Liturgy על בראשית 1:32

Torah (Genesis 1:1-5)

Source of all energy and power! Who could possibly duplicate Your mighty works? You constructed chambers above the cold waters,¹⁹See Tehillim 104:3, Bereishis Rabbah 4:1. The construction of the heavens is described by the commentators to Tehillim 104:3, and in 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, a “ceiling” or “roof” was placed. This is the meaning of the verse. (See Metsudah, Radak, ibid.). and placed the globe in space.²⁰Job 27:7; the original word, as it appears in Job, is the verb “תּוֹלֶה” meaning “to suspend.” When the world was filled with total darkness²¹The three words חשֶׁךְ-צַלְמָוֶת-עֵיפָה are found in Job 10:21—22 and are all expressions for darkness (See Malbim ibid.). You wrapped yourself in Your garment,²²Tehillim 18:29. The creation of light is so described in Bereishis Rabbah 3:4. radiating with morning light. You divided the impetuous waters with an awesome, crystal-like sky;²³Yechezkel 1:22. and gathered them into the depths so they would not cover the dry land.²⁴Tehillim 104:9. You uncovered the surface of the earth,²⁵Bereishis 1:11—12. The phraseology is based upon Tehillim 88:13, Shir Hashirim 6:11. and brought forth vegetation. You planted a garden in the East for those who praise you.²⁶Bereishis 2:8. This refers to the righteous who will occupy Gan Eden in the World to Come. Great luminaries You placed in the sky²⁷This refers to the sun and the moon. The phraseology is based upon Tehillim 150:1. along with host of stars and constellations; which You commanded [to illuminate the world]. An abundance of swimming creatures [fish]²⁸Yeshaya 25:11. and flying creatures [birds etc.]²⁹Devorim 28:49. You created from the palm of Your hand³⁰Yeshaya 40:12.; and the Leviathan which You reserved for the feast of Torah scholars.³¹This feast will be in the World to Come. The Livyoson is discussed in detail in Pirkei D’Rabbi Eliezer 9. The congealed ground brought forth insects and animals; the wild-ox dwelling in swamps and reeds You reserved for the meal of the righteous.³²Vayikra Rabbah 24:10. The Midrash relates that this wild ox will be served to the righteous in the World to Come. You prepared food and drink even before there was anyone to feast.³³Since Adam was not created until the sixth day, everything in the world was already prepared for him. You then formed man from clay in the likeness of Your image and breathed into him a pure soul from your “Zevul.”³⁴The Talmud, Maseches Chagigah (12a) describes זְבוּל (Zevul) as being one of the seven heavens. You caused him to sleep, and from his side You fashioned a helpmate for him.³⁵Bereishis 2:20—22. This refers to the creation of Chavah, Eve, the first woman, who was created from Adam’s side. You commanded him not to eat from the tree of knowledge. He foolishly violated Your command, because he was enticed by the snake. He was punished that only by the sweat of his brow would he gain his sustenance. Woman [was punished] with painful childbirth and the cunning [snake] would forever eat dirt. You congealed his [Adam's] seed in the womb of she [Eve] who desired him. She became pregnant and gave birth to a farmer and a shepherd.³⁶This refers to Kayin and Hevel, see Bereishis 4:2. They brought You a sacrifice and a gift.³⁷The verse seems to imply that both Kayin and Hevel brought gifts and sacrifices, but in Bereishis 4:3,4 it is clear that Kayin brought vegetables and Hevel brought sheep as sacrifices. You were angered with that of the oldest, but pleased with the offering of the youngest.³⁸Bereishis 4:45. Without mercy, he [Cain] killed Abel³⁹Bereishis 4:8. The phraseology is adapted from Amos 1:11. He pleaded for Your forgiveness, and You set a saving mark upon him.⁴⁰Bereishis 4:15. Hashem inscribed a letter from His Name upon Kayin’s forehead. (Rashi) At the third generation of man,⁴¹This refers to the generation of Chanoch. See Bereishis 4:26. people began to worship You through idols.⁴²See Sifri Devorim 43; the use of the expression “worshipped You through idols” is elaborated upon in detail in the Rambam’s Mishnah Torah at the beginning of the Laws of Idolatry (Avodah Zarah). The dreaded flood waters, You summoned, and they were drowned and destroyed. An arrogant generation erred and dared tell You to go away.⁴³This refers to the generation of the flood. Midrash Tanchumah (Bereishis 12) says that during this generation there lived a race of giants who worshipped the sun and the moon, and subsequently told Hashem to “go away.” They were tossed about by the boiling water; they were burned and scalded.⁴⁴The Talmud, Maseches Rosh Hashanah (12a) says that the generation of the flood was destroyed by a flood of boiling water. The Midrash Vayikra Rabbah 7:6 states that this punishment corresponded to their sin of pride and arrogance. Noah, who was commanded to build an ark, an ark of gopher-wood, was delivered when You enclosed him within.⁴⁵Bereishis 6:14, Bereishis 7:16. The Torah says that Hashem closed the door of the ark after Noach entered. His sons, You made fruitful and they filled the face of the earth. A united people conspired to build a tower unto the heavens.⁴⁶This refers to the Dor Hahaphlaga the “generation of division” which built the Migdal Bavel, the “Tower of Bavel.” Being of one language, they were united in speech and hence, subsequently, in conspiracy (Bereishis 11:1). They were entrapped by their evil action, and were scattered about the earth⁴⁷Bereishis 11:8. as if by a violent wind. Your loved one [Avraham]⁴⁸Yeshaya 41:8. who came “across the river,”⁴⁹The word עִבְרִי “Ivri” refers to the fact that Avraham came from the other side of the river. made famous Your Name in the world.⁵⁰See Bereishis 12:8 and the commentary of Ibn Ezra (ibid). The son of his old age, [Yitzchak] he offered to You in sacrifice. Like a perfect, unblemished lamb Yaakov was chosen; he who was without blemish.⁵¹In Bereishis 25:27, Yaakov is called תָּם “Tam” which Rashi interprets as denoting “equal in tongue and heart.” He desired to sit in tents⁵²This refers to the period when Yaakov studied in the Yeshivos of Shem and Aver (See Rashi ibid.). and followed you. Righteous children You brought forth from him, all of whom stayed true to their heritage, none ever deviating. To serve You, You desired Levi, Your pious one.⁵³Devorim 33:8. After the sin of the golden calf, Hashem chose the tribe of Levi to serve inthe Tabernacle because they did not participate in the sin. From his tribe, You chose one [Aharon] to be Your holiest;⁵⁴This refers to Aharon and his sons who came from the tribe of Levi and were chosen to become the priests. to wear the holy mitre and the Urim VeTumim,⁵⁵Vayikra 8:8—9. These were worn by the High Priest during his service. and to dwell inside the Tabernacle for seven days.⁵⁶Before the final consecration of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, the priests were confined to the Tabernacle for seven days during which time they offered sacrifices each day to become initiated into the priesthood. Upholders of the Jewish faith, [The Sanhedrin], a week before the tenth day [of Tishrei], secluded the High Priest as was done in the seven days after the completion of the Mishkan.⁵⁷Maseches Yoma, Mishnah 1:1; This law is derived from the seven days of consecration of the Mishkan during which time Aharon and his sons stayed inside of the Mishkan, see Talmud 2:9,b. The High Priest was confined to a special chamber called ‘lishkas phalhedrin’ (ibid. 2a). They sprinkled upon him water mixed with the ashes of red heifers⁵⁸Maseches Yoma, 4a, 8a. According to the Mishnah (in Para ch. 3:11), from each red heifer which was burnt, from the time of Moshe, one third of its ashes were stored away, and some of the ashes from each were used to sprinkle over the High Priest. The Rambam (1:4) states that the sprinkling took place on the third and seventh day of confinement as a precaution lest the priest had been made impure upon contact with a dead body. in order to purify him. [Each of the seven days] he sprinkled the blood of the daily sacrifices, burned the incense⁵⁹Maseches Yoma Mishnah 14a. The incense was burned twice daily, in the morning and in the afternoon. According to the Rambam the order was: sprinkling, cleaning out five wicks, burning the morning incense, then cleaning out the remaining two wicks. [upon the golden altar in the Sanctuary,] and cleaned away the ashes, [from the wicks of the Menorah], [he did these things] to acquaint himself with the daily service.⁶⁰This was because the entire service on Yom Kippur was performed exclusively by the High Priest. See Rambam (Ch. 1:2,5). As it was written in Your Torah: As it was done on this day, Adonoy commanded that it be done to atone for you.

Almighty, Master over all [created] works, blessed [is He]²²Hashem is the source of all blessing, and is blessed even without the blessing of man. and He is blessed by the mouth of every soul. His greatness and goodness fill the world, perception and understanding surround Him. He is most high, over the holy chayos,²³Chayos are angels which exist eternally, unlike other angels which exist for short periods for specific functions. and adorned in glory above the chariot;²⁴The “chariot” refers to the retinue of angels at their positions in heaven.—Siddur HaGra merit and uprightness are before His throne, kindness and mercy are before His glory.²⁵First the prayer mentions merit and uprightness, the qualities that man must acquire and live by and then it mentions kindness and mercy, the attributes with which Hashem conducts the world of man.—Avudraham Good are the luminaries which our God created He formed them with perception, understanding, and wisdom, strength and power He put into them, to be rulers²⁶See Bereishis 1:16. within the inhabited world. Full of luster and radiating brightness, beautiful is their luster throughout the world, joyous in their rising and happy in their setting, they perform with reverence, the will of their Possessor. Glory and honor, they give to His Name,²⁷The steadfastness of their orbits and the efficiency of their functions testify to Hashem’s creation and providence. Thus they reflect honor and glory to His Name.—Avudraham jubilation and joyous song at the mention of His Kingship. He called to the sun and it shone with light, He saw and fashioned²⁸Hashem saw that mankind would one day worship the sun and therefore created the moon to diminish the influence of the sun as a total force.—Avudraham the form of the moon. Praise [they] give Him, all hosts on high, glory and greatness [are given Him by] the serafim, the ofanim and the holy chayos.²⁹Ofanim, chayos and serafim refer to various classes of angels.—Avudraham

Praise God. Praise Adonoy from the sky; Praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all the stars of light. Praise Him, skies of skies, and the waters that are above the skies.²³Genesis 1:6-7 indicates that there are waters above the heavens. They will praise the Name of Adonoy, for He commanded it and they were created. He established them for all time,²⁴The heavenly bodies, unlike humans and earthly things, were created from materials that do not deteriorate.—Kuzari for as long as the world exists; He decreed it and it is unalterable.²⁵None of the heavenly bodies transgresses the Divine decree about its functions in the role for which it was created. The sun never violates its mandate to serve by day or the moon by night. According to Ibn Ezra, the verse might also be translated “He issued a decree which will not pass away,” for God’s decree is permanent and immutable. Praise Adonoy from the earth, sea-monsters and all [that dwell in] the depths. Fire and hail, snow and vapor, stormwind, [all] fulfilling His word. The mountains and all the hills, fruit trees and all cedars. Wild beasts and all animals, creeping things and winged fowl. Earthly kings and all peoples, ministers and all earthly judges. Young men and also maidens, elders together with lads.²⁶Elders and youngsters praise God together while the young men must be separated from the maidens. In the Temple separate facilities were erected for the women. So too must there be separate seating in our synagogues. They will praise the Name of Adonoy, for His Name alone is exalted; His majesty is over the earth and the skies. He will raise the might of His people, [which is] praise for all His pious ones, for the Children of Israel, the people near²⁷The fulfillment of the last two verses will take place in the Messianic era. to Him. Praise God.

Torah (Bereshit 1:6-8)

Blessed is He Who spoke, and the world came into being, blessed is He; blessed is He Who maintains the creation; blessed is He Who says and does;¹God’s saying and doing are synonymous and simultaneous as it is said, “By the word of God the heavens were made” (Psalms 33:6).—Etz Yosef blessed is He Who decrees and fulfills;²“Says and does” refers to those things that are not lasting and must be renewed whereas, “He decrees and fulfills,” refers to those things that have קיום, and last forever.—Tzelosa d’Avrohom blessed is He Who has compassion on the earth; blessed is He Who has compassion on the creatures;³Not only is God’s compassionate providence concerned with the earth and enduring things, but His compassion and providence extend even to those creatures which are destined to perish.—Avudraham blessed is He Who rewards well those who fear Him, blessed is He Who lives forever and exists eternally; blessed is He Who redeems and saves⁴God redeems those who are in captivity and saves others from being taken into captivity. blessed is His Name. Blessed are You, Adonoy, our God, King of the Universe, the Almighty, the merciful Father, Who is verbally extolled by His people, praised and glorified by the tongue of His pious ones, and His servants, and through the songs of David Your servant. We will extoll You, Adonoy our God, with praises and psalms; we will exalt, praise, and glorify You; we will mention Your Name, and proclaim You—our King, our God. Unique One, Life of the worlds, King, praised and glorified forever is His great Name. Blessed are You, Adonoy, King, Who is extolled with praises.

My soul, bless Adonoy; Adonoy, my God, You are greatly exalted; with beauty and splendor are You clothed. Enwrapped in light, garment-like, He spreads out the heavens like a curtain. He Who covers His upper chambers with water,¹This refers to the “waters that are above the skies” (Genesis 1:6-7; Psalms 148:14).—Metsudas Dovid He Who makes clouds His chariot, He Who walks upon wings of wind. He Who makes winds His messengers, flaming fires His servants. He Who established the earth upon its foundations, [so] that it shall never be moved.

My soul, bless Adonoy; Adonoy, my God, You are greatly exalted; with beauty and splendor are You clothed. Enwrapped in light, garment-like, He spreads out the heavens like a curtain. He Who covers His upper chambers with water,¹This refers to the “waters that are above the skies” (Genesis 1:6-7; Psalms 148:14).—Metsudas Dovid He Who makes clouds His chariot, He Who walks upon wings of wind. He Who makes winds His messengers, flaming fires His servants. He Who established the earth upon its foundations, [so] that it shall never be moved.

Torah (Genesis 1:9-13)

God said, “Let the water below the sky be gathered into one area, that the dry land may appear.” And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering of waters He called Seas. And God saw that this was good. And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation: seed-bearing plants, fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it.” And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation: seed-bearing plants of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that this was good. And there was evening and there was morning, a third day.

Whoever sanctifies the seventh day as befits it, Whoever preserves the Sabbath properly so as not to desecrate it— his reward is very great, commensurate with his actions; each man in his camp, each man with his banner.²⁴Numbers 1:52. Lovers of Adonoy, who yearn for the building of the Temple— on the Sabbath day be happy and rejoice, as if receiving the gift of God's inheritance. Also raise your hands in holiness and say to the Almighty: “Blessed is Adonoy Who granted rest to His people Israel.”²⁵1 Kings 8:56 Seekers of Adonoy, seed of Avrohom, His beloved, who delay departing from the Sabbath and rush to welcome it; who rejoice in preserving it and to place its eiruv²⁶An eiruv is the food which must be placed before the Shabbos in order to enable one to carry from one private domain into another. Without an eiruv the Sages forbade this carrying. An eiruv is also used to enable a person to walk beyond the 2,000-cubit Shabbos boundary. “This is the day Adonoy has made let us exult and rejoice in it.”²⁷Psalms 118:24. Remember the Torah of Moses, which states the Sabbath commandment²⁸Perfect observance of the Torah’s command to keep the Shabbos is impossible without the expositions of the Talmud, commentaries, and codes.—Etz Yosef engraved for the seventh day like a bride adorned amid her friends.²⁹The commandment of the Shabbos was engraved on the two tablets God gave Moses. As the fourth of the Ten Statements, it is surrounded by its sister-mitzvos. Pure ones inherit it and sanctify it with the words, “All that He had made”³⁰Genesis 1:31. — “And God completed by the seventh day, His work that He had done.”³¹Genesis 2:2. It is a holy day, from arrival till departure; all the seed of Jacob honor it according to the King's word and decree— to rest on it and to rejoice with the pleasure of food and drink— “The entire congregation of Israel will do it.”³²Exodus 12:47. Extend Your kindness to those who know You, Almighty, jealous and vengeful. Those who keep the seventh day, “Recall” and “Preserve,”³³There are two Scriptural versions of the Ten Commandments. The commandment of the Shabbos in Exodus 20 begins with the word זָכוֹר , recall, and in Deuteronomy 5 it begins with the word שָׁמוֹר , preserve.—Etz Yosef to fulfill, grant them joy with rebuilt Jerusalem;³⁴The proper observance of the Shabbos brings the ultimate redemption and the rebuilding of Jerusalem.—Siach Yitzchak and with the light of Your countenance, make them radiant. “Let them be sated from the abundance of Your House, and from the stream of Your delights give them drink.”³⁵Psalms 36:9. Help those who abstain on the seventh day— from plowing and harvesting, [may You help them] always. Those who walk on it with short strides and feast on it [eating three meals] in order to bless [You] three times— may their righteousness shine like the light of the seven days.³⁶When God created the world, He created a brilliant light that lasted only during the seven days of creation. God preserved it for the righteous to enjoy in the World to Come.—Etz Yosef “Adonoy, God of Israel, [grant] perfect love Adonoy, God of Israel [grant] eternal deliverance.”

On Tuesday: Today is the third day of the week, on which the Levites used to recite in the Holy Temple: A psalm of Assaf God stands in the congregation of the Almighty,³⁶Assaf was one of the ten composers who contributed to the Book of Tehillim; he wrote eleven psalms (73-83). The leading Levite musician of his times, he was also endowed with the spirit of prophecy.
The Talmud designates psalm 82 for the third day of the week because on the third day of creation, Hashem in His wisdom revealed the earth and established the world for His chosen “congregation.” This is an allusion to Bereishis 1:9 where we read, “Hashem said, ‘Let the waters beneath the heavens be gathered (congregate) into one place, so that the dry land may appear.”—Maseches Rosh Hashana 31a in the midst of the judges He gives judgement. How long will you judge lawlessly and show partiality to the wicked, Selah? Render justice to the lowly and the orphan, deal righteously with the poor and destitute. Rescue the lowly and the needy, save them from the hand of the wicked. They neither know nor understand,³⁷“They” refers to the judges. they walk along in darkness, all the foundations of the earth are shaken.³⁸Justice is one of the three pillars upon which the earth rests ( Maseches Avos 1:18). Without justice there is no stability in the world. I had said “You are godlike beings, all of you sons of the Most High.” Nevertheless, you shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. Arise, God, judge the earth, for You will inherit all the nations.

The deep, He covered as with a garment;²God covers the depths of the seas in order to prevent them from overflowing and destroying the world.—Metsudas Dovid the waters remain on mountains.³Even though the nature of water is to flow downward, God nevertheless ordered that there be water on the highest mountains.—Metsudas Dovid At Your shout they retreated, at Your thunderous voice they hastened away.⁴This sentence describes God's command, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together unto one place” (Genesis 1:9).—Metsudas Dovid They go up mountains, down into valleys, to the specific place You founded for them. You set a boundary⁵The sand is the boundary; the water may not cross it to flood the earth.—Rashi [which] they may not cross, lest they return to cover the earth.

The deep, He covered as with a garment;²God covers the depths of the seas in order to prevent them from overflowing and destroying the world.—Metsudas Dovid the waters remain on mountains.³Even though the nature of water is to flow downward, God nevertheless ordered that there be water on the highest mountains.—Metsudas Dovid At Your shout they retreated, at Your thunderous voice they hastened away.⁴This sentence describes God’s command, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together unto one place” (Genesis 1:9).—Metsudas Dovid They go up mountains, down into valleys, to the specific place You founded for them. You set a boundary⁵The sand is the boundary; the water may not cross it to flood the earth.—Rashi [which] they may not cross, lest they return to cover the earth.

And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. And the heaven and the earth were finished, and all their host. And on the seventh day God finished His work which He had done; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it; because He rested on it from all of His work which God created in doing (Genesis 1:31-2:3).

Good are the luminaries which our God created He formed them with perception, understanding, and wisdom, strength and power He put into them, to be rulers¹⁷See Genesis 1:16. within the inhabited world.

How many are Your works, Adonoy! You made them all with wisdom; the earth is full of Your possessions! This sea, great and wide— therein are innumerable creeping things, animals small and great. There ships travel; this Leviathan⁹According to tradition, God created the Leviathan with a mate but slew her in order that they not reproduce. Because of their tremendous size, they would have brought much destruction to the world (See Rashi in Genesis 1:21).—Rashi You formed to frolic with. They all look to You expectantly, to provide their food in its time. [When] You give it to them, they gather it in; [when] You open Your hand, they are sated with goodness. Whey You hide Your face,¹⁰When God withdraws His sustaining power from any creature or being, it perishes. they are panic-stricken; When You gather in their breath, they perish, and to their dust they return. When You send Your spirit,¹¹This refers to the era when God will restore life to the dead.—Rashi they will be created [anew]; and You will renew the face of the earth.

How many are Your works, Adonoy! You made them all with wisdom; the earth is full of Your possessions! This sea, great and wide— therein are innumerable creeping things, animals small and great. There ships travel; this Leviathan⁹According to tradition, God created the Leviathan with a mate but slew her in order that they not reproduce. Because of their tremendous size, they would have brought much destruction to the world (See Rashi in Genesis 1:21).—Rashi You formed to frolic with. They all look to You expectantly, to provide their food in its time. [When] You give it to them, they gather it in; [when] You open Your hand, they are sated with goodness. When You hide Your face,¹⁰When God withdraws His sustaining power from any creature or being, it perishes. they are panic-stricken; When You gather in their breath, they perish, and to their dust they return. When You send Your spirit,¹¹This refers to the era when God will restore life to the dead.—Rashi they will be created [anew]; and You will renew the face of the earth.

Praise God. Praise Adonoy from the sky; Praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all the stars of light. Praise Him, skies of skies, and the waters that are above the skies.¹²²Bereishis 1:6—7 indicates that there are waters above the heavens. They will praise the Name of Adonoy, for He commanded it and they were created. He established them for all time,¹²³The heavenly bodies, unlike humans and earthly things, were created from materials that do not deteriorate.—Kuzari for as long as the world exists; He decreed it and it is unalterable.¹²⁴None of the heavenly bodies transgresses the Divine decree about its functions in the role for which it was created. The sun never violates its mandate to serve by day or the moon by night. According to Ibn Ezra, the verse might also be translated “He issued a decree which will not pass away,” for Hashem’s decree is permanent and immutable. Praise Adonoy from the earth, sea-monsters and all [that dwell in] the depths. Fire and hail, snow and vapor, stormwind, [all] fulfilling His word. The mountains and all the hills, fruit trees and all cedars. Wild beasts and all animals, creeping things and winged fowl. Earthly kings and all peoples, ministers and all earthly judges. Young men and also maidens, elders together with lads.¹²⁵Elders and youngsters praise Hashem together while the young men must be separated from the maidens. In the Temple separate facilities were erected for the women. So too must there be separate seating in our synagogues. They will praise the Name of Adonoy, for His Name alone is exalted; His majesty is over the earth and the skies. He will raise the might of His people, [which is] praise for all His pious ones, for the Children of Yisrael, the people near¹²⁶The fulfillment of the last two verses will take place in the Messianic era. to Him. Praise God.

He Who covers with water,³⁶This refers to the “Waters that are above the skies” (Genesis 1:6-7; Psalms 148:14).—Metsudas Dovid

His upper chambers with water,¹This refers to the “waters that are above the skies” (Genesis 1:6-7; Psalms 148:14).—Metsudas Dovid

Praise God. Praise Adonoy from the sky; Praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all the stars of light. Praise Him, skies of skies, and the waters that are above the skies.¹²²Bereishis 1:6-7 indicates that there are waters above the heavens. They will praise the Name of Adonoy, for He commanded it and they were created. He established them for all time,¹²³The heavenly bodies, unlike humans and earthly things, were created from materials that do not deteriorate.—Kuzari for as long as the world exists; He decreed it and it is unalterable.¹²⁴None of the heavenly bodies transgresses the Divine decree about its functions in the role for which it was created. The sun never violates its mandate to serve by day or the moon by night. According to Ibn Ezra, the verse might also be translated “He issued a decree which will not pass away,” for Hashem’s decree is permanent and immutable. Praise Adonoy from the earth, sea-monsters and all [that dwell in] the depths. Fire and hail, snow and vapor, stormwind, [all] fulfilling His word. The mountains and all the hills, fruit trees and all cedars. Wild beasts and all animals, creeping things and winged fowl. Earthly kings and all peoples, ministers and all earthly judges. Young men and also maidens, elders together with lads.¹²⁵Elders and youngsters praise Hashem together while the young men must be separated from the maidens. In the Temple separate facilities were erected for the women. So too must there be separate seating in our synagogues. They will praise the Name of Adonoy, for His Name alone is exalted; His majesty is over the earth and the skies. He will raise the might of His people, [which is] praise for all His pious ones, for the Children of Yisrael, the people near¹²⁶The fulfillment of the last two verses will take place in the Messianic era. to Him. Praise God.

A psalm of Assaf¹⁴Assaf was one of the ten composers who contributed to the Book of Psalms; he wrote eleven psalms (73-83). The leading Levite musician of his times, he was also endowed with the spirit of prophecy. God stands in the congregation of the Almighty,¹⁵The Talmud designates psalm 82 for the third day of the week because on the third day of Creation, God in His wisdom revealed the earth and established the world for His chosen “congregation.” This psalm is an allusion to Genesis 1:9 where we read, “God said, ‘Let the waters beneath the heavens be gathered (congregate) into one place, so that the dry land may appear’.”.—Maseches Rosh Hashana 31a in the midst of the judges He gives judgement. How long will you judge lawlessly and show partiality to the wicked forever? Render justice to the lowly and the orphan, deal righteously with the poor and destitute. Rescue the lowly and the needy, save them from the hand of the wicked. They neither know nor understand,¹⁶“They” refers to the judges. they walk along in darkness, all the foundations of the earth are shaken.¹⁷Justice is one of the three pillars upon which the earth rests (Maseches Avos 1:18). Without justice there is no stability in the world. I had said “You are godlike beings, all of you, sons of the Most High.” Nevertheless, you shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. Arise, God, judge the earth, for You will inherit all the nations.

to be rulers²⁶See Bereishis 1:16. within the inhabited world.

A psalm of Assaf¹⁴Assaf was one of the ten composers who contributed to the Book of Psalms; he wrote eleven psalms (73-83). The leading Levite musician of his times, he was also endowed with the spirit of prophecy. God stands in the congregation of the Almighty,¹⁵The Talmud designates psalm 82 for the third day of the week because on the third day of Creation, God in His wisdom revealed the earth and established the world for His chosen “congregation.” This psalm is an allusion to Genesis 1:9 where we read, “God said, ‘Let the waters beneath the heavens be gathered (congregate) into one place, so that the dry land may appear’.”.—Maseches Rosh Hashana 31a in the midst of the judges He gives judgement. How long will you judge lawlessly and show partiality to the wicked forever? Render justice to the lowly and the orphan, deal righteously with the poor and destitute. Rescue the lowly and the needy, save them from the hand of the wicked. They neither know nor understand,¹⁶“They” refers to the judges. they walk along in darkness, all the foundations of the earth are shaken.¹⁷Justice is one of the three pillars upon which the earth rests (Maseches Avos 1:18). Without justice there is no stability in the world. I had said "You are godlike beings, all of you, sons of the Most High." Nevertheless, you shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. Arise, God, judge the earth, for You will inherit all the nations.

You uncovered the surface of the earth,²⁵Bereishis 1:11—12. The phraseology is based upon Tehillim 88:13, Shir Hashirim 6:11.

It was taught in the school of Rabbi Yishmael: Even if Israel was privileged only to greet their Father in heaven, once a month, it would be sufficient for them.⁷Whoever welcomes the new moon by reciting the blessing to God, welcomes the Shechinah, the Divine Presence of God. Abbaye said: “Therefore it must be recited standing.”⁸Maseches Sanhedrin 42a. Who is this coming up from the wilderness clinging to her beloved?⁹Song of Songs 8:5. May it be Your will, Adonoy, our God, and God of our fathers, to fill the deficiency of the moon, so that it will no longer be diminished; and may the light of the moon be like the light of the sun, —and like the light of the seven days of creation— as it was before it was diminished, as it is said: “The two great luminaries.”¹⁰Genesis 1:16. And may there be fulfilled for us the Scriptural verse which says: “They will seek Adonoy, their God, and David, their king.¹¹Hosea 3:5. Amein.

to be rulers²⁶See Bereishis 1:16.

to be rulers²⁶See Bereishis 1:16.

to be rulers¹⁷See Genesis 1:16.

they hastened away.⁴This sentence describes God's command, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together unto one place” (Genesis 1:9).—Metsudas Dovid

they hastened away.³⁹This sentence describes God’s command, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together unto one place” (Genesis 1:9).—Metsudas Dovid

Praise God. Praise Adonoy from the sky; Praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all the stars of light. Praise Him, skies of skies, and the waters that are above the skies.²³Genesis 1:6-7 indicates that there are waters above the heavens. They will praise the Name of Adonoy, for He commanded it and they were created. He established them for all time,²⁴The heavenly bodies, unlike humans and earthly things, were created from materials that do not deteriorate.—Kuzari for as long as the world exists; He decreed it and it is unalterable.²⁵None of the heavenly bodies transgresses the Divine decree about its functions in the role for which it was created. The sun never violates its mandate to serve by day or the moon by night. According to Ibn Ezra, the verse might also be translated “He issued a decree which will not pass away,” for God's decree is permanent and immutable. Praise Adonoy from the earth, sea-monsters and all [that dwell in] the depths. Fire and hail, snow and vapor, stormwind, [all] fulfilling His word. The mountains and all the hills, fruit trees and all cedars. Wild beasts and all animals, creeping things and winged fowl. Earthly kings and all peoples, ministers and all earthly judges. Young men and also maidens, elders together with lads.²⁶Elders and youngsters praise God together while the young men must be separated from the maidens. In the Temple separate facilities were erected for the women. So too must there be separate seating in our synagogues. They will praise the Name of Adonoy, for His Name alone is exalted; His majesty is over the earth and the skies. He will raise the might of His people, [which is] praise for all His pious ones, for the Children of Israel, the people near²⁷The fulfillment of the last two verses will take place in the Messianic era. to Him. Praise God.

with the words, “All that He had made”³⁰Genesis 1:31. —

this Leviathan⁹According to tradition, God created the Leviathan with a mate but slew her in order that they not reproduce. Because of their tremendous size, they would have brought much destruction to the world (See Rashi in Genesis 1:21).—Rashi

My soul, bless Adonoy; Adonoy, my God, You are greatly exalted; with beauty and splendor are You clothed. Enwrapped in light, garment-like, He spreads out the heavens like a curtain. He Who covers His upper chambers with water,¹This refers to the “waters that are above the skies” (Genesis 1:6-7; Psalms 148:14).—Metsudas Dovid He Who makes clouds His chariot, He Who walks upon wings of wind. He Who makes winds His messengers, flaming fires His servants. He Who established the earth upon its foundations, [so] that it shall never be moved. The deep, He covered as with a garment;²God covers the depths of the seas in order to prevent them from overflowing and destroying the world.—Metsudas Dovid the waters remain on mountains.³Even though the nature of water is to flow downward, God nevertheless ordered that there be water on the highest mountains.—Metsudas Dovid At Your shout they retreated, at Your thunderous voice they hastened away.⁴This sentence describes God's command, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together unto one place” (Genesis 1:9).—Metsudas Dovid They go up mountains, down into valleys, to the specific place You founded for them. You set a boundary⁵The sand is the boundary; the water may not cross it to flood the earth.—Rashi [which] they may not cross, lest they return to cover the earth. He Who sends springs into streams to flow between the mountains; to water all the beasts of the fields; the wild ones quench their thirst. Over them dwell the birds of the sky, from among the branches, they give voice. [You] Who waters the mountains from His upper chambers,⁶See footnote 00. from the fruit of Your works⁷“The fruit of Your works” refers to the rain which satisfies the needs of the earth.—Metsudas Dovid the earth is sated. [You] Who causes grass to sprout for cattle, and vegetation for the labor of man, to bring forth bread from the earth; wine to cheer the heart of man, to make [his] face shine from oil, and bread to sustain the heart of man. Adonoy's trees are sated,⁸The trees are satisfied with the rain. the cedars of Lebanon that He planted; where birds make their nests, the stork—the firs are her home. The high mountains [are] for the wild goats, the rocks a refuge for the rabbits. He made the moon to fix seasons the sun knows its place to set. You make darkness and night comes, in which move about all the beasts of the forest. —The young lions roar for prey, and seek their food from the Almighty. [When] the sun rises, they gather and come into their dens to lie. Man goes out to his work, to his labor until evening. How many are Your works, Adonoy! You made them all with wisdom; the earth is full of Your possessions! This sea, great and wide— therein are innumerable creeping things, animals small and great. There ships travel; this Leviathan⁹According to tradition, God created the Leviathan with a mate but slew her in order that they not reproduce. Because of their tremendous size, they would have brought much destruction to the world (See Rashi in Genesis 1:21).—Rashi You formed to frolic with. They all look to You expectantly, to provide their food in its time. [When] You give it to them, they gather it in; [when] You open Your hand, they are sated with goodness. Whey You hide Your face,¹⁰When God withdraws His sustaining power from any creature or being, it perishes. they are panic-stricken; When You gather in their breath, they perish, and to their dust they return. When You send Your spirit,¹¹This refers to the era when God will restore life to the dead.—Rashi they will be created [anew]; and You will renew the face of the earth. The glory of Adonoy will endure forever, Adonoy will rejoice in His works— Who gazes upon the earth and it trembles; Who touches the mountains and they erupt. I will sing to Adonoy with my life; I will offer hymns to my God as long as I am alive. May my words be pleasant to Him; I will rejoice in Adonoy.¹²When God accepts my prayer, I will rejoice in His deliverance.—Metsudas Dovici Sin will be excised from the earth, and the wicked will be no more; My soul bless Adonoy, Praise God.

My soul, bless Adonoy; Adonoy, my God, You are greatly exalted; with beauty and splendor are You clothed. Enwrapped in light, garment-like, He spreads out the heavens like a curtain. He Who covers His upper chambers with water,¹This refers to the “waters that are above the skies” (Genesis 1:6-7; Psalms 148:14).—Metsudas Dovid He Who makes clouds His chariot, He Who walks upon wings of wind. He Who makes winds His messengers, flaming fires His servants. He Who established the earth upon its foundations, [so] that it shall never be moved. The deep, He covered as with a garment;²God covers the depths of the seas in order to prevent them from overflowing and destroying the world.—Metsudas Dovid the waters remain on mountains.³Even though the nature of water is to flow downward, God nevertheless ordered that there be water on the highest mountains.—Metsudas Dovid At Your shout they retreated, at Your thunderous voice they hastened away.⁴This sentence describes God's command, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together unto one place” (Genesis 1:9).—Metsudas Dovid They go up mountains, down into valleys, to the specific place You founded for them. You set a boundary⁵The sand is the boundary; the water may not cross it to flood the earth.—Rashi [which] they may not cross, lest they return to cover the earth. He Who sends springs into streams to flow between the mountains; to water all the beasts of the fields; the wild ones quench their thirst. Over them dwell the birds of the sky, from among the branches, they give voice. [You] Who waters the mountains from His upper chambers,⁶See footnote 00. from the fruit of Your works⁷“The fruit of Your works” refers to the rain which satisfies the needs of the earth.—Metsudas Dovid the earth is sated. [You] Who causes grass to sprout for cattle, and vegetation for the labor of man, to bring forth bread from the earth; wine to cheer the heart of man, to make [his] face shine from oil, and bread to sustain the heart of man. Adonoy's trees are sated,⁸The trees are satisfied with the rain. the cedars of Lebanon that He planted; where birds make their nests, the stork—the firs are her home. The high mountains [are] for the wild goats, the rocks a refuge for the rabbits. He made the moon to fix seasons the sun knows its place to set. You make darkness and night comes, in which move about all the beasts of the forest. —The young lions roar for prey, and seek their food from the Almighty. [When] the sun rises, they gather and come into their dens to lie. Man goes out to his work, to his labor until evening. How many are Your works, Adonoy! You made them all with wisdom; the earth is full of Your possessions! This sea, great and wide— therein are innumerable creeping things, animals small and great. There ships travel; this Leviathan⁹According to tradition, God created the Leviathan with a mate but slew her in order that they not reproduce. Because of their tremendous size, they would have brought much destruction to the world (See Rashi in Genesis 1:21).—Rashi You formed to frolic with. They all look to You expectantly, to provide their food in its time. [When] You give it to them, they gather it in; [when] You open Your hand, they are sated with goodness. Whey You hide Your face,¹⁰When God withdraws His sustaining power from any creature or being, it perishes. they are panic-stricken; When You gather in their breath, they perish, and to their dust they return. When You send Your spirit,¹¹This refers to the era when God will restore life to the dead.—Rashi they will be created [anew]; and You will renew the face of the earth. The glory of Adonoy will endure forever, Adonoy will rejoice in His works— Who gazes upon the earth and it trembles; Who touches the mountains and they erupt. I will sing to Adonoy with my life; I will offer hymns to my God as long as I am alive. May my words be pleasant to Him; I will rejoice in Adonoy.¹²When God accepts my prayer, I will rejoice in His deliverance.—Metsudas Dovici Sin will be excised from the earth, and the wicked will be no more; My soul bless Adonoy, Praise God.

My soul, bless Adonoy; Adonoy, my God, You are greatly exalted; with beauty and splendor are You clothed. Enwrapped in light, garment-like, He spreads out the heavens like a curtain. He Who covers His upper chambers with water,¹This refers to the “waters that are above the skies” (Genesis 1:6-7; Psalms 148:14).—Metsudas Dovid He Who makes clouds His chariot, He Who walks upon wings of wind. He Who makes winds His messengers, flaming fires His servants. He Who established the earth upon its foundations, [so] that it shall never be moved. The deep, He covered as with a garment;²God covers the depths of the seas in order to prevent them from overflowing and destroying the world.—Metsudas Dovid the waters remain on mountains.³Even though the nature of water is to flow downward, God nevertheless ordered that there be water on the highest mountains.—Metsudas Dovid At Your shout they retreated, at Your thunderous voice they hastened away.⁴This sentence describes God's command, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together unto one place” (Genesis 1:9).—Metsudas Dovid They go up mountains, down into valleys, to the specific place You founded for them. You set a boundary⁵The sand is the boundary; the water may not cross it to flood the earth.—Rashi [which] they may not cross, lest they return to cover the earth. He Who sends springs into streams to flow between the mountains; to water all the beasts of the fields; the wild ones quench their thirst. Over them dwell the birds of the sky, from among the branches, they give voice. [You] Who waters the mountains from His upper chambers,⁶See footnote 00. from the fruit of Your works⁷“The fruit of Your works” refers to the rain which satisfies the needs of the earth.—Metsudas Dovid the earth is sated. [You] Who causes grass to sprout for cattle, and vegetation for the labor of man, to bring forth bread from the earth; wine to cheer the heart of man, to make [his] face shine from oil, and bread to sustain the heart of man. Adonoy's trees are sated,⁸The trees are satisfied with the rain. the cedars of Lebanon that He planted; where birds make their nests, the stork—the firs are her home. The high mountains [are] for the wild goats, the rocks a refuge for the rabbits. He made the moon to fix seasons the sun knows its place to set. You make darkness and night comes, in which move about all the beasts of the forest. —The young lions roar for prey, and seek their food from the Almighty. [When] the sun rises, they gather and come into their dens to lie. Man goes out to his work, to his labor until evening. How many are Your works, Adonoy! You made them all with wisdom; the earth is full of Your possessions! This sea, great and wide— therein are innumerable creeping things, animals small and great. There ships travel; this Leviathan⁹According to tradition, God created the Leviathan with a mate but slew her in order that they not reproduce. Because of their tremendous size, they would have brought much destruction to the world (See Rashi in Genesis 1:21).—Rashi You formed to frolic with. They all look to You expectantly, to provide their food in its time. [When] You give it to them, they gather it in; [when] You open Your hand, they are sated with goodness. Whey You hide Your face,¹⁰When God withdraws His sustaining power from any creature or being, it perishes. they are panic-stricken; When You gather in their breath, they perish, and to their dust they return. When You send Your spirit,¹¹This refers to the era when God will restore life to the dead.—Rashi they will be created [anew]; and You will renew the face of the earth. The glory of Adonoy will endure forever, Adonoy will rejoice in His works— Who gazes upon the earth and it trembles; Who touches the mountains and they erupt. I will sing to Adonoy with my life; I will offer hymns to my God as long as I am alive. May my words be pleasant to Him; I will rejoice in Adonoy.¹²When God accepts my prayer, I will rejoice in His deliverance.—Metsudas Dovici Sin will be excised from the earth, and the wicked will be no more; My soul bless Adonoy, Praise God.

this Leviathan⁴⁴According to tradition, God created the Leviathan with a mate but slew her in order that they not reproduce. Because of their tremendous size, they would have brought much destruction to the world (See Rashi to Genesis 1:21).—Rashi

in the congregation of the Almighty,³⁶Assaf was one of the ten composers who contributed to the Book of Tehillim; he wrote eleven psalms (73-83). The leading Levite musician of his times, he was also endowed with the spirit of prophecy.
The Talmud designates psalm 82 for the third day of the week because on the third day of creation, Hashem in His wisdom revealed the earth and established the world for His chosen “congregation.” This is an allusion to Bereishis 1:9 where we read, “Hashem said, ‘Let the waters beneath the heavens be gathered (congregate) into one place, so that the dry land may appear.”—Maseches Rosh Hashana 31a

Praise God. Praise Adonoy from the sky; Praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all the stars of light. Praise Him, skies of skies, and the waters that are above the skies.⁵¹Genesis 1:6-7 indicates that there are waters above the heavens. They will praise the Name of Adonoy, for He commanded it and they were created. He established them for all time,⁵²The heavenly bodies, unlike humans and earthly things, were created from materials that do not deteriorate.—Kuzari for as long as the world exists; He decreed it and it is unalterable.⁵³None of the heavenly bodies transgresses the Divine decree about its functions in the role for which it was created. The sun never violates its mandate to serve by day or the moon by night. According to Ibn Ezra, the verse might also be translated “He issued a decree which will not pass away,” for God’s decree is permanent and immutable. Praise Adonoy from the earth, sea-monsters and all [that dwell in] the depths. Fire and hail, snow and vapor, stormwind, [all] fulfilling His word. The mountains and all the hills, fruit trees and all cedars. Wild beasts and all animals, creeping things and winged fowl. Earthly kings and all peoples, ministers and all earthly judges. Young men and also maidens, elders together with lads.⁵⁴Elders and youngsters praise God together while the young men must be separated from the maidens. In the Temple separate facilities were erected for the women. So too must there be separate seating in our synagogues. They will praise the Name of Adonoy, for His Name alone is exalted; His majesty is over the earth and the skies. He will raise the might of His people, [which is] praise for all His pious ones, for the Children of Israel, the people near⁵⁵The fulfillment of the last two verses will take place in the Messianic era. to Him. Praise God.

“The two great luminaries.”¹⁰Genesis 1:16.

and the waters that are above the skies.⁵¹Genesis 1:6-7 indicates that there are waters above the heavens.

and the waters that are above the skies.²³Genesis 1:6-7 indicates that there are waters above the heavens.

and the waters that are above the skies.¹²²Bereishis 1:6—7 indicates that there are waters above the heavens.

and the waters that are above the skies.¹²²Bereishis 1:6-7 indicates that there are waters above the heavens.

in the congregation of the Almighty,¹⁵The Talmud designates psalm 82 for the third day of the week because on the third day of Creation, God in His wisdom revealed the earth and established the world for His chosen “congregation.” This psalm is an allusion to Genesis 1:9 where we read, “God said, ‘Let the waters beneath the heavens be gathered (congregate) into one place, so that the dry land may appear’.”.—Maseches Rosh Hashana 31a