The Prayer of the Ben Ish Hai at the Kever of David HaMelech — “Kum David Malka Mashicha”

6 Sivan: the yahrzeit/hilula of David HaMelech.

David HaMelech embodies three qualities: - Kingship: Malchut, - Life: “David Melech Yisrael — chai v’kayam”, - Redemption: “Mashiach ben David” — his descendant will be Mashiach the Redeemer. All our hopes are bound up with him and with his Tehillim (praises). The Ben Ish Hai composed a special piyut addressed to David HaMelech. Many Mekubalim call the first six hours of Shavuot hours of salvation — Et Ratzon. There is a custom to recite the entire Book of Tehillim, for at this time David HaMelech ascended to the higher world. After reciting the Book of Tehillim, recite this beautiful prayer. The prayer of the Ben Ish Hai: “Kum David Malka Mashicha” Kum, David Malka Mashicha, atah Mashiach Elokei Yaakov u-ne’im zemirot Yisrael, ve-alecha amar Ad-nai: “Ki ra’iti be-vanav li melech.” Ve-alecha amar Ad-nai: “Atah tir’eh et ami, et Yisrael, ve-atah tihyeh le-nagid al Yisrael.” Ve-alecha ne’emar: “Malokh timlokh, ve-kamah be-yadecha mamlakhet Yisrael.” Ve-alecha amru Yisrael: “Eser yadot li ba-melekh.” קוּם דָּוִיד מַלְכָּא מְשִׁיחָא, אַתָּה מְשִׁיחַ אֱלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב וּנְעִים זְמִרוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל וְעָלֶיךָ אָמַר ה’, כִּי רָאִיתִי בְּבָנָיו לִי מֶלֶךְ, וְאֵלֶיךָ אָמַר ה’, אַתָּה תִרְעֶה אֶת עַמִּי אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאַתָּה תִּהְיֶה לְנָגִיד עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְעָלֶיךָ נֶאֱמַר, מָלֹךְ תִּמְלוֹךְ וְקָמָה בְּיָדְךָ מַמְלֶכֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְעָלֶיךָ אָמְרוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל, עֶשֶׂר יָדוֹת לִי בַמֶּלֶךְ. Arise, King David, the Anointed One; you are the anointed of the G-d of Jacob and the sweet singer of Israel. And concerning you the L-rd said: “For I have seen a king for Myself among his sons.” And to you the L-rd said: “You shall shepherd My people, Israel, and you shall be leader over Israel.” And concerning you it is said: “You shall reign, and the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.” And concerning you Israel said: “I have ten shares in the king.” Kum, David Malka Mashicha, alecha amar Ad-nai: “Ve-asiti lecha shem gadol ke-shem ha-gedolim asher ba-aretz.” Ve-alecha ne’emar: “Va-yehi David le-khol derachav maskil, va-Ad-nai imo.” קוּם דָּוִיד מַלְכָּא מְשִׁיחָא, עָלֶיךָ אָמַר ה’, וְעָשִׂתִי לְךָ שֵׁם גָּדוֹל כְּשֵׁם הַגְּדֹלִים אֲשֶׁר בָּאָרֶץ. וְעָלֶיךָ נֶאֱמַר וַיְהִי דָוִד לְכָל דְּרָכָיו מַשְׂכִּיל וַייָ עִמּוֹ. Arise, King David, the Anointed One! Concerning you the L-rd said: “I have made your name great, like the name of the great ones who are on the earth.” And concerning you it is said: “David acted wisely in all his ways, and the L-rd was with him.” Kum le’orer ha-rachamim ve-hitpalel lifnei Avinu: “Av ha-Rachamim!” — for us and for all Israel, our brothers. Arise and pray for the children of the House of Israel, nursing infants and those recently weaned, and for the children in the house of their teacher. קוּם לְעוֹרֵר הָרַחֲמִים וְהִתְפַּלֵּל לִפְנֵי אָבִינוּ אָב הָרַחֲמִים, עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל אַחֵינוּ. קוּם וְהִתְפַּלֵּל עַל יַלְדֵי בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל יוֹנְקֵי שָׁדַיִם וּגְמוּלֵי חָלָב וְתִינוֹקוֹת שֶׁל בֵּית רַבָּן. Arise to awaken mercy and pray before our Father: “Merciful Father,” for us and for all Israel, our brothers. Arise and pray for the children of the House of Israel, nursing infants and those recently weaned, and for the children in the house of their teacher. Kum ve-hamletz tov le-galgel ha-rachamim ha-gedolim, rachamim de-Atik Yomin, aleinu ve-al kol Yisrael — achenu. Hitchazek ve-hitametz bi-tefilah u-ve-tachanunim, u-kera el Ad-nai: “Shome’a tefilah!” Ki chanun ve-rachum Hu, rav chesed u-marbeh leheitiv, ka-katuv: “Tov Ad-nai la-kol ve-rachamav al kol ma’asav.” Hitchazek bi-tefilah lema’an yonekei shadayim u-gemulei chalav ve-tinokot shel beit rabban she-lo chatu. קוּם וְהַמְלֵץ טוֹב לְגַלְגֵּל הָרַחֲמִים הַגְּדֹלִים, רַחֲמִים דְעַתִּיק יוֹמִין, עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל אַחֵינוּ. הִתְחַזֵּק וְהִתְאַמֵּץ בִּתְפִלָּה וּבְתַחֲנוּנִים וּקְרָא אֶל ה’ שׁוֹמֵעַ תְּפִלָּה כִּי חַנּוּן וְרַחוּם הוּא רַב חֶסֶד וּמַרְבֶּה לְהֵיטִיב, כַּכָּתוּב, טוֹב יְיָ לַכֹּל וְרַחֲמָיו עַל כָּל מַעֲשָׂיו. הִתְחַזֵּק בִּתְפִלָּה לְמַעַן יוֹנְקֵי שָׁדַיִם וּגְמוּלֵי חָלָב וְתִינוֹקוֹת שֶׁל בֵּית רַבָּן שֶׁלֹּא חָטְאוּ. Arise and intercede for good, to bring about the great mercies—the mercies of Atik Yomin—for us and for all Israel, our brothers. Strengthen yourself and persevere in prayer and supplication, and call to the L-rd: “Who hears prayer!” For He is gracious and compassionate, abundant in kindness and ever ready to do good, as it is written: “The L-rd is good to all, and His mercies are upon all His works.” Strengthen yourself in prayer for nursing infants and those recently weaned, and for the children in the house of their teacher who have not sinned. David Malka Mashicha, kera el Ad-nai ve-chazekah bi-zchut ma’asecha ha-tovim, u-vi-zchut ha-Torah she-amarta, ki hen darkecha le-hitpalel be’ad Beit Yisrael, ve-kamah tefilot ve-tachanunim amarta va-avuram. דָוִד מַלְכָּא מְשִׁיחָא קְרָא אֶל ה’ בְחָזְקָה בִזְכוּת מַעֲשֶׂיךָ הֲטוֹבִים, וּבִזְכוּת הֲתּוֹרָה שֶׁאָמַרְתָּ כִי כֵן דַרְכְּךָ לְהִתְפַּלֵל בְעַד בֵית יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְכַמָה תְפִלוֹת וְתַחֲנוּנִים אָמַרְתָּ בַעֲבוּרָם. King David, the Anointed One, call out forcefully to the L-rd, invoking the merit of your good deeds and the merit of the Torah that you taught, for it is your way to pray on behalf of the House of Israel. How many prayers and supplications you offered on its behalf. David Malka Mashicha, alecha amar Ad-nai: “Harimoti vachur me-am.” Ve-alecha anu omrim: “David — Melech Yisrael, chai ve-kayam!” Ve-atah amarta le-Yisrael: “Shema’uni achai ve-ami.” דָוִד מַלְכָּא מְשִׁיחָא, עָלֶיךָ אָמַר ה’, הֲרִימוֹתִי בָחוּר מֵעָם  .וְעָלֶיךָ אָנוּ אוֹמְרִים: דָּוִד מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי וְקַיָּיםוְאַתָּה אָמַרְתָּ לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, שְׁמָעוּנִי אַחַי וְעַמִּי. King David, the Anointed One, concerning you the L-rd said: “I have raised up a chosen one from the people.” And concerning you we say: “David, King of Israel, lives and endures!” And you said to Israel: “Listen to me, my brothers and my people.” Ve-hineh katuv ba-Torah: “Lo tir’eh et chamor achicha o shoro noflim ba-derech ve-hit’alemta me-hem; hakem takim imo.” Kum, chalah na, lifnei El, vi-chanenenu, ki ve-tzarah gedolah ve-dalonu me’od. וְהִנֵּה כָּתוּב בַּתּוֹרָה, לֹא תִרְאֶה אֶת חֲמוֹר אָחִיךָ אוֹ שׁוֹרוֹ נֹפְלִים בַּדֶּרֶךְ וְהִתְעַלַּמְתָּ מֵהֶם הָקֵם תָּקִים עִמּוֹ.קוּם חַלֵּה נָא פְנֵי אֵל וִיחָנֵּנוּ כִּי בְצָרָה גְדוֹלָה וְדַלּוֹנוּ מְאֹד. And behold, it is written in the Torah: “You shall not see your brother’s donkey or ox fallen on the road and ignore them; you shall surely help him raise it.” Arise, please, and entreat G-d’s favor, that He may have mercy on us, for we are in great distress and have been greatly humbled. Atah yagata u-matzata makom la-Ad-nai, mishkenot la-Avir Yaakov. Ve-atah yisadta mekom ha-Mikdash, ve-atah be-khol kochacha hachinota le-Veit Eloheinu: ha-zahav la-zahav, ve-ha-kesef la-kesef, ve-ha-nechoshet la-nechoshet, ha-barzel la-barzel, ve-ha-etzim la-etzim, avnei shoham u-milu’im, avnei fuch ve-rikmah, ve-khol even yekarah, ve-avnei shaish la-rov. אַתָּה יָגַעְתָּ וּמָצָאתָ מָקוֹם לַה’ מִשְׁכָּנוֹת לַאֲבִיר יַעֲקֹב .וְאַתָּה יִסַּדְתָּ מְקוֹם הַמִּקְדָּשׁ וְאַתָּה בְּכָל כֹּחֲךָ הֲכִינוֹתָ לְבֵית אֱלֹהֵינוּ, הַזָּהָב לַזָּהָב, וְהַכֶּסֶף לַכֶּסֶף, וְהַנְּחֹשֶׁת לַנְּחֹשֶׁת, הַבַּרְזֶל לַבַּרְזֶל , וְהָעֵצִים לָעֵצִים, אַבְנֵי שֹׁהַם וּמִלּוּאִים, אַבְנֵי פוּךְ וְרִקְמָה, וְכֹל אֶבֶן יְקָרָה, וְאַבְנֵי שַׁיִשׁ לָרֹב. You labored and found a place for the L-rd, dwelling places for the Mighty One of Jacob. You established the site of the Temple, and with all your strength you prepared for the House of our G-d: gold for gold, silver for silver, copper for copper, iron for iron, and wood for wood; onyx stones and stones for setting, stones of antimony and embroidered work, every precious stone, and marble stones in abundance. Ve-atah natata li-Shlomo bincha et tavnit ha-Mikdash u-Veit ha-Kapporet, kemo she-katuv: “Va-yiten David li-Shlomo beno et-tavnit ha-ulam, ve-et-batav, ve-ganzakav, va-aliyotav, va-chadarav ha-penimim, u-Veit ha-Kapporet.” וְאַתָּה נָתַתָּ לִשְׁלֹמֹה בִּנְךָ אֵת תַּבְנִית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ וּבֵית הַכַּפֹּרֶת, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב: וַיִּתֵּן דָּוִיד לִשְׁלֹמֹה בְנוֹ אֶת־תַּבְנִית הָֽאוּלָם, וְֽאֶת־בָּתָּיו, וְגַנְזַכָּיו, וַֽעֲלִיֹּתָיו, וַֽחֲדָרָיו הַפְּנִימִים, וּבֵית הַכַּפֹּֽרֶת: And you gave your son Solomon the design of the Temple and the House of the Kaporet, as it is written: “David gave his son Solomon the plan of the hall, its houses, its treasuries, its upper chambers, its inner rooms, and the House of the Kaporet.” Ve-tavnit kol asher hayah va-ruach imo le-chatzerot Beit Ad-nai u-le-khol ha-lishchot saviv le-otzrot Beit ha-Elohim u-le-otzrot ha-kodashim, u-le-machlekot ha-kohanim ve-ha-Leviim, u-le-khol melechet avodat Beit Ad-nai u-le-khol klei avodat Beit Ad-nai. וְתַבְנִית כֹּל אֲשֶׁר הָיָה בָרוּחַ עִמּוֹ לְחַצְרוֹת בֵּית יְהֹוָה וּלְכָל הַלְּשָׁכוֹת סָבִיב לְאֹצְרוֹת בֵּית הָאֱלֹהִים וּלְאֹצְרוֹת הַקֳּדָשִׁים: וּלְמַחְלְקוֹת הַכֹּהֲנִים וְהַלְוִיִּם וּלְכָל מְלֶאכֶת עֲבוֹדַת בֵּית יְהֹוָה וּלְכָל כְּלֵי עֲבוֹדַת בֵּית יְהֹוָה: And the design of everything that was in his spirit: the courtyards of the House of the L-rd, all the chambers surrounding the treasuries of the House of G-d and the treasuries of the holy things, the divisions of the kohanim and the Levites, every form of service in the House of the L-rd, and all the vessels used in the service of the House of the L-rd. La-zahav ba-mishkal la-zahav le-khol klei avodah va-avodah, le-khol klei ha-kesef be-mishkal le-khol klei avodah va-avodah. U-mishkal li-menorot ha-zahav ve-neroteihem zahav be-mishkal menorah u-menorah ve-neroteha, ve-li-menorot ha-kesef be-mishkal li-menorah ve-neroteha ka-avodat menorah u-menorah. לַזָּהָב בַּמִשְׁקָל לַזָּהָב לְכָל כְּלֵי עֲבוֹדָה וַעֲבוֹדָה לְכֹל כְּלֵי הַכֶּסֶף בְּמִשְׁקָל לְכָל כְּלֵי עֲבוֹדָה וַעֲבוֹדָה:וּמִשְׁקָל לִמְנֹרוֹת הַזָּהָב וְנֵרֹתֵיהֶם זָהָב בְּמִשְׁקַל מְנוֹרָה וּמְנוֹרָה וְנֵרֹתֶיהָ וְלִמְנֹרוֹת הַכֶּסֶף בְּמִשְׁקָל לִמְנוֹרָה וְנֵרֹתֶיהָ כַּעֲבוֹדַת מְנוֹרָה וּמְנוֹרָה: For the gold, according to weight: gold for every vessel used in each form of service; and for all the silver vessels, according to weight, for every vessel used in each form of service. And the weight of the golden menorot and their lamps, gold according to the weight of each menorah and its lamps; and for the silver menorot, according to the weight of each menorah and its lamps, as required for each menorah. Ve-et ha-zahav mishkal le-shulchanot ha-ma’arechet, le-shulchan ve-shulchan, ve-kesef le-shulchanot ha-kesef. Ve-ha-mizlagot ve-ha-mizrakot ve-ha-ksavot zahav tahor, ve-li-khforei ha-zahav be-mishkal li-khfor u-khfor, ve-li-khforei ha-kesef be-mishkal li-khfor u-khfor. U-le-mizbach ha-ketoret zahav mezukak ba-mishkal, u-le-tavnit ha-merkavah ha-keruvim zahav le-foresim ve-sochechim al Aron Brit Ad-nai. וְאֶת הַזָּהָב מִשְׁקָל לְשֻׁלְחֲנוֹת הַמַּעֲרֶכֶת לְשֻׁלְחָן וְשֻׁלְחָן וְכֶסֶף לְשֻׁלְחֲנוֹת הַכָּסֶף :וְהַמִּזְלָגוֹת וְהַמִּזְרָקוֹת וְהַקְּשָׂוֹת זָהָב טָהוֹר וְלִכְפוֹרֵי הַזָּהָב בְּמִשְׁקָל לִכְפוֹר וּכְפוֹר וְלִכְפוֹרֵי הַכֶּסֶף בְּמִשְׁקָל לִכְפוֹר וּכְפוֹר :וּלְמִזְבַּח הַקְּטֹרֶת זָהָב מְזֻקָּק בַּמִשְׁקָל וּלְתַבְנִית הַמֶרְכָּבָה הַכְּרֻבִים זָהָב לְפֹרְשִׂים וְסֹכְכִים עַל אֲרוֹן בְּרִית יְהֹוָה: And the gold by weight for the tables of the showbread, for each table, and silver for the silver tables; the forks, bowls, and cups of pure gold; the golden covers, according to the weight of each cover; and the silver covers, according to the weight of each cover. And for the altar of incense, refined gold according to weight; and for the design of the chariot, the cherubim of gold spreading their wings and sheltering the Ark of the Covenant of the L-rd. Ha-kol bi-khtav mi-yad Ad-nai alai hiskil kol melachot ha-tavnit. Atah re’eh veitecha, David; re’eh zarim omdim betocho. Re’eh, ki gerashunu ha-yom me-histape’ach be-nachalat Ad-nai, u-khemo zar nechshavnu, ve-ein lanu chelek ve-nachalah be-Veit Eloheinu. הַכֹּל בִּכְתָב מִיַּד יְהֹוָה עָלַי הִשְׂכִּיל כֹּל מַלְאֲכוֹת הַתַּבְנִית :עֲתָּה רְאֵה בֵיתְךָ דָּוִד, רְאֵה זָרִים עוֹמְדִים בְּתוֹכוֹ ,רְאֵה כִּי גֵרְשׁוּנוּ הַיּוֹם מֵהִסְתַּפֵּחַ בְּנַחֲלַת ה’, וּכְמוֹ זָר נֶחְשַׁבְנוּ וְאֵין לָנוּ חֵלֶק וְנַחֲלָה בְּבֵית אֱלֹהֵינוּ. All this was in writing from the hand of the L-rd, who gave me understanding of all the work of the design. Now look upon your house, David; see strangers standing within it. See, for today we have been driven away from clinging to the inheritance of the L-rd, regarded as strangers, with no share or inheritance in the House of our G-d. Re’eh Beit Yisrael bein Edom, ve-Yishmaelim holkhim na’im ve-nadim, nivzim u-shefalim, dalim ve-umlalim; hayinu ke-kotzim be-eineihem u-khetzeninim be-tzideihem. Kum, David, Melech Yisrael, ve-sader devarim bi-tefilah u-ve-tachanunim lifnei Ad-nai, Elohei Yisrael. Kum, ki karov elecha ha-davar me’od. רְאֵה בֵית יִשְׂרָאֵל בֵּין אֱדוֹם, וְיִשְׁמְעֵאלִים הוֹלְכִים נָעִים וְנָדִים, נִבְזִים וּשְׁפָלִים, דַּלִּים וְאֻמְלָלִים, הָיִינוּ כְּקוֹצִים בְּעֵינֵיהֶם וְכִצְנִינִם בְּצִדֵּיהֶם .קוּם דָּוִיד מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל וְסַדֵּר דְּבָרִים בִתְפִלָה וּבְתַחֲנוּנִים לִפְנֵי ה’ אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל. קוּם כִּי קָרוֹב אֵלֶיךָ הַדָּבָר מְאֹד. See the House of Israel among Edom, while the Ishmaelites walk proudly and wander, despised and downtrodden, poor and miserable. We have become like thorns in their eyes and splinters in their sides. Arise, David, King of Israel, and arrange words of prayer and supplication before the L-rd, the G-d of Israel. Arise, for this matter is very near to you. Kum ve-lekh etzel Avoteinu — Avraham, Yitzchak ve-Yaakov, u-Moshe, ro’eh ne’eman, ve-Aharon ha-Kohen ha-Gadol, ve-Yosef ha-Tzadik; ve-yikanesu ba-petach ha-yadua lahem, ve-ya’amdu bi-tefilah u-ve-tachanunim, ba’avur kevod ha-Shechinah asher kina Yerushalayim harevah, u-Veit ha-Mikdash harev, ve-Yisrael be-galut tachat yad adonim kashim. קוּם וְלֵךְ אֵצֶל אֲבוֹתֵינוּ אַבְרָהָם יִצְחָק וְיַעֲקֹב וּמֹשֶׁה רוֹעֶה נֶאֱמָן וְאַהֲרֹן הַכֹּהֵן הַגָּדוֹל וְיוֹסֵף הַצַּדִּיק, וְהִכָּנְסוּ בַּפֶּתַח הַיָּדוּעַ לָכֶם , וְעִמְדוּ בִּתְפִלָּה וּבְתַחֲנוּנִים; בַּעֲבוּר כְּבוֹד הַשְּׁכִינָה אֲשֶׁר קִינָהּ יְרוּשָׁלַיִם חֲרֵבָה, וּבֵית הַמִקְדָּשׁ חָרֵב, וְיִשְׂרָאֵל בְּגָלוּת תַּחַת יָד אֲדוֹנִים קָשִׁים. Arise and go to our forefathers—Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov; Moshe, the faithful shepherd; Aharon the Kohen Gadol; and Yosef HaTzadik. Let them enter through the familiar entrance and stand in prayer and supplication, for the sake of the honor of the Shechinah, which mourns over ruined Jerusalem, the destroyed Beit HaMikdash, and Israel in exile under the rule of harsh masters. Kum le’orer ha-rachamim u-lehamshikh chasadim gedolim lanu u-le-khol Yisrael — achenu ve-khol makom she-hem, u-zchut kol ha-tzadikim yagen alenu ve-al kol Yisrael achenu. Amen, ken yehi ratzon. קוּם לְעוֹרֵר הָרַחֲמִים וּלְהַמְשִׁיךְ חֲסָדִים גְּדוֹלִים לָנוּ וּלְכָל יִשְׂרָאֵל אַחֵינוּ בְכָל מָקוֹם שֶׁהֵם, וּזְכוּת כָל הֲצַדִיקִים יָגִינוּ עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָל יִשְׂרָאֵל אַחֵינוּ אָמֵן כֵּן יְהִי רָצוֹן. Arise to awaken mercy and draw down great kindness for us and for all Israel, our brothers, wherever they may be. May the merit of all the tzadikim protect us and all Israel, our brothers. Amen; may it be His will. Kol mevaser mevaser ve-omer: “Ma navu al he-harim raglei mevaser mashmi’a shalom, mevaser tov mashmi’a yeshuah, omer le-Tziyon: Malakh Elohayikh.” Ad-nai yiten omer; ha-mevasrot tzava rav. קוֹל מְבַשֵּׂר מְבַשֵּׂר וְאוֹמֵר. מַה נָּאווּ עַל הֶהָרִים רַגְלֵי מְבַשֵּׂר מַשְׁמִיעַ שָׁלוֹם מְבַשֵּׂר טוֹב מַשְׁמִיעַ יְשׁוּעָה אֹמֵר לְצִיּוֹן מָלַךְ אֱלֹהָיִךְ. אֲדֹנָי יִתֶּן אֹמֶר הַמְבַשְּׂרוֹת צָבָא רָב. A herald’s voice proclaims and says: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the herald who announces peace, the herald of good tidings who announces salvation, who says to Zion: ‘Your G-d reigns!’” The L-rd gives the word; the heralding women are a mighty host.