Ana Bekoach
is a prayer said while the
Chanukah
lights are burning. Attributed by some to the
Tanna
Nehunia ben HaKana, this plea for Israel's redemption has seven lines of six words each. The first letters of each word form an all-encompassing Name of Hashem.
Rabbi Yechiel Michel Dorfman
z"l
(Ukraine 1913 - Jerusalem, 2006),
former Rosh Yeshiva of the Breslov Yeshiva in Meah Shaarim,
sings this
chassidish
nigun
(melody) so that each word of the prayer is repeated seven times, according to
kabbalistic
tradition.
English:
“We beg You, with the strength and greatness of Your right arm, untangle our knotted fate. Accept Your People's song, elevate and purify us. Please, Heroic One, those who pursue Your uniqueness, guard them as the pupil of an eye. Bless them, purify them, pity them, may Your righteousness always reward them.
Powerful and Holy One, in goodness lead Your flock. Unique and Proud One, to Your people turn, who remember Your holiness. Accept our cries and hear our screams, oh Knower of Mysteries. Blessed is the Name of His Honored Sovereignty forever and ever.”
