The Justification of [Divine] Judgment
About This Entry
The Tsiduk ha-din prayer, which has roots in early rabbinic teachings about death, is a set of statements that uphold the righteousness of divine judgment. This prayer was known to the geonim only from outside sources, and its origins remain obscure. It circulated in the medieval period in two versions, Ashkenazic and Sephardic. Tsiduk ha-din was recited around the time of burial, often during the funeral procession, though practices varied. Tsiduk ha-din is buttressed by biblical verses, and other phrases are midrashic in origin.
Version 1: Ashkenazic and French
The Rock’s deeds are perfect, for all His ways are justice; a loyal God, with no crime, He is righteous and upright (Deuteronomy 32:4).
The Rock is perfect in all deeds.
None call tell him what He should do.
He rules above and below,
brings death and life, brings down to Sheol and back up.
The Rock is perfect in all actions.
None can tell Him how He should act.
He speaks and acts.
Act with kindness to us, gratis!
And in the merit of [Isaac], who was bound like a lamb, heed our prayer and act!
Righteous in all His ways is the perfect Rock,
long-suffering and full of mercy.
Have compassion, care about fathers and their children,
for Yours, O master, are forgiveness and mercy.
[The French rite adds:
The Rock is perfect, full of mercy.
Look down, please, from heaven,
and rescue the smallest of nations,
for Yours, O master, are righteousness and mercy.]
You are righteous, O Lord, to bring death and life.
Into Your hands, all spirits are given as a deposit.
Far be it from You to wipe out our memory,
for Yours, O master, are mercy and forgiveness.
If a man would live only a year,
or live an entire millennium,
what benefit would he have? It will be as if he never existed.
Blessed is the true judge, who brings death and life.
Blessed is He, for His judgment is true,
and His eyes look around at everything,
and He pays man in accordance with his account,
and all express acknowledgment to His name.
We know, O Lord, that Your judgment is just.
You are just in Your word,
and You are just when You judge.
And we cannot doubt Your attribute of justice.
You are just, O Lord, and Your judgment is straight.
True judge,
who judges with righteousness and truth,
blessed is the true judge,
for all His judgments are righteousness and truth.
The life of all living things is in Your hand,
Your hand is filled with righteousness, Your right hand;
Have mercy on the remnant of your flock, shepherded by Your hand,
and tell the angel: Relax your hand!
Great in counsel, mighty in deeds, You whose eyes are open to all deeds of mankind (Jeremiah 32:19).
Version 2: Sephardic
The Rock’s deeds are perfect, for all His ways are justice; a loyal God, with no crime, he is righteous and upright (Deuteronomy 32:4).
The Rock’s deeds are perfect, for all His ways are justice.
A loyal God, with no crime, He is righteous and upright.
He alone is pure, and unique in His deeds,
kind and merciful and righteous in His judgment.
The Rock has acted.
None can tell Him how He should act.
All His actions are for His sake,
for He brings down to Sheol and back up.
Righteous is the fashioner of all that is made,
and pious in all that He has made.
He dominates all and makes His own will.
None can tell Him what to make.
He is righteous and upright; there is no guile in His ways,
for He is called righteous and perfect.
His acts are pure; His ways are righteousness.
One cannot hide from the maker of all.
Righteousness and justice are all His ways.
His paths are truth; He displays no favoritism.
May His mercy be moved for us,
for we are all the work of His hands.
The life of all living things is in Your hand.
Your right hand is filled with righteousness.
Have mercy on the remnant of Your flock, shepherded by Your hand,
and tell the angel, “Relax your hand!”
O Rock, You who are perfect, have mercy from heaven,
and act with compassion,
as fathers have compassion for their children.
Stop your rage against the perfect babes, from the people sealed by blood [of circumcision].
Look down, please, at the smallest of nations,
for You are full of mercy.
Give consolation to the mourners.
This is what happens to all the world.
Gather, all, and perform acts of kindness,
for nothing is concealed from God.
May [the departed]’s soul have eternal life.
This is what happens to small and great,
for He plays no favorites.
Happy is the one who pursues righteousness,
and righteousness spares from death.
Translated by Gabriel Wasserman.
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 3: Encountering Christianity and Islam.
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