One of the most famous piyyutim (liturgical poems) for Hanukkah is “Maoz Tzur.” Thought to have been written during the Crusades in the 13th century, this piyyut is an acrostic poem with the first five stanzas spelling out the name of the composer, Mordechai (מרדכי) and ending with the acrostic chazak (חזק) meaning “strong.” “Maoz Tzur” recalls several stories of the Jewish people being attacked by their neighbors and their eventual victories; first of the exodus from Egypt, then the end of the Babylonian exile, the story of Pruim, and finally the Hasmonaen victory in the Hanukkah story.
In the late 1960s, inspired by this piyyut, the famous Israeli songwriter Naomi Shemer wrote the song “Shivchei Maoz.” Inspired and moved by the words of “Maoz Tzur,” Shemer wrote this rendition after the War of Attrition. She saw a great connection between the Jewish piyyut and the military positions that were being attacked. The word shivchei can be translated to mean “praise,” but the word maoz, however, has many different meanings such as “stronghold,” “salvation,” and “protector.” In Shemer’s case, she meant for this word to mean “refuge,” referring to the “Bar-Lev Line” built along the Suez Canal. You’ll notice in the text that Shemer chooses to use the first line of the original piyyut over and over again, beginning each new paragraph with these words, but she uses her story to illustrate how the Jewish people were once again being attacked by their neighbors. Shemer, however, did not include a concluding victory in her version; her story—her historical moment—was not yet finished. She was still living through it.
Throughout our Jewish history, time and time again we have been persecuted, attacked, and scapegoated, yet we have endured. Today, as we see historical antisemetic tropes reveal themselves yet again, we must not feel defeated. We must remind ourselves of our rich history of staying strong and persevering. Let us take the heartache of Naomi Shemer’s “Shivchei Maoz” as a reminder to never be complacent, but let us also take the words of “Maoz Tzur” as a reminder of our rich and resilient history.
—Educational and Cantorial Intern Lauren Roth
“Maoz Tzur” (English Translation)
O Fortress, Rock of my salvation, unto thee it is becoming to give praise: let my house of prayer be restored, and I will there offer thee thanksgivings when thou shalt have prepared a slaughter of the blaspheming foe, I will complete with song and psalm the dedication of the altar.
Full sated was my soul with ills, my strength was spent with sorrow; they embittered my life by hardship during my subjection to the dominion of Egypt, but God with his great power brought forth the chosen race, while the host of Pharaoh and all his seed sank like a stone into the deep.
To his holy oracle he brought me, yet there also I found no peace, for the oppressor came and led me captive, because I had served strange gods: I had to quaff the wine of bewilderment; well nigh had I perished, when Babylon’s end drew near; through Zerubbabel I was saved after seventy years.
The Agagite (Haman), the son of Hammedatha, sought to cut down the lofty fir tree (Mordecai); but his design became a snare to himself, and his pride was brought to an end. The head of the Benjamite thou didst exalt, but the enemy’s name thou Midst blot out: the many sons he had gotten thou didst hang upon the gallows.
The Grecians were gathered against me in the days of the Hasmoneans; they broke down the walls of my towers, and defiled all the oils; but from one of the last remaining flasks a miracle was wrought for thy beloved, and their men of understanding appointed these eight days for song and praises.
Translation up to this point from the Authorized Daily Prayer Book by Simeon Singer, published in 1890 (now in public domain)
Expose your holy arm and bring the end of the redemption.
Avenge the blood of your servants from the evil nation.
Because the salvation has been a long time coming and there is no end to the days of evil.
Push Edom into the shadows and bring the seven shepherds
“Maoz Tzur” מעוז צור (Hebrew Text)
מעוז צור ישועתי לך נאה לשבח
תכון בית תפלתי ושם תודה נזבח
לעת תכין מטבח מצר המנבח
עז אגמור בשיר מזמור חנכת המזבח
רעות שבעה נפשי ביגון כחי כלה
חיי מררו בקשי בשעבוד מלכות עגלה
ובידו הגדולה הוציא את הסגלה
חיל פרעה וכל זרעו ירדו כאבן במצולה
דביר קדשו הביאני וגם שם לא שקטתי
ובא נוגש והגלני כי זרים עבדתי
ויין רעל מסכתי כמעט שעברתי
קץ בבל זרובבל לקץ שבעים נושעתי
כרות קומת ברוש בקש אגגי בן המדתא
ונהיתה לו לפח ולמוקש וגאותו נשבתה
ראש ימיני נשאת ואויב שמו מחית
רב בניו וקניניו על העץ תלית
יונים נקבצו עלי אזי בימי חשמנים
ופרצו חומות מגדלי וטמאו כל השמנים
ומנותר קנקנים נעשה נס לשושנים
בני בינה ימי שמונה קבעו שיר ורננים
חשוף זרוע קדשך וקרב קץ הישועה
נקום נקמת דם עבדיך מאמה הרשעה
כי ארכה לנו הישועה ואין קץ לימי הרעה
דחה אדמון בצל צלמון הקם לנו רועים שבעה
“Shivchei Maoz” (English Translation)
O Refuge and Rock of my salvation Whom we praise in pleasance. Far, far away, beside my home, orchards exude their fragrance. I will pass through all the tunnels, caverns and fortresses, Through grottoes, rocky and trenches dusty. Somewhere in the depths of night, someone intent lies, Seeking my life, observing silently.
O Refuge and Rock of my salvation, unwavering, unyielding stronghold and trove. Almond trees beside my home are covered white with blossom down the grove. I will pass through all the tunnels, caverns and fortresses, through grottoes rocky and trenches dusty. Somewhere in the depths of night, someone intent lies, Seeking my life, watching me silently.
O Refuge and Rock of my salvation in endless battle victorious. My sister Ayelet’s smile will be tinged with all her weariness. I will pass through all the tunnels, caverns and fortresses, through grottoes rocky and trenches dusty. Somewhere in the depths of night, someone intent lies, Seeking my life, in ambush silently.
“Shivchei Maoz” שבחי מעוז (Hebrew Text)
מעוז צור ישועתי, לך נאה לשבח
הרחק הרחק ליד ביתי הפרדסים נתנו ריח
אבוא במנהרות ובמצדות ובמערות
ובנקרות צורים ובמחילות עפר
אי שם בלב הלילה דרוך וחרישי
צופה בי מבקש נפשי
מעוז צור ישועתי, מבצר עיקש וקישח
עצי שקד ליד ביתי עומדים בלובן פורח
אבוא במנהרות ובמצדות ובמערות
ובנקרות צורים ובמחילות עפר
אי שם בלב הלילה דרוך וחרישי
מביט בי מבקש נפשי
מעוז צור ישועתי, בקרב אין קץ ינצח
אלי איילת אחותי חיוך עייף תשלח
אבוא במנהרות ובמצדות ובמערות
ובנקרות צורים ובמחילות עפר
אי שם בלב הלילה דרוך וחרישי
אורב לי מבקש נפשי
אבוי לו מעוקצי, ואבוי לו מדבשי
אבוי למבקש נפשי