This prayer was composed by Rav Saadyah Gaon.

Our God and God of our fathers!

My soul mourns and my face is darkened, [because] the House of my glory¹ has been smashed by the lion;² even my escaped ones that were left, my remnant, were crushed on the third day of Tishri.

footnotes: ¹ The Holy Temple. ² Nevuchadnetsar.

The raging flames and flood overwhelmed us in their pursuit; they trod down the Temple and divided the spoil; the elders of the remnant who escaped the day of vengeance, were now destroyed on the fast day of Gedaliah ben Achikam.

The poor among the people were torn apart, that which was left by the caterpillar,³ was quickly devoured by the locust;⁴ the vine-keepers and farmers that were left on the orders of Nevuchadnetsar,⁵ perished in the flames, and there was none left to erect a fence and to stand in the breach.

footnotes: ³ Nevuchadnetsar. ⁴ Ishmael ben Netanya. ⁵ Lit. “the earth shakers.” See Jeremiah 52:16.

How can I narrate [the disaster] when my groaning is so heavy? My soul is weary, and my congregations are grieved. The few vines [Jews] that remained, from the fierce burning, even they could not remain, and were scattered in wrath.

How long will You hide your face from us? Hear our cry and loosen our bound ones, O Holy One, behold, there is no one to plead in our behalf, look on our misery [and redeem us], and we will crown You with Your praise.

We have been despoiled from generation to generation, and from age to age, the fangs of the flying viper stings us; Mighty One, be aroused and awake for our justification, Atone our iniquities, and call an end [to our suffering].

Almighty! King! Who sits on the throne of mercy, governs with kindness forgives the iniquities of His people. He removes their sins one by one, increasing forgiveness to sinners, and pardon to transgressors. Acting righteously with all who are of flesh and spirit; not according to their wickedness does He repay them. Almighty! You instructed us to recite the thirteen Divine attributes; remember unto us this day the covenant of thirteen Divine attributes, as You made them known to the humble Moses of old, as it is written, “And Adonoy descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the Name, Adonoy.

Congregation and Chazzan:

And Adonoy passed before him [Moses], and proclaimed:

Adonoy, Adonoy, Almighty, Merciful, Gracious, Slow to Anger, and Abundant in Kindness, and Truth. Keeper of kindness for thousands of generations, Endurer of iniquity, and transgression, and sin; and Acquitter of those who repent. “And pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for Your inheritance.”

Pardon us our Father, for we have sinned, forgive us our King, for we have transgressed. “For You, my Master, are good and forgiving, and abounding in kindness to all who call upon You.”

Seek Adonoy while He may be found call upon while He is near. Return, irreverent children, I will heal your irreverence. Behold we approach You for You are Adonoy, our God. Return, Israel to Adonoy, Your God, for you have failed by your iniquity.

As a father has compassion on his children so do You have compassion on us, Adonoy. Deliverance is Adonoy’s; upon Your people is Your blessing. Selah! Adonoy of Hosts is with us, a stronghold for us is the God of Jacob. Selah! Adonoy of Hosts! fortunate is the man who trusts in You. Adonoy, deliver us; the King will answer us on the day we call.

“Please pardon the sins of this nation in accordance with the greatness of Your lovingkindness; and as You forgave this people from when it left Egypt until now.” And there it is said:

“And Adonoy said, I have pardoned [them] as you have asked.”

Incline Your ear, my God, and hear, open Your eyes and behold our desolate places, and the city which is called by Your Name; for it is not on account of our righteousness that we let fall our supplication before You, but because of Your great mercy. My Master, hear! My Master, pardon! My Master, listen and take action, do not delay! For Your sake, my God, because Your Name is proclaimed over Your city and over Your people.