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מִי כָמֹֽכָה
וְאֵין כָּמֹֽכָה
מִי דּֽוֹמֶה־לָךְ
וְאֵין דּֽוֹמֶה־לָךְ׃
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Who is like You?
And none is like You!
Who is comparable to You?
And none is comparable to You!
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פיוט א׳ — סימן אלפא־ביתא ישראל
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Piyyuṭ Ⅰ
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אוֹדֶה שִׁמְךָ יְהֹוָה כִּי פָּדִֽיתָ אוֹתִי
אַבִּ֥יעָה חִ֝יד֗וֹת מִנִּי־קֶֽדֶם קַדְמוּתִי
אֹמַ֗ר לַ֭יהֹוָה מַחְסִ֣י וּמְצוּדָתִ֑י
אֱ֝לֹהַ֗י אֶבְטַח־בּֽוֹ׃
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I will thank Your name, Cause, for You freed me;
Let me flow with enigmas from of old, my priors.
I will say of the Cause, my refuge and my stronghold,
My God, I will trust in Them.
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בְּפִי אֲפָאֵר שֵׁם אֵל וַאֲרֹמְמֶֽנְהוּ
בִּשְׂפָתַי אֲסַפֵּר מָה נוֹרָא מַעֲשֵֽׂהוּ
בְּצִלּוֹ אֶחֱסֶה כִּי מָגֵ֥ן ה֝֗וּא
לְכֹ֤ל ׀ הַחֹסִ֬ים בּֽוֹ׃
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In my mouth I will expound the Deity’s name and I will exalt Them,
In my lips I will tell how awesome Their deeds are;
In Their shade I will shelter, for They are a shield
to all who shelter in Them.
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גְּמֹל עָלַי טוֹבוֹת אֱלֹהֵי הָרוּחוֹת
גֹּֽדֶל מַעֲשָׂיו אַחְבִּיר בְּשִׁיר וּשְׁבָחוֹת
כְּתֹ֣ב חָז֔וֹן וּבָאֵ֖ר עַל־הַלֻּח֑וֹת
לְמַ֥עַן יָר֖וּץ ק֥וֹרֵא בֽוֹ׃
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Pay me back with good, God of Spirits!
Their great deeds I will link in song and praises.
Write a vision clearly on tablets,
so that speedily may one read from it.
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דִּבְרֵי נִפְלְאוֹת־אֵל אַגִּיד וְאַשְׁמִיעֵם
אֲשֶׁר שָׁמַֽעְנוּ וְנֵדָעֵם
כִּי חֲסִידָיו יְפַלְּטֵ֣ם
מֵ֭רְשָׁעִים וְיוֹשִׁיעֵ֑ם כִּי־חָ֥סוּ בֽוֹ׃
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Matters of the Deity’s wonders I will tell and make heard.
What we have heard we will know.
For Their kindness rescues them from the wicked,
and saves them, for they sheltered in Them.
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הָגִֽיתִי בְּכׇל־פְּעָלֶיךָ בְּשִׁיר רְנָנַי
כִּי עָשִֽׂיתָ פֶּֽלֶא בִּימֵי חַשְׁמוֹנַאי
זֶה־הַ֭יּוֹם עָשָׂ֣ה יְהֹוָ֑ה
נָגִ֖ילָה וְנִשְׂמְחָ֣ה בֽוֹ׃
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I have pronounced with all Your acts in song my cheers,
for You did wonders in the Hasmonean days.
This day the Cause made!
Let us rejoice and celebrate in it.
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וַיְהִי בִּימֵי אַנְטִיּֽוֹכוֹס
מֶֽלֶךְ וְטַפְסָר עַל־כׇּל־שַׂר וְדוּכּוֹס
שַׁאֲנַן לֹא־הוּרַק מִכְּלִי אֶל־כּוֹס
עַל־כֵּ֗ן עָמַ֤ד טַעְמוֹ֙ בּ֔וֹ׃
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And it was in the days of Antiochus,
a king and marshal over every prince and duke.
Settled, not poured from vessel to cup,
thus his flavor remained in him.
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זָדוֹן לִבּוֹ הֵשִּׂיאוֹ לִכְבֹּשׁ מְדִינוֹת
וּלְהַחֲרִיב הֵיכְלֵי מְלָכִים וְאַרְמְנוֹת
וַיִּֽבֶן הוּא וּמִשְׁנֵֽהוּ עָרֵי מִשְׁכְּנוֹת
שָׁ֤וְא עָמְל֣וּ בוֹנָ֣יו בּ֑וֹ׃
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His arrogant heart set him to conquer cities
and destroy royal palaces and castles.
And he and his viceroy built fortress-cities.
Wasted breath, those who labored in building it!
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חָשַׁב מַחְשֶֽׁבֶת רָעָה בַּרְעִיּוֹנָיו
וְלַעֲלוֹת לִירוּשָׁלַֽיִם שָׂם פָּנָיו
וְהוּא בְּאֶמְצַע מַלְכוּתוֹ וְשָׁנָיו
בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁ֣ה וְעֶשְׂרִים֮ בּוֹ֒׃
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He thought a wicked thought in his ideas,
and up to Jerusalem he set his face,
and he was in the midst of his reign and years,
the twenty-third in it.
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טְמֵא שְׂפָֽתַיִם אָמַר לְעַמּוֹ
הֶן־עָם֙ לְבָדָ֣ד יִשְׁכֹּ֔ן בַּאֲשָׁמוֹ
דָּתוֹ שׁוֹנָה מִדָּתֵֽנוּ וְלַחְמֵֽנוּ מִלַּחְמוֹ
וְכׇל־עָרֵ֖ל לֹֽא־יֹ֥אכַל בּֽוֹ׃
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The impure-lipped one said to his people,
“Behold this people dwells alone in its guilt!
Its religion is different from ours, as is its bread —
for no uncircumcised may eat of it!
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יָדֵֽינוּ תְּכַבֵּד לֶאֱכֹל עֲנִיִּים
לְ֭כוּ וְנַכְחִידֵ֣ם מֵאֶֽרֶץ חַיִּים
כִּי עַתָּה֙ הָי֣וּ בַגּוֹיִ֔ם
כִּכְלִ֖י אֵֽין־חֵ֥פֶץ בּֽוֹ׃
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Our hands will be heavy to eat the poor.
Let us go and destroy them from the land of life!
For now they are among the nations
like a vessel none desire.”
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כְּאוֹיֵב אָמַר צָרִי מַכְנִיעִי
לְבַטֵּל מֶֽנִּי מִצְוֺתָי שׁוֹמְרֵי צַלְעִי
רֹאשׁ חֹֽדֶשׁ וּמִילָה וּבַיּ֧וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֛י
שַׁבָּ֖ת לֹ֥א יִֽהְיֶה־בּֽוֹ׃
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As an enemy, my foe, my oppressor, said
to nullify from me my commandments, which guard my flank —
The new moon and circumcision, and on the seventh day,
a Sabbath will not be on it
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לַעֲשׂוֹת גְּזֵרָתוֹ קָֽמוּ עַמּוֹ כְּאִישׁ אֶחָד
וַיִּשְׁלַח עִמָּם אֶת־מִשְׁנֵֽהוּ מְיֻחָד
עַל־יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה וְעַל־מְשִׁיחֽוֹ נֽוֹסְדוּ־יָ֑חַד
אֵין־עָיֵ֤ף וְאֵין־כּוֹשֵׁל֙ בּ֔וֹ׃
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To do his decree his people rose as one man,
and he sent with them his specific viceroy.
Against the Cause and Their anointed they gathered together,
none weary or stumbling among them.
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מְלֵאִים חֵמָה עַזָּה בָּֽאוּ לְמִלְחָמָה
וַיַּעֲשׂוּ בְּעַם־יְהֹוָה נְקָמָה עֲצוּמָה
וַיִּבְנוּ תּוֹךְ מִקְדָּשָׁךְ יְהֹוָה בָּמָה
הַר־צִ֝יּ֗וֹן זֶ֤ה ׀ שָׁכַ֬נְתָּ בּֽוֹ׃
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Full of fervent rage, they came to war,
and did great vengeance on the Cause’s people,
and built in Your Temple, o Cause, an idolatrous shrine,
Mount Zion, the one You chose!
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נָטָ֣ה אֶל־אֵ֣ל יָד֑וֹ עוֹרֵב וְזַרְזִיר
וְחָשׁ לְהַקְרִיב עַל־הַבָּמָה חֲזִיר
בְּמָקוֹם נֶאֱמַר טָמֵא לְהַזִּיר
וְכׇל־מ֖וּם לֹ֥א יִהְיֶה־בּֽוֹ׃
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The raven and starling set his hand against God
and rushed to sacrifice upon the shrine a pig
in the place where it was said the impure should be kept away,
and no defect may be there.
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סֻפַּר בְּשִׁבְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הַמַּעֲשֶׂה הָרַע
וְכׇל־הַשּׁוֹמֵֽעַ סְגוֹר לִבּוֹ יִקְרַע
וַיִּשְׁמַע יוֹחָנָן בֶּן־מַתַּתְיָה מִזֶּֽרַע
אַ֝הֲרֹ֗ן אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּחַר־בּֽוֹ׃
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This bad thing was told in the tribes of Israel,
and all who heard tore their closed heart.
And Yoḥanan son of Matatya — of the seed
of Aharon who They chose — heard.
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עָשָׂה חֶֽרֶב שְׁתֵּי זְרָתוֹת בְּתַרְמִית
וְחָשַׁב אוֹיְבֵי יְהֹוָה לְהַצְמִית
וְיָעַץ תַּחְבּוּלוֹת אוּלַי ה֥וּא יָמִ֖ית
אֶת־הָרֹצֵ֑חַ בְּפִגְעוֹ־ב֖וֹ׃
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He made a sword two spans long in secret,
and thought to annihilate the Cause’s enemies,
and considered schemes — perhaps he could kill
the murderer when striking him.
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פֶּֽתַח יְרוּשָׁלַֽיִם דָּפַק סְגַן כֹּהֲנַי
וַיֹּֽאמֶר פִּתְחוּ־לִי אַחַי נֶאֱמָנַי
פִּתְחוּ־לִ֥י שַׁעֲרֵי־צֶ֑דֶק זֶה־הַשַּׁ֥עַר לַיהֹוָ֑ה
צַ֝דִּיקִ֗ים יָבֹ֥אוּ בֽוֹ׃
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The vice-chair of my priests knocked at Jerusalem’s entry,
and said, “Open for me, my trusted brothers!
Open for me the gates of righteousness! This is the Cause’s gate!
The righteous will come into it!”
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צָרַי וְאוֹיְבַי אָמְרוּ אֶל־נִקָּנוֹר הַבַּֽעַר
הִנֵּה הַכֹּהֵן הַגָּדוֹל עוֹמֵד בַּשַּֽׁעַר
וַיֹּֽאמֶר יָבוֹא וִימַלֵּט מֵר֖וּחַ סֹעָ֣ה מִסָּֽעַר
וְיָ֖ד אַל־תִּשְׁלְחוּ־ב֑וֹ׃
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My foes and enemies said to Nicanor the brute,
“Behold, the high priest stands at the gate!”
And he said, “Let him come, and be safe from the rushing windstorm,
and let no hand reach against him.”
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קָם וְעָמַד יוֹחָנָן לִפְנֵי הַמִּשְׁנֶה
וְשָׁאַל לוֹ נִקָּנוֹר אִם גַּם הוּא מוֹרָד וְשׂוֹנֵא
עָנָה מַתַּתְיָה אַחֲרֵי דְּבָרֶֽיךָ לֹא אֲשַׁנֶּה
לֵאמֹ֑ר זֶ֤ה הַדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙ לְכ֣וּ ב֔וֹ׃
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Yoḥanan rose and stood before the viceroy,
and Nicanor asked him if he was also a rebel and foe,
Matatya responded, “After your words I will not change,
to say this is the path, go upon it.”
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רַחַשׁ נִקָּנוֹר אִם כִּרְצוֹנִי תַּעֲשֶׂה
אֶשְׁאָלְךָ דָּבָר וְאֹתְךָ אֲנַסֶּה
קַח חֲזִיר וּשְׁחָטֵָהוּ עַל־הַבָּמָה כְּשֶׂה
וְאֵ֥שׁ הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ תּ֥וּקַד בּֽוֹ׃
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Nicanor whispered, “If you will do per my will,
I will ask you a matter and I will test you.
Take a pig and slaughter it on the shrine like a sheep,
the altar-fire blazing upon it.
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שָׁמַע יוֹחָנָן וְהֵשִׁיב בְּרִשְׁתּוֹ פְּרוּשָׂה
יָרֵא אֲנִי אֶת־הַיְּהוּדִים פֶּן־אֶהְיֶה לִמְשִׁסָּה
בְּאׇמְרָם כׇּל־הַתּוֹעֵב֤וֹת הָאֵ֙לֶּה֙ עָשָׂ֔ה
מ֣וֹת יוּמָ֔ת דָּמָ֖יו בּ֥וֹ׃
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Yoḥanan heard and answered, his trap spread:
“I fear the Jews, lest I be despoiled
when they say ‘he did all these abominations,
he should die, die! His bloodguilt is upon him.’
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תִּגְזַר אֹֽמֶר לְהוֹצִיא כׇּל־דַּלְתְּךָ פּוֹסֵֽחַ
וְחֶֽדֶר בְּחֶֽדֶר עִמְּךָ אֶהְיֶה זוֹבֵֽחַ
הַשַּׁ֣עַר הַזֶּה֩ סָג֨וּר יִֽהְיֶ֜ה לֹ֣א יִפָּתֵ֗חַ
וְאִישׁ֙ לֹא־יָ֣בֹא ב֔וֹ׃
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Say a decree to to go out, skip all your doors,
and in the same room with you I will be sacrificing.
This gate will be closed, not opened,
and no man will come within it.”
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יוֹחָנָן בֶּן־מַתַּתְיָה נָשָׂא לַשָּׁמַֽיִם עֵינָיו
וְתִקֵּן תְּפִלָּתוֹ לִפְנֵי אֵל־חַי אֲדֹנָיו
חַזְּקֵֽנִי פֶּן־יַרְפֵּֽנִי הֶעָרֵל הַלָּז בְּחׇפְנָיו
אוּלַ֤י אוּכַל֙ נַכֶּה־בּ֔וֹ׃
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Yoḥanan son of Matatya raised his eyes to heaven,
and established his prayer before the Living Deity, his Master:
“Strengthen me, lest this uncircumcised one weaken me in his loins.
Perhaps I can strike him.”
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שָׁלֹשׁ פְּסִיעוֹת פָּסַע וַיִּתְקַע חַרְבּוֹ עַד־הֶחָלָל
וַיַּשְׁלֵךְ אֹתוֹ בְּעֶזְרַת הַקֹּֽדֶשׁ חָלָל
נָשָׂא תְּחִנָּה עַל כִּי הַמִּקְדָּשׁ חוּלָּל
כִּ֛י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בָּ֣א ב֑וֹ׃
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Three steps he stepped, and stabbed his sword through the cavity,
and threw him into the defiled holy courtyard,
raising pleas, for the Temple was defiled,
that the Cause, Israel’s God, would come into it.
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רִיבָה תַּחֲנוּן לָרֹכֵ֣ב בָּ֭עֲרָבוֹת בְּיָ֥הּ שְׁמ֗וֹ
כֵּן תִּתֵּן כׇּל־הָעַמִּים אֲשֶׁר בָּֽאוּ עִמּוֹ
וְכֵן תִּכְבַּד יָדְךָ עַל־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ וְעַל־עַמּוֹ
וְעַ֥ל הַבֹּטְחִ֖ים בּֽוֹ׃
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He pled petitions to the Rider on Clouds, Yah so named,
“So will You will grant all the peoples who came with him,
and thus make Your hand heavy on the king and his people,
and on those who trust in him!”
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אָז יָצָא בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא יוֹחָנָן בֶּן־מַתַּתְיָה
וַיַּהֲרֹג בָּהֶם הֶֽרֶג־רַב וְאֵין־קֵֽצֶה לַגְּוִיָּה
כִּי בָּטַח בָּאֵל מֶֽלֶךְ הֹוֶה וְהָיָה
יִ֭תְהַלֵּל כׇּל־הַנִּשְׁבָּ֣ע בּ֑וֹ׃
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Thus Yoḥanan son of Matatya went out on that day,
and killed from them a great killing, no end to the bodies,
for he trusted in the Deity, Sovereign who Is and Was,
praised by all who swear by Them.
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לְזֹאת מִדֵּי שָׁנָה בְּשָׁנָה אַזְכִּיר מַעֲבָדָיו
הָדָ֣ר ה֭וּא לְכׇל־חֲסִידָ֗יו
כִּי פֹּדֶ֣ה יְ֭הֹוָה נֶ֣פֶשׁ עֲבָדָ֑יו
וְלֹ֥א יֶ֝אְשְׁמ֗וּ כׇּֽל־הַחֹסִ֥ים בּֽוֹ׃
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For this, each year I will recall Their works;
splendid are They for all Their kindnesses,
for the Cause saves the necks of Their servants,
and those who shelter in Them will not be rendered guilty.
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פיוט ב׳ — סימן אלפא־ביתא
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Piyyuṭ Ⅱ
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אַחַר אֲשֶׁר אַנְטִיּֽוֹכוֹס כׇּל־זֶה שָׁמַע
אֶת־כׇּל־חֵילוֹ אָסָף וַיִּשָּׁמַע
וְעַל־נִקָּנוֹר צַר לוֹ וְעֵינוֹ יִדְמַע
וַחֲמָת֖וֹ בָּעֲרָ֥ה בֽוֹ׃
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After Antiochus heard all this,
he gathered all his force and made them hear,
and he was embittered about Nicanor and his eyes teared,
and his rage boiled within him.
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בַּגְּרִיס הָרָשָׁע מִשְׁנֵֽהוּ אָמַר לְהָבִיא
לְשׇׁלְחוֹ לִירוּשָׁלַֽיִם קַל כַּצְּבִי
וַיַּלְבִּישֵֽׁהוּ בִּגְדֵי נָקָם כְּאַרְיֵה וּכְלָבִיא
וַיֶּאְפֹּ֥ד ל֖וֹ בּֽוֹ׃
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He said to bring Bagris the wicked, his viceroy,
to send him against Jerusalem as fast as a gazelle,
and he dressed him in cloth of vengeance, like a lion, a big cat,
and girt him with it.
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גָּדוֹל הֵֽמָּה נָם נְקֹם נִקְמָתִי הָפֵק זְמָמִי
כִּי הַיְּהוּדִים הָרְגוּ חֲיָלַי וַיָּבֹֽזּוּ עַמִּי
גַּם דּוֹדִי וְרֵעִי גַּם־אִ֤ישׁ שְׁלוֹמִ֨י ׀
אֲשֶׁר־בָּטַ֣חְתִּי ב֭וֹ׃
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“Great are they,” quoth he. “Avenge my vengance, produce my scheme,
for the Jews killed my forces and despoiled my people,
As well as my beloved friend, as well as my ally,
In whom I trusted.
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דְּרֹךְ קַשְׁתָּךְ וְנִצְחָם לָאָֽרֶץ הַפִּֽילָה
וּבִטֵּל מֵהֶם שַׁבָּת רֹאשׁ חֹֽדֶשׁ וּמִילָה
הַבְּרִית אֲשֶׁר כָּרַת לָהֶם נוֹרָא עֲלִילָה
אוּלַ֥י אוּכַ֛ל לְהִלָּ֥חֶם בּ֖וֹ׃
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Draw your bow and defeat them, make them fall to the ground,
and nullify from them Sabbath, new moon, and circumcision,
the covenant that the One of Awesome Deeds cut with them —
perhaps we can make war upon it!”
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הָלַךְ בַּגְּרִיס לַמִּלְחָמָה וְחַיָּלָיו עִמּוֹ
וַיַּהֲרֹג בָּהֶם הֶֽרֶג רַב עִם כְּלֵי זַעְמוֹ
כִּי אָמַר אֵ֣י אֱלֹהֵ֑ימוֹ
צ֖וּר חָסָ֥יוּ בֽוֹ׃
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Bagris went out to war with his forces with him,
and killed among them a great killing with his weapons of wrath,
for he said, “Where is their God,
the Rock in whom they trusted?”
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וַיִּגְזֹר גְּזֵרוֹתָיו בְּשִׁבְתּוֹ עַל־כַּנּוֹ
וַיִּמְצְאוּ יְהוּדִי אֲשֶׁר מַל אֶת־בְּנוֹ
וְתָלוּ אוֹתוֹ וְאִשְׁתּוֹ שֵׁגָל לִימִינוֹ
יַ֣עַן נִמְצָא־ב֞וֹ׃
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And he decreed his decrees as he sat upon his place,
and found a Jew who circumcised his son,
and hanged him and his wife, the consort to his right,
since it was found in him.
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זְעוּמָה אַלְמָנָה יָלְדָה בֶּן־נִחוּמִים
וַתָּמֹל אֶת־בְּנָהּ לִשְׁמוֹנַת יָמִים
עָלְתָה עַל־הַחוֹמָה וַתִּקְרָא אֶל־אִישׁ דֵּעִים
לְצַחֵק בּוֹ׃
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An enraged widow bore a child to comfort her,
and she circumcised her son at eight days.
She accended the wall and called to the knowing man,
to laugh at him.
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חֲדַל לְךָ מִמֶּֽנּוּ בַּגְּרִיס הָרָשָׁע
חֲדַל לְךָ וּמִמֶּֽנּוּ הָשַׁע
בְּרִית אֲבוֹתֵיֽנוּ לֹא נְבַטֵּל בְּפֶֽשַׁע
וְאֵ֛ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר יִבְחַר־בּ֖וֹ׃
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“Cease bothering us, you wicked Bagris!
Cease glaring at us!
Our ancestral covenant we will not nullify in offense
against the One who chooses us!”
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טְהוֹרַת רַעֲיוֹנִים הִפִּילָה לָאָֽרֶץ בְּנָהּ
וַתִּפֹּל אַחֲרָיו בְּרֹב מִנְיָנָהּ
אָמְרָה טוֹב מוֹתִי מֵחַיָּתִי בַּאֲנִינָה
וְאַעְלִ֥ים עֵינַ֖י בּ֑וֹ׃
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The woman of pure ideas threw her son to the ground,
and fell after him. And many was her number,
who said, “Better I should die than live in grief,
or look the other way at it.”
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יָצְאוּ בַּזְּמַן הַהוּא אֲנָשִׁים יְהוּדִים
וַיִּתְחַבְּאוּ בַּמְּעָרָה יְחִידִים
לִבְלִי הָחֵל יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת נוֹעָדִים
וְלֹא־יַעַבְדוּ־ב֥וֹ׃
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Some Jewish people went out at that time,
and hid in a cave alone,
lest they begin on the Sabbath day to be brought together,
so as not to be enslaved by them.
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כַּאֲשֶׁר הֻגַּד לְבַגְּרִיס כְּנַף שִׁקּוּצִים
שָׁלַח עַל פִּי־הַמְּעָרָה אֲנָשִׁים חֲלוּצִים
נָם כׇּל־אִישׁ יִהְיֶה כָּמֽוֹנוּ יִנָּצֵל מֵאֵשׁ קוֹצִים
דָּמ֣וֹ בְרֹאשֵׁ֔נוּ אִם־יָ֖ד תִּֽהְיֶה־בּֽוֹ׃
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When Bagris, the disgusting thing’s wing was told,
he sent special forces to the mouth of the cave.
Quoth he: “Any man who will be like us will be saved from the brushfire.
His blood is on our head, if a hand goes against him!”
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לֹא אָבָה לְחַלֵּל יוֹם שַׁבָּת עַם חָבִיב
וַיִּלְעַג לְאֵשׁ שַׁלְהֶֽבֶת גַּם־שְׁבִיב
וַתִּשְׂרְפֵֽהוּ וַתְּלַהֲטֵ֤הוּ מִסָּבִיב֙
וְלֹ֣א יָדָ֔ע וַתִּבְעַר־בּ֖וֹ׃
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The cherished people did not consent to descrate the Sabbath day,
and mocked the flaming firey inferno.
And it burned them and lit them aflame all around,
They paid it no mind as it burned them.
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מִקִּנְאָתָם עַל־עַם יְהֹוָה קָֽמוּ בַּחֶבְרָה
יוֹחָנָן וְאֶחָיו בִּזְרֽוֹעַ עִם־גְּבוּרָה
אָמְרוּ ט֣וֹב יְהֹוָ֔ה לְמָע֖וֹז בְּי֣וֹם צָרָ֑ה
וְיֹדֵ֖עַ חֹ֥סֵי בֽוֹ׃
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From the Cause’s people’s zeal arose in association,
Yoḥanan and his brothers, of the mighty right arm.
They said, “Good is the Cause, a stronghold on the day of distress,
knowing those who shelter in Them.”
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נְקָמָה עָשׂוּ בָּעָם בַּגְּרִיס עַל־מֶרְיָם
וְכִי־רָאָה אֱלֹהִים אֶת־עׇנְיָם
וַיַּעֲשׂוּ אָדָ֖ם כִּדְגֵ֣י הַיָּ֑ם
כְּרֶ֖מֶשׂ לֹא־מֹשֵׁ֥ל בּֽוֹ׃
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Vengeance they did on the people of Bagris for their rebeliousness,
and since God saw their lowliness,
people were made like fish of the sea,
creeping things without a ruler.
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סְפִינָה לָקַח בַּגְּרִיס לִבְרֹֽחַ וְלַעֲבֹר
אֶל־עִיר מִקְלָטוֹ וּלְהִמָּלֵט כְּגִבּוֹר
חָשׁ לְהֵחָבֵא מֵחֲדָרִים אֵימָה וְעַד בּ֥וֹר
יָ֝נ֗וּס לֹא יִתְמְכוּ־בֽוֹ׃
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Bagris took a ship to flee and to cross
to his refuge city to be saved like a warrior.
He quickly hid from the chambers of fear, to a pit
he fell, none giving him support.
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עָבַר אַנְטוֹכְיָה וּפְלִיטֵי חֶֽרֶב עִמּוֹ
נָם לַמֶּֽלֶךְ אֵין בְּיָדִי לְהָפֵר מֵעַם זֶה תּוּמּוֹ
קֶֽשֶׁר אַמִּיץ בְּקִרְבּוֹ מָה־בֶּֽצַע בְּדָמוֹ
וּמַה־נּ֝וֹעִ֗יל כִּ֣י נִפְגַּע־בּֽוֹ׃
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He crossed to Antioch, with those who escaped the sword.
Quoth he to the king, “It is not in my power to completely sever this people.
A strong connection is within it, what is the benefit in its blood,
and what shall we gain by falling upon it?
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פֶּה אֶחָד אִם־יֵלְכוּ כׇּל־הָעַמִּים
לֹא־יִהְיוּ עִם־בְּנֵי־מַתַּתְיָה לוֹחֲמִים
כִּי מֵאַרְיוֹת הֵם עֲצוּמִים
אֵין־עָיֵ֤ף וְאֵין־כּוֹשֵׁל֙ בּ֔וֹ׃
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If all peoples would go with one voice,
they would not compare in war to the sons of Matatya.
For they are stronger than lionesses,
none weary or stumbling among them.
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צַוֵּה לְכׇל־חַיָּלֶֽיךָ אִישׁ לֹא־יִפָּקֵד מִמֶּֽנּוּ
וְחַזֵּק מִלְחַמְתְּךָ כִּי אָז תַּעַרְצֶֽנּוּ
לֹא־תָלִ֨ין נִבְלָת֜וֹ כִּ֤י הָרֹג֙ תַּֽהַרְגֶ֔נּוּ
יָ֥דְךָ֛ תִּֽהְיֶה־בּ֥וֹ׃
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Command all your forces, let no man go uncounted from them,
and strengthen your war, thus you may make them tremble.
Let no corpse hang, rather kill, kill them
your hand will be against them!”
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קָהָ֥ל גָּד֖וֹל יָשׁ֥וּבוּ הֵֽנָּה כִּבְנֵי נְפִילִים
וְעוֹד צִוָּה לָקַֽחַת לָהֶם פִּילִים
לְהִלָּחֵם בַּזְּרֽוֹעַ וּלְהַפִּיל חֲלָלִים
הֲתָ֤עִיף־עֵינֶ֥יךָ בּ֗וֹ׃
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A vast community would return there, like the children of the giants,
And he also commanded to take them elephants,
to strongarm war, and make bodies fall —
does your eye fly upon it?
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רְאֵה כִּי־תֵּבוֹשׁ בְּעֵינֵי מְלָכִים
אִם־תִּלְחַם־בָּם בִּמְעַט נְסִיכִים
נָפוֹל תִּפֹּל לִפְנֵי עַם נִמּוּכִים
זֶ֤ה הָעָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר מָאַ֣סְתָּה בּ֔וֹ׃
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Look, if you’re ashamed in the eyes of kings,
if you make war on those who are almost princes,
you will fall, fall, before the crushed people —
this people that you spurned.
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שָׁמַע עֲצָתוֹ אַנְטִיּוֹכוֹס בְּחִבָּה
וְהֵכִין אֲשֶׁר־אָמַר וְחַֽיִל לָרֹב הִרְבָּה
ט֤וֹב אֲרֻחַ֣ת יָ֭רָק וְאַהֲבָה בָּהּ
מֵאוֹצָ֥ר רָ֗֝ב וּמְה֥וּמָה בֽוֹ׃
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Antiochus heard his advice in love,
and established what he said, and increased force greatly.
Better a meal of greens with love
than a great treasure with rumblings.
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תּוֹמֵךְ בְּשֵׁם אֱלֹהָיו אַשְּׁרֵֽהוּ
יִשְׂחַק לְהָמוֹן רַב אִם־בּוֹ יָשִׂים מַחֲסֵהוּ
גֹּ֣ל אֶל־יְהֹוָ֣ה יְפַלְּטֵ֑הוּ
יַ֝צִּילֵ֗הוּ כִּ֘י־חָ֥פֵֽץ־בּֽוֹ׃
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Content is the he whose support is the name of his God.
He will laugh at a great force if it sets camp against him.
He rolls with the Cause who will save him,
rescue him, for he desires Them.
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פיוט ג׳ — סימן אני ישראל בר משה בר לוי תנצב״ה
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Piyyuṭ Ⅲ
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אַחַר הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵֽלֶּה יָצָא שֵׁנִית
בַּגְּרִיס לְהִלָּחֵם בְּחֶֽרֶב וַחֲנִית
אַחַר אֲשֶׁר הֵסֵֽבּוּ יוֹחָנָן אֲחוֹרַנִּית
וַיָּ֖שׇׁב וַיִּמְרׇד־בּֽוֹ׃
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After these things, again went out
Bagris to make war with sword and spear,
after Yoḥanan turned them back,
he returned and rebelled against them.
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נֹֽכַח הַחוֹמָה שָׂם פָּנָיו כַּאֲרִי נוֹהֵם
וַיִּפְרֹץ פְּרָצוֹת לְהָשִׁים עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם נְוֵהֶֽם
עָלָ֤ה הַפֹּרֵץ֙ לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם
פָּֽרְצוּ֙ וַֽיַּעֲבֹ֔רוּ שַׁ֖עַר וַיֵּ֣צְאוּ ב֑וֹ׃
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By the wall he set his face like a roaring lion,
and breached breaches to destroy their abode.
The breacher rose before them,
breaching and passing through a gate and going out through it.
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יָזָם לַעֲשׂוֹת רַע וּבְלִבּוֹ חִקֵּר וְאִזֵּן
לְהַכְרִית מִכְּרָעַ֖יִם וְעַד בְּדַל־אֹ֑זֶן
וְאֵל לֹא חָשָׂב כֵּן הֲיִתְפָּאֵר֙ הַגַּרְזֶ֔ן
עַ֖ל הַחֹצֵ֣ב בּ֑וֹ׃
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He took initiative to do evil and in his heart plotted and listened,
to cut off even the shanks or the tip of the ear,
but the Deity did not think so! Can an axe glorify himself
over the One who hews with it?
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יָצָא שָׂמֵֽחַ כַּכַּלָּה תַּעְדֶּה עֲדִי
אָמַר עַתָּה לֹא יוּכְלוּ בְּנֵי מַתַּתְיָה עִמָּדִי
כִּֽי־רַ֣ב חֵילִ֑י וְכִֽי־כַ֝בִּ֗יר מָצְאָ֥ה יָדִֽי
וּמַה־שֵּׁ֣מֶץ דָּ֭בָר נִשְׁמַע־בּ֑וֹ׃
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He went out as happy as a bride in her bridal accoutrements.
He said, “Now, the sons of Matatya will not succeed with me!
For much is my force, for greatness my hand has found!”
And such a scandalous matter was heard of it!
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שָׁמְעוּ בְּנֵי מַתַּתְיָה וּבָֽאוּ מִצְפֵּה גִּלְעָד
וְקָרְאוּ שָׁם צוֹם בְּיוֹם נוֹעַד
יָשְׁבוּ עַל־הָאֵֽפֶר בִּבְכִיָּה וְרַֽעַד
בְּמִשְׁפָּ֣ט וּבִצְדָקָ֑ה וְהִתְבָּ֥רְכוּ ב֛וֹ׃
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The sons of Matatya heard and came to Mizpeh-Gilead,
and they there called a fast on an appointed day.
They sat upon ashes in weeping and fear,
in justice and righteousness and were blessed on it.
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רָאוּ אָז בְּנֵי מַתַּתְיָה לְחַלֵּץ כְּלֵיהֶם
וְנ֙וֹחַ֙ מֵאֹ֣יְבֵיהֶ֔ם וְהָרוֹג֙ בְּשֹׂ֣נְאֵיהֶ֔ם
וְזֹאת אֲשֶׁר בֵּרַךְ לָהֶם אֲבִיהֶם
אֲשֶׁ֛ר ר֥וּחַ אֱלֹהִ֖ים בּֽוֹ׃
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They saw that the sons of Matatya would be delivering their weapons,
and disposing of their enemies and killing their foes.
And this is what their father blessed them,
he who had the spirit of God in him.
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אוֹדֶה מִמְּךָ יְהוּדָה בְּנִי בְּכוֹרִי
כִּיהוּדָה בֶּן־יַעֲקֹב הָיָה נִמְשָׁל לָאֲרִי
כְּגוּר אַרְיֵה יְזַנֵּק קוּם עַל עַם אַכְזָרִי
צֵא־נָ֥א עַתָּ֖ה וְהִלָּ֥חֶם בּֽוֹ׃
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“I am thankful for you, Yehuda, my son, my firstborn,
like Yehuda son of Ya’aqov who was compared to a lion.
Like a lion’s whelp, leaping — rise upon the malfeasant nation!
Go out, please, now, and make war on them!”
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לְשִׁמְעוֹן אָמַר אֲבָרֶכְךָ וְאֶתֵּן לְךָ שְׁכֶם
כְּשִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן־יַעֲקֹב הָרַג בַּעֲלֵי שְׁכֶם
וְלָכֵ֞ן יְחַכֶּ֤ה יְהֹוָה֙ לַחֲנַנְכֶ֔ם
אֵלִ֣י צ֭וּרִי אֶֽחֱסֶה־בּ֑וֹ׃
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To Shim’on he said, “I will bless you and I will give you a shoulder,
as Shim’on son of Ya’aqov killed the masters of Shechem.
And thus the Cause awaits to grace you,
my Deity, my Rock in whom I shelter.”
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בֵּרַךְ לְיוֹנָתָן הַשְּׁלִישִׁי בְּצוּק עִתִּים
אוֹדֶה מִמְּךָ כְּיוֹנָתָן אֲשֶׁר הָרַג פְּלִשְׁתִּים
אֶשְׂמַח כִּי תָּשִׁיב קֶ֥שֶׁת גִּבֹּרִ֖ים חַתִּ֑ים
יוֹלֵ֥ד חָ֝כָ֗ם יִשְׂמַח־בּֽוֹ׃
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He blessed Yonatan the third in troubled times,
“I am thankful for you, like Yonatan who killed Philistines.
I rejoice, for you will return the broken bows of the mighty —
he who bears a sage will rejoice in him!”
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רַחַשׁ לְאֶלְעָזָר מִיָּדְךָ יְשׁוּעָה יִצְמַח
כְּפִינְחָס בֶּן־אֶלְעָזָר לָקַח רֹֽמַח
וַיְכַפֵּ֖ר עַל־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל כִּי יִשְׂמַ֬ח
צַדִּ֣יק בַּ֭יהֹוָה וְחָ֣סָה ב֑וֹ׃
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He whispered to El’azar, “From your hand, salvation will sprout,
like Pinḥas son of El’azar who took a lance
and atoned for the people Israel, for the righteous
will rejoice in the Cause and shelter in Them.”
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מְלֵאִים בִּרְכַּת יְהֹוָה יָצְאוּ כְּמֵהִים
לְהִלָּחֵם בְּשֵׁם יְהֹוָה שׁוֹכֵן גְּבוֹהִים
אָמְרוּ צוּר־עֻזִּ֥י מַ֝חְסִ֗י בֵּאלֹהִֽים
בִּטְח֘וּ־ב֤וֹ׃
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Full of the Cause’s blessing, they went out yearning
to make war in the name of the Cause who dwells in the heights.
They said, “Rock of my strength, my shelter is in God,
trust in Them!”
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שָׂשִׂים וּשְׂמֵחִים לַעֲשׂוֹת רְצוֹן קוֹנֵיהֶם
קָֽמוּ וַיַּעֲשׂוּ נְקָמָה בְּאוֹיְבֵיהֶם
וְלֹֽא־מָצְא֖וּ כׇל־אַנְשֵׁי־חַ֣יִל יְדֵיהֶֽם
שׁוּעָלִ֖ים הִלְּכוּ־בֽוֹ׃
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Rejoicing and happy to do the will of their Maker,
they rose and did vengeance on their enemies,
and none of the soldiers found their hands —
foxes dwelt upon it!
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הֶֽרֶג רַב הָרְגוּ וְנִכְשָֽׁלוּ שׂוֹטְנַי
וְכָשַׁל גַּם יְהוּדָה עִמָּם בַּעֲוֺנַי
צָדְקוּ יַחְדָּו לְ֭הַגִּיד כִּֽי־יָשָׁ֣ר יְהֹוָ֑ה
צ֝וּרִ֗י וְֽלֹא־עַוְלָ֥תָה בּֽוֹ׃
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A great killing they killed, and my adversaries fell,
but so too did Yehuda fall in my iniquities.
Altoghther righteous, to tell that the Cause is upright,
my Rock, in whom there is no flaw.
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בִּרְאוֹת בְּנֵי מַתַּתְיָה כִּי נֶהֱרַג אֲחִיהֶם
בַּיָּדַֽיִם רָפוֹת שָֽׁבוּ אֶל־אֲבִיהֶם
זָעַק לָמָּה הֲפַֽכְתֶּם עֹֽרֶף לִפְנֵיהֶם
יֹ֣אבַד י֭וֹם אִוָּ֣לֶד בּ֑וֹ׃
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When the sons of Matatya saw that their brother was killed,
their hands weak they returned to their father.
He shouted, “Why did you turn tail before them?
Damn the day I was born!”
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רְעָדָה אֲחָזַֽתְנוּ כִּי מֵת יְהוּדָה בְּהִלָּחֲמוֹ
אָחִֽינוּ בְּשָׂרֵֽנוּ הָיְתָה מִשְׂרָ֖ה עַל־שִׁכְמ֑וֹ
נֵֽזֶר לְכֻלָּֽנוּ כִּי יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהָיו֙ עִמּ֔וֹ
וּתְרוּעַ֥ת מֶ֖לֶךְ בּֽוֹ׃
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“Trembling grasped us, for Yehuda died in his battle.
Our brother! Our flesh! Authority was on his shoulder.
The crown of all, for the Cause his God was with him,
and the blasting of the Sovereign in him!”
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לְבָנָיו הֵשִׁיב אַל־יֵרַ֣ךְ לְבַבְכֶ֗ם
אָנֹכִי בִּמְקוֹמוֹ אֵצֵא עִמָּכֶם
כִּי מַעְצ֔וֹר לְהוֹשִׁ֥יעַ אֵין לֵאלֹהֵיכֶם
אַֽשְׁרֵ֥י הַ֝גֶּ֗בֶר יֶחֱסֶה־בּֽוֹ׃
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To his sons, he returned, “Let not your hearts falter.
I myself in his place will go out with you.
For nothing stops your God from saving!
Content is the man who shelters in Them!
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וַיֵּֽצֵא מַתַּתְיָה בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא עִם־בָּנָיו
לְהִלָּחֵם בָּעַמִּים כִּי בָּטַח בַּאֲדֹנָיו
וְר֣וּחַ אֱלֹהִ֔ים מְרַחֶ֖פֶת עַל־פָּנָיו
ר֥וּחַ יְהֹוָ֖ה נֹ֥סְסָה בֽוֹ׃
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And Matatya went out on that day with his sons,
to make war on the nations, for he trusted in his Master,
and the spirit of God was hovering over his face,
the spirit of the Cause driving him on.
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יָדָם גָּבְרָה עַל־כׇּל־עֲרִיצֵי גּוֹיִם
וַיִּתְגּוֹעֲשׁוּ וְנִגְרְשׁוּ מֵאֶֽרֶץ חַיִּים
לְקוֹל מַפָּלָתָם רָעֲשׁוּ אִיִּים
שָׂ֭דַי וְכׇל־אֲשֶׁר־בּ֑וֹ׃
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His hands were mightier than all the nation’s strongmen,
and they were shaken and exiled from the land of life.
At the sound of their falling the isles rumbled,
the field and all that is in it.
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תַּֽמּוּ כׇּל־אוֹחֲזֵי חֶֽרֶב וְתוֹמְכֵי קֶֽשֶׁת
וַיִּפְּלוּ חֲלִילִים כְּמוֹ נֵ֥פֶל אֵ֝֗שֶׁת
נִלְכְּדוּ כְּצִפּוֹר בְּתוֹךְ רֶֽשֶׁת
אֵ֥ין תְּבוּנָ֖ה בּֽוֹ׃
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All the swordsmen and archers finished,
and the dead fell like a woman’s stillbirth.
They were captured like a bird in a net,
no understanding was in them.
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נִתְעַסַּק אֶלְעָזָר לְהָמִית הַפִּילִים
וַיִּטְבַּע בְּפִרְשָׁם כְּעַם נְמָלִים
וְיֵ֤ז נִצְחָם֙ עַל־בְּגָדָיו וְשָׂם מְגֹאָלִים
לְב֣וּשׁ מַלְכ֔וּת אֲשֶׁ֥ר לָֽבַשׁ־בּ֖וֹ׃
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El’azar was involved in killing the elephants,
and sank in their dung like an ant colony.
And it spattered his glorious garments, which were made disgusting,
the royal clothes that he wore!
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צִדְקַת יְהֹוָה עָשָׂה בָּֽנוּ בִּשְׂמָחוֹת
שִׁיר וְזִמְרָה פָּֽצוּ כִּי נָֽסוּ יָגוֹן וַאֲנָחוֹת
גַּם אָמְרוּ לַֽאדֹנָ֣י אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ הָרַחֲמִ֖ים וְהַסְּלִח֑וֹת
כִּ֥י מָרַ֖דְנוּ בּֽוֹ׃
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The Cause’s righteousness made rejoicng in us,
song and hymn they mouthed, for sorrow and wailing was gone.
Also, they said to the Master our GodThem!
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בַּגְּרִיס הָרָשָׁע בְּאֵשׁ לוֹהֵט נִשְׂרַף
וְכַגְּדִי נֶעֱרַף זְאֵב יְטֹרַף
כִּי כֵן נָם־אֵל אַל־תָּחוֹס עַל־נָחָשׁ שָׂרָף
כִּֽי־יְחַנֵּ֣ן ק֭וֹלוֹ אַל־תַּאֲמֶן־בּ֑וֹ׃
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Bagris the wicked in flaming fire was burned,
and like a decapitated kid-goat a wolf devoured him,
for thus quoth the Deity: “Trust not in a cobra or serpant,
thought his voice be graceful, do not believe him!”
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הִנֵּה אָז אַנְטִיּֽוֹכוֹס בָּרַח וּפָנָיו חָפָּה
וּלְכׇל־מְלָכִים הָיָה כְּדֹֽמֶן אַשְׁפָּה
קוֹרְאִים לוֹ בּוֹרֵֽחַ הָיָה לָהֶם לְחֶרְפָּה
לֹ֥א יַחְפְּצוּ־בֽוֹ׃
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Behold, then Antiochus fled, his face pale,
to all the kings he was like a filthy midden,
calling him, “Runaway!” He was for them a shame,
they would not desire him.
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הֶן־אֵ֭ל יַשְׂגִּ֣יב בְּכֹח֑וֹ וּבְתׇקְפּוֹ
עַם קְרוֹבוֹ וּנְגָפָם נָגֹ֣ף וְרָפ֑וֹא
וְאַף כִּֽי־יִבְעַ֣ר כִּמְעַ֣ט אַפּ֑וֹ
אַ֝שְׁרֵ֗י כׇּל־ח֥וֹסֵי בֽוֹ׃
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Indeed, the Deity is exalted in Their power and might.
The people near to Them, when they are afflicted, They afflict and then heal.
So despite the mere flash of Their anger,
content are those who shelter in Them.
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פיוט ד׳ — סימן אלפא־ביתא חזק
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Piyyuṭ Ⅳ
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אַחֲרֵי כֵן בָּֽאוּ בְנֵי חַשְׁמוֹנַאי
לְבֵית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ וְלִפְנִים וְלִפְנַי
לִגְדֹּר פִּרְצוֹתַי כִּי אוֹתָם אָמַר יְהֹוָה
בְּנ֣וּ הַבָּ֑יִת וְאֶרְצֶה־בּ֥וֹ׃
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After that, the Hasmoneans came
to the Temple, within and without,
to mend my breaches, for the Cause said of them,
“Build the House so I may desire it.”
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בַּקְּשׁוּ שֶֽׁמֶן זַֽיִת לְהַדְלִיק הַמְּנוֹרָה
וְלֹא־מָצְאוּ כִּי־אִם צְלוֹחִית אַחַת טְהוֹרָה
אֲשֶׁר בְּמַטְבֵּֽעַ כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל סְגוּרָה
בַּקִּ֥יר יַחְתְּר֖וּ לְה֣וֹצִיא ב֑וֹ׃
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They sought olive oil to light the candelabra,
but found naught but one pure vial
which was sealed with the high priest’s ring,
in the wall they break through to get out from it.
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גֵּרְשׁוּ מִן־הַקֹּֽדֶשׁ כׇּל־טֻמְאָה וְדֹֽמֶן
כִּי הֶאֱמִֽינוּ בֶּאֱלֹהִים אֱמוּנָה אֹֽמֶן
וּלְיוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן יָצְקוּ מִפַּח הַשֶּֽׁמֶן
עַ֛ד אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־נֽוֹתְרָה־בּ֖וֹ׃
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They kicked out from the holy place everything impure and filthy,
for they believed in God, a faithful belief.
And on the first day they poured from the oil-vessel
until no more was left.
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דֵּי שִׁעוּרָהּ הָיָה לְהַדְלִיק יוֹם אֶחָד
וְהִפְלִיא לַעֲשׂוֹת אֵל מֶֽלֶךְ מְיֻחָד
כִּי צַפַּֽחַת הַשֶּֽׁמֶן לֹא־חִסַּר וְנִכְחַד
שְׁפֹ֔ת וְגַם־יְצֹ֥ק בּ֖וֹ׃
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Enough was its measure to light one day,
but the Sole Sovereign Deity acted wondrously,
for the jug of oil was not lacking or decreasing,
set there, more pouring from it.
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הוֹדִ֣יעַ יְ֭הֹוָה יְשׁוּעָת֑וֹ לְעֵינֵ֥י הָעַמִּים
כִּי יִשְׂרָאֵל נוֹשַׁע בּוֹ תְּשׁוּעַת עוֹלָמִים
וְהִדְלִֽיקוּ מִמֶּֽנָּה שְׁמוֹנָה יָמִים
כִּ֥י בְרָכָ֖ה בּ֑וֹ׃
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The Cause made known Their salvation in the eyes of the nations,
for Israel was saved by Them saving eternally.
And they lit from it eight days,
for a blessing was in it.
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וַיִּרְאוּ בְּנֵי חַשְׁמוֹנַאי וּפִֽיהֶם שְׂחוֹק מָלֵא
לִכְתֹּב עַל־סֵֽפֶר כׇּל־הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵֽלֶּה
פֶּן־תִּשָּׁכַח מִפִּי זַרְעָם וְלֹ֥א יַעֲלֶ֖ה
עַל־לֵ֑ב וְלֹ֤א יִזְכְּרוּ־בוֹ֙׃
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And the Hasmoneans saw, and their faces filled with laughter,
to write upon a book all these matters,
lest they be forgotten from their seed’s mouth, no longer coming
to mind, nor would they remember it.
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זִכָּרוֹן לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל יִהְיֶה עַד־קֵץ כׇּל־בָּשָׂר
כַּאֲשֶׁר קִיְּמוּ וְאָסְרוּ עֲלֵיהֶם אִיסַר
עַל־לֽוּחַ תִּכָּתֵב וּמֵחֵיק כׇּל־אִישׁ לֹא־תֶּחְסַר
וְהָיְתָ֣ה עִמּ֔וֹ וְקָ֥רָא ב֖וֹ׃
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A memorial for the children of Israel it will be until the end of all flesh,
as they established and set a prohibition.
Let it be written on a tablet, not to be lacking from every man’s lap,
that it be with him and he may read from it!
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חֹק שָֽׂמוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵרוֹת מִבַּֽיִת וּמִחוּץ
וְיֵלֵךְ לְקַיֵּם מִצְוַת הַמֶּֽלֶךְ נָחוּץ
לֹא־יְאַחֵר עַד־תִּכְלֶה רֶֽגֶל מִן־הַחוּץ
עֹלִ֥ים וְיֹרְדִ֖ים בּֽוֹ׃
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A law they set to light lamps, indoors and out,
that one go out to fulfill the Sovereign’s commandment speedily,
not to delay until the last foot leaves the outdoors,
coming and going in it.
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טְהוֹרִים אָסְרוּ לִגְזֹר תַּעֲנִית בַּחֲנֻכָּה
זוּלָתִי אֲשֶׁר מִקֶּֽדֶם בָּא מִן־הַמַּעֲרָכָה
אׇמְנָם כׇּל־אִישׁ לַעֲשׂוֹת מְלָאכָה
יָד֣וֹ בַכֹּ֔ל וְיַ֥ד כֹּ֖ל בּ֑וֹ׃
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The pure ones prohibited declaring a fast on Ḥanukkah,
excepting those who just came from the battlefield.
Indeed, every man who does work,
his hand will be against all, and all’s hand will be against him.
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יְמֵי שִׂמְחָה קָבְעוּ וּבָהֶם הַלֵּל לַעֲרֹךְ
וּלְהַרְבּוֹת שִׂמְחָה מֵהִתְעַנֵּג וּמֵרֹךְ
בְּכׇל־מֹשְׁבֹתֵיכֶם וּבְכׇל־מָקוֹם אֲשֶׁ֨ר תִּדְרֹ֧ךְ
כַּֽף־רַגְלְכֶ֛ם בּ֖וֹ׃
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They instituted days of rejoicing, and on them to say the full Hallel,
and increase joy from feasting and delicacies,
in all your habitations and in every place where the soles
of your feet tread.
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כְּמוֹ יָמִים טוֹבִים אָמְרוּ לַעֲשׂוֹתָם
כַּאֲשֶׁר מֵאָז נִכְתַּב וְנֶחְתַּם
לִשְׁמֹר שְׁמֹנַת יָמִים אֵֽלּוּ כְּמִצְוָֽתָם
לַעֲשׂ֔וֹת כְּכׇל־הַכָּת֖וּב בּ֑וֹ׃
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They said to make them like holidays
which were written and sealed of old,
to guard these eight days per their commandment,
to do as all that is written on it.
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לֹא יִסָּפֵד ה֥וֹי אָד֖וֹן לְאִישׁ שָׁמֵן וְרָזֶה
כִּי כֵן יוּסַד מִפִּי כׇּל־חָכָם וְחוֹזֶה
לֹֽא־יָמ֡וּשׁ סֵ֩פֶר֩ הַתּוֹרָ֨ה הַזֶּ֜ה
מִפִּ֗יךָ וְהָגִ֤יתָ בּוֹ֙׃
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None shall eulogize, “Oh, milord,” for any man, fat or thin,
for thus was founded from the mouth of each sage and seer:
let not this book of Teaching depart
from your lips, rather recite it.”
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מִן־הָעֵת הַהִיא הִתְנַצֵּל יָוָן נֵֽזֶר וְצִיץ
וּכְבוֹד מַלְכוּתוֹ עָף בִּכְנַף וְצִיץ
יָבֵ֤שׁ חָצִיר֙ נָ֣בֵֽל־צִ֔יץ
כִּ֛י ר֥וּחַ יְהֹוָ֖ה נָ֣שְׁבָה בּ֑וֹ׃
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From that time, Greece was stripped of its crown and turban,
and its sovereign glory flew away on its wing and feather.
Grass dries, flowers wither,
when the spirit of the Cause blows on it!
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נֵֽזֶר מַלְכוּת קִבְּלוּ חַשְׁמוֹנָאִים עֲלֵיהֶם
וְעַל־זַרְעָ֜ם וְעַ֨ל כׇּל־הַנִּלְוִ֤ים עֲלֵיהֶם֙
עַד־חׇרְבַּן בֵּית אֱלֹהֵיהֶם
מִגְדַּל־עֹ֭ז שֵׁ֣ם יְהֹוָ֑ה בּֽוֹ׃
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The sovereign crown the Hasmoneans accepted upon themselves,
and on their seed and on all who would join them,
until the destruction of the house of their God,
the strong Fortress in which was the name of the Cause.
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סְפִיף מַלְכוּתָם צָמַח מָאתַֽיִם וְשֵׁשׁ שָׁנִים
ע֭וֹד יְנוּב֣וּן בְּשֵׂיבָ֑ה דְּשֵׁנִ֖ים וְֽרַעֲנַנִּ֣ים
כִּי יְהוָה צִוָּהוּ לְנָגִיד עַד־בְּנֵי בָנִים
נָ֥שִׂיא ה֛וּא יֵשֶׁב־בּ֥וֹ׃
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The final fruits of their reign sprouted two hundred and six years.
Yet they fruited in old age, hearty and fresh.
For the Cause commanded the prince until grandchildren,
he was a chieftan sitting in it.
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עַל־כֵּן בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּכׇל־גָּלוּתָם
שׁוֹמְרִים הַיָּמִים הָאֵֽלֶּה כְּמִצְוָתָם
וּבְכׇל־יוֹם וָיוֹם מֵהֶם בִּנְגִינוֹתָם
תָּב֖וֹא רְנָנָ֣ה בֽוֹ׃
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Thus the children of Israel in all their exiles
keep these days per their commandment,
and every day of them in their melody,
let cheer come upon it!
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פֶּה אֶחָד קִיְּמ֣וּ וְקִבְּל֣וּ אֵֽלֶּה הַיָּמִים
הַכֹּהֲנִים וְהַלְּוִיִּים וְהַחֲכָמִים
אֲשֶׁר הָיוּ אָז בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ בֵּית עוֹלָמִים
אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּחַר־בּֽוֹ׃
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With one voice they established and accepted these days,
the Priests and the Levites and the Sages,
who were then in the Temple, the eternal house,
in which They chose.
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צִוּוּ עָלֵֽינוּ וְעַל־דּוֹרוֹתֵֽינוּ
לֹא־יָמֽוּשׁוּ מִפִּֽינוּ וּמִפִּי זַרְעֵֽנוּ
עַד־בּוֹ אִישׁ לוֹ צִפִּֽינוּ בְּצִפִּיָּתֵֽנוּ
שָׁ֝֗ם נִשְׂמְחָה־בּֽוֹ׃
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They commanded upon us and upon our generations
not to let it depart from our lips or our seed’s lips,
until the man comes for whom we hope in our hope,
that then we may rejoice in him.
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קְרוֹבָ֤ה יְשׁוּעָתִי֙ לָב֔וֹא יֹאמַר יְהֹוָה
אַרְאֲכֶם נִפְלָאוֹת כְּבִימֵי חַשְׁמוֹנַאי
הִנֵּ֤ה אָנֹכִי֙ שֹׁלֵ֣חַ לָכֶ֔ם אִיש אֱמוּנַי
הֵ֤ן עַבְדִּי֙ אֶתְמׇךְ־בּ֔וֹ׃
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“My salvation is soon to come,” the Cause says.
“I will show you miracles as in the Hasmonean days.
Behold, I am sending you My faithful man.
Behold, My servant, on whom I rely.”
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רֹפֵא לִשְׁב֣וּרֵי לֵ֑ב שׁוֹר מַכְאוֹבִי נֶגְדִּי
שְׁלַח מְבַשֵּׂר וְאוֹמֵר אֶל־מְתֵי סוֹדִי
בְּשׂוֹרוֹת יֶֽשַׁע שְׁמַ֖ע יַעֲקֹ֣ב עַבְדִּ֑י
וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בָּחַ֥רְתִּי בֽוֹ׃
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Healer of the brokenhearted, binder of my wounds before me,
send the Herald and Proclaimer to my secret people.
“Hear salvatory tidings, Ya’aqov My servant,
and Yisrael in whom I chose!“
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שׂ֧וֹשׂ אָשִׂ֣ישׂ בַּֽיהֹוָ֗ה אֱלֹהֵי קֶֽדֶם מְעֹנָה
בִּבְנוֹתוֹ בְּצִיּוֹן מוֹשָׁב וּמְעוֹנָה
אָז יָשִֽׁירוּ וִיפַֽצְּחוּ הָרִים֙ רִנָּ֔ה
יַ֖עַר וְכׇל־עֵ֣ץ בּ֑וֹ׃
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Happily I will be happy in the Cause, the God of Yore, the Refuge,
in Their building of Zion the dwelling and refuge.
Thus the mountains will sing and burst forth in cheer,
the forest and every tree within it.
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תְּהִלַּ֥ת יְהֹוָ֗ה יְֽדַבֶּ֫ר־פִּ֥י וּמַהֲלָלוֹ
וּלְכׇל־יָבֹא אַגִּיד כִּי זַךְ וְיָשָׁר פׇּעֳלוֹ
זָכֹ֥ר אֶזְכְּרֶ֖נּוּ ע֑וֹד הָמ֤וּ מֵעַי֙ ל֔וֹ
מִדֵּ֤י דַבְּרִי֙ בּ֔וֹ׃
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The Cause’s praise my mouth will speak and praise Them,
and to all comers I will tell that Their deeds are pure and upright.
I will remember, yet remember — my gut murmers at Them,
whenever I speak of Them!
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חַזֵּק לֵבָב עַבְדְּךָ וַאֲשׁוּרָיו לֹא־תִמְעַד
גַּם תְשִׁיתֵ֣הוּ בְרָכ֣וֹת לָעַ֑ד
יוֹם לְיוֹם יְשַׁבַּח מַעֲשֶֽׂיךָ מִנְּעוּרָיו וְעַד
שֵׂיבָה֙ זָ֣רְקָה בּ֔וֹ׃
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Strengthen the heart of Your servant, nor make his praises slip.
So too source blessings of him forever.
Each day he will recite Your praises from his youth until
old age is scattered upon him.
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זֶֽבֶד טוֹב זָבוֹד עַמְּךָ כַּאֲשֶׁר הַחִלּֽוֹתָ
בְּכׇל־דּוֹר וְדוֹר וְשׁוֹלְלָיו שַׁלּֽוֹתָ
שִׁבַּֽרְתָּ אֶת־עֹ֣ל סֻבֳּל֗וֹ וְהַחִתּֽוֹתָ
שֵׁ֖בֶט הַנֹּגֵ֣שׂ בּ֑וֹ׃
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Endow Your people a good endowment as You began
in each and every generation, and their despoilers You despoiled.
You shattered their burden’s yoke, and broke
the staff of their oppressor.
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קְרֹא אֶקְרָא מְהֻלָּל שִׁמְךָ יְהֹוָה
עַל־הַנִּסִּים שֶׁעָשִׂיתָ בִּימֵי חַשְׁמוֹנַאי
וְאֹמַר בְּמַקְהֵלוֹת נְעָרַי וּזְקֵנַי
מִֽי־כָמֹ֤כָה בָּֽאֵלִם֙ יְהֹוָ֔ה׃
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Calling, I will call: “Praised be Your name, Cause,
for the miracles that You did in the Hasmonean days!”
And I will say among the crowds of my juniors and my elders:
“Who is like You among deities, Cause!?”
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