Page:Philip Birnbaum - ha-Siddur ha-Shalem (The Daily Prayer Book,1949).pdf/131

106 Guardian of a unique people, preserve the remnant of a unique people; let not a unique people perish, who proclaim thy Oneness, saying: “The Lord is our God, the Lord is One.”

Guardian of a holy people, preserve the remnant of a holy people; let not a holy people perish, who repeat the threefold sanctification to the Holy One.

O thou who art reconciled by prayers and conciliated by supplications, be thou reconciled and conciliated to an afflicted generation, for there is none to help.

Our Father, our King, be gracious to us and answer us, for we have no merits; deal charitably and kindly with us and save us.

We know not what to do, but our eyes are upon thee. Remember thy mercy and thy kindness, O Lord, for they are eternal. May thy kindness rest on us, O Lord, as our hope rests on thee. O mind not our former iniquities; may thy compassion hasten to our aid, for we are brought very low. Take pity on us, O Lord, take pity on us, for we are exceedingly sated with contempt. When in wrath, remember to be merciful. He knows what we are made of, remembering that we are but dust. Help us, our saving God, for the sake of thy glorious name; rescue us and pardon our sins for thy name’s sake.

He, being merciful, forgives iniquity, and does not destroy; frequently he turns his anger away, and does not stir up all his wrath.

Thou, O Lord, wilt not hold back thy mercy from us; thy kindness and thy truth will always protect us. Save us, Lord our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, that we may glory in thy praise. If thou, O Lord shouldst record iniquities—O Lord, who could live on? But with thee there is forgiveness, that thou mayest be revered. Deal not with us according to our sins; requite us not according to our iniquities. If our sins, O Lord, testify against us, act for

was composed, according to legend, soon after the destruction of the second Temple. It is suggested, however, that it was written during the persecutions of the seventh century. It has been said that whoever can read this long prayer without emotion has lost all feeling for what is great and noble. The soul of an entire people utters these elegies and supplications, and gives voice to its woe of a thousand years.