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. 

Week 13 (Book 7): The Starling is Singing

 The Starling is Saying, 

He made them ride upon the high places of the earth, 

That they would eat the produce of the field. 

Their seed shall be known among the nations, 

And their offspring among the peoples; 

He let them suck honey from a rock, 

And oil from the mighty part of the crag. 

All who see them shall acknowledge them, 

That they are the seed that G-d has blessed.

Those that sit in judgment, 

And those that walk on the path, tell of it. 

Too awesome for praises, 

Performing wonders! 

Instead of the noise of adversaries, 

Between the places of drawing water,

You inclined Your right hand; 

The earth swallowed them up.

The watchmen who patrol the city found me: 

Have you seen him whom my soul loves?

Only her lips moved, but her voice could not be heard; 

Therefore, Eli thought she had been drunk.

Now Hannah, she spoke in her heart; 

Why are you downcast, my soul, and why do you wail within me? 

Hope to G-d, for I will yet thank Him for the deliverances of His countenance. 

From the brightness before Him flamed forth coals of fire. 

I had just passed them by, 

When I found him whom my soul loves; 

These do I recall, and pour out my soul from within me: 

How I traveled [to Jerusalem] in covered wagons; I

I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, 

By the gazelles or by the hinds of the field, 

Yours is the arm which has the might; 

Strengthen Your hand, raise high Your right hand.

 held him and would not let him go, until I brought him into my mother's house 

And into the chamber of her who had conceived me.

I would walk leisurely with them up to the House of G-d, 

Amid the sound of rejoicing and thanksgiving, the celebrating multitude. 

My G-d! My soul is downcast upon me, 

Because I remember You from the land of Jordan 

And Hermon's peaks, from Mount Mitzar.

That you neither awaken 

Nor arouse the love while it is desirous.

Week 14 (Book 7): The Domestic Goose is Saying

The Domestic Goose is Saying, 

Give thanks to G-d and call upon His name, 

Make His works known amongst the peoples,

By day the Lord ordains His kindness, 

And at night His song is with me. 

Sing to Him, make music to Him, speak of all His wonders! 

A prayer to the G-d of my life. 

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; 

Kindness and truth go before Your countenance. 

Deep calls to deep at the roar of Your channels 

All Your breakers and waves have swept over me. 

Behold the litter of Solomon; sixty mighty men are around it, of the mighty men of Israel.

They all hold the sword, skilled in warfare; each with a sword on his thigh due to fear at night.

The Lord thundered from heaven; 

And the Most High gave forth His voice. 

I say to G-d, my rock, "Why have You forgotten me? 

Why must I walk in gloom under the oppression of the enemy?”

And it would drink the blood of grapes as the finest wine. 

And Eli said to her: Until when will you be drunk? 

Throw off your wine from upon yourself.

Of all the powder of the peddler

Who is this coming up from the desert, 

Like columns of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, 

The cream of cattle and the milk of sheep, 

With the fat of lambs and rams of Bashan and he goats, with kidneys of wheat

 

Week 18: The Grasshopper is Saying (Book 7)

 The Grasshopper is saying 

I lift my eyes up to the mountains, 

Where shall my help come from?

For our protectors turn to the Lord, 

And our king to the Holy One of Israel.

You shall look from the peak of Amanah, 

From the peak of Senir and Hermon, 

From the lions' dens, from mountains of leopards.

[Because of] his might, I wait for You, for G-d is my stronghold. 

The G-d of my kindness will anticipate my [need]; 

G-d will show me [the downfall] of my watchful foes. 

With the arm of Your greatness may they become as still as a stone, 

Until Your people cross over, O Lord,

He delivered me from my mighty enemy; 

From them that hated me; for they were too powerful for me. 

But You, Lord, You laugh at them; 

You mock all nations. 

You forgot the [Mighty] Rock Who bore you; 

You forgot the G-d Who delivered you. 

Out of Ephraim, whose root was against Amalek; 

After you (will be) Benjamin with your abaters;

You have captivated my heart, my sister, [my] bride; 

You have captivated my heart with one of your eyes, 

With one link of your necklaces.

And she said: May your bondswoman find favor in your eyes; 

You are all fair, my beloved, and there is no blemish in you.

With me from Lebanon, my bride, with me from Lebanon shall you come; 

And the woman went on her way and ate, 

And her face was not (sad) anymore.  

Week 19: The Locust is Saying (Book 7)

The Locust is saying, 

At the sight of their accursed state and deterioration, [people] will recount. 

Consume them in wrath, consume them and they will be no more; 

And the Lord saw this and became angry, 

Provoked by His sons and daughters. 

Do not kill them, lest my nation forget; 

Drive them about with Your might and impoverish them, 

Until this nation that You have acquired crosses over. 

You shall bring them and plant them on the mount of Your heritage,

And they will know that G-d rules in Jacob, to the ends of the earth, Selah. 

And they arose early in the morning, and prostrated themselves before the Lord: 

And they returned and came to their house, to Ramah, 

I will praise Your Name; for You have done wondrous things; 

They confronted me on the day of my calamity;  

But the Lord was a support to me.

O our Shield, my Master, [for] the sin of their mouth, 

The word of their lips;  let them be trapped by their arrogance. 

Out of Machir came down officers, 

And out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the scribe.

And Elkanah knew Hannah, his wife, and the Lord remembered her.    

Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

Then You spoke in a vision to Your pious ones and said: 

How fair is your love, my sister, [my] bride; 

How much better is your love than wine, 

and the fragrance of your oils than all spices! 

I have granted aid to [David] the mighty one; 

Your lips drip flowing honey, O bride; 

Honey and milk are under your tongue, 

O G-d, You are my Lord; I will exalt You, 

I have exalted the one chosen from among the people.

And the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon. 

A locked up garden is my sister, [my] bride; 

A locked up spring, a sealed fountain.