02 - Complete Ma'ariv for Purim - כל תפילת מעריב לפורים

He, being merciful, forgives iniquity and does not destroy; time and again He turns away His anger, and does not arouse all His wrath. L‑rd, help us; may the King answer us on the day we call.

A Song of Ascents. Behold, bless the L‑rd, all you servants of the L‑rd, who stand in the House of the L‑rd in the nights. Lift up your hands in holiness, and bless the L‑rd. May the L‑rd bless you from Zion, He who makes heaven and earth. By day the L‑rd commands His kindness, and at night His song is with me, a prayer to the G‑d of my life. The deliverance of the righteous comes from the L‑rd; He is their stronghold in time of trouble. The L‑rd helps them and rescues them; He rescues them from the wicked and saves them, because they have taken refuge in Him.

The L‑rd of hosts is with us; the G‑d of Yaakov is our everlasting stronghold.

The L‑rd of hosts is with us; the G‑d of Yaakov is our everlasting stronghold.

The L‑rd of hosts is with us; the G‑d of Yaakov is our everlasting stronghold.

L‑rd of hosts, happy is the man who trusts in You.

L‑rd of hosts, happy is the man who trusts in You.

L‑rd of hosts, happy is the man who trusts in You.

L‑rd, deliver us; may the King answer us on the day we call.

L‑rd, deliver us; may the King answer us on the day we call.

L‑rd, deliver us; may the King answer us on the day we call.

Exalted and hallowed be His great Name. (Amen) Throughout the world which He has created according to His will. May He establish His kingship, bring forth His redemption and hasten the coming of His Moshiach. (Amen) In your lifetime and in your days and in the lifetime of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon, and say, Amen. (Amen)

May His great Name be blessed forever and to all eternity. Blessed and praised, glorified, exalted and extolled, honored, adored and lauded be the Name of the Holy One, blessed be He. (Amen) Beyond all the blessings, hymns, praises and consolations that are uttered in the world; and say, Amen. (Amen)

Bless the L‑rd who is blessed.

Blessed be the L‑rd who is blessed for all eternity.

Blessed are You, L‑rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who by His word brings on the evenings, with wisdom opens the gates, with understanding changes the times and alternates the seasons, and arranges the stars in their watches in the sky, according to His will.

He creates day and night; He rolls away light before darkness and darkness before light; He causes the day to pass and brings the night, and separates between day and night; the L‑rd of hosts is His Name. Blessed are You, L‑rd, who brings on the evenings.

With everlasting love You have loved the House of Israel, Your people; You have taught us Torah and mitzvos, statutes and laws. Therefore, L‑rd our G‑d, when we lie down and when we rise we will speak of Your statutes, and we will rejoice in the words of Your Torah and in Your mitzvos forever and ever.

For they are our life and the length of our days, and on them we will meditate day and night. May Your love never depart from us. Blessed are You, L‑rd, who loves His people Israel.

Hear, O Israel, the L‑rd is our G‑d, the L‑rd is One.

Blessed be the name of the glory of His kingdom forever and ever.

You shall love the L‑rd your G‑d with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you today shall be upon your heart. You shall teach them thoroughly to your children, and you shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the way, when you lie down and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as tefillin between your eyes. And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house and upon your gates.

(Deuteronomy 11:13-21)

And it will be, if you diligently obey My commandments which I command you this day, to love the L‑rd your G‑d and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul — I will give rain for your land at its proper time, the early rain and the late rain, and you will gather in your grain, your wine and your oil. And I will give grass in your field for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied. Take care lest your heart be enticed, and you turn away and serve other gods and bow down to them. Then the L‑rd's wrath will blaze against you, and He will close the heavens so that there will be no rain, and the earth will not yield its produce,

and you will quickly perish from the good land which the L‑rd gives you. Therefore, place these words of Mine upon your heart and upon your soul; bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as tefillin between your eyes. Teach them to your children, to speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the way, when you lie down and when you rise. And write them upon the doorposts of your house and upon your gates — so that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied on the land which the L‑rd swore to your fathers to give them, as the days of the heavens above the earth.

(Numbers 15:37-41)

The L‑rd spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the children of Israel and tell them to make for themselves fringes on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to attach a thread of blue on the fringe of each corner. They shall be to you as tzitzis, and you shall look upon them and remember all the commandments of the L‑rd and fulfill them, and you will not follow after your heart and after your eyes, which lead you astray. So that you may remember and fulfill all My commandments, and be holy to your G‑d. I am the L‑rd your G‑d who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your G‑d; I, the L‑rd, am your G‑d.

True and faithful is all this, and it is firmly established for us that He is the L‑rd our G‑d and there is none besides Him, and that we, Israel, are His people. He redeems us from the hand of kings; our King delivers us from the grasp of all the tyrants. He is the G‑d who exacts retribution for us from our oppressors and brings just recompense upon all the enemies of our soul; who does

great things beyond comprehension and wonders beyond number; who has kept our soul in life and has not let our feet slip; who led us upon the high places of our enemies and raised our strength over all our foes. He is the G‑d who wrought vengeance for us upon Pharaoh, and signs and wonders in the land of the children of Cham; who in His wrath struck all the firstborn of Egypt, and brought out His people Israel from their midst to everlasting freedom; who led His children through the divided parts of the Sea of Reeds, and drowned their pursuers and their enemies in the depths. His children beheld His might; they praised and gave thanks to His Name, and willingly accepted His kingship upon themselves. Moshe and the children of Israel raised their voices in song to You with great joy, and they all said:

Who is like You among the mighty, L‑rd! Who is like You, glorious in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders! Your children beheld Your sovereignty as You split the sea before Moshe; "This is my G‑d!" they exclaimed, and said:

"The L‑rd shall reign forever and ever." And it is said: For the L‑rd has redeemed Yaakov, and delivered him from the hand of one stronger than he. Blessed are You, L‑rd, who redeemed Israel.

Lay us down, our Father, in peace; raise us up, our King, to a good life and to peace. Set us right with good counsel from before You, and save us speedily for the sake of Your Name. Spread over us the shelter of Your peace. Shield us, and remove from us the enemy, pestilence, sword, famine and sorrow. Remove the adversary from before us and from behind us, and shelter us in the shadow of Your wings. Guard our going out and our coming in, for a good life and for peace, from now and forever. For You, G‑d, are our Guardian and our Deliverer. Blessed are You, L‑rd, who guards His people Israel forever.

Exalted and hallowed be His great Name. (Amen) Throughout the world which He has created according to His will. May He establish His kingship, bring forth His redemption and hasten the coming of His Moshiach. (Amen) In your lifetime and in your days and in the lifetime of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon, and say, Amen. (Amen)

May His great Name be blessed forever and to all eternity. Blessed and praised, glorified, exalted and extolled, honored, adored and lauded be the Name of the Holy One, blessed be He. (Amen) Beyond all the blessings, hymns, praises and consolations that are uttered in the world; and say, Amen. (Amen)

My L‑rd, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Your praise.

Blessed are You, L‑rd our G‑d and G‑d of our fathers, G‑d of Avraham, G‑d of Yitzchak, and G‑d of Yaakov, the great, mighty and awesome G‑d, G‑d Most High, who bestows bountiful kindness, who possesses all things, who remembers the piety of the Patriarchs, and who, in love, brings a redeemer to their children's children for the sake of His Name.

O King, Helper, Savior and Shield. Blessed are You, L‑rd, Shield of Abraham.

You are mighty forever, my L‑rd; You revive the dead; You are powerful to save. He causes the wind to blow and the rain to fall. He sustains the living with kindness, revives the dead with great mercy, supports the falling, heals the sick, releases the bound, and keeps His faith with those who sleep in the dust. Who is like You, Master of mighty deeds, and who can be compared to You, King, who brings death and restores life and causes deliverance to spring forth! You are trustworthy to revive the dead. Blessed are You, L‑rd, who revives the dead.

You are holy and Your Name is holy, and holy beings praise You daily for all eternity. Blessed are You, L‑rd, the holy G‑d.

You graciously bestow knowledge upon man and teach mortals understanding.

On Saturday night:

You have graciously granted us knowledge of Your Torah and taught us to perform the statutes of Your will. You, L‑rd our G‑d, have made a distinction between holy and profane, between light and darkness, between Israel and the nations, between the seventh day and the six days of work. Our Father, our King, let the days approaching us begin for us in peace, free of all sin, cleansed of all iniquity, and attached to the fear of You. And

graciously grant us from You wisdom, understanding and knowledge. Blessed are You, L‑rd, who graciously grants knowledge.

Bring us back, our Father, to Your Torah; draw us near, our King, to Your service; and cause us to return to You in wholehearted repentance. Blessed are You, L‑rd, who desires repentance.

Forgive us, our Father, for we have sinned; pardon us, our King, for we have transgressed; for You are a good and forgiving G‑d. Blessed are You, L‑rd, gracious One who pardons abundantly.

Behold our affliction and wage our battle; redeem us speedily for the sake of Your Name, for You are a mighty redeeming G‑d. Blessed are You, L‑rd, Redeemer of Israel.

Heal us, O L‑rd, and we will be healed; help us and we will be saved, for You are our praise. Grant complete cure and healing to all our wounds, for You, G‑d, King, are a faithful and merciful healer. Blessed are You, L‑rd, who heals the sick of His people Israel.

Bless for us, L‑rd our G‑d, this year and all the varieties of its produce for good, and bestow dew and rain for a blessing upon the face of the earth. Satisfy us from Your bounty and bless our year like the good years, for blessing; for You are G‑d who is good and does good and blesses the years. Blessed are You, L‑rd, who blesses the years.

Sound the great shofar for our freedom, raise a banner to gather our exiles, and gather us together from the four corners of the earth into our land. Blessed are You, L‑rd, who gathers the dispersed of His people Israel.

Restore our judges as in former times and our counselors as of old; remove from us sorrow and sighing; and reign over us, You alone, O L‑rd, with kindness and compassion, with righteousness and justice. Blessed are You, L‑rd, King who loves righteousness and justice.

Let there be no hope for informers, and may all the heretics and all the wicked instantly perish; may all the enemies of Your people be speedily cut off; and may You swiftly uproot, break, crush and subdue the reign of wickedness speedily in our days. Blessed are You, L‑rd, who breaks enemies and subdues the wicked.

May Your mercies be aroused, L‑rd our G‑d, upon the righteous, upon the pious, upon the elders of Your people, the House of Israel, upon the remnant of their sages, upon the righteous converts and upon us. Grant ample reward to all who truly trust in Your Name, and place our lot among them; may we never be put to shame, for we have put our trust in You. Blessed are You, L‑rd, the support and security of the righteous.

Return in mercy to Jerusalem Your city and dwell therein as You have promised; speedily establish therein the throne of David Your servant, and rebuild it, soon in our days, as an everlasting edifice. Blessed are You, L‑rd, who rebuilds Jerusalem.

Speedily cause the offspring of David Your servant to flourish, and increase his power through Your salvation, for we hope for Your salvation all day. Blessed are You, L‑rd, who causes the power of salvation to flourish.

Hear our voice, L‑rd our G‑d; merciful Father, have compassion upon us and accept our prayers in mercy and favor, for You are G‑d who hears prayers and supplications; do not turn us away empty-handed from Your presence, our King, for You hear the prayer of every mouth. Blessed are You, L‑rd, who hears prayer.

Look with favor, L‑rd our G‑d, on Your people Israel and pay heed to their prayer; restore the service to the inner sanctuary of Your House, and accept with love and favor Israel's fire-offerings and their prayer; and may the service of Your people Israel always find favor.

And for the miracles, for the redemption, for the mighty deeds, for the saving acts and for the wonders which You performed for our fathers in those days, at this time.

In the days of Mordechai and Esther, in Shushan the capital, when the wicked Haman rose up against them and sought to destroy, slay and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, children and women, on one day, on the thirteenth of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, and to plunder their wealth — You, in Your abundant mercy, foiled his counsel, frustrated his intention, and brought his evil design upon his own head; and they hanged him and his sons upon the gallows.

May our eyes behold Your return to Zion in mercy. Blessed are You, L‑rd, who restores His Divine Presence to Zion.

We thankfully acknowledge that You are the L‑rd our G‑d and the G‑d of our fathers forever. You are the strength of our life, the shield of our salvation, in every generation. We will give thanks to You and recount Your praise, for our lives which are committed into Your hand, for our souls which are entrusted to You, for Your miracles which are with us daily, and for Your wonders and favors at all times, evening, morning and noon. You are the Beneficent One, for Your mercies never cease; the Merciful One, for Your kindnesses never end; for we always place our hope in You.

And for all these, may Your Name, our King, be continually blessed, exalted and extolled forever and all time.

And all the living shall forever thank You and praise Your great Name for ever, for it is good; the G‑d who is our salvation and our help forever, the benevolent G‑d.

Blessed are You, L‑rd, "The Good" is Your Name, and to You it is fitting to give thanks.

Bestow peace, goodness and blessing, life, graciousness, kindness and mercy, upon us and upon all Your people Israel. Bless us, our Father, all of us as one, with the light of Your countenance, for by the light of Your countenance You gave us, L‑rd our G‑d, the Torah of life and loving-kindness, righteousness, blessing, mercy, life and peace. May it be good in Your eyes to bless Your people Israel at all times and at every moment with Your peace. Blessed are You, L‑rd, who blesses His people Israel with peace.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable before You, L‑rd, my Strength and my Redeemer.

My G‑d, guard my tongue from evil and my lips from speaking deceitfully. To those who curse me, let my soul be silent, and let my soul be as dust to all. Open my heart to Your Torah, and let my soul pursue Your mitzvos. As for all those who plot evil against me, swiftly frustrate their counsel and thwart their designs. Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the L‑rd driving them on. That Your beloved ones may be delivered, help with Your right hand and answer me. Act for the sake of Your Name; act for the sake of Your right hand; act for the sake of Your Torah; act for the sake of Your holiness. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable before You, L‑rd, my Rock and my Redeemer.

He who makes peace in His heavens, may He make peace for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen.

May it be Your will, L‑rd our G‑d and G‑d of our fathers, that the Beis Hamikdash be speedily rebuilt in our days, and grant us our portion in Your Torah.

Exalted and hallowed be His great Name. (Amen) Throughout the world which He has created according to His will. May He establish His kingship, bring forth His redemption and hasten the coming of His Moshiach. (Amen) In your lifetime and in your days and in the lifetime of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon, and say, Amen. (Amen)

May His great Name be blessed forever and to all eternity. Blessed and praised, glorified, exalted and extolled, honored, adored and lauded be the Name of the Holy One, blessed be He. (Amen) Beyond all the blessings, hymns, praises and consolations that are uttered in the world; and say, Amen. (Amen)

May the prayers and supplications of the entire House of Israel be accepted before their Father in heaven; and say, Amen. (Amen)

May there be abundant peace from heaven, and a good life for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen. (Amen)

He who makes peace (During the Ten Days of Teshuvah: the peace) in His heavens, may He make peace for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen. (Amen)

Everyone is obligated to read, or hear the reading of, the Megillah at night and again the next day. The Megillah should be unrolled and folded into three parts. The reader recites the blessings, and all those listening to the reading respond Amen as indicated.

Blessed are You, L‑rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us concerning the reading of the Megillah. (Amen)

Blessed are You, L‑rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our fathers in those days, at this time. (Amen)

Blessed are You, L‑rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion. (Amen)

Esther, Chapter 1

1 It came to pass in the days of Achashverosh — this is the Achashverosh who reigned from Hodu to Kush, over one hundred and twenty-seven provinces —

2 in those days, when King Achashverosh sat on his royal throne in Shushan the capital,

3 in the third year of his reign, he made a feast for all his princes and servants; the army of Persia and Media, the nobles and the princes of the provinces were before him,

4 when he displayed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the splendor of his excellent majesty for many days, one hundred and eighty days.

5 When these days were completed, the king made a feast for all the people present in Shushan the capital, from great to small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace.

6 There were hangings of white, fine cotton and blue wool, held with cords of linen and purple wool to silver rods and marble pillars; couches of gold and silver upon a pavement of alabaster and marble, of mother-of-pearl and onyx.

7 Drinks were served in golden vessels — vessels differing one from another — and royal wine in abundance, as befitted the king's bounty.

8 The drinking was according to the law, with no compulsion, for so the king had instructed every officer of his household, to do according to each man's wishes.

9 Queen Vashti also made a feast for the women, in the royal house of King Achashverosh.

10 On the seventh day, when the king's heart was merry with wine, he ordered Mehuman, Bizzesa, Charvona, Bigsa and Avagsa, Zesar and Karkas, the seven chamberlains who served King Achashverosh,

11 to bring Queen Vashti before the king wearing the royal crown, to show the peoples and the princes her beauty, for she was fair to look upon.

12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command conveyed by the chamberlains. The king became very angry, and his wrath burned within him.

13 The king then spoke to the wise men who knew the times — for such was the king's practice, to consult all who knew law and judgment —

14 and those closest to him were Karshena, Shesar, Admasa, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memuchan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who had access to the king and sat first in the kingdom:

15 "According to the law, what should be done to Queen Vashti, since she did not obey the order of King Achashverosh conveyed by the chamberlains?"

16 Memuchan said before the king and the princes: "Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king, but also all the princes and all the peoples in all the provinces of King Achashverosh.

17 For the queen's conduct will become known to all the women, causing them to look with contempt upon their husbands, when it is said, 'King Achashverosh ordered Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she did not come.'

18 And this very day the princesses of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen's conduct will speak of it to all the king's princes, and there will be much contempt and wrath.
19 If it please the king, let a royal decree go forth from him, and let it be written among the laws of Persia and Media, never to be revoked, that Vashti shall not come before King Achashverosh; and let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she.

20 When the king's decree which he will make is heard throughout all his kingdom, great as it is, all the women will give honor to their husbands, from great to small."

21 The matter pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memuchan.

22 He sent letters to all the king's provinces, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, that every man should rule in his own house and speak the language of his own people.

Esther, Chapter 2

1 After these things, when the wrath of King Achashverosh had subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done, and what had been decreed against her.

2 Then the king's attendants who served him said: "Let young maidens, fair to look upon, be sought for the king.

3 Let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, and let them gather every young maiden fair to look upon to Shushan the capital, to the house of the women, into the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women, and let their cosmetics be given them.

4 And the maiden who pleases the king shall reign in place of Vashti." The matter pleased the king, and he did so.

Congregation, then chazzan

5 There was a Jewish man in Shushan the capital whose name was Mordechai, the son of Yair, the son of Shimi, the son of Kish, a Benjamite,

6 who had been exiled from Jerusalem with the exiles who were carried away with Yechonyah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had exiled.

7 He had brought up Hadassah — that is, Esther — his uncle's daughter, for she had neither father nor mother. The maiden was of beautiful form and fair to look upon, and when her father and mother died, Mordechai took her to himself as a daughter.

8 So it was, when the king's command and his decree were heard, and when many maidens were gathered to Shushan the capital into the custody of Hegai, that Esther too was taken into the king's house, into the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.

9 The maiden pleased him and won his favor, and he hastened to give her cosmetics and her portions, and the seven maidens chosen to be given her from the king's house; and he moved her and her maidens to the best place in the house of the women.

10 Esther had not revealed her people or her lineage, for Mordechai had instructed her not to tell.

11 Every single day Mordechai would walk about in front of the court of the house of the women, to learn of Esther's welfare and what would become of her.

12 When each maiden's turn came to go in to King Achashverosh, after she had been twelve months under the regulations for the women — for so were the days of their anointing completed: six months with oil of myrrh and six months with perfumes and women's cosmetics —

13 then in this manner the maiden would come to the king: whatever she asked for was given her to take with her from the house of the women to the king's house.

14 In the evening she would go in, and in the morning she would return to the second house of the women, into the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, keeper of the concubines. She would not come to the king again unless the king desired her and she was summoned by name.

15 When the turn came for Esther, the daughter of Avichayil the uncle of Mordechai, who had taken her as his daughter, to go in to the king, she requested nothing except what Hegai the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women, advised. And Esther won the favor of all who saw her.

16 Esther was taken to King Achashverosh, into his royal house, in the tenth month, which is the month of Teves, in the seventh year of his reign.

17 The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won his grace and favor more than all the maidens; he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen in place of Vashti.

18 Then the king made a great feast for all his princes and servants — Esther's feast — and he granted a remission of taxes to the provinces and gave gifts as befitted the king's bounty.

19 When the maidens were gathered a second time, Mordechai was sitting at the king's gate.

20 Esther still had not revealed her lineage or her people, as Mordechai had instructed her; for Esther obeyed the word of Mordechai, just as when she was being brought up by him.

21 In those days, while Mordechai was sitting at the king's gate, Bigsan and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains from among the guards of the threshold, became angry and sought to lay hands on King Achashverosh.

22 The matter became known to Mordechai, and he told it to Queen Esther, and Esther told the king in Mordechai's name.

23 The matter was investigated and found to be so, and they were both hanged on a gallows; and it was recorded in the book of chronicles before the king.

Esther, Chapter 3

1 After these things King Achashverosh promoted Haman the son of Hamdasa the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes who were with him.

2 All the king's servants who were at the king's gate would bow and prostrate themselves before Haman, for so the king had commanded concerning him; but Mordechai would not bow nor prostrate himself.

3 Then the king's servants who were at the king's gate said to Mordechai, "Why do you disobey the king's command?"

4 And it came to pass, when they spoke (when they spoke) to him day after day and he would not listen to them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordechai's words would stand; for he had told them that he was a Jew.

5 When Haman saw that Mordechai did not bow nor prostrate himself before him, Haman was filled with wrath.

6 But it seemed contemptible in his eyes to lay hands on Mordechai alone, for they had told him who Mordechai's people were; so Haman sought to destroy all the Jews throughout the whole kingdom of Achashverosh — the people of Mordechai.

7 In the first month, which is the month of Nissan, in the twelfth year of King Achashverosh, they cast pur — that is, the lot — before Haman, from day to day and from month to month, to the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar.

8 Then Haman said to King Achashverosh: "There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws differ from those of every other people, and they do not observe the king's laws. It is not worthwhile for the king to tolerate them.

9 If it please the king, let it be written that they be destroyed, and I will weigh out ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who carry out the business, to bring into the king's treasuries."

10 The king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman the son of Hamdasa the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews.

11 And the king said to Haman: "The silver is given to you, and the people too, to do with them as you see fit."

12 The king's scribes were summoned in the first month, on its thirteenth day, and everything Haman commanded was written to the king's satraps, to the governors over each province, and to the princes of each people — to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language. It was written in the name of King Achashverosh and sealed with the king's ring.

13 Letters were sent by couriers to all the king's provinces, to destroy, to slay and to annihilate all the Jews, young and old, children and women, on one day, on the thirteenth of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their wealth.

14 A copy of the writing was to be issued as law in every province, published to all the peoples, that they should be ready for that day.

15 The couriers went forth in haste by the king's command, and the decree was issued in Shushan the capital. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Shushan was bewildered.

Esther, Chapter 4

1 Mordechai learned of all that had been done, and Mordechai tore his garments and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried out with a loud and bitter cry.

2 He came up to the front of the king's gate, for no one might enter the king's gate clothed in sackcloth.

3 And in every province, wherever the king's command and his decree reached, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and lamenting; many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

4 Esther's maidens and her chamberlains came and told her, and the queen was greatly distressed. She sent garments to clothe Mordechai and to take his sackcloth off him, but he would not accept them.

5 Then Esther called for Hasach, one of the king's chamberlains whom he had appointed to attend her, and commanded him to go to Mordechai, to learn what this was and why it was.

6 So Hasach went out to Mordechai, to the city square in front of the king's gate.

7 Mordechai told him all that had happened to him, and the exact sum of silver that Haman had promised to pay into the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.

8 He also gave him a copy of the written decree that had been issued in Shushan for their destruction, to show it to Esther and tell her, and to charge her to go to the king to plead with him and to make request before him for her people.

9 Hasach came and told Esther the words of Mordechai.

10 Then Esther spoke to Hasach and commanded him to tell Mordechai:

11 "All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that for any man or woman who comes to the king in the inner court without being summoned, there is but one law — to be put to death — unless the king extends to him the golden scepter, that he may live. And I have not been summoned to come to the king these thirty days."

12 They told Mordechai Esther's words.

13 Then Mordechai said to reply to Esther: "Do not imagine in your soul that you will escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.

14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether it was not for a time such as this that you attained royalty?"

15 Then Esther said to reply to Mordechai:

16 "Go, gather together all the Jews who are found in Shushan, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night and day. I and my maidens will fast likewise. Then I will go in to the king, though it is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish."

17 So Mordechai went his way and did all that Esther had commanded him.

Esther, Chapter 5

1 It came to pass on the third day that Esther put on royal apparel and stood in the inner court of the king's house, opposite the king's house; and the king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal house, opposite the entrance of the house.

2 When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his eyes, and the king extended to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Esther drew near and touched the tip of the scepter.

3 The king said to her: "What troubles you, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it shall be given you."

4 Esther said: "If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him."

5 The king said: "Bring Haman quickly, to do as Esther has said." So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

6 At the wine banquet the king said to Esther: "What is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it shall be fulfilled."

7 Esther answered and said, "My petition and my request is:

8 If I have found favor in the eyes of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and to fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I will make for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said."

9 Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart; but when Haman saw Mordechai at the king's gate, and he neither rose nor stirred for him, Haman was filled with fury against Mordechai.

10 Haman restrained himself and went home; and he sent for and brought his friends and Zeresh his wife.

11 Haman told them of the glory of his wealth and the great number of his sons, and all the ways in which the king had promoted him and how he had raised him above the princes and the king's servants.

12 And Haman said, "Moreover, Queen Esther brought no one but me to come with the king to the banquet that she made; and tomorrow, too, I am invited by her together with the king.

13 Yet all this is worth nothing to me whenever I see Mordechai the Jew sitting at the king's gate."

14 Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, "Let a gallows fifty cubits high be made, and in the morning speak to the king and let them hang Mordechai on it; then go with the king to the banquet in good cheer." The matter pleased Haman, and he had the gallows made.

Esther, chapter 6

1 On that night the king's sleep was disturbed, and he ordered that the book of records, the chronicles, be brought, and they were read before the king.

2 And it was found written that Mordechai had reported about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains from the guards of the threshold, who had sought to lay hands on King Achashverosh.

3 The king said, "What honor and distinction has been done for Mordechai for this?" The king's attendants who served him said, "Nothing has been done for him."

4 The king said, "Who is in the court?" Now Haman had come into the outer court of the king's palace to speak to the king about hanging Mordechai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.

5 The king's attendants said to him, "Behold, Haman is standing in the court." And the king said, "Let him come in."

6 Haman came in, and the king said to him, "What should be done for the man whom the king desires to honor?" And Haman said in his heart, "Whom would the king desire to honor more than me?"

7 So Haman said to the king, "For the man whom the king desires to honor,

8 let them bring royal apparel that the king has worn, and the horse on which the king has ridden, and on whose head a royal crown has been placed;

9 and let the apparel and the horse be handed over to one of the king's most noble princes, and let them dress the man whom the king desires to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city square, and proclaim before him: 'Thus shall be done to the man whom the king desires to honor!'"

10 Then the king said to Haman, "Hurry, take the apparel and the horse as you have said, and do so for Mordechai the Jew who sits at the king's gate; do not omit a thing of all that you have spoken."

11 So Haman took the apparel and the horse, and dressed Mordechai, and led him on horseback through the city square, and proclaimed before him: "Thus shall be done to the man whom the king desires to honor!"

12 Mordechai returned to the king's gate, while Haman hurried home, mourning and with his head covered.

13 Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had befallen him. Then his wise men and Zeresh his wife said to him, "If Mordechai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of the seed of the Jews, you will not prevail against him, but you will surely fall before him."

14 While they were still speaking with him, the king's chamberlains arrived, and they hurried to bring Haman to the banquet that Esther had made.

Esther, chapter 7

1 So the king and Haman came to drink with Queen Esther.

2 And the king said to Esther on the second day as well, during the wine feast, "What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it shall be done."

3 Then Queen Esther answered and said, "If I have found favor in your eyes, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request.

4 For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, slain and annihilated. Had we been sold merely as bondmen and bondwomen, I would have kept silent, for the adversary is not worth the king's damage."

5 Then King Achashverosh spoke, and he said to Queen Esther, "Who is he, and where is he, who has dared in his heart to do so?"

6 And Esther said, "An adversary and an enemy — this wicked Haman!" And Haman was terrified before the king and the queen.

7 The king rose in his fury from the wine feast and went to the palace garden, while Haman stood up to plead for his life from Queen Esther, for he saw that evil had been determined against him by the king.

8 When the king returned from the palace garden to the place of the wine feast, Haman was fallen upon the couch on which Esther was; and the king said, "Would he even assault the queen with me in the house?" As the word left the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.

9 Then Harbonah, one of the chamberlains before the king, said, "Moreover, behold the gallows that Haman made for Mordechai, who spoke good on behalf of the king, standing in Haman's house, fifty cubits high." And the king said, "Hang him on it."

10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordechai, and the king's fury subsided.

Esther, chapter 8

1 On that day King Achashverosh gave Queen Esther the house of Haman, the persecutor of the Jews; and Mordechai came before the king, for Esther had told what he was to her.

2 The king took off his signet ring, which he had taken back from Haman, and gave it to Mordechai; and Esther set Mordechai over the house of Haman.

3 Esther spoke once again before the king; she fell at his feet and wept, and pleaded with him to avert the evil of Haman the Agagite and his scheme that he had devised against the Jews.

4 The king extended the golden scepter to Esther, and Esther arose and stood before the king.

5 She said, "If it pleases the king, and if I have found favor before him, and the matter seems proper before the king, and I am pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to revoke the letters — the scheme of Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite — which he wrote to destroy the Jews who are in all the king's provinces.

6 For how can I bear to see the evil that will befall my people? And how can I bear to see the destruction of my kindred?"

7 Then King Achashverosh said to Queen Esther and to Mordechai the Jew, "Behold, I have given Haman's house to Esther, and him they have hanged on the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.

8 And you, write concerning the Jews as you see fit, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring; for a document that is written in the king's name and sealed with the king's ring cannot be revoked."

9 The king's scribes were summoned at that time, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on its twenty-third day; and it was written according to all that Mordechai commanded, to the Jews and to the satraps, the governors and the princes of the provinces from India to Ethiopia, one hundred and twenty-seven provinces — to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, and to the Jews in their script and in their language.

10 He wrote in the name of King Achashverosh and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by the hand of couriers on horseback, riders of the swift steeds used in the king's service, bred of the royal mares;

11 that the king had granted the Jews in every city to assemble and to stand up for their lives, to destroy, slay and annihilate every armed force of any people or province that would attack them, children and women, and to take their spoil as plunder,

12 on one day in all the provinces of King Achashverosh, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar.

13 A copy of the document was to be issued as law in every province, published to all the peoples, that the Jews should be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.

14 The couriers, riders of the swift royal steeds, went out in haste, pressed on by the king's word; and the decree was issued in Shushan the capital.

Congregation, then chazzan

15 And Mordechai went forth from the king's presence in royal apparel of blue and white, with a great crown of gold and a robe of fine linen and purple; and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.

Congregation, then chazzan

16 For the Jews there was light and gladness, joy and honor.

17 And in every province and in every city, wherever the king's word and his decree reached, there was gladness and joy for the Jews, a feast and a festive day; and many of the peoples of the land became Jews, for the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them.

Esther, chapter 9

1 In the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on its thirteenth day, when the king's word and his decree were about to be carried out, on the day that the enemies of the Jews had hoped to gain power over them, it was turned about: the Jews themselves gained power over those who hated them.

2 The Jews assembled in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Achashverosh to lay hands on those who sought their harm; and no one could stand before them, for fear of them had fallen upon all the peoples.

3 And all the princes of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and those who conducted the king's affairs supported the Jews, for the fear of Mordechai had fallen upon them.

4 For Mordechai was great in the king's house, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces, for the man Mordechai grew ever greater.

5 The Jews struck all their enemies with the blow of the sword, slaughter and destruction, and did as they wished to those who hated them.

6 And in Shushan the capital the Jews slew and destroyed

Congregation, then chazzan

five hundred men.

7 and Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha,

8 and Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha,

9 and Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vaizatha —

10 the ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the persecutor of the Jews, they slew; but they did not lay their hands on the spoil.

11 On that day the number of those slain in Shushan the capital was brought before the king.

12 The king said to Queen Esther, "In Shushan the capital the Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king's provinces! Now what is your petition? It shall be granted you. And what is your further request? It shall be done."

13 Esther said, "If it pleases the king, let the Jews in Shushan be permitted tomorrow too to act according to today's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged on the gallows."

14 The king commanded that it be done so; a decree was issued in Shushan, and they hanged Haman's ten sons.

15 The Jews in Shushan assembled also on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, and slew three hundred men in Shushan; but they did not lay their hands on the spoil.

16 And the rest of the Jews in the king's provinces assembled and stood up for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew seventy-five thousand of those who hated them; but they did not lay their hands on the spoil.

17 This was on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar; and they rested on its fourteenth day and made it a day of feasting and gladness.

18 But the Jews in Shushan assembled on its thirteenth day and on its fourteenth day, and rested on its fifteenth day, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.

19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, who live in unwalled towns, make the fourteenth day of the month of Adar a day of gladness and feasting and a festive day, and of sending portions of food to one another.

20 Mordechai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout all the provinces of King Achashverosh, near and far,

21 to establish for them that they should observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and its fifteenth day, every single year,

22 as the days on which the Jews gained rest from their enemies, and the month that was turned for them from sorrow to gladness and from mourning to a festive day — that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending portions of food to one another, and gifts to the poor.

23 And the Jews took upon themselves what they had begun to do, and what Mordechai had written to them.

24 For Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the persecutor of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast a pur — that is, the lot — to crush them and to destroy them.

25 But when she came before the king, he commanded by letter that his wicked scheme, which he had devised against the Jews, should come back upon his own head; and they hanged him and his sons on the gallows.

26 Therefore they called these days Purim, after the name of the pur. Therefore, because of all the words of this letter, and what they had seen concerning this, and what had befallen them,

27 the Jews established and took upon themselves, and upon their descendants, and upon all who would join them, without fail, to observe these two days according to their writing and according to their appointed time, every single year.

28 And these days are remembered and observed in every generation, by every family, in every province and in every city; and these days of Purim shall never cease from among the Jews, nor shall their remembrance depart from their descendants.

29 Then Queen Esther daughter of Avichayil, and Mordechai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm this second letter of Purim.

30 He sent letters to all the Jews, to the one hundred and twenty-seven provinces of the kingdom of Achashverosh, words of peace and truth,

31 to establish these days of Purim in their appointed times, as Mordechai the Jew and Queen Esther had enjoined upon them, and as they had taken upon themselves and upon their descendants the matters of the fasts and their outcry.

32 And Esther's command confirmed these matters of Purim, and it was recorded in the book.

Esther, chapter 10

1 King Achashverosh imposed a tax upon the land and the islands of the sea.

2 And all the acts of his power and his might, and the full account of the greatness of Mordechai, whom the king had elevated — are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?

Congregation, then chazzan

3 For Mordechai the Jew was second to King Achashverosh, and great among the Jews, and accepted by most of his brethren; he sought the good of his people and spoke peace to all his descendants.

After the reading of the Megillah, and before the Megillah is rolled closed, the reader recites the following blessing (only if a minyan is present). Those listening to the reading respond Amen as indicated.

Blessed are You, L‑rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who champions our cause, who judges our claim, who avenges the wrong done to us, who exacts retribution for us from our oppressors, and who brings just recompense upon all the enemies of our soul.

Blessed are You, L‑rd, who exacts retribution for His people Israel from all their oppressors, the G‑d who brings deliverance. (Amen)

The rose of Yaakov exulted and rejoiced when together they beheld Mordechai robed in royal blue.

You have been their salvation forever, and their hope in every generation,

to make known that all who hope in You will not be put to shame, and all who take refuge in You will never be disgraced.

Cursed is Haman, who sought to destroy me; blessed is Mordechai the Jew. Cursed is Zeresh, the wife of the one who terrified me; blessed is Esther, who interceded for me. Cursed are all the wicked; blessed are all the righteous. And Charvonah, too, is remembered for good.

On Saturday night, "Vihi No'am" is also said; on other nights, begin with "Ve'atah Kadosh" — on Saturday night:

May the pleasantness of the L‑rd our G‑d be upon us; establish for us the work of our hands; establish the work of our hands.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High abides in the shadow of the Almighty.

I say of the L‑rd: He is my refuge and my stronghold, my G‑d in whom I trust.

For He will save you from the ensnaring trap, from the destructive pestilence.

He will cover you with His pinions, and beneath His wings you will find refuge; His truth is a shield and an armor.

You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,

the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the destruction that ravages at noon.

A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

You need only look with your eyes, and you will see the retribution of the wicked.

For you have said, "The L‑rd is my refuge"; you have made the Most High your dwelling place.

No evil will befall you, and no plague will come near your tent.

For He will instruct His angels on your behalf, to guard you in all your ways.

They will carry you on their hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread upon the lion and the viper; you will trample the young lion and the serpent.

Because he desires Me, I will rescue him; I will set him on high, for he knows My Name.

When he calls upon Me, I will answer him; I am with him in distress; I will deliver him and bring him honor.

I will satisfy him with long life, and show him My salvation.

I will satisfy him with long life, and show him My salvation.

But You are holy, enthroned upon the praises of Israel. And they call one to another and say: "Holy, holy, holy is the L‑rd of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory." And they receive permission one from another and say: "Holy in the highest heavens, the abode of His Presence; holy upon earth, the work of His might; holy forever and to all eternity is the L‑rd of hosts; the whole earth is full of the radiance of His glory." Then a wind lifted me, and I heard behind me the sound of a great tumult: "Blessed be the glory of the L‑rd from its place." Then a wind lifted me, and I heard behind me the sound of a great stirring of those who give praise and say: "Blessed be the glory of the L‑rd from the place of the abode of His Presence." The L‑rd will reign forever and ever. The L‑rd — His kingship endures forever and to all eternity. L‑rd, G‑d of Avraham, Yitzchak and Yisrael our fathers, preserve this forever as the desire and thoughts of the heart of Your people, and direct their heart toward You. And He, being merciful, pardons iniquity and does not destroy; time and again He turns away His anger and does not arouse all His wrath.

For You, my L‑rd, are good and forgiving, abounding in kindness to all who call upon You. Your righteousness is everlasting righteousness, and Your Torah is truth. Grant truth to Yaakov, kindness to Avraham, as You swore to our fathers from days of old. Blessed is my L‑rd who day by day bears our burden; the G‑d who is our salvation, Selah.

The L‑rd of hosts is with us; the G‑d of Yaakov is our stronghold, Selah. L‑rd of hosts, happy is the man who trusts in You. L‑rd,

save us; may the King answer us on the day we call. Blessed is He, our G‑d, who created us for His glory, set us apart from those who go astray, gave us the Torah of truth, and implanted eternal life within us. May He open our heart to His Torah, and place in our heart love and awe of Him, to do His will and serve Him with a perfect heart, so that we may not labor in vain nor bring forth for confusion. And so may it be Your will, L‑rd our G‑d and G‑d of our fathers, that we keep Your statutes in this world, and that we merit to live and see and inherit goodness and blessing in the two eras — the days of Moshiach and the life of the World to Come. So that my soul may sing to You and not be silent; L‑rd my G‑d, I will thank You forever. Blessed is the man who trusts in the L‑rd, and the L‑rd will be his security. Trust in the L‑rd forevermore, for in Yah the L‑rd is the Rock of the worlds. And those who know Your Name will trust in You, for You have not forsaken those who seek You, L‑rd. The L‑rd desired, for the sake of His righteousness, to make the Torah great and glorious.

Exalted and hallowed be His great Name. (Amen) Throughout the world which He has created according to His will. May He establish His kingship, bring forth His redemption and hasten the coming of His Moshiach. (Amen) In your lifetime and in your days and in the lifetime of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon, and say, Amen. (Amen)

May His great Name be blessed forever and to all eternity. Blessed and praised, glorified, exalted and extolled, honored, adored and lauded be the Name of the Holy One, blessed be He. (Amen) Beyond all the blessings, hymns, praises and consolations that are uttered in the world; and say, Amen. (Amen)

May there be abundant peace from heaven, and a good life for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen. (Amen)

He who makes peace (During the Ten Days of Teshuvah: the peace) in His heavens, may He make peace for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen. (Amen)

It is incumbent upon us to praise the Master of all, to ascribe greatness to the Creator of the beginning, for He has not made us like the nations of the lands, nor set us like the families of the earth; He has not made our portion like theirs, nor our lot like that of all their multitudes. For they bow to vanity and emptiness. But we bend the knee, bow down and give thanks before the King, the King of kings, the Holy One, blessed be He, who stretches out the heavens and lays the foundations of the earth, whose seat of glory is in the heavens above, and the abode of whose might is in the loftiest heights. He is our G‑d; there is none else. Truly He is our King; there is nothing besides Him, as it is written in His Torah: Know this day and take it to your heart that the L‑rd is G‑d in the heavens above and upon the earth below; there is none else.

And therefore we hope to You, L‑rd our G‑d, soon to behold the glory of Your might, to remove idolatry from the earth so that false gods will be utterly cut off, to perfect the world under the sovereignty of the Almighty. All mankind will call upon Your Name, to turn to You all the wicked of the earth. All the inhabitants of the world will recognize and know that to You every knee must bend, every tongue must swear allegiance. Before You, L‑rd our G‑d, they will bow and prostrate themselves, and give honor to the glory of Your Name; and they will all take upon themselves the yoke of Your kingship, and You will reign over them soon, forever and ever. For the kingship is Yours, and to all eternity

You will reign in glory, as it is written in Your Torah: "The L‑rd will reign forever and ever." And it is said: "The L‑rd will be King over the whole earth; on that day the L‑rd will be One and His Name One."

Exalted and hallowed be His great Name. (Amen) Throughout the world which He has created according to His will. May He establish His kingship, bring forth His redemption and hasten the coming of His Moshiach. (Amen) In your lifetime and in your days and in the lifetime of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon, and say, Amen. (Amen)

May His great Name be blessed forever and to all eternity. Blessed and praised, glorified, exalted and extolled, honored, adored and lauded be the Name of the Holy One, blessed be He. (Amen) Beyond all the blessings, hymns, praises and consolations that are uttered in the world; and say, Amen. (Amen)

May there be abundant peace from heaven, and a good life for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen. (Amen)

He who makes peace (During the Ten Days of Teshuvah: the peace) in His heavens, may He make peace for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen. (Amen)

Do not fear sudden terror, nor the destruction of the wicked when it comes. Contrive a scheme, but it will be foiled; conspire a plot, but it will not materialize, for G‑d is with us.

To your old age I am He, and to your hoary years I will sustain you; I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you.

Indeed, the righteous will extol Your Name; the upright will dwell in Your presence.

Mishnayos

Exalted and hallowed be His great Name. (Amen) Throughout the world which He has created according to His will. May He establish His kingship, bring forth His redemption and hasten the coming of His Moshiach. (Amen) In your lifetime and in your days and in the lifetime of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon, and say, Amen. (Amen)

May His great Name be blessed forever and to all eternity. Blessed and praised, glorified, exalted and extolled, honored, adored and lauded be the Name of the Holy One, blessed be He. (Amen) Beyond all the blessings, hymns, praises and consolations that are uttered in the world; and say, Amen. (Amen)

Upon Israel, upon our Sages, upon their disciples, upon all the disciples of their disciples, and upon all those who occupy themselves with the Torah, here and everywhere, may there be for them and for you abundant peace, grace, kindness and mercy, long life, ample sustenance and deliverance from their Father in heaven; and say, Amen. (Amen)

May there be abundant peace from heaven, and a good life for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen. (Amen)

He who makes peace (During the Ten Days of Teshuvah: the peace) in His heavens, may He make peace for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen. (Amen)