{"id":22,"date":"2022-01-17T20:20:12","date_gmt":"2022-01-17T20:20:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/robbins.digitalscholar.rochester.edu\/medhebrew\/?page_id=22"},"modified":"2025-02-10T05:55:18","modified_gmt":"2025-02-10T05:55:18","slug":"texts","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/robbins.digitalscholar.rochester.edu\/medhebrew\/authors\/rabbi-moses-ibn-ezras-collection\/texts\/","title":{"rendered":"At The Hour Of Closing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Note on the footnotes:<\/em> The superscript symbols for the footnotes of the English text are in letter form, whereas the same symbol for the Hebrew text is in a numerical form. English text notes hold information pertaining specifically to the English translation (content meaning and translation comparisons), whereas Hebrew text notes hold information pertaining to the Hebrew text (content meaning and biblical allusions) There are superscript numbers in the English text to indicate that they reference the references phrase in the Hebrew text for which there is already a footnote. Many of the footnotes intertwine the discussion of biblical allusions and content meaning with translation comparisons.<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
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Strophe 1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God of awe, God of might, God of awe, God of mightA<\/a><\/sup>,
Grant us pardon in this hour, as Your gates are closing on this night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strophe 2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We who few have [called] from yore, raise our eyes to heaven’s height,
Trembling, fearful in our prayer, as Your gates are closing on this night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strophe 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pouring out our soul we pray, that the sentence You will write,
Shall be one of pardoned sin, as Thy gates are closing on this night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strophe 4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God, our refuge strong and sure, rescue us from dreadful plight;
Seal our destiny for [compassion], as Your gates are closing on this night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strophe 5<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grant us favor, show us love3<\/a><\/sup>; but of all who wrest the right and oppressB<\/a><\/sup>, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be You the judge, as Your gates are closing on this night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strophe 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generations of our sires4<\/a>, C<\/a><\/sup>, strong in faith walked in Your light.
As of old, renew our days, as Your gates are closing on this night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strophe 7<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gather Judah’s scattered flock5<\/a><\/sup>, unto Zion’s rebuilt site.
Bless this year with grace divineD<\/a><\/sup>, as Your gates are closing this night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strophe 8<\/p>\n\n\n\n

May we all, both old and young, look for gladness and delight
In the many years to come, as Your gates are closing on this night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strophe 9<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Michael, Prince of Israel, Gabriel, Your angels bright,
With Elijah, come, redeem, as Your gates are closing on this night.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Strophe 1 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

,\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05e0\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4, \u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05e0\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1<\/a><\/sup>.\u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05b0\u05e6\u05b4\u05d9\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b8\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05de\u05b0\u05d7\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4, \u05d1\u05b4\u05bc\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05b0\u05bc\u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strophe 2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

,\u05de\u05b0\u05ea\u05b5\u05d9 \u05de\u05b4\u05e1\u05b0\u05e4\u05b8\u05bc\u05e8 \u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd, \u05dc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05e2\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05df \u05e0\u05d5\u05b9\u05e9\u05b0\u05c2\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd<\/p>\n\n\n\n

.\u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b0\u05e1\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05bc\u05d3\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05d7\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4, \u05d1\u05b4\u05bc\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05b0\u05bc\u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strophe 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

,\u05e9\u05c1\u05d5\u05b9\u05e4\u05b0\u05db\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05e0\u05b7\u05e4\u05b0\u05e9\u05b8\u05c1\u05dd, \u05de\u05b0\u05d7\u05b5\u05d4 \u05e4\u05b4\u05bc\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05db\u05b7\u05d7\u05b0\u05e9\u05b7\u05c1\u05dd <\/p>\n\n\n\n

 .\u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05b0\u05e6\u05b4\u05d9\u05d0\u05b5\u05dd \u05de\u05b0\u05d7\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4, \u05d1\u05b4\u05bc\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05b0\u05bc\u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strophe 4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

,\u05d4\u05b1\u05d9\u05b5\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b8\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05e1\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4, \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05e6\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b5\u05dd \u05de\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05bc\u05d0\u05b5\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2<\/a><\/sup>.\u05d5\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05ea\u05b0\u05de\u05b5\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05d3 \u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05d2\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4, \u05d1\u05b4\u05bc\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05b0\u05bc\u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strophe 5<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 \u05d7\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05d0\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d7\u05b5\u05dd3<\/a><\/sup>, \u05d5\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc \u05dc\u05d5\u05b9\u05d7\u05b5\u05e5 \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05d5\u05b9\u05d7\u05b5\u05dd<\/p>\n\n\n\n

.\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05b5\u05c2\u05d4 \u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05e4\u05b0\u05bc\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4, \u05d1\u05b4\u05bc\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05b0\u05bc\u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strophe 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

,5<\/a><\/sup>\u05d6\u05b0\u05db\u05b9\u05e8 \u05e6\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05e7\u05b7\u05ea4<\/a><\/sup> \u05d0\u05b2\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd, \u05d5\u05b0\u05d7\u05b7\u05d3\u05b5\u05bc\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05d9\u05b0\u05de\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd<\/p>\n\n\n\n

.\u05db\u05b0\u05bc\u05e7\u05b6\u05d3\u05b6\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05ea\u05b0\u05d7\u05b4\u05dc\u05b8\u05bc\u05d4, \u05d1\u05b4\u05bc\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05b0\u05bc\u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strophe 7<\/p>\n\n\n\n

,6<\/a><\/sup>\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05e0\u05b8\u05bc\u05d0 \u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05e0\u05b7\u05ea \u05e8\u05b8\u05e6\u05d5\u05b9\u05df, \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05e9\u05b5\u05c1\u05d1 \u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e6\u05b9\u05bc\u05d0\u05df<\/p>\n\n\n\n

.\u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05d4\u05b3\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05d1\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05d4\u05b3\u05dc\u05b8\u05d47<\/a><\/sup>, \u05d1\u05b4\u05bc\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05b0\u05bc\u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strophe 8<\/p>\n\n\n\n

,\u05ea\u05b4\u05bc\u05d6\u05b0\u05db\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b0\u05e9\u05b8\u05c1\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e8\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea, \u05d4\u05b7\u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05d1\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 .\u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05d3\u05b4\u05d9\u05e6\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05e6\u05b8\u05d4\u05b3\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4, \u05d1\u05b4\u05bc\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05b0\u05bc\u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strophe 9<\/p>\n\n\n\n

,\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05db\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05e9\u05b7\u05c2\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05c2\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc, \u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05b8\u05bc\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05d2\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc<\/p>\n\n\n\n

.\u05d1\u05b7\u05bc\u05e9\u05b0\u05bc\u05c2\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc \u05e0\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d2\u05b0\u05bc\u05d0\u05bb\u05dc\u05b8\u05bc\u05d4, \u05d1\u05b4\u05bc\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05b0\u05bc\u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Hebrew Footnotes<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
1. The ending word pair in strophe 1 both end in \u201c\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4,\u201d pronounced: “la,” creating a continuous flow of sounds. (Bring about, causing) “\u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4,” (closing) “\u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05b0\u05bc\u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4.” Jastrow, Marcus. \u201c\u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4 (f.) [bringing about, causation].\u201d Jastrow Dictionary<\/em>, A Dictionary of the Targumim, the Talmud Bavli and Yerushalmi, and the Midrashic Literature, Philadelphia, c.1883 – c.1903 CE https:\/\/www.sefaria.org\/sheets\/260667.9?lang=bi&p2=Jastrow%2C_%D7%A2%D6%B2%D7%9C%D6%B4%D7%99%D7%9C%D6%B8%D7%94&lang2=bi<\/a>\u00a0<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
For a longer context note on strophe 4, click here<\/a>.<\/em><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
2. Imitating strophe 1\u2019s linguistic continuity, in strophe 4 both lines end in similar sounds “\u05d4” (ha) sounds: (from dreadful plight) “\u05de\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05bc\u05d0\u05b5\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4” (closing) “\u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05b0\u05bc\u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4.”<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
3. Sefaria’s translation reads, “grant us favor,” (Jastrow) and the Hebrew word for “grant” references a biblical passage: “Pes. 87\u1d43 \u05d1\u05e0\u05d9 \u05d7\u05b2\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc\u05e0\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 children of thy favored ones, Abraham &c,” describing G-d’s promise to Abraham, the patriarch of Judaism and all monotheistic religions in general. Ezra enhances the gravity of the plea in his poem by connecting it to that promise.<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
4. “\u05d6\u05b0\u05db\u05b9\u05e8 \u05e6\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05e7\u05b7\u05ea,” literally translates to: remembering righteousness, fathers. Considering the Sefaria translation, the meaning of “the fathers (who) remember righteousness” is congruent to, “generations of sires.” Therefore, Ezra emphasizes memory and legacy when conceptualizing the holiness and morality of the “generation of sires.” In other words, to be holy one must not only act holy in the present but remember their ancestors’ holiness. \u201cRashi on Proverbs 16:31.”<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
5. Holiness is inspired and maintained through remembering the holiness of those before you. Therefore, seeing how this word is translated in “Rashi on Proverbs,” not only meaning “days,” but specifically the longevity inferred in the plural term, we see here how Ezra succinctly echoes the proverb: ‘”\u05e2”\u05d9 \u05d4\u05e6\u05d3\u05e7\u05d4 \u05de\u05d0\u05e8\u05d9\u05db\u05d9\u05df \u05d9\u05de\u05d9\u05d4\u05dd:”\u00a0through righteousness, they live long.’ Sefaria<\/em>, https:\/\/www.sefaria.org\/Rashi_on_Proverbs.<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
6. Judah: The Hebrew tribe from Jacob and Leah\u2019s fourth son Judah. King David and Solomon, two great Jewish prophets, were born from this tribe. Scattered flock: likely refers to Israel’s \u201cten lost tribes\u201d which were dispersed after the Assyrian Exile. Shurpin, Yehuda. \u201cWhere Are the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel?\u201d Chabad.org<\/em>, https:\/\/www.chabad.org\/library\/article_cdo\/aid\/2500863\/jewish\/Where-Are-the-Ten-Lost-Tribes.htm<\/a>. Posner, Yescheskel. \u201c12 Tribes of Israel: The Shevatim.\u201d Chabad.org<\/em>, <\/em>https:\/\/www.chabad.org\/library\/article_cdo\/aid\/3798842\/jewish\/12-Tribes-of-Israel-The-Shevatim.htm<\/a>. \u201cScattered flock\u201d also alludes to the shepherd-sheep relationship between G-d and the Israelites present in the Old Testament. It also follows a continuity of animal imagery in the poem (see line 9, strophe 5, \u201c\u05d5\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d7\u05b5\u05dd\u201d).<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
7. Zion\u2019s rebuilt site: likely alluding to the Jew\u2019s aspiration to rebuild Jerusalem\u2019s Holy Temple, destroyed for a second and final time in 70 CE.(MyJewishLearning) (Chabad.org). Other translations of the Hebrew text – \u05d0\u05b8\u05d4\u05b3\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4, Aholah<\/em>, “her own tent,” Samaria as an adulteress with Assyria, a metaphor that blames the invasion of the Assyrians and destruction of the second temple of Jerusalem on the Jewish people’s assimilatory behavior (OpenScriptures). \u201cTisah B\u2019Av History,\u201d MyJewishLearning, https:\/\/www.myjewishlearning.com\/article\/tisha-bav-history\/<\/a>. \u201cThe Destruction of the Second Holy Temple.\u201d Chabad.org, https:\/\/www.chabad.org\/library\/article_cdo\/aid\/913023\/jewish\/The-Second-Temple.htm<\/a>. \u201c\u05d0\u05c7\u05d4\u05b3\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4 (n-pr-f) x-pn 1. Aholah = “her own tent” 2. Samaria as an adulteress with Assyria (metaph)\u201d Troidl, David, Dwyer, Ben, et al. \u201cOpen Scriptures.\u201d GitHub. https:\/\/github.com\/openscriptures\/strongs<\/a>. Here, “tent” is likely being used as a term for “site.” \u00a0<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

English Footnotes <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A. The first line, “\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05e0\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4” literally translates to, “bring about fear\/trembling.” In identifying the actor of this phrase, Sefaria’s translation reads, “God of awe, God of might.”<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
B. “\u05db\u05b8\u05dc \u05dc\u05d5\u05b9\u05d7\u05b5\u05e5 \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05d5\u05b9\u05d7\u05b5\u05dd” literally translates to, “all who presses the warrior.” By translating the line to “but all who wrest the right and oppress,” Sefaria’s translation asserts that the title of the righteous is synonymous with that of a warrior.<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
C. “\u05d6\u05b0\u05db\u05b9\u05e8 \u05e6\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05e7\u05b7\u05ea,” literally translates to: remembering righteousness, fathers. Considering the Sefaria translation, the meaning of “the fathers (who) remember righteousness” is congruent to, “generations of sires.” Therefore, Ezra emphasizes memory and legacy when conceptualizing the holiness and morality of the “generation of sires.” In other words, to be holy one must not only act holy in the present but remember their ancestors’ holiness. \u201cRashi on Proverbs 16:31.” Sefaria<\/em>. https:\/\/www.sefaria.org\/Rashi_on_Proverbs.16.31?lang=bi<\/a>.”<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
D. Bless this year with grace divine,” is pulled from the first half of the first line in Hebrew, “\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05e0\u05b8\u05bc\u05d0 \u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05e0\u05b7\u05ea \u05e8\u05b8\u05e6\u05d5\u05b9\u05df.”<\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Note on the footnotes: The superscript symbols for the footnotes of the English text are in letter form, whereas the same symbol for the Hebrew text is in a numerical form. English text notes hold information pertaining specifically to the English translation (content meaning and translation comparisons), whereas Hebrew text notes hold information pertaining to… Continue reading At The Hour Of Closing<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":106,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-22","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/robbins.digitalscholar.rochester.edu\/medhebrew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/robbins.digitalscholar.rochester.edu\/medhebrew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/robbins.digitalscholar.rochester.edu\/medhebrew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robbins.digitalscholar.rochester.edu\/medhebrew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robbins.digitalscholar.rochester.edu\/medhebrew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22"}],"version-history":[{"count":71,"href":"https:\/\/robbins.digitalscholar.rochester.edu\/medhebrew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":551,"href":"https:\/\/robbins.digitalscholar.rochester.edu\/medhebrew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22\/revisions\/551"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robbins.digitalscholar.rochester.edu\/medhebrew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/106"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/robbins.digitalscholar.rochester.edu\/medhebrew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}