The Seventeenth of Tammuz

Our God and God of our fathers: Wa It is bitterly that I weep, over the Hand raised against our ruins. I blasphemed Him in His House, in my unfaithfulness and thieving. The Holy Presence broke out and fled, flew ten stretches and rose up to the seventh Heaven. God cut me off, tormented me, burnt me, in the fourth month. He closed the time set for Him to break those young boys, who were like boughs just sprouting. He shot us with His arrows twice, melted and weakened us, as heedless women wept for Tammuz in the Temple. He condemned me and became Enemy to me, then, in the month of Tammuz. Five traps were laid for me, deep in the Scripture of sufferings sent. Those people overcame me for my impurity on the seventeenth of the month. For I was ensnared like a wretched bride, unfaithful beneath a wedding canopy of peace and success. I did not wait for Moses, my shepherd, until the sixth hour, and the Tablets were smashed. From His hand was I ornamented with jewelry of fine gold, brooch and bracelet. They flowed away on the day of His rage, when I corrupted my way, and denounced my faith. I broke off the order of His service and the constant supplies of the altar — from the Chamber of the Lambs, the daily offer- ing is ended. Israel is crumbled to pieces, scattered, storm battered, oppressed. Likened toa ship without a captain, tossed about like a boat. You have taken her by the head for her sins, exposed her twice over to mourning and moaning. Her enemies waged war on her on this day, and the city was broken through again. She fled out like a chased gazelle to hide, when none sought her. They sharpened their tongues, they made her like a lamb, and left her wool and milk for all takers. She cries out for the cherished thing with which she was crowned: the beloved of her eyes eluded her as Apostomus burnt the Torah. A fool cursed those oppressed and broken to vex them; he taunted abject people: “They shall be consumed;” “God shall hide His face from seeing.” When idols were placed in the Temple, God avenged one’s hand at the hand of the other, a disgusting item consumed. This, at the time when He gathered anguish over us; for an image was set up in the Sanctuary of God. Miserable and plagued are these children, who were once the very first. Their troubles have come close on one another's heels these many years; stricken as if by the stings of bees and scorpions. They think their hope is gone, that as they sit in this darkness they have no more chance. » Zealous God, in Your restraint toward those who incite You they have flourished fat and succulent. Raise up those who still await You; let them stand firm always, like something planted, or carved out with love. It is on fast days that truth and peace are hewn out. May they become forever times of joy and celebration — festive days. ba x God, King who sits upon a throne of compassion, who acts with loving-kindness, who pardons the iniquities of His people, passing them before Him in order; who forgives sinners and pardons transgressors; who performs righteousness with all flesh and spirit, do not repay their bad actions in kind. » God, You taught us to speak thirteen attributes: recall for us today the covenant of the thirteen attributes, as You in ancient times showed the humble one [Moses], as is written: The Lorp descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed in the name of the Lorp: Congregation then Leader: And the Lorp passed by before him and proclaimed: Ex. 34