Liturgy sobre Êxodo 33:25

Our God and God of our fathers, be with the mouths of those³⁰See Shemos 4:15. Hashem said to Moshe, when he was reluctant to appear before Pharaoh, “אָנֹכִי אֶהְיֶה עִם פִּיךָ וְעִם פִּיהוּ, I will be with your mouth, and with his (Aharon’s) mouth” when you speak to Pharaoh. who have been sent by Your people the House of Yisrael, who stand to offer fervent prayer and supplication before You, in behalf of Your people, the House of Yisrael. Instruct them what to say, teach them what they shall speak, disclose to them what they shall ask, make known to them how they may glorify You. In the light of Your countenance may they walk, [their] knee, unto You may they bend, Your people, with their mouths, may they bless, and from the blessings of Your mouth, may they all be blessed. Your people, they lead into Your Presence, and from their midst,³¹This is based on the fact that the Chazzan stands in the middle of the synagogue, as he prays, with the congregation on both sides of him. they approach You; the eyes of Your people are fixed on them, and their eyes³²This refers to the eyes of the Chazzan, and is based on Midrash Tehillim 106:1, שְׁלִיחַ צִבּוּר יו‍ֹרֵד לִפְנֵי הַתֵּבָה לְפִי שֶׁעֵינֵיהֶם שֶׁל צִבּוּר תְּלוּיו‍ֹת בּו‍ֹ וְעֵינָיו תְּלוּיּו‍ֹת בְּהקב"ה שֶׁהוּא שׁו‍ֹמֵעַ תְּפִלָּתָם. “The Chazzan descends to the stand, for the eyes of the congregation are fixed on him, and his eyes are fixed on the Holy One, blessed be He, Who hears prayer. look longingly to You. They approach the Holy Ark in awe, to appease anger and wrath; and Your people surround them like a wall, and You, from the heavens look upon them with compassion. They lift their eyes to You in heaven, their hearts are poured out before You as water, and You, [please] hear [their prayer] from the heavens. May they not stammer with their tongue, nor become entangled in their speech, may they not be ashamed of those who rely on them,³³This refers to the congregations on whose behalf they are sent. They ask not to be humiliated by the collective sins of the congregations they represent. Another version is that “בְּמַשְׁעֵנָם” refers to Hashem, upon Whom they all rely. The Chazzan thus prays that he not be ashamed before Hashem. and may they not bring disgrace to their multitude [their congregation]; and may their mouths never say a word that is not according to Your will. For those to whom You are favorably disposed, Adonoy, our God, they have truly found favor, and those upon whom You have compassion, they have truly found compassion. For we know, Adonoy, our God, that You will show favor to whom You will show favor, and that You will be compassionate to whom You will be compassionate. As it is written in Your Torah: And He said: “I will cause to pass over all My goodness before you, and I will proclaim the Name, Adonoy in your presence; “I will show favor to whom I show favor, and I will be compassionate to whom I will be compassionate.”³⁴Shemos 33:19. And it is said: “Let them not be ashamed through me those who wait for You, my Master, God of Hosts; let them not be disgraced through me, those who seek You, God of Yisrael.”³⁵Tehillim 69:7.

I am awestruck as I begin to voice my prayer; as I rise to plead before the presence of Him Who is awesome and terrifying. I am deficient in [good] deeds, therefore I am in fear; wisdom I lack, how can I hope? My Creator! give me understanding— Your inheritance [Torah] to possess; strengthen me, and give me courage, from weakness and fear. Accept my prayer as the incense offering²The words כְּמַנְטִיף וּמַשְׁחִיל refer to two ingredients which are part of the קְטֹרֶת, incense offering, as stated in Shemos 30:34, נָטָף וּשְׁחֵלֶת, stacte and onycha. let my speech be as sweet as the honey-comb. Accept me as upright; and not as a hypocrite; [In behalf] of those who sent me— grant atonement and forgiveness. May my calling be sweet— not like the roar of a lion;³See Tehillim 91:13, עַל שַׁחַל וָפֶתֶן תִּדְרֹךְ, “You will tread upon lion and snake.” The word כְּמַשְׁחִיל in the Piyyut refers to שַׁחַל, lion. be receptive to those who approach You, crawling humble and lowly as a catepillar. Gracious One! as You promised the one [Moshe] in the cave—⁴See Shemos 33:22. listen to my cry as I begin my prayer. My insides are scorched as You search my foolish deeds; and from the dread of judgment, my soul is loathsome.⁵See Zecharyah 11:8. Should You repay my sin in full, my heart trembles; the fountains of my eyelids flow as streams. I yearn for Your righteousness and I hope; the righteousness of my fathers, remember, cause them to pray [in our behalf]. My heart grows hot when I pray— It is like a fiery coal;⁶The word יַגְחִיל is taken from the word גַחֶלֶת, coal. My soul is aroused as I begin to pray.