The Palestinian Talmud on the High Priest’s Confession
3:7, 40d
The high priest would mention the name [of God] ten times on Yom Kippur: six times involving the bull, three involving the goat, and once at the lottery. Those who were near would fall on their faces; those who were far would say, “Praised be God; His glorious kingdom is eternal!” Before either group moved from their spots they would have forgotten it [the name], [as it states:] this is My name forever [le‘olam] (Exodus 3:15), [which may be read as] “this is My name le‘alem [to hide].” At first, he would pronounce it in a loud voice. When there was an increase of immoral people, he would pronounce it in a low voice. R. Tarfon said, “I was standing among my brothers the priests, in a row, and I tilted my ear toward the high priest, and I heard him swallow it up in the singing of the priests.” [ . . . ]
6:2, 43c
Bar Kappara taught: [He says,] “Have transgressed, rebelled, and sinned,” so as not to mention the disgrace of Israel.1 [ . . . ]
7:1, 44b
And he recites eight blessings over it:2for the Torah—“who chooses the Torah”; for the temple service—“that we may fear and serve You”; for thanksgiving—“that it is good to thank You”; for the absolution of transgression—“who absolves the transgressions of His people Israel with mercy”; for the Temple—“who chooses the Temple,” and R. Idi says, “who dwells in Zion”; for Israel—“who chooses Israel”; for the priests—“who chooses the priests”; and for the rest of the prayer—a supplication and prayer, “as Your people Israel require salvation before You; blessed are You, O Lord, who hears prayer.” [ . . . ]
8:9, 45c
How does one confess? R. Berekhiah said in the name of R. Ba bar Binah, “My Lord, I have sinned and done evil; I stood with an evil intention, and I was walking on a distant path. I will no longer act as I have done. May it be Your will, Lord my God, that You atone for me, for all my rebellions, and You forgive me for all my transgressions, and You pardon me for all my sins.”
Notes
[In Bar Kappara’s opinion, the high priest would not say the words “Your people, the house of Israel.”—Trans.]
[Here the Palestinian Talmud provides the wording for the eight blessings mentioned in the Mishnah.—Ed.] Translated by Avi Steinhart.
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 2: Emerging Judaism.
