This post provides an audio recording of “Mareh Kohen,” a song from the Yom Kippur Mussaf prayer service that attempts to capture the immense joy, relief and gratitude of the High Priest upon exiting the Holy of Holies following the worship service (Avodah) in the Temple in Jerusalem on Yom Kippur. If the High Priest emerged alive and well, it was a sign of the atonement of the Jewish people – that God had accepted their prayers and granted them atonement. This recording is from the Conserrvative Nativ College Leadership Program in Israel’s Tisch CD. A full English translation of the lyrics can be seen below. To see the Hebrew and transliterated lyrics, visit The Zemirot Database.
Mareh Kohen: The Appearance of the Priest
Verily, how glorious was the appearancee of the high priest, when he came forth safe from the holy sanctuary, without any evil occurrence.
Even as the expanded canopy of heaven, was the countenance of the priest.
As the lightning that proceedeth from the splendour of the Chajoth (angels) was the countenance of the priest.
As the beautiful blue thread in the fringes of the four corners of the garments, was the countenance of the priest.
As the appearance of the bow, in the midst of the cloud, was the countenance of the priest.
As the majesty with which the Creator attired the patriarchs, was the countenance of the priest.
As the rose in the midst of a delightful garden, was the countenance of the
priest.
As the diadem put on the forehead of a king, was the countenance of the priest.
As the amiable tenderness depicted on the face of the bridegroom, was the countenance of the priest.
As the beauty of the pure mitre [“mitre” means turban], was the countenance of the priest.
As he who sat in concealment, to supplicate the presence of the Supreme King, was the countenance of the priest.
As a bright star, in the border of the east, was the countenance of the priest.
As the beautiful mantle, and the breast-plate of righteousness, was the coun
tenance of the priest.
As the angel that stood at the head of the way, was the countenance of the priest.
As the light that gleameth in the windows, was the countenance of the priest.
Translation from Form of Prayers for the Day of Atonement.