This prayer was composed by Rabbi Solomon ben Menachem.

Our God and God of our fathers!

Thirteen Divine attributes

which were pronounced with compassion;

by virtue of every fitting attribute,

I beseech the Presence of my King

with supplication,

to search for the merit [of Israel]

who were named and called the Rose.

Save them from all evil

in this year.

If their guilt be so great

as to reach the heavens and their stars,

[then] by virtue of every fitting attribute,

I plead for mercy for them,

to annul for them what is written:¹

footnotes: ¹ Deut. 32:26.

“I said I will scatter them etc.”

Why should the nations say,

“Where is their God?”²

footnotes: ² Psalms 115:2.

If their iniquities are grievous

and too many to count,

[then] by virtue of every fitting attribute

cast them away, Adonoy, and conceal them;

let our vigorous words of supplication

annul that which is written:

“I will hide [my face from them].”³

footnotes: ³ Deut. 32:20.

Why, Adonoy, do You stand far off,

hiding Yourself in times of trouble?⁴

footnotes: ⁴ Psalms 10:1.

If they have acted perversely

in the Presence of their King,

with a brazen face;

[then] by virtue of every fitting attribute,

I offer supplication with a loud voice,

[and say to] my soul:

“Pour out your heart as water”⁵

footnotes: ⁵ Lamentations 2:19.

in the presence of Him

“Who is pure white and ruddy.”⁶

footnotes: ⁶ Song of Songs 5:10.

“Why, God, have You cast us off forever.”⁷

footnotes: ⁷ Psalms 74:1.

If willful sins have misled

the foolish and haughty heart;

[then] by virtue of every fitting attribute,

save them, Adonoy, from crushing wounds,

hasten and come,

and lift up the strong voice [of redemption]

“Why do I go mourning under oppression.”⁸

footnotes: ⁸ Psalms 42:10.

If they have slandered

in words and thoughts against You,

[then] by virtue of every fitting attribute,

remember the love of those who praise You

and let Your compassion be moved

towards the remnant of Your people.

“Why should Your anger burn

against Your people.”⁹

footnotes: ⁹ Exodus 32:11.

If they harden their ear [from hearing]

and pervert their way,

[then] by virtue of every fitting attribute,

I offer silent prayer for my people,

and my soul—pour out your heart

in the Presence of your Possessor and Rock.

“Why have You broken down her fences,

so that all wayfarers pluck her fruit.”¹⁰

footnotes: ¹⁰ Psalms 80:13.

If they have rebelled with great transgression

against the Rock, my King, my Holy One;

[then] by virtue of every fitting attribute,

my soul—seek pleasantness for them;

before the Awesome, Most High,

and Holy One,

address prayerful supplication.

Why, Adonoy,

do You cast off my soul?¹¹

footnotes: ¹¹ Psalms 88:15.

If they were stubborn like a heifer

from their many days and years [of exile];

[then] by virtue of every fitting attribute,

I will lift my eyes to the heavens,

and open my mouth in behalf of my people,

who are the fewest among peoples.

“Why do You forget us forever,

[and] forsake us for the length of days?”¹²

footnotes: ¹² Lamentations 5:20.

If our transgressions are enormous

and overwhelming as a mountain,

by virtue of every fitting attribute [I pray],

with a soft [birdlike] voice for wonders.

On Your refined [faithful] word,¹³ [I rely]

footnotes: ¹³ That our prayers do not go unanswered.

to plead for this people.

“Why do You withdraw Your hand,

even Your right hand?

Draw it from Your bosom to consume [evil].”¹⁴

footnotes: ¹⁴ Psalms 74:11.

If they have perverted their actions

willfully and wickedly,

[then] by virtue of every fitting attribute,

let Your heart be moved to deliver them;

“Arise cry out aloud in the night”¹⁵

footnotes: ¹⁵ Lamentations 2:19.

to the Almighty, the Deliverer.

“Why should You be like a man confused,

like a mighty man that cannot save.”¹⁶

footnotes: ¹⁶ Jeremiah 14:9.

If in truth, all have repented

with their heart and soul to appease You,

[then] by virtue of every fitting attribute,

consent to pardon them;

and do it O Master for Your sake,

forgive and pardon Your congregation.

“Return to us for the sake of Your servants,¹⁷

footnotes: ¹⁷ The Patriarchs.

the tribes of Your heritage.”

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.”

Unto You Adonoy is our plea,

and in the morning our prayer is before You.

Adonoy, in the morning hear our voice,

in the morning we beseech You and hope.

My soul waits for my Master

more than the watchman waits

for the morning,

[more than] the watchman [waits]

for the morning.

The [correct] offerings to God

is a broken spirit;

a broken and humbled heart,

God will not despise.

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.