Water Songs for Sukkot

Joyfully shall you draw water From the springs of salvation.

(1) A song of ascents. When the LORD restores the fortunes of Zion —we see it as in a dream— (2) our mouths shall be filled with laughter, our tongues, with songs of joy. Then shall they say among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them!” (3) The LORD will do great things for us and we shall rejoice. (4) Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like watercourses in the Negeb. (5) They who sow in tears shall reap with songs of joy. (6) Though he goes along weeping, carrying the seed-bag, he shall come back with songs of joy, carrying his sheaves.

(1)...They said: Whoever has not seen the Simchat Bet Hashoevah [the Joy of the Water Drawing Ceremony] has never seen rejoicing in his life.

(4) Men of piety and good deeds used to dance before them with lighted torches in their hands, and they would sing songs and praises. And Levites with innumerable harps, lyres, cymbals and trumpets and other musical instruments stood upon the fifteen steps leading down from the Court of the Israelites to the Court of the Women, corresponding to the fifteen songs of ascents in the Psalms, and it was on these [steps] that the Levites stood with their musical instruments and sang their songs. Two priests stood by the upper gate which leads down from the Court of the Israelites to the Court of the Women, with two trumpets in their hands. When the cock crowed they sounded a teki'ah, a teru'ah and again a teki'ah. When they reached the tenth step they sounded a teki'ah, a teru'ah and again a teki'ah. When they reached the Court [of the Women] they sounded a teki'ah, a teru'ah and again a teki'ah. They would sound their trumpets and proceed until they reached the gate which leads out to the east. When they reached the gate which leads out to the east, they turned their faces from east to west and said, “Our fathers who were in this place ‘their backs were toward the Temple of the Lord, and their faces toward the east, and they worshipped the sun toward the east’, but as for us, our eyes are turned to the Lord.”

Rabbi Elazar said: When the water libation was poured during the festival of Sukkot, these waters of the deep say to the other waters of the deep: Let your water flow, as I hear the voices of two of our friends, the wine libation and the water libation, which are both poured on the altar. As it is stated: “Deep calls to deep at the sound of your channels, all Your waves and Your billows are gone over me” (Psalms 42:8), i.e., the upper waters of the deep call to the lower waters of the deep when they hear the sound of the libations.

Af-Bri is the designated name of the rain angel, who overcasts [the sky], and makes clouds, to empty them and cause rain to fall. Water with currents with which to adorn the valley; let it not be withheld because of [our] unpaid debts.

Let [the merit of] the faithful shield those who pray for rain. Blessed are You, Lord, Shield of Abraham. You are mighty forever, my Master; You are the Resurrector of the dead, the Powerful One, to deliver [us]. He will impose [upon Af-Bri] to divert rain from streams of water; to soften the surface of the earth with sparkling, gem-like drops.

Water [symbolizes] Your might, as You labeled it in Scripture. It reassures, with its drops, those in whom was blown the breath [of life], to keep alive those who mention the powers of rain.

Our God and God of our fathers! Remember the patriarch who was drawn to You like water. You blessed him like a tree planted beside streams of water. You protected him, You rescued him from fire and from water; You sought him out when he sowed beside all waters. For his sake, do not withhold water.

Remember the one whose birth was foretold [when Abraham said:] “Let a little water be brought.” You told his father to sacrifice him, to spill his blood like water. He too [Isaac] was dutiful to spill his blood like water. He dug and found wells of water. In [the merit of] his righteousness grant us abundant water.

Remember the one who, carrying his staff, crossed the Jordan's water. He [Jacob] was single-hearted, and rolled the stone off the mouth of the well of water. When he was attacked by an angel comprised of fire and water, You promised to be with him through fire and through water. For his sake, do not withhold water.

Remember the one [Moses] who was drawn out, in a reed basket, from the water. [About whom] they said, “He drew water and watered the sheep.” When Your treasured ones, thirsted for water, he struck the rock and water gushed out. In [the merit of] his righteousness grant us abundant water.

Remember the Holy Temple appointee, who immersed himself five times in water. He cleansed and washed his hands to sanctify them with water. He read, and was sprinkled with purifying water. He was separated from the people [who were described as] “turbulent as water.” For his sake, do not withhold water.

Remember the twelve tribes, whom You brought through the divided waters; for whom You sweetened the bitterness of water. Their descendants, their blood was spilled for Your sake like water. Turn [to us], for our soul is engulfed [with woes] like water. In [the merit of] their righteousness grant us abundant water.

Prayer leader: For You Lord, our God, are Causer of the wind to blow and of the rain to fall. For blessing and not for curse. Amen. For life and not for death. Amen. For plenty and not for scarcity. Amen.