Psalm 126

A Song of Ascents.

When Adonoy brings about

the return to Zion

we will have been like dreamers.¹

footnotes: ¹ Upon the redemption and return to Zion, the harshness of the exile will seem to the Jews like a terrible dream.—Radak The splendor of the return to Zion will be like the realization of an impossible dream.—Seporno

Then

will our mouths be filled with laughter,²

footnotes: ² In the Talmud (Maseches Berachos 31a) Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai rules that a Jew is forbidden to fill his mouth with laughter in this world until the time comes when all nations declare: “Adonoy has done great things for them”—as the verse states: אז ימלא שחוק פינו , then: only then, when God’s love for us is universally recognized, may we experience total exultation.

and our tongue with joyous song.

Then will they say among the nations:

‘Adonoy has done great things for them.'

Adonoy had done great things for us;

we will [then] rejoice.

Adonoy! bring back our exiles

like springs in the desert.³

footnotes: ³ Just as springs of water can transform an arid desert into a fertile oasis, so will we be transformed, and flourish when God delivers us from exile.—Rashi

Those who sow in tears

will reap with joyous song.⁴

footnotes: ⁴ A person who plants in desert-like soil is always fearful that his crops will not grow. If a spring of water should suddenly appear on his land, his joy will know no bounds. So great will our joy be at the ultimate redemption that will follow the oppression of exile.—Radak

[Though] he walks along weeping,

carrying the bag of seed,

he will return with joyous song

carrying his sheaves.

“Gentlemen, let us say the blessing:

“The Name of Adonoy will be blessed

from now forever.”

“The Name of Adonoy will be blessed

from now forever.”

“With your permission

our masters and teachers,

Let us bless (our God,) Him,

for we have eaten of His bounty.”

“Blessed is (our God) He

for we have eaten of His bounty

and through His goodness we live.”

“Blessed is (our God) He

for we have eaten of His bounty

and through His goodness we live.”

“Blessed is He and blessed is His Name.”

Blessed are You, Adonoy

our God, King of the Universe,

Who nourishes the entire world

with His goodness,

with favor, with kindness, and with mercy.⁵

footnotes: ⁵ The righteous find favor in the eyes of God and are nourished because of their merit. Those who are not so worthy and do not find favor, are provided for through God’s beneficent kindness; while even the least worthy are recipients of God’s mercy.—Maharal in Nesivos Olom

He provides food for all flesh,⁶

footnotes: ⁶ This citation from Psalms 136:25 indicates that God’s kindness and compassion are universal, relating to all flesh, including animals.—Avudraham.

for His kindness endures forever.

And through His great goodness,

we have never lacked

and we will not lack food

forever and ever,

for the sake of His great Name.

For He is Almighty

Who nourishes⁷ and maintains all,

footnotes: ⁷ “Nourishes” refers to food, “maintains” refers to clothing and “does good” refers to shelter. These are the basic needs of man, all of which God provides.—Etz Yosef

does good to all, and prepares nourishment

for all His creatures which He has created.

As it is said:

You open Your hand

and satisfy the desire of every living being.

Blessed are You, Adonoy

Who nourishes all.⁸

footnotes: ⁸ The first blessing of the Birchas Hamazon was composed by Moses in appreciation for the manna which God provided for the Jews in the desert. The second blessing, beginning with “Let us thank You,” was composed by Joshua in gratitude for the privilege of entering the Promised Land. The third blessing, beginning with “Have mercy,” was composed by David who conquered Jerusalem, and by Solomon who built the Temple. The fourth blessing “Who is good and beneficent to all” was composed by Rabban Gamliel the Elder and his court in Yavneh in gratitude to God for preserving the bodies of the victims of the Roman massacre at Betar, and for being enabled to bring them to proper burial.—Maseches Berachos 48b

We thank You, Adonoy, our God,

for Your parceling out as a heritage

to our fathers,

a land⁹ which is

footnotes: ⁹ The land is mentioned even before the Exodus from Egypt because God demonstrated His extraordinary concern for the Jewish people at the very beginning of their history; first by the promise He gave to the Patriarchs concerning the Land of Israel and then, with the fulfillment of that promise, once He redeemed them from Egypt to enter the Land.—S.R. Hirsch

desirable, good, and spacious;

for Your bringing us out, Adonoy, our God,

from the land of Egypt,

and redeeming us

from the house of bondage;

for Your covenant

which You sealed in our flesh;

for Your Torah¹⁰ which You taught us;

footnotes: ¹⁰ “Torah” refers to laws which are comprehensible to the human intellect; it is therefore taught. “Statutes” (חֻקִים) are beyond human understanding and are therefore merely made known to man, for man cannot comprehend them. Eyun Tefilloh

for Your statutes

which You made known to us;

for the life, favor, and kindness

which You granted us;

and for the provision of food

with which You nourish and maintain us

constantly, every day, at all times

and in every hour.

[We thank You] for the miracles

for the redemption, for the mighty deeds,

for the deliverances, for the wonders

for the consolations and for the wars

that You performed for our fathers

in those days at this season.

In the days of Matisyahu,

son of Yochanan the High Priest,

the Hasmonean and his sons,

when the evil Greek kingdom rose up

against Your people Israel

to make them forget Your Torah

and to turn them away

from the statutes of Your will—

You, in Your abundant mercy,

stood by them in their time of distress,

You defended their cause,

You judged their grievances,

You avenged them.

You delivered the mighty

into the hands of the weak,

many into the hands of the few,

defiled people into the hands of the undefiled,

the wicked into the hands of the righteous,

and insolent [sinners] into the hands of

diligent students of Your Torah.

And You made Yourself

a great and sanctified name in Your world.

And for Your people, Israel,

You performed a great deliverance

and redemption unto this very day.

Afterwards, Your sons entered

the Holy of Holies of Your Abode,

cleaned Your Temple,

purified Your Sanctuary,

and kindled lights

in the Courtyards of Your Sanctuary,

and designated these eight days of Chanukah

to thank and praise Your great Name.

For everything Adonoy, our God,

We thank You

and bless You.

Blessed be Your Name

through the mouth of all the living,

constantly, forever, as it is written:

“When You have eaten and are satisfied,

You will bless Adonoy, your God,

for the good land

which He has given to you.”¹¹

footnotes: ¹¹ Deuteronomy 8:10

Blessed are You, Adonoy,

for the land and for the food.

Have compassion, Adonoy, our God,

on Israel, Your people,

on Jerusalem, Your city,

on Zion, the dwelling place of Your glory,

on the kingship of the house of David,

Your anointed;

and on the great and holy House

upon which Your Name is called.

Our God, our Father tend us, nourish us,¹²

footnotes: ¹² “Tend us” by providing the basic necessities of life such as bread and water; “nourish” us with an enriched diet including foods such as fruits and vegetables.—Etz Yosef

maintain us, sustain us, relieve us¹³

footnotes: ¹³ “Maintain us” with food and shelter; “sustain us” by providing our needs on a regular basis, not on a feast or famine cycle; and “relieve us” by giving us ample means to live comfortably.—Etz Yosef

and grant us relief Adonoy, our God,

speedily from all our troubles.

Adonoy, our God—may we never be in need

of the gifts of men

nor of their loans,

but only of Your hand

which is full, open,

holy and generous,

so that we may not be shamed

nor humiliated¹⁴

footnotes: ¹⁴ May we not be “ashamed” in this world due to poverty and may we not be “humiliated” in the World-to-Come, because of our transgressions. Poverty often brings shame which in turn might cause a person to lose faith.—Etz Yosef

forever and ever.

May it please You, to strengthen us

Adonoy, our God,

through Your commandments,

and through the commandment

of the seventh day,

this great and holy Sabbath.

For this day

is great and holy before You,

to refrain from work on it

and to rest on it with love,

as ordained by Your will.

And by Your will,

grant us repose Adonoy, our God,

that there be no distress, sorrow,

or sighing on the day of our rest.¹⁵

footnotes: ¹⁵ Even though prayers for personal needs are not recited on Shabbos, this particular prayer does contain such a request, because it is so closely interwoven with the commandment to rest on Shabbos. Since we are commanded to make Shabbos a day of sacred rest, we ask that our repose not be desecrated by distress or misfortune.—Avudraham

Show us Adonoy, our God,

the consolation of Zion, Your city,

and the rebuilding of Jerusalem,

city of Your Sanctuary,

for You are the Master of deliverance

and the Master of consolation.

Our God and God of our fathers,

may there ascend, come, and reach,

appear, be desired, and heard,

counted and recalled

our remembrance and reckoning;

the remembrance of our fathers;

the remembrance of the Messiah

the son of David, Your servant;

the remembrance of Jerusalem,

city of Your Sanctuary;

and the remembrance of Your entire people,

the House of Israel, before You

for survival, for well-being,

for favor, kindliness, compassion,

for good life and peace

on this day of:

Rosh Chodesh

the Festival of Matzos

the Festival of Sukkos

Shmini Atseres

this Festival

Remebrance

Remember us Adonoy, our God,

on this day for well-being;

be mindful of us on this day for blessing,

and deliver us for good life.

In accord with the promise of deliverance

and compassion,

spare us and favor us,

have compassion on us and deliver us;

for to You our eyes are directed

because You are the Almighty

Who is King, Gracious, and Merciful.

Rebuild Jerusalem,

city of the Holy Sanctuary,

speedily, in our days.

Blessed are You, Adonoy,

Builder of Jerusalem in His mercy. Amein.¹⁶

footnotes: ¹⁶ It is unusual for one to answer Amein after his own blessing. This blessing ends with Amein because it marks the end of the three blessings, authority for which is derived from Deuteronomy (8:10) and separates them from the next blessing which is Rabbinic in origin.—Maseches Berachos 45b

Blessed are You, Adonoy

our God, King of the Universe,

the Almighty, our Father, our King,

our Mighty One, our Creator, our Redeemer,

our Maker, our Holy One, Holy One of Jacob,

our Shepherd, Shepherd of Israel,

the King, Who is good and beneficent to all.

Every single day He has done good,

does good, and will do good to us.

He has rewarded us, He rewards us,

He will reward us forever with

favor, kindness, and compassion,

relief, rescue, and success,

blessing, deliverance, and consolation,

maintenance, sustenance, compassion,

life, peace, and everything good;

and of all good things

may He never deprive us.¹⁷

footnotes: ¹⁷ Many people are granted the bounties of life but are unable to enjoy them. We first invoke God’s blessing for all the good things in life and then ask Him to grant us the privilege of enjoying them.—Iyun Tefilloh.

The Merciful One will reign over us

forever and ever.

The Merciful One will be blessed

in heaven and on earth.

The Merciful One will be praised

for all generations,

He will be glorified through us

forever and for all eternity;

and He will be honored through us

for time everlasting.

May the Merciful One

maintain us with honor.

The Merciful One will break the yoke

(of oppression) from our necks

and lead us upright

to our land.

May the Merciful One send us

abundant blessing to this house,

and upon this table

at which we have eaten.

The Merciful One will send us

Elijah the prophet,

who is remembered for good,

who will announce to us

good tidings, deliverances,

and consolations.

May the Merciful One bless

my father, my teacher,

the master of this house,

and my mother, my teacher,

the mistress of this house;

them, their household,

their children

and all that is theirs.

May the Merciful One bless

me, my spouse, my children,

and all that is mine;

May the Merciful One bless

the host

and the hostess,

them, their household, their children

and all that is theirs.

May¹⁸ it be God's will that the

footnotes: ¹⁸ This blessing is quoted from the talmud (Maseches Berachos 46a). It has been omitted in most Siddurim. The Mishnah Berura (201:5) takes issue with its omission. We have incorporated it in this edition.

host not be shamed

in this world

or humiliated in the World to Come.

May he have great success

with all his possessions.

May his properties and ours prosper

and be located close to town.

May no evil force have power over

his endeavors

or our endeavors.

May no opportunity present itself

not before him

nor before us

to contemplate

[committing any] sin,

transgression or iniquity

from now forever.

Ours and all that is ours—

just as our forefathers were blessed—

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—

“In all things,”19 “From everything,”²⁰

footnotes: ²⁰ Isaac said: “I have partaken from everything.” Genesis 27:33

and “With everything”;²¹

footnotes: ²¹ Jacob said: “I have everything.” Genesis 33:11

so may He bless us,

all of us together, with a perfect blessing

and let us say Amein.

From on high,

may there be invoked upon them

and upon us, [the] merit

to insure peace,

And may we receive a blessing from Adonoy,

and kindness

from the God of our deliverance;

and may we find favor and understanding

in the eyes of God and man.

On Shabbos say:

May the Merciful One let us inherit

the day which will be completely Shabbos

and rest, for life everlasting.

On Rosh Chodesh say:

May the Merciful One renew for us

this month

for good and for blessing.

On Yom Tov say:

May the Merciful One let us inherit

that day which is completely good.

On Rosh Hashonoh say:

May the Merciful One renew for us

this year

for good and for blessing.

On Sukkos say:

May the Merciful One raise up for us

the fallen Tabernacle of David.

May the Merciful One make us worthy

of the days of the Messiah

and life of the World to Come.

He who is a tower of deliverance

to His king,²²

footnotes: ²² During weekdays when we feel the darkness of exile we say: “God gives deliverance to His king,” thus acknowledging His preparation for the time of redemption. On Shabbos and Yom Tov which are reminiscent of the time of the Messiah, when God will be a tower of deliverance, we state it as a fact.

He who gives great deliverance to His king,

and shows kindness to His anointed—

to David and his descendants forever.²³

footnotes: ²³ II Samuel 22:51

He Who makes peace in His high heavens

may He make peace for us

and for all Israel, and say, Amein.

Fear Adonoy, [you] His holy ones,

for those who fear Him suffer no deprivation.

Young lions may feel want and hunger,

but those who seek Adonoy,

will not be deprived of any good thing.²⁴

footnotes: ²⁴ Psalms 34:10-11

Give thanks to Adonoy, for He is good,

for His kindness endures forever.²⁵

footnotes: ²⁵ Psalms 136:1

You open Your hand

and satisfy the desire of every living being.²⁶

footnotes: ²⁶ Psalms 145:16

Blessed is the man

who trusts in Adonoy,

so that Adonoy is his security.²⁷

footnotes: ²⁷ Jeremiah 17:7

I was young and I have grown old,

yet I have never seen

a righteous man forsaken,

nor his children begging for bread.²⁸

footnotes: ²⁸ Psalms 37:25

Adonoy will give strength to His people,

Adonoy will bless His people with peace.²⁹

footnotes: ²⁹ Psalms 29:11

Blessed are You, Adonoy

King of the Universe,

Who gave Shabbosos for rest

to His people Israel with love

for a sign and a covenant.

Blessed are You, Adonoy

Sanctifier of Shabbos.

Blessed are You, Adonoy

King of the Universe,

Who gave Rosh Chodesh days

to His people Israel for remembrance.

Blessed are You, Adonoy

King of the Universe,

Who gave Shabbosos for rest

to His people Israel with love

for a sign and a covenant.

and Rosh Chodesh days for remembrance.

Blessed are You, Adonoy

Sanctifier of Shabbos,

Israel and Rosh Chodesh.

Blessed are You, Adonoy

King of the Universe,

Who gave Yomim Tovim

to His people Israel for happiness and joy,

this day of (name the Yom Tov)

Blessed are You, Adonoy,

Sanctifier of Israel and the seasons.

Blessed are You, Adonoy

King of the Universe,

Who gave Shabbosos for rest

to His people Israel with love

for a sign and a covenant.

and Yomim Tovim

for happiness and joy,

this day of (name the Yom Tov)

Blessed are You, Adonoy

Sanctifier of Shabbos' Israel,

and the seasons.

Blessed are You, Adonoy

King of the Universe,

Who gave Festivals

to His people Israel for remembrance.

Blessed are You, Adonoy

King of the Universe,

Who gave Shabbosos for rest

to His people Israel with love

for a sign and a covenant.

and Yomim Tovim Israel for remembrance.

Blessed are You, Adonoy

Sanctifier of Shabbos' Israel,

and the dat of remembrance.