Repent, O Israel, I said to you

Late 8th Century

About This Entry

This poem is a ma‘ariv, written to be inserted in the blessings surrounding the Shema‘ in the evening service for the Sabbath of Repentance, which is the Sabbath between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, when the passage beginning “Repent, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled in your iniquity” (Hosea 14:2) is read in synagogues. The opening words of the successive stanzas of the poem are taken from the words of the first verse of this passage.

Repent, O Israel, I said to you.

Through your good inclination may your prayer be heard.

May the One who brings on evenings accept you during the ten days [between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur].

O beloved people, rend your hearts, not your clothes, to give blessing to Him.

Blessed are You, O Lord, who brings on evenings.

To the Lord you should return, O fenced lily [see Song of Songs 7:3],

and be fruitful and multiply like fish.

O holy progeny, taking delight on the day of rest,

O lovesick one [see Song of Songs 2:5], how beautiful and pleasant you are in your delights!

Blessed are You, O Lord, who loves His people Israel.

Your God has purified you from all sins and crimes.

He has paved for you all paths and roads,

just as He had you cross [the Red Sea] on twelve paths,

to teach you the truth of [His] great words.

[God], who rules over all creations,

paved you a way through the waves.

God supports all who fall.

He had you cross the sea, and smote it into seven rivers,

and had you walk through it in shoes.

Who is like You among the mighty, O Lord, who is like You, glorious in holiness, etc.? (Exodus 15:11).

For we have acted improperly; accept our repentance!

Look to our fasting, O our king!

Bring nigh the end [of our sufering], for our rescue, and may we crown You, as our ancestors crowned You:

The Lord will reign for ever and ever (Exodus 15:18).¹

You have stumbled in your iniquity–God uttered to His people,

Repent, O virgin Israel!

May you see the king in His beauty, when Ariel [Jerusalem] is built–

Your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel!

Blessed are You, O Lord, rock of Israel and their redeemer.

Upon us is the [protective] shade of [God], who is awesome in deeds,

[who gave us] ten days to return to Him, [to be] His treasure.

[God], who examines the heart, [who] said to build their pavilion [the Temple],

speak in your heart upon Your bed, and be calm, forever.

Blessed are You, O Lord, who spreads a pavilion of peace.

Translated by Gabriel Wasserman.

Notes

[This line, Exodus 15:11, was sung by the Israelites after crossing the Red Sea, and forms a part of the daily evening service. Thus, it fts into the narration in the preceding stanza and fulflls the liturgical function necessary in the service.–Trans.]

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 3: Encountering Christianity and Islam.