Thus we all, both old and young, appear before Thee. Wash off our every taint, our souls refine from every sin. Backsliding children, we come to Thee as suppliants, Seeking Thee day by day with humble, urgent prayers. Account them unto us as blood and fat of offerings, Like sacrificial steers and rams accept our contrite words. O that our sins might be sunk in abysmal depths, And Thy brooding infinite mercy bring us near to Thee. In the first part of this poem the imagination displayed cannot be said to call forth admiration either by reason of fertility or by reason of brilliance. Any ordinary student of the Talmud and the Midrash might have produced it. Nevertheless Rashi awakens a certain sort of interest, it may even be said that he touches the emotions, when he pours out all his sadness before God, or rather - for his grief is impersonal - the sadness of the Jew, the humble sinner appealing to the mercy of God. When his feelings rise to their most solemn pitch, their strong pulsations visible through the unaccustomed poetic garb, the cloak of learned allusions drops of itself, and emotion is revealed under the strata of labored expressions. All the poems by Rashi belong under the literary form called <I>Selihot</I>, penitential psalms, recited on fast days. What has been said of the first specimen quoted applies equally to the next (<H>Hashem Elohei Hatzevaot Bore Baolionim (Yod Yod, Alef Lamed He Yod, He Tsadi Bet Alef Vav Tav, Bet Vav Resh Alef, Bet Ayin Lamed Yod Vav Nun Yod Final_Mem)</H>), for the eve of the Day of Atonement. It would have been more effective, had there been less emphasis and a more consecutive development of the thought. ... Of all bereft we appear before Thee, -- Thine is the justice, ours the sin, -- Our faces flushed with shame we turn to Thee, And at Thy gates we moan like doves. Vouchsafe unto us a life of tranquil joy, Purge us of our stains, make us white and pure. O that our youthful faults might vanish like passing clouds! Renew our days as of old, Remove defilement hence, set presumptuous sins at naught; The purifying waters of truth sprinkle upon us, For we confess our transgressions, we rebellious, faithless children. * * * * * O that a contrite spirit, a broken, repentant heart Be acceptable to Thee as the fat of sacrifices! Accomplish for the children Thy promise to the fathers. From Thy celestial abode hearken unto us who cry to Thee! Strengthen the hearts of those inclined to pay Thee homage, Lend Thy ear unto their humble supplication. Yet once more rescue Thy people from destruction. Let Thy olden mercy speedily descend on them again, And Thy favored ones go forth from judgment justified, -- They that hope for Thy grace and lean upon Thy loving-kindness.