A Prayer to Merit Hearing the Song of the Trees and for the Rectification of the

Before Birkas HaIlanos (the Blessing of the Trees)

Master of the Universe, the Omnipotent One, grant me the merit to hear the song of the trees, and the song of the angel who has 1,000 heads, where every head has 1,000 mouths, every mouth has 1,000 voices, and every voice has 1,000 melodies. Regarding this, it is said: "The meadows are clothed with flocks, and the valleys are covered with grain; they shout for joy, they also sing" (Psalms 65:14). When do the stalks of grain sing their song? In the month of Nissan. Rashi explains that "they shout for joy, they also sing" refers to Nissan, when the time of the harvest arrives. The wind blows through the stalks, causing them to knock against each other, and they appear as if they are singing a song. For according to Rabbi Yehoshua, it was said to Adam HaRishon (the First Man) on the 1st of Nissan, "From every tree of the garden you may surely eat," and Chava squeezed grapes and gave them to him. This is because the word "Anavim" (grapes) has the same gematria (numerical value) as "Akev" (heel), and grapes are squeezed by the heel. Yaakov, through the letter Yud [added to the word Akev to form his name], rectifies the heel, and therefore "his hand was holding onto the heel of Esav."

For the complete healing of Yosef ben Tovah, may Hashem protect him and sustain him. For the elevation of the soul of Yoram ben Mazal z"l, who passed away on the 11th of Nissan.

May his soul be bound in the bond of life.

B'Siyata Dishmaya (With the help of Heaven) 1217

To merit hearing the song of the trees and for the rectification of the heel where Yaakov holds onto Esav