּהוּדִֽים׃ ¹⁴ כִּ֣י אִם־הַחֲרֵ֣שׁ תַּחֲרִישִׁי֮ בָּעֵ֣ת הַזֹּאת֒ רֶ֣וַח וְהַצָּלָ֞ה יַעֲמ֤וֹד לַיְּהוּדִים֙ מִמָּק֣וֹם אַחֵ֔ר וְאַ֥תְּ וּבֵית־אָבִ֖יךְ תֹּאבֵ֑דוּ וּמִ֣י יוֹדֵ֔עַ אִם־לְעֵ֣ת כָּזֹ֔את הִגַּ֖עַתְּ לַמַּלְכֽוּת׃	¹³ Then Mordekhai bade them to return answer unto Esther: ‘Think not with yourself that you shall escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. ¹⁴ For if you altogether hold your peace at this time, then will relief and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish; and who knows whether you art not come to royal estate for such a time as this?’
¹⁵ וַתֹּ֥אמֶר אֶסְתֵּ֖ר לְהָשִׁ֥יב אֶֽל־מָרְדֳּכָֽי׃ ¹⁶ לֵךְ֩ כְּנ֨וֹס אֶת־כָּל־הַיְּהוּדִ֜ים הַֽנִּמְצְאִ֣ים בְּשׁוּשָׁ֗ן וְצ֣וּמוּ עָ֠לַי וְאַל־תֹּאכְל֨וּ וְאַל־תִּשְׁתּ֜וּ שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת יָמִים֙ לַ֣יְלָה וָי֔וֹם גַּם־אֲנִ֥י וְנַעֲרֹתַ֖י אָצ֣וּם כֵּ֑ן וּבְכֵ֞ן אָב֤וֹא אֶל־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹֽא־כַדָּ֔ת וְכַאֲשֶׁ֥ר אָבַ֖דְתִּי אָבָֽדְתִּי׃	¹⁵ Then Esther bade them return answer unto Mordekhai: ¹⁶ ’Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day; I also and my maidens will fast in like manner; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.’
¹⁷ וַֽיַּעֲבֹ֖ר מָרְדֳּכָ֑י וַיַּ֕עַשׂ כְּכֹ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־צִוְּתָ֥ה עָלָ֖יו אֶסְתֵּֽר׃ {ס}	¹⁷ So Mordekhai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.
אֶסְתֵּר ה https://archive.org/download/megilatestherhillelhayyimlaveryyisraeli2010/Megilat%20Esther%20Chapter%2005%20%28Hillel%20%E1%B8%A4ayyim%20Lavery-Yisra%C3%ABli%202010%29.mp3	Chapter 5
¹ וַיְהִ֣י ׀ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֗י וַתִּלְבַּ֤שׁ אֶסְתֵּר֙ מַלְכ֔וּת וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֞ד בַּחֲצַ֤ר בֵּית־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ הַפְּנִימִ֔ית נֹ֖כַח בֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וְ֠הַמֶּלֶךְ יוֹשֵׁ֞ב עַל־כִּסֵּ֤א מַלְכוּתוֹ֙ בְּבֵ֣ית הַמַּלְכ֔וּת נֹ֖כַח פֶּ֥תַח הַבָּֽיִת׃	¹ vayhi bayyom hashelishi vatilbash Esther malkhut vattaˈamod baḥatsar bet-hammelekh hapenimit nokhaḥ bet hammelekh vehammelekh yoshev al-kissei malkhuto beveit hammalkhut nokhaḥ petaḥ habbayit Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house; and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the entrance of the house.
² וַיְהִי֩ כִרְא֨וֹת הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ אֶת־אֶסְתֵּ֣ר הַמַּלְכָּ֗ה עֹמֶ֙דֶת֙ בֶּֽחָצֵ֔ר נָשְׂאָ֥ה חֵ֖ן בְּעֵינָ֑יו וַיּ֨וֹשֶׁט הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ לְאֶסְתֵּ֗ר אֶת־שַׁרְבִ֤יט הַזָּהָב֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּיָד֔וֹ וַתִּקְרַ֣ב אֶסְתֵּ֔ר וַתִּגַּ֖ע בְּרֹ֥אשׁ הַשַּׁרְבִֽיט׃ {ס} ³ וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לָהּ֙ הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ מַה־לָּ֖ךְ אֶסְתֵּ֣ר הַמַּלְכָּ֑ה וּמַה־בַּקָּשָׁתֵ֛ךְ עַד־חֲצִ֥י הַמַּלְכ֖וּת וְיִנָּ֥תֵֽן לָֽךְ׃	² And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. ³ Then said the king unto her: ‘What will you [desire], queen Esther? for whatever your request, even to the half of the kingdom, it shall be given thee.’
⁴ וַתֹּ֣אמֶר אֶסְתֵּ֔ר אִם־עַל־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ ט֑וֹב יָב֨וֹא הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ וְהָמָן֙ הַיּ֔וֹם אֶל־הַמִּשְׁתֶּ֖ה אֲשֶׁר־עָשִׂ֥יתִי לֽוֹ׃	⁴ And Esther said: ‘If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Hâman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.’
⁵ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ מַהֲרוּ֙ אֶת־הָמָ֔ן לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת אֶת־דְּבַ֣ר אֶסְתֵּ֑ר וַיָּבֹ֤א הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ וְהָמָ֔ן אֶל־הַמִּשְׁתֶּ֖ה אֲשֶׁר־עָשְׂתָ֥ה אֶסְתֵּֽר׃ ⁶ וַיֹּ֨אמֶר הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ לְאֶסְתֵּר֙ בְּמִשְׁתֵּ֣ה הַיַּ֔יִן מַה־שְּׁאֵלָתֵ֖ךְ וְיִנָּ֣תֵֽן לָ֑ךְ וּמַה־בַּקָּשָׁתֵ֛ךְ עַד־חֲצִ֥י הַמַּלְכ֖וּת וְתֵעָֽשׂ׃	⁵ Then the king said: ‘Cause Hâman to make haste, that it may be done as Esther has said.’ So the king and Hâman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared. ⁶ And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine: ‘Whatever your petition, it shall be granted thee; and whatever your request, even to the half of the kingdom, it shall be performed.’
⁷ וַתַּ֥עַן אֶסְתֵּ֖ר וַתֹּאמַ֑ר שְׁאֵלָתִ֖י וּבַקָּשָׁתִֽי׃ ⁸ אִם־מָצָ֨אתִי חֵ֜ן בְּעֵינֵ֣י הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ וְאִם־עַל־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ ט֔וֹב לָתֵת֙ אֶת־שְׁאֵ֣לָתִ֔י וְלַעֲשׂ֖וֹת אֶת־בַּקָּשָׁתִ֑י יָב֧וֹא הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ וְהָמָ֗ן אֶל־הַמִּשְׁתֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֣ה לָהֶ֔ם וּמָחָ֥ר אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֖ה כִּדְבַ֥ר הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃	⁷ Then answered Esther, and said: ‘My petition and my request is— ⁸ if I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request— let the king and Hâman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to-morrow as the king has said.’
⁹ וַיֵּצֵ֤א הָמָן֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא שָׂמֵ֖חַ וְט֣וֹב לֵ֑ב וְכִרְאוֹת֩ הָמָ֨ן אֶֽת־מָרְדֳּכַ֜י בְּשַׁ֣עַר הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ וְלֹא־קָם֙ וְלֹא־זָ֣ע מִמֶּ֔נּוּ וַיִּמָּלֵ֥א הָמָ֛ן עַֽל־מָרְדֳּכַ֖י חֵמָֽה׃ ¹⁰ וַיִּתְאַפַּ֣ק הָמָ֔ן וַיָּב֖וֹא אֶל־בֵּית֑וֹ וַיִּשְׁלַ֛ח וַיָּבֵ֥א אֶת־אֹהֲבָ֖יו וְאֶת־זֶ֥רֶשׁ אִשְׁתּֽוֹ׃ ¹¹ וַיְסַפֵּ֨ר לָהֶ֥ם הָמָ֛ן אֶת־כְּב֥וֹד עָשְׁר֖וֹ וְרֹ֣ב בָּנָ֑יו וְאֵת֩ כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֨ר גִּדְּל֤וֹ הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ וְאֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁ֣ר נִשְּׂא֔וֹ עַל־הַשָּׂרִ֖ים וְעַבְדֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ ¹² וַיֹּאמֶר֮ הָמָן֒ אַ֣ף לֹא־הֵבִיאָה֩ אֶסְתֵּ֨ר הַמַּלְכָּ֧ה עִם־הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ אֶל־הַמִּשְׁתֶּ֥ה אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֖תָה כִּ֣י אִם־אוֹתִ֑י וְגַם־לְמָחָ֛ר אֲנִ֥י קָֽרוּא־לָ֖הּ עִם־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ ¹³ וְכָל־זֶ֕ה אֵינֶ֥נּוּ שֹׁוֶ֖ה לִ֑י בְּכָל־עֵ֗ת אֲשֶׁ֨ר אֲנִ֤י רֹאֶה֙ אֶת־מָרְדֳּכַ֣י הַיְּהוּדִ֔י יוֹשֵׁ֖ב בְּשַׁ֥עַר הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃	⁹ Then went Hâman forth that day joyful and glad of heart; but when Hâman saw Mordekhai in the king’s gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, Hâman was filled with wrath against Mordekhai. ¹⁰ Nevertheless Hâman refrained himself, and went home; and he sent and fetched his friends and Zeresh his wife. ¹¹ And Hâman recounted unto them the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and everything as to how the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. ¹² Hâman said moreover: ‘Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to-morrow also am I invited by her together with the king. ¹³ Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordekhai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.’
¹⁴ וַתֹּ֣אמֶר לוֹ֩ זֶ֨רֶשׁ אִשְׁתּ֜וֹ וְכָל־אֹֽהֲבָ֗יו יַֽעֲשׂוּ־עֵץ֮ גָּבֹ֣הַּ חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים אַמָּה֒ וּבַבֹּ֣קֶר ׀ אֱמֹ֣ר לַמֶּ֗לֶךְ וְיִתְל֤וּ אֶֽת־מָרְדֳּכַי֙ עָלָ֔יו וּבֹֽא־עִם־הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ אֶל הַמִּשְׁתֶּ֖ה שָׂמֵ֑חַ וַיִּיטַ֧ב הַדָּבָ֛ר לִפְנֵ֥י הָמָ֖ן וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הָעֵֽץ׃ {פ}	¹⁴ Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him: ‘Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and in the morning speak you unto the king that Mordekhai may be hanged thereon; then go you in merrily with the king unto the banquet.’ And the thing pleased Hâman; and he caused the gallows to be made.
אֶסְתֵּר ו https://archive.org/download/megilatestherhillelhayyimlaveryyisraeli2010/Megilat%20Esther%20Chapter%2006%20%28Hillel%20%E1%B8%A4ayyim%20Lavery-Yisra%C3%ABli%202010%29.mp3	Chapter 6
¹ בַּלַּ֣יְלָה הַה֔וּא נָדְדָ֖ה שְׁנַ֣ת הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר לְהָבִ֞יא אֶת־סֵ֤פֶר הַזִּכְרֹנוֹת֙ דִּבְרֵ֣י הַיָּמִ֔ים וַיִּהְי֥וּ נִקְרָאִ֖ים לִפְנֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃	¹ On that night could not the king sleep; and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles, and they were read before the king.
² וַיִּמָּצֵ֣א כָת֗וּב אֲשֶׁר֩ הִגִּ֨יד מָרְדֳּכַ֜י עַל־בִּגְתָ֣נָא וָתֶ֗רֶשׁ שְׁנֵי֙ סָרִיסֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ מִשֹּׁמְרֵ֖י הַסַּ֑ף אֲשֶׁ֤ר בִּקְשׁוּ֙ לִשְׁלֹ֣חַ יָ֔ד בַּמֶּ֖לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרֽוֹשׁ׃ ³ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ מַֽה־נַּעֲשָׂ֞ה יְקָ֧ר וּגְדוּלָּ֛ה לְמָרְדֳּכַ֖י עַל־זֶ֑ה וַיֹּ֨אמְר֜וּ נַעֲרֵ֤י הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ מְשָׁ֣רְתָ֔יו לֹא־נַעֲשָׂ֥ה עִמּ֖וֹ דָּבָֽר׃	² And it was found written, that Mordekhai had told of Bigtana and Teresh, two of the king’s chamberlains, of those that kept the door, who had sought to lay hands on the king Aḥashverosh. ³ And the king said: ‘What honour and dignity has been done to Mordekhai for this?’ Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him: ‘There is nothing done for him.’
⁴ וַיֹּ֥אמֶר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ מִ֣י בֶחָצֵ֑ר וְהָמָ֣ן בָּ֗א לַחֲצַ֤ר בֵּית־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ הַחִ֣יצוֹנָ֔ה לֵאמֹ֣ר לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ לִתְלוֹת֙ אֶֽת־מָרְדֳּכַ֔י עַל־הָעֵ֖ץ אֲשֶׁר־הֵכִ֥ין לֽוֹ׃ ⁵ וַיֹּ֨אמְר֜וּ נַעֲרֵ֤י הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ אֵלָ֔יו הִנֵּ֥ה הָמָ֖ן עֹמֵ֣ד בֶּחָצֵ֑ר וַיֹּ֥אמֶר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ יָבֽוֹא׃	⁴ And the king said: ‘Who is in the court?’—Now Hâman was come into the outer court of the king’s house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordekhai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.— ⁵ And the king’s servants said unto him: ‘Behold, Hâman stands in the court.’ And the king said: ‘Let him come in.’
⁶ וַיָּבוֹא֮ הָמָן֒ וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לוֹ֙ הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ מַה־לַעֲשׂ֕וֹת בָּאִ֕ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ חָפֵ֣ץ בִּיקָר֑וֹ וַיֹּ֤אמֶר הָמָן֙ בְּלִבּ֔וֹ לְמִ֞י יַחְפֹּ֥ץ הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת יְקָ֖ר יוֹתֵ֥ר מִמֶּֽנִּי׃ ⁷ וַיֹּ֥אמֶר הָמָ֖ן אֶל־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ אִ֕ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ חָפֵ֥ץ בִּיקָרֽוֹ׃ ⁸ יָבִ֙יאוּ֙ לְב֣וּשׁ מַלְכ֔וּת אֲשֶׁ֥ר לָֽבַשׁ־בּ֖וֹ הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וְס֗וּס אֲשֶׁ֨ר רָכַ֤ב עָלָיו֙ הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר נִתַּ֛ן כֶּ֥תֶר מַלְכ֖וּת בְּרֹאשֽׁוֹ׃ ⁹ וְנָת֨וֹן הַלְּב֜וּשׁ וְהַסּ֗וּס עַל־יַד־אִ֞ישׁ מִשָּׂרֵ֤י הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ הַֽפַּרְתְּמִ֔ים וְהִלְבִּ֙ישׁוּ֙ אֶת־הָאִ֔ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ חָפֵ֣ץ בִּֽיקָר֑וֹ וְהִרְכִּיבֻ֤הוּ עַל־הַסּוּס֙ בִּרְח֣וֹב הָעִ֔יר וְקָרְא֣וּ לְפָנָ֔יו כָּ֚כָה יֵעָשֶׂ֣ה לָאִ֔ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ חָפֵ֥ץ בִּיקָרֽוֹ׃	⁶ So Hâman came in. And the king said unto him: ‘What shall be done unto the man whom the king delights to honour?’—Now Hâman said in his heart: ‘Whom would the king delight to honour besides myself?’— ⁷ And Hâman said unto the king: ‘For the man whom the king delights to honour, ⁸ let royal apparel be brought which the king uses to wear, and the horse that the king rides upon, and on whose head a crown royal is set; ⁹ and let the apparel and the horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that they may array the man therewith whom the king delights to honour, and cause him to ride on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him: Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honour.’
¹⁰ וַיֹּ֨אמֶר הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ לְהָמָ֗ן מַ֠הֵר קַ֣ח אֶת־הַלְּב֤וּשׁ וְאֶת־הַסּוּס֙ כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבַּ֔רְתָּ וַֽעֲשֵׂה־כֵן֙ לְמָרְדֳּכַ֣י הַיְּהוּדִ֔י הַיּוֹשֵׁ֖ב בְּשַׁ֣עַר הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ אַל־תַּפֵּ֣ל דָּבָ֔ר מִכֹּ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבַּֽרְתָּ׃ ¹¹ וַיִּקַּ֤ח הָמָן֙ אֶת־הַלְּב֣וּשׁ וְאֶת־הַסּ֔וּס וַיַּלְבֵּ֖שׁ אֶֽת־מָרְדֳּכָ֑י וַיַּרְכִּיבֵ֙הוּ֙ בִּרְח֣וֹב הָעִ֔יר וַיִּקְרָ֣א לְפָנָ֔יו כָּ֚כָה יֵעָשֶׂ֣ה לָאִ֔ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ חָפֵ֥ץ בִּיקָרֽוֹ׃	¹⁰ Then the king said to Hâman: ‘Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as you have said, and do even so to Mordekhai the Jew, that sits at the king’s gate; let nothing fail of all that you have spoken.’ ¹¹ Then took Hâman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordekhai, and caused him to ride through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him: ‘Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delights to honour.’
¹² וַיָּ֥שָׁב מָרְדֳּכַ֖י אֶל־שַׁ֣עַר הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וְהָמָן֙ נִדְחַ֣ף אֶל־בֵּית֔וֹ אָבֵ֖ל וַחֲפ֥וּי רֹֽאשׁ׃ ¹³ וַיְסַפֵּ֨ר הָמָ֜ן לְזֶ֤רֶשׁ אִשְׁתּוֹ֙ וּלְכָל־אֹ֣הֲבָ֔יו אֵ֖ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר קָרָ֑הוּ וַיֹּ֩אמְרוּ֩ ל֨וֹ חֲכָמָ֜יו וְזֶ֣רֶשׁ אִשְׁתּ֗וֹ אִ֣ם מִזֶּ֣רַע הַיְּהוּדִ֡ים מָרְדֳּכַ֞י אֲשֶׁר֩ הַחִלּ֨וֹתָ לִנְפֹּ֤ל לְפָנָיו֙ לֹא־תוּכַ֣ל ל֔וֹ כִּֽי־נָפ֥וֹל תִּפּ֖וֹל לְפָנָֽיו׃ ¹⁴ עוֹדָם֙ מְדַבְּרִ֣ים עִמּ֔וֹ וְסָרִיסֵ֥י הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ הִגִּ֑יעוּ וַיַּבְהִ֙לוּ֙ לְהָבִ֣יא אֶת־הָמָ֔ן אֶל־הַמִּשְׁתֶּ֖ה אֲשֶׁר־עָשְׂתָ֥ה אֶסְתֵּֽר׃	¹² And Mordekhai returned to the king’s gate. But Hâman hasted to his house, mourning and having his head covered. ¹³ And Hâman recounted unto Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him: ‘If Mordekhai, before whom you have begun to fall, be of the seed of the Jews, you shall not prevail against him, but shall surely fall before him.’ ¹⁴ While they were yet talking with him, came the king’s chamberlains, and hastened to bring Hâman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.
אֶסְתֵּר ז https://archive.org/download/megilatestherhillelhayyimlaveryyisraeli2010/Megilat%20Esther%20Chapter%2007%20%28Hillel%20%E1%B8%A4ayyim%20Lavery-Yisra%C3%ABli%202010%29.mp3	Chapter 7
¹ וַיָּבֹ֤א הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ וְהָמָ֔ן לִשְׁתּ֖וֹת עִם־אֶסְתֵּ֥ר הַמַּלְכָּֽה׃	¹ So the king and Hâman came to banquet with Esther the queen.
² וַיֹּאמֶר֩ הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ לְאֶסְתֵּ֜ר גַּ֣ם בַּיּ֤וֹם הַשֵּׁנִי֙ בְּמִשְׁתֵּ֣ה הַיַּ֔יִן מַה־שְּׁאֵלָתֵ֛ךְ אֶסְתֵּ֥ר הַמַּלְכָּ֖ה וְתִנָּ֣תֵֽן לָ֑ךְ וּמַה־בַּקָּשָׁתֵ֛ךְ עַד־חֲצִ֥י הַמַּלְכ֖וּת וְתֵעָֽשׂ׃	² And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine: ‘Whatever your petition, queen Esther, it shall be granted thee; and whatever your request, even to the half of the kingdom, it shall be performed.’
³ וַתַּ֨עַן אֶסְתֵּ֤ר הַמַּלְכָּה֙ וַתֹּאמַ֔ר אִם־מָצָ֨אתִי חֵ֤ן בְּעֵינֶ֙יךָ֙ הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְאִם־עַל־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ ט֑וֹב תִּנָּֽתֶן־לִ֤י נַפְשִׁי֙ בִּשְׁאֵ֣לָתִ֔י וְעַמִּ֖י בְּבַקָּשָׁתִֽי׃ ⁴ כִּ֤י נִמְכַּ֙רְנוּ֙ אֲנִ֣י וְעַמִּ֔י לְהַשְׁמִ֖יד לַהֲר֣וֹג וּלְאַבֵּ֑ד וְ֠אִלּוּ לַעֲבָדִ֨ים וְלִשְׁפָח֤וֹת נִמְכַּ֙רְנוּ֙ הֶחֱרַ֔שְׁתִּי כִּ֣י אֵ֥ין הַצָּ֛ר שֹׁוֶ֖ה בְּנֵ֥זֶק הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ {ס}	³ Then Esther the queen answered and said: ‘If I have found favour in your sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request; ⁴ for we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my peace, for the adversary is not worthy that the king be endamaged.’
⁵ וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ וַיֹּ֖אמֶר לְאֶסְתֵּ֣ר הַמַּלְכָּ֑ה מִ֣י ה֥וּא זֶה֙ וְאֵֽי־זֶ֣ה ה֔וּא אֲשֶׁר־מְלָא֥וֹ לִבּ֖וֹ לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת כֵּֽן׃ ⁶ וַתֹּ֣אמֶר־אֶסְתֵּ֔ר אִ֚ישׁ צַ֣ר וְאוֹיֵ֔ב הָמָ֥ן הָרָ֖ע הַזֶּ֑ה וְהָמָ֣ן נִבְעַ֔ת מִלִּפְנֵ֥י הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ וְהַמַּלְכָּֽה׃ ⁷ וְהַמֶּ֜לֶךְ קָ֤ם בַּחֲמָתוֹ֙ מִמִּשְׁתֵּ֣ה הַיַּ֔יִן אֶל־גִּנַּ֖ת הַבִּיתָ֑ן וְהָמָ֣ן עָמַ֗ד לְבַקֵּ֤שׁ עַל־נַפְשׁוֹ֙ מֵֽאֶסְתֵּ֣ר הַמַּלְכָּ֔ה כִּ֣י רָאָ֔ה כִּֽי־כָלְתָ֥ה אֵלָ֛יו הָרָעָ֖ה מֵאֵ֥ת הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃	⁵ Then spoke the king Aḥashverosh and said unto Esther the queen: ‘Who is he, and where is he, that he dare presume in his heart to do so?’ ⁶ And Esther said: ‘An adversary and an enemy, even this wicked Hâman.’ Then Hâman was terrified before the king and the queen. ⁷ And the king arose in his wrath from the banquet of wine and went into the palace garden; but Hâman remained to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.
⁸ וְהַמֶּ֡לֶךְ שָׁב֩ מִגִּנַּ֨ת הַבִּיתָ֜ן אֶל־בֵּ֣ית ׀ מִשְׁתֵּ֣ה הַיַּ֗יִן וְהָמָן֙ נֹפֵ֔ל עַל־הַמִּטָּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶסְתֵּ֣ר עָלֶ֔יהָ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ הֲ֠גַם לִכְבּ֧וֹשׁ אֶת־הַמַּלְכָּ֛ה עִמִּ֖י בַּבָּ֑יִת הַדָּבָ֗ר יָצָא֙ מִפִּ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וּפְנֵ֥י הָמָ֖ן חָפֽוּ׃ {ס} ⁹ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר חַ֠רְבוֹנָה אֶחָ֨ד מִן־הַסָּרִיסִ֜ים לִפְנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ גַּ֣ם הִנֵּה־הָעֵ֣ץ אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֪ה הָמָ֟ן לְֽמָרְדֳּכַ֞י אֲשֶׁ֧ר דִּבֶּר־ט֣וֹב עַל־הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ עֹמֵד֙ בְּבֵ֣ית הָמָ֔ן גָּבֹ֖הַּ חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים אַמָּ֑ה וַיֹּ֥אמֶר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ תְּלֻ֥הוּ עָלָֽיו׃ ¹⁰ וַיִּתְלוּ֙ אֶת־הָמָ֔ן עַל־הָעֵ֖ץ אֲשֶׁר־הֵכִ֣ין לְמָרְדֳּכָ֑י וַחֲמַ֥ת הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ שָׁכָֽכָה׃ {פ}	⁸ Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Hâman was fallen upon the couch whereon Esther was. Then said the king: ‘Will he even force the queen before me in the house?’ As the word went out of the king’s mouth, they covered Hâman’s face. ⁹ Then said Ḥarbonah, one of the chamberlains that were before the king: ‘Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Hâman has made for Mordekhai, who spoke good for the king, stands in the house of Hâman.’ And the king said: ‘Hang him thereon.’ ¹⁰ So they hanged Hâman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordekhai. Then was the king’s wrath assuaged.
אֶסְתֵּר ח https://archive.org/download/megilatestherhillelhayyimlaveryyisraeli2010/Megilat%20Esther%20Chapter%2008%20%28Hillel%20%E1%B8%A4ayyim%20Lavery-Yisra%C3%ABli%202010%29.mp3	Chapter 8
¹ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֗וּא נָתַ֞ן הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ֙ לְאֶסְתֵּ֣ר הַמַּלְכָּ֔ה אֶת־בֵּ֥ית הָמָ֖ן צֹרֵ֣ר היהודיים הַיְּהוּדִ֑ים וּמָרְדֳּכַ֗י בָּ֚א לִפְנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ כִּֽי־הִגִּ֥ידָה אֶסְתֵּ֖ר מַ֥ה הוּא־לָֽהּ׃ ² וַיָּ֨סַר הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ אֶת־טַבַּעְתּ֗וֹ אֲשֶׁ֤ר הֶֽעֱבִיר֙ מֵֽהָמָ֔ן וַֽיִּתְּנָ֖הּ לְמָרְדֳּכָ֑י וַתָּ֧שֶׂם אֶסְתֵּ֛ר אֶֽת־מָרְדֳּכַ֖י עַל־בֵּ֥ית הָמָֽן׃ {פ}	¹ On that day did the king Aḥashverosh give the house of Hâman the Jews’ enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordekhai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her. ² And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Hâman, and gave it unto Mordekhai. And Esther set Mordekhai over the house of Hâman.
³ וַתּ֣וֹסֶף אֶסְתֵּ֗ר וַתְּדַבֵּר֙ לִפְנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וַתִּפֹּ֖ל לִפְנֵ֣י רַגְלָ֑יו וַתֵּ֣בְךְּ וַתִּתְחַנֶּן־ל֗וֹ לְהַֽעֲבִיר֙ אֶת־רָעַת֙ הָמָ֣ן הָֽאֲגָגִ֔י וְאֵת֙ מַֽחֲשַׁבְתּ֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר חָשַׁ֖ב עַל־הַיְּהוּדִֽים׃ ⁴ וַיּ֤וֹשֶׁט הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ לְאֶסְתֵּ֔ר אֵ֖ת שַׁרְבִ֣ט הַזָּהָ֑ב וַתָּ֣קָם אֶסְתֵּ֔ר וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֖ד לִפְנֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ ⁵ וַ֠תֹּאמֶר אִם־עַל־הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ ט֜וֹב וְאִם־מָצָ֧אתִי חֵ֣ן לְפָנָ֗יו וְכָשֵׁ֤ר הַדָּבָר֙ לִפְנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְטוֹבָ֥ה אֲנִ֖י בְּעֵינָ֑יו יִכָּתֵ֞ב לְהָשִׁ֣יב אֶת־הַסְּפָרִ֗ים מַחֲשֶׁ֜בֶת הָמָ֤ן בֶּֽן־הַמְּדָ֙תָא֙ הָאֲגָגִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֣ר כָּתַ֗ב לְאַבֵּד֙ אֶת־הַיְּהוּדִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּכָל־מְדִינ֥וֹת הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ ⁶ כִּ֠י אֵיכָכָ֤ה אוּכַל֙ וְֽרָאִ֔יתִי בָּרָעָ֖ה אֲשֶׁר־יִמְצָ֣א אֶת־עַמִּ֑י וְאֵֽיכָכָ֤ה אוּכַל֙ וְֽרָאִ֔יתִי בְּאָבְדַ֖ן מוֹלַדְתִּֽי׃ {ס}	³ And Esther spoke yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Hâman ha-Agagi, and his device that he had devised against the Jews. ⁴ Then the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre. So Esther arose, and stood before the king. ⁵ And she said: ‘If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Hâman the son of Hammedâta ha-Agagi, which he wrote to destroy the Jews that are in all the king’s provinces; ⁶ for how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?’
⁷ וַיֹּ֨אמֶר הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרֹשׁ֙ לְאֶסְתֵּ֣ר הַמַּלְכָּ֔ה וּֽלְמָרְדֳּכַ֖י הַיְּהוּדִ֑י הִנֵּ֨ה בֵית־הָמָ֜ן נָתַ֣תִּי לְאֶסְתֵּ֗ר וְאֹתוֹ֙ תָּל֣וּ עַל־הָעֵ֔ץ עַ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־שָׁלַ֥ח יָד֖וֹ ביהודיים בַּיְּהוּדִֽים׃ ⁸ וְ֠אַתֶּם כִּתְב֨וּ עַל־הַיְּהוּדִ֜ים כַּטּ֤וֹב בְּעֵֽינֵיכֶם֙ בְּשֵׁ֣ם הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְחִתְמ֖וּ בְּטַבַּ֣עַת הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ כִּֽי־כְתָ֞ב אֲשֶׁר־נִכְתָּ֣ב בְּשֵׁם־הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ וְנַחְתּ֛וֹם בְּטַבַּ֥עַת הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ אֵ֥ין לְהָשִֽׁיב׃ ⁹ וַיִּקָּרְא֣וּ סֹפְרֵֽי־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ בָּֽעֵת־הַ֠הִיא בַּחֹ֨דֶשׁ הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֜י הוּא־חֹ֣דֶשׁ סִיוָ֗ן בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁ֣ה וְעֶשְׂרִים֮ בּוֹ֒ וַיִּכָּתֵ֣ב כְּֽכָל־אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֣ה מָרְדֳּכַ֣י אֶל־הַיְּהוּדִ֡ים וְאֶ֣ל הָאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנִֽים־וְהַפַּחוֹת֩ וְשָׂרֵ֨י הַמְּדִינ֜וֹת אֲשֶׁ֣ר ׀ מֵהֹ֣דּוּ וְעַד־כּ֗וּשׁ שֶׁ֣בַע וְעֶשְׂרִ֤ים וּמֵאָה֙ מְדִינָ֔ה מְדִינָ֤ה וּמְדִינָה֙ כִּכְתָבָ֔הּ וְעַ֥ם וָעָ֖ם כִּלְשֹׁנ֑וֹ וְאֶ֨ל־הַיְּהוּדִ֔ים כִּכְתָבָ֖ם וְכִלְשׁוֹנָֽם׃ ¹⁰ וַיִּכְתֹּ֗ב בְּשֵׁם֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרֹ֔שׁ וַיַּחְתֹּ֖ם בְּטַבַּ֣עַת הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח סְפָרִ֡ים בְּיַד֩ הָרָצִ֨ים בַּסּוּסִ֜ים רֹכְבֵ֤י הָרֶ֙כֶשׁ֙ הָֽאֲחַשְׁתְּרָנִ֔ים בְּנֵ֖י הָֽרַמָּכִֽים׃ ¹¹ אֲשֶׁר֩ נָתַ֨ן הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ לַיְּהוּדִ֣ים ׀ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּכָל־עִיר־וָעִ֗יר לְהִקָּהֵל֮ וְלַעֲמֹ֣ד עַל־נַפְשָׁם֒ לְהַשְׁמִיד֩ וְלַהֲרֹ֨ג וּלְאַבֵּ֜ד אֶת־כָּל־חֵ֨יל עַ֧ם וּמְדִינָ֛ה הַצָּרִ֥ים אֹתָ֖ם טַ֣ף וְנָשִׁ֑ים וּשְׁלָלָ֖ם לָבֽוֹז׃ ¹² בְּי֣וֹם אֶחָ֔ד בְּכָל־מְדִינ֖וֹת הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֑וֹשׁ בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁ֥ה עָשָׂ֛ר לְחֹ֥דֶשׁ שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂ֖ר הוּא־חֹ֥דֶשׁ אֲדָֽר׃ ¹³ פַּתְשֶׁ֣גֶן הַכְּתָ֗ב לְהִנָּ֤תֵֽן דָּת֙ בְּכָל־מְדִינָ֣ה וּמְדִינָ֔ה גָּל֖וּי לְכָל־הָעַמִּ֑ים וְלִהְי֨וֹת היהודיים הַיְּהוּדִ֤ים עתודים עֲתִידִים֙ לַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה לְהִנָּקֵ֖ם מֵאֹיְבֵיהֶֽם׃ ¹⁴ הָרָצִ֞ים רֹכְבֵ֤י הָרֶ֙כֶשׁ֙ הָֽאֲחַשְׁתְּרָנִ֔ים יָֽצְא֛וּ מְבֹהָלִ֥ים וּדְחוּפִ֖ים בִּדְבַ֣ר הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וְהַדָּ֥ת נִתְּנָ֖ה בְּשׁוּשַׁ֥ן הַבִּירָֽה׃ {פ}	⁷ Then the king Aḥashverosh said unto Esther the queen and to Mordekhai the Jew: ‘Behold, I have given Esther the house of Hâman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. ⁸ Write you also concerning the Jews, as you like it, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring; for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.’ ⁹ Then were the king’s scribes called at that time, in the third month, which is the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordekhai commanded concerning the Jews, even to the satraps, and the governors and princes of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, a hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language. ¹⁰ And they wrote in the name of king Aḥashverosh, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, riding on swift steeds that were used in the king’s service, bred of the stud; ¹¹ that the king had granted the Jews that were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, and to slay, and to cause to perish, all the forces of the people and province that would assault them, their little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey, ¹² upon one day in all the provinces of king Aḥashverosh, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar. ¹³ The copy of the writing, to be given out for a decree in every province, was to be published unto all the peoples, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. ¹⁴ So the posts that rode upon swift steeds that were used in the king’s service went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king’s commandment; and the decree was given out in Shushan the castle.
¹⁵ וּמָרְדֳּכַ֞י יָצָ֣א ׀ מִלִּפְנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ בִּלְב֤וּשׁ מַלְכוּת֙ תְּכֵ֣לֶת וָח֔וּר וַעֲטֶ֤רֶת זָהָב֙ גְּדוֹלָ֔ה וְתַכְרִ֥יךְ בּ֖וּץ וְאַרְגָּמָ֑ן וְהָעִ֣יר שׁוּשָׁ֔ן צָהֲלָ֖ה וְשָׂמֵֽחָה׃ ¹⁶ לַיְּהוּדִ֕ים הָֽיְתָ֥ה אוֹרָ֖ה וְשִׂמְחָ֑ה וְשָׂשֹׂ֖ן וִיקָֽר׃ ¹⁷ וּבְכָל־מְדִינָ֨ה וּמְדִינָ֜ה וּבְכָל־עִ֣יר וָעִ֗יר מְקוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר דְּבַר־הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ וְדָתוֹ֙ מַגִּ֔יעַ שִׂמְחָ֤ה וְשָׂשׂוֹן֙ לַיְּהוּדִ֔ים מִשְׁתֶּ֖ה וְי֣וֹם ט֑וֹב וְרַבִּ֞ים מֵֽעַמֵּ֤י הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ מִֽתְיַהֲדִ֔ים כִּֽי־נָפַ֥ל פַּֽחַד־הַיְּהוּדִ֖ים עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃	¹⁵ u’Mordekhai yatsa millifne hammelekh bilvush malkhut tekhelet vaḥur vaˈateret zahav gedola vetakhrikh buts veˈargaman vehaˈir shushan tsahala vesameḥa. And Mordekhai went forth from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a rob of fine linen and purple; and the city of Shushan shouted and was glad. ¹⁶ layyehudim hayta ora vesimḥa vesason vikar The Jews had light and gladness, and joy and honour. ¹⁷ And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, the Jews had gladness and joy, a feast and a good day. And many from among the peoples of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews was fallen upon them.
אֶסְתֵּר ט https://archive.org/download/megilatestherhillelhayyimlaveryyisraeli2010/Megilat%20Esther%20Chapter%2009%20%28Hillel%20%E1%B8%A4ayyim%20Lavery-Yisra%C3%ABli%202010%29.mp3	Chapter 9
¹ וּבִשְׁנֵים֩ עָשָׂ֨ר חֹ֜דֶשׁ הוּא־חֹ֣דֶשׁ אֲדָ֗ר בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁ֨ה עָשָׂ֥ר יוֹם֙ בּ֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֨ר הִגִּ֧יעַ דְּבַר־הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ וְדָת֖וֹ לְהֵעָשׂ֑וֹת בַּיּ֗וֹם אֲשֶׁ֨ר שִׂבְּר֜וּ אֹיְבֵ֤י הַיְּהוּדִים֙ לִשְׁל֣וֹט בָּהֶ֔ם וְנַהֲפ֣וֹךְ ה֔וּא אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִשְׁלְט֧וּ הַיְּהוּדִ֛ים הֵ֖מָּה בְּשֹׂנְאֵיהֶֽם׃ ² נִקְהֲל֨וּ הַיְּהוּדִ֜ים בְּעָרֵיהֶ֗ם בְּכָל־מְדִינוֹת֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֳחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ לִשְׁלֹ֣חַ יָ֔ד בִּמְבַקְשֵׁ֖י רָֽעָתָ֑ם וְאִישׁ֙ לֹא־עָמַ֣ד לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם כִּֽי־נָפַ֥ל פַּחְדָּ֖ם עַל־כָּל־הָעַמִּֽים׃	¹ Now in the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have rule over them; whereas it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them; ² the Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Aḥashverosh, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt; and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them was fallen upon all the peoples.
³ וְכָל־שָׂרֵ֨י הַמְּדִינ֜וֹת וְהָאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנִ֣ים וְהַפַּח֗וֹת וְעֹשֵׂ֤י הַמְּלָאכָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ מְנַשְּׂאִ֖ים אֶת־הַיְּהוּדִ֑ים כִּֽי־נָפַ֥ל פַּֽחַד־מָרְדֳּכַ֖י עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃ ⁴ כִּֽי־גָ֤דוֹל מָרְדֳּכַי֙ בְּבֵ֣ית הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְשָׁמְע֖וֹ הוֹלֵ֣ךְ בְּכָל־הַמְּדִינ֑וֹת כִּֽי־הָאִ֥ישׁ מָרְדֳּכַ֖י הוֹלֵ֥ךְ וְגָדֽוֹל׃ {פ} ⁵ וַיַּכּ֤וּ הַיְּהוּדִים֙ בְּכָל־אֹ֣יְבֵיהֶ֔ם מַכַּת־חֶ֥רֶב וְהֶ֖רֶג וְאַבְדָ֑ן וַיַּֽעֲשׂ֥וּ בְשֹׂנְאֵיהֶ֖ם כִּרְצוֹנָֽם׃ ⁶ וּבְשׁוּשַׁ֣ן הַבִּירָ֗ה הָרְג֤וּ הַיְּהוּדִים֙ וְאַבֵּ֔ד חֲמֵ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת אִֽישׁ׃	³ And all the princes of the provinces, and the satraps, and the governors, and they that did the king’s business, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordekhai was fallen upon them. ⁴ For Mordekhai was great in the king’s house, and his fame went forth throughout all the provinces; for the man Mordekhai waxed greater and greater. ⁵ And the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and with slaughter and destruction, and did what they would unto them that hated them. ⁶ And in Shushan the castle the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men.
⁷ וְאֵ֧ת ׀ פַּרְשַׁנְדָּ֛תָא וְאֵ֥ת ׀ דַּֽלְפ֖וֹן וְאֵ֥ת ׀ אַסְפָּֽתָא׃ ⁸ וְאֵ֧ת ׀ פּוֹרָ֛תָא וְאֵ֥ת ׀ אֲדַלְיָ֖א וְאֵ֥ת ׀ אֲרִידָֽתָא׃ ⁹ וְאֵ֤ת ׀ פַּרְמַ֙שְׁתָּא֙ וְאֵ֣ת ׀ אֲרִיסַ֔י וְאֵ֥ת ׀ אֲרִדַ֖י וְאֵ֥ת ׀ וַיְזָֽתָא׃ ¹⁰ עֲ֠שֶׂרֶת בְּנֵ֨י הָמָ֧ן בֶּֽן־הַמְּדָ֛תָא צֹרֵ֥ר הַיְּהוּדִ֖ים הָרָ֑גוּ וּבַ֨בִּזָּ֔ה לֹ֥א שָׁלְח֖וּ אֶת־יָדָֽם׃	⁷ And Parshandâta, and Dalphon, and Aspâta, ⁸ and Porata, and Adalia, and Aridâta, ⁹ and Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vaizâta, ¹⁰ the ten sons of Hâman the son of Hammedâta, the Jews’ enemy, slew they; but on the spoil they laid not their hand.
¹¹ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֗וּא בָּ֣א מִסְפַּ֧ר הַֽהֲרוּגִ֛ים בְּשׁוּשַׁ֥ן הַבִּירָ֖ה לִפְנֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ {ס} ¹² וַיֹּ֨אמֶר הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ לְאֶסְתֵּ֣ר הַמַּלְכָּ֗ה בְּשׁוּשַׁ֣ן הַבִּירָ֡ה הָרְגוּ֩ הַיְּהוּדִ֨ים וְאַבֵּ֜ד חֲמֵ֧שׁ מֵא֣וֹת אִ֗ישׁ וְאֵת֙ עֲשֶׂ֣רֶת בְּנֵֽי־הָמָ֔ן בִּשְׁאָ֛ר מְדִינ֥וֹת הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ מֶ֣ה עָשׂ֑וּ וּמַה־שְּׁאֵֽלָתֵךְ֙ וְיִנָּ֣תֵֽן לָ֔ךְ וּמַה־בַּקָּשָׁתֵ֥ךְ ע֖וֹד וְתֵעָֽשׂ׃	¹¹ On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the castle was brought before the king. ¹² And the king said unto Esther the queen: ‘The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the castle, and the ten sons of Hâman; what then have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces! Now whatever your petition, it shall be granted thee; and whatever your request further, it shall be done.’
¹³ וַתֹּ֤אמֶר אֶסְתֵּר֙ אִם־עַל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ ט֔וֹב יִנָּתֵ֣ן גַּם־מָחָ֗ר לַיְּהוּדִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּשׁוּשָׁ֔ן לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת כְּדָ֣ת הַיּ֑וֹם וְאֵ֛ת עֲשֶׂ֥רֶת בְּנֵֽי־הָמָ֖ן יִתְל֥וּ עַל־הָעֵֽץ׃ ¹⁴ וַיֹּ֤אמֶר הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ לְהֵֽעָשׂ֣וֹת כֵּ֔ן וַתִּנָּתֵ֥ן דָּ֖ת בְּשׁוּשָׁ֑ן וְאֵ֛ת עֲשֶׂ֥רֶת בְּנֵֽי־הָמָ֖ן תָּלֽוּ׃ ¹⁵ וַיִּֽקָּהֲל֞וּ היהודיים הַיְּהוּדִ֣ים אֲשֶׁר־בְּשׁוּשָׁ֗ן גַּ֠ם בְּי֣וֹם אַרְבָּעָ֤ה עָשָׂר֙ לְחֹ֣דֶשׁ אֲדָ֔ר וַיַּֽהַרְג֣וּ בְשׁוּשָׁ֔ן שְׁלֹ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת אִ֑ישׁ וּבַ֨בִּזָּ֔ה לֹ֥א שָׁלְח֖וּ אֶת־יָדָֽם׃	¹³ Then said Esther: ‘If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews that are in Shushan to do to-morrow also according unto this day’s decree, and let Hâman’s ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.’ ¹⁴ And the king commanded it so to be done; and a decree was given out in Shushan; and they hanged Hâman’s ten sons. ¹⁵ And the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men in Shushan; but on the spoil they laid not their hand.
¹⁶ וּשְׁאָ֣ר הַיְּהוּדִ֡ים אֲשֶׁר֩ בִּמְדִינ֨וֹת הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ נִקְהֲל֣וּ ׀ וְעָמֹ֣ד עַל־נַפְשָׁ֗ם וְנ֙וֹחַ֙ מֵאֹ֣יְבֵיהֶ֔ם וְהָרֹג֙ בְּשֹׂ֣נְאֵיהֶ֔ם חֲמִשָּׁ֥ה וְשִׁבְעִ֖ים אָ֑לֶף וּבַ֨בִּזָּ֔ה לֹ֥א שָֽׁלְח֖וּ אֶת־יָדָֽם׃ ¹⁷ בְּיוֹם־שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר לְחֹ֣דֶשׁ אֲדָ֑ר וְנ֗וֹחַ בְּאַרְבָּעָ֤ה עָשָׂר֙ בּ֔וֹ וְעָשֹׂ֣ה אֹת֔וֹ י֖וֹם מִשְׁתֶּ֥ה וְשִׂמְחָֽה׃ ¹⁸ והיהודיים וְהַיְּהוּדִ֣ים אֲשֶׁר־בְּשׁוּשָׁ֗ן נִקְהֲלוּ֙ בִּשְׁלֹשָׁ֤ה עָשָׂר֙ בּ֔וֹ וּבְאַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר בּ֑וֹ וְנ֗וֹחַ בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֤ה עָשָׂר֙ בּ֔וֹ וְעָשֹׂ֣ה אֹת֔וֹ י֖וֹם מִשְׁתֶּ֥ה וְשִׂמְחָֽה׃ ¹⁹ עַל־כֵּ֞ן הַיְּהוּדִ֣ים הפרוזים הַפְּרָזִ֗ים הַיֹּשְׁבִים֮ בְּעָרֵ֣י הַפְּרָזוֹת֒ עֹשִׂ֗ים אֵ֠ת י֣וֹם אַרְבָּעָ֤ה עָשָׂר֙ לְחֹ֣דֶשׁ אֲדָ֔ר שִׂמְחָ֥ה וּמִשְׁתֶּ֖ה וְי֣וֹם ט֑וֹב וּמִשְׁל֥וֹחַ מָנ֖וֹת אִ֥ישׁ לְרֵעֵֽהוּ׃ {פ}	¹⁶ And the other Jews that were in the king’s provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of them that hated them seventy and five thousand—but on the spoil they laid not their hand— ¹⁷ on the thirteenth day of the month Adar, and on the fourteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. ¹⁸ But the Jews that were in Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. ¹⁹ Therefore do the Jews of the villages, that dwell in the unwalled towns, make the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.
²⁰ וַיִּכְתֹּ֣ב מָרְדֳּכַ֔י אֶת־הַדְּבָרִ֖ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח סְפָרִ֜ים אֶל־כָּל־הַיְּהוּדִ֗ים אֲשֶׁר֙ בְּכָל־מְדִינוֹת֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ הַקְּרוֹבִ֖ים וְהָרְחוֹקִֽים׃ ²¹ לְקַיֵּם֮ עֲלֵיהֶם֒ לִהְי֣וֹת עֹשִׂ֗ים אֵ֠ת י֣וֹם אַרְבָּעָ֤ה עָשָׂר֙ לְחֹ֣דֶשׁ אֲדָ֔ר וְאֵ֛ת יוֹם־חֲמִשָּׁ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר בּ֑וֹ בְּכָל־שָׁנָ֖ה וְשָׁנָֽה׃ ²² כַּיָּמִ֗ים אֲשֶׁר־נָ֨חוּ בָהֶ֤ם הַיְּהוּדִים֙ מֵא֣וֹיְבֵיהֶ֔ם וְהַחֹ֗דֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר֩ נֶהְפַּ֨ךְ לָהֶ֤ם מִיָּגוֹן֙ לְשִׂמְחָ֔ה וּמֵאֵ֖בֶל לְי֣וֹם ט֑וֹב לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת אוֹתָ֗ם יְמֵי֙ מִשְׁתֶּ֣ה וְשִׂמְחָ֔ה וּמִשְׁל֤וֹחַ מָנוֹת֙ אִ֣ישׁ לְרֵעֵ֔הוּ וּמַתָּנ֖וֹת לָֽאֶבְיוֹנִֽים׃ ²³ וְקִבֵּל֙ הַיְּהוּדִ֔ים אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר־הֵחֵ֖לּוּ לַעֲשׂ֑וֹת וְאֵ֛ת אֲשֶׁר־כָּתַ֥ב מָרְדֳּכַ֖י אֲלֵיהֶֽם׃ ²⁴ כִּי֩ הָמָ֨ן בֶּֽן־הַמְּדָ֜תָא הָֽאֲגָגִ֗י צֹרֵר֙ כָּל־הַיְּהוּדִ֔ים חָשַׁ֥ב עַל־הַיְּהוּדִ֖ים לְאַבְּדָ֑ם וְהִפִּ֥יל פּוּר֙ ה֣וּא הַגּוֹרָ֔ל לְהֻמָּ֖ם וּֽלְאַבְּדָֽם׃ ²⁵ וּבְבֹאָהּ֮ לִפְנֵ֣י הַמֶּלֶךְ֒ אָמַ֣ר עִם־הַסֵּ֔פֶר יָשׁ֞וּב מַחֲשַׁבְתּ֧וֹ הָרָעָ֛ה אֲשֶׁר־חָשַׁ֥ב עַל־הַיְּהוּדִ֖ים עַל־רֹאשׁ֑וֹ וְתָל֥וּ אֹת֛וֹ וְאֶת־בָּנָ֖יו עַל־הָעֵֽץ׃	²⁰ And Mordekhai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Aḥashverosh, both nigh and far, ²¹ to enjoin them that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, ²² the days wherein the Jews had rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to gladness, and from mourning into a good day; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. ²³ And the Jews took upon them to do as they had begun, and as Mordekhai had written unto them; ²⁴ because Hâman the son of Hammedâta ha-Agagi, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast pur, that is, the lot, to discomfit them, and to destroy them; ²⁵ but when she^[1] That is, Esther. came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he had devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head; and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.
²⁶ עַל־כֵּ֡ן קָֽרְאוּ֩ לַיָּמִ֨ים הָאֵ֤לֶּה פוּרִים֙ עַל־שֵׁ֣ם הַפּ֔וּר עַל־כֵּ֕ן עַל־כָּל־דִּבְרֵ֖י הָאִגֶּ֣רֶת הַזֹּ֑את וּמָֽה־רָא֣וּ עַל־כָּ֔כָה וּמָ֥ה הִגִּ֖יעַ אֲלֵיהֶֽם׃ ²⁷ קִיְּמ֣וּ וקבל וְקִבְּל֣וּ הַיְּהוּדִים֩ ׀ עֲלֵיהֶ֨ם ׀ וְעַל־זַרְעָ֜ם וְעַ֨ל כָּל־הַנִּלְוִ֤ים עֲלֵיהֶם֙ וְלֹ֣א יַעֲב֔וֹר לִהְי֣וֹת עֹשִׂ֗ים אֵ֣ת שְׁנֵ֤י הַיָּמִים֙ הָאֵ֔לֶּה כִּכְתָבָ֖ם וְכִזְמַנָּ֑ם בְּכָל־שָׁנָ֖ה וְשָׁנָֽה׃ ²⁸ וְהַיָּמִ֣ים הָ֠אֵלֶּה נִזְכָּרִ֨ים וְנַעֲשִׂ֜ים בְּכָל־דּ֣וֹר וָד֗וֹר מִשְׁפָּחָה֙ וּמִשְׁפָּחָ֔ה מְדִינָ֥ה וּמְדִינָ֖ה וְעִ֣יר וָעִ֑יר וִימֵ֞י הַפּוּרִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה לֹ֤א יַֽעַבְרוּ֙ מִתּ֣וֹךְ הַיְּהוּדִ֔ים וְזִכְרָ֖ם לֹא־יָס֥וּף מִזַּרְעָֽם׃ {ס}	²⁶ Wherefore they called these days Purim, after the name of pur. Therefore because of all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and that which had come unto them, ²⁷ the Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to the writing thereof, and according to the appointed time thereof, every year; ²⁸ and that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed.
²⁹ וַ֠תִּכְתֹּב אֶסְתֵּ֨ר הַמַּלְכָּ֧ה בַת־אֲבִיחַ֛יִל וּמָרְדֳּכַ֥י הַיְּהוּדִ֖י אֶת־כָּל־תֹּ֑קֶף לְקַיֵּ֗ם אֵ֣ת אִגֶּ֧רֶת הַפּוּרִ֛ים הַזֹּ֖את הַשֵּׁנִֽית׃ ³⁰ וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח סְפָרִ֜ים אֶל־כָּל־הַיְּהוּדִ֗ים אֶל־שֶׁ֨בַע וְעֶשְׂרִ֤ים וּמֵאָה֙ מְדִינָ֔ה מַלְכ֖וּת אֲחַשְׁוֵר֑וֹשׁ דִּבְרֵ֥י שָׁל֖וֹם וֶאֱמֶֽת׃ ³¹ לְקַיֵּ֡ם אֵת־יְמֵי֩ הַפֻּרִ֨ים הָאֵ֜לֶּה בִּזְמַנֵּיהֶ֗ם כַּאֲשֶׁר֩ קִיַּ֨ם עֲלֵיהֶ֜ם מָרְדֳּכַ֤י הַיְּהוּדִי֙ וְאֶסְתֵּ֣ר הַמַּלְכָּ֔ה וְכַאֲשֶׁ֛ר קִיְּמ֥וּ עַל־נַפְשָׁ֖ם וְעַל־זַרְעָ֑ם דִּבְרֵ֥י הַצֹּמ֖וֹת וְזַעֲקָתָֽם׃	²⁹ Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Aviḥayil, and Mordekhai the Jew, wrote down all the acts of power, to confirm this second letter of Purim. ³⁰ And he sent letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Aḥashverosh, with words of peace and truth, ³¹ to confirm these days of Purim in their appointed times, according as Mordekhai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had ordained for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry.
³² וּמַאֲמַ֣ר אֶסְתֵּ֔ר קִיַּ֕ם דִּבְרֵ֥י הַפֻּרִ֖ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה וְנִכְתָּ֖ב בַּסֵּֽפֶר׃ {פ}	³² umaˈamar Esther kiyyam divre hapurim haˈelleh venikhtav bassefer And the commandment of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.
אֶסְתֵּר י https://archive.org/download/megilatestherhillelhayyimlaveryyisraeli2010/Megilat%20Esther%20Chapter%2010%20%28Hillel%20%E1%B8%A4ayyim%20Lavery-Yisra%C3%ABli%202010%29.mp3	Chapter 10
¹ וַיָּשֶׂם֩ הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ אחשרש אֲחַשְׁוֵר֧וֹשׁ ׀ מַ֛ס עַל־הָאָ֖רֶץ וְאִיֵּ֥י הַיָּֽם׃ ² וְכָל־מַעֲשֵׂ֤ה תָקְפּוֹ֙ וּגְב֣וּרָת֔וֹ וּפָרָשַׁת֙ גְּדֻלַּ֣ת מָרְדֳּכַ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר גִּדְּל֖וֹ הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ הֲלוֹא־הֵ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֙פֶר֙ דִּבְרֵ֣י הַיָּמִ֔ים לְמַלְכֵ֖י מָדַ֥י וּפָרָֽס׃ ³ כִּ֣י ׀ מָרְדֳּכַ֣י הַיְּהוּדִ֗י מִשְׁנֶה֙ לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ וְגָדוֹל֙ לַיְּהוּדִ֔ים וְרָצ֖וּי לְרֹ֣ב אֶחָ֑יו דֹּרֵ֥שׁ טוֹב֙ לְעַמּ֔וֹ וְדֹבֵ֥ר שָׁל֖וֹם לְכָל־זַרְעֽוֹ׃	¹ And the king Aḥashverosh laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea. ² And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the full account of the greatness of Mordekhai, how the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? ³ ki Mordekhai hayyehudi mishneh lammelekh Aḥashverosh vegadol layyehudim veratsuy lerov eḥav doresh tov leˈammo vedover shalom lekhol-zarˈo For Mordekhai the Jew was next unto king Aḥashverosh, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren; seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his seed.
	Blessings and Prayers upon completing Megillat Esther
אחר קריאת המגילה מברך הקורא:‏	After reading the Book of Esther say:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, (הָאֵל) הָרָב אֶת רִיבֵֽנוּ וְהַדָּן אֶת דִּינֵֽנוּ וְהַנּוֹקֵם אֶת נִקְמָתֵֽנוּ וְהַמְשַׁלֵּם גְּמוּל לְכָל אוֹיְבֵי נַפְשֵֽׁנוּ וְהַנִּפְרָע לָֽנוּ מִצָּרֵֽינוּ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ הַנִּפְרָע לְעַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל מִכָּל צָרֵיהֶם הָאֵל הַמּוֹשִֽׁיעַ:‏	Blessed are you, Hashem our elo’ah, cosmic majesty, (the El) who pleads our cause, judges our suit and avenges our wrong, who renders retribution to all that hate our soul, and on our behalf deals out punishment to our adversaries. Blessed are you, Hashem, who on behalf of your people Yisra’el deals out punishment to all their adversaries: the El [that is] the Savior.
בגמר קריאת המגילה והברכה שאחריה בערבית, אומרים ‘אשר הניא’ ומזמרים ‘שושנת יעקב’.‏ בשחרית אין אומרים ‘אשר הניא’, מפני שקרובות נאמרו בחזרת הש”ץ, שך מזמרים ‘שושנת יעקב’.‏	In the morning, skip the following piyyut:
אֲשֶׁר הֵנִיא עֲצַת גּוֹיִם וַיָּֽפֶר מַחְשְׁבוֹת עֲרוּמִים׃ בְּקוּם עָלֵֽינוּ אָדָם רָשָׁע נֵֽצֶר זָדוֹן מִזֶּֽרַע עֲמָלֵק׃	—Who brought the counsel of the heathen to nought, and made the devices of the crafty of none effect, when a wicked man rose up against us, an arrogant offshoot of the seed of Amalek.
גָּאָה בְעָשְׁרוֹ וְכָֽרָה לוֹ בּוֹר וּגְדֻלָּתוֹ יָֽקְשָׁה לּוֹ לָֽכֶד׃ דִּמָּה בְנַפְשׁוֹ לִלְכּוֹד וְנִלְכָּד בִּקֵּשׁ לְהַשְׁמִיד וְנִשְׁמַד מְהֵרָה׃	Insolent in his riches, he dug himself a pit, and his own greatness laid him a snare. In his mind he thought to entrap, but was himself entrapped, he sought to destroy, but was speedily destroyed.
הָמָן הוֹדִֽיעַ אֵיבַת אֲבוֹתָיו וְעוֹרֵר שִׂנְאַת אַחִים לַבָּנִים׃ וְלֹא זָכַר רַחֲמֵי שָׁאוּל כִּי בְחֶמְלָתוֹ עַל אֲגָג נוֹלַד אוֹיֵב׃	Hâman displayed the hatred of his fathers, and stirred up against the children the ancient enmity of the brothers (Esav and Yaakov), remembering not the mercy of Shaul, through whose compassion for Agag the enemy was born.
זָמַם רָשָׁע לְהַכְרִית צַדִּיק וְנִלְכַּד טָמֵא בִּידֵי טָהוֹר׃ חֶֽסֶד גָּבַר עַל שִׁגְגַת אָב וְרָשָׁע הוֹסִיף חֵטְא עַל חֲטָאָיו׃	The wicked plotted to cut off the just, and the unclean was caught in the hands of the pure. (Mordekhai’s) lovingkindness (to Esther) prevailed over the father’s (Shaul’s) error, but the wicked (Hâman) heaped sin upon the sins of his ancestor.
טָמַן בְּלִבּוֹ מַחְשְׁבוֹת עֲרוּמָיו, וַיִּתְמַכֵּר לַעֲשׂוֹת רָעָה׃ יָדוֹ שָׁלַח בִּקְדֽוֹשֵי אֵל כַּסְפּוֹ נָתַן לְהַכְרִית זִכְרָם׃	In his heart he hid his cunning devices, and sold himself to do wickedness. He stretched forth his hand against El’s holy ones; he gave his silver to cut off the remembrance of them.
כִּרְאוֹת מָרְדְּכַי כִּי יָֽצָא קֶֽצֶף וְדָתֵי הָמָן נִתְּנוּ בְּשׁוּשָׁן׃ לָבַשׁ שַׂק וְקָשַׁר מִסְפֵּד וְגָזַר צוֹם וַיֵּֽשֶׁב עַל הָאֵֽפֶר׃	When Mordekhai saw that wrath had gone forth, and that the decrees of Hâman were issued in Shushan, lie put on sackcloth and wrapped himself in mourning, ordained a fast and sat upon ashes.
מִי זֶה יַעֲמוֹד לְכַפֵּר שְׁגָגָה וְלִמְחוֹל חַטַּאת עֲוֹן אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ׃ נֵץ פָּרַח מִלּוּלָב הֵן הֲדַסָּה עָמְדָה לְעוֹרֵר יְשֵׁנִים׃	Who will rise up to atone for error, and obtain pardon for the sin and iniquity of our fathers? A flower blossomed from the palm tree: lo! Hadassah arose to awaken the merit of those that slept in the grave.
סָרִיסֶֽיהָ הִבְהִֽילוּ לְהָמָן לְהַשְׁקוֹתוֹ יֵין חֲמַת תַּנִּינִים׃ עָמַד בְעָשְׁרוֹ וְנָפַל בְּרִשְׁעוֹ עָֽשָׂה לוֹ עֵץ וְנִתְלָה עָלָיו׃	Her servants hastened to make Hâman drink the wine of the poison of snakes. He rose by his riches, but fell in his wickedness; he made him a gallows, and was himself hung thereon.
פִּיהֶם פָּתְחוּ כָּל יוֹשְׁבֵי תֵבֵל כִּי פוּר הָמָן נֶהְפַּךְ לְפוּרֵֽנוּ׃ צַדִּיק נֶחֱלַץ מִיַּד רָשָׁע אוֹיֵב נִתַּן תַּֽחַת נַפְשׁוֹ׃ קִיְּמוּ עֲלֵיהֶם לַעֲשׂוֹת פּוּרִים וְלִשְׂמוֹחַ בְּכָל שָׁנָה וְשָׁנָה׃	All the inhabitants of the world opened their mouths, for the lot of Hâman was turned to be our lot. When the righteous was delivered out of the hand of the wicked, and the enemy was put in his stead, the Jews ordained for themselves to celebrate Purim, and to rejoice thereon every year.
רָאִֽיתָ אֶת תְּפִלַּת מָרְדְּכַי וְאֶסְתֵּר. הָמָן וּבָנָיו עַל הָעֵץ תָּלִֽיתָ׃‏ שׁוֹשַׁנַּת יַעֲקֹב צָהֲלָה וְשָׂמֵֽחָה בִּרְאוֹתָם יַֽחַד תְּכֵֽלֶת מָרְדְּכָי׃	You did regard the prayer of Mordekhai and Esther: Hâman and his sons you did hang upon the gallows. The lily of Yaakov rejoiced and was glad when Mordekhai was seen in the purple.
תְּשׁוּעָתָם הָיִֽיתָ לָנֶֽצַח וְתִקְוָתָם בְּכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר׃ לְהוֹדִֽיעַ שֶׁכָּל קֹוֶֽיךָ לֹא יֵבֹֽשׁוּ וְלֹא יִכָּלְמוּ לָנֶֽצַח כָּל הַחוֹסִים בָּךְ׃	You have ever been Yisra’el’s salvation, and their hope in every generation, to make known that all who hope in you shall not be ashamed, neither shall any be confounded who put their trust in you.
אָרוּר הָמָן אֲשֶׁר בִּקֵּשׁ לְאַבְּדִי בָּרוּךְ מָרְדְּכַי הַיְּהוּדִי אֲרוּרָה זֶֽרֶשׁ אֵֽשֶׁת מַפְחִידִי בְּרוּכָה אֶסְתֵּר מְגִנָּה בַּעֲדִי וְגַם חַרְבוֹנָה זָכוּר לְטּוֹב׃‏	Accursed be Hâman who sought to destroy me; blessed be Mordekhai the Yehudi; accursed be Zeresh, the wife of him that terrified me; blessed be Esther my protectress, and may Ḥarbonah also be remembered for good.

AT MAARIV

For Weekdays: continue on at “וְאַתָּה קָדוֹשׁ” and then say the Full-Kaddish, omitting the line starting with “תִּתְקַבֵּל”.

For Saturday Night: continue on at “וִיהִי נֹעַם” and then say “וְאַתָּה קָדוֹשׁ”, followed by the Full-Kaddish, omitting the line starting with “תִּתְקַבֵּל”.

FOR SHACHARIT

On all days: continue on with “אַשְׁרֵי”.

The Open Siddur Project is pleased to offer the world the first freely licensed Seder Megillat Esther. We would like to thank our contributors: the Jewish Publication Society for sharing an authoritative digital edition of their ¹⁹¹⁷ English Translation of the TaNaKh (The Holy Scriptures According to the Masoretic Text), Christopher Kimball and the Westminster Leningrad Codex digitization project for an authoritative digital text of the TaNaKh, and John B. Hare z”l who scanned and digitized the English translation of Rabbi Shimon Singer z”l in the Authorised Daily Prayer Book. We would also like to thank Rabbi Rallis Wiesenthal for his contribution of the Siddur Bnei Ashkenaz, Shmueli Gonzales for his transcriptions of siddurim witnessing the Nusach Ha-Ari, and Aharon Varady, the editor of opensiddur.org and founder of the Open Siddur Project. Thanks as well go to Open Siddur Project lead developer, Efraim Feinstein and all the developers who had a hand in contributing to our transliteration engine, the source of the transliterations used in the four verses of the Megillah that are communally recited. (The transliteration schema is that of the Academy for the Hebrew Language, 2007.)

If you have any free licensed resources representing other nuschaot and minhagim, please share them. Sound recordings of the ta’amei miqra for the reading of Megillat Esther are located here.

Shmueli Gonzales’ instructional text is licensed CC-BY. All other material contributed in this post is shared with a Creative Commons Zero license and public domain declaration. Minor changes to the layout of the ¹⁹¹⁷ JPS translation and closer transliterations of names found in Megillat Esther, are our only modifications.

Recordings

A full recording of the reading of Megillat Esther suitable for the study of the chanting of each chapter is shared by Rabbi Hillel Ḥayyim Lavery-Yisraëli as cross-posted to the Internet Archive.

Another setting of the megillah reading was made by Naomi Klionsky for Purim 2025, in which the voice of the narrator and every additional character in the megillah was read by a different voice. That reading is also cross-posted to the Internet Archive.

Notes

Notes
1	That is, Esther.

יהי רצון אחרי שיר השירים | Yehi Ratson after Shir haShirim, cantillated and translated by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer

Isaac Gantwerk Mayer (transcription & naqdanut) — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 13:18:26 +0000

After the recitation of Shir haShirim — which, in some circles, is recited every Friday night — the Lurianic kabbalists instituted a yehi ratson, a petition to be recited in the merit of what was just read. In many communities, this petition is recited using the same melodies as the recitation of the scroll itself. As an extension of this custom, here I’ve added cantillation marks to the yehi ratson after Shir haShirim. Included also is a recitation of the text following said cantillation marks.

Source (Hebrew)	Translation (English)
רִבּ֣וֹן כׇּל־הָעוֹלָמִ֗ים יְהִי־רָצ֨וֹן מִלְּפָנֶ֜יךָ יהו֤ה אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙ וֵאלֹהֵ֣י אֲבוֹתֵ֔ינוּ שֶׁבִּזְכ֨וּת שִׁ֤יר הַשִּׁירִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר קָרָ֔אנוּ שֶׁה֥וּא קֹ֖דֶשׁ קׇדָשִׁ֑ים וּבִזְכ֣וּת פְּסוּקָיו֩ וּבִזְכ֨וּת תֵּבוֹתָ֜יו וּבִזְכ֣וּת אוֹתִיּוֹתָ֗יו וּבִזְכ֤וּת נְקֻדּוֹתָיו֙ וּבִזְכ֣וּת טְעָמָ֔יו וּבִזְכ֨וּת שְׁמוֹתָ֤יו וְצֵרוּפָיו֙ וּרְמָזָ֣יו וְסוֹדוֹתָ֔יו הַקְּדוֹשִׁ֛ים וְהַטְּהוֹרִ֥ים וְהַנּוֹרָאִ֖ים הַיּוֹצְאִ֥ים מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃	Master of all eternities, may it be willed before You, Cause our God and God of our ancestors, that by merit of the Song of Songs that we read, which is the holy of holies, and by merit of its verses and by merit of its words and by merit of its letters and by merit of its diacritics and by merit of its cantillations and by merit of its holy and pure and awesome names and rackings,^[1] letter-combinations, i.e. combinations of the words in this text with other words to create mystical nomina sacra, a common kabbalistic process. The word “racking” is used here because Marlowe uses it in Faustus — “For when we hear one racke the name of God.” allegories, and mysteries derive from it…
שֶׁתְּהֵא֙ שָֽׁעָה־ז֔וֹ שְׁעַת֙ רַחֲמִ֔ים שְׁעַת֙ הַקְשָׁבָ֔ה שְׁעַ֖ת הַאֲזָנָ֑ה וְנִ֨קְרָאֲךָ֜ וְתַעֲנֵ֗נוּ נַעְתִּיר֙ לְךָ֔ וְהֵעָ֖תֶר לָֽנוּ׃	That this hour be an hour of compassion, an hour of heeding, an hour of hearing;^[2] Some add other things worth praying for here, extending the litany. For those who do so, every שְׁעַת פלוני is cantillated as שְׁעַת֙ פלונ֔י— including שְׁעַ֙ת הַאֲזָנָ֔ה — except for the last one which is cantillated שְׁעַ֖ת פלונ֑י. and as we call on You may You answer us, as we plea to You may You accede to us.
וְתִהְיֶה֩ עוֹלָ֨ה לְפָנֶ֜יךָ קְרִיאַת֙ שִׁ֣יר הַשִּׁירִ֔ים כְּאִ֛לּוּ הִשַּׂ֥גְנוּ כׇּל־הַסּוֹד֖וֹת הַנִּפְלָאִ֣ים וְהַנּוֹרָאִ֑ים אֲשֶׁר־הֵ֧ם חֲתוּמִ֛ים וּסְתֽוּמִים־בּ֖וֹ בְּכׇל־תְּנָאָֽיו׃	And may the reading of the Song of Songs be ascending before You as if we achieved all the wondrous and awesome mysteries that are signed and sealed in all its terms.
וְנִזְכֶּ֣ה לְמָק֗וֹם שֶׁהַנְּפָשׁ֣וֹת ׀ הָרוּח֣וֹת וְהַנְּשָׁמוֹת֮ נֶחֱצָב֣וֹת מִשָּׁם֒ וּכְאִ֨לּוּ עָשִׂ֜ינוּ כׇּל־מַ֤ה שֶּׁמֻּטָּל֙ עָלֵ֔ינוּ לְהַשִּׂ֕יג בֵּ֚ין בְּגִלְגּ֣וּל זֶ֔ה בֵּ֖ין בְּגִלְגּוּלִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֑ים וְלִהְי֨וֹת מִן־הָעוֹלִ֤ים וְהַזּוֹכִים֙ לָעוֹלָ֣ם הַבָּ֔א עִם־שְׁאָ֖ר צַדִּיקִ֥ים וַחֲסִידִֽים׃	And may we merit a place from where the souls, spirits, and psyches are carved,^[3] Under the Throne of Glory, where all the souls of the righteous are stored. See Avot d’Rabbi Natan 12:5. and as if we did all that is cast upon us to achieve, whether in this incarnation or in other incarnations, and to be of those who ascend and merit the next world with the rest of the righteous and pious.
וּמַלֵּ֣א ׀ כׇּל־מִשְׁאֲל֣וֹת לִבֵּ֗נוּ לְטוֹבָה֮ לַעֲבוֹדָתֶ֒ךָ֒ וְתִהְיֶ֨ה עִם־לְבָבֵ֜נוּ וְאִ֤מְרֵי פִ֙ינוּ֙ בְּעֵ֣ת מַחְשְׁבוֹתֵ֔ינוּ וְעִם־יָדֵ֖ינוּ בְּעֵ֣ת מַעְבָּדֵ֑נוּ וְתִשְׁלַ֤ח בְּרָכָה֙ וְהַצְלָחָ֣ה וְהַרְוָחָ֔ה בְּכׇל־מַעֲשֵׂ֖ה יָדֵֽינוּ׃	And fulfill all the desires of our hearts to goodness to serve You, and be with our hearts and the words of our mouths at the time of our thoughts, and with our hands at the time of our labors, and send blessing and success and relief on all Your handiwork.
וּמֵעֲפַ֨ר עׇנְיֵ֜נוּ תְּקִימֵ֗נוּ וּמֵאַשְׁפּ֤וֹת דַּלּוּתֵ֙נוּ֙ תְּרוֹמְמֵ֔נוּ וְתָשִׁ֥יב שְׁכִינָ֖תְךָ לְעִ֣יר קׇדְשֶׁ֑ךָ בִּמְהֵרָ֥ה בְיָמֵ֖ינוּ אָמֵֽן׃	And from the dust of our poverty raise us up, and from the midden-heaps of our lowliness exalt us, and return Your Presence to Your holy city speedily in our days, amen.

Notes

Notes
1	letter-combinations, i.e. combinations of the words in this text with other words to create mystical nomina sacra, a common kabbalistic process. The word “racking” is used here because Marlowe uses it in Faustus — “For when we hear one racke the name of God.”
2	Some add other things worth praying for here, extending the litany. For those who do so, every שְׁעַת פלוני is cantillated as שְׁעַת֙ פלונ֔י— including שְׁעַ֙ת הַאֲזָנָ֔ה — except for the last one which is cantillated שְׁעַ֖ת פלונ֑י.
3	Under the Throne of Glory, where all the souls of the righteous are stored. See Avot d’Rabbi Natan 12:5.

💬 שִׁיר הַשִּׁירִים | Shir haShirim (The Song of Songs), English translation by Paltiel Birnbaum (1949)

Paltiel Birnbaum (translation) — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 04:32:22 +0000

שיר השירים is recited every Friday evening because of the religious idealism attached to it by tradition. The poem has been accepted throughout the ages as an allegory of the relations between God and his people. Some nineteen centuries ago, Rabbi Akiba declared: “All the Kethubim are holy, but the Song of Songs is the holiest of all.״ According to the paraphrase of the Targum, the poem portrays the history of Israel till the times of the Messiah. It has been regarded also as a representation of the affection of Israel for the Sabbath. The author of the poem לכה דודי, “one of the finest pieces of religious poetry in existence,״ used the theme of the Sabbath bride and borrowed the title of his famous hymn from the Song of Songs (7:12). Although its meaning has been extended by various methods of interpretation, one cannot miss the beauty of the poem in its literal interpretation. Its author takes us along with him into the open air, to the vineyards, the villages, the mountains. He awakens us at daybreak to catch the scent of the forest trees, to gather the apples and the pomegranates. His verse is fragrant with the breath of spring.

שִׁ֥יר הַשִּׁירִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר לִשְׁלֹמֹֽה׃	1. The Song of Songs by Solomon.
יִשָּׁקֵ֙נִי֙ מִנְּשִׁיק֣וֹת פִּ֔יהוּ כִּֽי־טוֹבִ֥ים דֹּדֶ֖יךָ מִיָּֽיִן׃ לְרֵ֙יחַ֙ שְׁמָנֶ֣יךָ טוֹבִ֔ים שֶׁ֖מֶן תּוּרַ֣ק שְׁמֶ֑ךָ עַל־כֵּ֖ן עֲלָמ֥וֹת אֲהֵבֽוּךָ׃ מָשְׁכֵ֖נִי אַחֲרֶ֣יךָ נָּר֑וּצָה הֱבִיאַ֨נִי הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ חֲדָרָ֗יו נָגִ֤ילָה וְנִשְׂמְחָה֙ בָּ֔ךְ נַזְכִּ֤ירָה דֹדֶ֙יךָ֙ מִיַּ֔יִן מֵישָׁרִ֖ים אֲהֵבֽוּךָ׃	O that he would kiss me with his lips! Indeed, your caresses are better than wine. Sweet is the fragrance of your perfumes; your very self is a precious perfume; therefore do the maidens love you. Take me with you; let us hasten! The king brings me into his chambers. We will thrill with delight over you; we will celebrate your caresses more than wine! Rightly do they love you.
שְׁחוֹרָ֤ה אֲנִי֙ וְֽנָאוָ֔ה בְּנ֖וֹת יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם כְּאָהֳלֵ֣י קֵדָ֔ר כִּירִיע֖וֹת שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃ אַל־תִּרְא֙וּנִי֙ שֶׁאֲנִ֣י שְׁחַרְחֹ֔רֶת שֶׁשֱּׁזָפַ֖תְנִי הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ בְּנֵ֧י אִמִּ֣י נִֽחֲרוּ־בִ֗י שָׂמֻ֙נִי֙ נֹטֵרָ֣ה אֶת־הַכְּרָמִ֔ים כַּרְמִ֥י שֶׁלִּ֖י לֹ֥א נָטָֽרְתִּי׃	I am dark yet comely, maidens of Jerusalem: dark as the tents of Kedar,^[1] קדר a tribe of nomads who wandered in the Arabian desert. comely as the curtains of Solomon. Do not stare at me because I am dark, for the sun has tanned me; my mother’s sons were angry with me, they made me keeper of the vineyards; I did not look after my own vineyard.^[2] כרמי שלי that is, my personal beauty. The phrase is often used in the sense of neglecting one’s family while being engrossed in public duties.
הַגִּ֣ידָה לִּ֗י שֶׁ֤אָהֲבָה֙ נַפְשִׁ֔י אֵיכָ֣ה תִרְעֶ֔ה אֵיכָ֖ה תַּרְבִּ֣יץ בַּֽצָּהֳרָ֑יִם שַׁלָּמָ֤ה אֶֽהְיֶה֙ כְּעֹ֣טְיָ֔ה עַ֖ל עֶדְרֵ֥י חֲבֵרֶֽיךָ׃	Tell me, you whom my soul loves, where you feed the flocks, where you make them rest at noon; why should I wander among the flocks of your companions?
אִם־לֹ֤א תֵדְעִי֙ לָ֔ךְ הַיָּפָ֖ה בַּנָּשִׁ֑ים צְֽאִי־לָ֞ךְ בְּעִקְבֵ֣י הַצֹּ֗אן וּרְעִי֙ אֶת־גְּדִיֹּתַ֔יִךְ עַ֖ל מִשְׁכְּנ֥וֹת הָרֹעִֽים׃ לְסֻסָתִי֙ בְּרִכְבֵ֣י פַרְעֹ֔ה דִּמִּיתִ֖יךְ רַעְיָתִֽי׃ נָאו֤וּ לְחָיַ֙יִךְ֙ בַּתֹּרִ֔ים צַוָּארֵ֖ךְ בַּחֲרוּזִֽים׃ תּוֹרֵ֤י זָהָב֙ נַעֲשֶׂה־לָּ֔ךְ עִ֖ם נְקֻדּ֥וֹת הַכָּֽסֶף׃	If you do not know, fairest of women, follow the sheep-tracks, and pasture your kids beside the tents of the shepherds. I compare you, my love, to a mare in Pharaoh’s chariots.^[3] לסוסתי The point of comparison is the rich ornamentation of the bride. Beautiful are your cheeks with circlets, your neck with strings of beads! Circlets of gold will we make for you, with studs of silver.
עַד־שֶׁ֤הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ בִּמְסִבּ֔וֹ נִרְדִּ֖י נָתַ֥ן רֵיחֽוֹ׃ צְר֨וֹר הַמֹּ֤ר ׀ דּוֹדִי֙ לִ֔י בֵּ֥ין שָׁדַ֖י יָלִֽין׃ אֶשְׁכֹּ֨ל הַכֹּ֤פֶר ׀ דּוֹדִי֙ לִ֔י בְּכַרְמֵ֖י עֵ֥ין גֶּֽדִי׃	While the king sits at his table, my nard gives forth its fragrance. My beloved is my bunch of myrrh that lies between my breasts. My beloved is my cluster of henna-blossom from the gardens of Engedi.
הִנָּ֤ךְ יָפָה֙ רַעְיָתִ֔י הִנָּ֥ךְ יָפָ֖ה עֵינַ֥יִךְ יוֹנִֽים׃	You are beautiful, my love, you are beautiful; your eyes are dove-like.
הִנְּךָ֨ יָפֶ֤ה דוֹדִי֙ אַ֣ף נָעִ֔ים אַף־עַרְשֵׂ֖נוּ רַעֲנָנָֽה׃ קֹר֤וֹת בָּתֵּ֙ינוּ֙ אֲרָזִ֔ים [רחיטנו] רַהִיטֵ֖נוּ בְּרוֹתִֽים׃	You are handsome, my beloved, and pleasant; and our couch is leafy. The beams of our houses are cedars, and our rafters are firs.^[4] רהיטנו our rafters, paneled ceilings. The cedar trees and fir trees form the roof over their heads as they sit in the green grass.
אֲנִי֙ חֲבַצֶּ֣לֶת הַשָּׁר֔וֹן שֽׁוֹשַׁנַּ֖ת הָעֲמָקִֽים׃	2. I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.^[5] חבצלת השרון She modestly compares herself to the wild flowers of Sharon.
כְּשֽׁוֹשַׁנָּה֙ בֵּ֣ין הַחוֹחִ֔ים כֵּ֥ן רַעְיָתִ֖י בֵּ֥ין הַבָּנֽוֹת׃	Like a lily among thorns, so is my loved one among the maidens.
כְּתַפּ֙וּחַ֙ בַּעֲצֵ֣י הַיַּ֔עַר כֵּ֥ן דּוֹדִ֖י בֵּ֣ין הַבָּנִ֑ים בְּצִלּוֹ֙ חִמַּ֣דְתִּי וְיָשַׁ֔בְתִּי וּפִרְי֖וֹ מָת֥וֹק לְחִכִּֽי׃ הֱבִיאַ֙נִי֙ אֶל־בֵּ֣ית הַיָּ֔יִן וְדִגְל֥וֹ עָלַ֖י אַהֲבָֽה׃ סַמְּכ֙וּנִי֙ בָּֽאֲשִׁישׁ֔וֹת רַפְּד֖וּנִי בַּתַּפּוּחִ֑ים כִּי־חוֹלַ֥ת אַהֲבָ֖ה אָֽנִי׃ שְׂמֹאלוֹ֙ תַּ֣חַת לְרֹאשִׁ֔י וִימִינ֖וֹ תְּחַבְּקֵֽנִי׃ הִשְׁבַּ֨עְתִּי אֶתְכֶ֜ם בְּנ֤וֹת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ בִּצְבָא֔וֹת א֖וֹ בְּאַיְל֣וֹת הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה אִם־תָּעִ֧ירוּ ׀ וְֽאִם־תְּעֽוֹרְר֛וּ אֶת־הָאַהֲבָ֖ה עַ֥ד שֶׁתֶּחְפָּֽץ׃	Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the youths; in his shadow I long to sit, and his fruit is sweet to my taste. He brings me to the house of wine, and looks at me with love. Sustain me with raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am love-sick. O that his left hand were under my head, and his right hand were embracing me! I adjure you, maidens of Jerusalem, by the gazelles, or by the deer of the field,^[6] אילות ,צבאות are symbolic of shyness and timidity as well as of beauty. do not stir up, do not rouse love, until it please.^[7] עד שתחפץ that is, it should be allowed to awake of itself. A true love is spontaneous.
ק֣וֹל דּוֹדִ֔י הִנֵּה־זֶ֖ה בָּ֑א מְדַלֵּג֙ עַל־הֶ֣הָרִ֔ים מְקַפֵּ֖ץ עַל־הַגְּבָעֽוֹת׃ דּוֹמֶ֤ה דוֹדִי֙ לִצְבִ֔י א֖וֹ לְעֹ֣פֶר הָֽאַיָּלִ֑ים הִנֵּה־זֶ֤ה עוֹמֵד֙ אַחַ֣ר כָּתְלֵ֔נוּ מַשְׁגִּ֙יחַ֙ מִן־הַֽחֲלֹּנ֔וֹת מֵצִ֖יץ מִן־הַֽחֲרַכִּֽים׃	The voice of my beloved! Here he comes, leaping across the mountains, bounding over the hills! My beloved is like a gazelle, like a young deer; here he stands, behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering through the lattice.
עָנָ֥ה דוֹדִ֖י וְאָ֣מַר לִ֑י ק֥וּמִי לָ֛ךְ רַעְיָתִ֥י יָפָתִ֖י וּלְכִי־לָֽךְ׃ כִּֽי־הִנֵּ֥ה הסתו הַסְּתָ֖יו עָבָ֑ר הַגֶּ֕שֶׁם חָלַ֖ף הָלַ֥ךְ לֽוֹ׃ הַנִּצָּנִים֙ נִרְא֣וּ בָאָ֔רֶץ עֵ֥ת הַזָּמִ֖יר הִגִּ֑יעַ וְק֥וֹל הַתּ֖וֹר נִשְׁמַ֥ע בְּאַרְצֵֽנוּ׃ הַתְּאֵנָה֙ חָֽנְטָ֣ה פַגֶּ֔יהָ וְהַגְּפָנִ֥ים ׀ סְמָדַ֖ר נָ֣תְנוּ רֵ֑יחַ ק֥וּמִי לכי לָ֛ךְ רַעְיָתִ֥י יָפָתִ֖י וּלְכִי־לָֽךְ׃ יוֹנָתִ֞י בְּחַגְוֵ֣י הַסֶּ֗לַע בְּסֵ֙תֶר֙ הַמַּדְרֵגָ֔ה הַרְאִ֙ינִי֙ אֶתּ־מַרְאַ֔יִךְ הַשְׁמִיעִ֖ינִי אֶת־קוֹלֵ֑ךְ כִּי־קוֹלֵ֥ךְ עָרֵ֖ב וּמַרְאֵ֥יךְ נָאוֶֽה׃	My beloved called and said to me: “Rise, my love, my beauty, come away. For, lo, the winter is over, the rain is past and gone; the flowers appear on the earth, the time of song has come; and the call of the turtle-dove is heard in our land; the fig-tree is ripening its early figs, and the vines in blossom give forth their fragrance. Rise, my love, my beauty, come away. O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the covert of the cliff, let me see your form, let me hear your voice; for sweet is your voice, and your form is comely.
אֶֽחֱזוּ־לָ֙נוּ֙ שֽׁוּעָלִ֔ים שֽׁוּעָלִ֥ים קְטַנִּ֖ים מְחַבְּלִ֣ים כְּרָמִ֑ים וּכְרָמֵ֖ינוּ סְמָדַֽר׃	Seize us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vineyards; for our vineyards are in blossom.^[8] אחזו לנו שועלים is a couplet of a vineyard song which she sings in response to his request to let him hear her voice.
דּוֹדִ֥י לִי֙ וַאֲנִ֣י ל֔וֹ הָרֹעֶ֖ה בַּשּׁוֹשַׁנִּֽים׃ עַ֤ד שֶׁיָּפ֙וּחַ֙ הַיּ֔וֹם וְנָ֖סוּ הַצְּלָלִ֑ים סֹב֩ דְּמֵה־לְךָ֨ דוֹדִ֜י לִצְבִ֗י א֛וֹ לְעֹ֥פֶר הָאַיָּלִ֖ים עַל־הָ֥רֵי בָֽתֶר׃	My beloved is mine, and I am his; he feeds his flock among the lilies. When the day grows cool, and the shadows flee,^[9] ונסו הצללים the shadows of rocks and trees disappear when the sun sets. return, my beloved, and be like a gazelle, or like a young deer, on the mountains of Bether.
עַל־מִשְׁכָּבִי֙ בַּלֵּיל֔וֹת בִּקַּ֕שְׁתִּי אֵ֥ת שֶׁאָהֲבָ֖ה נַפְשִׁ֑י בִּקַּשְׁתִּ֖יו וְלֹ֥א מְצָאתִֽיו׃ אָק֨וּמָה נָּ֜א וַאֲסוֹבְבָ֣ה בָעִ֗יר בַּשְּׁוָקִים֙ וּבָ֣רְחֹב֔וֹת אֲבַקְשָׁ֕ה אֵ֥ת שֶׁאָהֲבָ֖ה נַפְשִׁ֑י בִּקַּשְׁתִּ֖יו וְלֹ֥א מְצָאתִֽיו׃ מְצָא֙וּנִי֙ הַשֹּׁ֣מְרִ֔ים הַסֹּבְבִ֖ים בָּעִ֑יר אֵ֛ת שֶׁאָהֲבָ֥ה נַפְשִׁ֖י רְאִיתֶֽם׃ כִּמְעַט֙ שֶׁעָבַ֣רְתִּי מֵהֶ֔ם עַ֣ד שֶֽׁמָּצָ֔אתִי אֵ֥ת שֶׁאָהֲבָ֖ה נַפְשִׁ֑י אֲחַזְתִּיו֙ וְלֹ֣א אַרְפֶּ֔נּוּ עַד־שֶׁ֤הֲבֵיאתִיו֙ אֶל־בֵּ֣ית אִמִּ֔י וְאֶל־חֶ֖דֶר הוֹרָתִֽי׃	3. On my bed at night I sought him whom my soul loves;^[10] …על משכבי is a dream she narrates to her friends. I sought him, but I did not find him. “I will rise [I said] and go about the city, in the streets and in the squares—I will seek him whom my soul loves.” I sought him, but I did not find him. The watchmen who go about the city found me: “Have you seen him whom my soul loves?” Scarcely had I left them, when I found him whom my soul loves. I held him and would not let him go, until I brought him into my mother’s house, into the chamber of her who conceived me.
הִשְׁבַּ֨עְתִּי אֶתְכֶ֜ם בְּנ֤וֹת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ בִּצְבָא֔וֹת א֖וֹ בְּאַיְל֣וֹת הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה אִם־תָּעִ֧ירוּ ׀ וְֽאִם־תְּעֽוֹרְר֛וּ אֶת־הָאַהֲבָ֖ה עַ֥ד שֶׁתֶּחְפָּֽץ׃	I adjure you, maidens of Jerusalem, by the gazelles, or by the deer of the field, do not stir up, do not rouse love, until it please.
מִ֣י זֹ֗את עֹלָה֙ מִן־הַמִּדְבָּ֔ר כְּתִֽימֲר֖וֹת עָשָׁ֑ן מְקֻטֶּ֤רֶת מוֹר֙ וּלְבוֹנָ֔ה מִכֹּ֖ל אַבְקַ֥ת רוֹכֵֽל׃ הִנֵּ֗ה מִטָּתוֹ֙ שֶׁלִּשְׁלֹמֹ֔ה שִׁשִּׁ֥ים גִּבֹּרִ֖ים סָבִ֣יב לָ֑הּ מִגִּבֹּרֵ֖י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ כֻּלָּם֙ אֲחֻ֣זֵי חֶ֔רֶב מְלֻמְּדֵ֖י מִלְחָמָ֑ה אִ֤ישׁ חַרְבּוֹ֙ עַל־יְרֵכ֔וֹ מִפַּ֖חַד בַּלֵּילּֽוֹת׃ אַפִּרְי֗וֹן עָ֤שָׂה לוֹ֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה מֵעֲצֵ֖י הַלְּבָנֽוֹן׃ עַמּוּדָיו֙ עָ֣שָׂה כֶ֔סֶף רְפִידָת֣וֹ זָהָ֔ב מֶרְכָּב֖וֹ אַרְגָּמָ֑ן תּוֹכוֹ֙ רָצ֣וּף אַהֲבָ֔ה מִבְּנ֖וֹת יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ צְאֶ֧ינָה ׀ וּֽרְאֶ֛ינָה בְּנ֥וֹת צִיּ֖וֹן בַּמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה בָּעֲטָרָ֗ה שֶׁעִטְּרָה־לּ֤וֹ אִמּוֹ֙ בְּי֣וֹם חֲתֻנָּת֔וֹ וּבְי֖וֹם שִׂמְחַ֥ת לִבּֽוֹ׃	What is this coming up from the wilderness, like columns of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all aromatic powders of the merchant?^[11] תמרות עשן the pillars of smoke are caused by the burning of incense. It is Solomon’s palanquin; sixty heroes are around it, heroes of Israel. All of them are armed with swords, and are trained in war; each has his sword on his hip, because of danger at night. King Solomon made himself a palanquin of the wood of Lebanon. He made its columns of silver, its top of gold, its seat of purple, its interior inlaid with love, from the maidens of Jerusalem. Go forth, maidens of Ẓíōn, and gaze upon King Solomon, wearing a crown with which his mother crowned him on the day of his marriage, on the day of his profound joy.
הִנָּ֨ךְ יָפָ֤ה רַעְיָתִי֙ הִנָּ֣ךְ יָפָ֔ה עֵינַ֣יִךְ יוֹנִ֔ים מִבַּ֖עַד לְצַמָּתֵ֑ךְ שַׂעְרֵךְ֙ כְּעֵ֣דֶר הָֽעִזִּ֔ים שֶׁגָּלְשׁ֖וּ מֵהַ֥ר גִּלְעָֽד׃ שִׁנַּ֙יִךְ֙ כְּעֵ֣דֶר הַקְּצוּב֔וֹת שֶׁעָל֖וּ מִן־הָרַחְצָ֑ה שֶׁכֻּלָּם֙ מַתְאִימ֔וֹת וְשַׁכֻּלָ֖ה אֵ֥ין בָּהֶֽם׃ כְּח֤וּט הַשָּׁנִי֙ שִׂפְתֹתַ֔יִךְ וּמִדְבָּרֵ֖יךְ נָאוֶ֑ה כְּפֶ֤לַח הָֽרִמּוֹן֙ רַקָּתֵ֔ךְ מִבַּ֖עַד לְצַמָּתֵֽךְ׃ כְּמִגְדַּ֤ל דָּוִיד֙ צַוָּארֵ֔ךְ בָּנ֖וּי לְתַלְפִּיּ֑וֹת אֶ֤לֶף הַמָּגֵן֙ תָּל֣וּי עָלָ֔יו כֹּ֖ל שִׁלְטֵ֥י הַגִּבּוֹרִֽים׃ שְׁנֵ֥י שָׁדַ֛יִךְ כִּשְׁנֵ֥י עֳפָרִ֖ים תְּאוֹמֵ֣י צְבִיָּ֑ה הָרוֹעִ֖ים בַּשּׁוֹשַׁנִּֽים׃ עַ֤ד שֶׁיָּפ֙וּחַ֙ הַיּ֔וֹם וְנָ֖סוּ הַצְּלָלִ֑ים אֵ֤לֶךְ לִי֙ אֶל־הַ֣ר הַמּ֔וֹר וְאֶל־גִּבְעַ֖ת הַלְּבוֹנָֽה׃ כֻּלָּ֤ךְ יָפָה֙ רַעְיָתִ֔י וּמ֖וּם אֵ֥ין בָּֽךְ׃	4. You are beautiful, my love, you are beautiful! Your eyes are dove-like behind your veil; your hair is like a flock of goats,^[12] .. שערך The bride’s dark hair, hanging down in tresses over her shoulders, is compared to a herd of black goats couching on the slopes of the hill. trailing down from Mount Gilead. Your teeth are like a flock of sheep all shaped alike,^[13] מתאימות symmetrical, running accurately in pairs, the upper teeth corresponding to the lower. which have come up from the washing; all of them are paired, and not one of them is missing. Your lips are like a thread of scarlet, and your mouth is comely; your temples, behind your veil, are like a slice of pomegranate.^[14] כפלח הרמון like the rounded form and ruddy color of a pomegranate. Your neck is like the tower of David built for trophies; a thousand shields hang on it, all armor of heroes.^[15] בנוי לתלפיות is an allusion to the bride’s necklace. On shields used as adornments on the outside of towers, see Ezekiel 27:10-11. Your two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle, pasturing among the lilies. When the day grows cool, and the shadows flee, I will betake myself to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense. You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no blemish in you.
אִתִּ֤י מִלְּבָנוֹן֙ כַּלָּ֔ה אִתִּ֖י מִלְּבָנ֣וֹן תָּב֑וֹאִי תָּשׁ֣וּרִי ׀ מֵרֹ֣אשׁ אֲמָנָ֗ה מֵרֹ֤אשׁ שְׂנִיר֙ וְחֶרְמ֔וֹן מִמְּעֹנ֣וֹת אֲרָי֔וֹת מֵֽהַרְרֵ֖י נְמֵרִֽים׃ לִבַּבְתִּ֖נִי אֲחֹתִ֣י כַלָּ֑ה לִבַּבְתִּ֙ינִי֙ באחד [בְּאַחַ֣ת] מֵעֵינַ֔יִךְ בְּאַחַ֥ד עֲנָ֖ק מִצַּוְּרֹנָֽיִךְ׃ מַה־יָּפ֥וּ דֹדַ֖יִךְ אֲחֹתִ֣י כַלָּ֑ה מַה־טֹּ֤בוּ דֹדַ֙יִךְ֙ מִיַּ֔יִן וְרֵ֥יחַ שְׁמָנַ֖יִךְ מִכָּל־בְּשָׂמִֽים׃ נֹ֛פֶת תִּטֹּ֥פְנָה שִׂפְתוֹתַ֖יִךְ כַּלָּ֑ה דְּבַ֤שׁ וְחָלָב֙ תַּ֣חַת לְשׁוֹנֵ֔ךְ וְרֵ֥יחַ שַׂלְמֹתַ֖יִךְ כְּרֵ֥יחַ לְבָנֽוֹן׃ גַּ֥ן ׀ נָע֖וּל אֲחֹתִ֣י כַלָּ֑ה גַּ֥ל נָע֖וּל מַעְיָ֥ן חָתֽוּם׃ שְׁלָחַ֙יִךְ֙ פַּרְדֵּ֣ס רִמּוֹנִ֔ים עִ֖ם פְּרִ֣י מְגָדִ֑ים כְּפָרִ֖ים עִם־נְרָדִֽים׃ נֵ֣רְדְּ ׀ וְכַרְכֹּ֗ם קָנֶה֙ וְקִנָּמ֔וֹן עִ֖ם כָּל־עֲצֵ֣י לְבוֹנָ֑ה מֹ֚ר וַאֲהָל֔וֹת עִ֖ם כָּל־רָאשֵׁ֥י בְשָׂמִֽים׃ מַעְיַ֣ן גַּנִּ֔ים בְּאֵ֖ר מַ֣יִם חַיִּ֑ים וְנֹזְלִ֖ים מִן־לְבָנֽוֹן׃	Come with me from Lebanon, bride of mine, with me from Lebanon come;^[16] …אתי מלבנון is a warning to flee from Lebanon being full of dangers. depart from the top of Amana,^[17] … תשורי מ depart; compare ותשורי (Isaiah 57:9) “you journeyed.” from the peaks of Senir and Hermon, from the dens of lions, from the mountains of leopards. You have ravished my heart, my sister, my bride; you have ravished my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one bead of your necklace. How lovely are your caresses, my sister, my bride!^[18] אחותי is used here in the sense of “my own.” How much better than wine are your caresses, and the fragrance of your ointments than all kinds of perfume! Your lips, my bride, drip honey;^[19] נפת honey that drips from the honeycomb. The reference is to loving words. honey and milk are under your tongue; the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon. A garden inclosed is my sister, my bride, a spring inclosed, a fountain sealed. Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with precious fruits, henna with nard, nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, together with all the finest perfumes. You are a fountain of gardens, a well of fresh water, and flowing streams from Lebanon.
ע֤וּרִי צָפוֹן֙ וּב֣וֹאִי תֵימָ֔ן הָפִ֥יחִי גַנִּ֖י יִזְּל֣וּ בְשָׂמָ֑יו יָבֹ֤א דוֹדִי֙ לְגַנּ֔וֹ וְיֹאכַ֖ל פְּרִ֥י מְגָדָֽיו׃	Awake, northwind, and come, southwind!^[20] תימן ,צפון The north wind clears the air in Palestine; the south wind warms and ripens. The east and west winds are stormy. Blow upon my garden, that its perfume may waft out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat its precious fruits.
בָּ֣אתִי לְגַנִּי֮ אֲחֹתִ֣י כַלָּה֒ אָרִ֤יתִי מוֹרִי֙ עִם־בְּשָׂמִ֔י אָכַ֤לְתִּי יַעְרִי֙ עִם־דִּבְשִׁ֔י שָׁתִ֥יתִי יֵינִ֖י עִם־חֲלָבִ֑י אִכְל֣וּ רֵעִ֔ים שְׁת֥וּ וְשִׁכְר֖וּ דּוֹדִֽים׃	5. I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride; I have gathered my myrrh and my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine and my milk. Eat, friends; drink, drink abundantly, beloved friends!
אֲנִ֥י יְשֵׁנָ֖ה וְלִבִּ֣י עֵ֑ר ק֣וֹל ׀ דּוֹדִ֣י דוֹפֵ֗ק פִּתְחִי־לִ֞י אֲחֹתִ֤י רַעְיָתִי֙ יוֹנָתִ֣י תַמָּתִ֔י שֶׁרֹּאשִׁי֙ נִמְלָא־טָ֔ל קְוֻּצּוֹתַ֖י רְסִ֥יסֵי לָֽיְלָה׃ פָּשַׁ֙טְתִּי֙ אֶת־כֻּתָּנְתִּ֔י אֵיכָ֖כָה אֶלְבָּשֶׁ֑נָּה רָחַ֥צְתִּי אֶת־רַגְלַ֖י אֵיכָ֥כָה אֲטַנְּפֵֽם׃ דּוֹדִ֗י שָׁלַ֤ח יָדוֹ֙ מִן־הַחֹ֔ר וּמֵעַ֖י הָמ֥וּ עָלָֽיו׃ קַ֥מְתִּֽי אֲנִ֖י לִפְתֹּ֣חַ לְדוֹדִ֑י וְיָדַ֣י נָֽטְפוּ־מ֗וֹר וְאֶצְבְּעֹתַי֙ מ֣וֹר עֹבֵ֔ר עַ֖ל כַּפּ֥וֹת הַמַּנְעֽוּל׃ פָּתַ֤חְתִּֽי אֲנִי֙ לְדוֹדִ֔י וְדוֹדִ֖י חָמַ֣ק עָבָ֑ר נַפְשִׁי֙ יָֽצְאָ֣ה בְדַבְּר֔וֹ בִּקַּשְׁתִּ֙יהוּ֙ וְלֹ֣א מְצָאתִ֔יהוּ קְרָאתִ֖יו וְלֹ֥א עָנָֽנִי׃ מְצָאֻ֧נִי הַשֹּׁמְרִ֛ים הַסֹּבְבִ֥ים בָּעִ֖יר הִכּ֣וּנִי פְצָע֑וּנִי נָשְׂא֤וּ אֶת־רְדִידִי֙ מֵֽעָלַ֔י שֹׁמְרֵ֖י הַחֹמֽוֹת׃ הִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּי אֶתְכֶ֖ם בְּנ֣וֹת יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם אִֽם־תִּמְצְאוּ֙ אֶת־דּוֹדִ֔י מַה־תַּגִּ֣ידוּ ל֔וֹ שֶׁחוֹלַ֥ת אַהֲבָ֖ה אָֽנִי׃	I was asleep, but my heart was awake; hark, my beloved is knocking: “Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my innocent one; for my head is drenched with dew, my locks with the drops of the night.” But I have taken off my robe; how shall I put it on again? I have washed my feet; how shall I soil them? My beloved put his hand through the doorway, and my heart yearned for him. I rose to open to my beloved, and my hands dripped with myrrh, and my fingers with the finest myrrh, upon the handles of the bar. I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had turned away, had gone; my soul failed when he spoke. I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he did not answer me. The watchmen who go about the city found me; they struck me, they wounded me; the guardians of the walls stripped me of my mantle. I adjure you, maidens of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, do not tell him that I am love-sick.
מַה־דּוֹדֵ֣ךְ מִדּ֔וֹד הַיָּפָ֖ה בַּנָּשִׁ֑ים מַה־דּוֹדֵ֣ךְ מִדּ֔וֹד שֶׁכָּ֖כָה הִשְׁבַּעְתָּֽנוּ׃	What is your beloved more than another lover, O fairest of women? What is your beloved more than another lover, that you adjure us thus?^[21] מה is here used in the sense of “not.״ Compare below מה תעירו ומה תעוררו מה לנו חלק בדוד ולא נחלה בבן־ישי;(8:4) את האהבה (I Kings 12:16).
דּוֹדִ֥י צַח֙ וְאָד֔וֹם דָּג֖וּל מֵרְבָבָֽה׃ רֹאשׁ֖וֹ כֶּ֣תֶם פָּ֑ז קְוּצּוֹתָיו֙ תַּלְתַּלִּ֔ים שְׁחֹר֖וֹת כָּעוֹרֵֽב׃ עֵינָ֕יו כְּיוֹנִ֖ים עַל־אֲפִ֣יקֵי מָ֑יִם רֹֽחֲצוֹת֙ בֶּֽחָלָ֔ב יֹשְׁב֖וֹת עַל־מִלֵּֽאת׃ לְחָיָו֙ כַּעֲרוּגַ֣ת הַבֹּ֔שֶׂם מִגְדְּל֖וֹת מֶרְקָחִ֑ים שִׂפְתוֹתָיו֙ שֽׁוֹשַׁנִּ֔ים נֹטְפ֖וֹת מ֥וֹר עֹבֵֽר׃ יָדָיו֙ גְּלִילֵ֣י זָהָ֔ב מְמֻלָּאִ֖ים בַּתַּרְשִׁ֑ישׁ מֵעָיו֙ עֶ֣שֶׁת שֵׁ֔ן מְעֻלֶּ֖פֶת סַפִּירִֽים׃ שׁוֹקָיו֙ עַמּ֣וּדֵי שֵׁ֔שׁ מְיֻסָּדִ֖ים עַל־אַדְנֵי־פָ֑ז מַרְאֵ֙הוּ֙ כַּלְּבָנ֔וֹן בָּח֖וּר כָּאֲרָזִֽים׃ חִכּוֹ֙ מַֽמְתַקִּ֔ים וְכֻלּ֖וֹ מַחֲּמַדִּ֑ים זֶ֤ה דוֹדִי֙ וְזֶ֣ה רֵעִ֔י בְּנ֖וֹת יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃	Dazzling and ruddy is my beloved, distinguished among ten thousand. His head is fine gold, his locks are curled, and as black as a raven. His eyes are like doves beside the water-brooks, bathing in milk, and fitly set. His cheeks are beds of balsam-flower, producing sweet perfumes; his lips are [red] lilies, breathing the finest myrrh. His hands are rods of gold,^[22] …ידיו his fingers are delicately rounded, and his nails are as transparent as topaz. studded with topaz pink; his body is polished ivory, inlaid with sapphires.^[23] ספירים the bright blue veins showing through the lighter skin. His legs are pillars of marble, set on bases of fine gold; his form is like Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. His mouth is most sweet, and he is altogether lovely. Such is my beloved, and such is my lover, O maidens of Jerusalem.
אָ֚נָה הָלַ֣ךְ דּוֹדֵ֔ךְ הַיָּפָ֖ה בַּנָּשִׁ֑ים אָ֚נָה פָּנָ֣ה דוֹדֵ֔ךְ וּנְבַקְשֶׁ֖נּוּ עִמָּֽךְ׃	6. Where has your beloved gone, O fairest of women? Where has your beloved turned, that we may seek him with you?
דּוֹדִי֙ יָרַ֣ד לְגַנּ֔וֹ לַעֲרוּג֖וֹת הַבֹּ֑שֶׂם לִרְעוֹת֙ בַּגַּנִּ֔ים וְלִלְקֹ֖ט שֽׁוֹשַׁנִּֽים׃ אֲנִ֤י לְדוֹדִי֙ וְדוֹדִ֣י לִ֔י הָרֹעֶ֖ה בַּשׁוֹשַׁנִּֽים׃	My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the flower-beds of balsam, to pasture in the gardens, and to gather lilies. I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine, who pastures among the lilies.
יָפָ֨ה אַ֤תְּ רַעְיָתִי֙ כְּתִרְצָ֔ה נָאוָ֖ה כִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם אֲיֻמָּ֖ה כַּנִּדְגָּלֽוֹת׃ הָסֵ֤בִּי עֵינַ֙יִךְ֙ מִנֶּגְדִּ֔י שֶׁ֥הֵ֖ם הִרְהִיבֻ֑נִי שַׂעְרֵךְ֙ כְּעֵ֣דֶר הָֽעִזִּ֔ים שֶׁגָּלְשׁ֖וּ מִן־הַגִּלְעָֽד׃ שִׁנַּ֙יִךְ֙ כְּעֵ֣דֶר הָֽרְחֵלִ֔ים שֶׁעָל֖וּ מִן־הָרַחְצָ֑ה שֶׁכֻּלָּם֙ מַתְאִימ֔וֹת וְשַׁכֻּלָ֖ה אֵ֥ין בָּהֶֽם׃ כְּפֶ֤לַח הָרִמּוֹן֙ רַקָּתֵ֔ךְ מִבַּ֖עַד לְצַמָּתֵֽךְ׃ שִׁשִּׁ֥ים הֵ֙מָּה֙ מְּלָכ֔וֹת וּשְׁמֹנִ֖ים פִּֽילַגְשִׁ֑ים וַעֲלָמ֖וֹת אֵ֥ין מִסְפָּֽר׃ אַחַ֥ת הִיא֙ יוֹנָתִ֣י תַמָּתִ֔י אַחַ֥ת הִיא֙ לְאִמָּ֔הּ בָּרָ֥ה הִ֖יא לְיֽוֹלַדְתָּ֑הּ רָא֤וּהָ בָנוֹת֙ וַֽיְאַשְּׁר֔וּהָ מְלָכ֥וֹת וּפִֽילַגְשִׁ֖ים וַֽיְהַלְלֽוּהָ׃ מִי־זֹ֥את הַנִּשְׁקָפָ֖ה כְּמוֹ־שָׁ֑חַר יָפָ֣ה כַלְּבָנָ֗ה בָּרָה֙ כַּֽחַמָּ֔ה אֲיֻמָּ֖ה כַּנִּדְגָּלֽוֹת׃	You are as beautiful as Tirzah,^[24] תרצה (“delight״) was an ancient city famed for its attractiveness. It is mentioned in Joshua 12:24; I Kings 14:17. my love, as comely as Jerusalem, as overawing as the most distinguished. Turn your eyes away from me, for they dazzle me. Your hair is like a flock of goats, trailing down from Mount Gilead. Your teeth are like a flock of sheep, which have come up from the washing; all of them are paired, and not one of them is missing. Your temples are like a slice of pomegranate, behind your veil. There are sixty queens, eighty concubines, and maidens without number; but one alone is my dove, my innocent one; she is the only one of her mother; she is her mother’s own darling. The maidens look upon her, and bless her; the queens and the concubines praise her. Who is she that appears like the dawn, as beautiful as the moon, as bright as the sun, as overawing as the most distinguished?
אֶל־גִּנַּ֤ת אֱגוֹז֙ יָרַ֔דְתִּי לִרְא֖וֹת בְּאִבֵּ֣י הַנָּ֑חַל לִרְאוֹת֙ הֲפָֽרְחָ֣ה הַגֶּ֔פֶן הֵנֵ֖צוּ הָרִמֹּנִֽים׃ לֹ֣א יָדַ֔עְתִּי נַפְשִׁ֣י שָׂמַ֔תְנִי מַרְכְּב֖וֹת עַמִּי־נָדִֽיב׃	I went down to the nut garden, to look at the green plants of the dale, to see if the grapevine was a-budding, whether the pomegranates were in flower. Before I was aware, my fancy set me among the chariots of my noble people.
שׁ֤וּבִי שׁ֙וּבִי֙ הַשּׁ֣וּלַמִּ֔ית שׁ֥וּבִי שׁ֖וּבִי וְנֶחֱזֶה־בָּ֑ךְ	7. Return, return, O Shulammite; return, return, that we may gaze at you.
מַֽה־תֶּחֱזוּ֙ בַּשּׁ֣וּלַמִּ֔ית כִּמְחֹלַ֖ת הַֽמַּחֲנָֽיִם׃	Why should you gaze at the Shulammite as upon the dance of Mahanaim?^[25] מה תחזו בשולמית are the words of the Shulammite, who asks why they would stare at her as at a public spectacle.
מַה־יָּפ֧וּ פְעָמַ֛יִךְ בַּנְּעָלִ֖ים בַּת־נָדִ֑יב חַמּוּקֵ֣י יְרֵכַ֔יִךְ כְּמ֣וֹ חֲלָאִ֔ים מַעֲשֵׂ֖ה יְדֵ֥י אָמָּֽן׃ שָׁרְרֵךְ֙ אַגַּ֣ן הַסַּ֔הַר אַל־יֶחְסַ֖ר הַמָּ֑זֶג בִּטְנֵךְ֙ עֲרֵמַ֣ת חִטִּ֔ים סוּגָ֖ה בַּשּׁוֹשַׁנִּֽים׃ שְׁנֵ֥י שָׁדַ֛יִךְ כִּשְׁנֵ֥י עֳפָרִ֖ים תָּאֳמֵ֥י צְבִיָּֽה׃ צַוָּארֵ֖ךְ כְּמִגְדַּ֣ל הַשֵּׁ֑ן עֵינַ֜יִךְ בְּרֵכ֣וֹת בְּחֶשְׁבּ֗וֹן עַל־שַׁ֙עַר֙ בַּת־רַבִּ֔ים אַפֵּךְ֙ כְּמִגְדַּ֣ל הַלְּבָנ֔וֹן צוֹפֶ֖ה פְּנֵ֥י דַמָּֽשֶׂק׃ רֹאשֵׁ֤ךְ עָלַ֙יִךְ֙ כַּכַּרְמֶ֔ל וְדַלַּ֥ת רֹאשֵׁ֖ךְ כָּאַרְגָּמָ֑ן מֶ֖לֶךְ אָס֥וּר בָּרְהָטִֽים׃ מַה־יָּפִית֙ וּמַה־נָּעַ֔מְתְּ אַהֲבָ֖ה בַּתַּֽעֲנוּגִֽים׃ זֹ֤את קֽוֹמָתֵךְ֙ דָּֽמְתָ֣ה לְתָמָ֔ר וְשָׁדַ֖יִךְ לְאַשְׁכֹּלֽוֹת׃ אָמַ֙רְתִּי֙ אֶעֱלֶ֣ה בְתָמָ֔ר אֹֽחֲזָ֖ה בְּסַנְסִנָּ֑יו וְיִֽהְיוּ־נָ֤א שָׁדַ֙יִךְ֙ כְּאֶשְׁכְּל֣וֹת הַגֶּ֔פֶן וְרֵ֥יחַ אַפֵּ֖ךְ כַּתַּפּוּחִֽים׃ וְחִכֵּ֕ךְ כְּיֵ֥ין הַטּ֛וֹב הוֹלֵ֥ךְ לְדוֹדִ֖י לְמֵישָׁרִ֑ים דּוֹבֵ֖ב שִׂפְתֵ֥י יְשֵׁנִֽים׃	How beautiful are your steps in sandals, O princess; the curves of your thighs are like ornaments made by an artist. Your chest is like a round goblet ever filled with wine; your body is like a heap of wheat set about with lilies.^[26] בטנך “your body,” like נפשי ובטני (“my soul and my body”) in Psalm 31:10. צוארך כמגדל השן white, straight and slender. Your two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle. Your neck is like a tower of ivory; your eyes are like the pools of Heshbon,^[27] ברכות בחשבון refers to the soft shimmer of her eyes. at the gate of Bathrabim; your nose is like a tower of Lebanon, overlooking Damascus.^[28] אפך כמגדל הלבנון straight and symmetrical. The tower of Lebanon was probably some watch-tower in the direction of Damascus. Your head is on you like Carmel,^[29] כרמל an emblem of stateliness and beauty. The point of comparison is a head proudly held. and the hair of your head is like purple; the king is held captive in its tresses. How beautiful, how sweet you are, O love’s delight! This stature of yours is like a palm tree, and your breasts like clusters. I say: I will climb the palm tree, I will take hold of its branches; let your breasts be like clusters of the vine, and the fragrance of your breath like that of apples, and your soft speech like the best wine—flowing smoothly for my beloved, gliding over the lips of those about to sleep.
אֲנִ֣י לְדוֹדִ֔י וְעָלַ֖י תְּשׁוּקָתֽוֹ׃ לְכָ֤ה דוֹדִי֙ נֵצֵ֣א הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה נָלִ֖ינָה בַּכְּפָרִֽים׃ נַשְׁכִּ֙ימָה֙ לַכְּרָמִ֔ים נִרְאֶ֞ה אִם פָּֽרְחָ֤ה הַגֶּ֙פֶן֙ פִּתַּ֣ח הַסְּמָדַ֔ר הֵנֵ֖צוּ הָרִמּוֹנִ֑ים שָׁ֛ם אֶתֵּ֥ן אֶת־דֹּדַ֖י לָֽךְ׃ הַֽדּוּדָאִ֣ים נָֽתְנוּ־רֵ֗יחַ וְעַל־פְּתָחֵ֙ינוּ֙ כָּל־מְגָדִ֔ים חֲדָשִׁ֖ים גַּם־יְשָׁנִ֑ים דּוֹדִ֖י צָפַ֥נְתִּי לָֽךְ׃	I am my beloved’s, and his longing is for me. Come, my beloved, let us go into the field, let us stay in the villages; let us go early to the vineyards, to see whether the grapevine has budded, whether the vine blossoms have opened, if the pomegranates are in flower. There I will give my love to you. The love-plants yield their fragrance, and at our doors are all kinds of precious fruits, both new and old, which I have kept for you, my beloved.
מִ֤י יִתֶּנְךָ֙ כְּאָ֣ח לִ֔י יוֹנֵ֖ק שְׁדֵ֣י אִמִּ֑י אֶֽמְצָאֲךָ֤ בַחוּץ֙ אֶשָׁ֣קְךָ֔ גַּ֖ם לֹא־יָב֥וּזוּ לִֽי׃ אֶנְהָֽגֲךָ֗ אֲבִֽיאֲךָ֛ אֶל־בֵּ֥ית אִמִּ֖י תְּלַמְּדֵ֑נִי אַשְׁקְךָ֙ מִיַּ֣יִן הָרֶ֔קַח מֵעֲסִ֖יס רִמֹּנִֽי׃	8. O that you were my brother, who had been nursed by my mother! I would meet you in the street and kiss you, and none would despise me. I would lead you and bring you into my mother’s house, that you might instruct me; I would give you some spiced wine to drink, some of my pomegranate juice.
שְׂמֹאלוֹ֙ תַּ֣חַת רֹאשִׁ֔י וִֽימִינ֖וֹ תְּחַבְּקֵֽנִי׃ הִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּי אֶתְכֶ֖ם בְּנ֣וֹת יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם מַה־תָּעִ֧ירוּ ׀ וּֽמַה־תְּעֹֽרְר֛וּ אֶת־הָאַהֲבָ֖ה עַ֥ד שֶׁתֶּחְפָּֽץ׃	O that his left hand were under my head, and his right hand were embracing me! I adjure you, maidens of Jerusalem, do not stir up, do not rouse love, until it please.
מִ֣י זֹ֗את עֹלָה֙ מִן־הַמִּדְבָּ֔ר מִתְרַפֶּ֖קֶת עַל־דּוֹדָ֑הּ	Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?^[30] … מי ואת עולה She points out incidents and places that are memorable to both of them.
תַּ֤חַת הַתַּפּ֙וּחַ֙ עֽוֹרַרְתִּ֔יךָ שָׁ֚מָּה חִבְּלַ֣תְךָ אִמֶּ֔ךָ שָׁ֖מָּה חִבְּלָ֥ה יְלָדַֽתְךָ׃ שִׂימֵ֨נִי כַֽחוֹתָ֜ם עַל־לִבֶּ֗ךָ כַּֽחוֹתָם֙ עַל־זְרוֹעֶ֔ךָ כִּֽי־עַזָּ֤ה כַמָּ֙וֶת֙ אַהֲבָ֔ה קָשָׁ֥ה כִשְׁא֖וֹל קִנְאָ֑ה רְשָׁפֶ֕יהָ רִשְׁפֵּ֕י אֵ֖שׁ שַׁלְהֶ֥בֶתְיָֽה׃ מַ֣יִם רַבִּ֗ים לֹ֤א יֽוּכְלוּ֙ לְכַבּ֣וֹת אֶת־הָֽאַהֲבָ֔ה וּנְהָר֖וֹת לֹ֣א יִשְׁטְפ֑וּהָ אִם־יִתֵּ֨ן אִ֜ישׁ אֶת־כָּל־ה֤וֹן בֵּיתוֹ֙ בָּאַהֲבָ֔ה בּ֖וֹז יָב֥וּזוּ לֽוֹ׃	I woke you under the apple tree, where your mother had been in travail with you, where she had brought you forth. Place me like a seal upon your heart, like a seal upon your arm.^[31] חותם signet ring, engraved with the owner’s name or some design. The seal, affixed as signature to letters and documents, was worn on the finger or was strung on a cord and hung around the neck. She wishes to be united in the closest way with her beloved. Indeed, love is strong as death itself, ardent love is severe as the grave; its flashes are flashes of fire, a flame of the Lord.^[32] שלהבתיה a flame of supernatural, stupendous power. Floods cannot quench love, rivers cannot drown it; if a man offered all the wealth of his house for love, he would be laughed aside.
אָח֥וֹת לָ֙נוּ֙ קְטַנָּ֔ה וְשָׁדַ֖יִם אֵ֣ין לָ֑הּ מַֽה־נַּעֲשֶׂה֙ לַאֲחֹתֵ֔נוּ בַּיּ֖וֹם שֶׁיְּדֻבַּר־בָּֽהּ׃ אִם־חוֹמָ֣ה הִ֔יא נִבְנֶ֥ה עָלֶ֖יהָ טִ֣ירַת כָּ֑סֶף וְאִם־דֶּ֣לֶת הִ֔יא נָצ֥וּר עָלֶ֖יהָ ל֥וּחַ אָֽרֶז׃	We have a young sister, and she has no breasts yet;^[33] אחות לנו קטנה was the speech of her brothers in the past, when she was still too young to marry. She recalls having heard them say that they would reward her modesty with adornments and provide strong protection in the case of any sign of moral weakness. but what shall we do with our sister when she will be asked in marriage? If she is a wall, we will build a silver turret on her;^[34] … אם חומה היא that is, if she preserves her innocence, we will reward her. but if she is a door, we will inclose her with cedar boards.
אֲנִ֣י חוֹמָ֔ה וְשָׁדַ֖י כַּמִּגְדָּל֑וֹת אָ֛ז הָיִ֥יתִי בְעֵינָ֖יו כְּמוֹצְאֵ֥ת שָׁלֽוֹם׃	Now I am a wall, and my breasts like towers, then I should win his favor.
כֶּ֣רֶם הָיָ֤ה לִשְׁלֹמֹה֙ בְּבַ֣עַל הָמ֔וֹן נָתַ֥ן אֶת־הַכֶּ֖רֶם לַנֹּטְרִ֑ים אִ֛ישׁ יָבִ֥א בְּפִרְי֖וֹ אֶ֥לֶף כָּֽסֶף׃ כָּרְמִ֥י שֶׁלִּ֖י לְפָנָ֑י הָאֶ֤לֶף לְךָ֙ שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה וּמָאתַ֖יִם לְנֹטְרִ֥ים אֶת־פִּרְיֽוֹ׃	Solomon had a vineyard at Baalhamon;^[35] כרם היה that is, his possession is prized more than Solomon’s highly cultivated vineyard with all its rich revenues. he gave over the vineyard to caretakers; each would bring in a thousand silver pieces for its fruits. I keep my vineyard to myself; you, Solomon, are welcome to the thousand shekels, and the caretakers of the fruit to the two hundred shekels.
הַיוֹשֶׁ֣בֶת בַּגַּנִּ֗ים חֲבֵרִ֛ים מַקְשִׁיבִ֥ים לְקוֹלֵ֖ךְ הַשְׁמִיעִֽינִי׃	O you who sit in the gardens, the companions are listening to your voice; let me hear it too!
בְּרַ֣ח ׀ דּוֹדִ֗י וּֽדְמֵה־לְךָ֤ לִצְבִי֙ א֚וֹ לְעֹ֣פֶר הָֽאַיָּלִ֔ים עַ֖ל הָרֵ֥י בְשָׂמִֽים׃	Make haste, my beloved, be like a gazelle, or like a young deer, on the mountains of spices.^[36] ברח דודי is a repetition of her song in 2:17. Allegorically, it is a prayer addressed to God: Mayest thou hasten to reappear on Mount Moriah.

Source

Notes

Notes
1	קדר a tribe of nomads who wandered in the Arabian desert.
2	כרמי שלי that is, my personal beauty. The phrase is often used in the sense of neglecting one’s family while being engrossed in public duties.
3	לסוסתי The point of comparison is the rich ornamentation of the bride.
4	רהיטנו our rafters, paneled ceilings. The cedar trees and fir trees form the roof over their heads as they sit in the green grass.
5	חבצלת השרון She modestly compares herself to the wild flowers of Sharon.
6	אילות ,צבאות are symbolic of shyness and timidity as well as of beauty.
7	עד שתחפץ that is, it should be allowed to awake of itself. A true love is spontaneous.
8	אחזו לנו שועלים is a couplet of a vineyard song which she sings in response to his request to let him hear her voice.
9	ונסו הצללים the shadows of rocks and trees disappear when the sun sets.
10	…על משכבי is a dream she narrates to her friends.
11	תמרות עשן the pillars of smoke are caused by the burning of incense.
12	.. שערך The bride’s dark hair, hanging down in tresses over her shoulders, is compared to a herd of black goats couching on the slopes of the hill.
13	מתאימות symmetrical, running accurately in pairs, the upper teeth corresponding to the lower.
14	כפלח הרמון like the rounded form and ruddy color of a pomegranate.
15	בנוי לתלפיות is an allusion to the bride’s necklace. On shields used as adornments on the outside of towers, see Ezekiel 27:10-11.
16	…אתי מלבנון is a warning to flee from Lebanon being full of dangers.
17	… תשורי מ depart; compare ותשורי (Isaiah 57:9) “you journeyed.”
18	אחותי is used here in the sense of “my own.”
19	נפת honey that drips from the honeycomb. The reference is to loving words.
20	תימן ,צפון The north wind clears the air in Palestine; the south wind warms and ripens. The east and west winds are stormy.
21	מה is here used in the sense of “not.״ Compare below מה תעירו ומה תעוררו מה לנו חלק בדוד ולא נחלה בבן־ישי;(8:4) את האהבה (I Kings 12:16).
22	…ידיו his fingers are delicately rounded, and his nails are as transparent as topaz.
23	ספירים the bright blue veins showing through the lighter skin.
24	תרצה (“delight״) was an ancient city famed for its attractiveness. It is mentioned in Joshua 12:24; I Kings 14:17.
25	מה תחזו בשולמית are the words of the Shulammite, who asks why they would stare at her as at a public spectacle.
26	בטנך “your body,” like נפשי ובטני (“my soul and my body”) in Psalm 31:10. צוארך כמגדל השן white, straight and slender.
27	ברכות בחשבון refers to the soft shimmer of her eyes.
28	אפך כמגדל הלבנון straight and symmetrical. The tower of Lebanon was probably some watch-tower in the direction of Damascus.
29	כרמל an emblem of stateliness and beauty. The point of comparison is a head proudly held.
30	… מי ואת עולה She points out incidents and places that are memorable to both of them.
31	חותם signet ring, engraved with the owner’s name or some design. The seal, affixed as signature to letters and documents, was worn on the finger or was strung on a cord and hung around the neck. She wishes to be united in the closest way with her beloved.
32	שלהבתיה a flame of supernatural, stupendous power.
33	אחות לנו קטנה was the speech of her brothers in the past, when she was still too young to marry. She recalls having heard them say that they would reward her modesty with adornments and provide strong protection in the case of any sign of moral weakness.
34	… אם חומה היא that is, if she preserves her innocence, we will reward her.
35	כרם היה that is, his possession is prized more than Solomon’s highly cultivated vineyard with all its rich revenues.
36	ברח דודי is a repetition of her song in 2:17. Allegorically, it is a prayer addressed to God: Mayest thou hasten to reappear on Mount Moriah.

💬 An Adaptation of the Megillah of Esther, an English Rendition with Trōp, by Ḥazzan Jack Kessler (1990)

Jack Kessler (trōpification) — Sun, 25 Feb 2018 05:50:09 +0000

DOWNLOAD:

PDF | ODT

Our Jewish heritage is a rich treasury of the accumulated wisdom (and wit) of the many centuries of our remarkable history. One of the greatest challenges facing the contemporary Jewish community outside Israel is that of making this heritage accessible, in light of the language barrier posed by classical Hebrew.

A successful formula employed by a growing number of congregations and ḥavurot is the singing of Biblical texts – Torah, Haftarot, and Megillot – in English which has been set to Trop, the ancient melodic chant system for these texts. For many, this is an ideal way to communicate the meaning of the Hebrew text.

This setting of Megillat Esther is an imaginative, humorous rendition of the story of Purim. Sing it entirely in English, or do it in sections alternating this English with Hebrew.

This Megillah encourages involvement! The English text is simple and fun for all ages. The goal is to make Purim, well, Purim: lots of meshugass, with the underlying message that it’s just flat-out great to be Jewish! –Ḥazzan Jack Kessler

Hebrew	English
	Blessings Before the Megillah
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֺתָיו, וְצִוָּֽנוּ עַל מִקְרָא מְגִלָּה:‏	Blessed be You, YHVH (Hashem), our elo’ah, Master of the Cosmos, who makes us holy through your mitsvot, and the reading of this Megilla. Baruch Ata Adonai Elohenu Melech ha’Olam asher kidshanu b’mitsvotav v’tsivanu al mikra Megilla
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה:‏	Blessed be You, YHVH (Hashem), our elo’ah, Master of the Cosmos, who has done great things for our ancestors, in their days, at this time. Baruch Ata Adonai Elohenu Melech ha’Olam she’asa nisim la’avotenu bayamim hahem bazman hazeh
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָֽנוּ וְקִיְּמָֽנוּ וְהִגִּיעָֽנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה:‏	Blessed be You, YHVH (Hashem), our elo’ah, Master of the Cosmos, who gives us life, strength, and the gift of this happy time! Baruch Ata Adonai Elohenu Melech ha’Olam she-hech’yanu v’kimanu v’higiyanu lazman hazeh
	֤Once upon a ֜time, in the t֣ime of Aḥash’ve֔rosh Now this was the֜ Aḥash’ver֔osh whose ֣empire extended all the way from In‎֖dia to Ethiopia׃ In the third ֜year of his r֔eign in the ֖capital ֥city of Shush‎֑an he threw a h֜uge p֨arty for all his ֜ministers a֥nd his ch֣ief s֔ervants…… j֤ust to impr֜ess them with his fant֣astic w֔ealth a֖nd gr֥eat֑ness This party la֥sted se֖ven full days׃ Every֞one had ֤all they could ֜eat and d֔rink from b֥eautiful go֣lden d֑ishes including ֖some the invaders t֥ook from our ֖holy Temple׃
	The festi֜vities went on and ֔on and ֥on and ֖on and on׃ And on the s֤eventh d֜ay when the k֣ing was pretty dr֔unk he cal֤led for Queen V֜ashti to d֜ance before the whole ֔crowd dre֥ssed in ֖only her crown׃ Now V֤ashti was no c֜oward but w֣hen she ref֔used the king’s r֥age b֖oiled over׃ V֤ashti was fi֜red as qu֔een and ba֥nished from Sh֖ushan forever׃ N֤ot long ֜afterward when the ֣king sobered ֔up he wo֥ndered what to ֖do for a new queen׃ His m֤inisters advi֜sed him to have a ֣beauty c֔ontest so the most g֧orgeous w֛oman in the whole e֥mpire would ֖be his new queen׃
	And ֞so Mordechai the J֛ew sent his ֖niece ֥Esther to try ֣out for the j֑ob And ֞Esther was the ֜most be֨autiful of ֗all so s֖he became qu֥een of the Persian empire׃ E֤sther was ca֜reful and d֣idn’t tell a֔nyone that s֥he was a Jew׃ Her ֤uncle M֜ordechai would ֣sit outside the p֔alace to keep in to֥uch with Esther׃ Now just in ֤case you th֜ink that th֜is is the end of the st֔ory hang ֥on— there’s a l֖ot to come׃
	One d֞ay M֤ordechai h֜eard two g֣uards pl֔otting to m֥urder the king׃ M֜ordechai rep֨orted what he had he֗ard and the king’s l֥ife was saved׃ For th֜is no֣body thanked hi֔m but his n֖ame was wr֥itten in the k֖ing’s records׃ So֥metime after all ֣these h֑appenings the k֖ing appo֥inted a ne֖w Prime Minister׃ His n֣ame was Haman The k֣ing’s new m֣inister had a ֣very ֣big ֡ego and l֧oved to have p֛eople b֖ow d֥own to him׃ ֤One d֜ay h֣e and his ֔officers pa‎֥ssed ֣by M֑ordechai wh֤o as u֜sual was si֔tting ֥by the p֖alace gate׃ but M֣ordechai ref֣used to bow ֣down to Haman
	Wh֤en the o֜fficers tol֣d him to bow d֔own Mordechai s֞aid: I ֤am a J֜ew and ֣I don’t b֔ow to a֥nyone b֣ut my ֑God I ֤serve the H֜oly One and th֥is make֖s me free׃
	Haman was ֜absolutely f֨urious and ֤went to the ki֜ng and s֔aid: O your Hi֞ghness, Bel֜oved and Mi֨ghty a֤nd Fant֜astic and A֣wesome Ki֔ng I have ֖bad n֥ews f֖or you׃ Th֤ere is a p֜eople scattered ֣throughout your E֔mpire that d֖oesn’t f֥ollow y֖our laws׃ Now ֜this is te֨rrible! But I can take c֠are of them If yo֤u give ֜me the ֔OK I’ll w֜aste them and they’ll ֣never bother you a֔gain I’ll e֧ven bring ֛in some more m֥oney fo֖r your treasury׃
	And the ֤king s֜aid: sounds ֣fine to m֔e gei gesunte-heit d֖o what you w֥ant with ֣these p֑eople No֖w leave me a֥lone— I’ve got a d֖ate with the Queen׃
	And ֞so all the d֜ays of the ye֨ar were ֤written on pieces of p֜aper and p֣ut in a b֔ox and ֤one pi֜ece was taken ֤out by Haman T֧his would ֖be the ֛day that ֖all the Je֥ws would ֖be killed׃ And ֞so the ne֤ws went ֜out by expr֣ess ֔riders to ֖all p֥arts of the ֑empire to kill ֡all the J֠ews men, wo֤men and ֜children r֤ich, p֜oor, y֣oung and ֔old on the ֖fourteenth day of A֥dar now ֖that’s tonight׃ Also a sp֤ecial g֜allows was b֔uilt to h֣ang the Jew M֔ordechai who w֖ouldn’t bow d֥own to Haman.
	Now when the J֤ews h֜eard this they th֔ought t֥hey were d֣oomed for s֑ure but M֥ordechai got a ֖message to Esther׃ He ֞said: Y֤ou have a ch֜ance to change the course of hi֔story G֜o for it! Go ֤talk to the ki֜ng! T֤his may be the w֜ork of the Ho֣ly One of I֔srael You ֤may have become q֜ueen just so y֣ou’d have the ch֔ance to s֥ave your people׃
	Now E֞sther was ֜ter֨rified bec֤ause if she went to the ki֜ng with֣out being in֔vited the k֖ing might get ֥mad and k֑ill her but ֖she deci֥ded to do it׃
	So E֞sther dr֕essed in ֤her sn֜appiest lo֘w-cut queen ֒outfit, and she w֞alked into the th֧rone room, uni֛nvited. She went ֤up to the ki֜ng on his thr֔one and she went d֧own on her k֛nees, and the ֥king was g֖lad to see her׃ And the ֤king s֜aid, (dramatic pause) “E֜sther b֨aby! G֤ood to s֜ee you! You look g֜reat! What can I gi֜ve you? As֤k for a֜nything, you can ha֔ve it, up to 50 p֥ercent of the whole kingdom.”׃ Qu֖een E֥sther s֑aid: “my ֡King, I’d li֤ke you to c֜ome to a sp֣ecial little p֔arty in my pa֥rt of the p֑alace just y֤ou and m֜e, dear ki֔ng and ֤oh y֜es, just for f֔un please b֤ring Haman.”
	That nig֥ht, the king had insomnia.׃ So he c֞alled for the c֤ourt r֜ecords to be read out l֔oud, so tha֥t he could be ֖bored to sleep׃ The st֣ory was t֗old of how Mordecai rep֜orted on the p֣lot against the ki֔ng The king s֞aid, “w֤ait a ֜minute, this ֜guy saved my lif֨e, and ֖we never ֥did anything for him?”׃ thi֤nk, think, think, think, t֣hink, think, thi֔nk. o֥k, no good i֑deas. is anybody ֤else ar֜ound?” and Haman by coi֜ncidence just ha֜ppened to be h֧anging ar֛ound n֖ear the king’s ch֥ambers in the m֣iddle of the n֑ight so the ki֤ng called him i֜n and a֔sked, “W֧hat should be d֛one for a m֥an the k֖ing has decided to honor?”׃ and Haman, in his typ֧ical self-ab֛sorbed narc֖issistic w֥ay of th֑inking, th֞ought: he m֤ust mean me! so he s֞aid: “such a ֧man should be d֛ressed ֖in the k֥ing’s ro֑bes, and s֞at upon the ki֜ng’s best h֨orse, and pa֤raded through the ֜city, led by so֤meone who calls ֜out, o֤ver and o֜ver: “This is a ֕man the ki֥ng is delighted to honor.”׃ So the king s֞aid: “E֤xcellent id֜ea! do it for the Jew M֜ordecai! Yo֜u will be the ֨one to le֤ad the h֜orse through the str֔eets! M֤ake it ֜so! so let it be wr֥itten, so let it be done!”׃
	And ֗so: the next ni֞ght, a֤fter the e֜nd of a v֤ery, ֜very, v֣ery long d֔ay, Haman dr֥agged him֣self h֑ome, and told the w֧hole pat֖hetic ֛story to his w֥ife and f֑ollowers. His wif֤e said: “Wh֜at? and you wanna, wha֜ck this guy? Are you ֤outta your mind? fugg֜edaboutit! This is n֥ot a co֑incidence! This dud֤e is n֜othing but tro֔uble! His kar֥ma will run o֖ver your dogma!”׃ But at ֤that very m֜oment, the king’s gu֞ards came knocking on the d֜oor (make banging noises) to escort Haman to that f֖ateful dinner׃
	And so the ki֞ng and Haman went to Esther’s p֑arty. The k֤ing was in a good m֜ood, and said to E֔sther: “T֜ell me, dear Q֨ueen, w֧hat do you want n֛ow? It shall ֥be my r֖oyal command.”׃ And E֥sther cried ֑out: “S֤ave my life! So֤meone is trying to mu֜rder me and ֣all my p֔eople! Sa֤ve me, sa֜ve me, O p֖lease pl֥ease s֖ave me!”׃ And the ki֞ng s֤houted: “Wh֜o? Wh֜at? Wh֜ere? Who could ֥do such a terrible t֑hing?” And Esthe֤r said: Thi֜s one! This Evil O֜ne — HAMAN
	Now the E֤vil One could ֜see that he had a pr֔oblem and b֖owed d֥own to b֣eg for m֑ercy but he j֤ust h֜appened to t֞rip o֣ver Esther’s g֗own — pulling it d֗own and he land֥ed right on t֖op of Esther׃ and the king ֤said “wh֜at? how d֜are you try to make who֜opee with the Qu֔een? get your h֜ands off the royal as֔sets b֥oy you in a h֖eap of trouble”׃ He gave ֜orders and g֤uards c֜ame with h֤andcuffs and ch֜ains and very ֣unfriendly expr֔essions and took away Haman At that m֞oment, ju֤st by coi֜ncidence, one ֤of the king’s mi֜nisters cam֣e in and s֔aid: “Exc֜use me, your M֨ajesty, Wha֤t do you want to d֜o with the g֜allows out in ֣front of the p֔alace, th֖at were b֥uilt for the J֣ew Mo֑rdechai, the on֥e who sa֖ved your life?”׃ And E֜sther said; “Wait a ֜minute – he’s my ֜uncle!’ Then the kin֤g said: “Wh֜at? No more mister nic֔e guy us֤e the g֜allows to hang HAMAN
	Now the st֥ory’s not ֣quite ֑over The ki֞ng didn’t l֤ike to change his ֜orders on֣ce he’d giv֔en them so the ֧order to kill ֖all the J֛ews was st֥ill in force׃ But E֞sther b֜egged and ple֨aded and the ki֞ng g֤ave the o֜rder that the Je֜ws could defend the֔mselves so th֞at when their e֜nemies ca֣me to att֔ack them the Jews s֥urvived by fighting back׃ Then the ki֞ng made Mordech֡ai his prime mi֠nister And ga֤ve hi֜m a ve֤ry sn֜azzy pa֣lace of his o֔wn Which in֣cidentally had bel֣onged to HAMAN And so a֖lmost eve֥rybody lived happi֖ly ever ֑after
	Now ֤what can we le֜arn from ֣all thi֔s? As ֤it is w֜ritten in the bo֣oks of the Wi֔se Ones coi֤ncidence is G֜od’s way of st֣aying ano֔nymous and ֤if you co֜me to a fo֣rk in the ro֔ad you s֖hould defi֥nitely ta֑ke it At the e֣nd of the d֗ay when we take ֕off the mas֥ks we we֣ar for the w֑orld Wh֥o are ֣we re֑ally? We ca֜n all be Mo֨rdechai We ֟can all be ֒Esther (all rise) Stan֤d up for j֜ustice Don’t b֣ow to ֔evil We s֜erve the H֨oly One and th֥is ma֖kes us free!׃
	Blessings after the Megillah
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, הָרָב אֶת רִיבֵֽנוּ וְהַדָּן אֶת דִּינֵֽנוּ וְהַנּוֹקֵם אֶת נִקְמָתֵֽנוּ וְהַמְשַׁלֵּם גְּמוּל לְכָל אוֹיְבֵי נַפְשֵֽׁנוּ וְהַנִּפְרָע לָֽנוּ מִצָּרֵֽינוּ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ הַנִּפְרָע לְעַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל מִכָּל צָרֵיהֶם הָאֵל הַמּוֹשִֽׁיעַ:‏	Blessed are You, YHVH (Hashem), our elo’ah, Master of the Cosmos, Who helps us in our struggles, Who brings our enemies to justice. Blessed are You Adonai, by whose power Your people Israel is delivered from all enemies. Baruch Ata Adonai Eloheynu Melech ha-Olam Harav et riveynu v’ha-dan et dineynu v’ha-nokeym et nik’mateynu v’ha-m’shaleym g’mul l’chol oy’vey nafsheynu v’ha-nifra lanu mi-tzareynu. Baruch Ata Adonai ha-nifra Vamo Yisrael mi-kol tzarey-hem, ha-El ha-moshia.

The Megillah of Esther: An Original English Rendition (set to trop) by Ḥazzan Jack Kessler was first published in 1990. This second “version 2.0” edition was published in 2016.

Recordings

http://jewishfreeculture.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Hazzan-Jack-Kessler-The-Megillah-of-Esther-An-Original-English-Rendition-with-trop.mp3

Source

מְגִלַּת אֶסְתֵּר | Megillat Esther — a group reading by Naomi Klionsky and friends at Betzalel (Chicago, 14 March 2025)

Naomi Klionsky — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 20:48:50 +0000

A group reading of Megilat Esther arranged by Naomi Klionsky at Bezalel (Chicago), Thursday, 13 March 2025. Each character in the megillah is read by a reader cast for that voice.^[1] This idea dates to Purim in 2015 (subsequently shared via a social media post) where at a family reading by Aharon Varady and his parents each listener took responsibility for reading the voice of a set of characters. The recording was made by Naomi Klionsky in one unbroken take. (The resulting digital file was then divided into chapters by Aharon Varady without any added audio effects.)

Chapter 1
https://archive.org/download/naomi-klionsky-and-friends-megilat-esther-2025/Naomi%20Klionsky%20%26%20friends%20-%20Megilat%20Esther%20-%2001%20-%20Chapter%201.mp3

Chapter 2
https://archive.org/download/naomi-klionsky-and-friends-megilat-esther-2025/Naomi%20Klionsky%20%26%20friends%20-%20Megilat%20Esther%20-%2002%20-%20Chapter%202.mp3

Chapter 3
https://archive.org/download/naomi-klionsky-and-friends-megilat-esther-2025/Naomi%20Klionsky%20%26%20friends%20-%20Megilat%20Esther%20-%2003%20-%20Chapter%203.mp3

Chapter 4
https://archive.org/download/naomi-klionsky-and-friends-megilat-esther-2025/Naomi%20Klionsky%20%26%20friends%20-%20Megilat%20Esther%20-%2004%20-%20Chapter%204.mp3

Chapter 5
https://archive.org/download/naomi-klionsky-and-friends-megilat-esther-2025/Naomi%20Klionsky%20%26%20friends%20-%20Megilat%20Esther%20-%2005%20-%20Chapter%205.mp3

Chapter 6
https://archive.org/download/naomi-klionsky-and-friends-megilat-esther-2025/Naomi%20Klionsky%20%26%20friends%20-%20Megilat%20Esther%20-%2006%20-%20Chapter%206.mp3

Chapter 7
https://archive.org/download/naomi-klionsky-and-friends-megilat-esther-2025/Naomi%20Klionsky%20%26%20friends%20-%20Megilat%20Esther%20-%2007%20-%20Chapter%207.mp3

Chapter 8
https://archive.org/download/naomi-klionsky-and-friends-megilat-esther-2025/Naomi%20Klionsky%20%26%20friends%20-%20Megilat%20Esther%20-%2008%20-%20Chapter%208.mp3

Chapter 9
https://archive.org/download/naomi-klionsky-and-friends-megilat-esther-2025/Naomi%20Klionsky%20%26%20friends%20-%20Megilat%20Esther%20-%2009%20-%20Chapter%209.mp3

Chapter 10
https://archive.org/download/naomi-klionsky-and-friends-megilat-esther-2025/Naomi%20Klionsky%20%26%20friends%20-%20Megilat%20Esther%20-%2010%20-%20Chapter%2010.mp3

Notes

Notes
1	This idea dates to Purim in 2015 (subsequently shared via a social media post) where at a family reading by Aharon Varady and his parents each listener took responsibility for reading the voice of a set of characters.

the Five Megillot • the Open Siddur Project ✍ פְּרוֺיֶקְט הַסִּדּוּר הַפָּתוּחַ

💬 מְגִלַּת אֵיכָה | Megillat Eikhah: Chantable English translation with trōp, by Len Fellman

Recordings

💬 מגילת קהלת | Megillat Qohelet (Ecclesiastes): Chantable English translation with trōp, by Len Fellman

Source

Recordings

💬 מְגִלַּת אֵיכָה | Megillat Eikhah (Lamentations) in acrostic English translation by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer

💬 מְגִלַּת אֵיכָה | Megillat Eikhah (Lamentations) for Reading on Tishah b’Av, translation by Rabbi David Seidenberg (neohasid·org)

Some notes on the theology of Eikhah:

Source

💬 מגילת רות | Megillat Ruth, Yiddish translation by Yehoyesh Blumgarten (1910)

💬 מגילת רות | Megillat Rut (translated by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer, 2024)

💬 מגילת רות | Megillat Rūt: Chantable English translation with trōp, by Len Fellman

Source

Recordings

💬 מגילת אסתר | Megillat Esther: Chantable English translation with trōp, by Len Fellman

Source

Recordings

💬 שִׁיר הַשִּׁירִים | Shir haShirim :: the Song of Songs, chantable English translation with trōp by Len Fellman

Source

Recordings

💬 סדר מגילת אסתר עם פסוקים שנאמרו על אסתר ומרדכי | Seder Megillat Esther (with verses to be said for Esther and Mordekhai)

Minhagim

Megillat Esther

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Blessings and Prayers upon completing Megillat Esther

Recordings

יהי רצון אחרי שיר השירים | Yehi Ratson after Shir haShirim, cantillated and translated by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer

💬 שִׁיר הַשִּׁירִים | Shir haShirim (The Song of Songs), English translation by Paltiel Birnbaum (1949)

Source

💬 An Adaptation of the Megillah of Esther, an English Rendition with Trōp, by Ḥazzan Jack Kessler (1990)

Blessings Before the Megillah

Blessings after the Megillah

Recordings

Source

מְגִלַּת אֶסְתֵּר | Megillat Esther — a group reading by Naomi Klionsky and friends at Betzalel (Chicago, 14 March 2025)