"Ana B'koach" - for spiritual and physical strength, opening gates of heaven

Ana B'koach ring silver and gold inlaid with 3mm garnet stone

Ana B'koach

One of the most beautiful and well-known piyyutim or liturgical poems is one of incredible spiritual significance called “Ana B'koach” (“Please with strength”). This poem originated in the middle ages, and was written in the Kabbalic Ashkenaz community, most prominently attributed to the tanna Rabbi Nehunya ben HaKanah. This piyyut is so special and loved that it has became a staple in other Israeli communities as well, and is often recited on different occasions due to its spiritual strength. Some people read it during Shacharit Morning Prayer, while others read it during the Shema prayer at night, on Kabbalat Shabbat before the Aravit night prayer, and throughout the counting of the Omer, where particular lines are attributed to each day of the count. The piyyut expresses a prayer containing 7 lines, each composed of 6 words. The acronym created by the first letter of each of those words, comprises one of the 42 letter names of God according to Kabbalic tradition. This is why at the end of the piyyut, the line "Baruch Shem kevod malchuto le'olam va'ed" ("Blessed be the Name of the glory of His kingdom forever and ever") is added and read standing up. 

The role of the piyyut in cleansing

Apart from reading it at the above mentioned times, the poem should be carried with you wherever you go, as is written: for any time of trouble, for any crisis, for any great need of spiritual and physical cleansing and purification, when you feel like you aren’t moving forward with your life and need those holy words to spiritually cleanse you and connect you with divine assistance. This is a prayer that opens up the skies when you are alone on your own with God, and it is carried with you at all times inside a special amulet with these empowering and purifying spiritual qualities. The amulet helps you empower yourselves at times of great physical or spiritual weakness, and that is the significance of these lines and letter combination which spells out the name of God:

“Ana bekoach, g'dulat yemincha, tatir tz'rura
Kabel rinat amcha sagveinu, tahareinu nora,
Na gibor dorshei yichudcha, k'vavat shamrem,

Barchem taharem, rachamei tzidkatcha; Tamid gamlem,
Chasin kadosh berov tuvcha, nahel adatecha,
Yachid ge'eh le'amcha p'neh, zochrei k'dushatecha,
Shavateinu kabel ushma tza'akateinu, yode'a ta'alumot”

(We beg thee with the strength and greatness of thy right arm-
Untangle our knotted fate.
Accept your people's song, elevate and purify us,
Please, heroic one, those who pursue your uniqueness-
guard them as the pupil of an eye.
Bless them, purify them, pity them, may your righteousness always reward them.

Powerful and Holy One, in goodness lead your flock.
Unique and proud one, to your people turn, who remember your holiness.
Accept our cries, and hear our screams, oh knower of mysteries.)