Commentary on Al HaNisim
(1)
עַל הַנִּסִּים Al hanisim
(on the banners – or, miracles)
we need to unpack the banners
וְעַל הַפֻּרְקָן v’al hapurḳan
(and on the relief)
let’s unfurl them and
read them
and hold them up
with our elbows
and hearts
and voices
strong
וְעַל הַגְּבוּרוֹת v’al hag’vurot
(and on the strengths, the strong mighty acts)
we need to redefine strength
and be open to new meanings
וְעַל הַתְּשׁוּעוֹת v’al hat’shuot
(and on the saving acts,
the redemptions)
some say
וְעַל הַמִּלְחָמוֹת v’al hamilḥamot
(usually translated: and on the wars
has the same root as: bread)
could be translated as:
struggles
fights
uprisings?
while some say
וְעַל הַנֶּחָמוֹת v’al haneḥamot
(and on the consolations, on
the comforting)
which, do we ever need that now
שֶׁעָשִׂיתָ she’asita
(that you did,
or, will do?)
some say
לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ lavoteinu
(for our fathers; might also include:
mothers)
some say
לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ וּלְאִמוֹתֵינוּ lavoteinu ul’imoteinu
(for our fathers and mothers)
most music
doesn’t leave space
for the matriarchs
which is kind of the whole problem
if you ask me
which
I think you did
בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה bayamim hahem bazman hazeh
in those days
(it doesn’t specify which days)
at this time
עַל הַנִּסִּים al hanisim
what
shall we put
on the banners
we raise
at this time?
what
do we need
to see
to remind to point to know to breathe
to look up
that, behold! —
perhaps there is
a ram
with its horns
caught in the thicket!
and has anyone ever
thanked that thicket by the way?
וְעַל הַפֻּרְקָן v’al hapurḳan
I wonder what else
might be in
that thicket
right now
וְעַל הַגְּבוּרוֹת v’al hag’vurot
oh may we know
new strength this year:
in our hearts
to keep beating
to ask strong and tender new questions
like experimental bread
and making sure the old ones
haven’t gone moldy
וְעַל הַמִּלְחָמוֹת וְעַל הַנֶּחָמוֹת v’al hamilḥamot v’al haneḥamot
(some sing one
while thinking of the other
some sing both
knowing they are twins
two sides of a single coin of gelt)
oh
may we keep fighting, may we take up
new struggles
and set down the old ones
oh
may we know new comfort and consolation this year:
Naḥum, Neḥamah, Neḥemiah, and Naḥi
oh
may we be comforted
and may we comfort
among all the mourners
וְעַל הַתְּשׁוּעוֹת v’al hat’shuot
and may we have the strength
and restraint
and internalized comfort
to do acts of saving
and to see them
as they sprout up
all around us
שֶׁעָשִׂיתָ she’asita
that you did – acted – made
that you will do – act – make
that are in the works
right now
at 3 am
לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ לָאִמוֹתֵינוּ lavoteinu, la’imoteinu
for our ancestors
for all our ancestors
across space and time
who knew they could not win
and then were saved
בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה bayamim hahem bazman hazeh
then, now, even now
back then, when it was
almost impossible
and also now
for the banners – miracles,
that you showed our ancestors
about these next days
about this coming time
about us
(2)
עַל הַנִּסִּים al hanisim
for what we raise up
to keep us going
and point us in the right direction
וְעַל הַפֻּרְקָן v’al hapurḳan
and for what is released along the way
וְעַל הַגְּבוּרוֹת v’al hag’vurot
and for the capacity – please! –
to see our strength
to use it wisely,
and to know that
strength looks different
in different moments
for the courage to know
וְעַל הַתְּשׁוּעוֹת v’al hat’shuot
that redemption is still possible
even
for us
even
if we keep
our integrity
וְעַל הַמִּלְחָמוֹת v’al hamilḥamot
for remembering that fight
was never a bad word
and it’s our job (all of our jobs)
to keep it that way
v’al haneḥamot
for knowing that consoling
is part of the work
שֶׁעָשִׂיתָ לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ וּלְאִמוֹתֵינוּ she’asita lavoteinu ul’imoteinu
as we
are in relationship
with a great benevolent
and contradictory mystery divinity
who our ancestors
were also in relationship with
as they wrestled with their
impossible struggles
that they later outlived
בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה bayamim hahem bazman hazeh
as we
have the courage
to exist
in this moment
inside of history
