Shirat Machar: Hear my Prayer
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Rabbi Avraham Bar Ya'akov Ben Tuah (b. 16th century Algeria) was a modest man, a brilliant scholar, an esteemed lawmaker, and a talented poet. The piyut "I Will Arise to Write Poetry" was a special plea sung before the High Holiday prayers. The prayer leader, just moments before he arising to sing prayers on behalf of his congregation, implored that the God of justice and mercy would hear and answer his prayers. This piyut turns both to the image of the One who sits in heaven as well as the image of the One who creates on the earth, and to all artisans who arise daily to do their work and rise up in song.
The piyut is included in "Poteach Sha'ar" ("Opening the Gate"), an Israeli machzor for Yom Kippur, published by the Masorti Movement.
I will write poetry, and sing my appeal,
to the God of splendor
I will sing to Him, and I will beg,
and I will shed a tear
In desperation I cry for help, let my help come fast,
speed up my salvation
My misdeeds will be forgiven, my illnesses healed,
my wickedness pardoned
When I call, "Answer me, God of justice, Hear my prayer"
I will be cloaked in apprehension, wrapped in trembling,
filled with fear
When I give Him my thanks, as I stand together
with the upright and honest
Take mercy with your grace, turn to your servant,
and grant him pity
God, for your sake, I will stand innocent in your court,
and you will forgive the guilty.
When I call, "Answer me, God of justice, Hear my prayer"
to the God of splendor
I will sing to Him, and I will beg,
and I will shed a tear
In desperation I cry for help, let my help come fast,
speed up my salvation
My misdeeds will be forgiven, my illnesses healed,
my wickedness pardoned
When I call, "Answer me, God of justice, Hear my prayer"
I will be cloaked in apprehension, wrapped in trembling,
filled with fear
When I give Him my thanks, as I stand together
with the upright and honest
Take mercy with your grace, turn to your servant,
and grant him pity
God, for your sake, I will stand innocent in your court,
and you will forgive the guilty.
When I call, "Answer me, God of justice, Hear my prayer"
"Akum Le'Shorer"
Lyrics: Rabbi Abraham Ben Toa (16th Century)
Melody: Roy Levi and Shirat Machar 2013
Musical Direction and Arrangement: Dror Alexander
Production and Educational Coordinator: Amishar Frutkoff
Sound: Roi Ozeri
Recorded at "Martef" Studios, Tel Aviv
Directed and Filmed by: Avigail Roubini
Shirat Machar 2013 Members:
Hallel Allon, Yael Sirkis, Liat Tamir, Micha Silverman, Micol Valsky,
Amiel Cooper, Ofer Gordon, Roni Ziporen, Shira Krupat.
Dedicated with Love to Cindi Hasit by her friends, family and Shirat Machar.
לֵאלהֵֹי תְהִלָּתִי.
נֶגְדוֹ אֲרַנֵּן, וְגַם אֶתְחַנֵּן
וְאַזִּיל דִּמְעָתִי, יִשְׁעִי לְשַׁוְעָתִי
יְמַהֵר יִשְׁעִי, יָחִישׁ יְשׁוּעָתִי
יְכַפֵּר מַעֲלִי, יִרְפָּא מַחֲלִי
יִמְחֹל רִשְׁעָתִי.
בְּקָָרְאִי עֲנֵנִי, אֱלהֵֹי צִדְקִי
וּשְׁמַע תְּפִלָּתִי, וּשְׁמַע תְּפִלָּתִי.
אֶלְבַּשׁ חֲרָדָה אֶעֱטֶה רְעָדָה
וְרבֹ פַּחַד וְאֵימִים
בְּתֵת לוֹ תּוֹדָה בְּעָָמְדִי בָּעֵדָה
יְשָׁרִים תְּמִימִים.
רַחוּם בְּחַסְדְּךָ תִּפְנֶה לְעַבְדְּךָ
וְתִתֵּן לִי רַחֲמִים.
הָאֵל לְמַעֲנְךָ אֶזְכֶּה בְדִינְךָ
וּמְחַל נָא אֲשֵׁמִים.
בְּקָָרְאִי עֲנֵנִי, אֱלהֵֹי צִדְקִי
וּשְׁמַע תְּפִלָּתִי, וּשְׁמַע תְּפִלָּתִי.
How are You Celebrating Israel?
