The Manifest Book (Hebrew Section)

End of the Sixth Chapter: The Prayer of Se‘adya

Se‘adya prayed before the Lord, saying, “Lord of hosts, God of Israel, God of judgment, You gave to Your people Your law and statutes. Because of them, they are fighting with us, and the lawless of Your people oppress us, seeking to do wickedness to us. You, O God, arousing fear, mighty in strength, strengthen fear of your dominion. May all flesh bow before Your might, and may kings of the world, their golden cedars, be crushed, their rooms made crooked. May all flesh fall silent, O God, because of Your glory. Reveal Yourself, O God, and be unveiled in Your greatness. Incline Your ear and hear those who reproach me. I did them no wrong, except in Your name; whether I am good or my actions bad, behold, Your name was invoked by me. [Also,] if I did not demonstrate [this], O God, do this for the sake of Your name and remember Your law, though I am unworthy.

You have taught me since my youth Your statutes and ordinances. I suckled on them like [mother’s] milk; my soul is bound to them. The deceitful words of the wicked called me forth. Arise, God, go forth to assist Your judged ones [i.e., those who are judged for Your sake]. Let them live in a stone house. Strengthen my hand to teach Your law and my arm to judge Your people, for should You delay Your mercy, many people will abandon Your commandments, for the length of their patience is unlike the length of Yours. The light that You light does not extinguish. The plant that You seed does not dry. Please do not destroy the source [of the water] You sent forth from the garden of Eden for Your people. Sanctify Your name, support my hand, and with Your splendor, bring to naught the plans of my adversaries. For You, Lord, O God, know their counsel, which is not for the good of Israel. For were it in their power, they would further boast and speak baseless words. I trust Your signs and follow You, for You have brought me hither. My God, I seek from You, in my deficiencies, for all men are fools before Your wisdom. Let Your servant prosper, You are perfect in wisdom and do that which is good in Your eyes.”

Seventh Chapter: What Was Related about Se‘adya’s Opponents

Now, when these men revealed their intention to oppose the truth, which Se‘adya maintained, to slander and curse, they were despised and scorned by all of Israel. All righteous men scorned and fought with them. They [the righteous] sought their destruction by God the avenger, saying, “God swallow them and divide their tongue, for we have seen their error which [moves them].”