Liturgy zu Amos 9:16

Praise God! He builds levels in the heavens¹²Amos 9:4. Radak explains that this refers to the nine celestial spheres which surround the earth and, thereby, constitute the heavens. and waters the mountains with clouds¹³Tehillim 104:13. Radak explains that this verse is based upon Bereishis 2:6, “And a cloud arose from the land and watered the ground below.” He provided a remembrance for his miracles¹⁴Tehillim 111:4. The phrase, as it appears in Tehillim, refers to remembrances of the miracles performed during the exodus from Egypt, (the specific remembrance is, however, disputed. Rashi says that it refers to the holidays and Sabbath). In this piyut, however, it might have a more general connotation. and counts all the actions of men.¹⁵I Shmuel, 2:3. Therefore will He be exalted He constructed a roof above the waters above the sky.¹⁶Tehillim 104:3. The construction of the heavens is described by the commentators to Tehillim 104:3 and Bereishis Rabbah. On the second day of creation, Hashem established the sky within the waters which subsequently separated the “upper waters” from the “lower waters.” Above the upper waters which lie above the sky, a ceiling or roof was placed.

Praise God! He preserves the righteousness of men for [two] thousand generations.⁴⁵Shemos 34:7. According to Rashi the verse refers to the good deeds performed by man rather than to the righteousness of Hashem. Thus He preserves the merit of their righteousness for generations. He battles His enemies in each generation; He will restore the dwelling of His anointed enclosing its breaches.⁴⁶Amos 9:11 The specific meaning of the word לִגְדוֹר in this piyut is not clear. According to Radak and Malbim, it can refer to the Jewish people or to the House of Dovid, thus indicating that Hashem will mend the breaches of our people or those in the royal family of Dovid. Some commentaries say that סֻכַּת מְשִׁיחוֹ refers to the Holy Temple and לִגְדוֹר indicates that its walls will be built solidly to last forever. See Mateh Levi. The light dwells with Him, in His Habitation,⁴⁷See Daniel 2:22. The meaning of the word “light” is not clear in this context. Perhaps it refers to the “Or haganuz” (אוֹר הַגָנוּז) the hidden light which Hashem hid away during the Six Days of Creation to be used for the benefit of the righteous in the World to Come. therefore will He be exalted. This is His Name from generation to generation.

He builds levels in the heavens¹²Amos 9:4. Radak explains that this refers to the nine celestial spheres which surround the earth and, thereby, constitute the heavens.

enclosing its breaches.⁴⁶Amos 9:11 The specific meaning of the word לִגְדוֹר in this piyut is not clear. According to Radak and Malbim, it can refer to the Jewish people or to the House of Dovid, thus indicating that Hashem will mend the breaches of our people or those in the royal family of Dovid. Some commentaries say that סֻכַּת מְשִׁיחוֹ refers to the Holy Temple and לִגְדוֹר indicates that its walls will be built solidly to last forever. See Mateh Levi.