This Motzei Shabbos, we Ashkenazim will join our Sephardic brothers in the recital of the annual pre-RY/YK selichos. However, before we get there, I thought we could focus on one of the piyyutim and highlight a beautiful niggun – a formidable kumzitz favorite – that has become an anthem of forgiveness for those seeking closeness to Hashem.
Malachei Rachamim is a well-known piyut that was composed in the year תתנ”ו (1096) by a great Ashkenazi Rav, Rabbeinu Shmuel ben Rav Yehuda HaKohen of Magnatza, Zt’l Hy’d, who was murdered later that same year – one of the thousands of Yidden mercilessly murdered during the Rhineland massacres.
Rabbeinu Shmuel was one of the sages of Lotharingia (לותיר) in the years ת”ת – תת”ן (1040-1090) approximately, in the generation of other notable rabbanim of Magnatza such as, Rabbeinu Eliezer HaGadol ben Yitzchok, as well as Rabbeinu Yitzchok ben Yehuda and Rabbeinu Yaakov ben Yakar – both of whom were rabbeim of Rashi. Rav Shmuel’s father was one of the students of Rabbeinu Gershom Me’or Hagolah and was among the gedolei chachmei Magnatza.
When the severe persecutions of the Jews of Germany began in the year 1096 due to the First Crusade, Rabbeinu Shmuel – at the beginning of the year – composed several kinnos about the troubles that befell the Yidden of his country. On the third day of Sivan of that year, the Christian rioters came to Magnatza and attacked the Jewish neighborhoods without mercy. Rabbeinu Shmuel and his family were among the dead. Hashem yikom damam.
{You may recall, this is not the first time we’ve talked about a preserved piyut that was penned in response to the traumatic events of Gezeiros Tatnu (גזרות תתנ”ו). The horrors that took place were burned into the consciousness of Klal Yisroel, particularly in the Ashkenazic community. Kinnos and piyyutim were composed in memory of the communities that were destroyed, especially the Torah centers of Germany called “קהילות שו”ם” – Shapira, Vermeiza, and Magnatza (modern-day Speyer, Worms, and Mainz). In Ashkenazic custom, some of these kinnos are read on Tisha b’Av, while “Av Harachamim” is recited almost every Shabbos following krias haTorah. See our V’neekaisie post for more info.}
In Malachei Rachamim, the holy R’ Shmuel describes the great suffering of Klal Yisroel in golus. Alongside the rich language, the payetan’s descriptions are vivid, and his pain and suffering are openly reflected. The persecutions of the Crusaders and the Christians are mentioned in the piyut many times.
Then, after describing the fate that has befallen Am Yisroel, R’ Shmuel turns to the Malachei Rachamim and asks them to intercede on our behalf, to beg Hashem to save His poor and destitute people, perhaps have mercy on His people and rescue them from their captivity and sufferings. מַלְאֲכֵי רַחֲמִים מְשָׁרְתֵי עֶלְיוֹן חַלּוּ נָא פְּנֵי קֵל בְּמֵיטַב הִגָּיוֹן – Messengers of mercy, angels of the Most High, beseech the Presence of the Almighty with words of virtue [concerning His people]. אוּלַי יָחוֹס עַם עָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן אוּלַי יְרַחֵם – Perhaps, He will spare this poor and needy people. Perhaps He will be compassionate!
Now, it is important to note that from the time of the Rishonim, an extensive controversy erupted around the question of whether it is appropriate to direct prayers and requests to the malachim, or whether it is appropriate to pray only to Hashem Himself. Of course, among the piyutim discussed by the rabbanim who dealt with this issue was Machnisei Rachamim and this one, “Malachei Rachamim,” both of which address the malachim with a request that they daven to Hashem for Jewish people.
Without getting into the details, the outcome of this particular polemic was that these piyyutim should not be abolished and thus we still recite these in our selichos to this day.
Released in 2008 on an All-Star album by Hamenagnim Orchestra called Hu Levado, Malachei Rachamim is a song that encapsulates the powerful emotions of Elul and the Yomim Noraim. Avi Chayut’s composition masterfully captures the intensity of our plea for mercy. From the very first notes, the song sweeps the listener into a place of vulnerability, where we stand before Hashem, fully aware of our shortcomings yet filled with hope for His compassion. The music rises and falls, swelling into an emotional plea, moving from fear to hope, from uncertainty to trust in Hashem’s kindness.
Mordechai Ben David, with his signature ability to express the deepest emotions through song, brings the words to life in a way that resonates with anyone who has ever stood in shul during selichos, feeling the weight of the coming Days of Awe.
So let the song’s stirring melody strike a chord deep within our hearts. Let it guide us and inspire us to approach Hashem with humility and sincerity, and may we find comfort in knowing that the malachei rachamim are carrying our prayers upward, ensuring that they are heard. May we all merit to be inscribed in the Book of Life for a year of goodness, health, and closeness to Hashem.
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