Week 47 (Book 6): Reviewing the Week of Rosh Chodesh Elul - Psalms 139-141; 105:42-44; 89:48

Psalms

Chapter 139

1. For the Conductor, by David, a psalm. O Lord, You have probed me, and You know. 2. You know my sitting down and my standing up; You perceive my thought from afar. 3. You encircle my going about and my lying down; You are familiar with all my paths. 4. For there was not yet a word on my tongue-and behold, Lord, You knew it all. 5. You have besieged me front and back, You have laid Your hand upon me. 6. Knowledge [to escape You] is beyond me; it is exalted, I cannot know it. 7. Where can I go [to escape] Your spirit? And where can I flee from Your presence? 8. If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the grave, behold, You are there. 9. Were I to take up wings as the dawn and dwell in the furthest part of the sea, 10. there, too, Your hand would guide me; Your right hand would hold me. 11. Were I to say, "Surely the darkness will shadow me," then the night would be as light around me. 12. Even the darkness obscures nothing from You; and the night shines like the day-the darkness is as light. 13. For You created my mind; You covered me in my mother's womb. 14. I will thank You, for I was formed in an awesome and wondrous way; unfathomable are Your works, though my soul perceives much. 15. My essence was not hidden from You even while I was born in concealment, formed in the depths of the earth. 16. Your eyes beheld my raw form; all [happenings] are inscribed in Your book, even those to be formed in future days-to Him they are the same. 17. How precious are Your thoughts to me, O G-d! How overwhelming, [even] their beginnings! 18. Were I to count them, they would outnumber the sand, even if I were to remain awake and always with You. 19. O that You would slay the wicked, O G-d, and men of blood [to whom I say], "Depart from me!” 20. They exalt You for wicked schemes, Your enemies raise [You] for falsehood. 21. Indeed, I hate those who hate You, Lord; I contend with those who rise up against You. 22. I hate them with the utmost hatred; I regard them as my own enemies. 23. Search me, Lord, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. 24. See if there is a vexing way in me, then lead me in the way of the world.

Chapter 140

1. For the Conductor, a psalm by David. 2. Rescue me from the evil man, protect me from the man of violence, 3. who devise evil schemes in their heart; every day they gather for wars. 4. They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; the spider's venom is forever under their lips. 5. Guard me, Lord, from the hands of the wicked, protect me from the man of violence-those who plot to cause my steps to slip. 6. Arrogant ones have hidden a snare for me, and ropes; they spread a net by my path, they set traps for me continually. 7. I said to the Lord, "You are my G-d!" Listen, O Lord, to the voice of my pleas. 8. G-d, my Lord, the strength of my deliverance, You sheltered my head on the day of armed battle. 9. Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked; fulfill not his scheme, make it unattainable forever. 10. As for the head of my besiegers, let the deceit of their own lips bury them. 11. Let burning coals fall upon them; let it cast them down into the fire, into deep pits, never to rise again. 12. Let not the slanderous man be established in the land; let the evil of the man of violence trap him until he is overthrown. 13. I know that the Lord will execute judgment for the poor, justice for the needy. 14. Indeed, the righteous will extol Your Name; the upright will dwell in Your presence.

Chapter 141

1. A psalm by David. O Lord, I have called You, hasten to me; listen to my voice when I call to You. 2. Let my prayer be set forth as incense before You, the raising of my hands as an afternoon offering. 3. O Lord, place a guard for my mouth, keep watch over the door of my lips. 4. Do not incline my heart to a bad thing-to perform deeds in wickedness, with men, doers of evil; let me not partake of their delicacies. 5. Let the righteous one strike me with kindness and let him rebuke me; like the finest oil, let my head not refuse it. For as long [as I live], my prayer is [to preserve me] from their harm. 6. For their judges have slipped because of their [hearts of] rock, though they heard my words and they were pleasant. 7. As one who chops and splinters [wood] on the ground, so have our bones been scattered to the mouth of the grave. 8. For to You, G-d, my Lord, are my eyes; in You I take shelter; do not pour out my soul. 9. Protect me from the hands of the snare they laid for me, and from the traps of the evildoers. 10. Let the wicked fall into their own nets together, until I pass over.

Tikkun HaKlali

Chapter 105

42. For He remembered His holy word with Abraham His servant.

43. And He took out His people with joy, His chosen ones with joyful singing.

44. And He gave them lands of nations, and they inherited the toil of kingdoms.

Psalm 89

48. I am mindful what my old age is; for what futility have You created all the sons of man?  

Week 48 (Book 6): Reviewing the Second Week of Elul - Psalms 142-144; 105:45, 137:1-3; 89:49

Psalms

Chapter 142

1. A maskil1 by David, when he was in the cave, a prayer. 2. With my voice I will cry out to the Lord; with my voice I will call to the Lord in supplication. 3. I will pour out my plea before Him; I will declare my distress in His presence. 4. When my spirit is faint within me, You know my path. In the way in which I walk, they have hidden a snare for me. 5. Look to my right and see, there is none that will know me; every escape is lost to me. No man cares for my soul. 6. I cried out to You, O Lord; I said, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” 7. Listen to my song of prayer, for I have been brought very low. Deliver me from my pursuers, for they are too mighty for me. 8. Release my soul from confinement, so that it may acknowledge Your Name. Because of me, the righteous will crown [You] when You will deal graciously with me.

Chapter 143

1. A psalm by David. O Lord, hear my prayer, lend Your ear to my supplications. With Your faithfulness answer me, and with Your righteousness. 2. Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for no living being would be vindicated before You. 3. For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has set me down in dark places, like those who are eternally dead. 4. Then my spirit became faint within me; my heart was dismayed within me. 5. I remembered the days of old; I meditated on all Your deeds; I spoke of Your handiwork. 6. I spread out my hands to You; like a languishing land my soul yearns after You, Selah. 7. Answer me soon, O Lord, my spirit is spent; hide not Your face from me, lest I become like those who descend into the pit. 8. Let me hear Your kindness in the morning, for have I trusted in You. Let me know the way in which I should walk, for to You I have lifted my soul. 9. Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord. I have concealed [my troubles from all, save] You. 10. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my G-d. Let Your good spirit lead me in an even path. 11. For the sake of Your Name, O Lord, give me life; in Your righteousness, take my soul out of distress. 12. And in Your kindness, cut off my enemies and obliterate all those who oppress my soul, for I am Your servant.

Chapter 144

1. By David. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock, Who trains my hands for battle and my fingers for war. 2. My source of kindness and my fortress, my high tower and my rescuer, my shield, in Whom I take refuge; it is He Who makes my people submit to me. 3. O Lord, what is man that You have recognized him; the son of a mortal, that You are mindful of him? 4. Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow. 5. O Lord, incline Your heavens and descend; touch the mountains and they will become vapor. 6. Flash one bolt of lightning and You will scatter them; send out Your arrows and You will confound them. 7. Stretch forth Your hands from on high, rescue me and deliver me out of many waters, from the hand of strangers, 8. whose mouth speaks deceit and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood. 9. G-d, I will sing a new song to You, I will play to You upon a harp of ten strings. 10. He who gives victory to kings, He will rescue David, His servant, from the evil sword. 11. Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of strangers, whose mouth speaks deceit and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood. 12. For our sons are like plants, brought up to manliness in their youth; our daughters are like cornerstones, fashioned after the fashion of a palace. 13. Our storehouses are full, overflowing with all manner of food; our sheep increase by the thousands, growing by the tens of thousands in our open fields. 14. Our leaders bear the heaviest burden; there is none who break through, nor is there bad report, nor outcry in our streets. 15. Happy is the nation for whom this is so. Happy is that nation whose G-d is the Lord.

Tikkun HaKlali

Chapter 105

45. In order that they keep His statutes and observe His laws. Hallelujah.

Chapter 137

1. By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat, we also wept when we remembered Zion.

2. On willows in its midst we hung our harps.

3. For there our captors asked us for words of song and our tormentors [asked of us] mirth, "Sing for us of the song of Zion."

Psalm 89

49. Who is a man who will live and not see death, who will rescue his soul from the grasp of the grave forever?

Week 49 (Book 6): Reviewing the Third Week of Elul - Psalms 145-147; 137:4-6; 89:50

Psalms

Chapter 145

1. A psalm of praise by David: I will exalt You, my G-d the King, and bless Your Name forever. 2. Every day I will bless You, and extol Your Name forever. 3. The Lord is great and exceedingly exalted; there is no limit to His greatness. 4. One generation to another will laud Your works, and tell of Your mighty acts. 5. I will speak of the splendor of Your glorious majesty and of Your wondrous deeds. 6. They will proclaim the might of Your awesome acts, and I will recount Your greatness. 7. They will express the remembrance of Your abounding goodness, and sing of Your righteousness. 8. The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and of great kindness. 9. The Lord is good to all, and His mercies extend over all His works. 10. Lord, all Your works will give thanks to You, and Your pious ones will bless You. 11. They will declare the glory of Your kingdom, and tell of Your strength, 12. to make known to men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom. 13. Your kingship is a kingship over all worlds, and Your dominion is throughout all generations. 14. The Lord supports all who fall, and straightens all who are bent. 15. The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food at the proper time. 16. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. 17. The Lord is righteous in all His ways, and benevolent in all His deeds. 18. The Lord is close to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. 19. He fulfills the desire of those who fear Him, hears their cry and delivers them. 20. The Lord watches over all who love Him, and will destroy all the wicked. 21. My mouth will utter the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh bless His holy Name forever.

Chapter 146

1. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul. 2. I will sing to the Lord with my soul; I will chant praises to my G-d while I yet exist. 3. Do not place your trust in nobles, nor in mortal man who has not the ability to bring deliverance. 4. When his spirit departs, he returns to his earth; on that very day, his plans come to naught. 5. Fortunate is he whose help is the G-d of Jacob, whose hope rests upon the Lord his G-d. 6. He makes the heavens, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them; He keeps His promise faithfully forever. 7. He renders justice to the oppressed; He gives food to the hungry; the Lord releases those who are bound. 8. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; the Lord straightens those who are bowed; the Lord loves the righteous. 9. The Lord watches over the strangers; He gives strength to orphan and widow; He thwarts the way of the wicked. 10. The Lord shall reign forever, your G-d, O Zion, throughout all generations. Praise the Lord!

Chapter 147

1. Praise the Lord! Sing to our G-d for He is good; praise befits Him for He is pleasant. 2. The Lord is the rebuilder of Jerusalem; He will gather the banished of Israel. 3. He heals the broken-hearted, and bandages their wounds. 4. He counts the number of the stars; He gives a name to each of them. 5. Great is our Master and abounding in might; His understanding is beyond reckoning. 6. The Lord strengthens the humble; He casts the wicked to the ground. 7. Lift your voices to the Lord in gratitude; sing to our G-d with the harp. 8. He covers the heaven with clouds; He prepares rain for the earth, and makes grass grow upon the mountains. 9. He gives the animal its food, to the young ravens which cry to Him. 10. He does not desire [those who place their trust in] the strength of the horse, nor does He want those who rely upon the thighs [swiftness] of man. 11. He desires those who fear Him, those who long for His kindness. 12. Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; Zion, extol your G-d. 13. For He has strengthened the bolts of your gates; He has blessed your children in your midst. 14. He has made peace within your borders; He satiates you with the finest of wheat. 15. He issues His command to the earth; swiftly does His word run. 16. He dispenses snow like fleece; He scatters frost like ashes. 17. He hurls His ice like morsels; who can withstand His cold? 18. He sends forth His word and melts them; He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow. 19. He tells His words [Torah] to Jacob, His statutes and ordinances to Israel. 20. He has not done so for other nations, and they do not know [His] ordinances. Praise the Lord!

Tikkun HaKlali

Chapter 137

4. "How shall we sing the song of the Lord on foreign soil?"

5. If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget [its skill].

6. May my tongue cling to my palate, if I do not remember you, if I do not bring up Jerusalem at the beginning of my joy.

Psalm 89

50. Where are Your former acts of kindness, O Lord, which You swore to David in your trust?  

Week 50 (Book 6): Reviewing the Fourth Week of Elul - Psalms 148-150; 137:7-9; 89:51

Psalms

Chapter 148

1. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the celestial heights. 2. Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His hosts. 3. Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all the shining stars. 4. Praise Him, hea-ven of heavens, and the waters that are above the heavens. 5. Let them praise the Name of the Lord, for He comman-ded and they were created. 6. He has established them forever, for all time; He issued a decree, and it shall not be transgressed. 7. Praise the Lord from the earth, sea-monsters and all [that dwell in] the depths; 8. fire and hail, snow and vapor, stormy wind carrying out His command; 9. the mountains and all hills, fruit-bearing trees and all cedars; 10. the beasts and all cattle, creeping things and winged fowl; 11. kings of the earth and all nations, rulers and all judges of the land; 12. young men as well as maidens, elders with young lads. 13. Let them praise the Name of the Lord, for His Name is sublime, to Himself; its radiance [alone] is upon earth and heaven. 14. He shall raise the glory of His people, [increase] the praise of all His pious ones, the Children of Israel, the people close to Him. Praise the Lord!

Chapter 149

1. Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, [recount] His praise in the assembly of the pious. 2. Israel will rejoice in its Maker; the children of Zion will delight in their King. 3. They will praise His Name with dancing; they will sing to Him with the drum and harp. 4. For the Lord desires His people; He will adorn the humble with salvation. 5. The pious will exult in glory; they will sing upon their beds. 6. The exaltation of G-d is in their throat, and a double-edged sword in their hand, 7. to bring retribution upon the nations, punishment upon the peoples; 8. to bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with iron fetters; 9. to execute upon them the prescribed judgment; it shall be a glory for all His pious ones. Praise the Lord!

Chapter 150

1. Praise the Lord! Praise G-d in His holiness; praise Him in the firmament of His strength. 2. Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to His abundant greatness. 3. Praise Him with the call of the shofar; praise Him with harp and lyre. 4. Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and flute. 5. Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with clanging cymbals. 6. Let every soul praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! 

Tikkun HaKlali

Chapter 137

7. Remember, O Lord, for the sons of Edom, the day of Jerusalem, those who say, "Raze it, raze it, down to its foundation!"

8. O Daughter of Babylon, who is destined to be plundered, praiseworthy is he who repays you your recompense that you have done to us.

9. Praiseworthy is he who will take and dash your infants against the rock.

Psalm 89

51. Remember, O Lord, the disgrace of Your servants, which I bear in my bosom, [the disgrace] of all great nations.

Week 51 (Book 6): Reviewing the Fourth Week of Elul - Perek Shirah 1-3; 150:1-3; 89:52

Perek Shirah (Translations from Nosson Slifkin/Lazer Brody):

Chapter One

The Heavens say: "The Heavens tell of God's glory, and the
firmament tells of His handiwork." (Psalms 19:2)

The Earth says: "Hashem's is the earth and all its entirety, the inhabited land and those who dwell therein" (Psalms 24:1). And it says, "We have heard songs from the edge of the earth, glory to the righteous." (Isaiah 24:16)

The Garden of Eden says: "Arouse, O North, and come, O South! Blow upon my garden, let its fragrance flow forth; let my beloved come to His garden and partake of its treasured fruit." (Song of Songs 4:16)

Gehennom says: "For He has satiated a longing soul and has filled the hungry soul with good." (Psalms 107:9)

The Desert says: "The desert and the wasteland shall rejoice, and the arid region shall rejoice and blossom like a rose." (Isaiah 35:1)

The Fields say: "Hashem founded the land with wisdom; He established the heavens with understanding." (Proverbs 3:19)

The Waters say: "The sound of His voice places the multitude of waters in the heavens and He raises the vapors from the end of the earth." (Jeremiah 51:16)

The Seas say: "More than the voices of many waters, mightier
than the breakers of the sea, Hashem is mighty on high." (Psalms 93:4)

The Rivers say: "Let the rivers clap their hands, together the mountains shall sing for joy!" (Psalms 98:8)

The Wellsprings say: "And as singers that are flutists, are all my wellsprings within you." (Psalms 87:7)

Chapter Two

The Day says: "The day to day utters speech and night to night expresses knowledge." (Psalms 19:3)

The Night says: "To tell of Your compassion in the morning, and of Your faithfulness by nights." (Psalms 92:3)

The Sun says: "The sun (covered by) the moon stands in its abode; they proceed by the light of Your arrows and by the flash of Your glittering spear." (Habakuk 3:11)

The Moon says: "He made the moon for the festivals; the sun knows its destination." (Psalms 104:19)

The Stars say: "You alone are Hashem; You made the heavens, and the heaven of heavens and all their legions, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them, and You give them all life; and the heavenly legion bows down to You." (Nehemiah 9:6)

The Rain Clouds say: "He made darkness His secret place; His surroundings are His shelter, the darkness of water the clouds of the heavens." (Psalms 18:12)

The Clouds of Glory say: "Even when it's clear, He troubles the rain cloud to form; the cloud shall spread its light." (Job 37:11)

The Wind says: "I will say to the north, relinquish; and to the south, do not withhold; bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the ends of the earth." (Isaiah 43:6)

The Lightning says: "He makes lightning for the rain; He brings forth the wind from His treasuries." (Psalms 135:7)

The Dew says: "I shall be as dew to Israel, he shall blossom like a rose and shall cast forth his roots like the Lebanon." (Hoshea 14:6)

The Rains say: "You shall spray a rain of generosity, O Lord, to strengthen Your heritage when it falters." (Psalms 68:10)

Chapter Three

The Trees of the Field say: "Then shall the trees of the forest sing out at the presence of Hashem, for He comes to judge the earth." (Chronicles I, 16:33)

The Grapevine says: "So says Hashem: When the wine is found in the cluster, and one says, 'Do not destroy it, for it contains a blessing,' so I shall do for the sake of My servants, so as  not to destroy everything." (Isaiah 65:8)

The Fig says: "He who guards the fig shall eat of her fruits." (Proverbs 27:18)

The Pomegranate says: "Your cheeks are like a slice of pomegranate under the lock of your  hair." (Song of Songs 4:3)

The Palm says: "The righteous flower like the palm tree; they grow tall like a cedar in Lebanon." (Psalms 92:13)

The Apple says: "Like the apple among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. I yearned for and sat in his proximity, and his fruit is sweet to my palate." (Song of Songs 2:3)

The Sheaves of Wheat say: "A song of ascents; from the depths  have called out to You, Hashem." (Psalms 130:1)

The Sheaves of Barley say: "A prayer of the pauper when he swoons, and pours his supplications before Hashem." (Psalms 102:1)

The Other Sheaves say: "The meadows don sheep; the valleys wrap themselves in fodder, they shout for joy, they even sing!" (Psalms 65:14)

The Vegetables of the Field say: "The furrows are watered in abundance, the soil is settled, You soften it with showers, You bless its growth." (Psalms 104:31)

The Grasses say: "May the glory of Hashem endure forever; may Hashem rejoice in His works." (Psalms 104:31)

Tikkun HaKlali

Chapter 150

1. Hallelujah! Praise G-d in His holy place, praise Him in the firmament of His might.

2. Praise Him with His mighty deeds, praise Him as befits His superb greatness.

3. Praise Him with a shofar blast, praise Him with psaltery and lyre.

Psalm 89

52. Which Your enemies disgraced, O Lord, which they disgraced the ends of Your anointed.  

Week 52 (Book 6): Reviewing the Week of Rosh Hashanah - Perek Shirah 4-6; 150:4-6; 89:53

Week 52 (Book 5): Reviewing the Week of Rosh Hashanah - Perek Shirah 4-6; 150:4-6; 89:53

Perek Shirah (Translations from Nosson Slifkin/Lazer Brody):

Chapter Four The Rooster says: "When the Holy One, blessed be He, comes to the righteous in the Garden of Eden, all the trees of the Garden of Eden exude their fragrance, and they rejoice and praise, and then He arouses and praises." (Zohar, Vayakhel, 195) 

In its first call it says: "Raise up your heads, O gates! Be uplifted, eternal portals, so that the King of Glory may enter! Who is He, the King of Glory? Hashem, the mighty and strong, Hashem, the mighty in battle!" (Psalms 24:7-8) 

In its second call it says: "Raise up your heads, O gates, and raise up, eternal portals, so that the King of Glory may enter. Who is He, the King of Glory? Hashem, Master of Legions, He is the King of Glory, Selah!" (Psalms 24:9-10) 

In its third call it says: "Stand, O righteous ones, and engross yourselves in Torah so that your reward will be double in the World-to-Come." 

In its fourth call it says: "I have hoped for Your salvation, Hashem." (Genesis 49:18)

In its fifth call it says: "How long will you recline, O lazy one? When will you rise from your sleep?" (Proverbs 6:9) 

In its sixth call it says: "Do not love sleep, lest you become poor; open your eyes and you shall be satiated with bread." (Proverbs 20:13) 

In its seventh call it says: "It's time to act for Hashem, for they have violated Your Torah." (Psalms 119:126) 

The Hen says: "He gives bread to all flesh, for His lovingkindness endures forever." (Psalms 136:25) 

The Pigeon says: "Like a crane or a swallow, so do I chatter; I moan like a pigeon, my eyes weakened from looking upward; O Lord, I am oppressed, be my security." (Isaiah 38:14) The Pigeon says before The Holy One, blessed be He, "Master of the World, may my sustenance be as bitter as an olive in Your hands, rather than being sweet as honey in the hands of flesh and blood." (Gemorra, tractate Eruvin 18b) 

The Eagle says: "And You, Hashem, Lord of Hosts, Lord of Israel, arouse to punish the nations; do not pardon the wicked traitors, Selah." (Psalms 59:6) The Crane says: "Give thanks to Hashem with the lyre; play for Him with the ten-stringed harp." (Psalms 33:2) 

The Bird says: "A Bird has also found its home and the sparrow a nest for herself where she placed her young; Your altars, Hashem of Hosts – my King and my God." (Psalms 84:4) 

The Swallow says: "So that my soul shall sing Your honor and shall not be silent, Hashem my God – I shall forever thank you." (Psalms 30:13) 

The Swift says: "My help is from Hashem, Maker of Heaven and Earth." (Psalms 121:2) 

The Petrel says: "Light is sown for the righteous, joy for the straight-of-heart." (Psalms 97:11) 

The Bat says: "Be comforted, My people, be comforted, says your God." (Isaiah 1:40) 

The Stork says: "Speak to the heart of Jerusalem, and call to her that her sentence is over since her sins have been pardoned, for she has received double from Hashem's hand for all her sins." (Isaiah 40:2) 

The Crow says: "Who prepares food for the crow, when his young ones cry out to Hashem?" (Job 38:41) 

The Starling says: "Their descendants shall be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall recognize them, that they are the seed that Hashem has blessed." (Isaiah 61:9) 

The Domestic Goose says: "Give thanks to Hashem and call His name, inform the nations of His works! Sing to Him, chant to Him, speak of all His wonders!" (Psalms 105: 1-2) 

The Wild Goose that flies in the wilderness, when it sees Israel engrossed in Torah says: "A voice cries, Make way for Hashem, straighten a path in the desert for our God" (Isaiah 40:3). And upon finding its subsistence says: "Cursed is the man who trusts in a human; blessed is the man who trusts in Hashem, and Hashem shall be his assurance." (Jeremiah 17: 5, 7) 

The Ducks say: "Trust in Hashem forever, for in God Hashem is the everlasting rock." (Isaiah 26:4) The Bee-Eater says: "I will whistle to them and gather them, for I have redeemed them, and they shall multiply as they multiplied." (Zechariah 10:8) 

The Grasshopper says: "I lift my eyes to the mountains, from where shall my help come?" (Psalms 121:1)  

The Locust says: "Hashem, You are my God; I will exalt You and give thanks to Your Name for You have done wonders; Your counsel from afar is faithfulness and trust." (Isaiah 25:1)

The Spider says: "Praise Him with sounding cymbals! Praise Him with clashing cymbals!" (Psalms 150:5) 

The Fly says, when Israel is not engrossed in Torah: "The voice said, 'Call out'. And he said, 'What shall I call out? All flesh is grass and its kindness is like the blossom of the field.' The grass withers and the blossom fades, but the word of God shall endure forever" (Isaiah 40:6,8). "I create the expression of the lips: Peace, peace for the far and for the near says Hashem, and I will heal him." (Isaiah 57:19) 

The Giant Sea Creatures say: "Praise Hashem from the earth, the giant sea creatures and the depths." (Psalms 148:7) 

The Whale says: "Give thanks to Hashem for He is good, His kindness endures forever." (Psalms 136:1) 

The Fish say: "The voice of Hashem is upon the waters, The God of glory thunders; Hashem is upon a multitude of waters." (Psalms 29:3) 

The Frog says: "Blessed is the Name of His glorious Kingdom forever and ever!" (Talmud, tractate Pesachim 56a)

Chapter Five

The Sheep and Goats say: "Who is like You among the might ones, Hashem, who is like You, adorned in holiness, awesome in praise, worker of wonders!" (Exodus 15:11)

The Cattle say: "Rejoice unto God, our strength, applaud the God of Jacob!" (Psalms 81:2)

The Swine say: "Hashem is good to the upright and the straight of heart." (Psalms 128:2)

The Beast of Burden says: "If you eat the fruit of your labors, how happy and fortunate you are." (Psalms 128:2)

The Camel says: Hashem roars from upon high and sounds His voice from His holy Abode, and roars His agony about His Temple. (Jeremiah 25:30)

The Horse says: "Behold, as the eyes of the servants to their
master's hand, as the eyes of a maid to her mistress's hand, so are our eyes to Hashem our God until He will favor us." (Psalms 123:2)

The Mule says: "All the kings of earth shall acknowledge You, Hashem, for they have heard the sayings of Your mouth." (Psalms 138:4)

The Donkey says: "To You, Hashem, is the greatness and the might and the triumph and the glory for everything in heaven and earth is Yours; To You, Hashem, is the monarchy and the sovereignty over every leader." (Chronicles I, 29:11)

The Ox says: "Then sang Moses and the Children of Israel this song to Hashem, and they said, 'I shall sing to Hashem, for He has risen above the arrogant; He threw the horse and its rider into the sea." (Exodus 15:1)

The Wild Animals say: "Blessed is the Good One Who does good." (Talmud, Berachos 48b)

The Deer says: "And I shall sing of Your might and I shall rejoice of Your kindness in the morning, for You were a fortress for me and refuge on the day of my oppression." (Psalms 59:17)

The Elephant says: "How great are your works, Hashem; Your thoughts are extremely deep." (Psalms 92:6)

The Lion says: "Hashem shall go forth as a mighty man; as a warrior arouses zeal, He shall shout, even roar; He shall overcome His enemies." (Isaiah 42:13)

The Bear says: "The wilderness and its cities shall lift raise their voices, the courtyards where Kedar dwells, the rock dwellers shall rejoice, they will shout from the mountain peaks. They will give glory to Hashem and tell of His praise on the islands." (Isaiah 42:11-12)

The Wolf says: "For every criminal act – for the ox, the donkey, the lamb, the garment, for every lost item which he says, 'This is it!', shall they both come with their claim to the judge; he who the judge finds guilty shall pay double to his fellow." (Exodus 22:8)

The Fox says: "Woe to him that builds his house without righteousness and his upstairs rooms without justice; he employs his fellow with no wages, and will not pay him his due." (Jeremiah 22:13)

The Greyhound says: "Let the righteous rejoice in Hashem; glory befits the upright." (Psalms 33:1)

The Cat says: "If you rise up like a vulture, and place your nest among the stars, from there I shall bring you down, say G-d." (Obadiah 1:4)

And the Mouse says: "I shall exalt you G-d, for You have impoverished me, and You have not let my enemies rejoice over me." (Psalms 30:2)

And when the Cat catches it, the Cat says, "I shall pursue my enemies and overtake them, and I shall not return until they are destroyed." (Psalms 18:38)

And the Mouse says: "And You are just for all that comes upon me, for You have acted in truth and I have been wicked." (Nehemia 9:33)

Chapter Six

The Insects say: "May Israel rejoice in his Creator; may the children of Zion be joyful in their King." (Psalms 149:2)

The Reptiles say: "Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the chambers of your house, your children like olive seedlings around your table." (Psalms 128:3)

The Snake says: "Hashem supports the fallen and straightens the bent over." (Psalms 145:14)

The Scorpion says: "Hashem is good to all, and His mercy is upon all His handiwork." (Psalms 145:9)

The Snail says: "Like a snail that melts away, a stillbirth that does not see the sun." (Psalms 58:9)

The Ant says: "Go to the ant, sluggard; see its ways and become wise." (Proverbs 6:6)

The Rat says: "Let every soul praise Hashem, Halleluja!" (Psalms 150:6)

The Dog says: "Come, let us prostrate ourselves and bow, let us kneel before Hashem our Maker." (Psalms 95:6)

Tikkun HaKlali

Chapter 150

4. Praise Him with timbres and dance, praise Him with stringed instruments and flute.

5. Praise Him with resounding cymbals, praise Him with resonant cymbals.

6. Let every soul praise G-d. Hallelujah! 

Psalm 89

53. Blessed is the Lord forever. Amen and Amen. 

Week 12 (Book 7): The Raven Is Saying

The Raven is saying, 

Who prepares food for the raven, 

When his young ones cry out to G-d?
[So] the Lord guided them alone, 

And there was no alien deity with Him.

And He fixed darkness about Him as Sukkot

Gathering of waters, thick clouds of the skies.

Who is like You among the powerful, O Lord? 

Who is like You, exalted in the holy place? 

My soul thirsts for G-d, for the living G-d; 

When will I come and appear before G-d?

On my bed at night, I sought him whom my soul loves 
I sought him but I did not find him.

And it came to pass, as she prayed long before the Lord, 

That Eli watched her mouth.

I will seek him whom my soul loves 

I sought him, but I did not find him.

 

Liken yourself, my beloved, 

To a gazelle or to a fawn of the hinds, on distant mountains.

That offered themselves willingly among the people, 

(Saying,) 'Bless the Lord,' the riders of white donkeys,

As a hart cries longingly for rivulets of water, 

So does my soul cry longingly to You, O G-d.

My tears were my bread day and night 

When they say to me all day long, "Where is your G-d?"

I will arise now and go about the city, 

In the market places and in the city squares. 

The north and the south-You created them; 

Tabor and Hermon sing of Your Name. 

Until the sun spreads, and the shadows flee, 

Go around; 

For the conductor, 

A maskil of the sons of Korah.