The Seventeenth of Tammuz

Lorp of hosts, happy is the one who trusts in You. Ps. 84 Lorp, save! May the King answer us on the day we call. Ps, 20 > Forgive, please, this people's iniquity, Num. 14 in the abundance of Your kindness, and as You have forgiven this people from the time of Egypt until now, and there it is written: Congregation then Leader: And the Lorp said, I have forgiven as you asked. Continue: i977 Give ear, my God and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolation, and the Dan. 9 city that bears Your name, for it is not on the strength of our righteousness that we throw down our pleadings before You, but on the strength of Your great compas- sion. Lorn, hear me; Lorn, forgive; Lor», listen and act and do not delay — for Your sake, my God; for Your city and Your people bear Your name. Our God and God of our fathers: 4ank We come before You, Former of the winds. In our many iniquities our sighs have grown heavy; the decrees against us powerful and our screams so many ~ for on the Seventeenth of Tammuz, the Tablets were smashed. We have been exiled from the House of Your choosing; our judgment was sealed, the decree laid down. And the light has darkened over us — for on the Seventeenth of Tammuz, the Torah scroll was burnt. Our enemies destroyed the Sanctuary, the Divine Presence fled from Its corner, and we were yielded up to the hands of the wanton, to be consumed — for on the Seventeenth of Tammuz, an idol was set up in the Temple. We were scattered from city to city, and old and young of us were seized. The place of our delight was destroyed, and fire raged through her — for on the Seventeenth of Tammuz the city was broken through. The lethal foe took hold of our Temple, and the cherubs, bride and bridegroom were deprived of all their ornament. Because we angered You we were given up to destruction — for on the Seventeenth of Tammuz, the daily offering ceased. All glory and praise there ended. The enemy drew his sword and brandished its point against us; small children and babies were prepared for the slaughter — for on the Seventeenth of Tammuz, the offerings and sacrifices ceased. We rebelled against the One who inhabits the Heavens, and so we were dispersed to all the corners of the world. All our dancing was turned to lament — for on the Seventeenth of Tammuz, the Temple service ended. We acted obstinately with You in the discord of tongues, and so our own tongue has learnt lamentation; we have been abandoned in countless numbers — for on the Seventeenth of Tammuz, sin decided our destiny. We have been dispersed and found no relief, and so our sighs have multiplied within us; Rock, see how