Our God, and God of our fathers!

Your ways are not like those of man,¹ where, then, is Your vengeance² and Your enduring counsel? The daughter [Israel] whom You chose to serve You in Your cherished House— is now dominated by [strange] masters and she is unable to cleave unto You.

footnotes: ¹ Who cannot always fulfill his will. ² But since You can, why don’t You take revenge from our enemies.

She groans [saying]: “I am betrothed to my beloved— but the abhorred oppressor— how he has trampled upon me.” The sentence of death, she accepts on herself, though she is exiled [from her land] and coerced by the nations.

The mother³ is sent away—not divorced, the son, like a lost orphan—is sent off. She, who was likened to a closed-in garden,⁴ has become abandoned like wild grass, and the foundation that was sealed is now trodden and polluted.

footnotes: ³ This refers to the Congregation of Israel. ⁴ Israel, who was protected by its Divine faith, has now been abandoned.

Formerly Your wrath lasted but a moment, but now the reverse is true. The [priests who wore the] holy crowns, are now cast into the streets. She, who was beloved of God, was beautiful as “Keren Hafuch” [Job’s daughter, Job 42:14] is now forsaken, and regarded as one [a harlot] with painted eyes.⁵

footnotes: ⁵ God considers our love to be insincere.

She, who was of pleasing appearance, has become blackened by hard labor, her sore festers without healing. The day of vengeance—its path is yet closed; the day of redemption— the window is yet sealed.⁶

footnotes: ⁶ The time of redemption is concealed from our view.

Our endurance is weakened by the burden;⁷ crippled and lame are the survivors of death. Without rest, they stray and wander, they labor and strive, while others reap.

footnotes: ⁷ Of exile.

The horn [pride of Israel] was planted in the rich, fertile land [of Israel]. Why has it become trampled like thistles for the furnace? The Guardian above, who never sleeps, why does He let His plant be trampled by the bulls of Bashan [Israel’s enemies].

What profits the vine when it is cut down? What benefit is it to the spreading vine when it is uprooted? She [Israel], who is engraved on God’s palm,⁸ and upon His T’filin, why has God’s love for her been withdrawn?

footnotes: ⁸ See Isaiah 49:16.

The task of the nations requires minimal effort,⁹ but the payment of their wages increases. She [Israel] yearns for Your attention, but her waiting time is prolonged. Each occurrence of trouble is followed immediately by another.

footnotes: ⁹ They are required to observe only the seven Noachide laws.

The holy first offerings of the grain heaps¹⁰ are scattered like chaff to the ends of the earth, driven by the wind like leaves of the forest. They flee in panic, as pursued by the sword.

footnotes: ¹⁰ Israel is referred to as God’s first fruits.

Those ninety eight curses [described in the Torah, Deut. 28] and those not described are fulfilled in us. Have mercy, gather us from these [four] corners. Then will they say among the nations: “Adonoy has done great things for them.”

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.”