Our God, and God of our fathers!

How can I return to You through repentance when those who worship other gods don’t permit me to worship You? They seek to separate me from You and still I did not forsake Your precepts.

How was I able to go into exile and go on every path and province while the idol worshippers ruled over me with their laws that endured and their king reigned for a long time; while I have not been called to come to the king?

How were the rivers able to flow from the dripping of my tears while I was given over to evil doers? They and their children shoot me with arrows from their quivers while I am a choice sheep taken to slaughter.

How is it that the end of days is concealed and not known, and my enemies who cut my glory are saved from death, considering themselves wise like Haymon¹ and Darda while I am foolish without wisdom.

footnotes: ¹ See Rashi Kings I, 2:11, referring to Moses and the generation that left Egypt.

How is it possible that the kingdom of the Chosen People has been torn apart while their kingdom has endured— the kingdom of evildoers and they live with confidence, in joy and gladness and I reside in exile?

The potion of poison— how did I drink and swallow? I cried and shed tears because of the oppressive yoke of Ishmael while they mock me [and insist] that I heed and harken what they say and I remain like a deaf person and I do not hear.

How was my God able to smite me while my previous wounds were still unhealed and the cloak of my glory was donned by Edom as they eat their sweet delicacies— milk and honey, when I am like withered grass?

How did the nation of Kedar surround me and Didan and Shva rule over me? They proclaim as a prophet a man who never prophecied they provide strength for their kingdoms, troops and armies and I, where shall I go?

How did You administer such suffering commensurate with my sins and foolishness? In the teeth of lions and lionesses was I consumed, and they, young and old [were confident] saying that they can overpower us. As I was childless from previous suffering, I became again childless from further suffering.

How did my stars become dark and my zodiac change as the nations abominated my scrolls? They prevented my feet from ascending to Jerusalem during festivals and I virtually veered completely from God.

How did You heed my iniquities and scrutinize my guilt but against those who battle my soul You did not defend me? Even while they were in full strength in inflicting pain and anguish upon me and still I trusted in Your kindness and my heart therefore rejoiced.

How did I sit alone and become cast astray and denigrated from my dignity? I wandered amongst the nations while they ruled and were successful their kingdom endured and I am childless and alone.

How have my mockers and denigraters so embarrassed me. Their power has not deserted them; as they cried out Aha! Aha! with words [of joy] I was a disgrace with them.

How did I remain amongst them in worry and pain? From the waves of anguish they pour on me and from their spring, do I draw; while they rest and lay [secure] as the raven and the wolf, while I am oppressed and sore.

How is it that those who despise pureness, dwell in Zion? Who would believe such a thing, who would imagine this to be God’s will? While they are wealthy princes, having been given high positions, I remain impoverished and needy.

How do they live in my Palace [my Temple] and dwell there in dwellings from above to below² and from below to the middle?³ While they have inherited a wealth of gold and precious coins, I am crippled while awaiting more blows.

footnotes: ² The Temple mount to the Courtyard. ³ From the Courtyard to the Temple.

How is that my thoughts are confused while they remain in Your thoughts? Remember us and be mindful of us for deliverance from idol worshippers. Let them be devoured and removed from the Place of Your Dwelling, and then through Your abundant kindness, I will enter Your House.

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.”