
Zayin Adar – an Overview and the Zayin Adar Seder of Moshe Rabbeinu’s Yahrtzeit
by Rabbi Yair Hoffman
Yahrtzeit of Moshe Rabbeinu
Hebrew Text with Linear English Translation Based on Seder Zayin Adar by Rabbi Moshe Cohen English Translation by Rabbi Yair Hoffman. Copy this!
History and Background of Zayin Adar
The Significance of the Date
The seventh of Adar — Zayin Adar — marks both the birth and the yahrtzeit of Moshe Rabbeinu. The Gemara (Kiddushin 38a, Sotah 12b) establishes that Moshe was born on 7 Adar and died on 7 Adar exactly 120 years later, fulfilling the pasuk: “I will complete the number of your days” (Shemos 23:26). The Gemorah teaches that Hashem completes the years of the righteous “from day to day” — that tzaddikim are born and die on the same date.
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Several important minhagim are associated with Zayin Adar:
- Fasting: The Maharil (Teshuvos Maharil, Siman 31) records the minhag to fast on Zayin Adar, and this is codified in Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 580:2). In a leap year, the fast is observed in Adar Rishon (Magen Avraham), even if the year Moshe died was not a leap year, because Zayin Adar I falls near Parshas Tetzaveh — the only parsha from Moshe’s birth until Devarim in which his name does not appear, hinting at his passing.
- Chevra Kadisha observances: Zayin Adar is the annual gathering day for Chevra Kadisha (burial societies) worldwide. Because Hakadosh Baruch Hu Himself attended to Moshe’s burial (the only “day off” for the Chevra Kadisha in history), this date was chosen for recognition of those who perform the mitzva of tachrichim and burial. A seudas mitzva is held following the fast.
- Tzidkascha: Some communities recite Tzidkascha (the three pesukim of Tehillim 36:7, 71:19, and 119:142) at Mincha. The Sephardic order begins with 36:7; Nusach Ashkenaz reverses the order.
- Tachanun: Chabad and some other communities omit Tachanun beginning from Mincha of 6 Adar, since the neshama of Moshe shines in the leader of each generation and they feel the spiritual significance of the day as a yom simcha (day of joy).
The Seder Zayin Adar: Origin and Nature
The text known as the “Seder Zayin Adar” is a compilation that was recited on this day as a form of tikkun (spiritual rectification) in honor of Moshe Rabbeinu. The earliest printed edition that has been found so far is likely the Tikkun le-Zayin Adar u-le-Chamisha be-Av (Tikkun for 7 Adar and 5 Av), published in Livorno (Leghorn) in 1874. This indicates the text was already an established tradition by the 19th century in both Sephardic and Ashkenazic communities.
The text draws from multiple earlier sources, including Midrashic material about Moshe’s death (drawing heavily on Devarim Rabbah, Yalkut Shimoni, Midrash Petiras Moshe, and other related aggadata), the Gemorahs on the three gifts given in the merit of Miriam, Aharon, and Moshe, and halachic material on Yom Kippur.
Rabbi Moshe Cohen (whose name appears on the version translated by this author) organized and compiled this version of the Seder. The custom of reciting this text on Zayin Adar is observed both in Eretz Yisrael and in Chutz La’Aretz.
The Seder covers several major ideas: (1) the transfer of leadership from Moshe Rabbeinu to Yehoshua; (2) chronological data about Moshe Rabbeinu’s life and the cessation of the three nissim; (3) a vivid, moving account of Moshe Rabbeinu’s petirah, including the conversation between Hashem and Moshe Rabbeinu’s neshamah; (4) the malachim refusing to take his Neshama and Hakadosh Baruch Hu’s taking of it with a “kiss”; (5) the mourning of all creation; and (6) laws of Yom Kippur, connecting the the idea of kapparah on this day.
- Opening Custom | מנהג הקריאה
| מִנְהָג הוּא בְּחוּץ לָאָרֶץ וּבְאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל לִקְרוֹא קְרִיאָה מְיֻחֶדֶת בְּשִׁבְעָה בַּאֲדָר, יוֹם הִסְתַּלְּקוּת מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּינוּ. | It is a custom both in the Diaspora and in the Land of Israel to recite a special reading on the 7th of Adar — the day of the passing of Moshe Rabbeinu. |
- Moshe and Yehoshua’s Final Teaching | לימוד מֹשֶׁה וִיהוֹשֻׁעַ
| הָלַךְ מֹשֶׁה וְתַלְמִידָיו וְעָמְדוּ עַל פֶּתַח בֵּית הַמִּדְרָשׁ. | Moshe and his disciples went and stood at the gate of the study hall. |
| אָמַר לָהֶם: אֲשַׁנֶּה לָכֶם אֶת הַתּוֹרָה, שֶׁלֹּא תֹּאמְרוּ לֹא בֵּאַרְנוּ לָכֶם יָפֶה. | He said to them: “I will teach you the Torah again, so that you should not say: we did not explain it well.” |
| מַה אָמַר הַתַּלְמִיד לָרַב? וּמַה אָמַר הָרַב לַתַּלְמִיד? | What did the student say to the teacher? What did the teacher say to the student? |
| וַיִּקְרָא מֹשֶׁה אֶל יְהוֹשֻׁעַ וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו לְעֵינֵי כָל יִשְׂרָאֵל, חֲזַק וֶאֱמָץ (דְּבָרִים ל״א:ז׳–ח׳). | And Moshe called to Yehoshua and said to him before the eyes of all Israel: “Be strong and courageous” (Devarim 31:7–8). |
| כִּי אַתָּה תָּבוֹא אֶת הָעָם הַזֶּה אֶל הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּע הֹ לַאֲבֹתָם. | For you shall come with this people to the land which Hashem swore to their fathers. |
| וַהֹ הוּא הַהֹלֵךְ לְפָנֶיךָ, הוּא יִהְיֶה עִמָּךְ, לֹא יַרְפְּךָ וְלֹא יַעַזְבֶךָּ, לֹא תִירָא וְלֹא תֵחָת. | Hashem goes before you; He will be with you, He will not fail you nor forsake you. Do not fear nor be dismayed. |
| בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה עָשָׂה מֹשֶׁה עַצְמוֹ כְּתַלְמִיד וִיהוֹשֻׁעַ כְּרַב. | In that hour, Moshe made himself as a student and Yehoshua as a teacher. |
| הָלַךְ לִלְמֹד, וְאָמַר הַתַּלְמִיד לָרַב, וְהָרַב לַתַּלְמִיד. | He [Moshe] went to learn; the student said to the teacher, and the teacher to the student. |
| בְּאוֹתוֹ יוֹם אִישְׁרַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אֶת הַתּוֹרָה עַל יְהוֹשֻׁעַ. | On that same day, the Holy One, Blessed be He, confirmed the Torah upon Yehoshua. |
- Chronology | כְּרוֹנוֹלוֹגִיָּה
| מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּינוּ מֵת בְּשִׁבְעָה בַּאֲדָר. | Moshe our Teacher died on the seventh of Adar. |
| וּבַחֹדֶשׁ הַהוּא נִסְתַּלְּקוּ הַבְּאֵר וְהַמָּן וְעַמּוּד הֶעָנָן יַחַד עִם מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּינוּ. | And in that month, the well, the manna, and the pillar of cloud departed along with Moshe Rabbeinu. |
| מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּינוּ נוֹלַד בְּמִצְרַיִם בִּשְׁנַת בִשֳִע (לַסְּפִירָה הָעִבְרִית) וּמֵת בִּשְׁנַת בִתיִחִ. | Moshe Rabbeinu was born in Egypt in the year 2368 (Hebrew calendar) and died in the year 2488. |
| הָיָה מֹשֶׁה בְּמִצְרַיִם שְׁמוֹנִים שָׁנָה, וְהִנְהִיג אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל בַּמִּדְבָּר אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה. | Moshe was in Egypt for 80 years, and he led Israel in the wilderness for 40 years. |
| וְחַי קֶׂרֶֹןֹ יוֹם (לאחר מכן). | And he lived an additional 120 days [i.e., the full 120 years to the day]. |
- The Three Gifts | שְׁלֹשָׁה מַתָּנוֹת
| שְׁלֹשָׁה פַּרְנָסִים טוֹבִים עָמְדוּ לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, וְאֵלֶּה הֵם: מִרְיָם, אַהֲרֹן, וּמֹשֶׁה. | Three good advocates stood for Israel: Miriam, Aharon, and Moshe. |
| וּשְׁלֹשָׁה מַתָּנוֹת טוֹבוֹת נִתְּנוּ בִּזְכוּתָם: הַבְּאֵר, עַמּוּד הֶעָנָן, וְהַמָּן. | And three good gifts were given in their merit: the well, the pillar of cloud, and the manna. |
| הַבְּאֵר בִּזְכוּת מִרְיָם, עַמּוּד הֶעָנָן בִּזְכוּת אַהֲרֹן, הַמָּן בִּזְכוּת מֹשֶׁה. | The well in the merit of Miriam; the pillar of cloud in the merit of Aharon; the manna in the merit of Moshe. |
| כְּשֶׁמֵּתָה מִרְיָם — נִסְתַּלֵּק הַבְּאֵר; כְּשֶׁמֵּת אַהֲרֹן — נִסְתַּלֵּק עַמּוּד הֶעָנָן; כְּשֶׁמֵּת מֹשֶׁה — נִסְתַּלְּקוּ כֻּלָּם. | When Miriam died, the well was taken away; when Aharon died, the pillar of cloud departed; when Moshe died, all three were taken away. |
| וּבְיוֹם מוֹת מֹשֶׁה פָּסַק הַמָּן. | On the day Moshe died, the manna ceased. |
- The Death of Moshe | פְּטִירַת מֹשֶׁה
| וְיָדַע מֹשֶׁה כִּי יוֹם מִיתָתוֹ הִגִּיעַ. הִשְׁכִּים וְסִדֵּר אֶת עַצְמוֹ. | Moshe knew that the day of his death had come. He rose early and composed himself. |
| יָרַד הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מִשָּׁמַיִם הָעֶלְיוֹנִים, גַּבְרִיאֵל לִימִינוֹ וּמִיכָאֵל לִשְׂמֹאלוֹ. | The Holy One, Blessed be He, descended from the highest heavens, with Gavriel at His right and Micha’el at His left. |
| אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: מֹשֶׁה, עֲצֹם אֶת עֵינֶיךָ. וְעָצַם. | The Holy One said to him: “Moshe, close your eyes.” And he closed them. |
| אָמַר לוֹ: שִׂים יָדֶיךָ עַל חָזֶיךָ. וְשָׂם. אָמַר לוֹ: כְּנוֹס רַגְלֶיךָ. וְכָנַס. | He said to him: “Place your hands on your chest.” And he placed them. “Place your feet together.” And he did so. |
| וְאָז קָרָא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לַנְּשָׁמָה מִתּוֹךְ הַגּוּף. | Then the Holy One called to the neshamah from within the body. |
| אָמַר לָהּ: בִּתִּי, מֵאָה וְעֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה יִעַדְתִּיךְ לְגוּפוֹ שֶׁל מֹשֶׁה. עַתָּה הִגִּיעַ זְמַנֵּךְ לָצֵאת. | He said to it: “My daughter, for 120 years I assigned you to the body of Moshe. Now your time has come to depart.” |
| אָמְרָה לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם! יֵשׁ גּוּף בָּעוֹלָם טָהוֹר יוֹתֵר מִגּוּפוֹ שֶׁל מֹשֶׁה, שֶׁלֹּא נִרְאָה בוֹ רֵיחַ רַע, תּוֹלָעָה, וְרִמָּה? | The neshamah said: “Master of the Universe! Is there a body in the world purer than the body of Moshe, in which no foul smell, worm, or maggot has ever been found? |
| לְפִיכָךְ אֲנִי אוֹהֶבֶת אוֹתוֹ וְאֵינִי רוֹצָה לְצֵאת מִמֶּנּוּ. | Therefore I love him and do not wish to leave him.” |
| אָמַר לָהּ: צְאִי, וַאֲנִי מְמַנָּה אוֹתָךְ לְשָׁמַיִם הָעֶלְיוֹנִים תַּחַת כִּסֵּא כְּבוֹדִי. | He said to her: “Leave, and I will place you in the highest heavens under My throne of glory.” |
- The Neshamah Refuses to Leave | הַנְּשָׁמָה אֵינָהּ רוֹצָה לְצֵאת
| אָמְרָה לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם! מִלְּפָנֶיךָ וּמִלִּפְנֵי כְּבוֹדְךָ וּמִכִּסֵּא כְּבוֹדְךָ — עִם מֹשֶׁה אֲנִי רוֹצָה. | The neshamah said: “Master of the Universe! From before You and Your glory, and from before the Throne of Your glory — I wish to remain with Moshe.” |
| יָרַד הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מִשָּׁמַיִם הָעֶלְיוֹנִים לְהוֹצִיא אֶת נִשְׁמַת מֹשֶׁה. | The Holy One descended from the highest heavens to take the neshamah of Moshe. |
| שְׁלֹשָׁה לִוּוּ אוֹתוֹ: מִיכָאֵל, גַּבְרִיאֵל, וְזַגְזַגְאֵל. | Three accompanied Him: Micha’el, Gavriel, and Zagzagel. |
| מִיכָאֵל סִדֵּר אֶת מִטָּתוֹ שֶׁל מֹשֶׁה, גַּבְרִיאֵל פָּרַשׂ בֶּגֶד פִּשְׁתָּן מִתַּחַת לְרֹאשׁוֹ, זַגְזַגְאֵל מִתַּחַת לְרַגְלָיו. | Micha’el arranged Moshe’s bed; Gavriel spread a fine linen cloth at his head; Zagzagel at his feet. |
| אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְמֹשֶׁה: עֲצֹם אֶת עֵינֶיךָ. וְעָצַם. שִׂים יָדֶיךָ עַל חָזֶיךָ. וְשָׂם. | The Holy One said to Moshe: “Close your eyes.” And he closed them. “Place your hands on your chest.” And he placed them. |
| וְנָטַל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אֶת נִשְׁמָתוֹ בְּנְשִׁיקָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ‘וַיָּמָת שָׁם מֹשֶׁה עֶבֶד הֹ עַל פִּי הֹ’. | The Holy One took his neshamah with a kiss, as it is written: “So Moshe the servant of Hashem died there — al pi Hashem — by the mouth/command of Hashem” (Devarim 34:5). |
- Moshe’s Humility | עֲנָוַת מֹשֶׁה
| וְכָל הָעוֹלָם יָדַע שֶׁהוּא מִן הַצַּדִּיקִים הַגְּמוּרִים. | All the world knew that he was among the truly righteous. |
| הָלַךְ וְרָעַשׁ הָעוֹלָם, וְאָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: אַתָּה מַשְׁפִּיל עַצְמְךָ, וַאֲנִי מְרוֹמֵם אוֹתְךָ עַל כָּל הַבְּרִיּוֹת. | He walked and the world trembled. The Holy One said to him: “You humble yourself, and I will exalt you above all creatures.” |
| אָמַר: ‘אֲנִי עָפָר וָאֵפֶר כְּאַבְרָהָם אָבִי’. | He said: “I am dust and ashes, as was Avraham my father.” |
| אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: חַיֶּיךָ, כְּשֵׁם שֶׁהִשְׁפַּלְתָּ עַצְמְךָ, אֲנִי מַעֲמִיד אוֹתְךָ נֶגֶד כִּסֵּא כְּבוֹדִי. | The Holy One replied: “By your life, as you have humbled yourself, I will establish you before My throne of glory.” |
| קָרָא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְגַּבְרִיאֵל וְאָמַר לוֹ: לֵךְ וְהָבֵא לִי אֶת נִשְׁמַת מֹשֶׁה. | The Holy One called to Gavriel and said: “Go and bring me the neshamah of Moshe.” |
| אָמַר גַּבְרִיאֵל: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם! אֵיךְ אֶעֱמֹד בִּפְנֵי אָדָם הַשָּׁוֶה לְשִׁשִּׁים רִבּוֹא מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל? | Gavriel said: “Master of the Universe! How can I stand before a man who is equal to 600,000 of Israel? |
| אֵיךְ אֲמִית אָדָם אֲשֶׁר כְּשֶׁנּוֹלַד מִלֵּא כָּל הַבַּיִת אוֹר? | How can I cause the death of a man who, when he was born, filled the whole house with light?” |
| אָז קָרָא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְמִיכָאֵל. אָמַר מִיכָאֵל: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם! אֲנִי הָיִיתִי רַבּוֹ וְהוּא הָיָה תַּלְמִידִי. אֵינִי יָכוֹל לִסְבֹּל לִרְאוֹת אֶת מוֹתוֹ. | Then the Holy One called to Micha’el. Micha’el said: “Master of the Universe! I was his teacher and he was my student. I cannot bear to see his death.” |
- Moshe’s Final Blessings | בִּרְכוֹת מֹשֶׁה הָאַחֲרוֹנוֹת
| כֵּיוָן שֶׁיָּדַע מֹשֶׁה שֶׁעֵת מִיתָתוֹ הִגִּיעָה, לָקַח סֵפֶר הַתּוֹרָה וְחִבְּקוֹ וּבָכָה עִמּוֹ. | Since Moshe knew that his time to die had come, he took the scroll of Torah, embraced it, and wept with it. |
| יָצְאָה בַּת קוֹל וְאָמְרָה לוֹ: מֹשֶׁה, אַל תִּירָא! אֲנִי עַצְמִי אֶעֱסֹק בָּךְ וּבִקְבוּרָתְךָ. | A Heavenly Voice went forth and said to him: “Moshe, do not fear! I Myself will attend to you and your burial.” |
| יָרַד עֲנַן הַכָּבוֹד וְהִקִּיפוֹ. אָמַר לוֹ: סוּר מֵעָלַי מְעַט, עַד שֶׁאֲבָרֵךְ אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל. | A cloud of glory descended and enveloped him. He said to it: “Move away from me a little, until I bless the people of Israel. |
| כִּי כָּל יָמַי צַעֲרַתִּים. | For all my days I troubled them.” |
| הִתְחִיל מֹשֶׁה לְבָרֵךְ כָּל שֵׁבֶט וְשֵׁבֶט בִּפְנֵי עַצְמוֹ. | Moshe began to bless each tribe individually. |
| וּכְשֶׁגָּמַר לְבָרֵךְ אֶת כָּל הַשְּׁבָטִים, אָמַר לָהֶם: הִרְבֵּיתִי לְצַעֲרֵיכֶם; עַתָּה מְחוּ לִי. | When he finished blessing all the tribes, he said: “I troubled you greatly; now forgive me.” |
| אָמְרוּ לוֹ: רַבֵּינוּ מוֹרֵינוּ, מָחוּל לְךָ! | They replied: “Our teacher, our master — you are forgiven!” |
| אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְמֹשֶׁה: מֹשֶׁה, זְמַנְּךָ מָצֵר. | The Holy One said to Moshe: “Moshe, your time is short.” |
| נָשָׂא מֹשֶׁה יָדָיו לַשָּׁמַיִם וְאָמַר: מַעִיד אֲנִי בְּשִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל שֶׁלֹּא הִנַּחְתִּי אֶחָד מִדִּבְרֵי תוֹרָתְךָ בְּלֹא בֵיאוּר. | Moshe lifted his hands to heaven and said: “I swear by Your great name that I did not leave a single word of Your Torah unexplained. |
| יֵיטַב לְיִשְׂרָאֵל וְיִרְחַק מֵהֶם הָרָע. | May good come to Israel, and may evil stay far from them.” |
- Transfer of Leadership | מְסִירַת הַנְּהָגָה לִיהוֹשֻׁעַ
| אָמַר מֹשֶׁה לִיהוֹשֻׁעַ: רוֹצֶה אַתָּה לָלֶכֶת? קַח אֶת הַמַּטֶּה הַזֶּה בְּיָדְךָ וָלֵךְ לְפָנַי. | Moshe said to Yehoshua: “Would you go? Take this staff in your hand and walk before me.” |
| בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה תָּפַשׂ מֹשֶׁה בִּיהוֹשֻׁעַ וְקִשֵּׁטוֹ בְּבִגְדָיו וְכִתְּרוֹ בְּכִתְרוֹ וְחָגַר אוֹתוֹ בַּחֲגוֹרָתוֹ. | At that hour, Moshe took hold of Yehoshua and adorned him with his own garments, crowned him with his crown, and girded him with his belt. |
| עָמַד מֹשֶׁה לִימִינוֹ וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לִשְׂמֹאלוֹ, וְהָלְכוּ לְהוֹשִׁיב אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל. | Moshe stood at his right and the Holy One at his left, and they went to address Israel. |
| נִבְהַל יְהוֹשֻׁעַ וְלֹא יָכֹל לְדַבֵּר. אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: לָמָּה אַתָּה שׁוֹתֵק? דַּבֵּר עִם יִשְׂרָאֵל. | Yehoshua trembled and could not speak. The Holy One said to him: “Why are you silent? Speak with the people of Israel!” |
| הִתְחִיל יְהוֹשֻׁעַ לְדַבֵּר; וּכְשֶׁרָאָה מֹשֶׁה שֶׁהָיָה זִיווֹ כַּשֶּׁמֶשׁ וּדְבָרָיו יוֹצְאִים מִפִּיו כְּגַחֲלֵי אֵשׁ, בָּאוּ כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל לְכַבֵּד אֶת יְהוֹשֻׁעַ. | Yehoshua began to speak. When Moshe saw that his splendor shone like the sun and his words emerged like burning coals, all Israel came to honor Yehoshua. |
| אָמַר מֹשֶׁה לָהֶם: אַתֶּם מַנִּיחִים אֶת הָרַב וְהוֹלְכִים אֶל הַתַּלְמִיד? | Moshe said to them: “You forsake the master and go to the student?” |
| נָשְׂאוּ כָּל הָעֵדָה אֶת עֵינֵיהֶם וְרָאוּ דְּמוּת מֹשֶׁה עוֹמֶדֶת וּדְמוּת יְהוֹשֻׁעַ יוֹשֶׁבֶת וּדְמוּת כְּרוּב בֵּינֵיהֶם. | The entire congregation lifted their eyes and saw the image of Moshe standing and the image of Yehoshua sitting, and the image of a cherub between them. |
| בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה יָצָא הַכָּרוֹז וְהִכְרִיז: מֹשֶׁה מָסַר וִיהוֹשֻׁעַ קִבֵּל. | At that hour, a herald went forth and announced: “Moshe has transferred authority and Yehoshua has received it.” |
- Hashem’s Comfort to Moshe | נֶחָמַת הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְמֹשֶׁה
| אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְמֹשֶׁה: מַה זֶּה הָאֵבֶל שֶׁנָּפַל עָלֶיךָ הַיּוֹם? | The Holy One said to Moshe: “What is this grief that has overtaken you today? |
| הֲלֹא הַיּוֹם הוּא שֶׁאָמַרְתָּ: ‘בֶּן מֵאָה וְעֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה אָנֹכִי הַיּוֹם, לֹא אוּכַל עוֹד לָצֵאת וְלָבוֹא’? | Is this not the day when you said: “I am 120 years old today; I can no longer go out and come in”? |
| שְׂמַח, שֶׁאַף מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת שָׂמְחוּ בַּעֲלִיָּתְךָ. | Rejoice, for even the ministering angels have rejoiced at your ascent. |
| לֶעָתִיד לָבוֹא אֶגָּלֶה עָלֶיךָ עִם הָאָבוֹת וְהַנְּבִיאִים, וְאוֹלִיכְךָ לַמָּקוֹם שֶׁהֵכַנְתִּי לְךָ. | In the future I will reveal Myself to you together with the Patriarchs and the Prophets, and I will guide you to the place I have prepared for you. |
| וְאֶתֵּן לְיָדְךָ אֶת כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְאַתָּה תִּמְנֶה אוֹתָם לִדְגָלֵיהֶם, לְאוֹתוֹתֵיהֶם, לְמַחֲנוֹתֵיהֶם, לְמִשְׁפְּחוֹתֵיהֶם. | I will give all Israel into your hands, and you will count them by their standards, banners, camps, and clans.” |
- Hashem’s Praise of Moshe | שֶׁבַח הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אֶת מֹשֶׁה
| כִּי שֶׁלִּי הוּא, וְאֵין כָּמוֹהוּ בַּנְּבִיאִים. | For he is Mine; there is none like him among the prophets. |
| אֵין כָּמוֹהוּ בַּשָּׁמַיִם וּבָאָרֶץ. | There is none like him in heaven or on earth. |
| אֲנִי מְדַבֵּר אִתּוֹ פֶּה אֶל פֶּה. | I speak with him mouth to mouth. |
| בָּרָאתִי שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ בִּשְׁבִילוֹ. | I created the heavens and the earth for his sake. |
| נִגְלֵיתִי אֵלָיו בַּסְּנֶה הַבּוֹעֵר. עָשִׂיתִי עֶשֶׂר מַכּוֹת לְמִצְרָיִם. קָרַעְתִּי לוֹ אֶת הַיָּם. | I revealed Myself to him at the burning bush. I brought ten plagues upon Egypt. I split the sea for him. |
| הֶעֱלֵיתִיהוּ לַשָּׁמַיִם וְגִלֵּיתִי לוֹ כִּסֵּא כְּבוֹדִי וּמַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת. | I brought him up to heaven and revealed to him My throne of glory and the ministering angels. |
| וּבְיַד מֹשֶׁה נָתַתִּי תּוֹרָה לְעַמִּי. כָּתַבְתִּי בְּאֶצְבְּעִי עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדִּבְּרוֹת וּנְתַתִּים לוֹ. | Through Moshe’s hands I gave the Torah to My people. I wrote with My finger the Ten Commandments and gave them to him. |
| וַהֲמַלַּכְתִּיהוּ עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל. | And I made him king over Israel.” |
- Moshe’s Final Plea | בַּקָּשַׁת מֹשֶׁה הָאַחֲרוֹנָה
| אָמַר מֹשֶׁה: לָמָּה אַתָּה עוֹשֶׂה לִי כָּךְ? כּוֹנֵס אַתָּה כָּל עַמֵּי הָאָרֶץ וְאוֹתִי מְשַׁלֵּחַ מִבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל? | Moshe said: “Why do You treat me this way? You gather all the peoples of the earth and You send me away from the children of Israel? |
| רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, אֲחַיֶּה וְאֶעֱבֹר וְאֶרְאֶה אֶת הָאָרֶץ הַטּוֹבָה אֲשֶׁר בְּעֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן. | Master of the Universe! Let me live and cross over and see the good land that is across the Jordan.” |
| אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: עַל שֶׁאָמַרְתָּ לִפְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל ‘שִׁמְעוּ נָא הַמֹּרִים’ וְלֹא קִדַּשְׁתָּ אֶת שְׁמִי. | The Holy One said: “Because you said before Israel: ‘Hear now, you rebels!’ and you did not sanctify My Name. |
| וְעַתָּה עֲלֵה אֶל רֹאשׁ הָהָר. | And now, go up to the top of the mountain.” |
| הָלַךְ מֹשֶׁה מִיָּד וְהִכִין עַצְמוֹ לָמוּת. בָּכָה וְאָמַר לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: | Moshe went immediately and prepared himself to die. He wept and said before the Holy One: |
| רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם! בַּלָּשׁוֹן הַזֶּה שֶׁדִּבַּרְתִּי דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָתְךָ, עַכְשָׁיו אֶשְׁתֶּה כּוֹס הַמָּוֶת? | “Master of the Universe! With this tongue with which I spoke the words of Your Torah — shall I now drink the cup of death?” |
| אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: חַיֶּיךָ וְחַיֵּי אָבִיךָ וְאִמֶּךָ, אֲנִי עַצְמִי אֶעֱסֹק בָּךְ וְאֶקְבְּרָךְ בְּכָבוֹד גָּדוֹל. | The Holy One replied: “By your life and the lives of your father and mother — I Myself will attend to you and bury you with great honor.” |
| יָצְאָה הַבַּת קוֹל וְאָמְרָה: הִגִּיעַ זְמַן מִיתָתְךָ. | The Heavenly Voice went forth and said: “The time of your death has come.” |
| פָּרַשׂ מֹשֶׁה אֶת בִּגְדוֹ וְיָשַׁב עָלָיו, וְכִסָּה פָּנָיו, וְשָׂם יָדָיו עַל חָזֵהוּ. | Moshe spread his garment, sat upon it, covered his face, and placed his hands on his chest. |
- Yehoshua and Klal Yisroel Mourn | יְהוֹשֻׁעַ וְיִשְׂרָאֵל מִתְאַבְּלִים
| וְנֶאֱסְפוּ יְהוֹשֻׁעַ וְכָל הָעָם לְלַוּוֹתוֹ. | Yehoshua and all the people gathered to accompany him. |
| בָּאוּ זְקֵנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְכָל שָׂרָיו בּוֹכִים וּמְיַיְלְלִים. | The elders of Israel and all the officers came crying and wailing. |
| וְכָל יִשְׂרָאֵל נֶאֶסְפוּ אֵלָיו כַּת כַּת. | And all of Israel gathered to him, group by group. |
| הָיָה מֹשֶׁה אוֹמֵר לְכָל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד: לָמָּה אַתֶּם בּוֹכִים? | Moshe said to each one: “Why are you weeping?” |
| אָמְרוּ לוֹ: רַבֵּינוּ מֹשֶׁה, אֵיךְ לֹא נִבְכֶּה, שֶׁאַתָּה פּוֹרֵשׁ מֵאִתָּנוּ? | They said: “Our teacher Moshe, how can we not weep when you are departing from us?” |
| אָמַר לָהֶם: אַל תִּבְכּוּ; רַבְּכֶם יְהוֹשֻׁעַ יַעֲמֹד בִּמְקוֹמִי. שִׁמְעוּ לוֹ, שֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מְקַבְּלוֹ. | He said to them: “Do not weep. Your teacher Yehoshua will stand in my place. Listen to him, for the Holy One accepts him.” |
- Moshe Rabbeinu’s Final Instructions | צַוָּאַת מֹשֶׁה
| אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְמֹשֶׁה: מֹשֶׁה, הִגִּיעַ זְמַנְּךָ לְהִסְתַּלֵּק מִן הָעוֹלָם. | The Holy One said to Moshe: “Moshe, your time has come to depart from the world. |
| אֱמֹר לִיהוֹשֻׁעַ תַּלְמִידְךָ כֵּיצַד יִתְנַהֵג עִם יִשְׂרָאֵל. | Tell Yehoshua your disciple how to conduct himself with Israel.” |
| קָרָא מֹשֶׁה לִיהוֹשֻׁעַ וְאָמַר לוֹ: בְּנִי, אֵלֶּה הֵם עַם הֹ שֶׁשִּׁמַּשְׁתִּי אוֹתָם אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה. | Moshe called Yehoshua and said: “My son, these are the people of Hashem whom I led for forty years. |
| עַכְשָׁיו אֲנִי מוֹסְרָם לְיָדְךָ. אַל תִּהְיֶה קָשֶׁה עֲלֵיהֶם. | Now I place them in your care. Do not be harsh with them— |
| שֶׁאֲפִילּוּ רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם לֹא דָּקְדֵּק עִם בְּרִיּוֹתָיו. | For even the Master of the Universe does not deal harshly with His creatures.” |
| וְעַכְשָׁיו, בְּנִי, עֲלֵה לְרֹאשׁ הָהָר, כִּי כָּךְ גָּזַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא שֶׁאָמוּת שָׁם. | And now, my son, go up to the top of the mountain, for so has the Holy One decreed that I die there.” |
- Moshe Rabbeinu’s Burial | קְבוּרַת מֹשֶׁה
| לָקַח הַמַּלְאָךְ אֶת מֹשֶׁה וְהֶרְאָהוּ אֶת מְקוֹם קְבוּרָתוֹ. | An angel took Moshe and showed him his burial place. |
| אָמַר לוֹ: זֶה מְקוֹמְךָ. אָמַר לוֹ: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, יָרֵא אֲנִי מִן הַמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה. | He said to him: “This is your place.” He said: “Master of the Universe, I am afraid of this place.” |
| אָמַר לוֹ: לָמָּה אַתָּה יָרֵא? אֲנִי אַשְׁמֹר אוֹתְךָ וְאֶשְׁמְרֶנּוּ. | He said: “Why do you fear? I will protect you and guard you.” |
| נִשְׁבַּע לוֹ בַּשֵּׁם הַגָּדוֹל שֶׁיִּהְיֶה עִמּוֹ לְעוֹלָם. | He swore to him by the Great Name that He would be with him forever. |
| אָמַר לוֹ: מַה יִּהְיֶה זְכוּתִי? אָמַר לוֹ: כָּל פַּעַם שֶׁאָדָם בָּא לְפָנַי בְּלֵב טָהוֹר וְמַזְכִּיר שְׁלֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה מִדּוֹת שֶׁלִּי, אֶזְכֹּר זְכוּתְךָ בַּעֲבוּרוֹ וְאֶסְלַח לוֹ. | He asked: “What will be my merit?” He replied: “Every time a person comes before Me with a pure heart and mentions My thirteen attributes of mercy, I will remember your merit for his sake and forgive him — as it is written: ‘And Hashem passed.’” |
| מֵת מֹשֶׁה בְּיוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת בְּטָהֳרָה. | Moshe died on the Sabbath day, in purity. |
- Mourning of All Creation | אֵבֶל כָּל הַבְּרִיָּה
| אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: מִיתַת הַצַּדִּיקִים שְׁקוּלָה כְּשְׂרֵפַת בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ. | The Holy One said: “The death of the righteous is considered as weighty as the burning of the Temple.” |
| כְּשֶׁנִּתְקָרַב מֹשֶׁה לְמִיתָתוֹ, זָעַק הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם: ‘הַצַּדִּיק אָבַד וְאֵין אִישׁ שָׂם עַל לֵב’ (יְשַׁעְיָה נח:א). | As Moshe drew near to his death, the Holy One cried out from heaven: “The righteous man perishes and no man takes it to heart” (Yeshayahu 57:1). |
| בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה אָמְרוּ מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת: שַׂר הָעוֹלָם! זֶהוּ שְׂכַר הַתּוֹרָה? | At that moment the ministering angels said: “Sovereign of the Universe! Is this the reward of the Torah?” |
| אָמַר לָהֶם: יֵשׁ לָהֶם שָׂכָר אַחֵר לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. | He said to them: “There is a different reward for them in the World to Come.” |
| אָמַר מֹשֶׁה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל: מַשְׁבִּיעַ אֲנִי אֶתְכֶם בַּתּוֹרָה וּבַמִּצְווֹת שֶׁלִּמַּדְתִּי אֶתְכֶם — כְּשֶׁתִּזְכְּרוּ אוֹתִי, בְּכוּ וְהִתְאַבְּלוּ עָלַי. | Moshe said to Israel: “I adjure you by the Torah and commandments I taught you — when you remember me, weep and mourn for me. |
| וְאִמְרוּ: ‘אוֹי לָעָנָו שֶׁאָבַד, אוֹי לַנֶּאֱמָן שֶׁאָבַד’. | And say: “Woe to the humble one who is lost; woe to the faithful one who is lost.’” |
| עָמְדוּ כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל עַל קִבְרוֹ וְהִתְאַבְּלוּ עַל מֹשֶׁה שְׁלֹשִׁים יוֹם. | All of Israel stood at his grave and mourned Moshe for thirty days. |
| כְּשֶׁנִּשְׁלְמוּ שְׁלֹשִׁים יְמֵי הָאֵבֶל אָמְרוּ: אַיֵּה מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּינוּ? יָצְאָה הַבַּת קוֹל וְאָמְרָה: מֹשֶׁה הָלַךְ. | When the thirty days of mourning were completed, they asked: “Where is Moshe our teacher?” The Heavenly Voice responded: “Moshe has departed.” |
| בָּכָה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עָלָיו וְאָמַר: מִי יַעֲמֹד לִי עֵת אַף? מִי יְבַקֵּשׁ רַחֲמִים עַל בָּנַי? | The Holy One wept over him and said: “Who will now stand for Me at the time of anger? Who will seek mercy for My children?” |
| אָמְרוּ מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת: פָּסְקָה צִדְקַת הֹ מִן הָאָרֶץ. | The ministering angels said: “The righteousness of Hashem has departed from the earth.” |
| אָמְרוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם: אָבְדוּ חֲסִידִים מִן הָאָרֶץ. אָמְרָה הָאָרֶץ: אֵין יָשָׁר בָּאָדָם. | The heavens said: “The pious ones are gone from the earth.” The earth said: “There is no more uprightness among men.” |
| הַכּוֹכָבִים וְהַמַּזָּלוֹת בּוֹכִים וּמִתְאַבְּלִים, הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ וְהַיָּרֵחַ מְחֻשָּׁכִים. | The stars and constellations weep and mourn; the sun and moon are darkened. |
| וְהַקְּדוֹשִׁים אוֹמְרִים: לֹא קָם נָבִיא עוֹד בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל כְּמֹשֶׁה. | And the holy ones say: “There has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moshe.” |
- Laws of Yom Kippur | הִלְכוֹת יוֹם כִּפּוּר
This final section of the Seder transitions to laws of Yom Kippur, connecting the themes of Moshe’s death — purity, atonement, and divine forgiveness — with the holiest day of the year:
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| אֵלּוּ הֵם הַדְּבָרִים הָאֲסוּרִים בְּיוֹם כִּפּוּר: אָסוּר לֶאֱכֹל וְלִשְׁתּוֹת. | These are the things forbidden on Yom Kippur: it is forbidden to eat or drink. |
| אָסוּר לִרְחֹץ, לָסוּךְ, לִנְעֹל הַסַּנְדָּל, וְלִשְׁמֵשׁ מִטָּה. | It is forbidden to wash, to anoint oneself, to wear sandals, or to engage in marital relations. |
| חֲמִשָּׁה עִנּוּיִים אֵלּוּ כְּנֶגֶד חָמֵשׁ ‘וְעִנִּיתֶם’ שֶׁבַּתּוֹרָה. | These five afflictions correspond to the five mentions of ‘ve-inisem’ (you shall afflict yourselves) in the Torah. |
| וְכֵן כְּנֶגֶד חָמֵשׁ תְּפִלּוֹת שֶׁל יוֹם כִּפּוּר: עַרְבִית, שַׁחֲרִית, מוּסָף, מִנְחָה, וּנְעִילָה. | And they correspond to the five prayer services of Yom Kippur: Ma’ariv, Shacharit, Musaf, Mincha, and Neilah. |
| כִּי בַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה יְכַפֵּר עֲלֵיכֶם לְטַהֵר אֶתְכֶם (וַיִּקְרָא טז:ל). | “For on this day He will atone for you, to purify you” (Vayikra 16:30). |
| אֵלּוּ הֵם שְׁלֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה מִדּוֹת הָרַחֲמִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ‘וַיַּעֲבֹר הֹ’ (שְׁמוֹת לד:ו). | These are the thirteen attributes of mercy, as it says: “And Hashem passed” (Shemos 34:6). |
| כְּשֵׁם שֶׁמְּלָאכָה אֲסוּרָה בְּשַׁבָּת וְבַמּוֹעֲדִים, כָּךְ מְלָאכָה אֲסוּרָה בְּיוֹם כִּפּוּר. | Just as labor is forbidden on Shabbos and Yom Tov, so too labor is forbidden on Yom Kippur. |
| אֲבָל יֵשׁ הֶבְדֵּל: כָּל מְלָאכָה אֲסוּרָה בּוֹ, אֲבָל לֹא כָּל הָעִנּוּיִים. כִּי עִנּוּיִים שֶׁיֵּשׁ בָּהֶם סַכָּנָה לַנֶּפֶשׁ — מֻתָּרִים. | However, there is a difference: all labor is forbidden on it, but not all afflictions. For afflictions that endanger life — are permitted (i.e., one need not afflict oneself to the point of danger). |
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This author tries to support 21 single mothers in the community who do not even have the funds to put food on the table. Anyone who wishes to donate please zelle [email protected]