Soul Joy 1727
ืฉืืืืช ืื ืคืฉ ืชืค"ื
Lyrics
Elkhonen (Henele) Kirkhhan
Arranged by Nathan Wolski, Husky Gawenda, Gideon Preiss
.ื ืืงืก ืืึธืจืืขื ืืึธื
.ืืืจ ืืขื ืขื ืืืกืืื ืืฒึทื
!ืืืขื ืืืจ ืืขืขื ืืฒึทื ืื ืืึธืจืืขื ืืื ืืจืืืขืจื ืืขื ืขื ืืืจ ืืื ืืฉืืื
Donโt worry.
We are merry folk.
When we see sad and worried folks we make them happy!
(Simkhes ha-Nefesh part 1, introduction, 1b, from BT Taโanit 22a)
ืื ืืืืืืงืข ืืขื
ืจืืฉ ืืฉื ื / ืืื ืืืคืืจ
.ืืขืืขื ืง ืขืก ืืืื ืืึทืื ืคึฟืึทืจืืฒึท ืืึธืก ืืขืื. ืึทืืก ืืืื ืคึฟืืืื ืืขืจ ืืื ืคึฟืึทืจืืืขืจืฉืืืขืื
.ืืื ืืื ืืืื ืืืึทื ืืึธืก ืืึทืื ืืื ืคึฟืึทืจืืึทืจื, ืืื ืืื ืืืื ืฉืึทืจืื ืืขืจ ืืึทืื ืืื ืฆืขืืจืึธืื ืืืขืจื
.ืืื ืืฒึทื ื ืจืึธืฉึพืืฉื ื ืืื ืืขื ืึทืืฅ ืึธื ืฉืจืฒึทืื ืืื ืืชืืื ืืืืึพืึผืืคึผืืจ ืืื ืขืก ืืึธื ืืืฒึทืื
.ืืืื ืืขืจ ืืขื ืืฉ ืืึธืก ืืึธืจ ืืึธื ืืขืื ืึธืืขืจ ืฉืืึทืจืื, ืึธืืขืจ ืฆื ืืฒึทื ืจืฒึทื ืึธืืขืจ ืคึฟืึทืจืืึธืจืื
.ืืขืืขื ืง ืขืก ืืืื ืืึทืื ืคึฟืึทืจืืฒึท ืืึธืก ืืขืื. ืึทืืก ืืืื ืคึฟืืืื ืืขืจ ืืื ืคึฟืึทืจืืืขืจืฉืืืขืื
.ืืื ืืื ืืืื ืืืึทื ืืึธืก ืืึทืื ืืื ืคึฟืึทืจืืึทืจื, ืืื ืืื ืืืื ืฉืึทืจืื ืืขืจ ืืึทืื ืืื ืฆืขืืจืึธืื ืืืขืจื
.ืึธืืขืจ ืืึธื ืฉืืึทืจืื ืืืื ืฉืขื ืืืขืื ืืืึผื ืืขืจืืขืื ืืืื, ืึธืืขืจ ืฆื ืืฒึทืื ืืกืืจืื ืืื ืืจืืืกืข ื ืืื
.ืึธืืขืจ ืชึผืฉืืึฟื ืชึผืคึฟืืื ืฆืืงื ืืฒึทื ืขื ืืึฟืื ืึทืืข ืขืึฟืืจืืช ืืื ืฆื ืจืฒึทืกื ืืืืจืืช
.ืืขืืขื ืง ืขืก ืืืื ืืึทืื ืคึฟืึทืจืืฒึท ืืึธืก ืืขืื. ืึทืืก ืืืื ืคึฟืืืื ืืขืจ ืืื ืคึฟืึทืจืืืขืจืฉืืืขืื
ืืื ืืื ืืืื ืืืึทื ืืึธืก ืืึทืื ืืื ืคึฟืึทืจืืึทืจื, ืืื ืืื ืืืื ืฉืึทืจืื ืืขืจ ืืึทืื ืืื ืฆืขืืจืึธืื ืืืขืจ
.ืืขืจืืืฃ ืืื ืืืคึผืืจ ืืืขื ืืืจ ืืืืื ืขื ืืื ืฉืจืฒึทืขื. ืืื ืืืขืจืข ืืื ื ืืืขื ืืื ืื ืฉืืึทืจืง ืืขืจืฒึทืขื
ืืขื ืืืื ืืื ืงืืื ืฆื ืืขืืขื ืงืขื ืืืืฃ ืืขื ืืืื. ืึทื ืืขืจ ืืขื ืืฉ ืืืื ืจืืข ืืื ื ืื ืืืืขืจ ืืขืจืื ืชึผืฉืืึฟื ืฆื ืืึธื ืืื ืืืจ ืืืืืข ื ืืื. ืึทื ืื ืืึทืงืืืกื ืืืื ืืืืข ืืชืืื. ืชึผืฉืืึฟื ืฆื ืืึธื ืืื ืืืจ ืืืืืข ื ืืื. ืึทื ืื ืืึทืงืืืกื ืืืื ืืืืข ืืชืืื
ืืขืืขื ืง ืขืก ืืืื ืืึทืื ืคึฟืึทืจืืฒึท ืืึธืก ืืขืื.
ืคืืจืื
ืืขืืืขื ืึท ืืึธื ื ืงืื ืื ืึทืืฉืืืจืืฉ ืืขื ืึทื ื.
ืึทืืข ืืืื ืืึธื ืขืจ ืืื ืืขืจ ืืฒึทื ืืึทื ื.
ืืึธื ืึท ืืึธื ืืขื ืงืื ืื ืืขืจ ืืืฒึทื ืืืืขืจืืขื ืืืขื.
ืืึทืคึฟืขืื ืืฒึทื ืงืื ืืืื ืืฉืชึผื ืคึฟืึทืจ ืืื ื ืึทืงืขื ืงืืืขื.
ืืขืจ ืงืื ืืืื ืืื ืึทืืขืืืก ืืขืืืขื ื ืื ืขืื.
ืืึธื ืืขืจ ืงืื ืื ืืื ืฆืึธืจื ื ืฉืึทืจืฃ ืืึทืคึฟืขื ืืขืืขืื
ืึทื ืืขื ืื ืืึธื ืืขืืจืึทืื ืืืฒึทื ืืื ืืืจ ืืขืื.
ืื ืฆืฒึทื ืึทื ืืื ืืฒึทื ืฆืึธืจื ืืึธื ืืขืฉืืืื ืืื ืคึฟืึทืจืคึฟืืึธืกื.
ืืึธ ืืึธื ืืขืจ ืงืื ืื ืืจืื ืืื ืืึธื ืืื ืคึฟืึทืจืืจืึธืกื.
ืขืจ ืืืึธืื ืืืืืขืจ ืืึธืื ืืืื ืงืื ืืืื ืืึทื ืฅ ืฉืืื.
ืืฒึทื ืืขืืึทืืื ืืชืืืืช, ืืขืืืื ืคึฟืึทืจ ืืื ืฉืืืื.
ืืกืชึผืจ ืืึธื ืืขืคึฟืื ืขื ืืื ืืฒึทื ืข ืืืืื ืื.
ืืขืืืืื ืืฒึท ืืึธื, ืืึทืื ืื ื ืืืขืจืืงืข ืืืื,
ืืื ืื ืืืืืข ื ืืืขืจ ืืื ืืจืืงื ืืืื.
ืืึธืก ืืขืืึทื ื ืืื ืคึผืืจืื,
ืืืขื ืฉืืื ืืขืื ืืฒึทื ืฉืืึผืืจืื.
ืืึธื ืืขืจืืืืื ื ืืึทื, ืืฒึทื ื ืึธืืขื ืืื.
ืขืจ ืืื ืืขืืืขื ืคึฟืื ืขืืืง ืืฒึทื ืืึธืืขื.
ืึทืืข ืืฒึทื ืขื ื ืึธืืืขืงืืืขื
ืืขื ืืึทืคึฟืขื, ืืขืืขืจ ืืึทื ืฆื ืืื ืืืงื
ืืืฅ ืืจืืื ืืืฒึทื ืืื ืืึธื ื ืฆืื ืืืืฃ ืืฒึทื ืจืืงื.
ืืึธ ืืึธื ืืื ืืื ืคึฟืึธืจืืขื ืืืขื
ืึทืืข ืืืื ืคึฟืื ืืขืจ ืืืขืื ืคึฟืึทืจืฆืืงื.
โฌืืื ืืื ืืขืงืืืขื ืฆืื ืืื ืฆืืืขืืึธืคึฟื. โฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌ
ืืึธื ืืขืืึธืื ืขืจ ืืึธื ืืื ืื ืืืื ืคึฟืึทืจืงืืืคึฟื.โฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌ
ืืขืจ ืืื ืืึธื ืืื ืื ืืืื ืืขืืึธื ืฉืขื ืงืขื.
ืืืืืจืขื ืืขื ืืื ืฉืืืขืจื ืึธืืขืจ ืืืึทืกืขืจ ืืขืจืืจืขื ืงืขื.
ืืื ืืฉืืจืื ืืขืืืขื ืืื ืืจืืืกืขืจ ืฆืจื ืงืึธื ืืขื ืืขื ืงืขื.โฌโฌ
ืืขืืืืื ืืฒึท ืืึธื, ืืึทืื ืื ื ืืืขืจืืงืข ืืืื,
ืืื ืื ืืืืืข ื ืืืขืจ ืืื ืืจืืงื ืืืื.
ืืึธืก ืืขืืึทื ื ืืื ืคึผืืจืื,
ืืืขื ืฉืืื ืืขืื ืืฒึทื ืฉืืึผืืจืื.
ืฉืืช
ืืื ืฉืืช ืืื ืฉืืช ืืื ืืืกืื ืืขืืืื. ืืื ืฉืืช ืืฒึทื ืืึทืจืฅ ืืื ื ืื ืืึทืืจืืื.
ืืฒึทื ืืึธืจื ืืื ืืืืกืฉืืึธื. ืืื ืืื ืืืืื ืคึฟืึทืจืืจืึธื. ืืื ืืึธื ื ืื ืงืืื ืงืืึธื.
ืืื ืฉืืช. ืืื ืฉืืช.
ืืื ืขืกื ืืื ืืจืื ืงืขื ืืืึธืก ืืึธื ืืื ืืึทืฉืขืจื. ืชึผืืจื ืืขืจื ืขื ืฆื ืขืจื ืืขื ืืืื ืืึธื.โฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌ
ืืื ืืืจ ืืืื ืืืฒึทื ืืึธื ืืขื ืึธื ืืจืืืื. ืืื ืคืืืืฉ ืืืืข ืคึฟืืฉ ืืึทื ืคึฟืึทืจืืืง ืืื ืืืื ืฆื ืืจืขื ืขื ืืืื.โฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌ
ืคึฟืื ืคึฟืื ืืืฒึทื ืื ืืึธืืืขื ืืื ืื ืคึฟืืขืฉืขืจ. ืฉืขื ืง ืฉืขื ืง ืืฒึทื, ืืจืื ืง ืืจืื ืง ืืืืก, โฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌ
ืืึธืก ืืื ืืื ืืขืื. ืืึธืก ืืื ืืื ืืขืื.โฌ
ืึธืืขืจ ืืื ืฉืื ืึทืจืฒึทื ืืื ืึทืจืืืก. ืืื ืืขืจื ืขื ืืขืจื ืขืื. ืฉืืช ืืื ืืืืืืง, ืึธื ืืื ืืึธื ืืึธื ืื ืชึผืืจื ืืขืืขืื.โฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌโฌ
โฌ
ืืื ืฉืืช ืืื ืฉืืช ืืื ืืืกืื ืืขืืืื. ืืื ืฉืืช ืืฒึทื ืืึทืจืฅ ืืื ื ืื ืืึทืืจืืื.
ืืฒึทื ืืึธืจื ืืื ืืืืกืฉืืึธื. ืืื ืืื ืืืืื ืคึฟืึทืจืืจืึธื. ืืื ืืึธื ื ืื ืงืืื ืงืืึธื.
ืืื ืฉืืช. ืืื ืฉืืช.
ืืื ืฉืืช ืืื ืื ืืขืจืืขืืข ืึผืื ืืขื ืึทื ื. ืืื ืฉืืช ืืื ืื ืืืึผื ืคึฟืื ืืึทื ืฆื ืืึทื ื.
ืืขืจืื ืืึทืืื ืืฒึทื ืืฒึทื ืึทืืข ืืขืืืื, ืืจืืืก ืืื ืงืืืื.
ืืื ืฉืืช ืืื ืืืืืืง ืฆื ืืึธื. ืืขืจืื ืคึฟืื ืึธื ืคึฟืึทื ื ืืื ืืืืกืืึทื ื ืืื ืืขืืึทื ื, ืืื ืืืืกืืึทื ื ืืื ืืขืืึทื ื.
ืขืก ืืื ืืื ืื ืืขืืจืึทื ื, ืืื ืืืืช ืืึทื ื, ืืื ืืืืช ืืึทื ื. ืฆื ืืขืจืืืืื ืืื ืคึฟืึทืจืืึทื ื, ืืขืจืืืืื ืืื ืคึฟืึทืจืืึทื ื.
ืืื ืฉืืช ืืื ืฉืืช ืืื ืืืกืื ืืขืืืื. ืืื ืฉืืช ืืฒึทื ืืึทืจืฅ ืืื ื ืื ืืึทืืจืืื.
ืืฒึทื ืืึธืจื ืืื ืืืืกืฉืืึธื. ืืื ืืื ืืืืื ืคึฟืึทืจืืจืึธื. ืืื ืืึธื ื ืื ืงืืื ืงืืึธื.
ืืื ืฉืืช. ืืื ืฉืืช.
ืืขืจ ืืืืืืงืขืจ ืฉืืช ืืื ืึท ืฉืืื ืข ืจื.
ืืขื ืขืก ืงืืื ืืขื ืืขื ืืฉื ืึท ื ืฉืืึพืืชืืจื ืฆื.
ืึท ืฆืืืง ืืื ืขืก ืืฒึท ืืื ืฉืคึผืืจื.
ืืื ืืืฆืืึพืฉืืช ืืื ืืื ืืืืืขืจ ืคึฟืึทืจืืืจื.
ืืื ืฉืืช ืืื ืฉืืช ืืื ืืืกืื ืืขืืืื. ืืื ืฉืืช ืืฒึทื ืืึทืจืฅ ืืื ื ืื ืืึทืืจืืื.
ืืฒึทื ืืึธืจื ืืื ืืืืกืฉืืึธื. ืืื ืืื ืืืืื ืคึฟืึทืจืืจืึธื. ืืื ืืึธื ื ืื ืงืืื ืงืืึธื.
ืืื ืฉืืช. ืืื ืฉืืช. ืืื ืฉืืช. ืืื ืฉืืช.
ืฉืืืขืืช
ืืื ืขื ืืจืืื ืืืืฉ ืึทื ืืฉืืจืื ืืืืก ืืฆืจืื ืืฒึทื ืขื ืืขืืึทื ืืขื, ืืื ืืื ืืขืจ ืืืืฉ ืืึธื ืึธื ืืขืคึฟืึทื ืืขื,
ืืฒึทื ืขื ืืื ืืขืงืืืขื ืืื ืืขืจ ืืืืกืืขื ืฒึท, ืฆื ืืขื ืืึทืจื ืกืื ื.
ืฆื ืึทื ืืคึฟืึทื ืืขื ืื ืชึผืืจื, ืื ืชึผืืจื ืืื ืื ืืขืกืืข ืกืืืจื. ืื ืชึผืืจื ืืื ืื ืืขืกืืข ืกืืืจื.
ืืึธื ืืขืืึธืื ืืึธืื ืืืจื ืืฉื ืืขืจ ืืืจื ืืขืจ ืืืฆืจ, ืืืขื ืืฉืืจืื ืืืขืื ืืึทืืื ืื ืชึผืืจื ืืึธืื ืืื ืฆื ืืืจ ืืฒึทื ืืืื ืืืฆืจ.
ืึทืืข ืื ืืืืืขื ืืึธื ืืขืขืคึฟื ื ืืึธื, ืืื ืืึธื ืืฉืืจืื ืืขืืืืื ืึทื ืืื ื ืื ืคึฟืึทืจืึทื ืืืื ืึทื ืืขืจืขืจ ืืึธื.
ืืึธื ืืึธื ืื ืชึผืืจื ืืขืืขืื ืืื ืืขืจ ืืืืกืืขื ืฒึท, ืืืื ืึธืจื ืืืึธืก ืืึธ ืืื ืฆื ืึทืืข ืืขื ืืฉื ืคึฟืจืฒึท.
ืืืื ืืื ืฉืืื ืืื ืืื ืขืจ, ืื ืชึผืืจื ืืื ืื ืืขืกืืข ืกืืืจื. ืื ืชึผืืจื ืืื ืื ืืขืกืืข ืกืืืจื.
ืืึธืก ืืึธืื ืืขืืขืจื ืึทืืข ืืขื ืืฉื ืืื ืืื ืืื ืืขืืืขืื ืืืึผื ืืขืจ.
ืืื ืึธืืขืจ ืงืืื ืขืจ ืืขืงืืืขื ืืื ืื ืชึผืืจื ืืขื ืืืขื: ื ืฒึทืขืจื ืืฉืืจืื ืืึทืืื ืืขืจ.
ืึทืืข ืืืืืข ืืขืจื ืคึฟืื ืืืืขืจ ืึธืจื ืึทื ืืื ืืฒึทื ืขื ืืขืคึฟืืึทื ืฆื, ืืึธืื ืืขืฉืคึผืจืื ืืขื ืืื ืืขืืึทื ืฆื.
ืืืฒึทื ืืื ืืฒึทื ืขื ืืืื ืืึธืื ืืื ืืขืืึธื ืคึฟืจืืืขื, ืืึธืื ืืขืืืื ื ืืืืฃ ืืื ืืืขื ืืขืื ืื ืชึผืืจื ืืื ืืึธื ืืื ืืขืจืืืืขื.
ืืึธื ืืึธื ืืขืฉืคึผืจืึธืื ืคึฟืึทืจืึทืื ืืื ืืฒึท ืืืจ ืื ืืืืืงืืื. ืืื ืืื ืื ื ืืืขืจ ืืื ืืขืืืืืงืืื.
ืืขืจืื ืืืืฃ ืืฒึทืขืจ ืึธืจื ืงืืื ืืืืืขืจ, ืืขืจ ืืจ ืกืื ื ืืื ื ืืืขืจ: ืืืืฃ ืืื ืืื ืืื ืื ืชึผืืจื ืืฒึทื ื.
ืื ืชึผืืจื ืืื ืื ืืขืกืืข ืกืืืจื, ืื ืชึผืืจื ืืื ืื ืืขืกืืข ืกืืืจื.
ืืื ืืขืจ ืืืืืจ ืืื ืืขืืึทื ืืขื ืืืืืขืจ ืคึฟืฒึทืขืจ ืืืืก ืืึธื ืืฒึทื ืืื ื, ืืฒึทื ืขื ืืฉืืจืื ืืื ืืขืจ ืืื ืืขืืจืขืื ืืื ืคึฟืื ืฉืืื ื.
ืืื ืึท ืืืื ืืื ืืืฉืืช ืืึธืื ืืขืืึทื ื ืืื, ืึท ืืืื ืคึฟืื ืคึฟืฒึทืขืจ ืืฒึทื ืขื ืืืื ืืขืืืืื ืืืื.
ืึทืืื ืืึธืื ืื ืืืึธืืื ืืื ืืืืฃ ืืืืขืจ ืฉืืึทื ื ืืขืืึธื ืจืืงื, ืืื ืืื ืืฉืืืื ืืืืก ืืขื ืืึพืขืื ืืื ืืึทืื ืืขืจืงืืืืงื, ืืื ืืื ืืืืฃ ืืื ืืขืื, ืืฒึทื ืขื ืืืืืขืจ ืืขืืืึธืจื ืืขืื.
ืืืขื ืืฉืืจืื ืืืึธืืื ืื ืชึผืืจื ื ืื ืึทื ืืคึฟืึทื ืืขื, ืืืึธืื ืื ืืืขืื ืืื ืืขืจืืขืืึทื ืืขื.
ืื ืชึผืืจื ืืื ืื ืืขืกืืข ืกืืืจื, ืื ืชึผืืจื ืืื ืื ืืขืกืืข ืกืืืจื.
ืื ืืื
ืื ืืืื ืื ืืึธืื ืืื ืืื ืืืื ืืขืืจืื ืืขื. ืืื ืืึธืื ืืขืืึทืื ืืืืจืืื ืืึธืก ืืืื ืืืึธืก ืืื ืืึธืื ืืขืคึฟืื ืขื.
ืืขืจื ืึธื ืืึธืื ืื ืืฉืืื ืืื ืืื ืืึทืฆืืืึผื ืืขื.
ืื ืืืืืก ืืขืจ ืืืืืขืจ ืืึธื ืืขืจ ืืขืจืืืืืขืจ, ืืึธื ืืขืจ ืืขืจืืืืืขืจ ืื ืืืืืก ืืขืจ ืืืืืขืจ.
ืืฒึทื ืขื ืืื ืืืชึพืืืืงืืฉ ืึทืจืฒึทื ืืขืงืืืขื. ืืึธืื ืืื ืจืืื ืืืื ืฆื ืืขืจ ืื ืืจื ืฆื ืืจืขื ืขื ื ืื ืืขืคึฟืื ืขื.
ื ืฒึทืขืจื ืืืืฃ ืืืื ืขื ืืึธื ืฆื ืืจืขื ืขื ืืืื ืงืจืืื, ืืึธืก ืืื ืืขืืืขื ืคึฟืึทืจืืชืื ืช ืืื ืืขื ืึผืืึพืืืื ืืฒึทื ืืืื.
ืื ืืืืืก ืืขืจ ืืืืืขืจ ืืึธื ืืขืจ ืืขืจืืืืืขืจ, ืืึธื ืืขืจ ืืขืจืืืืืขืจ ืื ืืืืืก ืืขืจ ืืืืืขืจ.
ืืึธ ืืึธื ืืขืืขืื ืืึธื ืืขืจืื ืขื ืืืืง. ืืึธืก ืืึธื ืืขืืจืขื ื ืึทืื ืืขื ืืื ืืืื ืฉืืืง.
ืืขืจืื ืฆืื ืื ืืืจ ืึธื ืึทืื ืืขื ืืื ืืึธืื ืืื, ืึทื ืืึธื ืืึธื ืืื ืื ืืืืืขืจ ืืขื ืืืขื ืืื ืืขืจ ืืฒึทื ืข ืคึฟืืืื.
ืื ืืื ืคึผืึทืจืฉืืื ืขื ืื ืืื ืืฒึทื ืืืื ืืขื ืขื. ืืืืื ืืึธื ืืืื ืึธื ืฆืื ืื ืืื ืืึธืืก ืืืึผื ืืขืจ ืฆื ืืขืจืงืขื ืขื.
ืืขืงืก ืืื ืืจืฒึทืกืืง ืืืื ืืื ืฉืืฉืืื ืึทืื. ืฉืืขืง ืืื ื ืื ืืขืืืื ืืื ืืขื ืฉืืฉื ืืขืืขืจ ืึธื ืืขืืึทืื.
ืื ืืืืืก ืืขืจ ืืืืืขืจ ืืึธื ืืขืจ ืืขืจืืืืืขืจ, ืืึธื ืืขืจ ืืขืจืืืืืขืจ ืื ืืืืืก ืืขืจ ืืืืืขืจ.
ืื ืืืืืก ืืขืจ ืืืืืขืจ ืืึธื ืืขืจ ืืขืจืืืืืขืจ, ืืึธื ืืขืจ ืืขืจืืืืืขืจ ืื ืืืืืก ืืขืจ ืืืืืขืจ.
ืืืื ืืืืืช
ืืฒึท ืืขื ืืฉ ืืฒึท ืืขื ืืฉ ืืืึธืก ืืขืืขื ืงืกืื ืืืจ ืืืืืขืจืืื ืืื ืืขืจ ืืืื ืืื ืืขืจ ืืฒึทื ืืืจ. ืืฒึทื ืืขืื ืืฒึทื ืืขืื ืืื ืืฒึทื ืข ืืฒึทืืขืจ ืืื ืืืืืขื ืข ืงืืืื ืงืขื ืขื ืืืจ ื ืื ืืขืืคึฟื ืืืืก ืืฒึทื ืข ื ืืืื ืืืขื ืืขืจ ืืืืึพืืืืืช ืงืืื ืืื ืืืื ืืื ืืืืื.
ืืฒึท ืฆืฒึทื ืืฒึท ืฆืฒึทื ืื ืืื ืืึทืืื ืขื ืืื ืืขืจ ืื ืืจืึทืืืกื ืืขืื ืฆื ืืขืืืื ืขื ืืื ืืขืจ ืขืึฟืืจืืช ืืฒึท ืืืจ ืืื ืืืขื ืฉืคึผืื ืขื. ืืึธื ืื ืืื ืขื ืืื ื ืขื ืคึฟืึทืจ ืืื ืืื ืืึทืืฅ ืืื ืืจืืื. ืืขื ืขืก ืงืึธื ืืืจ ืงืืื ืขืจ ืืขืืคึฟื ืืืืก ืืฒึทื ื ืืื. ืืืขื ืืขืจ ืืืืึพืืืืืช ืงืืื ืืื ืืืื ืืื ืืืืื.
ืืืขื ืืื ืืขืจ ืืืืึพืืืืืช ืืืขื ืืขืจืฉืจืขืงื ืืืื ืืืื ืืฒึท ืืืจ ืืื ืืืขื ืืขืจืืืขืงื. ืืืขื ืื ืืื ืืืขืกื ืืขื ืืื ืึทืืข ืขืงื ืฉืืืื ืืขื ืืืืืฉืืืืืก ืืืืื ืฉืืืืฆื. ืืื ืงืขื ืขื ืืืจ ื ืื ืืขืืคึฟื ืึทืืข ืื ืืฒึท ืืืจ ืืืฆื ืืืขื ืืขืจ ืืืืึพืืืืืช ืงืืื ืืื ืืืื ืืื ืืืืื.
ืืืืขืจ ืืื ืืืืขืจ ื ืขื ืืื ืืื ืึทืื. ืืึธื ืฆื ืืื ืขื ืืฒึท ืืืืื ืืึทืืึทืื. ืืขืจืืืฒึทื ืื ื ืึธื ืืึธืกื ืงืจืึทืคึฟื ืืื ืืึทืื. ืืขืืขื ืง ืึธื ืืขืจ ืคึฟืื ืฆืืขืจืขืจ ืืจืื ืคึฟืื ืคึฟืืจ ืืืืื. ืืื ืื ืคึฟืื ืืืขืจืขื ืื ืืฒึทื ืขื ื ืื ืฆื ืืขืจืฆืืืื ืืืขื ืืขืจ ืืืืึพืืืืืช ืงืืื ืืื ืืืื ืืื ืืืืื.
ืืขืจ ืืขื ืืฉ ืืื ื ืืงืก ืืขืจ ืึทืืก ืคึฟืืืืฉ ืืื ืืืื, ืืืื ืืื ืืืื. ืืืืื ืืขื ืืขืจ ืฆื ืืึธื ืืจืืื.
ืคืกื
ืคึฟืื ืืฆืืืชึพืืฆืจืื ืืื ืืฒึทื ืืขืื:
ืืขืจื ืึธื ืืื ืืืื ืืื ืืขืืืึธืจื ืืขืจ ืืึธื ืืึธืก ืืืืก ืคึฟืื ืืืกืฃ ื ืื ืืขืจืงืขื ื. ื ืฒึทืขืจื ืืึธื ืืขืืขื ืืฉืืจืื ืืฒึทื ืขื ืืขืืืึธืจื ืึทืืื ืคึฟืื ืืึทืืขื ื.
ืืึธื ืขืจ ืืื ืืื ืืืืขืจืข ืึทืจืืขื ืืขืืึธื ืืึทืฉืืืขืจื, ืืขืจืืืึทืจืื ืืื ืืึธืื ืืื ื ืื ืืขืจื.
ืึธืืขืจ ืืึธื ืืึธื ื ืื ืืขืงืึธื ื ืฆืืืขื ืืึธืก ืฉืคึผืื: ืืืึธืก ืืขืจ ืืขืคึผืฒึทื ืืงื ืืืึธืก ืืขืจ ืืขืืืึธืจื ืคึฟืื.
ืึทืืื ืืืืฆืืืจืขื ืืขื ืึทืืข ืื ืืื ืืึธื ืขืจ ืึธื ืื ืืืืืึทืืขื ืืขืืขืื ืึธืจืืขืจ. ืึธืืขืจ ืืื ืืึธืื ื ืื ืืขืคึฟืึธืืื, ืืื ืืฒึทื ืขื ื ืื ืืขืืืขืื ืืขืจืืขืจ.
ืืขืจื ืึธื ืืึธื ืขืจ ืืขืืึธืื ืืืึทืจืคึฟื ืึทืืข ืื ืืื ืืจืฒึทื ืืื ืืืึทืกืขืจ, ืืขืจืืืึทืจืื ืขืก ืืึธื ื ืื ืงืืืขื ืืืืฃ ืืฉืื ืืฉื ืืขืจ ืืึฟืฉืืจ.
ืืึธื ืขืจ ืงืื ืืขืจ ืืฉืืจืื ืืขืืึธื ืืื ืืืืขืจื. ืืึธืก ืึทืืฅ ืืึธื ืืึทื ื ืืขืืึธื ืืืืขืจื.
ืืขืจื ืึธื ืืึธื ืขืจ ืืื ืึทืืข ืืึธื ืืขืืึธืื ืืื ืงืื ืืขืจ ืืฉืืจืื ืืืืขืจ ืืืื. ืืขืจืืืฒึทื ืขืจ ืืื ืืขืืืขืื ืืฆืืจืข ืืึธื ืขืจ ืืขืืืื ื ืขืก ืืื ืืื ืืื.
ืืขื ืฉืจืฒึทืขื ืฆื ืืึธื ืืึธืื ืืฉืืจืื ืืขืืขืจื. ืึทืืื ืืึธื ืืึธื ืืืืขืจ ืฉืืื ืืขืจืืขืจื.
ืืขืจืื ืืขืจื ืึธื ืืื ืืขืืืึธืจื ืืขืฉืขื ืืึธื ืืืืฃ ืืฆืจืื ืืึธื ืืขืฉืืงื ืืึผืืช ืฆืขื.
ืืึผืืช ืืขืืขืื ืืื ืืฒึทื ืฉืืึทืจืงืข ืืึทื ื. ืืขืจ ืึทืืก ืืื ืืึธืื ืืขืืึทื ืืื ืืืืขืจ ืืึทื ื.
ืืืื ืืื ืขืจ ืืืืฅ ืืื ืืึธืื ืคึฟืฒึทืขืจ, ืืื ื ืื ืืืืขืจืืขืืืืื ืคึฟืื ืืื ืืื ืืืื ืขืจ.
ืื ืืืืขืืข ื ืึทืื ืคึฟืื ืคึผืกื ืืฒึทื ืขื ืืื ืืขืงืืืขื ืืฒึท ืืฉืืจืื ื ืึธืขื ื ืืขืจืืฒึท. ืืึธ ืืึธืื ืืฉืืจืื ืืขืืึธื ืืจืืืก ืืขืฉืจืื.
ืืึธื ืืึธื ืืขืฉืคึผืจืึธืื ืฆื ืืฉื ืืฒึทื ืฉืืขืงื ืืืืฃ ืืึธืก ืืขืจ ืืึทืืื. ืึทืืื ืืืขื ืืื ืืึธืก ืืขืจ ืฉืคึผืึทืืื.
ืืื ืืฉืืจืื ืืึธืื ืจืฒึทืื ืืืจื ืืขื ืื ืืจืืงื. ืืื ืคึผืจืขื ืืื ืืฒึทื ืืขืจ ืืืื ืืื ืืขืจืืจืขื ืงืขื ื ืึธืืจืืงื.
ืืฒึทื ืขื ืืื ืืขืืึทื ืืขื ืืื ืืขืจ ืืึธืจืื. ืืจืืื ืืืื ืคึฟืื ืืขืจ ื ืึทืื ืงืขืื ืืึธืจืื.
ืื ืงืื ืืขืจ ืื ืืึธ ืืึธืื ืืื ืืืืขืจืฉืืืก ืืขืืึธื ืืืื ืืึธืื ืืืืกืืขืฉืืจืขืงื ืืขืืื ืืื ืืื ืืืืคึฟืืขืืึธื ืืืื.
ืืื ืื ืงืื ืืขืจ ืคึฟืื ืื ืืจืืกื ืืึธืื ืึธืคึผืืขืืึธืื. ืืื ืืื ืืึธืื ืืึธื ืืขืืขื ืืื ืืฒึทื ืืืื ืืขื ืึธืกื.
ืืขืืฒึทืืื ืืื ืคึฟืื ืืขืจ ืึธืจืขืืก ืืืืก ืืขืืึธื ืืื ืขื.ืืึธืื ืืขืฉืคึผืจืึธืื ืืึธืก ืืื ืืฒึทื ืืึธื ืืื ืืืื ืืื ืืึทืฉืื ืขื.
ืืื ืืึธืื ืืขืืึธืื ืฉืืจื ืึทืืข ืืึทื ืืื ืืืฒึทื. ืืืื ืื ืงืื ืืขืจ ืืื ืืืืขืจืืฒึทื.
ืืขืจืื ืืขืจื ืึธื ืืื ืืขืืืึธืจื ืืขืฉืขื ืืึธื ืืืืฃ ืืฆืจืื ืืึธื ืืขืฉืืงื ืืึผืืช ืฆืขื.
ืืึผืืช ืืขืืขืื ืืื ืืฒึทื ืฉืืึทืจืงืข ืืึทื ื. ืืขืจ ืึทืืก ืืื ืืึธืื ืืขืืึทื ืืื ืืืืขืจ ืืึทื ื.
ืืืื ืืื ืขืจ ืืืืฅ ืืื ืืึธืื ืคึฟืฒึทืขืจ, ืืื ื ืื ืืืืขืจืืขืืืืื ืคึฟืื ืืื ืืื ืืืื ืขืจ.
ืกืืืืช
ืึทืืก ืกืืึผืืช ืืืื ืืฒึทื ืืจืขื ืืืืก ืืฒึทื ืืืืื ืื ื ืึทืจืืืก.
ืืื ืืืืื ืืื ืืขืจ ืกืืึผื ืืืฒึทื ืึทืืก ืืื ืืื ืืฒึทื ืืืื.
ืืขืจืืืฒึทื ืืึธื ืืื ืื ืืื ืืืืืจ ืืื ืืืึธืืงื ืก ืืึธื ืืขืืึธื ืืจืึธืื.
ืืขืจืื ืืื ืืขื ืืื ืกืืึผืืช ืืื ืฉืืืืชืื ื ืืึธืื.
ืืฒึท ืืงืืื ืืืฆืืืช ืกืืึผื ืจืขืื ืืฉืืืืื ืืืฉืืฉืืื.
ืืขื ืืืขืกืื ืืืื ืืฒึทื ืืขืืืึพืืื ืืื ืื ืกืืึผื ืื ืืืื ืคึฟืื ืืืืืชื.
Days of Awe
Rememberโlife goes by quickly. Like a bird soaring overhead.
And like a leaf that soon withers, and like a shard that is soon broken. (1)
And today on Rosh ha-Shanah everything is inscribed, and sealed on Yom Kippur, as it shall remain.
Whether a person this year will live or die, or be rich or depraved.
Rememberโlife goes by quickly. Like a bird soaring overhead.
And like a leaf that soon withers, and like a shard that is soon broken.
Whether one will die a shameful and bizarre death, or suffer afflictions and great hardship.
But tshuve, tefile, tsedoke [repentance, prayer, charity] cancel all of oneโs sins and tear up harsh decrees.
Rememberโlife goes by quickly. Like a bird soaring overhead.
And like a leaf that soon withers, and like a shard that is soon broken.
That is why on Yom Kippur we cry and scream. Our sins themselves urge us strongly.
We don a kittel to bring death to mind. (2) That the human is not certain for even a moment, and so performing tshuve is your greatest need. That you will receive a good seal, tshuve is your greatest need, that you will receive a good seal.
Rememberโlife goes by quickly.
Purim
There once was a king called Akheshveyresh.
All the Jews were under his hand.
One time the king was overcome with wine,
He ordered his queen Vashti to appear before him naked. (1)
The queen was non-compliant.
The king in fury gave a swift-sharp order
So, she was immediately executed.
With timeโs passing his anger stilled.
Now the king was regretful and very annoyed.
He would again have a beautiful queen.
Assembled all the maidens to stand before him.
Only Esther found favour in his eyes.
Praised be God who makes the low high and the high low. (2)
This song to be sung on Purim when one may be drunk. (3)
Promoted a man; his name was Homen.
He was of Amalekโs seed.
All paid heed
To the command that every man should bow to him.
Aside from Mordechai, for Homen had a crucifix on his back. (4)
Whereupon Haman resolved
To annihilate the Jews from the world.
Homen came running to the king.
Made him an offer to sell him the Jews.
The king gifted him the Jews.
To kill them with sword or by drowning in water.
So, Israel was in deep trouble one can well imagine.
Praised be God who makes the low high and the high low.
This song to be sung on Purim when one may be drunk.
Shabbes
Shabbes, Shabbes, how much you are loved?! Shabbes, Shabbes, my heart is not troubled.
I knock out my worries. I bear happiness. I have no woe.
Shabbes, Shabbes.
Good food, good drinkโwhat God lavishes. And learning Torah to honour the beloved God.
Good beer, good wine one should prepare. Good meat, good fish, get ready in time. And candles to burn bright.
Fill the barrels and also bottles with wine. Pour generously, drink up! This is the good life! This is the good life!
But go to shul. And then out. And learn Torah too. Shabbes is holy.
On Shabbes, God gave the Torah. (1)
Shabbes, Shabbes, how much you are loved?! Shabbes, Shabbes, my heart is not troubled.
I knock out my worries. I bear happiness. I have no woe.
Shabbes, Shabbes.
Shabbes is called the splendid bride. Shabbes is the queen of the entire land. (2)
So gather together, one and all, big and small.
Shabbes is holy to God. So, from beginning to end adorn her with song, to the end with song.
The sorrow of exile presses us, the sorrow of exile. I long for liberation. I long for redemption.
Shabbes, Shabbes, how much you are loved?! Shabbes, Shabbes, my heart is not troubled.
I knock out my worries. I bear happiness. I have no woe.
Shabbes, Shabbes.
The holy Shabbes is a beautiful tranquil repose.
For then an additional soul is added to a person. (3)
A tsaddiq can perceive it.
And when Shabbes departs, loses it in turn.
Shabbes, Shabbes, how much you are loved?! Shabbes, Shabbes, my heart is not troubled.
I knock out my worries. I bear happiness. I have no woe.
Shabbes, Shabbes. Shabbes. Shabbes.
Shavuot
In the third month after Israel departed from Egypt, when the month just began,
They came to the desert, to the mountain Sinai. (1)
To receive the Torah; the Torah is the best merchandise. The Torah is the best merchandise. (2)
Through Moses said the Creator-Former, if Israel will observe the Torah then theyโll be
My treasure. (3)
God opened all the heavens, and showed Israel that there is no other god. (4)
God gave the Torah in the desert, a place which is free and open to all humankind. (5)
With both voice and thunder. (6)
The Torah is the best merchandise. The Torah is the best merchandise.
All humankind heard and it was for them a wonder.
But no one came and received the Torah: except for Israel alone. (7)
All the high mountains from their places where they were planted, jumped up and danced.
Because they were tall they did rejoice, they thought that upon them God would give the Torah and delight.
God spoke: I disdain height. I love the lowly and humility.
Therefore, return to your places. Mount Sinai is small: on it I will give the Torah today. (8)
The Torah is the best merchandise. The Torah is the best merchandise.
As the command of pure fire came out of Godโs mouth, Israel ran back [a distance of] many hours.
Some were overcome with fainting and duress, some from the fire remained lying dead.
So, the angels brought them back to their feet, and with fragrances from the garden of Eden revived them, and with dew bestowed upon them, they came back to life. (9)
Had Israel not accepted the Torah, the world would have gone under. (10)
The Torah is the best merchandise. The Torah is the best merchandise.
Hanukkah
The Greeks gathered in the sanctuary and contaminated the oil that they found.
Thereafter the Hasmoneans defeated them. Thereafter the Hasmoneans defeated them. (1)
Antiochus the wicked, God the redeemer, God the redeemer, Antiochus the wicked.
They entered within the Temple; they didnโt find pure oil for the menorah to burn.
Only one jar, enough to burn for one day, which was sealed with the high priestโs seal.
Antiochus the wicked, God the redeemer, God the redeemer, Antiochus the wicked.
Herein God gave happiness/fortune. It burned for eight days in one go.
So, we kindle for eight days and recite Hallel, because God once more took us under His wing. (2)
You and the people who are in your house must kindle the lights and grasp Godโs wonder.
Thirty-six candles and shameses eight. Donโt set them too close and the shames set higher. (3)
Antiochus the wicked, God the redeemer, God the redeemer, Antiochus the wicked.
Antiochus the wicked, God the redeemer, God the redeemer, Antiochus the wicked.
The Angel of Death
O mortal, O mortal, what do you ponder?! Death is unexpected behind your door. Your money, o your money and your houses and your golden chains cannot help you escape your inevitable doom when the angel of death comes seeking to kill you.
While thereโs still time, while thereโs still time contemplate and reconsider: the more money you think of acquiring, the more sins you spin. Worship God and make do with salt and bread. For no one can help you out of your inevitable doom when the angel of death comes seeking to kill you.
When the angel of death will terrify you, woe and anguish will stir within you. When youโll see him standing on every corner, you will surely perspire the death-sweat. And all those sitting around you wonโt be able to help you when the angel of death comes seeking to kill you.
Earnestly, urgently pay heed, be especially sagacious to worship God while you still have strength and might. Ponder the dark pit of four cubits and the innumerable worms that cannot be counted when the angel of death comes seeking to kill you.
The human being is nothing more than flesh and blood, bone and skin. Happy is the one who trusts in God. (1)
Pesaแธฅ
About the exodus from Egypt Iโm gonna inform you: (1)
Sometime after a king arose who didnโt know of the goodness of Joseph. Nope, he only saw how Israel became many and more to hand.
So, he encumbered them with bitter work, expecting they wouldnโt multiply.
But God couldnโt watch this game: the more he [the king] afflicted them, the more they multiplied.
And so, he ordered the midwives to kill all the sons. But they did not obey; they were not murderers.
Thereafter he had all the sons thrown into the water, expecting that Moses the proclaimer would not arise. (2)
He also had Israelite children placed in bricks. (3) All of this lasted a long, long time.
Afterwards he would bathe daily in Jewish childrenโs blood. Because he was a leper he thought it would do him good. (4)
Then Israel increased their cries to God; and thus God heard their voice.
Therefore, and thereupon, it transpired: God sent upon Egypt the plagues ten.
Plagues dispatched with His mighty hand. Beyond anything theyโd ever experienced in their land.
And also thunder-lightning with hail-fire; not one of them survived.
The seventh night of Pesaแธฅ, they [the Egyptians] drew close to the Israelites nearby. Here the Jews let out a great scream and cry. (5)
God to Moses: Raise your rod over the sea; thus the sea will split.
And the Israelites shall travel dry through the sea. And pharaoh and his men I will drown, Iโll do away with them.
So, they journeyed on without any worries. This was in the third watch of the night, towards morning
The children who were lying in their motherโs lap stretched out their necks and tilted
and inclined them. (6)
And the children on the breasts detached, unlatched, when they saw God and delighted in His light.
Pointed with their fingers and with arms out worshipped. And said this is my God, I will
beautify Him. (7)
Every man and woman took up song; even the children still within the womb. (8)
Therefore, and thereupon, it transpired: God sent upon Egypt the plagues ten.
Plagues dispatched with His mighty hand. Beyond anything theyโd ever experienced in their land.
And also thunder-lightning with hail-fire; not one of them survived.
Sukkot
When Sukkot arrives, take your dwelling outside.
And live in the sukkah just as you live in your house. (1)
Because God carried us in clouds in the desert. (2)
Therefore, on Sukkot say โtime of our rejoicingโ. (3)
Fulfil the mitzvahs of Sukkot correctly, with happiness and joy.
Then in the world to come you will be worthy of the sukkah made of Leviathanโs skin. (4)
Annotations
Rosh ha-Shanah / Yom Kippur
(1) The words and motifs derive from the famous U-ntane toqef prayer, recited during musaf on Rosh ha-Shanah and Yom Kippur.
(2) Kittel, a white robe of linen or cotton. See Shulkhan Arukh, Oraแธฅ แธคayyim 610:4: โThere are those who wrote that it is customary to dress in clean, white clothes on Yom Kippur, analogous to the ministering angels, and likewise it is customary to wear a kittel which is white and clean, and it is also the clothing of the dead [the burial shroud], and therefore the heart of a man is humbled and broken.โ
Purim
(1) That Vashti was ordered to appear naked is not stated in the Scroll of Esther, but rather in rabbinic commentary. See BT Megillah 12b: โAt the feast of that wicked man [Ahasuerus], some said: The Median women are the most beautiful, while others said: The Persian women are the most beautiful. Ahasuerus said to them: The vessel that I use is neither Median nor Persian, but Chaldean. Do you wish to see her? They said to him: Yes, provided that she be naked.โ See also Esther Rabbah 3:14.
(2) The carnivalesque switch lies at the heart of the Purim story and the festivities that mark it. See for example Esther 9:2: โOn the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the edict commanded by the king was to be carried out. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but now the tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them.โ
(3) See BT Megillah 7b: โRava said: A person is obligated to become intoxicated on Purim until he does not know the difference between cursed is Haman and blessed is Mordecai.โ See Maimonides, Hilkhot Megillah 2:15: โAnd he should drink wine until he becomes intoxicated and falls asleep from his intoxication.โ
(4) Similarly, Hamanโs crucifix is not mentioned in the Scroll of Esther. Rabbinic commentary refers to an idolatrous image, tselem in Hebrew, though in Yiddish tseylem means cross. See Esther Rabbah 7:5: โThe king commanded that they should bow and prostrate themselves to him [Haman]. What did Haman do? He crafted for himself an embroidered image on his garment and on his heart, and anyone who would prostrate himself to Haman would prostrate himself to the image.โ See also Pirqei de-Rabbi Eliโezer 50; BT Megillah 10b, 19a.
Shabbes
(1) This is not stated in the biblical account, but rather in rabbinic tradition. See BT Shabbat 86b.
(2) The motif of Sabbath as bride and queen is most famously attested in the final line of the Friday night Sabbath hymn, Lekha Dodi: โEnter O bride! Enter Queen Sabbath!โ The imagery, however, goes back to the Talmud. See BT Shabbat 119a: โRabbi แธคanina would wrap himself in his garment and stand at nightfall on Sabbath eve, and say: Come and we will go out to greet Sabbath the queen. Rabbi Yannai put on his garment on Sabbath eve and said: Enter, O bride. Enter, O bride.โ
(3) The image of an additional soul derives from BT Beitsah 16a, in the name of Rabbi Shimโon son of Lakish: โOn Sabbath eve the blessed Holy One imparts an additional soul to a human being. When Sabbath departs it is taken from him, as is said: ืฉืืช ืืื ืคืฉ (shavat va-yinnafash), He ceased and was refreshed (Exodus 31:17)โonce shavat, it [the Sabbath] has ceased, ืืื ืืืื ื ืคืฉ (vai avedah nefesh), โWoe, the soul is lost!โโ
Shevues
(1) See Exodus 19:1: โOn the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egyptโon that very dayโthey came to the Desert of Sinai.โ
(2) The original line in Yiddish reads โTo receive the Torah which is better than any merchandise,โ and is one of the oldest appearances of the famous Yiddish rhyme, Toyre/skhoyre, Torah/merchandise. We have modified the line to include the famous Yiddish proverb โThe Torah is the best merchandiseโ as a refrain.
See the opening line of Y.L Peretzโs story โMekubolimโ: โIn difficult times, even the value of Torahโthe best merchandiseโfalls.โ The Yiddish proverb derives ultimately from Tanแธฅuma, Terumah 2 and Derekh Eretz 2:7.
(3) See Exodus 19:5: โNow if you will heed My voice and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.โ
(4) See Rashi on Deuteronomy 4:35: โWhen the blessed Holy One gave the Torah, He tore open for them the seven heavens, and just as He tore open the higher regions so did He tear open the lower, so that they saw that He was alone. On this account it is stated: You have been shown to know that YHVH is God, there is none beside Him.โ
(5) See Bamidbar Rabbah 1:7: โAnd why was the Torah given through these three things [fire, water and wilderness]? Just as these are free to all the inhabitants of the world, so too are the words of Torah free to themโฆ. Another explanationโฆ. Anyone who does not make themselves ownerless like the wilderness cannot acquire the wisdom and the Torah.โ See also Mekhilta de-Rabbi Yishmaโel, Baแธฅodesh 2.
(6) According to Exodus 19:19 God spoke โBa-qolโ which can mean voice and thunder.
(7) See Sifrei Devarim 343: โWhen the omnipresent appeared to give Torah to Israel, it is not to Israel alone that He appeared, but to all of the nations. First, He went to the children of Esau, and He asked them: Will you accept the Torah?... He then went to the children of Ammon and Moav and asked them: Will you accept the Torah?... He then went and found the children of Yishmael and asked them: Will you accept the Torah?.... There was none among all of the nations to whom He did not go and speak and knock at their door, asking if they would accept the Torahโฆ.โ
(8) Midrash Tehillim 68:9: โRabbi Natan said: When the blessed Holy One wanted to give the Torah to Israel, Carmel came from Aspamia and Tavor from Beit Eilimโฆ This one saidโฆ It would be fitting for the Shekhinah to rest upon me, for I am higher than all the other mountains, and the waters of the flood did not come down on me. And this one saidโฆ It would be fitting for the Shekhinah to rest upon me, because I was placed in the middle, and they crossed the sea over me. The blessed Holy One said: You have already been disqualified before Me because of your haughtiness! You are all disqualified before Meโฆ All of the mountains began to thunder and to collapseโฆ. The blessed Holy One saidโฆ I desire nothing but Sinai, which is lower than all of you, as is said: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit (Isaiah 57:15). And it is written: For though YHVH be high, yet he regards the lowly (Psalms 138:6).โ
(9) See BT Shabbat 88b: โAnd Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: From each and every utterance that emerged from the mouth of the blessed Holy One the souls of the Israelites left their bodies, as is said: My soul departed when he spoke (Song of Songs 5:6). And since their souls left from the first utterance, how did they receive the second utterance? Well, He rained the dew upon them that, in the future, will revive the dead, and He revived them, as is said: You, God, poured down a bountiful rain; when Your inheritance was weary You sustained it (Psalms 68:10). And Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: With each and every utterance that emerged from the mouth of the blessed Holy One, the Israelites retreated twelve miles, and the ministering angels walked them back, as is said: The hosts of angels yidodun, will scatter (Psalms 68:13). Do not read yidodun, scattered; rather, read it as yedadun, they walked them.โ
(10) See BT Shabbat 88a: โResh Lakish said: What is the meaning of that which is written: And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day (Genesis 1:31)? Why do I require the superfluous letter heh [the definite article, which does not appear on any of the other days]? It teaches that the blessed Holy One established a condition with the act of Creation, and said to them: If Israel accepts the Torah [on the sixth day of Sivan], you will exist; and if not, I will return you to chaos and disorder.โ
Hannukah
(1) The text is a Yiddish paraphrase of the classical rabbinic account of Hanukkah found in BT Shabbat 21b:
โWhat is Hanukkah? The Sages taught: On the twenty-fifth of Kislev, the days of Hanukkah are eight. One may not eulogize on them and one may not fast on them. When the Greeks entered the Sanctuary, they defiled all the oils that were in the Sanctuary. And when the Hasmonean monarchy overcame them and emerged victorious over them, they searched and found only one cruse of oil that was placed with the seal of the High Priest. And there was sufficient oil there to light for only one day. A miracle occurred and they lit the candelabrum from it eight days. The next year the Sages instituted those days and made them holidays with recitation of hallel and special thanksgiving in prayer and blessings.โ See also Megillat Taโanit.
(2) Hallel, literally โpraiseโ is a collection of six psalms (nos. 113-118) recited on certain festivals, including all eight days of Hannukah. See BT Arakhin 10b; Shulkhan Arukh, Oraแธฅ แธคayyim 683:1.
(3) On ensuring adequate space between the individual lights see Shulkhan Arukh, Orah แธคayyim 671:4.
The shames, or in Hebrew the shamash, literally, โhelper/servantโ is the candle that lights the other candles. It is customarily offset or higher than the eight candles commemorating the miracle of eight days. See BT Shabbat 21b; Shulkhan Arukh, Orah Hayyim 671:5.
The Angel of Death
(1) The literary trope of Memento Mori (Latin, โremember that you dieโ) is found in diverse Jewish texts from antiquity through modernity.
See Ecclesiastes 7:2: โIt is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.โ
See BT Shabbat 153a: โRabbi Eliโezer says: Repent one day before your death. Rabbi Eliโezerโs students asked him: But does a person know the day on which he will die? He said to them: All the more so! One should repent today lest he die tomorrow; and thus, one will spend oneโs entire life in a state of repentance. King Solomon also said in his wisdom: At all times your clothes should be white, and oil shall not be absent from upon your head (Ecclesiastes 9:8).โ
See Zohar 1:201b-202a: โWoe to people who do not know or contemplate the ways of Torah! Woe to them when the blessed Holy One comes to demand justice for their deeds, and body and soul rise to render account for all their deeds, before soul separates from body. For that day is the Day of Judgment, the day when books are opened and masters of judgment stand, when the serpent is poised to bite, and all oneโs limbs tremble. Soul separates from body, roaming about, not knowing which way to go or where she is being carried off. Woe for that day, a day of wrath and humiliation! Therefore, one should incite his impulse every day and bring to mind that day when he will stand in judgment before the King and be embedded beneath the dust to rot away, soul separating from him.โ
The trope is also central in Elkhonen Kirkhhanโs father-in-lawโs work. See Qav ha-Yashar 39: โTherefore, it behoves a person to recall how many ordeals he will go through, how many afflictions he will be suffer and how much trembling, shuddering, shaking, sweating and shivering he will experience before his soul comes to its place of rest.โ
On the Angel of Death, see BT Avodah Zarah 20b: โThey said about the Angel of Death that he is entirely full of eyes. When a sick person is about to die, he stands above his head with his sword drawn in his hand, and a drop of poison hanging on the edge of the sword. Once the sick person sees him, he trembles and opens his mouth; and the Angel of Death throws it into his mouth. From this he dies, from this he putrefies, from it his face turns green.โ
Pesaแธฅ
(1) The account follows the narrative in the book of Exodus with some midrashic additions.
(2) See Pirqei de-Rabbi Eliโezer 48: โWhilst yet Moses was not born, the magicians said to Pharaoh: In the future a child will be born, and he will take Israel out of Egypt. Pharaoh thought, and said: Cast all the male children into the river, and he will be thrown in with them, and thereby the word [of the magicians] will be frustrated; therefore, they cast all the male children into the river.โ See also BT Sotah 12b: โ[Pharaohโs astrologers] saw that the savior of the Jewish people would be stricken by water. They arose and decreed: Every son that is born you shall cast into the river (Exodus 1:22). Once [Jochebed] cast Moses [into the water] they said: We no longer see that sign. They cancelled their decree. But they did not know Moses would be stricken on account of the waters of Meribah.โ
(3) See Siftei แธคakhamim, Exodus 32:4 on Rashi ad loc.: โWhen the Israelites were in Egypt, building Pithom and Ramses, and they failed to complete the amount of work they were told to do, the Egyptians came and took their children, put them into the wall being built, and placed stones around them and on themโthereby completing the amount of work.โ See Rashi s.v. nitmakhmekh, BT Sanhedrin 101b; cf. Pirqei de-Rabbi Eliโezer 48.
(4) According to Shemot Rabbah 1:34, Pharaoh suffered from leprosy and his magicians advised him to bathe twice daily in the blood of 150 Israelite children.
(5) According to tradition, the miracle of the sea took place on the seventh day of Passover. See Seder Olam Rabbah 5; Rashi on Exodus 14:5. See also BT Megillah 31a.
(6) See BT Sotah 30b: โThe Sages taught that Rabbi Yose HaGelili expounded: When Israel ascended from the sea they resolved to sing. And how did they recite song? If a baby was lying on his motherโs lap or an infant was nursing from his motherโs breasts, once they saw the Shekhinah, the baby straightened his neck and the infant dropped the breast from his mouth, and they recited: This is my God and I will beautify Him (Exodus 15:2).โ
(7) See BT Sotah 11b: And when the blessed Holy One revealed Himself at the Sea [the children] recognized Him first, as is said: This is my God, and I will beautify Him (Exodus 15:2).โ The motif of pointing with the finger derives from Shir ha-Shirim Rabbah on Song of Songs 2:14: โfor the Israelites were pointing with their finger, saying: This is my God and I will glorify Him.โ See also Rashi on Exodus 15:2.
(8) According to Rabbi Meir in BT Sotah 30b-31a โeven foetuses in their motherโs womb recited the song.โ According to Rabbi Tanแธฅum, their mothersโ wombs transformed into luminous crystal enabling them to see.
Sukkot
(1) M. Sukkah 2:9: โAll seven days of Sukkot, a person renders his sukkah his permanent residence and his house his temporary residence.โ See BT Sukkah 28b.
(2) The motif of being carried in clouds is not found in the Torah. It derives from rabbinic exegesis to Leviticus 23:41-43: โYou shall reside in sukkot (booths) for seven days, all citizens in Israel shall reside in sukkot; in order that future generations may know that I made the children of Israel reside in booths when I brought them out of the Land of Egypt. I am YHVH your God.โ See BT Sukkah 11b: โI made the children of Israel reside in sukkot: they were were clouds of glory, this is the statement of Rabbi Eliโezer. Rabbi Akiva says: They established for themselves actual sukkot/booths.โ See also Mekhilta, Beshallaแธฅ 1: โThere were seven clouds: Four of them to each side, one was above them and another below their feet. A further cloud would pass in front of them levelling the valleys and flattening the mountains.โ
(3) During the Amidah prayer recited on Sukkot, the blessing pertaining to the holiness of the day describes the festival as โzman simhatenu / time of our rejoicingโ based on Leviticus 23:40 and Deuteronomy 16:14.
(4) See BT Bava Batra 75b: โRabbah says that Rabbi Yoแธฅanan says, โIn the future the blessed Holy One will prepare a sukkah for the righteous from the skin of Leviathan, as is said: Can you fill his skin be-sukkot, with barbed irons? (Job 40:31)โ. In rabbinic mythology, the slaying of Leviathan signifies the eschatological vanquishing of evil. Upon leaving the sukkah for the final time, one recites a prayer expressing the hope that one will dwell in the Leviathan skin sukkah.