tagged: מעוז צור Maoz Tsur • the Open Siddur Project ✍ פְּרוֺיֶקְט הַסִּדּוּר הַפָּתוּחַ

מָעוֹז צוּר | Maoz Tsur in a rhyming English translation (1893)

Isaac Gantwerk Mayer (transcription & naqdanut) — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 04:23:14 +0000

This is an English translation of Maoz Tsur published by The Hebrew Standard for their 1893 Ḥanukkah issue (vol. 29, no. 12, New York, Friday, 8 December 1893 — 29 Kislev 5654). The Hebrew Standard was one of the biggest English-language Jewish papers in America around the turn of the twentieth century, generally taking a more traditionalist line than the Reform papers and a more moderate line than the leftist ones. This translation, simply titled “Chanukah”, unfortunately goes unattributed in the pages of The Hebrew Standard. The translation follows an ABABCCDD rhyme scheme (for those unfamiliar with rhyme scheme notation, this is the same rhyme scheme as “The Star-Spangled Banner“), unlike the Hebrew’s ABABBBccB.

Source (Hebrew)	Translation (English)
מָעוֹז צוּר יְשׁוּעָתִי לְךָ נָאֶה לְשַׁבֵּֽחַ תִּכּוֹן בֵּית תְּפִלָּתִי וְשָׁם תּוֹדָה נְזַבֵּֽחַ לְעֵת תָּכִין מַטְבֵּֽחַ מִצָּר הַמְנַבֵּֽחַ אָז אֶגְמֹר בְּשִׁיר מִזְמוֹר חֲנֻכַּת הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃	Keep us from all harm, O Lord, Whilst we joyful sing to Thee; Keep Thy holy house and word, Fill our hearts with piety: Though our foes surround us still, Wrong Thy people and Thy will, May this hymn confound their spite, And all our hearts in praise unite.
רָעוֹת שָׂבְעָה נַפְשִׁי בְּיָגוֹן כֹּחִי כָּלָה חַיַּי מֵרְרוּ בְקֹשִׁי בְּשִׁעְבּוּד מַלְכוּת עֶגְלָה וּבְיָדוֹ הַגְּדוֹלָה הוֹצִיא אֶת־הַסְּגֻלָּה חֵיל פַּרְעֹה וְכׇל־זַרְעוֹ יָרְדוּ כְּאֶֽבֶן בִּמְצוּלָה׃	Once by heavy burdens pressed, Thou hast in our days of need, Led us back to shores of rest, And from galling bondage freed; Thou Thy promise didst recall, Which Thou madst our fathers all, To protect us with Thy might, And Egypt’s hosts were sunk in night.
דְּבִיר קׇדְשׁוֹ הֱבִיאַֽנִי וְגַם שָׁם לֹא שָׁקַֽטְתִּי וּבָא נוֹגֵשׂ וְהִגְלַֽנִי כִּי זָרִים עָבַֽדְתִּי וְיֵין רַֽעַל מָסַֽכְתִּי כִּמְעַט שֶׁעָבַֽרְתִּי קֵץ בָּבֶל זְרֻבָּבֶל לְקֵץ שִׁבְעִים נוֹשַֽׁעְתִּי׃	Holy shores received us then, Where our stay was short, and we Pressed by foes and evil men, Suffered for apostasy; But Thy mercy kept us still— Sinning oft against Thy will; After threescore years and ten, Thou, Lord, didst bring us back again.
כְּרוֹת קוֹמַת בְּרוֹשׁ בִּקֵּשׁ אֲגָגִי בֶּן־הַמְּדָֽתָא וְנִהְיָתָה לוֹ לְפַח וּלְמוֹקֵשׁ וְגַאֲוָתוֹ נִשְׁבָּֽתָה רֹאשׁ יְמִינִי נִשֵּֽׂאתָ וְאוֹיֵב שְׁמוֹ מָחִֽיתָ רֹב בָּנָיו וְקִנְיָנָיו עַל־הָעֵץ תָּלִֽיתָ׃	Haman’s plans all came to naught, Cunning plans that he had made, When to harm us he had sought, And his ruin he had laid; For injustice, worldly gain, Never man from death retains. Lord! Be Thou our helper still, And help us do Thy holy will!
יְוָנִים נִקְבְּצוּ עָלַי אֲזַי בִּימֵי חַשְׁמַנִּים וּפָרְצוּ חוֹמוֹת מִגְדָּלַי וְטִמְּאוּ כׇּל־הַשְּׁמָנִים וּמִנּוֹתַר קַנְקַנִּים נַעֲשָׂה נֵס לַשּׁוֹשַׁנִּים בְּנֵי בִינָה יְמֵי שְׁמוֹנָה קָבְעוּ שִׁיר וּרְנָנִים׃	Then came Javan, in his rage, Razing tower, wall and gate; In the Hasmonean age, Lord. Thy house to desecrate! But the oil that still remained Many virtues still contained; So Thy house and name, O Lord, Sustains Thy consecrating word!

This is “Chanukah” a free or interpretive rhyming English translation of Maoz Tsur, a 13th century piyyut attributed to Mordecai ben Yitsḥak haLevi (based on his acrostic signature). Employing the same rhyme scheme as the “Star Spangled Banner,” the anonymous translator implicitly suggests its proud usage as a patriotic hymn for American Jewry of the United States on Ḥanukkah. At the time, Zionism as a political force was still in its relative infancy and American rabbis were explicitly referring to the United States as a new Canaan. In conjunction with the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, the United States had just hosted the World’s Parliament of Religions — and representatives of Judaism were treated on par with that of every other representative. Jews worldwide were looking to the United States as a golden medinah amidst the shocking and persistent anti-Jewish violence in Eastern Europe and elsewhere. At a time when the late 18th century Enlightenment promise of Emancipation and Religious Freedom remained unfulfilled in most places, for a generation yearning to realize Jewish safety amidst some measure of national pride, this use of Maoz Tsur compares with the adoption of Eugène Pottier’s “The Internationale” (1871), Naphtali Herz Imber’s “Hatiḳvah” (1878), and Ḥayyim Naḥman Bialik’s “The People’s Blessing” (a/k/a Teḥezaqnah, 1894) as anthems to carry forward a vision of the end of Exile. –Aharon Varady

Source

Chanukah (The Hebrew Standard, 8 December 1893), p. 1 col. 1

מָעוֹז צוּר | Schirm und Schutz in Sturm und Graus, a German translation of Maoz Tsur by Leopold Stein (1906)

Isaac Gantwerk Mayer (transcription & naqdanut) — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 20:14:57 +0000

A German translation of Maoz Tsur, by the early Reform rabbi Leopold Stein. This singable German translation was cited as an inspiration for Gustav Gottheil and Marcus Jastrow’s well-known English edition. In some communities in the German Empire, for instance the community of Beuthen (now Bytom, Poland), it was recited during the morning service on Ḥanukkah. It poetically translates the first five verses in their entirety, avoiding the controversial sixth verse (said by some to have been added post-facto, and rejected by the early Reform movement).

Source (Hebrew)	Translation (German)	Translation of German (English)
מָעוֹז צוּר יְשׁוּעָתִי לְךָ נָאֶה לְשַׁבֵּֽחַ תִּכּוֹן בֵּית תְּפִלָּתִ וְשָׁם תּוֹדָה נְזַבֵּֽחַ לְעֵת תָּכִין מַטְבֵּֽח מִצָּר הַמְנַבֵּֽחַ אָז אֶגְמֹר בְּשִׁיר מִזְמוֹ חֲנֻכַּת הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃	Schirm und Schutz in Sturm und Graus, dir erschall’ ein Jubellied. Schützt, o Herr, dein Heilig Haus, drin Dir Lob und Preis erblüht; Doch wenn einst verstummt der Feind, dem dein Volk ein Spott erscheint, dann erschall’ all überall der Sang des uns, o Herr vereint.	Shield and protection in storm and horror To You resounds a jubilation-song. Protect, O Lord, your Holy House; in it Your lauds and praise blossom. Yet if one day the enemy is silenced (To whom your people seems a mockery), Then, all over resounding the song of ours, O Unified Lord.
רָעוֹת שָׂבְעָה נַפְשִׁי בְּיָגוֹן כֹּחִי כָּלָה חַיַּי מֵרְרוּ בְקֹשִׁי בְּשִׁעְבּוּד מַלְכוּת עֶגְלָה וּבְיָדוֹ הַגְּדוֹלָה הוֹצִיא אֶת־הַסְּגֻלָּה חֵיל פַּרְעֹה וְכׇל־זַרְעוֹ יָרְדוּ כְּאֶֽבֶן בִּמְצוּלָה׃	Drangsal beuge mir das Haupt, und die Fron brach meine Kraft: Mut und Freiheit hat geraubt mir dereinst Ägyptens Haft. Doch der Herr, mit starker Macht hat des heil’gen Schwurs gedacht; der Tyrann mit Roß und Mann er sank hinab in Graus und Nacht.	Tribulation bowed down my head, And toil broke my strength. Courage and freedom was stolen From me once by Egyptian imprisonment. But the Lord, with great might Thought of the holy oath. The tyrant, with horse and man Sank down in horror and night.
דְּבִיר קׇדְשׁוֹ הֱבִיאַֽנִי וְגַם שָׁם לֹא שָׁקַֽטְתִּי וּבָא נוֹגֵשׂ וְהִגְלַֽנִי כִּי זָרִים עָבַֽדְתִּי וְיֵין רַעַל מָסַֽכְתִּי כִּמְעַט שֶׁעָבַֽרְתִּי קֵץ בָּבֶל זְרֻבָּבֶל לְקֵץ שִׁבְעִים נוֹשַֽׁעְתִּי׃	Heilig Land du nahmst uns auf, doch nur kurz war unser Rast. Dränger scharten sich zuhauf, straffend unsres Abfalls Hast. Doch wie groß der Sünden Zahl, nicht er losch Dein Gnaden strahl; siebzig Jahr, und Dein Altar erstand, o Herr, ein zweites Mal.	You welcomed us to the Holy Land, But only brief was our rest. Slave-drivers gathered in droves, Tightening our apostatic haste. But no matter how great the number of sins, It does not extinguish your grace-shine. Seventy years, and Your Altar Arose, Lord, a second time.
כְּרוֹת קוֹמַת בְּרוֹשׁ בִּקֵּשׁ אֲגָגִי בֶּן־הַמְּדָתָא וְנִהְיָתָה לוֹ לְפַח וּלְמוֹקֵשׁ וְגַאֲוָתוֹ נִשְׁבָּֽתָה רֹאשׁ יְמִינִי נִשֵּֽׂאתָ וְאוֹיֵב שְׁמוֹ מָחִֽיתָ רֹב בָּנָיו וְקִנְיָנָיו עַל הָעֵץ תָּלִֽיתָ׃	Fällen wollt den Gottesschaft Haman einst der Tücke voll, doch zum Fallstrick ward die Kraft und zur Schande ward sein Groll. Ewig lebt der Frommen Hort, doch der Bösen Ruf verdorrt; Hab und Gut und Lebensgluth, ein jäher Tod rafft Alles fort.	Once, malice-filled Haman desired to fell the Godhead, But his strength became a pitfall And his resentment became a shame. Forever lives the pious horde; But the reputation of the evil withers. His belongings and property and glow of life A sudden death took it all away.
יְוָנִים נִקְבְּצוּ עָלַי אֲזַי בִּימֵי חַשְׁמַנִּים וּפָרְצוּ חוֹמוֹת מִגְדָּלַי וְטִמְּאוּ כׇּל־הַשְּׁמָנִים וּמִנּוֹתַר קַנְקַנִּים נַעֲשָׂה נֵס לַשּׁוֹשַׁנִּים בְּנֵי בִינָה יְמֵי שְׁמוֹנָה קָבְעוּ שִׁיר וּרְנָנִים׃	Javan drängte an im Sturm. einst zur Hasmonäer zeit, und es stürzten Mau’r und Turm, und Dein Tempel ward entweiht. aber aus des Öles Rest, du dein Haus erhellen läßt; und zum Ruhm dem Heiligtum, währt ewig Herr, das Weihe fest.	Yavan attacked in the storm, Once, in the Hasmonean era, And the wall and tower fell, And Your Temple was desecrated. But from the rest of the oil, You let Your house light up, And for the glory of your sanctum, Eternally Enduring Lord, they consecrated this festival.

The transcription here was sourced from Gebete und Lieder für die Sabbathe und Festage (H. Freund 1906). If you know of an earlier printing of Leopold Stein’s translation, please leave a comment below or contact us.

Source

מָעוֹז צוּר | Maoz Tsur (trans. by Frederick de Sola Mendes 1914)

Isaac Gantwerk Mayer (transcription & naqdanut) — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 19:47:49 +0000

A singable translation of Maoz Tsur by the great ḥakham Frederick de Sola Mendes, here transcribed from the Union Hymnal (CCAR 1914), hymn 190. The translation largely reflects the Hebrew, omitting two verses — the final (and according to some, last added) verse, and the fourth verse about Purim and Haman.

Source (Hebrew)	Translation (English)
מָעוֹז צוּר יְשׁוּעָתִי לְךָ נָאֶה לְשַׁבֵּֽחַ תִּכּוֹן בֵּית תְּפִלָּתִ וְשָׁם תּוֹדָה נְזַבֵּֽחַ לְעֵת תָּכִין מַטְבֵּֽח מִצָּר הַמְנַבֵּֽחַ אָז אֶגְמֹר בְּשִׁיר מִזְמוֹ חֲנֻכַּת הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃	Fortress-rock, my God, my aid! To Thee my praises shall ascend; Our Guardian in the days of yore, On Israel bid Thy grace descend. The truth our people’s seers have known, All men, awak’ning then shall own; Thy Law of Love, all laws above, Our time-long sorrows full shall end.
רָעוֹת שָׂבְעָה נַפְשִׁי בְּיָגוֹן כֹּחִי כָּלָה חַיַּי מֵרְרוּ בְקֹשִׁי בְּשִׁעְבּוּד מַלְכוּת עֶגְלָה וּבְיָדוֹ הַגְּדוֹלָה הוֹצִיא אֶת־הַסְּגֻלָּה חֵיל פַּרְעֹה וְכׇל־זַרְעוֹ יָרְדוּ כְּאֶֽבֶן בִּמְצוּלָה׃	My soul is wearied by the woe The ages rained upon my head; From early days when Egypt’s hate Sustained me on “affliction’s bread.” But from Thy great redeeming Hand, The blow fell by the Red Sea’s strand; With pomp and boast, the Pharaoh’s host Was hurled deep into ocean’s bed.
דְּבִיר קׇדְשׁוֹ הֱבִיאַֽנִי וְגַם שָׁם לֹא שָׁקַֽטְתִּי וּבָא נוֹגֵשׂ וְהִגְלַֽנִי כִּי זָרִים עָבַֽדְתִּי וְיֵין רַעַל מָסַֽכְתִּי כִּמְעַט שֶׁעָבַֽרְתִּי קֵץ בָּבֶל זְרֻבָּבֶל לְקֵץ שִׁבְעִים נוֹשַֽׁעְתִּי׃	Twas then Thou broughtest me at length To Ẓion’s rocky temple-hill; Alas, I was not faithful there, For other gods I worshiped still! The bitter cup an exile sees, I drained unto its lowest lees, But hopeful dreams by Babel’s streams Came true in edicts of Thy will!
יְוָנִים נִקְבְּצוּ עָלַי אֲזַי בִּימֵי חַשְׁמַנִּים וּפָרְצוּ חוֹמוֹת מִגְדָּלַי וְטִמְּאוּ כׇּל־הַשְּׁמָנִים וּמִנּוֹתַר קַנְקַנִּים נַעֲשָׂה נֵס לַשּׁוֹשַׁנִּים בְּנֵי בִינָה יְמֵי שְׁמוֹנָה קָבְעוּ שִׁיר וּרְנָנִים׃	The Syrian last his anger spent Upon my poor defenseless head. My shrine defiled, my Law proscribed, Idolatry set up instead. Then brave arose the Maccabee Who foes beat off most gloriously, And these glad days attest their praise Who for Thy truth so nobly bled!

Due to the stanza removed in this variation, the acrostic signature reads מרדי rather than מרדכי.

Source

מָעוֹז צוּר | Maoz Tsur, attributed to Mordecai ben Yitsḥak haLevi (adapted by R’ Joseph H. Hertz, trans. by Solomon Solis-Cohen)

Solomon da Silva Solis-Cohen (translation) — Thu, 14 Dec 2017 22:12:57 +0000

Hebrew (source, adapted)	Transliteration (romanization)	Translation (English)
מָעוֹז צוּר יְשׁוּעָתִי לְךָ נָאֶה לְשַׁבֵּֽחַ תִּכּוֹן בֵּית תְּפִלָּתִי וְשָׁם תּוֹדָה נְזַבֵּֽחַ לְעֵת תָּשְׁבִּית מַטְבֵּֽחַ וְצָּר הִמְּנַבֵּֽחַ אָז אֶגְמֹר בְּשִׁיר מִזְמוֹר חֲנֻכַּת הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃	Maˈoz tsur yeshuˈati lekha naˈeh leshabbeaḥ tikkon bet tefillati vesham toda nezabbeaḥ leˈet tashbit matbeaḥ vtsar himmnabbeaḥ az egmor beshir mizmor ḥanukkat hammizbeaḥ	Mighty, praised beyond compare, Rock of my salvation, Build again my House of Pray’r For thy habitation! Haste my restoration: let a ransomed nation^[1] The literal translation of lines two and three is: “when Thou shalt have utterly destroyed the blaspheming foe, I will complete with song and psalm the dedication of the altar” [לעת תכין מטבח. מצר המנבח]. By a slight change, this is now: “when Thou shalt cause all slaughter to cease, and the blaspheming foe, I will complete, etc” [לעת תשבית מטבח. וצר המנבח]. Joyful sing To its King Psalms of dedication!
רָעוֹת שָׂבְעָה נַפְשִׁי בְּיָגוֹן כֹּחִי כָלָה חַיַּי מֵרֲרוּ בְקֽוּשִׁי בְּשִׁעְבּוּד מַלְכוּת עֶגְלָה וּבְיָדוֹ הַגְּדוֹלָה הוֹצִיא אֶת הַסְּגֻלָּה חֵיל פַּרְעֹה וְכׇל־זַרְעוֹ יָרְדוּ כְּאֶֽבֶן מְצוּלָה׃	Raˈot saveˈa nafshi beyagon koḥi khala ḥayyay meraru vekushi beshiˈbud malkhut egla uvyado haggedola hotsiˈ et hassegulla ḥel parˈoh vekhol-zarˈo yardu keˈeven metsula	Woe was mine in Egypt-land Tyrant kings enslaved me, Till Thy mighty, outstretched Hand From oppression saved me. Pharaoh, rash pursuing, vowed my swift undoing; Soon, his host That proud boast ‘Neath the waves was rueing!
דְּבִיר קׇדְשׁוֹ הֱבִיאַֽנִי וְגַם שָׁם לֹא שָׁקַֽטְתִּי וּבָא נוֹגֵשׂ וְהִגְלַֽנִי כִּי זָרִים עָבַֽדְתִּי וְיֵין רַֽעַל מָסַֽכְתִּי כִּמְעַט שֶׁעָבַֽרְתִּי קֵץ בָּבֶל זְרֻבָּבֶל לְקֵץ שִׁבְעִים נוֹשָֽׁעְתִּי׃	Devir kodsho heviˈani vegam sham lo shakatti uva noges vehiglani ki zarim avadeti veyein raˈal masakhti kimˈat sheˈavarti keits bavel zerubbavel lekeits shivˈim noshaˈeti	To thy holy Hill, the way Mad’st Thou clear before me; With false gods I went astray— Foes to Exile bore me. Torn from all I cherished, almost had I perished; Babylon fell, Zerubabel Had’st Thou to restore me!
כְּרוֹת קוֹמַת בְּרוֹשׁ בִּקֵּשׁ אֲגָגִי בֶּן־הַמְּדָֽתָא וְנִהְיָֽתָה לּוֹ לְמוֹקֵשׁ וְגַאֲוָתוֹ נִשְׁבָּֽתָה רֹאשׁ יְמִינִי נִשֵּֽׂאתָ וְאוֹיֵב שְׁמוֹ מָחִֽיתָ רֹב בָּנָיו וְקִנְיָנָיו עַל הָעֵץ תָּלִֽיתָ׃	Kerot komat berosh bikkesh Agagi ben-Hammedata venihyata lo lemokesh vegaˈavato nishbata roˈsh yemini nisseˈta veˈoyev shemo maḥita rov banav vekinyanav al haˈets talita	Then the vengeful Haman wrought Subtly to betray me; In his snare himself he caught— He that planned to slay me. (Haled from Esther’s palace, hanged on his own gallows!) Seal and ring Persia’s king Gave Thy servant zealous.
יְוָנִים נִקְבְּצוּ עָלַי אֲזַי בִּימֵי חַשְׁמַנִּים וּפָרְצוּ חוֹמוֹת מִגְדָּלַי וְטִמְּאוּ כׇּל הַשְּׁמָנִים וּמִנּוֹתַר קַנְקַנִּים נַעֲשָׂה נֵס לַשּׁוֹשַׁנִּים בְּנֵי בִינָה יְמֵי שְׁמוֹנָה קָבְעוּ שִׁיר וּרְנָנִים׃	Yevanim nikbetsu alay azai bimei ḥashmannim ufaretsu ḥomot migdalay vetimmeˈu kol hashemanim uminnotar kankannim naˈasa nes lashoshannim benei vina yemei shmona kavˈu shir urnanim	When the brave Asmoneans broke Javan’s chain in sunder, Through the holy oil, Thy folk Didst Thou show a wonder. Ever full remained the vessel unprofaned: These eight days, Lights and praise Therefore, were ordained.

Rabbi David Seidenberg (neohasid.org) forwards a teaching related by a Rabbi H.D. Uriel Smith, “For several years I have sung Ma’oz Tsur using the variation Rabbi Dr. Joseph H. Hertz made to the first stanza of the hymn. Instead of לעת תכין מטבח. מצר המנבח “l’et takhin matbe-ah, mitzar ha-m’nabe-ah” (“When you have prepared a massacre of the barking foe”), he wrote לעת תשבית מטבח. וצר המנבח “l’et tashbit matbe-ah, v’-tzar ha-m’nabe-ah” (“When you have stopped any massacre and any barking foe”). Adapted text in GREEN above.

Since it has been seventy years since the death of Rabbi Hertz (1872-1946), the copyright on the initial editions to whom the copyright notice was assigned, has expired and the work resides in the Public Domain.

Source

Notes

Notes
1	The literal translation of lines two and three is: “when Thou shalt have utterly destroyed the blaspheming foe, I will complete with song and psalm the dedication of the altar” [לעת תכין מטבח. מצר המנבח]. By a slight change, this is now: “when Thou shalt cause all slaughter to cease, and the blaspheming foe, I will complete, etc” [לעת תשבית מטבח. וצר המנבח].

מָעוֹז צוּר | Maoz Tsur (Rock of Ages), singing translation by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi

Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (translation) — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 23:06:29 +0000

Source (Hebrew)	Transliteration (romanization)	Translation (English)
מָעוֹז צוּר יְשׁוּעָתִי לְךָ נָאֶה לְשַׁבֵּחַ תִּכּוֹן בֵּית תְּפִלָּתִי וְשָׁם תּוֹדָה נְזַבֵּחַ לְעֵת תָּכִין מַטְבֵּחַ מִצָּר הַמְנַבֵּחַ אָז אֶגְמֹר בְּשִׁיר מִזְמוֹר חֲנֻכַּת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ	maˈoz tsur yeshuˈati lekha naˈeh leshabbeˈaḥ tikkon bet tefillati vesham toda nezabbeˈaḥ leˈet takhin matbeˈaḥ mitsar hamnabeˈaḥ az egmor beshir mizmor ḥanukkat hammizbeˈaḥ	My salvation’s stronghold, fort, praising You is such delight. Build your House of Prayer, Lord, cleansed from idols after fight. You came to our assistance when we gave resistance. Then we sang a hymn of thanks for your aid’s persistence.
רָעוֹת שָׂבְעָה נַפְשִׁי בְּיָגוֹן כֹּחִי כָּלָה חַיַּי מֵרְרוּ בְקֹשִׁי בְּשִׁעְבּוּד מַלְכוּת עֶגְלָה וּבְיָדוֹ הַגְּדוֹלָה הוֹצִיא אֶת הַסְּגֻלָּה חֵיל פַּרְעֹה וְכׇל זַרְעוֹ יָרְדוּ כְּאֶבֶן בִּמְצוּלָה	raˈot savˈa nafshi beyagon koḥi kala ḥaiyai mereru vekoshi beshiˈbud malkhut egla uvyado haggedola hotsiˈ et hassegulla el parˈoh vekhol zarˈo yardu keˈeven bimtsula	Ramparts, pyramids and forts Egypt had us build for them. We found no justice in their courts when they drowned our children. With grace beyond all measure, You redeemed Your treasure. You split the sea to help us flee, now Pesaḥ is our pleasure.
דְּבִיר קׇדְשׁוֹ הֱבִיאַנִי וְגַם שָׁם לֹא שָׁקַטְתִּי וּבָא נוֹגֵשׂ וְהִגְלַנִי כִּי זָרִים עָבַדְתִּי וְיֵין רַעַל מָסַכְתִּי כִּמְעַט שֶׁעָבַרְתִּי קֵץ בָּבֶל זְרֻבָּבֶל לְקֵץ שִׁבְעִים נוֹשַׁעְתִּי	devir kodsho heviˈani vegam sham lo shakatti uva noges vehiglani ki zarim avadeti veˈein raˈal masakhti kimˈat sheˈavarti kets bavel zerubavel lekets shivˈim noshaˈti	Dear to us Your Temple was, still we could not tarry there. Babylon’s superior mass exiled us we knew not where. We drank that poisonous potion, were moved in that commotion. When we turned we were not spurned, but gave You our devotion.
כְּרוֹת קוֹמַת בְּרוֹשׁ בִּקֵּשׁ אֲגָגִי בֶּן הַמְּדָתָא וְנִהְיָתָה לוֹ לְפַח וּלְמוֹקֵשׁ וְגַאֲוָתוֹ נִשְׁבָּתָה רֹאשׁ יְמִינִי נִשֵּׂאתָ וְאוֹיֵב שְׁמוֹ מָחִיתָ רֹב בָּנָיו וְקִנְיָנָיו עַל הָעֵץ תָּלִיתָ	kerot komat berosh bikkesh Agagi ben Hamdata venihyata lo lefaḥ ulemokesh vegaˈavato nishbata rosh yemini nisseˈta veˈoyev shemo maḥita rov banav vekinyanav al haˈets talita	Keen was Haman’s hate for us when he was in power. He vowed slaughter, death to us expecting us to cower. To pride, he kept clinging, while, on the gallows, swinging. On that tree meant for me, Haman wound up swinging.
יְוָנִים נִקְבְּצוּ עָלַי אֲזַי בִּימֵי חַשְׁמַנִּים וּפָרְצוּ חוֹמוֹת מִגְדָּלַי וְטִמְּאוּ כׇּל הַשְּׁמָנִים וּמִנּוֹתַר קַנְקַנִּים נַעֲשָׂה נֵס לַשּׁוֹשַׁנִּים בְּנֵי בִינָה יְמֵי שְׁמוֹנָה קָבְעוּ שִׁיר וּרְנָנִים	yevanim nikbetsu alai azai bimei ḥashmannim ufartsu ḥomot migdalai vetimmeˈu kol hashmanim uminnotar kankannim naˈasa nes lashoshannim benei vina yemei shmona kaveˈu shir urnanim	Ionian, Hellenist and Greek did defile our holy place. God did aid the faithful meek who gave the enemy the chase. Then they found new meaning when they found in cleaning. In their toil some pure oil, Ḥanukkah’s beginning.
חֲשׂוֹף זְרוֹעַ קׇדְשֶׁךָ וְקָרֵב קֵץ הַיְשׁוּעָה נְקֹם נִקְמַת עֲבָדֶיךָ מֵאֻמָּה הָרְשָׁעָה כִּי אָרְכָה הַשָּׁעָה וְאֵין קֵץ לִימֵי הָרָעָה דְּחֵה אַדְמוֹן בְּצֵל צַלְמוֹן הָקֵם לָנוּ רוֹעִים שִׁבְעָה	ḥasof zeroa kodshekha vekarev kets hayshuˈa nekom nikmat avadekha meˈumma hareshaˈa ki arekha hashaˈa veˈen kets lime haraˈa deḥeh admon betsel tsalmon hakem lanu roˈim shivˈa	Holy aid extend to us and bring the end of exile soon. When the foes oppressed the just, You did protect us from dire doom. In an exile dour, at our darkest hour, Edom vain lost its reign. Make our shepherd flower.

This translation was previously published online by Gabbai Seth Fishman at Jewish Renewal Hasidus. We are grateful to him for making this resource available. Before he passed away, Reb Zalman was clear in sharing all of his liturgical resources with an Open Content license in order to help realize his dream of a common Davvenen Database for all people.

Recordings

מָעוֹז צוּר | Maoz Tsur for Yom ha-Atsma’ut, a complete poetic translation with an added stanza for the State of Israel’s Independence Day by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer

Isaac Gantwerk Mayer (translation) — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 15:24:04 +0000

Source (Hebrew)	Translation (English)
מָע֣וֹז צ֭וּר יְשׁוּעָתִ֑י לְ֝ךָ֗ נָאֶ֥ה לְשַׁבֵּֽחַ׃ תִּכּ֣וֹן בֵּ֣ית תְּפִלָּתִ֑י וְשָׁ֖ם תּוֹדָ֣ה נְזַבֵּֽחַ׃ לְעֵ֨ת תָּכִ֗ין מַטְבֵּ֘חַ מִצָּ֢ר הַ֫מְנַבֵּ֥חַ אָ֣ז אֶגְמֹ֑ר בְּשִׁ֣יר מִזְמ֣וֹר חֲ֝נֻכַּ֗ת הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃	Stronghold rock who rescues me, to You all praise is seeming. Let us offer thanks, we plea, in the house of our dreaming. And when You thwart the scheming Of the enemies teeming, On that date I’ll dedicate Hymns with sacred theming.
רָעוֹת שָׂבְעָה נַפְשִׁי בְּיָגוֹן כֹּחִי כָּלָה חַיַּי מֵרְרוּ בְקֹשִׁי בְּשִׁעְבּוּד מַלְכוּת עֶגְלָה וּבְיָדוֹ הַגְּדוֹלָה הוֹצִיא אֶת־הַסְּגֻלָּה חֵיל פַּרְעֹה וְכׇל־זַרְעוֹ יָרְדוּ כְּאֶֽבֶן בִּמְצוּלָה׃	When my soul was full with stress, my being struck with grief. Life made hard with bitterness, slaves to a bovine chief. But from our belief you gave us relief, Pharaoh’s forces in their courses sunk like rocks to the reef.
דְּבִיר קׇדְשׁוֹ הֱבִיאַֽנִי וְגַם שָׁם לֹא שָׁקַֽטְתִּי וּבָא נוֹגֵשׂ וְהִגְלַֽנִי כִּי זָרִים עָבַֽדְתִּי וְיֵין רַעַל מָסַֽכְתִּי כִּמְעַט שֶׁעָבַֽרְתִּי קֵץ בָּבֶל זְרֻבָּבֶל לְקֵץ שִׁבְעִים נוֹשַֽׁעְתִּי׃	To the sanctum You brought me But there I found no repose. Came a foe who exiled me And o’er us strangers impose. In wine I’d decompose but just as this arose, Babylon was come and gone, in seventy years it goes.
כְּרוֹת קוֹמַת בְּרוֹשׁ בִּקֵּשׁ אֲגָגִי בֶּן־הַמְּדָתָא וְנִהְיָתָה לוֹ לְפַח וּלְמוֹקֵשׁ וְגַאֲוָתוֹ נִשְׁבָּֽתָה רֹאשׁ יְמִינִי נִשֵּֽׂאתָ וְאוֹיֵב שְׁמוֹ מָחִֽיתָ רֹב בָּנָיו וְקִנְיָנָיו עַל הָעֵץ תָּלִֽיתָ׃	Thus sought Hammedatha’s son to cut the cypress down. In its trap he was undone; You silenced his renown. The right hand to the crown’s foe You turned around, His family and property strung up before the town.
יְוָנִים נִקְבְּצוּ עָלַי אֲזַי בִּימֵי חַשְׁמַנִּים וּפָרְצוּ חוֹמוֹת מִגְדָּלַי וְטִמְּאוּ כׇּל־הַשְּׁמָנִים וּמִנּוֹתַר קַנְקַנִּים נַעֲשָׂה נֵס לַשּׁוֹשַׁנִּים בְּנֵי בִינָה יְמֵי שְׁמוֹנָה קָבְעוּ שִׁיר וּרְנָנִים׃	Greeks amassed opposing me in Hasmonean years. Smashed the walls, explosively defiled oils clear. But from one vial austere a miracle appeared! Sages let this eight-day set be song and joyous cheer.
שְׁנ֣וֹת אַ֭לְפַּֽיִם בְּגָל֑וּת ע֖וֹד הִבַּ֣טְתִּי אַֽרְצָה׃ נֶ֨עֶרְמָה־בִּ֥י אֲבֵל֑וּת צָרָתִ֣י עָלַ֣י רָבְצָֽה׃ בְּעֵ֨ת׀ קָרַבְתִּ֣י קָצָה֮ תִּקְוָתִ֪י לֹ֫א־נִרְעֲצָ֥ה בְּעֶזְרָתְךָ֣ בְּאַרְצְךָ֑ בַּ֣ת עַמִּ֣י נֶחֱלָֽצָה׃	Exiled for two thousand years, still I gazed to the land. In… heaps great woe beset my ears, sorrow none could withstand. When… I took my last stand, then my hope was not abandoned! By Your grace, we found Your place, Your people no longer stranded.
חֲשׂוֹף זְרוֹעַ קׇדְשֶׁךָ וְקָרֵב קֵץ הַיְשׁוּעָה נְקֹם נִקְמַת עֲבָדֶיךָ מֵאֻמָּה הָרְשָׁעָה כִּי אָרְכָה הַשָּׁעָה וְאֵין קֵץ לִימֵי הָרָעָה דְּחֵה אַדְמוֹן בְּצֵל צַלְמוֹן הָקֵם לָנוּ רוֹעִים שִׁבְעָה	Now reveal Your holy arm bring near the final upheaval Now avenge your servants harmed by the nation of evil Long since time primeval we’ve seen no reprieval Crush the red to darkest dead! Begin the time of retrieval!

This is a complete poetic rhyming translation of Maoz Tsur with all six of its stanzas including a seventh, final stanza written by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer specifically for Yom ha-Atsmau’ut. The poetic translation of the first stanza also differs from the translation he offered in his earlier translation of Maoz Tsur for Ḥanukkah.

מָעוֹז צוּר | Maoz Tsur (Stronghold Rock who Rescues Me), complete poetic translation by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer

Isaac Gantwerk Mayer (translation) — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 19:25:55 +0000

A complete poetic translation (all six verses) of Maoz Tsur. As far as the editor knows this is the first translation of Maoz Tsur to both (a) cover all the verses relatively accurately and (b) preserve the strict ABAB-BBCCB rhyme scheme of the original. (Reb Zalman’s comes close but it goes ABAB-CCDDC instead). If it sounds violent, that’s because it *is* violent. Ḥanukkah is a holiday about actively fighting against assimilation and abuse. A lot of Maoz Tsur translations are censored, but it’s a powerful, loud, and even nationalist statement.

Source (Hebrew)	Translation (English)
מָעוֹז צוּר יְשׁוּעָתִי לְךָ נָאֶה לְשַׁבֵּֽחַ תִּכּוֹן בֵּית תְּפִלָּתִ וְשָׁם תּוֹדָה נְזַבֵּֽחַ לְעֵת תָּכִין מַטְבֵּֽח מִצָּר הַמְנַבֵּֽחַ אָז אֶגְמֹר בְּשִׁיר מִזְמוֹ חֲנֻכַּת הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃	Stronghold Rock who rescues me it is good to praise You. Build the house of prayer for me; in it I will thank You. Till the time we wait, You deal with those who hate You! ‘Round the stone we’ll sing a tone; we rededicate You.
רָעוֹת שָׂבְעָה נַפְשִׁי בְּיָגוֹן כֹּחִי כָּלָה חַיַּי מֵרְרוּ בְקֹשִׁי בְּשִׁעְבּוּד מַלְכוּת עֶגְלָה וּבְיָדוֹ הַגְּדוֹלָה הוֹצִיא אֶת־הַסְּגֻלָּה חֵיל פַּרְעֹה וְכׇל־זַרְעוֹ יָרְדוּ כְּאֶֽבֶן בִּמְצוּלָה׃	When my soul was full with stress, my being struck with grief. Life made hard with bitterness, slaves to a bovine chief. But from our belief you gave us relief, Pharaoh’s forces in their courses sunk like rocks to the reef.
דְּבִיר קׇדְשׁוֹ הֱבִיאַֽנִי וְגַם שָׁם לֹא שָׁקַֽטְתִּי וּבָא נוֹגֵשׂ וְהִגְלַֽנִי כִּי זָרִים עָבַֽדְתִּי וְיֵין רַעַל מָסַֽכְתִּי כִּמְעַט שֶׁעָבַֽרְתִּי קֵץ בָּבֶל זְרֻבָּבֶל לְקֵץ שִׁבְעִים נוֹשַֽׁעְתִּי׃	To the sanctum You brought me But there I found no repose. Came a foe who exiled me And o’er us strangers impose. In wine I’d decompose but just as this arose, Babylon was come and gone, in seventy years it goes.
כְּרוֹת קוֹמַת בְּרוֹשׁ בִּקֵּשׁ אֲגָגִי בֶּן־הַמְּדָתָא וְנִהְיָתָה לוֹ לְפַח וּלְמוֹקֵשׁ וְגַאֲוָתוֹ נִשְׁבָּֽתָה רֹאשׁ יְמִינִי נִשֵּֽׂאתָ וְאוֹיֵב שְׁמוֹ מָחִֽיתָ רֹב בָּנָיו וְקִנְיָנָיו עַל הָעֵץ תָּלִֽיתָ׃	Thus sought Hammedatha’s son to cut the cypress down. In its trap he was undone; You silenced his renown. The right hand to the crown’s foe You turned around, His family and property strung up before the town.
יְוָנִים נִקְבְּצוּ עָלַי אֲזַי בִּימֵי חַשְׁמַנִּים וּפָרְצוּ חוֹמוֹת מִגְדָּלַי וְטִמְּאוּ כׇּל־הַשְּׁמָנִים וּמִנּוֹתַר קַנְקַנִּים נַעֲשָׂה נֵס לַשּׁוֹשַׁנִּים בְּנֵי בִינָה יְמֵי שְׁמוֹנָה קָבְעוּ שִׁיר וּרְנָנִים׃	Greeks amassed opposing me in Hasmonean years. Smashed the walls, explosively defiled oils clear. But from one vial austere a miracle appeared! Sages let this eight-day set be song and joyous cheer.
חֲשׂוֹף זְרוֹעַ קׇדְשֶׁךָ וְקָרֵב קֵץ הַיְשׁוּעָה נְקֹם נִקְמַת עֲבָדֶיךָ מֵאֻמָּה הָרְשָׁעָה כִּי אָרְכָה הַשָּׁעָה וְאֵין קֵץ לִימֵי הָרָעָה דְּחֵה אַדְמוֹן בְּצֵל צַלְמוֹן הָקֵם לָנוּ רוֹעִים שִׁבְעָה	Now reveal Your holy arm bring near the final upheaval Now avenge your servants harmed by the nation of evil Long since time primeval we’ve seen no reprieval Crush the red to darkest dead! Begin the time of retrieval!

תוספת בית למעוז צור | Supplemental stanza to Maoz Tsur with regard to the present exile, by Rabbi Mosheh Isserlis (ca. 16th c.)

Isaac Gantwerk Mayer (transcription & naqdanut) — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 20:05:27 +0000

This is a supplemental stanza for Maoz Tsur with regard to the present exile, written by Rabbi Mosheh Isserlis (the ReM”A, 1530-1572), as compiled in the Kitzur Shnei Luḥot haBrit, a controversial yet influential work by Yehiel Michel Segal Epstein Ashkenazi published in 1683.

Source (Hebrew)	Translation (English)
מֵׄעוֹלָם הָיִֽיתָ יִשְׁעִי כְּבוֹדִי וּמֵרִים רֹאשִׁי שְׁׄמַע־נָא^[1] נ״א יִשְׁמַע־נָא וזהו נוסח טעות לפי האקרוסטיקון קוֹל שַׁוְּעִי מַלְכִּי אֱלֹהֵי^[2] נ״א וֵאלֹהֵי קְדוֹשִׁי הַׄעֲבֵר חָטָאתִי וּפִשְׁעִי גַּם בַּגָּלוּת הַשְּׁלִישִׁי^[3] נ״א הָרְבִיעִי וזהו נוסח טעות לפי סכמת החריזה וּמַכְנִֽיעַ^[4] נ״א וְתַכְנִֽיעַ יִשְׁמָעֵאל חַׄזֵּׄקׄ יִשְׂרָאֵל וּמֵאֱדוֹם תִּפְדֶּה נַפְשִׁי׃	Since of old You have been my salvation, my power, raising my head. Hear,^[5] Some texts read “They should hear,” using the future tense rather than the imperative, which is an error as it doesn’t fit the acrostic. the voice of my plea, my Sovereign, my^[6] Some texts add “and” here holy God. Remove my sin and iniquity, even in the third^[7] Some texts read “fourth,” which is an error as it doesn’t fit the rhyme scheme. exile! Strengthen Israel, subduing^[8] Some texts read “and You will subdue.” Ishmael,^[9] Referring to Islam and free my soul from Edom!^[10] Referring to Christianity

Source (Hebrew)

Translation (English)

מֵׄעוֹלָם הָיִֽיתָ יִשְׁעִי
כְּבוֹדִי וּמֵרִים רֹאשִׁי
שְׁׄמַע־נָא קוֹל שַׁוְּעִי
מַלְכִּי אֱלֹהֵי קְדוֹשִׁי
הַׄעֲבֵר חָטָאתִי וּפִשְׁעִי
גַּם בַּגָּלוּת הַשְּׁלִישִׁי
וּמַכְנִֽיעַ יִשְׁמָעֵאל
חַׄזֵּׄקׄ יִשְׂרָאֵל
וּמֵאֱדוֹם תִּפְדֶּה נַפְשִׁי׃

Since of old You have been my salvation,
my power, raising my head.
Hear, the voice of my plea,
my Sovereign, my holy God.
Remove my sin and iniquity,
even in the third exile!
Strengthen Israel,
subduing Ishmael,
and free my soul from Edom!

Notes

Notes
1	נ״א יִשְׁמַע־נָא וזהו נוסח טעות לפי האקרוסטיקון
2	נ״א וֵאלֹהֵי
3	נ״א הָרְבִיעִי וזהו נוסח טעות לפי סכמת החריזה
4	נ״א וְתַכְנִֽיעַ
5	Some texts read “They should hear,” using the future tense rather than the imperative, which is an error as it doesn’t fit the acrostic.
6	Some texts add “and” here
7	Some texts read “fourth,” which is an error as it doesn’t fit the rhyme scheme.
8	Some texts read “and You will subdue.”
9	Referring to Islam
10	Referring to Christianity

תוספת בית למעוז צור | Supplemental stanza to Maoz Tsur with regard to the present exile, by Rabbi Yirmiyah, av beit din of Würzburg

Isaac Gantwerk Mayer (transcription & naqdanut) — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 22:03:29 +0000

This is a supplemental stanza for Maoz Tsur with regard to the present exile, written by a Rabbi Jeremiah, identified only as the av beit din of the town of Würzburg (ווירצבורג) as compiled in the Kitzur Shnei Luḥot haBrit, a controversial yet influential work by Yehiel Michel Segal Epstein Ashkenazi published in 1683. If you know more about this Rabbi Jeremiah, please leave a comment or contact us.

Source (Hebrew)	Translation (English)
יְׄהִי רָׄצוֹן מִׄלְּפָנֶֽיךָ יָׄחִיד הׄוֹד וְׄהָדָר גְּאַל שְׁאֵרִית צֹאנֶֽךָ מֵאֱדוֹם יִשְׁמָעֵאל וְקֵדָר רַחוּם בַּקֹּֽדֶשׁ נֶאְדָּר רֶֽוַח תָּשִׂים לָעֵֽדֶר נַחֲלָתְךָ הוֹשִֽׁיעַ^[1] נ״א הוֹשִֽׁיעָה אֵ֖ל נְקָמ֣וֹת הוֹפִֽיעַ^[2] נ״א הוֹפִֽיעָה וזהו נוסח טעות לפי הפסוק מתהלים צד א בַּֽעֲמָלֵ֑ק מִדֹּ֖ר דֹּֽר׃	May it be Your will, Unique One, splendid and resplendent: redeem the remnant of Your sheep from Edom,^[3] Referring to Christianity Ishmael, and Qedar.^[4] Referring to Islam Merciful One, noble in holiness, set relief for the flock; save Your inheritance, Deity of Vengeance, appear^[5] Psalms 94:1 against Amalek in each generation.^[6] Exodus 17:16

Source (Hebrew)

Translation (English)

יְׄהִי רָׄצוֹן מִׄלְּפָנֶֽיךָ
יָׄחִיד הׄוֹד וְׄהָדָר
גְּאַל שְׁאֵרִית צֹאנֶֽךָ
מֵאֱדוֹם יִשְׁמָעֵאל וְקֵדָר
רַחוּם בַּקֹּֽדֶשׁ נֶאְדָּר
רֶֽוַח תָּשִׂים לָעֵֽדֶר
נַחֲלָתְךָ הוֹשִֽׁיעַ
אֵ֖ל נְקָמ֣וֹת הוֹפִֽיעַ
בַּֽעֲמָלֵ֑ק מִדֹּ֖ר דֹּֽר׃

May it be Your will,
Unique One, splendid and resplendent:
redeem the remnant of Your sheep
from Edom, Ishmael, and Qedar.
Merciful One, noble in holiness,
set relief for the flock;
save Your inheritance,
Deity of Vengeance, appear
against Amalek in each generation.

Notes

Notes
1	נ״א הוֹשִֽׁיעָה
2	נ״א הוֹפִֽיעָה וזהו נוסח טעות לפי הפסוק מתהלים צד א
3	Referring to Christianity
4	Referring to Islam
5	Psalms 94:1
6	Exodus 17:16

תוספת בתים למעוז צור | Supplemental stanzas to Maoz Tsur with regard to the present exile, by Rabbi Shmuel ben David Moshe haLevi of Mezhyrich

Isaac Gantwerk Mayer (transcription & naqdanut) — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:31:37 +0000

These are two supplemental stanzas for Maoz Tsur with regard to the present exile, written by Shmuel ben David Moshe Halevi of Mezhyrich (ca. 1625-1681, author of the Naḥalat Shiv’ah), as compiled in the Kitzur Shnei Luḥot haBrit, a controversial yet influential work by Yeḥiel Michel Segal Epstein Ashkenazi published in 1683.

Source (Hebrew)	Translation (English)
שִׁׄמְךָ יְבָרֵךְ לְעוֹלָם מִׄתּוֹךְ קְהַל אֱמוּנִים וְׄכִסְאֲךָ יְהֵא שָׁלֵם אִׄם תִּנְקֹם בִּזְדוֹנִים לִׄנְפָשׁוֹת נַעֲנִים הַׄסְכֵּת מִמְּעוֹנִים לְׄהוֹשִֽׁיעַ עַמְּךָ וּׄלְהַצִּיל שְׂרִידְךָ יְׄדִידְךָ כְּאָז בִּימֵי חַשְׁמַנִּים׃	Your Name is blessed forever, within the congregation of believers, and Your Throne will be complete if You avenge the arrogant. Take note of the answered souls from on high, to save Your people and rescue Your survivor, beloved as in the Hasmonean days.
חַׄי זְׄקֹף קֶֽׄרֶן יְשׁוּעָה וְקָרֵב קֵץ הַגְּאֻלָּה וּמַלְכוּת זָדוֹן הָרְשָׁעָה יְהִי מֵעִיר^[1] אולי מְעִי? ראה ישעיהו יז:א מַפָּלָה בִּנְפֹל בְּנֵי עַוְלָה וּלְעַמְּךָ תַּעֲשֶׂה הַצָּלָה בְּצִדְקָתְךָ אֵתָנִים גְּאַל בָּנִים וְתִבְנֶה הָעִיר עַל־תִּלָּהּ׃	Living One! Extend a horn of salvation, and bring close the final redemption, and make the wicked kingdom of arrogance turn from a city to a ruin.^[2] Possible scribal emendation: “become a ruin-heap” — see Isaiah 17:1 As the unjust ones fall, make rescue Your people; by Your mountain-firm righteousness, redeem the children and build the city on its tell.

Source (Hebrew)

Translation (English)

שִׁׄמְךָ יְבָרֵךְ לְעוֹלָם
מִׄתּוֹךְ קְהַל אֱמוּנִים
וְׄכִסְאֲךָ יְהֵא שָׁלֵם
אִׄם תִּנְקֹם בִּזְדוֹנִים
לִׄנְפָשׁוֹת נַעֲנִים
הַׄסְכֵּת מִמְּעוֹנִים
לְׄהוֹשִֽׁיעַ עַמְּךָ
וּׄלְהַצִּיל שְׂרִידְךָ
יְׄדִידְךָ כְּאָז בִּימֵי חַשְׁמַנִּים׃

Your Name is blessed forever,
within the congregation of believers,
and Your Throne will be complete
if You avenge the arrogant.
Take note of the answered souls
from on high,
to save Your people
and rescue Your survivor,
beloved as in the Hasmonean days.

חַׄי זְׄקֹף קֶֽׄרֶן יְשׁוּעָה
וְקָרֵב קֵץ הַגְּאֻלָּה
וּמַלְכוּת זָדוֹן הָרְשָׁעָה
יְהִי מֵעִיר מַפָּלָה
בִּנְפֹל בְּנֵי עַוְלָה
וּלְעַמְּךָ תַּעֲשֶׂה הַצָּלָה
בְּצִדְקָתְךָ אֵתָנִים
גְּאַל בָּנִים
וְתִבְנֶה הָעִיר עַל־תִּלָּהּ׃

Living One! Extend a horn of salvation,
and bring close the final redemption,
and make the wicked kingdom of arrogance
turn from a city to a ruin.
As the unjust ones fall,
make rescue Your people;
by Your mountain-firm righteousness,
redeem the children
and build the city on its tell.

Notes

Notes
1	אולי מְעִי? ראה ישעיהו יז:א
2	Possible scribal emendation: “become a ruin-heap” — see Isaiah 17:1

תוספת בתים למעוז צור | Supplemental stanzas to Maoz Tsur with regard to the present exile, by Rabbi Yeḥiel Michel Segal Epstein Ashkenazi

Isaac Gantwerk Mayer (transcription & naqdanut) — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 01:15:34 +0000

These are two supplemental stanzas for Maoz Tsur with regard to the present exile, written by Yeḥiel Michel Segal Epstein Ashkenazi (ca. 1625-1681, author of the Qitsur SheLaH), as compiled in the Kitzur Shnei Luḥot haBrit, a controversial yet influential work by Ashkenazi published in 1683. He introduced the stanzas as follows: “יען כי קראתי ושניתי וראיתי כי כל בעלי השיר יוצאים בשיר ושבח לאל יתברך שעשה נסים לאבותינו ולנו, על כן אמרתי קטן כמוני עושין אותו סניף לשרים כאלו וארים קולי בשיר והודאה על העבר ואתפלל על העתיד בשם אל שדי שיאמר לצרותינו די” (“Since I read and learned and saw that all these master-singers come out in song and praise to the blessed God who did miracles for our ancestors and for us, thus I said ‘even a little one such as me can be an adjunct to singers such as these’ and I raised my voice in song and thanksgiving for the past and to pray for the future in the name of El Shaddai (the God Delimiter), who says to our troubles, “Enough!”).

Source (Hebrew)	Translation (English)
שַׁדַּי לָמָּה כְּאַלְמָנָה תַּֽחַת יַד הָאַדְמוֹנִי רְאֵה כַּמֶּה לוֹחֵץ וּמוֹנֶה ע֥וֹד מְעַ֖ט וּסְקָלֻֽנִי בְּנוֹקֶמְךָ כְּבִימֵי מַתִּתְיָֽהוּ רַבִּים יִרְאוּ וְיִתְמַֽהוּ שְׁלַח עֵֽזֶר נוֹשֵׂא נֵֽזֶר מָשִֽׁיחַ וְאֵלִיָּהוּ׃	Delimiter, why, like a widow under the hand of the Idumean?^[1] Edom, referring to Christianity See how he oppresses and deceives; only a bit more and they will be stoning me!^[2] Numbers 17:4 In Your vengeance, as in the days of Mattathias, the many saw and were amazed. Send help, raise the crown of the Messiah and Elijah!^[3] Note that Yeḥiel Michel Segal Epstein Ashkenazi was a Sabbatean, so probably by this he specifically refers to Shabbatai Tsvi and Nathan of Ŋaza.
חַזֵּק קִרְיַת מוֹעֲדֶיךָ וְקָרֵב יוֹם הַנֶּחָמָה וְקַבֵּץ צֹאן יְדִידֶיךָ וְיָצְאוּ בְּיָד רָמָה גָּרֵשׁ אֶת בֶּן הָאָמָה וְהַר שֵׂעִיר תָּשִׂים שְׁמָמָה הַכְרִיתֵם וְהַצְמִיתֵם וְיוֹדוּךָ כׇּל־מַלְכֵי אֲדָמָה׃	Strengthen the town of Your festivals, and bring close the day of comfort, and gather Your beloved sheep, to go out with a high hand. Expel the handmaid’s son,^[4] Ishmael, referring to Islam and make Mt. Seir^[5] Referring to Christianity a waste; cut them down and wipe them out, and all the kings of the earth will acknowledge You.

Source (Hebrew)

Translation (English)

שַׁדַּי לָמָּה כְּאַלְמָנָה
תַּֽחַת יַד הָאַדְמוֹנִי
רְאֵה כַּמֶּה לוֹחֵץ וּמוֹנֶה
ע֥וֹד מְעַ֖ט וּסְקָלֻֽנִי
בְּנוֹקֶמְךָ כְּבִימֵי מַתִּתְיָֽהוּ
רַבִּים יִרְאוּ וְיִתְמַֽהוּ
שְׁלַח עֵֽזֶר נוֹשֵׂא נֵֽזֶר מָשִֽׁיחַ וְאֵלִיָּהוּ׃

Delimiter, why, like a widow
under the hand of the Idumean?
See how he oppresses and deceives;
only a bit more and they will be stoning me!
In Your vengeance, as in the days of Mattathias,
the many saw and were amazed.
Send help, raise the crown of the Messiah and Elijah!

חַזֵּק קִרְיַת מוֹעֲדֶיךָ
וְקָרֵב יוֹם הַנֶּחָמָה
וְקַבֵּץ צֹאן יְדִידֶיךָ
וְיָצְאוּ בְּיָד רָמָה
גָּרֵשׁ אֶת בֶּן הָאָמָה
וְהַר שֵׂעִיר תָּשִׂים שְׁמָמָה
הַכְרִיתֵם וְהַצְמִיתֵם
וְיוֹדוּךָ כׇּל־מַלְכֵי אֲדָמָה׃

Strengthen the town of Your festivals,
and bring close the day of comfort,
and gather Your beloved sheep,
to go out with a high hand.
Expel the handmaid’s son,
and make Mt. Seir a waste;
cut them down and wipe them out,
and all the kings of the earth will acknowledge You.

Notes

Notes
1	Edom, referring to Christianity
2	Numbers 17:4
3	Note that Yeḥiel Michel Segal Epstein Ashkenazi was a Sabbatean, so probably by this he specifically refers to Shabbatai Tsvi and Nathan of Ŋaza.
4	Ishmael, referring to Islam
5	Referring to Christianity

מָעוֹז צָרוֹת | Ma’oz Tsarot (A Fortress of Troubles), a qinah for Tishah b’Av by Aryeh Baruch

Aryeh Baruch — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 05:05:51 +0000

This qinah purposely follows the structure of, and borrows phrases from, the text of Ma’oz Tsur. It was inspired by, of all things, a “Ruin a song by changing the first three words” Facebook post – someone had responded to it with “Ma’oz Tsarot…” and the rest all but wrote it itself.

Source (Hebrew)	Translation (English)
מָעוֹז צָרוֹת יֵשׁ לָנוּ כִּי דִּינֵנוּ גָּמַרְתָּנוּ שָׂרַפְתָּ בֵּית תְּפִלָּתִי וְשָׁם תּוֹדָה זִבַּחָנוּ מָתַי תָּכִין מַטְבֵּחַ מִצָּר רוֹצֵחָנוּ עַכשָׁיו אֶגְמֹר בְּקִינָה מִזְמוֹר חוּרבָּן מִּזְבְּחוֹתֵינוּ	We have [but] a fortress of troubles, for our judgment you have concluded upon us, You burned the House of our prayers, and there we brought Thanksgiving-offerings. When will you prepare a slaughter for the enemy that murders us? Now I complete a keening song – the ruination of our Altars^[1] Can be understood as referring to the First and Second Batei Mikdash, or to the two Altars contained therein (the outer Copper and the inner Golden).
רָעוֹת מְבַעֵר נַפְשִׁי בְּיָגוֹן שׁוֹאַת אֵירוֹפָּה חַיַּי חָרְבוּ בְהַשְׁמָדָתִי בְּשִׁעְבּוּד מַלְכוּת יְמַּח־שְׁמָהּ וּבְיָדְךָ הַגְּדוֹלָה הִסְתִּיר אֶת הַסְּגֻלָּה גוֹיֵי עַמְּךָ עִם חֶלקֵי תּוֹרָתְךָ יָרְדוּ כְּלֶהָבָה בִּמְצוּלָה	Troubles incinerated my soul in agony – the Annihilation of Europe, My life they ruined with my destruction, the subjugation of that kingdom, may its name be wiped out. And Your great hand – You concealed the sign [of salvation from us]! [Entire] nations of Your people, with [their] portions of Your Torah – they descended like a flaming torch into the depths.
דָבָר קָדְשׁוֹ גָּנְבוּנִי וְכָּך שָׁם לֹא שָׁקַטְתִּי וּבָא נוֹגֵשׂ וְהִגְלַנִי כִּי בְּשָׁלוֹם נִמְצֵאתִי סְפָרַי עִם בָּנַי שָׂרְפוּנִי כִּמְעַט שֶׁעָבַרְתִּי בְּיָד אֶדוֹם כְּגֵיהִינֹּם לְאַלְפַּיִם שָׁנָה שָׁבַרְתִּי	His holy Word they stole from me, and thus there^[2] In the lands of Edom/Rome. I found no respite And an oppressor would come and exile me, because with peace I was found My books with children – they burnt me,^[3] As by destroying the books and murdering the children, all legacy is lost, it is as if one is already dead. when I had hardly arrived^[4] In the new land to which we were exiled in turn. By the hand of Edom – like Gehinom – for two thousand years I shattered.
כְּרוֹת קוֹמַת בְּרוֹשׁ בִּקֵּשׁ בֶּן אָחִי כְּבֶּן הַמְּדָתָא וְנִהְיָתָה לִי לְפַח וּלְמוֹקֵשׁ וְשַׁלְוָתִי נִשְׁבָּתָה רֹאשׁ אוֹיֵב נִשֵּׂאתָ וְשֵׁם עַמְּךָ בָּצַצְתָּ כָּל בָּנַי וְקִנְיָנַי בְּאַרְצֵי קֶדֶם הִגְלֵיתָ	To cut off the towering cypress – so sought the son of my brother, (who was) like the son of Hamdata And it became to me a snare and a trap, and my serenity You stilled. You raised enemy’s head, and the name of Your nation You dragged through the mud. All of my children and properties in the eastern lands – You exiled.
אֶדוֹמִים נִקְבְּצוּ עָלַי אֲזַי בִּימֵי תַּנָּאִים וּפָרְצוּ תַּלְמִידֵי תּוֹרָתִי וְטִמְּאוּ כָּל הַשְׁבוּיִים וּמֵחֻרְבָּן אוֹר בְּסֹעֲר הִצִּילוּ שְׁאֵרִית לַשּׁוֹשַׁנִּים בְּנֵי בִינָה סִדְרֵי מִשְׁנָה זָרְקוּ אוּד לְעָתִידִים	The Romans^[5] Lit. Edom gathered against me, then in the days of the Tannaim, They pierced through the students of my Torah, and defiled all of the captives. And from the destruction of light, in the tempest, they saved a remnant for the Rose, Understanding ones – the orders of Mishna, they cast a firebrand^[6] Referencing the אוּד מֻצָּל מֵאֵשׁ of Zechariah 3:2. for the futures.
אֵיפֹה זְרוֹעַ קָדְשֶׁךָ וְמָתַי קֵץ הַיְשׁוּעָה שׁוֹפְכִים דָּם עֲבָדֶיךָ נִפְּלוּ לְאֻמָּה הָרְשָׁעָה כִּי אָרְכָה הַשָּׁעָה וְאֵין קֵץ לִימֵי הָרָעָה כִּי אִם מָאֹס מְאַסְתָּנוּ הֲשִׁיבֵנוּ אֵלֶיךָ וְנָשׁוּבָה	Where is Your holy arm, and when is the End of Salvation? They spill the blood of Your servants, we have been made to fall before an evil nation. For the hours drag on, and there is no end to these evil days… Even if you are utterly disgusted with us – but return us to You and we will return!^[7] Paraphrased Eichah 5:21-22.

Notes

Notes
1	Can be understood as referring to the First and Second Batei Mikdash, or to the two Altars contained therein (the outer Copper and the inner Golden).
2	In the lands of Edom/Rome.
3	As by destroying the books and murdering the children, all legacy is lost, it is as if one is already dead.
4	In the new land to which we were exiled in turn.
5	Lit. Edom
6	Referencing the אוּד מֻצָּל מֵאֵשׁ of Zechariah 3:2.
7	Paraphrased Eichah 5:21-22.

תוספת בית למעוז צור לְמִלְחֶמֶת ”חַרְבוֹת בַּרְזֶל“‏ | Supplemental stanza to Maoz Tsur for the Ḥarvot Barzel War by Dana Pearl

Aharon N. Varady (transcription) — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 03:57:31 +0000

Source (Hebrew)	Translation (English)
קָמוּ לְהָרְגֵנוּ בְּנֵי חָמָס,^[1] ‏”וַתִּמָּלֵא הָאָרֶץ חָמָס” (בראשית ו:יא), רומז לארגון טרור חמאס בְּיוֹם שִׂמְחָתָהּ שֶׁל הַתּוֹרָה. חֵבֶל אַרְצֵנוּ הָיָה לָמַס,^[2] ‏”שָׂרָתִי בַּמְּדִינוֹת הָיְתָה לָמַס”‏ (איכה א:א) וְלִבֵּנוּ זָעַק מָרָה.^[3] ‏”וַיִּזְעַק זְעָקָה גְדוֹלָה וּמָרָֽה”‏ (אסתר ד:א) הִתְלַכֵּד הָעָם בִּגְבוּרָה, לְמַגֵּר אֶת הָאוֹיֵב הָרָע. עַטְרֵם נִצָּחוֹן,^[4] ‏”וִיעַטְרֵם בְּכֶתֶר יְשׁוּעָה וּבְעֲטֶרֶת נִצָּחוֹן” (מתוך תפילה לשלום חיילי צה״ל) קַיֵּם בִּטָּחוֹן,^[5] בטחון בארץ וגם לשון הבטחה. “וְקַיֶּם לָֽנוּ…אֶת הַדָּבָר שֶׁהִבְטַחְתָּֽנוּ בְּתוֹרָתֶֽךָ” (מוסף של ר״ה) הָשֵׁב לְעַמְּךָ רוֹם וְתִפְאָרָה.	The sons of violence (ḥamas) arose to murder us, when with the Torah we were joyous. Alas! Our land has become oppressed, and our hearts cry out in bitterness. In strength the nation did coalesce, to wipe out a foe so villainous. Grant heroic success, ensure defense,^[6] bitaḥon ≈ security restore to Your people great magnificence.

Source (Hebrew)

Translation (English)

קָמוּ לְהָרְגֵנוּ בְּנֵי חָמָס,
בְּיוֹם שִׂמְחָתָהּ שֶׁל הַתּוֹרָה.
חֵבֶל אַרְצֵנוּ הָיָה לָמַס,
וְלִבֵּנוּ זָעַק מָרָה.
הִתְלַכֵּד הָעָם בִּגְבוּרָה,
לְמַגֵּר אֶת הָאוֹיֵב הָרָע.
עַטְרֵם נִצָּחוֹן, קַיֵּם בִּטָּחוֹן,
הָשֵׁב לְעַמְּךָ רוֹם וְתִפְאָרָה.

The sons of violence (ḥamas) arose to murder us,
when with the Torah we were joyous.
Alas! Our land has become oppressed,
and our hearts cry out in bitterness.
In strength the nation did coalesce,
to wipe out a foe so villainous.
Grant heroic success, ensure defense,
restore to Your people great magnificence.

A supplemental stanza to the popular 13th century piyyut, Maoz Tsur, for the Ḥanukkah occurring in the aftermath of the horrors on 7 October, as written and shared by דנה פרל. Please contact us if you can help connect us with the author. The English translation was offered by Steven Bernstein via his Facebook page.

Source(s)

Maoz Tsur supplemental stanza for the for the Ḥarvot Barzel War (Dana Pearl 2023)

Notes

Notes
1	‏”וַתִּמָּלֵא הָאָרֶץ חָמָס” (בראשית ו:יא), רומז לארגון טרור חמאס
2	‏”שָׂרָתִי בַּמְּדִינוֹת הָיְתָה לָמַס”‏ (איכה א:א)
3	‏”וַיִּזְעַק זְעָקָה גְדוֹלָה וּמָרָֽה”‏ (אסתר ד:א)
4	‏”וִיעַטְרֵם בְּכֶתֶר יְשׁוּעָה וּבְעֲטֶרֶת נִצָּחוֹן” (מתוך תפילה לשלום חיילי צה״ל)
5	בטחון בארץ וגם לשון הבטחה. “וְקַיֶּם לָֽנוּ…אֶת הַדָּבָר שֶׁהִבְטַחְתָּֽנוּ בְּתוֹרָתֶֽךָ” (מוסף של ר״ה)
6	bitaḥon ≈ security

Supplemental stanza to Ma’oz Tsur after 7 October, by Aryeh Baruch

Aryeh Baruch — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 18:41:00 +0000

Source (Hebrew)	Translation (English)
	An additional stanza for Ma’oz Tzur, to be placed after חֲשׂוֹף זרוֹעַ קדְשֶׁךָ.
וְאַרְצָה מְעוֹן צִיּוֹנֵנוּ הוֹצֵיא כְאוֹר מִשְׁפָּטֵנוּ שַׁחְרֵר מֵחָמָס מִשְׁפַּחְתֵּנוּ וּתְנֵנוּ שְׁלוֹמֵנוּ כִּי שׂוֹנֵאנוּ אָחִינוּ וּמִשְׁתַּלֵּחַ לְהַחְרִיבֵנוּ לָעֶרֶב אוֹר לַבּוֹקֶר דְּרוֹר כְּטַל חֶרמוֹן בְּאַרְצֵנוּ	And towards the Land, abode of our Tzion, bring out like light our judgment!^[1] Adapted from Mussaf of Rosh haShanah Free from violent hatred our family, and give us our peace! For our brother hates us, and he lashes out to destroy us, By the evening – light,^[2] Zechariah 14:7 by the morning – freedom, like the dew of Hermon^[3] Psalms 133:3 in our land.

Source (Hebrew)

Translation (English)

An additional stanza for Ma’oz Tzur, to be placed after חֲשׂוֹף זרוֹעַ קדְשֶׁךָ.

וְאַרְצָה מְעוֹן צִיּוֹנֵנוּ הוֹצֵיא כְאוֹר מִשְׁפָּטֵנוּ
שַׁחְרֵר מֵחָמָס מִשְׁפַּחְתֵּנוּ וּתְנֵנוּ שְׁלוֹמֵנוּ
כִּי שׂוֹנֵאנוּ אָחִינוּ וּמִשְׁתַּלֵּחַ לְהַחְרִיבֵנוּ
לָעֶרֶב אוֹר לַבּוֹקֶר דְּרוֹר כְּטַל חֶרמוֹן בְּאַרְצֵנוּ

And towards the Land, abode of our Tzion, bring out like light our judgment!
Free from violent hatred our family, and give us our peace!
For our brother hates us, and he lashes out to destroy us,
By the evening – light, by the morning – freedom, like the dew of Hermon in our land.

This is a supplemental stanza to the popular 13th century piyyut, Maoz Tsur, for the Ḥanukkah occurring in the aftermath of the horrors on 7 October.

Notes

Notes
1	Adapted from Mussaf of Rosh haShanah
2	Zechariah 14:7
3	Psalms 133:3

Supplemental stanza to Maoz Tsur for Ḥanukkah 2024, by Eitan Meshullam Chai

Eitan Meshullam Chai Runyan — Fri, 27 Dec 2024 03:52:57 +0000

Source (Hebrew)	Translation (English)
הייתה במועד שמחת תורה פרצו בגבול ועשו שחיטה שכנינו צחקו ובגדנו כשחטפו את אחינו כבר עברה שנה ועוד בלי נוח ובלי שלום תגן את עמך, תחזיר שבוייך שיהיה לנו שוב מועד שמחה	It happened on the festival of Simchat Torah They broke through the border and committed a massacre Our neighbours laughed and betrayed us When they kidnapped our brethren A year already passed and more Without rest and without peace Protect Your nation, return Your captives So that we’ll once more have a festival of joy