Translation:Fast day piyyutim

Tenth of Tevet

Ezkera Matzok (אֶזְכְּרָה מָצוֹק אֲשֶׁר קְרָאַנִי)

I shall recall the distress which occurred to me.
I suffered three blows in this month.
I was torn, confined, and smitten.
Indeed, He has now made me weary.
I was crushed on the eighth day [of Tevet] right and left.
Due to three events I declared a fast.
The Greek king forced me to write the Torah in Greek.
My back was plowed over; the furrow was made long.
I was made bitter on the ninth day of the month with shame and degradation.
The coat of splendor and brightness was torn from upon me.
The one who spoke beautifully was torn up on it
- Ezra the scribe.
On the tenth day was commanded [Ezekiel] ben Buzi the prophet:
"Write for yourself in the book of prophecy,
As a remembrance for the lowly and despised people,
[The date of] this very day."
Due to the order of months, the [fast of] the tenth [month] was written last [in Zechariah 8:19]. [Even though historically, the siege happened before the destruction.]
In lamentation and moaning I will open my mouth,
The list of tragedies will burn in my heart,
For the escapee came and told me "The city Jerusalem has been taken."
For these, I have spread dust on my face.
I have cried out for these four [events] as if an arrow were shot into my heart.
My distress over them has dug me a grave.
Hashem is righteous, and I have rejected His command.
I call out Your name, regretting my evil.
See my poverty, and hear the sound of my appeal.
Hear my plea; hasten to save me.
Do not hide your ear from my sighing and cry.
In the month of Tevet I was greatly afflicted.
The [good] nature of its ways changed upon me.
I strayed and sinned; may He reveal its goodness to me.
He who said to the sea: "Only this far shall you go."

Even Harosha (אֶבֶן הָרֹאשָׁה לְעִיִּים וְלַחֲרִישָׁה)

The capstone [Jerusalem], has become ruins and plowed fields.
Those who inherited [the land], have become a cause for head-shaking among the nations.
Within me my heart is pained, aching, and grieved.
We are left as without a father, we are like orphans.
[The people that was] soft and delicate, bedecked with lilies,
Now she is suffering, delivered to her attackers.
The faithful city has become like a widow.
The uncountable offspring [of Jacob], have been sold and not for money.
She who was delicate and soft, primed for royalty,
Her fasting has stretched out for many years and days.
The house of Jacob has become despised, mocked, and disparaged.
The happy city has been planted over with vineyards.
She has been sated with poison by the evildoers,
She who was as desirable as burnt-offerings and the incense of spices.
She despised and neglected the Torah of Moses,
She has not found rest in night or day.
O awe-inspiring supreme God, may it be Your desire
To repair Zion's injustice, grant a year of recompense.
Restore our days as of old, O ancient God from your dwelling place,
Whiten like wool the redness, and like snow the stains.
Strengthen us in our fear [of You], and in performance of your Torah.
And bestow upon us your salvation, O God who is full of mercy.

Avotai Ki Batkhu (אֲבוֹתַי כִּי בָטְחוּ בְּשֵׁם אֱלֹהֵי צוּרִי)

My ancestors, when they trusted in the name of my God, my Rock,
Grew and succeeded and were fruitful.
But ever since they became corrupted and cruel,
They steadily declined through the tenth month.

In the tenth month the Babylonian king encircled [Jerusalem],
He besieged the holy city, when it rebelled against Heaven.
I was trampled and afflicted by chains.
Each month my lyre's song became a dirge. {"My ancestors"}

[Israel's] first fruits were the first to be taken.
She mentioned the name of other gods, and sin caused [punishment].
She ignored God's face and was swept away.
At that time, a cry like a first-birthing woman rose to heaven. {"My ancestors..."}

God brought a day of evil and siege.
He bid my enemies around me to cut down my children.
The day my heart was weakened, and there was no strength to stop things.
He spoke to the prophet [Ezekiel]: "Liken them to the house of rebellion." {"My ancestors..."}

The robe was removed from those [judges] who sat in the city gate.
His anger burned like fire, and He lifted up the crown from them.
From the [Temple] likened to the forest of Lebanon, He threw off its splendor.
A gale and storm wind made the hair of my flesh stand on end. {"My ancestors..."}

You [Jerusalem] were called "most beautiful", but now are mournful.
Because you stumbled in sin, and your heart turned backwards.
You were attacked from behind and overcome, once and a second time.
You were not bandaged with healing balm. {"My ancestors..."}

The Righteous Innocent Rock gave up forgiving sin.
From the cherub, to the [Temple] threshold, to the roof's corner departed [the Shechina].
Due to the stain of sin, and the cry [of the oppressed] which reached [Him].
Their evil was numerous like a fruit-producing tree. {"My ancestors..."}

He strengthened all my attackers with the report of my sins.
For my days were full of evil doings.
In my embarrassing youth, I forgot the gifts
He gave me - my bread and water, my linen and wool. {"My ancestors..."}

My attackers opened their mouths and swallowed my inheritance.
They utterly defeated me, drank my blood and swallowed.
Foreigners besieged me and did evil to my brothers.
Those who said "Raze it, Raze it", the children of Seir the Horite. {"My ancestors..."}

They said "Lets us annihilate them and put an end to their memory."
O zealous vengeful God, repay them, let them take what they have earned.
Repay according to their deeds, let them be shamed by their burden.
Like the man who dreamed of carrying three baskets of [Pharaoh's] bread. {"My ancestors..."}

My injury has not been soothed, my wound is deadly.
And my eye has become dim waiting for my splendid Beloved.
Will His anger never subside?
What makes Him act thus, what is the anger? {"My ancestors"}

My merciful God, do not neglect us forever.
The days of my mourning have lengthened, my heart is still distressed.
Return, God, to my tent [the Temple]; do not remain in Your place.
End the days of my mourning, when I come for my compensation. {"My ancestors"}

O Lord, my Portion, hurry to help me.
Undo my sackcloth, dress me in happiness.
Light up my darkness, with Your light
the darkness of my longing, for You are my lamp. {"My ancestors"}

From grief and moaning redeem, God, my soul.
Make a release for your nation, my holy King.
Change the fast of the fifth month to comfort,
The fasts of the fourth and tenth months to rejoicing and happiness. {"My ancestors"}

Fast of Esther

Adam Bekum Aleinu (אָדָם בְּקוּם עָלֵינוּ חִיל אֲחָזַתְנוּ לִרְעוֹד)

When a man [Haman] rose up against us, trembling gripped us.
When he attached himself by flattery to the king, we almost stumbled.
It was decided to sell us out, for their mutual benefit, with none to support us.
They said: "Let us wipe them out from among the nations, and let not the name of Israel be mentioned again."
I lifted up my eyes to Heaven, I asked You to curse my enemies.
For their name and existence to be cut off, and their name to be wiped out.
To oppress my oppressors with the schemes they planned.
They said, "The Lord will not see, the God of Jacob will not understand."
He oppressed and assaulted them, but not intending to wipe them out.
They had sinned, and by removal of [Ahashverosh's] ring [for Haman] He oppressed them to sicken them.
He upheld His good word, to uplift them before the nations.
In the land of their enemies, He did not despise or reject them or wipe them out.
He informed the events to the numerous and righteous people.
He wrote subtly "I will surely hide" and "flowing myrrh" [Torah references to Mordechai and Esther]
"The next day the manna stopped" "from the tree" [Torah references to Haman's hanging]
In place of the thorn grew the cypress, in place of the briar grew the myrtle.
He [Ahashverosh] who listened to false words wrote a painful decree.
He wrapped himself in robes, upon miscalculating the end [of 70 years from the Temple's destruction].
He arranged to use various vessels from the Temple.
Satan, too, came to stand among them.
The people in Shushan, upon eating the meal of their disgrace -
He [Ahashverosh] opened his mouth to accuse them and entrust them to their servant [Haman].
The Rock agreed to write a letter to destroy their hope.
He thought to make an end of them, to wipe out their memory from humanity.
The holy ministering angels cried out loud bitterly.
"Merciful One, consider the covenant, do not break or reject it."
God's heritage [Israel] heard, and wore clothes of widowhood and distress.
She put her hand on her head, and went around crying out.
[Elijah] put on sackcloth, and a wrap around his legs.
He hurried to alert the sleepers of Machpelah, the three Patriarchs.
He urged the shepherd [Moses], "Why are you sleeping! Wake up!
Rise, call on your God, perhaps He will reconsider."
He told [Mordechai] of the decree that was made.
From Nineveh they learned that even after a decree Divine anger could be nullified.
[Mordechai] banged on the doors of the school.
He covered himself with a sack, and sat on ashes.
For three days, children lay before him fasting and hungry.
With the voice of Jacob, he hoped to overcome the impudent one [Haman].
He lifted up his hands faithfully to God: "Save me from disgrace.
Lest he comes and strikes me down, mother upon children."
On each side, children of my leaders and rabbis.
All cried out, and their plea rose up to the Lord.
The Lord said, when the cry and request came before Him,
"What is this sound of the flock in my ears?"
The shepherd answered him: "They are children from the holy lineage.
O Lord, save those who are to be killed by the evil enemy."
The Compassionate One, His mercy was aroused and He wished to cry over the event.
When the King of Israel read the decree, it was torn.
[Mordechai] hung [Haman's] sons below, and their father above.
Each man took up three cubits, and a fourth cubit air between them. [11 bodies in 50 cubits]
[Mordechai] saw the vengeance, and rejoiced and gave praise.
"I was returned to my position, and he was hung."
Esther wrote the command to read [the Megillah] as with songs of praise.
From above was ratified what the beloved ones had decided below.
The miracle was publicized, bearing witness to the wonder.
At that time, comfort and salvation came to the Jews.

Ata Ha'el (אַתָּה הָאֵל עוֹשֵׂה פְלָאוֹת)

You are the God who does wonders.
Among the peoples, You made known Your great awe.
You redeemed with Your arm Your people from suffering.
You subjugated their enemies with deadly plagues.
The enemy rose up to create strife.
He intended to cut off the children of the gentle ones.
He planned to take for the royal treasuries
[Vessels] made from a hundred silver Tabernacle sockets.
You warned Your flock to contribute their [half-]shekels.
You knew the future, and asked for preparation
To allow the burning flame to be extinguished,
Those taken to die, to be granted life.
They had once worshiped a worthless idol.
The grape tendrils and vines [Israel] were set to be slaughtered.
Obstacles surrounded them on all sides.
They eyes were lifted up to You, they hid within Your shelter.
The lot reversed itself, and the enemies were subdued.
Gallows were prepared to receive the Agagite.
[God] attacked and destroyed [Haman], covering his face.
The people's enemies were covered in darkness.
Peace and truth were inscribed for all.
Strength, salvation, the rock and the fortress.
The robber was robbed, he was caught in his net.
My slanderer was washed away, smashed, and scorned.
Celebration was made, and fixed for all generations.
Verses [mentioning destruction of Amalek] appeared in three places, not four. [see Megillah 7a]
It was agreed to Above, and written explicitly below.
In a scroll was inscribed what they had decided.
You lifted up Your hand to forgive sinners.
[Mordechai] and Esther You made into rescuers.
Their delightful righteousness stands forever.
The details of their honor are recorded for the saved ones.
Be zealous for Your name, awe-inspiring and holy one.
See how Your vineyard has been destroyed and trampled.
Gather our exiles, and song to You will be renewed.
Lift them up and revive them with the construction of the Temple.
Just as you did wonders in those days,
Do wonders with us, for an eternal salvation.
Find before You atonement and comfort.
O God who sits on a throne of mercy.

Bimtei Mispar (בִּמְתֵי מִסְפָּר חִלִּינוּ פָנֶיךָ)

Poor in number, we beseech you.
Do not ignore the plea of the broken ones.
Listen to their request, from Your heavens.
As in the days of Mordechai and Esther when You saved Your children.

You are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.
You listen to their plea and hear their cry.
You hold ready and prepare a treatment for their wound.
To do good for them, to settle their cities. {Poor in number...}

The attacker and enemy [Haman] narrowed his eyes.
He opened his mouth to trample the humble ones.
He set himself against His people to destroy His numerous nation.
He wrote in his letter to destroy the chosen people. {Poor in number...}

O avenger of oppressors and begrudger of enemies,
You calculated the punishment due to them for what they planned against the beloved ones.
The fighter and his offspring were hung impaled.
Like in a chain of fish they were strung together. {Poor in number...}

On the day which the oppressors hoped
To perform a slaughter among God's protected people,
The law was changed and they fell as corpses.
They were burnt, disfavored, defeated, and attacked. {Poor in number...}

Therefore, let Your name be lifted up and exalted.
Your splendor covers the heavens
When you lift up the humble ones, who are left to destruction.
Your praise covers the world to its very ends. {Poor in number...}

Consider our current disgrace, and see our suffering.
Rise up in Your anger against the oppressing enemy.
O Lord, we have called out to You from our distress.
Please deliver us to comfort, and release us from the enemy. {Poor in number...}

Grant us an immense amount of forgiveness.
Listen to prayer, and remove our misconduct.
Make our oppressors reconcile with us, and throw our sins into the depths.
May Your mercy not be withheld from us. {Poor in number...}

Seventeenth of Tammuz

Atanu Lecha (אָתָאנוּ לְךָ יוֹצֵר רוּחוֹת)

We have come to You, creator of souls.
Through our numerous sins, our moaning has become heavy.
Evil decrees have strengthened, and screaming has become frequent.
For on the 17th of Tammuz the tablets were broken.
We have been exiled from the Temple.
Our judgment was sealed, and the decree finalized.
Light has disappeared from before us.
For on the 17th of Tammuz the Torah scroll was burnt.
Our enemies have destroyed the Temple.
The Shechinah has fled from the corner of the Temple.
We were delivered to evildoers to be consumed.
For on the 17th of Tammuz an idol was erected in the Temple.
We have been exiled from city to city.
Our great ones and youths have been taken captive.
Our city was destroyed, and fire burned in it.
For on the 17th of Tammuz the city [wall] was breached.
The destroying enemy mocked our Temple.
Arm-rings and bracelets were taken from the groom and bride.
Since we angered You, we were given over to destruction.
For on the 17th of Tammuz the daily sacrifice was halted.
All glory and praise left us.
The enemy drew his sword to stab us.
For children and infants to be prepared for slaughter.
For on the 17th of Tammuz burnt-offerings and peace-offerings were halted.
We rebelled against He who dwells in heaven.
Therefore we were scattered in all directions.
Our dance has become lamentation.
For on the 17th of Tammuz the sacrifices were halted.
We rebelled before You with strifeful speech.
Therefore our tongue has learned to recite lamentations.
We were abandoned, with none to take account of us.
For on the 17th of Tammuz our sins caused us [punishment].
We were scattered, unable to find comfort.
Therefore our sighs have multiplied.
O Rock, see that our soul has been lowered.
And turn the 17th of Tammuz for us into rejoicing and happiness.
We stiffened our neck and suffered great destruction.
For that, we were delivered to plunder and subjugation.
See, O Lord, and rescue us from destruction.
And turn the 17th of Tammuz for us into happiness and rejoicing.
Give heed to us, He who dwells above.
Gather our exiles from the ends of the world.
Say to Zion, "Rise up".
And turn the 17th of Tammuz for us to a day of salvation and comfort.

Amarer Bevchi (אֲמָרֵר בְּבֶכִי מִפְּנֵי יָד שְׁלוּחָה בְּעִי)

I shall cry bitterly due to the hand stretched out against the destroyed city [Jerusalem].
Over my angering Him in His house, over my betrayal and robbery.
[God's presence] departed and fled, and made ten successive journeys, before rising to the seventh heaven.
He silenced me, pained me, and set me aflame in the fourth month.
He brought an occasion on which to break my young men, who were likened to fig branches.
He twice performed great amounts of squeezing and pulping.
In the Temple, the complacent women sung to and cried over the [idol] Tammuz.
[God] judged me guilty and turned hostile against me in that month of Tammuz.
Five traps were set for me, the list of troubles sent against me.
I was overcome with impurity on the 17th of that month.
For I was ensnared like a bride shamed [by her adultery] within the very huppah of contentment and success.
I did not wait for my shepherd [Moses] once six [hours of the 40th day] had passed, and the tablets were broken.
His hand stripped me of jewelry, gold, arm-bands, and bracelets.
They were cast aside on the day of His anger, when my corrupt ways led to destruction.
I stopped upholding the order of His service and the fruit for His altar.
Therefore, the daily sacrifice from the chamber of lambs was ended.
The oppressed, storm-tossed [people] was broken apart and scattered.
Likened to a ship without a captain, a boat that was wrecked.
For her sin, she took punishment on her head, and as a second measure [of punishment], mourning and moaning.
Her enemies multiplied greatly, and the city was breached in the second [Temple period].
She was exiled like a chased gazelle with none to conceal it.
They sharpened their tongues, they made her like a lamb whose wool and fat were for the taking.
She cried out over the precious vessel with which she was crowned:
The desire of her eyes was taken, when Apostomus burned the Torah scroll.
The foolish [oppressor] shamed the oppressed and crushed ones, to cause them pain.
They were degraded by [the Torah's curses:] "They shall be consumed", and "I shall hide My face" from seeing.
One of two disgusting [idols] paid with its hand when the other [idol fell against it and] was destroyed. [see Taanit 28b]
When an idol was brought into the Temple and erected.
The children who had once been first were overcome with mourning.
Their troubles have come one after the other for many years.
Afflicted by [nations like] the bees and various scorpions,
who say: "Their hope is lost, their future has disappeared into darkness."
O zealous God, who has refrained from acting when those who provoke You are fat and thriving.
Those who await You - raise them upright, standing forever
like saplings, and bound to You in love.
"Truth and peace" is inscribed regarding the fasts. [see Zechariah 8:19]
Let them forever become occasions of happiness and rejoicing, festive occasions.

She'eh Ne'esar (שְׁעֵה נֶאֱסַר אֲשֶׁר נִמְסַר)

Give heed to the captive who has been handed over to Babylonia and Edom.
Who yearns and longs for You, and begs like a young child.
The day the enemy overcame, and the city was breached.

Over this I bend down and clasp my hands, on the day he scattered me with five [blows].
On the occasion of the [golden] calf, I lost the tablets.
Also, the daily sacrifice was ended and I was brought caged [to exile].
An idol was placed in the Temple, and His counsel was withheld from me.
The grain-offering was abandoned, and the enemy burned your Torah in fire.
I am greatly panged and pained on the day that God subdued me.
The snake from the north [Babylonia] overwhelmed me like a flood.
The light has dimmed, and Babylonia rolled me up like a ball.
The trapper has taken hold of me, the young goat. {"The day..."}

O splendor of my heart, my exalted one, will Your anger burn forever?
Will you not see the weary people which has been darkened as in a furnace?
Repair my breaches through the [coming of the] Messiah; from the thorns take out a lily.
Build Your dwelling place, return [us to] the border, the Carmel and the Bashan.
Open Your eye; take revenge against the sons of Edom.
Recompense the mute one; let the consumer the burner pay. {"The day..."}