Tehillim-Selichot on the Night of Hoshana Rabbah According to the Ben Ish Chai
Ben Ish Chai (זצ"ל) notes that the 150 Psalms equal the gematria of the word פידונ — “pidyon”— (redemption).
On the night of Hoshana Rabbah—a special night—there is a special segula to recite Tehillim in an unusual manner.
On this night, we recite the Book of Tehillim, dividing it according to the Five Books of the Torah:
Book I: Chapters 1–42;
Book II: Chapters 43–72;
Book III: Chapters 73–89;
Book IV: Chapters 90–106;
Book V: Chapters 107–150;
On the night of Hoshana Rabbah, there is a minhag to recite Selichot (supplicatory prayers) after each book of Psalms.
(If you are reading in a synagogue and there is a minyan, the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy may also be recited aloud.)
After Book I of Tehillim (Chapters 1–42), recite:
Merciful One! Seal us in the Book of Life.
Merciful One! Seal us in the Book of Mercy.
Merciful One! Seal us in the Book of the righteous and pious.
Merciful One! Seal us in the book of good sustenance and a good livelihood.
Merciful One! Open the gates of Heaven to our prayers.
Merciful One! Turn away from Your anger.
Merciful One! Do not let us return empty-handed before You.
“ Shema Yisrael, Ad-nai Eloheinu, Ad-nai Echad!”
Ad-nai Hu HaElokim! Ad-nai Hu HaElokim!
“Ad-nai Melech, Ad-nai Malach, Ad-nai Yimloch le'olam va'ed.”
Our G-d in Heaven, hear our voice and accept our prayer favorably.
Our G-d in Heaven, do not let us be destroyed in our lengthy exile.
Our G-d in Heaven, destroy all who rise up against us.
Our G-d in Heaven, seal us in the Book of Good Life.
Our G-d in Heaven, seal us in the Book of the righteous and pious.
Our G-d in Heaven, seal us in the Book of the righteous and perfect.
Our G-d in Heaven, seal us in the Book of sustenance and a good livelihood.
Answer us, G-d of Abraham, answer us!
Answer us, Merciful and Compassionate One, answer us!
O Ad-nai, have mercy on us and preserve us.
Remember us and seal us in the Book of Life.
O Ad-nai, shine Your light upon us today.
Remember us and seal us in the Book of Life.
O Ad-nai, do this for the sake of Your Name.
And have mercy on Israel—Your people.
Ad-nai, do this for the sake of Abraham, Your beloved.
And have mercy on Israel—Your people.
O Ad-nai, do this for the sake of those who were killed and burned for the unity of Your Name.
And have mercy on Israel—Your people.
You Who answered Abraham at Mount Moriah, answer us!
You Who answered the righteous, pious, and perfect in every generation, answer us!
Make known to me the path of life, fullness of joy in Your presence, and eternal delight at Your right hand.
After Book II of Tehillim (Chapters 43–72):
Merciful One! Remember for our sake the covenant of Isaac, who was bound for Your sake.
Merciful One! We come shamefaced to cry out before You; have mercy on us.
Merciful One! Seal us in the Book of Life.
Merciful One! Seal us in the Book of Mercy.
Merciful One! Seal us in the Book of the righteous and pious.
Merciful One! Seal us in the book of good sustenance.
Merciful One! Open the gates of Heaven to our prayers.
Merciful One! Turn away from Your anger.
Merciful One! Do not let us return empty-handed before You.
“ Shema Yisrael, Ad-nai Eloheinu, Ad-nai Echad!”
Ad-nai Hu HaElokim! Ad-nai Hu HaElokim!
“Ad-nai Melech, Ad-nai Malach, Ad-nai Yimloch le'olam va'ed.”
Our G-d in Heaven, hear our voice and accept our prayer favorably.
Our G-d in Heaven, do not let us be destroyed in our lengthy exile.
Our G-d in Heaven, destroy all who rise up against us.
Our G-d in Heaven, seal us in the Book of Good Life.
Our G-d in Heaven, seal us in the Book of the righteous and pious.
Our G-d in Heaven, seal us in the Book of the righteous and perfect.
Our G-d in Heaven, seal us in the Book of sustenance and a good livelihood.
Answer us, You Whom Isaac feared, answer us!
Answer us, You Who answer at the proper time, answer us!
Answer us, Merciful and Compassionate One, answer us!
O Ad-nai, have mercy on us and intercede for us;
Remember us and seal us in the Book of Life.
O Ad-nai, illuminate us with Your light today;
Remember us and seal us in the Book of Life.
O Ad-nai, do this for the sake of Your Name;
And have mercy on Israel—Your people.
Ad-nai, do this for the sake of Isaac, who was bound in Your Name;
And have mercy on Israel, Your people.
O Ad-nai, do this for the sake of those who were killed and burned for the unification of Your holy Name;
And have mercy on Israel, Your people.
You Who answered Isaac at the altar, answer us!
You Who answered the righteous, pious, and perfect in every generation, answer us!
Make known to me the path of life, fullness of joy in Your presence, and eternal delight at Your right hand.
After Book III of Tehillim (Chapters 73–89)
Merciful One! Remember Your covenant with Jacob.
Merciful One! Show us Your strength and redeem us.
Merciful One! Seal us in the Book of Life.
Merciful One! Seal us in the Book of Mercy.
Merciful One! Seal us in the Book of the righteous and pious.
Merciful One! Seal us in the book of good sustenance.
Merciful One! Open the gates of Heaven to our prayers.
Merciful One! Turn away from Your anger.
Merciful One! Do not let us return empty-handed before You.
“ Shema Yisrael, Ad-nai Eloheinu, Ad-nai Echad!”
Ad-nai Hu HaElokim! Ad-nai Hu HaElokim!
“Ad-nai Melech, Ad-nai Malach, Ad-nai Yimloch le'olam va'ed.”
Our G-d in Heaven, hear our voice and accept our prayer favorably.
Our G-d in Heaven, do not let us be destroyed in our lengthy exile.
Our G-d in Heaven, destroy all who rise up against us.
Our G-d in Heaven, seal us in the Book of Good Life.
Our G-d in Heaven, seal us in the Book of the righteous and pious.
Our G-d in Heaven, seal us in the Book of the righteous and perfect.
Our G-d in Heaven, seal us in the Book of sustenance and a good livelihood.
Answer us, Avir Yaakov—the Mighty One of Jacob, answer us!
Answer us, You Who answer at the proper time, answer us!
Answer us, Merciful and Compassionate One, answer us!
O Ad-nai, have mercy on us and intercede for us.
Remember us and seal us in the Book of Life.
O Ad-nai, illuminate us with Your light!
Remember us and seal us in the Book of Life.
O Ad-nai, do this for the sake of Your Name.
And have mercy on Israel—Your people.
O Ad-nai, do this for the sake of Jacob, who was answered at the ladder.
And have mercy on Israel—Your people.
O Ad-nai, do this for the sake of those who were killed and burned for the unity of Your Name.
And have mercy on Israel—Your people.
You Who answered Jacob at Beit-El, answer us!
You Who answered the righteous, pious, and perfect in every generation, answer us!
Make known to me the path of life, fullness of joy in Your presence, and eternal delight at Your right hand.
After Book IV of Tehillim (Chapters 90–106)
Merciful One! Remember for our sake the covenant with Moses the prophet.
Merciful One! Seal us in the Book of Life.
Merciful One! Seal us in the Book of Mercy.
Merciful One! Seal us in the Book of the righteous and pious.
Merciful One! Seal us in the book of good sustenance and a good livelihood.
Merciful One! Open the gates of Heaven to our prayers.
Merciful One! Turn away from Your anger.
Merciful One! Do not let us return empty-handed before You.
“ Shema Yisrael, Ad-nai Eloheinu, Ad-nai Echad!”
Ad-nai Hu HaElokim! Ad-nai Hu HaElokim!
“Ad-nai Melech, Ad-nai Malach, Ad-nai Yimloch le'olam va'ed.”
Our G-d in Heaven, hear our voice and accept our prayer favorably.
Our G-d in Heaven, do not let us be destroyed in our lengthy exile.
Our G-d in Heaven, destroy all who rise up against us.
Our G-d in Heaven, seal us in the Book of Good Life.
Our G-d in Heaven, seal us in the Book of the righteous and pious.
Our G-d in Heaven, seal us in the Book of the righteous and perfect.
Our G-d in Heaven, seal us in the Book of sustenance and a good livelihood.
Answer us, You Who answer at the proper time, answer us!
Answer us, Merciful and Compassionate One, answer us!
O Ad-nai, have mercy on us and protect us;
Remember us and seal us in the Book of Life.
O Ad-nai, illuminate us with Your Light;
Remember us and seal us in the Book of Life.
O Ad-nai, do this for the sake of Your Name;
And have mercy on Israel—Your people.
O Ad-nai, do this for the sake of Moses.
And have mercy on Israel, Your people.
O Ad-nai, do this for the sake of those who were killed and burned for the unity of Your Name.
And have mercy on Israel—Your people.
You Who answered Moses and our ancestors at Yam Suf, answer us!
You Who answered the righteous, pious, and perfect in every generation, answer us!
Make known to me the path of life, fullness of joy in Your presence, and eternal delight at Your right hand.
Before reciting Psalm 119:
Merciful One! Remind us of the covenant with Aaron the High Priest.
Merciful One! Seal us in the Book of Life.
Merciful One! Seal us in the Book of Mercy.
Merciful One! Seal us in the Book of the righteous and pious.
Merciful One! Seal us in the book of good sustenance and a good livelihood.
Merciful One! Open the gates of Heaven to our prayers.
Merciful One! Turn away from Your anger.
Merciful One! Do not let us return empty-handed before You.
“ Shema Yisrael, Ad-nai Eloheinu, Ad-nai Echad!”
Ad-nai Hu HaElokim! Ad-nai Hu HaElokim!
“Ad-nai Melech, Ad-nai Malach, Ad-nai Yimloch le'olam va'ed.”
Our G-d in Heaven, hear our voice and accept our prayer favorably.
Our G-d in Heaven, do not let us be destroyed in our lengthy exile.
Our G-d in Heaven, destroy all who rise up against us.
Our G-d in Heaven, seal us in the Book of Good Life.
Our G-d in Heaven, seal us in the Book of the righteous and pious.
Our G-d in Heaven, seal us in the Book of the righteous and perfect.
Our G-d in Heaven, seal us in the Book of sustenance and a good livelihood.
Answer us, You Who answer at the proper time, answer us!
Answer us, Merciful and Compassionate One, answer us!
O Ad-nai, have mercy on us and protect us.
Remember us and seal us in the Book of Life.
O Ad-nai, illuminate us with Your Light.
Remember us and seal us in the Book of Life.
O Ad-nai, do this for the sake of Your Name.
And have mercy on Israel—Your people.
O Ad-nai, do this for the sake of Aaron.
And have mercy on Israel, Your people.
O Ad-nai, do this for the sake of those who were killed and burned for the unity of Your Name.
And have mercy on Israel—Your people.
You Who answered Aaron and our ancestors, answer us!
You Who answered the righteous, pious, and perfect in every generation, answer us!
Make known to me the path of life, fullness of joy in Your presence, and eternal delight at Your right hand.
After Psalm 119, recite:
Merciful One! Remember for our sake the merit of Joseph the righteous.
Merciful One! Seal us in the Book of Life.
Merciful One! Seal us in the Book of Mercy.
Merciful One! Seal us in the Book of the righteous and pious.
Merciful One! Seal us in the book of good sustenance and a good livelihood.
Merciful One! Open the gates of Heaven to our prayers.
Merciful One! Turn away from Your anger.
Merciful One! Do not let us return empty-handed before You.
“ Shema Yisrael, Ad-nai Eloheinu, Ad-nai Echad!”
Ad-nai Hu HaElokim! Ad-nai Hu HaElokim!
“Ad-nai Melech, Ad-nai Malach, Ad-nai Yimloch le'olam va'ed.”
Our G-d in Heaven, hear our voice and accept our prayer favorably.
Our G-d in Heaven, do not let us be destroyed in our lengthy exile.
Our G-d in Heaven, destroy all who rise up against us.
Our G-d in Heaven, seal us in the Book of Good Life.
Our G-d in Heaven, seal us in the Book of the righteous and pious.
Our G-d in Heaven, seal us in the Book of the righteous and perfect.
Our G-d in Heaven, seal us in the Book of sustenance and a good livelihood.
Answer us, You Who answer at the proper time, answer us!
Answer us, Merciful and Compassionate One, answer us!
O Ad-nai, have mercy on us and protect us.
Remember us and seal us in the Book of Life.
O Ad-nai, illuminate us with Your Light.
Remember us and seal us in the Book of Life.
O Ad-nai, do this for the sake of Your Name.
And have mercy on Israel—Your people.
O Ad-nai, do this for the sake of Joseph;
And have mercy on Israel, Your people.
O Ad-nai, do this for the sake of those who were killed and burned for the unity of Your Name.
And have mercy on Israel—Your people.
You Who answered Joseph in prison, answer us!
You Who answered Pinchas in Shittim, answer us!
You Who answered the righteous, pious, and perfect in every generation, answer us!
Make known to me the path of life, fullness of joy in Your presence, and eternal delight at Your right hand.
After reciting Book V (Chapters 107–150):
Merciful One! Remember for our sake the covenant of David, Your anointed one.
Merciful One! Seal us in the Book of Life.
Merciful One! Seal us in the Book of Mercy.
Merciful One! Seal us in the Book of the righteous and pious.
Merciful One! Seal us in the book of good sustenance and a good livelihood.
Merciful One! Open the gates of Heaven to our prayers.
Merciful One! Turn away from Your anger.
Merciful One! Do not let us return empty-handed before You.
“ Shema Yisrael, Ad-nai Eloheinu, Ad-nai Echad!”
Ad-nai Hu HaElokim! Ad-nai Hu HaElokim!
“Ad-nai Melech, Ad-nai Malach, Ad-nai Yimloch le'olam va'ed.”
Our G-d in Heaven, hear our voice and accept our prayer favorably.
Our G-d in Heaven, do not let us be destroyed in our lengthy exile.
Our G-d in Heaven, destroy all who rise up against us.
Our G-d in Heaven, seal us in the Book of Good Life.
Our G-d in Heaven, seal us in the Book of the righteous and pious.
Our G-d in Heaven, seal us in the Book of the righteous and perfect.
Our G-d in Heaven, seal us in the Book of sustenance and a good livelihood.
Answer us, You Who answer at the proper time, answer us!
Answer us, Merciful and Compassionate One, answer us!
O Ad-nai, have mercy on us and protect us;
Remember us and seal us in the Book of Life.
O Ad-nai, illuminate us with Your Light;
Remember us and seal us in the Book of Life.
O Ad-nai, do this for the sake of Your Name.
And have mercy on Israel—Your people.
Answer us, Shield of David, answer us!
Answer us, G-d of the Chariot, answer us!
Answer us, Merciful and Compassionate One, answer us!
Ad-nai, do this for the sake of David, Your psalmist.
And have mercy on Israel—Your people.
O Ad-nai, do this for the sake of King Solomon, who built the House of Your Name.
And have mercy on Israel, Your people.
O Ad-nai, do this for the sake of those who were killed and burned for the unity of Your Name.
And have mercy on Israel—Your people.
You Who answered David and his son Solomon in Jerusalem, answer us!
You Who answered the righteous, pious, and perfect in every generation, answer us!
Make known to me the path of life, fullness of joy in Your presence, and eternal delight at Your right hand.
(Rabbi Rachmiel Chaim Drizin, translated by the Sila Tehilim website)
