Pesach, Matzah, and Maror - The Singlish Publication Society

Transcription

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‫ברכת המזון ושירון‬
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Blessings for our Food
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Jewish Traditions of Praise, Thanksgiving and Song
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‫ברכת המזון ושירון‬
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Blessings for our Food
Jewish Traditions of Praise, Thanksgiving and Song
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Grace After Meals
Kiddush for Shabbat and Festivals
Zemirot and Selected Songs
featuring
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Complete Hebrew text
Full transliteration
Contemporary English translation
Instructions and commentary
Egalitarian and inclusive language
Singlish™ (singable English) renderings–an SPS exclusive!
by
Irrev. Dr. Joe Lewis
Fourth edition, revised and expanded
ISBN 978-1-888822-39-7
Cover photo copyright © 2003 Roee Barr
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Text of the Tanach is used by permission from the electronic version of the Leningrad Codex maintained by the
J. Alan Groves Center for Advanced Biblical Research, in memory of J. Alan Groves.
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Copyright © 2013 The Singlish™ Publication Society
14140 Sherwood • Oak Park, MI 48237
[email protected] • www.singlishps.com
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No part of this book may be copied in any form without our express written permission,
but you may read and sing it to your heart’s content!
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‫אֵ שֶׁ ת־חַ יִל‬
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To Bobbie
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without compare
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These improvements are reflected in this book.
I corrected some errors and added more material,
expanding the selection of songs and zemirot.
My heartfelt thanks go to all who have encouraged these efforts over the past few years.
I believe that Jewish people yearn to participate
in Jewish tradition, to feel that they’re doing the
right thing to reflect their rich heritage. They face
barriers of unfamiliar language (in both English
and Hebrew) and complicated rituals. If I can
lower those barriers, making the quest easier and
its fulfillment more enjoyable, I am grateful for
the opportunity.
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Twenty years have passed since the first edition of
this book, the first book produced by the Singlish
Publication Society with vocalized Hebrew. The
techniques we used for preparation and printing
proved the practicality of our approach, and the
warm welcome this book received assured us of
the value of our methods. So encouraged, we
proceeded with other books. The first edition of
this book marked a significant step for the
Singlish™ Publication Society.
Since then, we’ve been gathering momentum
with more and more publications, improved methods and higher quality.
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Preface to the Fourth Edition
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A practical book
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If you’re like me, you prefer a translation which
lets you follow the original word for word. So
when the translation takes poetic license, this book
often provides a literal translation too. However, I
confess that the English or Singlish rendering
sometimes embellishes the Hebrew for the sake of
modern idiom and rhyme.
What’s included
Less sexist
The translation does not assume that all children
are sons, or that all parents are fathers, or that God
is male. Don’t most of us think that God
transcends human ideas of male and female?
Hebrew makes everything—trees, tires and
treats—either masculine or feminine; English has
a third option, the neuter “it.” In Hebrew, referring
to God as “he” does not mean the same as it does
in English; in fact, it could be misleading.
As far as possible, the translation avoids
masculine pronouns to refer to God. The result
will no doubt go too far for some and not far
enough for others, leaving many to take offense,
but perhaps it will prod us to ponder questions of
sexism in religion, in family, and in authority.
Instead of a masculine pronoun, the translation
sometimes inserts “God,” and in such cases the
word is in italics. God is never translated “Lord,”
even though that word is far easier to rhyme than
“God.” To convey God’s mastery, terms like
“Sovereign,” “Ruler,” and sometimes even “Boss”
are used.
Does this sound too colloquial? Perhaps, but it
seems right for our society. Today, few people live
where a king or queen can upset their lives. The
figure who has great and immediate powers is that
awesome personage, The Boss.
We live in a democratic society where we can
vote for our leaders, but the most powerful figure
in most lives is beyond the vote; who gets to
choose the Boss? That’s why I think it’s a good
word to convey to modern minds the idea of
sovereignty.
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When your guests have different levels of Hebrew
literacy, this is the book for you. They can join in
with the Hebrew, or the transliteration, or they can
sing along in Singlish—a rhyming English
translation that fits the popular tune.
Good examples of Singlish are the beginning
and ending songs of Bircat Hamazon, fairly close
translations in rhyme, which will fit the popular
tune used for the Hebrew.
The Singlish parts are in bold type.
Translation
translations. The choice of songs is simply a
matter of personal taste—in this case, my taste.
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Grace after Meals—for many of us, it’s a memory
of all the barmitzvahs and weddings we’ve ever
attended.
We collect a wide variety of booklets, and pull
them out when we have guests. But those books
are often close packed with poorly printed, tiny
Hebrew letters. The instructions, often as not, are
all in Hebrew, perhaps in Rashi script; and for
most of us, that renders them as curious as they are
impractical.
This book is designed to be practical.
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Introduction
In addition to Grace after Meals, you have the
complete Friday night rituals for the home, as well
as kiddush for festivals, and havdalah. No more
hunting around in the siddur for the text of
kiddush on Shavuot!
But wait, there’s more! You also get a selection
of favorite Hebrew songs, chasidic nigunim, and
zemirot, with completely new verse and prose
The Matriarchs
When the Patriarchs are mentioned, this book
adds the Matriarchs. When this is an addition to
the traditional text, the addition is shaded like this.
Not authoritative
This book is sanctioned by no authority, Rabbinic
or otherwise. If you question my credentials, I
freely concede that I have none—none, that is, but
years of practice, as our own home observance has
developed.
Though I consulted several texts—the ArtScroll
Shabbos and NCSY Bencher were always to
hand—obviously I take full responsibility for this
book.
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The transliteration is no doubt inconsistent. An
English “e” has many sounds; I didn’t use it for
the same Hebrew sound in every case. Instead, I
tried to make the transliterated English “word”
lead the reader to pronounce the Hebrew word
properly.
The translation does not capitalize pronouns
that refer to God. This follows current conventions
as outlined in a work I consider authoritative, The
Chicago Manual of Style.
For direct references to God in Hebrew
prayers—“Hashem” or “Adonai”—we use the
double ‫י‬, without vowels. This seems the simplest
way to indicate God’s name without misleading
people into pronouncing something else. For
references to God in Hebrew scripture, we use the
scripture quotation from the Leningrad Codex.
You’ll notice that prayers are in one Hebrew
font and scripture quotations in a different font.
This helps readers to see that our prayers are full
of quotations without (I hope) becoming annoying
to read. When a quotation comes from Torah, we
include the cantillation marks.
Prayer ‫וַ י ְַקדֵּ שׁ אֹ ת ֹו‬
Scripture ‫וַיְ קַ ֵדּשׁ אֹתוֹ‬
Torah ‫וַיְ קַ ֵ ֖דּשׁ אֹת֑ וֹ‬
Printed Hebrew can be full of dots and other
marks. To avoid unnecessary complications, we
avoid punctuating the Hebrew. The Hebrew is
divided into convenient phrases, and extra periods
and other marks can confuse the reader.
Insertions are generally shaded like this, and
shaded passages use darker shading for any other
insertions. I hope you will find this clear and
readable.
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Transliteration and typography
Parting thoughts
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How important it is to be accurate when setting
down prayers—and how difficult to avoid typographical errors in vocalized Hebrew! I apologize
for all the mistakes which have eluded me and
crept into the text.
To those who have encouraged this work, my
heartfelt thanks are due. They know who they are,
and I will not offend their humility by naming
them.
Some parts of this book are in the style of the
irreverent imp; others in the style of the dutiful
wimp. Whatever your preference, my earnest wish
is that this book will bring joy to your own
celebration of Judaism.
Rebuild Jerusalem ▪ ‫ְרוּשׁ ָליִם‬
ָ ‫ בּ ֹונֵה י‬.................. 43
4. Goodness ▪ ‫הַ טּוֹב וְ הַ מֵּ ִטיב‬............................. 44
The Merciful One ▪ ‫ הָ ַרחֲ מָ ן‬................................. 45
A Selection From Psalms ...................................... 50
Grace at a Wedding Feast ▪ ‫ זִ ימוּן‬........................ 51
Wedding Blessings ▪ ‫ ֶשׁבַ ע בְּ ָרכוֹת‬..................... 52
Circumcision Feast ▪ ‫ זִ ימוּן‬.................................. 55
Circumcision Poem ............................................... 57
House of Mourning ▪ ‫ זִ ימוּן‬.................................. 60
House of Mourning Third Blessing ..................... 61
House of Mourning Fourth Blessing.................... 62
Shorter Grace ......................................................... 63
Shortest Grace ....................................................... 64
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FRIDAY EVENING.................................................. 13
Light The Candles ▪ ‫ הַ ְדל ַָקת ֵנרֹות‬.................... 13
Shalom Aleichem‫ ׁ ָש�ום עֲ לֵיכֶם‬....................... 14
Bless The Children ‫ בִּ ְרכַּת הַ ְיל ִָדים‬.................... 15
Eshet Chayil ‫ אֵ ֶשׁת חַ יִל‬...................................... 15
Eshet Chayil Alternatives ..................................... 18
Friday Night Kiddush ▪ ‫ ִקדּוּשׁ לֵיל ַשׁבָּ ת‬.......... 19
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Contents
SATURDAY NIGHT................................................. 21
Havdalah ▪ ‫ הַ בְ דָּ לָה‬.............................................. 21
Eliyahu Hanavi ▪ ‫ אֵ לִ יָּהוּ הַ נָּבִ יא‬........................ 23
Shavu’a Tov ▪ ‫ ָשׁבוּעַ טוֹב‬................................... 23
Hamavdil ▪ ‫ הַ מַּ בְ ִדּיל‬............................................ 23
MEALS WITHOUT BREAD ....................................65
Blessings Before Food .......................................... 65
For Nourishment ▪ ‫ עַ ל הַ ִמּ ְחיָה‬........................... 65
After Other Food ▪ ‫ בּו ֵֹרא נְ פָ שׁוֹת‬....................... 68
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FESTIVAL EVENING .............................................. 24
Light The Candles ▪ ‫ הַ ְדל ַָקת נֵרוֹת‬.................... 24
Festival Evening Kiddush ▪ ‫לְ יוֹם טוֹב‬............... 24
Rosh Hashanah Kiddush ▪ ‫ לְ רֹאשׁ הַ ָשּׁנָה‬.......... 27
Add on Saturday Night ▪ ‫ לְ מוֹצְ אֵ י ַשׁבָּ ת‬........... 28
Concluding the Festival Kiddush ......................... 29
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KIDDUSH BEFORE LUNCH ▪ ‫ידּוּשׁא ַרבָּ ה‬
ָ ‫ ִק‬....... 30
Shabbat Morning................................................... 30
Festival Mornings ................................................. 31
For Shabbat and Festivals .................................... 31
Washing Hands ▪ ‫ נְ ִטילַת יָדָ יִם‬........................... 32
Blessing for Bread ▪ ‫הַ מּוֹצִ יא‬.............................. 32
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GRACE AFTER MEALS ▪ ‫ בִּ ְרכַּת המָּ זוֹן‬.............. 33
Psalm 126 .............................................................. 33
Invitation to Say Grace ‫ זִ ימוּן‬.............................. 34
1. God the Provider ‫ בִּ ְרכַּת הַ זָּן‬........................... 34
2. For The Land ‫אָרץ‬
ֶ ָ‫ בִּ ְרכַּת ה‬............................ 35
Miraculous Rescues ‫ עַ ל הַ נִּ ִסּים‬......................... 36
For All This ▪ ‫ וְ עַ ל הַ כֹּל‬....................................... 39
3. Have Mercy ▪ ‫ ַרחֵ ם‬.......................................... 40
Shabbat ▪ ‫ ַשׁבָּ ת‬..................................................... 41
For Festivals ▪ ‫חַ גִ ים‬............................................. 42
SONGS ....................................................................69
The World To Come ▪ ‫ בָּ ע ֹולָם הַ בָּ א‬................... 69
How Good ▪ ‫ מַ ה־טֹּבוּ‬......................................... 69
Tree of Life ▪ ‫ עֵ ץ־חַ יִּים ִהיא‬............................... 69
O God, My God ▪ ‫ אֵ לִ י אֵ לִ י‬................................. 69
The Peacemaker ▪ ‫ֹשׂה ָשׁלוֹם‬
ֶ ‫ ע‬........................... 70
See How Good ▪ ‫ ִהנֵּה מַ ה־טּוֹב‬........................... 70
Israel Lives! ▪ ‫ִשׂ ָראֵ ל חַ י‬
ְ ‫ עַ ם י‬............................ 70
No More War ▪ ‫ִשּׂא גוֹי‬
ָ ‫ �א־י‬................................ 70
Don’t Fear the Soldiers ▪ ‫ צֶ אנָה‬........................... 70
May God Bless You ▪ ‫ יְבָ ֶרכְ � ה’ ִמצִּ יּוֹן‬............. 71
Next Year ▪ ‫לְ ָשׁנָה הַ בָּ אָה‬.................................... 71
You Will Spread Out ▪ ‫וּפָ ַרצְ ָתּ‬............................. 71
Land of Milk and Honey ▪ ‫אֶ ֶרץ זָבַ ת חָ לָב‬........ 71
If You Wish ▪ ‫ אֶ ֶרץ זָבַ ת חָ לָב‬............................. 71
Take Us Back ▪ ‫ הֲ ִשׁיבֵ נוּ‬....................................... 71
I Look Up ▪ ‫ אֶ ָשּׂא עֵ ינַי‬........................................ 72
Rejoice with Jerusalem ▪ ‫ְרוּשׁ ָליִם‬
ָ ‫ ִשׂישׂוּ אֶ ת י‬. 72
Abundant Peace ▪ ‫ ָשׁלוֹם ָרב‬............................... 73
SONGS FOR HAVDALAH ....................................... 82
Eliyahu Hanavi ▪ ‫ אֵ לִ יָּהוּ הַ נָּבִ יא‬........................ 82
Shavu’a Tov ▪ ‫ ָשׁבוּעַ טוֹב‬................................... 82
Hamavdil ▪ ‫ הַ מַּ בְ ִדּיל‬............................................ 82
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CHASIDIC SONGS ................................................. 83
Yam Bam Bam ...................................................... 83
La La La ................................................................ 83
FRIDAY NIGHT ZEMIROT .................................... 84
This Day Is for Israel ▪ ‫ִשׂ ָראֵ ל‬
ְ ‫ יוֹם זֶה לְ י‬.......... 84
Treasured Rest ▪ ‫ מַ ה יּ ְִדידוּת‬.............................. 86
Creator of the World ▪ ‫ יָהּ ִרבּוֹן‬........................... 89
Rest and Happiness ▪ ‫ ְמנוּחָ ה וְ ִשׂ ְמחָ ה‬.............. 92
Making Shabbat Holy ▪ ‫כָּל ְמ ַקדֵּ שׁ ְשׁבִ יעִ י‬....... 94
My Soul Thirsts ▪ ‫ צָ ְמאָה נַפְ ִשׁי‬......................... 96
The Rock ▪ ‫ צוּר ִמ ֶשּׁל ֹו‬........................................ 98
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Again We’ll Hear ▪ ‫ִשּׁמַ ע‬
ָ ‫ עוֹד י‬........................... 73
So God Spoke ▪ ‫ ִמפִּ י אֵ ל‬...................................... 74
We Wept for Zion ▪ ‫ עַ ל נַהֲ רוֹת בָּ בֶ ל‬.................. 75
Our Hope ▪ ‫ הַ ִתּ ְקוָ ה‬.............................................. 76
Let’s Sing ▪ ‫ לְ כוּ נְ ַר ְנּנָה‬........................................ 76
Come, Friend ▪ ‫ לְ כָה דו ִֹדי‬.................................... 76
Shabbat Shalom ▪ ‫ ַשׁבָּ ת ָשׁלוֹם‬........................... 76
The Sabbath Queen ▪ ‫ ַשׁבָּ ת הַ מַּ לְ כָּה‬.................. 77
How Lovely is Shabbat! ▪ ‫ מַ ה יַפֶ ה הַ יּוֹם‬.......... 77
Hevenu Shalom Aleichem ▪ ‫ הֵ בֵ אנוּ‬.................... 77
Good Luck ▪ ‫ ִסמָּ ן טוֹב וּמַ זָּל טוֹב‬..................... 77
David, King of Israel ▪ ‫ִשׂ ָראֵ ל‬
ְ ‫דָ וִ יד מֶ לֶ� י‬......... 77
Rachel Stood ▪ ‫ ַרחֵ ל עָ ְמדָ ה‬................................. 78
Rejoice! ▪ ‫וּשׁאַבְ תֶּ ם־מַ יִם‬
ְ .................................... 78
Halelu ▪ ‫הַ לְ לוּ‬........................................................ 78
Save Your People ▪ � ֶ‫ֹשׁיעָ ה אֶ ת־עַ מּ‬
ִ ‫ הו‬.............. 78
My Yearning ▪ ‫אֵ לֶּה חָ ְמדָ ה לִ בִּ י‬......................... 78
We’ve Made Aliyah! ▪ ‫אַרצָ ה עָ לִ ינוּ‬
ְ .................. 78
My Love Is Mine ▪ ‫ דּו ִֹדי לִ י‬................................. 78
The Wilderness Will Rejoice ▪ ‫ יְשֻׂ שׂוּם‬............... 79
Torah’s Our Life ▪ ‫ כִּ י הֵ ם חַ יֵּינוּ‬......................... 79
Uziyahu ▪ ‫ וַ יִּבֶ ן ֻעזִּ יָּהוּ‬.......................................... 79
Three Things ▪ ‫לשׁה ְדבָ ִרים‬
ָ ‫עַ ל ְשׁ‬..................... 79
I Hear My Lover ▪ ‫ קוֹל דּו ִֹדי‬............................... 80
Who Enjoys Life? ▪ ‫ ִמי־הָ ִאישׁ‬............................. 80
My Soul Thirsts ▪ ‫ צָ ְמאָה לְ � נַפְ ִשׁי‬.................... 80
As a Deer Yearns ▪ ‫ כְּ אַ יָּל ַתּעֲ רֹג‬.......................... 80
Light for the Righteous ▪ ‫אוֹר זָרֻ עַ לַצַּ ִדּיק‬........ 80
Sky Will Delight ▪ ‫ִשׂ ְמחוּ הַ ָשּׁמַ יִם‬
ְ ‫ י‬................... 80
Adon Olam ▪ ‫ אֲ דוֹן ע ֹולָם‬.................................... 81
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SHABBAT MORNING ZEMIROT ......................... 101
The Seventh Day ▪ ‫ יוֹם ַשׁבָּ תוֹן‬........................ 101
If I Keep Shabbat ▪ ‫ כִּ י אֶ ְשׁ ְמ ָרה ַשׁבָּ ת‬............ 103
This Honored Day ▪ ‫יוֹם זֶה ְמכֻבָּ ד‬.................. 106
Freedom Comes ▪ ‫ ְדרוֹר י ְִק ָרא‬......................... 108
God on High ▪ ‫ בָּ רוּ� אֵ ל עֶ לְ יוֹן‬.........................110
Keep My Sabbaths ▪ ‫ ִשׁ ְמרוּ ַשׁבְּ תוֹתֵ י‬..............113
God of Thanks ▪ ‫ אֵ ל הַ הוֹדָ אוֹת‬........................116
Make Us Happy ▪ ‫ ַשׂ ְמּחֵ נוּ‬..................................116
SE’UDAH SHLISHIT ZEMIROT ............................117
God’s Peace ▪ ‫ ֶשׁהַ ָשּׁלוֹם ֶשׁלּ ֹו‬...........................117
Compassion’s Source ▪ ‫ י ְִדיד נֶפֶ שׁ‬.....................117
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Friday Evening
Light The Candles ▪ ‫נֵרוֹת‬
‫הַ ְדל ַָקת‬
Friday Evening
Light The Candles ▪ ‫נֵר ֹות‬
You rule both day and night.
You made us holy with your rules,
‫אֱ �הֵ ינוּ מֶ לֶ� הָ ע ֹו ָלם‬
‫אֲ ֶשׁר ִק ְדּ ָשׁנוּ בְּ ִמ ְצו ָֹתיו‬
‫וְ צִ וָּ נוּ לְ הַ ְדלִ יק נֵר ֶשׁל ַשׁבָּ ת‬
Eloheinu melech ha’olam,
Asher kidshanu bemitzvotav
Vetzivanu lehadlik ner shel Shabbat.
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Told us to kindle Shabbat light.1
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Lighting the candles is normally the prerogative of the leading lady in the household. She covers her head,
lights the candles, covers her eyes with her hands and then says the blessing. Why cover her eyes? To solve a
timing problem. A blessing should precede the action to which it refers, but this blessing is held to usher in
Shabbat, during which one should not light any fire. So she lights the candles first, and covers her face so as
not to see the flame until after the blessing.
We bless you, Sovereign God;
‫ בָּ רוּ� אַ ָתּה יי‬Baruch ata Adonai
Literally, it’s “Blessed are you, Lord, our God, king of the universe, who made us holy with his
commandments and instructed us to light the Shabbat light.” In case you wonder where God told us to light
Shabbat lights, you won’t find it in the Torah. In fact, the rule was given us by the early Rabbis, to help us enjoy
our meal and honor the day.
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shade Added sometimes | ‫אֹת ֹו‬
‫ וַ י ְַקדֵּ שׁ‬Prayer | ‫ וַיְ קַ ֵדּשׁ אֹתוֹ‬Scripture | ‫ וַיְ קַ ֵ ֖דּשׁ אֹ ת֑ וֹ‬Torah
Shalom Aleichem ▪ ‫עֲ לֵיכֶם‬
‫ָשׁ�ום‬
Shalom Aleichem ▪ ‫עֲ לֵיכֶם‬
Friday Evening
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‫ָשׁ�ום‬
From the Sovereign supreme,
Holy, blessed, beloved.
Come in peace—
peace you bring—
Messengers from above,
mal’achei hasharet,
‫בּוֹאֲ כֶם לְ ָשׁלוֹם‬
‫מַ לְ אֲ כֵי הַ ָשּׁלוֹם‬
‫מַ לְ אֲ כֵי עֶ לְ יוֹן‬
‫ִממֶּ לֶ� מַ לְ כֵי הַ ְמּלָכִ ים‬
‫הַ ָקּדוֹשׁ בָּ רוּ� הוּא‬
Bo’achem leshalom,
‫בָּ ְרכוּנִ י לְ ָשׁלוֹם‬
Bar’chuni leshalom,
‫אתכֶם לְ ָשׁלוֹם‬
ְ ֵ‫צ‬
Tzet’chem leshalom,
Sa
‫מַ לְ אֲ כֵי הַ ָשּׁ ֵרת‬
Bless me in peace—
peace you bring—
From the Sovereign supreme
S
Leave in peace—
peace you bring—
SP
mal’achei elyon,
m
pl
faithfully serving—
e
·························································· Sing this hymn after you return from Shul ··························································
It recalls the tradition that two angels accompany a person home from shul on Friday night. Some people sing
each verse three times, which puts quite a strain on the popular melody.
If you don’t happen to go to Shul, sing this after you light the candles.
Welcome angels—
‫ ָשׁלוֹם עֲ לֵיכֶם‬Shalom aleichem,
mimelech malchei hamlachim,
hakadosh baruch hu.
mal’achei hashalom,
mal’achei elyon,
hakadosh baruch hu.
mal’achei elyon,
hakadosh baruch hu.
mal’achei elyon,
hakadosh baruch hu.
15
Friday Evening
Bless The Children ▪ ‫הַ ְיל ִָדים‬
Bless The Children ▪ ‫הַ ְיל ִָדים‬
‫בִּ ְרכַּת‬
‫בִּ ְר ַכּת‬
e
·························· Both parents can place their hands on each child’s forehead to give the blessing ··························
If you have guests, you may prefer to hold hands and recite the formula together.
Some recite Eshet Chayil before blessing the children.
··············································································For boys and men ·············································································
Genesis 48:20
“May God make you
‫ֱ�הים‬
ִ֔ ‫שׂ ְמ�֣ א‬
ֽ ִ ְ‫“ י‬Yesimcha Elohim
m
pl
like Ephraim and Manasseh.”1
‫ ְכּאֶ ְפ ַ ֖ריִ ם וְ ִכ ְמנ ֶַשּׁ֑ה‬ke’Ephrayim vechiMenasheh.”
··········································································· For girls and women ···········································································
May God make you
‫�הים‬
ִ ֱ‫ י ְִשׂמֵ � א‬Yesimech Elohim
like Sarah, Rivka, Rachel & Leah.2
‫ כְּ ָשׂ ָרה ִרבְ ָקה ָרחֵ ל וְ לֵאָה‬keSarah, Rivka, Rachel, veLeah.
········································································· Continue for both sexes ········································································
Num 6:24-26
“May God bless and protect you.
�‫“ יְ בָ ֶר ְכ�֥ יְ הוָ ֖ה וְ יִ ְשׁ ְמ ֶ ֽר‬Yevarechecha Adonai veyishmerecha.
�‫י ֵָ֨אר יְהוָ ֧ה ׀ פָּ נָ ֛יו אֵ ֶל֖י‬
May God shine the divine presence on you,
ָ‫וִ ֽיחֻ נֶּ ֽ ךּ‬
and show you favor.
May God raise the divine presence to see you,
Eshet Chayil4 ▪ ‫חַ יִל‬
�‫שּׂא יְ הוָ ֤ה ׀ פָּ נָיו ֙ אֵ ֔ ֶלי‬
ָ ֨ ִ‫י‬
‫שׂם ְל�֖ שָׁ ֽלוֹם‬
֥ ֵ ‫וְ ָי‬
vichuneka.
Yisa Adonai panav elecha,
veyasem lecha shalom.”
Sa
and set you at
peace.”3
Ya’er Adonai panav elecha
‫אֵ ֶשׁת‬
................. The widespread custom is for the husband to recite this alphabetical acrostic, .................
from Proverbs 31, to praise his wife.
Prov. 31:10
Who can find a perfect wife?
‫ אֵ שֶׁ ת־חַ יִ ל ִמי יִ ְמצָ א‬Eshet chayil mi yimtzah?
The finest pearls can’t match her worth,
Her husband’s heart on her depends
Plenty is his reward, not dearth
S
Or harm; she answers as a friend
‫בָּ טַ ח בָּ הּ לֵ ב בַּ עְ לָ הּ‬
‫וְ שָׁ לָ ל ל ֹא י ְֶחסָ ר‬
‫ֹא־רע‬
ָ ‫גְּ מָ לַ ְתהוּ טוֹב וְ ל‬
‫כֹּל יְ מֵ י חַ יֶּיה׃‬
Verachok mipninim michrah.
Batach bah lev ba’lah,
Veshalal lo yechsar;
Gemalat’hu tov velo rah
Kol yemei chayeha.
SP
Every day of her life.
‫וְ ָרחֹק ִמ ְפּנִ ינִ ים ִמ ְכ ָרהּ‬
Jacob blessed his grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh: “In you will Israel give blessing and say: God make you
like Ephraim and Manasseh” (Gen. 48:20). Notice how he placed the younger son before the elder.
2 The names are the four Matriarchs, wives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Notice how Jacob’s second wife,
Rachel, is mentioned before his first wife, Leah.
3 God dictated this formula for Aaron to use when blessing Israel (Num. 6:24-26). “Panav,” translated as “the
divine presence” is lit. “his face.”
4 This poem offers an ideal of womanhood that remains appealing even in our relatively liberated day. This
woman is a full business partner in the family enterprises. She works hard and wields her authority with
judgement and taste.
1
Of wool and flax she seeks the best,
She works with willing hands
Like a merchant’s argosies,
Bearing goods from distant lands.1
15
Before day breaks her day begins,
Early to rise—
She plans food for the house,
Tasks for the maids, lest they shirk.
She weighs the value of a field
Before she buys;
She plants a vineyard
With the fruit of her work. 2
17
When it’s light she paints and fixes,
Rolls up her sleeves for toil,
As she burns the midnight oil.
19
‫וּפ ְשׁ ִתּים‬
ִ ‫ָדּ ְרשָׁ ה צֶ מֶ ר‬
ָ‫וַתַּ עַ שׂ ְבּחֵ פֶ ץ כַּ פֶּ יה‬
She takes in hand the distaff,
16
Darsha tzemer ufishtim
vata’as bechefetz kapeha.
‫הָ יְ תָ ה כָּ אֳנִ יּוֹת סוֹחֵ ר‬
Hayta ka’oniyot socher
‫ִממֶּ ְרחָ ק תָּ ִביא לַ ְחמָ הּ‬
mimerchak tavi lachma.
‫ַותָּ קָ ם ְבּעוֹד לַ יְ לָ ה‬
Vatakam be’od layla
‫ו ִַתּתֵּ ן טֶ ֶרף ְלבֵ יתָ הּ‬
Vatiten teref leveitah
ָ‫וְ חֹק ְל ַנ ֲערֹתֶ יה‬
vechok lena’aroteha.
‫ָז ְממָ ה שָׂ ֶדה ו ִַתּקָּ חֵ הוּ‬
Zam’mah sadeh vatikachehu,
‫ִמ ְפּ ִרי כַ פֶּ יהָ נ ְָטעָ ה כָּ ֶרם‬
mipri chape’ha nat’ah karem.
ָ‫גְרה ְבעוֹז מָ ְתנֶיה‬
ָ ָ‫ח‬
ָ‫ו ְַתּאַ מֵּ ץ זְ רֹעוֹתֶ יה‬
Chagrah be’oz matneha
vat’ametz zero’oteha.
‫טָ עֲמָ ה ִכּי־טוֹב סַ ְח ָרהּ‬
Ta’amah ki tov sachrah,
‫ל ֹא־יִ ְכבֶּ ה בַ לַּ יְ לָ ה נ ֵָרהּ‬
lo yichbeh balayla nerah.
‫ָי ֶדיהָ ִשׁ ְלּחָ ה בַ ִכּישׁוֹר‬
Yadeha shil’chah vakishor
Sa
But she watches her investments
Friday Evening
e
13
‫אֵ ֶשׁת‬
m
pl
Eshet Chayil ▪ ‫חַ יִל‬
The spindle in her palms;
� ֶ‫וְ כַ פֶּ יהָ תָּ ְמכוּ פָ ל‬
vechapeha tamchu falef.
She’s openhanded to the poor,
‫כַּ פָּ הּ פָּ ְרשָׂ ה לֶ עָ נִ י‬
Kapah parsah le’ani
And sends the beggar alms. 3
21
Carpets and covers she has made
To keep her family warm.
‫וְ י ֶָדיהָ ִשׁ ְלּחָ ה לָ אֶ ְביוֹן‬
‫ירא ְלבֵ יתָ הּ ִמשָּׁ לֶ ג‬
ָ ‫א־ת‬
ִ ֹ‫ל‬
‫ִכּי כָ ל־בֵּ יתָ הּ לָ בֻ שׁ שָׁ נִ ים‬
veyadeha shil’chah la’evyon.
Lo tira leveitah mishaleg,
ki chol beitah levush shanim.
‫מַ ְרבַ ִדּים עָ ְשׂתָ ה־לָּ הּ‬
Marvadim astah lah
Snow brings her no alarm.4
‫שֵׁ שׁ וְ אַ ְרגָּמָ ן ְלבוּשָׁ הּ‬
shesh ve’argaman levushah.
SP
S
With clothing of linen and purple,
1 Here’s a more colloquial rendering: “She shops, but not for trivia, / She buys not for herself; / She fills with
food the family car, / And stores it on the shelf.”
2 “She’s up and making lunches / While her family sleep and snore; / She leaves the maid a note: / ‘Be sure to
scrub the kitchen floor!’ / She weighs the growth potential of / A weedy vacant lot. / She buys a field—and
presto! / It’s a bustling shopping spot.”
3 “She carries out her duties / With a feminine mystique; / She’s generous to the beggar / And encourages the
meek.”
4 “When snow blankets the ground, / Her family snuggle warm in bed: / With doubled quilts and coverlets, /
Snow is no thing to dread!”
17
23
Friday Evening
Eshet Chayil ▪ ‫חַ יִל‬
Her husband sits in council,
‫נו ָֹדע בַּ ְשּׁעָ ִרים בַּ עְ לָ הּ‬
Noda bash’arim ba’lah
His advice is carefully weighed;
‫ְבּ ִשׁ ְבתּוֹ עִ ם־זִקְ נֵי־אָ ֶרץ‬
beshivto im ziknei aretz.
She makes linen clothes—a sash—
‫סָ ִדין עָ ְשׂתָ ה ו ִַתּ ְמכֹּר‬
Sadin astah vatimkor
And sells them to the trade. 1
‫ַוחֲגוֹר נ ְָתנָה לַ ְכּ ַנעֲנִ י‬
vachagor natnah laKena’ani.
But hers is more exquisite wear:
She’s clad in strength of spirit,
The luster of her merit,
And she views with calm assurance
The promise of a morrow fair.
26
Her speech is wise and kindly,
Yet she keeps a watchful guard
On what happens in her household,
From the basement to the yard.
‫ו ִַתּ ְשׂחַ ק ְליוֹם אַ חֲרוֹן‬
Oz vehadar levushah
vatischak leyom acharon.
‫ִפּיהָ פָּ ְתחָ ה ְבחָ ְכמָ ה‬
Piha pat’chah vechochmah,
‫ל־לשׁוֹנָהּ‬
ְ
ַ‫תוֹרת־חֶ סֶ ד ע‬
ַ ְ‫ו‬
vetorat chesed al leshonah.
‫צו ִֹפיָּה ה ֲִליכוֹת בֵּ יתָ הּ‬
Tzofiyah halichot beitah,
‫וְ לֶ חֶ ם עַ ְצלוּת ל ֹא ת ֹאכֵ ל‬
Velechem atzlut lo tochel.
Sa
And her lips will never twaste
‫ֹעז־וְ הָ ָדר ְלבוּשָׁ הּ‬
e
She clothes her household in the best,
m
pl
25
‫אֵ ֶשׁת‬
The bread of sloth or waste.2
28
Her children give her nachas;
Her man will her extol—
ָ‫קָ מוּ בָ נֶיהָ וַיְ אַ ְשּׁרוּה‬
‫בַּ עְ לָ הּ ַויְ הַ ְללָ הּ‬
Kamu vaneha vay’ashruha
ba’lah vay’halelah.
“My dear, I’ve seen fine ladies,
‫ַרבּוֹת בָּ נוֹת עָ שׂוּ חָ יִ ל‬
“Rabot banot asu chayil,
But you outdo them all!”
‫וְ אַ ְתּ עָ ִלית עַ ל־כֻּ לָּ נָה‬
ve’at alit al kulanah.”
30
Is she pretty? Does it matter—
For beauty’s charm is vain;
S
While a lady of religion
Wins praise over and again.
31
Let her reap the satisfaction
‫שֶׁ קֶ ר הַ חֵ ן‬
Sheker hachen
‫וְ הֶ בֶ ל הַ יֹּ ִפי‬
vehevel hayofi;
‫ִאשָּׁ ה יִ ְראַ ת־יְ הוָה‬
‫ִהיא ִת ְתהַ לָּ ל‬
‫ְתּנוּ־לָ הּ‬
ָ‫ִמ ְפּ ִרי י ֶָדיה‬
And let her praise be trumpeted
ָ‫וִ יהַ ְללוּה‬
SP
Of her triumphs and her labors,
To her admiring neighbors.
ָ‫עָרים מַ עֲשֶׂ יה‬
ִ ‫בַ ְשּׁ‬
ishah yir’at Adonai,
hi tit’halal.
T’nu lah
mipri yadeha
vihaleluha
vash’arim ma’aseha.
“Her husband sits in council / His advice is carefully weighed; she makes fashion accessories, / And sells them
to the trade.” ‫כְּ נַעֲ נִ י‬/Kena’ani/Canaanite probably refers to traders.
2 “There are women who spend daytime / Vegetating on the couch; / This lady’s no potato: / She’s a worker, not
a slouch!”
1
Friday Evening
Eshet Chayil Alternatives
nor is there a well-married man who could speak
these words without directing them to his wife.
It is a wonderful thing that our tradition has
institutionalized a way for the husband to articulate,
at least once a week, his appreciation for the myriad
achievements of his wife. Those who object to this as
sexist are not worth arguing with: it is an enlightened
picture of a responsible person of sound judgement,
who toils faithfully at managing a complex
household, and who has both the power and the will
to make business decisions to advance her family’s
fortunes.
Both of the samples here are obviously based on
Eshet Chayil, but the first has more references to its
original than the second. That’s partly why it is more
choppy. You’ll appreciate that the fifth line from the
end, “I doff…,” begins with the acrostic for the
remaining lines of the verse. The second sample
refers to some of the main metaphors of Eshet
Chayil—the gems, the ships, the business judgement,
and the preparedness. The word “store” implies both
a stockpile and a shop; the word “deposits” can
imply money management, which I think is
appropriate for Eshet Chayil.
Sa
m
pl
Eshet Chayil can pose a problem: if you read the
English in front of the children, you’ll be greeted
with hoots of derision. So, unless you plan to read it
in the Hebrew, I recommend reading selected
passages, or writing something short of your own. As
samples, I have included the following two acrostics;
the first letters of each line spell my beloved’s
maiden name, a name which fortunately has 14
letters, perfect for the sonneteer. Pretty nifty, huh?
My children should only be as impressed as you are!
But the poet soon finds that everyone—absolutely
everyone—is a critic.
Acrostic verses are often more ingenious than
inspired, richer in wordplay than in metaphor; yet
they are always an appropriate offering to lay
humbly at the feet of one’s muse, and acrostics are a
strong tradition in Jewish verse. Eshet Chayil is itself
an alphabetical acrostic.
Some people may argue that Eshet Chayil
expresses not the husband’s respect for his wife, but
Israel’s respect for God, or something equally
remote. But I doubt there’s a married woman in the
world who would not like to have this read to her,
and who would not take it as a personal compliment;
18
e
Eshet Chayil Alternatives
SP
S
Beyond the price of rubies, treasured dear,
And pearls—who would not value such a wife,
(Rich is her virtue in this spinning sphere)
Bringing provisions from afar, the knife
And needle wielding skilfully. No fear
Ruffles in winter’s chill her family life;
A head for business steers her fast career.
Now her man tastes respect at city gate
As she toils at the accounts, early and late.
I doff my hat in reverence to her worth,
Don it again, being (after all) a Jew.
O happy thought, to embrace her slender girth
Flexible, yet her spirit always true.
Find such another if you can, oh do!
Bring out your fairest pearl of subtlest hue!
Ah, yours is no match for the one I bear,
Round to perfection, treasured in my breast.
Beyond all measuring, mine is the best;
Admired not merely in that she is fair,
Rather that she is capable and true,
A vessel cruising through the turbulent sea.
No! For she chops and dices, whips and slices,
Affairs of household manages with style;
In judgement sound she stocks the family store,
Deposits plenty so that winter hoar—
Old winter with his chill blasts—is no trial
For us her cosy brood. I laugh at crisis,
For oh! that vessel sets its course toward me.
19
Friday Evening
Friday Night Kiddush ▪ ‫ַשׁבָּ ת‬
‫ִקדּוּשׁ לֵיל‬
m
pl
e
······································ Hold a full cup of wine or grape juice in your hand to say kiddush ·····································
Some have it so full that the meniscus quivers above the sides of the cup, and only a steady hand prevents
spillage. Some stand to recite it, others sit. Some sip from the cup and pass it among the company, others
provide a small glass of kiddush wine for each guest, and still others pour from the kiddush cup into each
guest’s cup.
Most people say the first two lines silently, and the leader begins chanting with line three.1
When Friday night is a festival, skip to page 24.
Gen 1:31
It was evening, then morning,
‫ַיְהי־עֶ ֶרב וַיְ ִהי־בֹקֶ ר‬
ִ ‫ ו‬Vayehi erev, vayehi voker,
‫יוֹם הַ ִשּׁ ִשּׁי‬
day six.
Gen 2:1-3
‫וַיְ כֻ לּ֛ וּ‬
“Now they were completed—
‫הַ שָּׁ ַמ֥יִ ם וְ הָ ָא ֶ֖רץ‬
sky and land
‫ל־צבָ ָ ֽאם‬
ְ
ָ‫וְ כ‬
and all their hosts of creatures.
‫יעי‬
ִ֔ ‫ֱ�הים ֙ בַּ יּ֣וֹם הַ ְשּׁ ִב‬
ִ ‫וַיְ ַכ֤ל א‬
God finished on day seven
‫אכתּ֖ וֹ א ֲֶשׁ֣ר עָ ָשׂ֑ה‬
ְ ַ‫ְמל‬
the work of creation,
‫יעי‬
ִ֔ ‫וַיִּ ְשׁ ֹבּת ֙ בַּ יּ֣וֹם הַ ְשּׁ ִב‬
and rested on day seven
‫יעי‬
ִ֔ ‫ֱ�הים ֙ אֶ ת־י֣וֹם הַ ְשּׁ ִב‬
ִ ‫וַיְ ָב ֶ֤ר� א‬
‫וַיְ קַ ֵ ֖דּשׁ אֹת֑ וֹ‬
and made it holy,
“Vayechulu
hashamayim veha’aretz
vechol tzeva’am.
vayechal Elohim bayom hashvi’i
melachto asher asah,
vayishbot bayom hashvi’i
Sa
‫אכתּ֖ וֹ א ֲֶשׁ֥ר עָ ָ ֽשׂה‬
ְ ַ‫ל־מל‬
ְ ָ‫ִמכּ‬
from all the work of creation.
God blessed day seven
yom hashishi
for then God rested from the whole project
‫אכ ֔תּוֹ‬
ְ ַ‫ל־מל‬
ְ ָ‫ִכּ ֣י ב֤ וֹ שָׁ בַ ת ֙ ִמכּ‬
mikol melachto asher asah.
Vayevarech Elohim et yom hashvi’i
vayekadesh oto,
ki vo shavat mikol melachto
which God had created to work on.”
‫ֱ�ה֖ים לַ ע ֲֽשׂוֹת‬
ִ ‫ אֲשֶׁ ר־בָּ ָ ֥רא א‬asher barah Elohim la’asot.
·························································· Don’t drink yet; wait for the next blessing··························································
We bless you, Sovereign God, who rules
S
Eternal space and time,
Creator of the grapevine’s fruit,
‫בּו ֵֹרא פְּ ִרי הַ גָּפֶ ן‬
Boreh peri hagafen.
SP
From which we make this wine.
1
This section recalls how God finished the work of creation and instituted the first Shabbat.
Friday Evening
Who rules eternal time and space;
You made us holy with your rules
And gave us pride of place,
Your holy Sabbath granted us
In favor, love, and grace,
A memory of Creation’s Work
‫בָּ רוּ� אַ ָתּה יי‬
‫וְ ָרצָ ה בָ נוּ‬
‫וְ ַשׁבָּ ת ָק ְדשׁ ֹו‬
‫בְּ אַהֲ בָ ה וּבְ ָרצוֹן ִהנְ ִחילָנוּ‬
‫אשׁית‬
ִ ‫זִ ָכּרוֹן לְ מַ עֲ ֵשׂה בְ ֵר‬
Baruch ata Adonai
‫כִּ י הוּא יוֹם ְתּ ִחלָּה‬
‫לְ ִמ ְק ָראֵ י ֹקדֶ שׁ‬
‫ֵזכֶר לִ יצִ יאַת ִמ ְצ ָר ִים‬
Ki hu yom techilah
When void took form and face.
For Shabbat is the first of days
Which “Holy Day” are named,
Reminding us of long ago,
When we from Egypt came.1
Because from all the peoples
You chose us your holy nation,
‫כִּ י בָ נוּ בָ חַ ְר ָתּ‬
‫וְ או ָֹתנוּ ִק ַדּ ְשׁ ָתּ‬
‫הָ עַ ִמּים‬-‫ִמ ָכּל‬
�‫וְ ַשׁבָּ ת ָק ְד ְשׁ‬
‫בְּ אַהֲ בָ ה וּבְ ָרצוֹן‬
‫ִהנְ חַ לְ ָתּנוּ‬
‫ְמ ַקדֵּ שׁ הַ ַשּׁבָּ ת‬
Sa
And made our heritage this time,
In loving approbation—
Shabbat trims this special night,
Your sacred time of pure delight—
We bless you, God, for hallowing
asher kidshanu bemitzvotav
veratzah vanu,
veShabbat kodsho
e
We bless you, Sovereign God,
20
be’ahavah uvratzon hin’chilanu
zikaron lema’aseh vereshit.
m
pl
lemikra’ei kodesh
zecher litziyat Mitzrayim.
Ki vanu vacharta
ve’otanu kidashta
mikol ha’amim,
veShabbat kodshecha
be’ahava uv’ratzon
hin’chaltanu;
Baruch ata Adonai,
S
Our Shabbat celebration.2
mekadesh haShabbat.
······························································ Now drink the wine (or grape juice)! ·····························································
In the sukkah, on the intermediate evenings of Sukkot, add this.
Both time and space complete;
You made us holy with your laws,
vetzivanu leshev basukkah.
SP
In booths to take a seat.
‫וְ צִ וָּ נוּ ל ֵֵשׁב בַּ סֻּ ָכּה‬
This paragraph in Hebrew is in the third person (“his holy Sabbath,” etc.). The translation uses the second
person partly to avoid masculine pronouns and partly to be consistent with the next paragraph, which is in the
second person (“you chose us”).
2 “Because you chose us and hallowed us from all peoples and gave us your holy Sabbath as an inheritance,
blessed are you, God, who makes Shabbat holy.”
1
21
Saturday Night
Havdalah ▪ ‫הַ בְ דָּ לָה‬
Saturday Night
m
pl
e
Havdalah is the short ceremony which marks the end of Shabbat and holidays. It celebrates the difference
between holy days of rest and spiritual renewal and humdrum days of the rest of the week. We thank God for
making that difference and creating holiness to enrich our lives. We use a candle with two or more wicks, wine,
and spices. The bright candle flame casts the shadow of our fingers on to our palms, and we appreciate the
distinction between light and darkness. Making this distinction was God’s first creative act. Wine, which
delights the heart (Psalm 104), is part of many of our ceremonies. We smell the spices to prolong the sweetness
of our day of rest and to ease our transition into the workaday world.
····························· After Shabbat, we light the candle, hold the wine and recite these quotations ·····························
After festivals, we omit the candle and spices and start with the blessing for wine.
Isa. 12:2
“See, God’s my savior: I am sure;
‫ ִהנֵּה אֵ ל יְ שׁוּעָ ִתי‬Hineh El yeshu’ati
‫אֶ ְבטַ ח וְ ל ֹא אֶ ְפחָ ד‬
I shall not live in fear.
‫ִכּי־עָ זִּ י וְ ז ְִמ ָרת יָהּ יְ הוָה‬
My strength and my soul’s melody,
‫י־לי ִלישׁוּעָ ה‬
ִ ‫ַיְה‬
ִ ‫ו‬
To save me will appear.” 1
From wellsprings of
Ps. 3:9
‫וּשׁאַ ְבתֶּ ם־מַ יִ ם ְבּשָׂ שׂוֹן‬
ְ
“You shall bring water joyfully
salvation.”2
“To God belongs salvation, while
‫לַ יהוָה הַ יְ שׁוּעָ ה‬
lAdonai hayeshuah,
‫יְהוָה ְצבָ אוֹת עִ מָּ נוּ‬
Selah.”4
‫ִמ ְשׂגָּב־לָ נוּ אֱ�הֵ י ַי ֲעקֹב סֶ לָ ה‬
“Oh God, with hosts at your command,
Happy are they who trust in you.”5
“God, save us: for at our demand,
S
Ps. 20:10
Ushavtem mayim besason,
mima’aynei hayeshuah.
“The God of Hosts is at our side,
Jacob’s God, in whom we hide.
Ps. 84:13
vayehi li liy’shuah.
‫ִממַּ עַ יְ נֵי הַ יְ שׁוּעָ ה‬
‫עַ ל־עַ ְמּ� ִב ְרכָ תֶ � סֶּ לָ ה‬
Your blessing’s on your nation. Selah.”3
Ps. 46:12
ki ozi vezimrat Yah Adonai,
Sa
Isa. 12:3
evtach velo efchad,
‫וֹשׁיעָ ה‬
ִ ‫יְהוָה ה‬
‫הַ מֶּ לֶ � ַי ֲענֵנוּ ְביוֹם־קָ ְראֵ נוּ‬
Adonai tzeva’ot imanu
misgav lanu Elohei Ya’akov. Selah.
Adonai tzeva’ot,
ashrei adam bote’ach bach.
Adonai hoshi’ah,
hamelech ya’aneinu veyom kor’einu.
SP
Oh Ruler, you’ll give answer
true.”6
‫יְהוָה ְצבָ אוֹת‬
� ָ‫אַ ְשׁ ֵרי אָ ָדם בֹּטֵ חַ בּ‬
al amcha virchatecha. Selah.
“Look, I’ll trust God who saves me; I shall not fear; God is my strength and my song, and he will save me.”
“And you will rejoice as you draw water from the wells of salvation.”
3 “Salvation belongs to God; your blessing is on your people, Selah.”
4 “The Lord of Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob a shelter for us, Selah.”
5 “The Lord of Hosts, happy is the person who trusts in you.”
6 “Lord, bring salvation! The king will answer us on the day when we call.”
1
2
Saturday Night
22
····································· Those gathered around say this first, and then the leader repeats it ·····································
“In Esther’s day, the Jews had light,
‫אוֹרה‬
ָ ‫הוּדים הָ יְ תָ ה‬
ִ ְ‫ לַ יּ‬Lay’hudim hayta orah
Esther 8:16
May we experience the same!”
Psalms 116:13
“This cup of salvation I shall raise
‫וְ ִשׂ ְמחָ ה וְ שָׂ ֹשׂן וִ יקָ ר‬
‫כֵּן ִתּ ְהיֶה לָּנוּ‬
‫כּוֹס־יְ שׁוּעוֹת אֶ שָּׂ א‬
vesimcha vesason viy’kar;
ken tih’yeh lanu.
Kos yeshu’ot esah
e
Rejoicing, happiness, and fame; 1
And call upon God’s
‫וּבשֵׁ ם יְ הוָה אֶ ְק ָרא‬
ְ
uv’shem Adonai ekrah.
·········································· Hold the wine, but don’t drink yet. After festivals, begin here ··········································
m
pl
name!”2
Boreh peri hagafen.
·········································· Put down the wine and pick up the spices to say this blessing ··········································
After the blessing, let each person smell the spices.
Sa
With spices of all different kinds
‫בּו ֵֹרא ִמינֵי ְב ָשׂ ִמים‬
Boreh minei vesamim.
You’ve made the world a fragrant place.
············································································ Put down the spices ············································································
Hold your fingers toward the flame so you see
the shadow of your fingertips on the palm of your hand.
Who rules the universe entire;
You are creator of this flickering light,
‫בּו ֵֹרא ְמאו ֵֹרי הָ אֵ שׁ‬
borei me’orei ha’esh.
S
The light of fire.
SP
In case you’re wondering why Havdalah is placed here—before lunch, even!—it’s for two reasons. First, you
shouldn’t have to go hunting for Havdalah way in the back of the book. And second, so you won’t forget this
beautiful ceremony when its time comes.
1
2
“The Jews had light, rejoicing, happiness, and honor.”
“I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.”
23
Saturday Night
Eliyahu Hanavi ▪ ‫הַ נָּבִ יא‬
‫אֵ לִ יָּהוּ‬
·························· Pick up the wine again and continue. After this blessing, you can drink the wine ··························
Don’t drink all the wine; you can use some to extinguish the flame.
‫הַ מַּ בְ ִדּיל בֵּ ין ֹקדֶ שׁ לְ חוֹל‬
�‫חשׁ‬
ֶ ְ‫בֵּ ין אוֹר ל‬
‫בֵּ ין י ְִשׂ ָראֵ ל לָעַ ִמּים‬
‫יעי‬
ִ ִ‫בֵּ ין יוֹם הַ ְשּׁב‬
‫לְ ֵשׁ ֶשׁת ְימֵ י הַ מַּ עֲ ֶשׂה‬
who distinguishes holy from secular,
darkness from light,
Israel from other peoples,
from the six days of creative activity.
Blessed are you, Ruler,
who distinguishes holy from secular.
Eliyahu Hanavi1 ▪ ‫הַ נָּבִ יא‬
Elijah the prophet
‫אֵ לִ יָּהוּ הַ נָּבִ יא‬
‫אֵ לִ יָּהוּ הַ ִתּ ְשׁבִּ י‬
‫אֵ לִ יָּהוּ אֵ לִ יָּהוּ‬
‫אֵ לִ יָּהוּ הַ גִּ לְ עָ ִדי‬
‫בִּ ְמהֵ ָרה בְ יָמֵ ינוּ‬
‫יָבוֹא אֵ לֵינוּ‬
‫ ָדּוִ ד‬-‫ִעם מָ ִשׁיחַ בֶּ ן‬
In Toshav he was a lad;
Then Elijah lived in Gil’ad.
in our need (2)
With the anointed, David’s seed.(2)
Shavu’a Tov ▪ ‫טוֹב‬
bein or lechoshech,
bein Yisra’el la’amim,
bein yom hashvi’i
lesheshet yemei hama’aseh.
Baruch ata Adonai,
hamavdil bein kodesh lechol.
Eliyahu hanavi
Eliyahu haTishbi
Eliyahu, Eliyahu,
Sa
Then Elijah, then Elijah,
Let him hasten,
hamavdil bein kodesh lechol,
m
pl
the seventh day
e
Ruler of the universe,
Eliyahu haGil’adi
Bimhera veyamenu
yavo eleinu
Im mashi’ach ben David. (2)
ַ‫ָשׁבוּע‬
Have a good week.
‫ָשׁבוּעַ טוֹב‬
Shavu’a tov!
S
Hamavdil ▪ ‫הַ מַּ בְ ִדּיל‬
May God who divides holy from
secular forgive our sins and make
SP
our wealth increase like sand and
the stars of the night.
‫ ֹקדֶ שׁ לְ חוֹל‬-‫הַ מַּ בְ ִדּיל בֵּ ין‬
‫ֹאתינוּ הוּא ִי ְמחֹל‬
ֵ ‫חַ טּ‬
‫ז ְַרעֵ נוּ וְ ַכ ְספֵּ נוּ י ְַרבֶּ ה ַכּחוֹל‬
‫וְ ַככּ ֹו ָכבִ ים בַּ ַלּ ְילָה‬
Hamavdil bein kodesh lechol,
chatoteinu hu yimchol;
zarenu vechaspenu yarbeh kachol
vechakochavim balaylah.
The gentle, stately melody of this song eases the farewell to Shabbat; and, as we relinquish that day which
shelters us from the ravages of a cruel world, our thoughts turn eagerly to the Messianic Age and to Elijah, its
herald; he was born in Toshav and later moved to Gil’ad. This part of the song is only the chorus; I’ve seen
eleven verses, for those who like to prolong their goodbyes.
1
Festival Evening
24
Festival Evening
You rule both day and night.
You made us holy with your rules
To kindle Shabbat and Festive light.1
Festival Evening Kiddush ▪ ‫טוֹב‬
‫לְיוֹם‬
vetzivanu lehadlik ner
m
pl
‫וְ צִ וָּ נוּ לְ הַ ְדלִ יק נֵר‬
‫ֶשׁל ַשׁבָּ ת וְ יוֹם טוֹב‬
e
···························································· On Friday night, add the shaded words ····························································
We bless you, Sovereign God;
shel Shabbat veYomtov.
····························· On Friday night, recall that it’s Shabbat as part of the festival kiddush·····························
Gen 1:31
It was evening, then morning,
‫ַיְהי־עֶ ֶרב וַיְ ִהי־בֹקֶ ר‬
ִ ‫ ו‬Vayehi erev, vayehi voker,
‫יוֹם הַ ִשּׁ ִשּׁי‬
day six.
‫וַיְ כֻ לּ֛ וּ‬
Now they were completed—
heaven and earth
Sa
Gen 2:1-3
‫הַ שָּׁ ַמ֥יִ ם וְ הָ ָא ֶ֖רץ‬
‫ל־צבָ ָ ֽאם‬
ְ
ָ‫וְ כ‬
and all their hosts of creatures.
‫יעי‬
God finished on day seven
ְ ַ‫ְמל‬
the work of creation,
‫יעי‬
ִ֔ ‫וַיִּ ְשׁ ֹבּת ֙ בַּ יּ֣וֹם הַ ְשּׁ ִב‬
and rested on day seven
‫אכתּ֖ וֹ א ֲֶשׁ֥ר עָ ָ ֽשׂה‬
ְ ַ‫ל־מל‬
ְ ָ‫ִמכּ‬
from all the work of creation.
S
God blessed day seven
‫יעי‬
ִ֔ ‫ֱ�הים ֙ אֶ ת־י֣וֹם הַ ְשּׁ ִב‬
ִ ‫וַיְ ָב ֶ֤ר� א‬
and made it holy,
‫וַיְ קַ ֵ ֖דּשׁ אֹת֑ וֹ‬
yom hashishi
Vayechulu
hashamayim veha’aretz
vechol tzeva’am.
vayechal Elohim bayom hashvi’i
melachto asher asah,
vayishbot bayom hashvi’i
mikol melachto asher asah.
Vayevarech Elohim et yom hashvi’i
vayekadesh oto,
‫אכ ֔תּוֹ‬
ְ ַ‫ל־מל‬
ְ ָ‫ִכּ ֣י ב֤ וֹ שָׁ בַ ת ֙ ִמכּ‬
ki vo shavat mikol melachto
which God had created to work on.
‫ֱ�ה֖ים לַ ע ֲֽשׂוֹת‬
ִ ‫אֲשֶׁ ר־בָּ ָ ֥רא א‬
asher barah Elohim la’asot.
SP
for then God rested from the whole project
Literally, it’s “Blessed are you, Lord, our God, king of the universe, who made us holy with his
commandments and instructed us to light the Shabbat and Festival light.”
1
25
Festival Evening
‫לְ י ֹום‬
····················································· On Rosh Hashanah, skip to page 27 ······················································
‫עָ ם‬-‫אֲ ֶשׁר בָּ ַחר בָּ נוּ ִמ ָכּל‬
‫לָשׁוֹן‬-‫וְ רו ְֹממָ נוּ ִמ ָכּל‬
‫וְ ִק ְדּ ָשׁנוּ בְּ ִמ ְצו ָֹתיו‬
From all the nations of the world
It’s us you did select;
You raised us over those who speak
asher bachar banu mikol am
verom’manu mikol lashon
e
Who rules eternal time and space
vekidshanu bemitzvotav.
The duties that you gave us
m
pl
With foreign dialect.
Do our holiness project. 1
···························································· On Friday night, add the shaded words ···························································
O loving God, you set those times
‫ וַ ִתּ ֶתּן לָנוּ יי אֱ �הֵ ינוּ‬Vatiten lanu Adonai Eloheinu,
When reverent bliss is all;
This Shabbat day, the day of rest, and
Feast days, days of joy like this…
‫בְּ אַהֲ בָ ה ַשׁבָּ תוֹת לִ ְמנוּחָ ה וּ‬
‫מוֹעֲ ִדים לְ ִשׂ ְמחָ ה‬
‫יוֹם‬-‫חַ ִגּים וּזְ מַ ִנּים לְ ָשׂשׂוֹן אֶ ת‬
‫יוֹם‬-‫הַ ַשּׁבָּ ת הַ זֶּה וְ אֶ ת‬
be’ahava Shabbatot limnucha u
mo’adim lesim’cha,
chagim uz’manim lesason, et yom
Sa
haShabbat hazeh ve’et yom…
We mention the appropriate festival.
··················································································· For Pesach···················································································
…The matzah festival.
‫ חַ ג הַ מַּ צּוֹת הַ זֶּה‬chag hamatzot hazeh,
Today’s a holy gathering,
‫רוּתנוּ‬
ֵ ֵ‫זְ מַ ן ח‬
zeman cherutenu …
The day we first were free;
···················································································For Shavuot ··················································································
…Of weeks the festival,
‫ חַ ג הַ ָשּׁ ֻבעוֹת הַ זֶּה‬chag hashavuot hazeh,
When you bestowed our guiding law
‫זְ מַ ן מַ ַתּן תּו ָֹר ֵתנוּ‬
zeman matan Toratenu …
S
On us who crossed the Sea…
····················································································For Sukkot ···················································································
…Of booths the festival,
‫ חַ ג הַ סֻּ כּוֹת הַ זֶּה‬chag hasukkot hazeh
SP
In joy and gaiety…
‫ זְ מַ ן ִשׂ ְמחָ ֵתנוּ‬zeman simchatenu …
···························································· For Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah ···························································
…The Eighth Day Festival,
‫ הַ ְשּׁ ִמינִ י חַ ג הָ עֲ צֶ ֶרת הַ זֶּה‬hashmini chag ha’atzeret hazeh,
A holy day of gathering
‫זְ מַ ן ִשׂ ְמחָ ֵתנוּ‬
zeman simchatenu …
In joy and gaiety…
Literally, it’s: “Blessed are you, Adonai, our God, ruler of the world, who chose us from every people and
raised us above every tongue and made us holy with his rules.”
1
Festival Evening
‫לְ יוֹם‬
26
·······································································Continue on every festival ·······································································
…When coming out of Egypt is
‫… בְּ אַהֲ בָ ה‬be’ahavah
‫ ֹקדֶ שׁ‬-‫ִמ ְק ָרא‬
And it’s Shabbat, the day of rest
With which you kindly have us blessed.
You chose us your holy nation
And made our heritage these times
Of joy and celebration,
(Shabbat trims this special night,
A cherished time of pure delight)
We bless you, God, for hallowing
‫הָ עַ ִמּים‬-‫וְ או ָֹתנוּ ִק ַדּ ְשׁ ָתּ ִמ ָכּל‬
�‫וְ ַשׁבָּ ת וּמוֹעֲ דֵ י ָק ְד ְשׁ‬
‫בְּ אַהֲ בָ ה וּבְ ָרצוֹן‬
‫בְּ ִשׂ ְמחָ ה וּבְ ָשׂשׂוֹן ִהנְ חַ לְ ָתּנוּ‬
‫בָּ רוּ� אַ ָתּה יי ְמ ַקדֵּ שׁ‬
ְ‫הַ ַשּׁבָּ ת ו‬
‫י ְִשׂ ָראֵ ל וְ הַ זְּ מַ ִנּים‬
zecher litziyat Mitzrayim.
Ki vanu vacharta
ve’otanu kidashta mikol ha’amim,
veShabbat umo’adei kodshecha,
m
pl
Because from all the peoples
mikrah kodesh
e
Our foremost memory.
be’ahava uv’ratzon,
besimchah uv’sason hinchaltanu.
Baruch ata Adonai,
mekadesh haShabbat ve
SP
S
Sa
Shabbat, our feast and nation.
Yisra’el vehazmanim.
································ On Saturday night, continue on page 28; otherwise, continue on page 29 ································
27
Festival Evening
Rosh Hashanah Kiddush ▪ ‫הַ ָשּׁנָה‬
Rosh Hashanah Kiddush ▪ ‫הַ ָשּׁנָה‬
‫לְ רֹאשׁ‬
‫לְ רֹאשׁ‬
Baruch ata Adonai
‫עָ ם‬-‫אֲ ֶשׁר בָּ ַחר בָּ נוּ ִמ ָכּל‬
‫לָשׁוֹן‬-‫וְ רו ְֹממָ נוּ ִמ ָכּל‬
‫וְ ִק ְדּ ָשׁנוּ בְּ ִמ ְצו ָֹתיו‬
Baruch ata Adonai
Boreh peri hagafen.
who rules eternal time and space,
who chose us from all the nations
and raised us over all other languages
m
pl
e
asher bachar banu mikol am
verom’manu mikol lashon
and made us holy through your rules.
vekidshanu bemitzvotav.
···························································· On Friday night, add the shaded words ···························································
You gave us, Sovereign God,
‫ וַ ִתּ ֶתּן לָנוּ יי אֱ �הֵ ינוּ‬Vatiten lanu Adonai Eloheinu,
with love, this day
of rest and this day
of remembering,
with love, a holy gathering,
in memory of the Exodus from Egypt.
Because you chose us
and made us holy,
be’ahava et Yom
haShabbat hazeh ve’et Yom
haZikaron hazeh,
yom zichron teru’ah,
Sa
the day of remembering shofar blasts,
‫בְּ אַהֲ בָ ה אֶ ת יוֹם‬
‫יוֹם‬-‫הַ ַשּׁבָּ ת הַ זֶּה וְ אֶ ת‬
‫הַ זִּ ָכּרוֹן הַ זֶּה‬
‫יוֹם זִ כְ רוֹן ְתּרוּעָ ה‬
‫קֹדֶ שׁ‬-‫בְּ אַהֲ בָ ה ִמ ְק ָרא‬
‫וְ או ָֹתנוּ ִק ַדּ ְשׁ ָתּ‬
‫הָ עַ ִמּים‬-‫ִמ ָכּל‬
‫ְוּדבָ ְר� אֶ מֶ ת‬
‫וְ ַקיָּם לָעַ ד‬
‫אָר ְץ‬
ֶ ָ‫מֶ לֶ� עַ ל ָכּל ה‬
‫ְמ ַקדֵּ שׁ הַ ַשּׁבָּ ת וְ ִי ְשׂ ָראֵ ל‬
‫וְ יוֹם הַ זִּ ָכּרוֹן‬
more than other peoples,
and your promise is reliable
S
and lasts forever,
we bless you, God,
Ruler over all the world,
SP
who hallows Shabbat, Israel
and the day of remembering.
be’ahavah mikrah kodesh
zecher litziyat Mitzrayim
Ki vanu vacharta
Ve’otanu kidashta
Mikol ha’amim,
Udevar’cha emet
vekayam la’ad.
Baruch ata Adonai,
melech al kol ha’aretz
mekadesh haShabbat veYisra’el
veYom Hazikaron.
Add on Saturday Night ▪ ‫ַשׁבָּ ת‬
Festival Evening
‫לְ מוֹצְ אֵ י‬
Add on Saturday Night ▪ ‫ַשׁבָּ ת‬
28
‫לְ מוֹצְ אֵ י‬
On Saturday night, add Havdalah to the festival kiddush. You will need a cup of wine and a candle with two or
more wicks. Hold the candle as you say this blessing.
You are creator of this flickering light,
‫בּו ֵֹרא ְמאו ֵֹרי הָ אֵ שׁ‬
e
Who rules the universe entire;
borei me’orei ha’esh.
m
pl
The light of fire.
················································································· Take the wine ·················································································
Sa
who distinguishes holy from secular,
darkness from light,
�‫חשׁ‬
ֶ ְ‫בֵּ ין אוֹר ל‬
Israel from other peoples,
‫בֵּ ין י ְִשׂ ָראֵ ל לָעַ ִמּים‬
the seventh day
‫יעי‬
ִ ִ‫בֵּ ין יוֹם הַ ְשּׁב‬
from the six days of creative activity.
‫לְ ֵשׁ ֶשׁת ְימֵ י הַ מַּ עֲ ֶשׂה‬
You distinguished Shabbat’s holiness
‫בֵּ ין ְקדֻ ַשּׁת ַשׁבָּ ת‬
from the holiness of the festival,
‫לִ ְקדֻ ַשּׁת יוֹם טוֹב ִהבְ ַדּלְ ָתּ‬
and you made Shabbat more holy
‫יעי‬
ִ ִ‫יוֹם הַ ְשּׁב‬-‫וְ אֶ ת‬
than the six days of creative activity. ‫שׂה ִק ַדּ ְשׁ ָתּ‬
ֶ ֲ‫הַ מַּ ע‬-‫ִמ ֵשּׁ ֶשׁת ְימֵ י‬
You distinguished and hallowed
‫ִהבְ ַדּלְ ָתּ וְ ִק ַדּ ְשׁ ָתּ‬
your people Israel through your holiness. �‫ִשׂ ָראֵ ל בִּ ְקדֻ ָשּׁ ֶת‬
ְ ‫עַ ְמּ� י‬-‫אֶ ת‬
Blessed are you, God,
who distinguishes types of holiness.1
‫הַ מַּ בְ ִדּיל בֵּ ין ֹקדֶ שׁ לְ ֹקדֶ שׁ‬
hamavdil bein kodesh lechol,
bein or lechoshech,
bein Yisra’el la’amim,
bein yom hashvi’i
lesheshet yemei hama’aseh.
Bein kedushat Shabbat
likdushat yom tov hivdalta
ve’et yom hashvi’i
misheshet yemei hama’aseh kidashta.
Hivdalta vekidashta
et amcha Yisra’el bikdushatecha.
Baruch ata Adonai
SP
S
hamavdil bein kodesh lekodesh.
······································································ Comtinue on the next page ······································································
1
“Who makes a distinction between one type of holiness and another type of holiness”
29
Festival Evening
Concluding the Festival Kiddush
Concluding the Festival Kiddush
····························· Add this blessing on every festival (including both nights of Rosh Hashanah) ····························
except the last two nights of Pesach.
You raised us and sustained us,
Shehecheyanu vekimanu
And you brought us to this
Vehigi’anu lazman hazeh.
·············································· On the first two nights of Sukkot, in the sukkah, add this ··············································
‫וְ צִ וָּ נוּ ל ֵֵשׁב בַּ סֻּ ָכּה‬
SP
S
Sa
m
pl
place.1
‫ֶשׁהֶ חֱ יָנוּ וְ ִקיְּמָ נוּ‬
‫וְ ִה ִגּיעָ נוּ לַזְּ מַ ן הַ זֶּה‬
e
1
“Place” is literally “time”; but are not time and space a continuum?
Shabbat Morning
Kiddush Before Lunch ▪ ‫ַרבָּ ה‬
Kiddush Before Lunch1 ▪ ‫ַרבָּ ה‬
30
‫ידּוּשׁא‬
ָ ‫ִק‬
‫ידּוּשׁא‬
ָ ‫ִק‬
Shabbat Morning
‫אֶ ת־הַ שַּׁ ָבּ֑ת‬
Shabbat,
making Shabbat for all their generations,
‫לַ עֲשׂ֧ וֹת אֶ ת־הַ שַּׁ ָבּ֛ת‬
‫עוֹלם׃‬
ָֽ
‫ר ָ ֖תם ְבּ ִ ֥רית‬
ֹ ‫ד‬
ֹ ‫ְל‬
an agreement forever.
Between me and the children of Israel,
‫בֵּ ִינ֗י וּבֵ ין ֙ ְבּנֵ ֣י יִ ְשׂ ָר ֵ֔אל‬
‫א֥ וֹת ִה֖וא ְלעֹ ָל ֑ם‬
it is a sign forever
֙ ‫־שׁ֣שֶׁ ת י ִָ֗מים עָ ָשׂ֤ה יהוה‬
ֵ ‫ִכּי‬
that in six days God made
‫אֶ ת־הַ שָּׁ ַמ֣יִ ם וְ אֶ ת־הָ ָ֔א ֶרץ‬
heaven and earth,
‫יעי שָׁ ַ ֖בת‬
ִ֔ ‫וּבַ יּוֹם ֙ הַ ְשּׁ ִב‬
and on day seven God rested
‫וַיִּ נּ ַ ָֽפשׁ‬
…while others begin here…
Ex 20:8-11
Remember to make Shabbat holy. ‫זָכ֛ וֹר ֩ אֶ ת־ ֥י֨וֹם הַ שַּׁ ָ ֜ ֖בּת ְלקַ ְדּ ֽ֗שׁוֹ‬
9
Work six days
Sa
and was refreshed.”
֮ ‫שׁ ֣ שֶׁ ת י ִָמ֣ים ֙ ֽ ַתּ ֲע ֹ֔בד‬
ֵ֤
and finish your creative activity.
10
Day Seven is a Sabbath
S
your servant, your maid, your cattle,
and the foreigner in your city gates.
11
Because in six days God made
SP
heaven and earth,
the sea and all that fills them,
and rested on Day Seven…
…That’s why God blessed
ledorotam, berit olam.
Beini uvein benei Yisra’el
ot hi le’olam
ki sheshet yamim asah Adonai
et hashamayim ve’et ha’aretz
uvayom hashevi’i shavat
vayinafash.”
Zachor et yom haShabbat lekadsho.
Sheshet yamim ta’avod
‫יעי שַׁ ָ ֖בּ֣ ת‬
֜ ִ֔ ‫וְ י ֙וֹם ֙ הַ ְשּׁ ִב‬
Veyom hash’vi’i Shabbat
�‫ֽ־וּ ִב ֗ ֶתּ‬
֠ ֣� ְ‫וּבנ‬
ִ ‫אַ ָתּ֣ה ׀‬
you, your son, your daughter,
la’asot et haShabbat
ve’asita kol melachtecha.
‫אכָ ֜ ה‬
֡ ָ‫ל־מל‬
ְ ָ‫֣ ֽל ֹא־תַ ע ֶ ֲ֨שׂ֣ה כ‬
Do no creative work,
et haShabbat
֒ �‫אכ ֶ ֽתּ‬
ְ ַ‫ל־מל‬
ְ ָ‫וְ עָ ִ ֖שׂ֣ יתָ כּ‬
�‫ֱ�הי‬
֑ ֗ ֶ ‫לַ יהוָ ֣ה א‬
for the Ruler your God.
“Veshamru venei Yisra’el
e
Some begin here…
“The children of Israel will observe
‫וְ שָׁ ְמ ֥רוּ ְבנֵ ֽי־יִ ְשׂ ָר ֵ ֖אל‬
m
pl
Ex 31:16-17
� ֗ ֶ‫וּבהֶ ְמ ֔תּ‬
ְ ֙ �֜ ‫עַ ְב ְדּ ֨ ֤� ַוא ָ ֲֽמ ְת‬
�‫ֲשׁ֣ ר ִבּ ְשׁעָ ֶ ֽ֔רי‬
֥ ֶ ‫וְ ג ְֵר�֖ ֙ א‬
‫ִכּ ֣י ֵ ֽשׁשֶׁ ת־י ִָמים ֩ עָ ֨ ָשׂה יְה ָו֜ה‬
lAdonai Elohecha.
Lo ta’aseh chol melachah,
atah uvin’cha uvitecha,
avdecha va’amat’cha uv’hemtecha,
veger’cha asher bish’arecha.
Ki sheshet yamim asah Adonai
‫אֶ ת־הַ שָּׁ ַמ֣יִ ם וְ אֶ ת־הָ ָ֗א ֶרץ‬
et hashamayim ve’et ha’aretz,
‫ר־בּם‬
ָ֔
ֶ‫אֶ ת־הַ ָיּם ֙ וְ אֶ ת־כָּ ל־אֲשׁ‬
et hayam ve’et kol asher bam,
‫ וַיָּ ֖נַח בַּ יּ֣וֹם הַ ְשּׁ ִביעִ ֑י‬vayanach bayom hash’vi’i…
…while still others, like me, begin here…
‫ל־כּן בֵּ ַר֧� יְ הוָ ֛ה‬
ֵ֗
ַ‫ ע‬Al ken berach Adonai
the Sabbath day and made it holy.
‫אֶ ת־י֥וֹם הַ שַּׁ ָ ֖בּת וַ ֽ יְ קַ ְדּ ֵ ֽשׁהוּ‬
et yom haShabbat, vayekadshehu.
Kiddush before lunch is called Kidushah Rabbah, “the great kiddush,” though it’s really less important than
the evening kiddush.
1
31
Festival Mornings
‫ידּוּשׁא‬
ָ ‫ִק‬
Festival Mornings
Lev 23:44
And Moses explained
God’s special times
‫ֹשׁה‬
ֶ ֔ ‫בּר מ‬
֣ ֵ ‫ַיְד‬
ַ ‫ו‬
Vayedaber Moshe
‫ֲדי יְ הוָ ֑ה‬
֖ ֵ ‫מע‬
ֹ ‫אֶ ת־‬
et mo’adei Adonai
for it’s a rule for Israel,
a judgement day for Jacob’s God.
For Shabbat and Festivals
‫בַּ כֵּ סֶ ה ְליוֹם חַ גֵּנוּ‬
bakeseh leyom chageinu,
‫ִכּי חֹק ְליִ ְשׂ ָראֵ ל הוּא‬
ki chok leYisra’el hu,
‫ִמ ְשׁפָּ ט לֵ א�הֵ י ַי ֲעקֹב‬
mishpat lElohei Ya’akov
m
pl
when the moon is hidden, for our festive day,
e
to the children of Israel.
‫ל־בּנֵ ֖י יִ ְשׂ ָר ֵ ֽאל‬
ְ
ֶ‫ א‬el benei Yisra’el.
······································································· Add on Rosh Hashanah ········································································
Ps 81:4-5
Blow the shofar at the new moon,
‫ִתּקְ עוּ בַ ח ֶֹדשׁ שׁוֹפָ ר‬
Tik’u vachodesh shofar,
··················································Continue with the blessing for wine (or grape juice) ·················································
Boreh peri hagafen.
Sa
·········································································In the sukkah, on Sukkot ········································································
SP
S
‫וְ צִ וָּ נוּ ֵל ֵשׁב בַּ סֻּ ָכּה‬
Washing Hands ▪ ‫יָדָ יִם‬
‫נְ ִטילַת‬
Washing Hands ▪ ‫יָדָ יִם‬
32
‫ידּוּשׁא‬
ָ ‫ִק‬
‫נ ְִטילַת‬
Ruler of endless lands
Who made us holy with your rules
And said, “Go wash your
hands!”1
Blessing for Bread ▪ ‫הַ מּוֹצִ יא‬
m
pl
e
To wash hands in the traditional manner, pour water from a vessel over each hand. Those in the know will
remove their rings; pour three times over the right hand, then the left; take the towel, and recite the blessing as
they dry their hands. (Of course, customs vary from one family to another.) After washing, we are urged to say
no words until we have eaten our bread. When the company is large and the host makes a production over
cutting the bread, this can take some time. It is sometimes comical to see polite parents trying to control their
children without speaking, giving directions in urgent mmphs. Thus, those in the know wash last.
‫וְ צִ וָּ נוּ עַ ל נְ ִטילַת י ָָדיִם‬
asher kidshanu bemitzvotav
vetzivanu al netilat yadayim.
Sa
Customs vary on handling the bread. Holding two whole loaves, say the blessing. Then, some stroke the knife
over one of the loaves before cutting it, while others put the loaves down before cutting one. Some tear rather
than cut. Some are careful not to use the crusty end. Most people sprinkle salt on the bread, but some dip the
bread in salt. Give everyone a piece, and don’t take too long about it, because they are restless, not having
spoken since they washed their hands.
Ruler of this endless spread,
Who brings out of the ground
‫אָרץ‬
ֶ ָ‫הַ מּו ִֹציא לֶחֶ ם ִמן ה‬
Hamotzi lechem min ha’aretz.
SP
S
All of our food, especially bread.
1
For the recondite reason we wash hands before eating bread, see BT Berachot 52 and ArtScroll’s commentary.
33
Grace After Meals ▪ ‫המָּ זוֹן‬
Psalm 126
Psalm 1 26
······································· Sing Psalm 126 on Shabbat, festivals and other festive occasions ······································
A song of going up:
‫ִשׁיר הַ מַּ עֲלוֹת‬
Shir hama’a lot:
Beshuv Adonai
Takes us back to Zion,
‫ת־שׁיבַ ת ִציּוֹן‬
ִ
ֶ‫א‬
et shivat Tziyon
We’ll marvel at the news.
‫הָ יִ ינוּ ְכּח ְֹל ִמים‬
hayinu kecholmim.
‫אָ ז יִ מָּ לֵ א‬
Az yimaleh
‫ְשׂחוֹק ִפּינוּ‬
sechok pinu
m
pl
Our talk will all be laughter, words can’t tell our mirth;
No tongue can speak our joy, no language upon earth.1
‫וּלשׁוֹנֵנוּ ִרנָּה‬
ְ
Among the other folk they’ll say,
‫ֹאמרוּ בַ גּוֹיִ ם‬
ְ ‫אָ ז י‬
“What God has done for them is great.” ‫ִהגְ ִדּיל יְהוָה לַ עֲשׂוֹת ִעם־אֵ לֶּ ה‬
God’s done an awful lot for us;
Filled with joy, we celebrate.
e
‫ְבּשׁוּב יְ הוָה‬
When God returns the Jews,
‫ִהגְ ִדּיל יְהוָה לַ עֲשׂוֹת עִ מָּ נוּ‬
‫הָ יִ ינוּ ְשׂמֵ ִחים‬
‫שׁוּבָ ה יְ הוָה אֶ ת־ ְשׁ ִביתֵ נוּ‬
Like streams returning to the arid sand.
‫כַּ א ֲִפיקִ ים בַּ ֶנּגֶב‬
Az yomru vagoyim,
“Higdil Adonai la’asot im eileh.”
Higdil Adonai la’asot imanu;
hayinu semechim.
Shuva Adonai et shevitenu
Sa
Take us back, God, back to our old land
ulshonenu rina.
In mourning though they sow their seed,
In happiness they’ll reap their yield.
‫זֹּר ִעים ְבּ ִד ְמעָ ה‬
ְ ַ‫ה‬
‫ְבּ ִרנָּה יִקְ צֹרוּ‬
ka’afikim banegev.
Hazorim bedima
berina yiktzoru.
To sow the seed, bowed with grief
‫הָ לוֹ� יֵלֵ � וּבָ כֹה‬
Haloch yelech uvacho
The plowman plods his weary way;
‫נֹשֵׂ א מֶ שֶׁ �־הַ זּ ַָרע‬
no’se meshech hazara,
His heart will surely feel relief
‫בּ ֹא־יָבוֹא ְב ִרנָּה‬
bo yavo verina
S
Bringing in the sheaves on harvest day.
‫ נֹשֵׂ א אֲלֻ מֹּתָ יו‬no’se alumotav.
························································ Some add these verses from different psalms ·······················································
Ps. 145:21
In praise of God my mouth will speak, ‫ר־פּי‬
ִ
ֶ‫ְתּ ִהלַּ ת יְ הוָה יְ ַדבּ‬
Tehillat Adonia yedaber pi
And every living thing will bless
God’s holy name for evermore.
SP
Ps. 115:18
And as for us, we shall bless God
From now for ever. Halleluyah!
Ps. 115:1
Thank our God, for God is good,
God’s kindliness forever stays.
Ps. 106:2
Who can tell God’s mighty deeds,
Or set to words all of God’s praise?
1
‫וִ יבָ ֵר� כָּ ל־בָּ שָׂ ר‬
‫שֵׁ ם קָ ְדשׁוֹ ְלעוֹלָ ם וָעֶ ד‬
‫ַו ֲאנ ְַחנוּ נְ בָ ֵר� יָהּ מֵ עַ תָּ ה‬
‫וְ עַד־עוֹלָ ם הַ ְללוּ־יָהּ‬
‫הוֹדוּ לַ יהוָה ִכּי־טוֹב ִכּי‬
‫ְלעוֹלָ ם חַ ְסדּוֹ‬
‫ִמי יְ מַ לֵּ ל גְּ בוּרוֹת יְ הוָה‬
‫ל־תּ ִהלָּ תוֹ‬
ְ
ָ‫י ְַשׁ ִמיעַ כּ‬
vivarech kol basar
shem kodsho le’olam va’ed.
Va’anachnu nevarech Yah
me’atah ve’ad olam, halleluyah!
Hodu lAdonai ki tov
ki le’olam chasdo.
Mi yemalel gevurot Adonai,
yashmi’a kol tehilato?
“Then will-be-filled with joy our mouth, and our tongue with joy.”
Invitation to Say Grace ▪ ‫זִ ימוּן‬
34
Invitation to Say Grace ▪ ‫זִימוּן‬
e
When three or more adults have eaten together, one invites the others to join in prayer.
(At a wedding, see page 51; at a circumcision, page 55; in a house of mourning, page 60.)
··············································································The leader begins··············································································
Friends, let’s give thanks!
�‫ חֲ בֵ ַרי נְ בָ ֵר‬Chaverai, nevarech!
··························································· Friends respond, and the leader repeats ···························································
Ps. 113:2
May God’s name be blessed
�‫יְהי שֵׁ ם יְהוָה ְמב ָֹר‬
ִ
Yehi shem Adonai mevorach
m
pl
now and forever.
‫ מֵ עַ תָּ ה וְ עַ ד־עוֹלָ ם‬me’ata ve’ad olam.
······················· The leader continues (add “Eloheinu” if ten or more Jewish adults are at the table) ·······················
With the approval of my friends,
‫ בִּ ְרשׁוּת חֲ בֵ ַרי‬Bir’shut chaverai,
let’s bless our God
‫נְ בָ ֵר� אֱ �הֵ ינוּ‬
‫ֶשׁאָכַ לְ נוּ ִמ ֶשּׁלּ ֹו‬
nevarech Eloheinu
‫וּבְ טוּב ֹו חָ יִּינוּ‬
she’achalnu mishelo
who provides our food.
she’achalnu mishelo.
·················· Friends respond, and the leader repeats (add “Eloheinu” when ten Jewish adults gather) ··················
Bless our God
‫ בָּ רוּ� אֱ �הֵ ינוּ‬Baruch Eloheinu
who provides our food,
Sa
and by whose goodness we live.
uv’tuvo chayinu.
···················································································All together ···················································································
Blessed is God, blessed is God’s name!
‫ בָּ רוּ� הוּא וּבָ רוּ� ְשׁמ ֹו‬Baruch hu uvaruch shemo!
1. God the Provider1 ▪ ‫הַ זָּן‬
We bless you Sovereign God,
Who kindly feeds the world entire
Baruch ata Adonai
Elohenu melech ha’olam,
hazan et ha’olam kulo betuvo
bechen bechesed uv’rachamim.
SP
S
In mercy, love, and grace—
‫הָ ע ֹולָם כֻּלּ ֹו בְּ טוּב ֹו‬-‫הַ זָּן אֶ ת‬
‫בְּ חֵ ן בְּ חֶ סֶ ד וּבְ ַרחֲ ִמים‬
Grace after Meals consists of four berachot. In the first, we thank God for providing food for all creatures. You
may ask, “But what about the starving masses?” Some would answer that, in general, the amount of food is
adequate; but for economic or political reasons we humans often prevent it from reaching those in need.
Why does God provide food? Here, it is because of God’s kindness, and for the sake of God’s reputation, not
for our merit. So if ever we are able to feed the hungry, we should not wait to find out whether they are
deserving.
1
God Ps. 136:25 gives each species food to eat
‫נֹתֵ ן לֶ חֶ ם ְלכָ ל־בָּ שָׂ ר‬
‫הוּא‬
‫ִכּי ְלעוֹלָ ם חַ ְסדּוֹ‬
In endless magnanimity.
God never makes us go
‫וּבְ טוּב ֹו הַ גָּדוֹל‬
‫חָ סַ ר לָנוּ‬-‫ָתּ ִמיד �א‬
‫וְ אַל י ְֶחסַ ר לָנוּ‬
‫מָ זוֹן לְ ע ֹולָם וָ עֶ ד‬
‫בַּ עֲ בוּר ְשׁמ ֹו הַ גָּדוֹל‬
‫כִּ י הוּא אֵ ל זָן‬
‫וּמפַ ְרנֵס ַלכֹּל‬
ְ
‫וּמֵ ִטיב ַלכֹּל‬
‫וּמֵ כִ ין מָ זוֹן‬
‫לְ ָכל בְּ ִריּו ָֹתיו‬
‫אֲ ֶשׁר בָּ ָרא‬
‫הַ כֹּל‬-‫הַ זָּן אֶ ת‬
makes us go without (2)
—God is good beyond infinity.
Hu “noten lechem lechol basar
ki le’olam chasdo.”
Uv’tuvo hagadol
tamid lo chasar lanu
ve’al yech’sar lanu
mazon le’olam va’ed.
Ba’avur shemo hagadol
m
pl
For the sake of God’s powerful name
2. For The Land ▪ ‫אָרץ‬
ֶ ָ‫ה‬
e
35
Because each one God does
feed and sustain
And does all of us good,
and gives all of us food
(Every creature on earth
by God was given birth),
Blessed are you, Sovereign God,
um’farnes lakol,
umetiv lakol
umechin mazon
lechol beriyotav
asher barah.
Baruch atah Adonai
hazan et hakol.
Sa
Who feeds the whole wide world.
ki hu El zan
2. For The Land ▪ ‫אָרץ‬
ֶ ָ‫ה‬
In the second blessing, for the land of Israel, we offer thanks for the many ways
in which God has fulfilled God’s commitment to us.
We thank you, Sovereign God,
‫ נוֹדֶ ה לְ � יי אֱ �הֵ ינוּ‬Nodeh lecha Adonai Eloheinu
because you willed1
to our ancestors
a land pleasant, good, and spacious,
S
and because you brought us out
‫עַ ל ֶשׁ ִהנְ חַ לְ ָתּ‬
‫לַאֲ בו ֵֹתינוּ וּלְ ִאמּו ֵֹתינוּ‬
‫אֶ ֶרץ חֶ ְמ ָדּה טוֹבָ ה ְוּרחָ בָ ה‬
‫אתנוּ‬
ָ ֵ‫וְ עַ ל ֶשׁהוֹצ‬
‫יי אֱ �הֵ ינוּ‬
‫מֵ אֶ ֶרץ ִמ ְצ ַר ִים‬
‫יתנוּ ִמבֵּ ית עֲ בָ ִדים‬
ָ ‫וּפְ ִד‬
�‫ית‬
ְ ‫וְ עַ ל בְּ ִר‬
‫ֶשׁחָ ַת ְמ ָתּ בִּ ְב ָשׂ ֵרינוּ‬
‫וְ עַ ל תּו ָֹר ְת� ֶשׁלִ מַּ ְד ָתּנוּ‬
‫וְ עַ ל חֻ ֶקּי� ֶשׁהו ַֹד ְע ָתּנוּ‬
(Sovereign God)
from the land of Egypt
SP
and saved us from the house of slaves,
because of the contract
you sealed in our
flesh2,
the Torah you taught us,
the statutes you made known to us,
1
2
al shehin’chalta
la’avoteinu ule’imoteinu
eretz chemda tova ur’chava
ve’al shehotzetanu
Adonai Elohenu
me’eretz Mitzrayim
ufeditanu mibet avadim
ve’al berit’cha
shechatamta bivsareinu
ve’al Torat’cha shelimadtanu
ve’al chukecha shehodatanu
“Gave as an inheritance.”
Some say “in our heart / 0ny6B5l1B / belibeinu”; this egalitarian alternative recalls Deuteronomy 30:6.
‫עַ ל‬
the life of grace and love
‫וְ עַ ל חַ ִיּים חֵ ן וָ חֶ סֶ ד‬
‫ֶשׁח ֹונַנְ ָתּנוּ‬
‫וְ עַ ל אֲ כִ ילַת מָ זוֹן‬
‫ָשׁאַ ָתּה זָן‬
‫וּמפַ ְרנֵס או ָֹתנוּ ָתּ ִמיד‬
ְ
‫עֵ ת‬-‫יוֹם וּבְ ָכל‬-‫בְּ ָכל‬
‫ ָשׁעָ ה‬-‫וּבְ ָכל‬
you granted us,
and the eating of food
through which you nourish
and sustain us forever—
Every day, at every time,
36
ve’al chayim chen vachesed
shechonantanu
ve’al achilat mazon
sha’ata zan
umfarnes otanu tamid—
e
Miraculous Rescues ▪ ‫הַ נִּ ִסּים‬
Bechol yom, uv’chol et,
Miraculous Rescues ▪ ‫הַ נּ ִִסּים‬
‫עַ ל‬
m
pl
and in every hour.
uvechol sha’ah.
·····························On a regular weekday, festival or Shabbat, continue “For All This,” page 39·····························
On Chanukah, Purim (and in some communities on Yom Ha’atzama’ut and Yom Yerushalayim)
we thank God for rescuing us from great danger.
For the wonders and deliverance,
the heroic acts and rescues,
the miracles and comforts
for our ancestors
Sa
and for the wars you waged
‫עַ ל הַ נִּ ִסּים וְ עַ ל הַ ֻפּ ְר ָקן‬
‫וְ עַ ל הַ גְּ בוּרוֹת וְ עַ ל הַ ְתּשׁוּעוֹת‬
‫וְ עַ ל הַ נִּ פְ לָאוֹת וְ עַ ל הַ נֶּחָ מוֹת‬
‫ית‬
ָ ‫וְ עַ ל הַ ִמּלְ חָ מוֹת ֶשׁעָ ִשׂ‬
‫בַּ יּ ִָמים הָ הֵ ם בַּ זְּ מַ ן הַ זֶּה‬
1
Al hanisim ve’al hapurkan
ve’al hagvurot ve’al hatshu’ot
ve’al hanifla’ot ve’al hanechamot
ve’al hamil’chamot she’asita
in those days, at this time:
bayamim hahem bazman hazeh:
················································································ For Chanukah ················································································
In the time of Mattathias, Yochanan’s son,
SP
S
‫בִּ ימֵ י מַ ִתּ ְתיָהוּ בֶּ ן יוֹחָ נָן‬
the Hasmonean high priest, and his sons, ‫כֹּהֵ ן גָּדוֹל חַ ְשׁמ ֹונַאי וּבָ נָיו‬
when the evil Greek empire rose
‫כְּ ֶשׁעָ ְמ ָדה מַ לְ כוּת יָוָ ן הָ ְר ָשׁעָ ה‬
against your people Israel
‫עַ ל עַ ְמּ� י ְִשׂ ָראֵ ל‬
to make them forget your Torah
�‫לְ הַ ְשׁכִּ יחָ ם תּו ָֹר ֶת‬
stray from the statutes of your will;
�ֶ‫וּלְ הַ עֲ בִ ָירם מֵ חֻ ֵקּי ְרצ ֹונ‬
and you in your many mercies
‫וְ אַ ָתּה בְּ ַרחֲ מֶ י� הָ ַרבִּ ים‬
stood up for them in their time of trouble— ‫עָ מַ ְד ָתּ לָהֶ ם בְּ עֵ ת צָ ָר ָתם‬
you pleaded their cause,
‫ַרבְ ָתּ אֶ ת ִריבָ ם‬
you judged their claim,
‫ַדּנְ ָתּ אֶ ת ִדּינָם‬
you avenged their wrong;
‫נ ַָק ְמ ָתּ אֶ ת נִ ְקמָ ָתם‬
1
Bimei Mattityahu ben Yochanan
kohen gadol Chashmonai uvanav,
keshe’amdah malchut Yavan harsha’ah
al amcha Yisra’el
lehashkicham Toratecha
uleha’aviram mechukei retzonecha;
ve’ata berachamecha harabim
amad’ta lahem be’et tzaratam
ravta et rivam
danta et dinam
nakamta et nikmatam;
“In those days, at this time” succinctly brings together both the cyclical and the linear views of history.
37
‫מָ סַ ְר ָתּ גִּ בּו ִֹרים בְּ יַד חַ לּ ִָשׁים‬
the many to the few,
‫וְ ַרבִּ ים בְּ יַד ְמעַ ִטּים‬
the impure to the pure,
‫וּטמֵ ִאים בְּ יַד ְטהו ִֹרים‬
ְ
the evil to the righteous,
‫ְוּר ָשׁ ִעים בְּ יַד צַ ִדּ ִיקים‬
and the wicked to students of your Torah. �‫וְ ז ִֵדים בְּ יַד עו ְֹס ֵקי תו ָֹר ֶת‬
And for yourself you made
‫ית‬
ָ ‫וּלְ � עָ ִשׂ‬
a great and holy name in your world,
� ֶ‫ֵשׁם גָּדוֹל וְ ָקדוֹשׁ ְבּע ֹולָמ‬
and for your people Israel
‫ית‬
ָ ‫וּלְ עַ ְמּ� י ְִשׂ ָראֵ ל עָ ִשׂ‬
you made a great victory and deliverance—
‫ְתּשׁוּעָ ה גְ ד ֹולָה וּ ֻפ ְר ָקן‬
like today.
‫כְּ הַ יּוֹם הַ זֶּה‬
And after this your children came
�‫וְ אַחַ ר כֵּן בָּ אוּ בָ נֶי‬
to your holy of holies,
�‫ית‬
ֶ ֵ‫לִ ְדבִ יר בּ‬
cleared out your temple,
�ֶ‫וּפִ נּוּ אֶ ת הֵ י ָכל‬
purified your holy place,
�‫וְ ִטהֲ רוּ אֶ ת ִמ ְק ָדּ ֶשׁ‬
and lit lights
‫וְ ִה ְדלִ יקוּ נֵרוֹת‬
in your holy courtyards,
�‫בְּ חַ ְצרוֹת ָק ְד ֶשׁ‬
and they set
‫וְ ָקבְ עוּ‬
these eight days of Chanukah
‫ְשׁמ ֹונַת ְימֵ י חֲ ֻנ ָכּה אֵ לּוּ‬
to thank and praise your great name. ‫לְ הוֹדוֹת וּלְ הַ לֵּל לְ ִשׁ ְמ� הַ גָּדוֹל‬
masarta giborim beyad chalashim
in Shushan the capital city,
beShushan habira,
verabim beyad me’atim
uteme’im beyad tehorim
ur’sha’im beyad tzadikim
e
vezedim beyad oskei Toratecha.
Ulecha asita
shem gadol vekadosh be’olamecha,
m
pl
you handed over the strong to the weak,
‫עַ ל‬
ule’amcha Yisrae’l asita
teshu’ah gedolah ufurkan
kehayom hazeh.
Ve’achar ken ba’u vanecha
lidvir betecha,
ufinu et hechalecha,
vetiharu et mikdashecha,
Sa
vehidliku nerot
bechatzrot kodshecha,
vekav’u
shemonat yemei Chanukah elu,
lehodot ul’halel leshimcha hagadol.
···················································································· For Purim ···················································································
In the days of Mordechai and Esther
‫ בִּ ימֵ י מָ ְר ְדּ ַכי וְ אֶ ְס ֵתּר‬Bimei Mordechai ve’Esther
SP
S
‫שׁוּשׁן הַ בִּ ָירה‬
ַ ְ‫בּ‬
when wicked Haman rose against them; ‫שׁעָ מַ ד עֲ לֵיהֶ ם הָ מָ ן הָ ָר ָשׁע‬
ֶ ְ‫כּ‬
he sought to destroy, slay and ruin
‫בִּ ֵקּשׁ לְ הַ ְשׁ ִמיד לַהֲ רֹג וּלְ אַ בֵּ ד‬
all the Jews,
‫ְהוּדים‬
ִ ‫אֶ ת ָכּל הַ יּ‬
from young to old,
‫ִמנַּעַ ר וְ עַ ד ז ֵָקּן‬
infants and women, in a single day,
‫טַ ף וְ נ ִָשׁים בְּ יוֹם אֶ חָ ד‬
on the thirteenth day
‫בִּ ְשׁלו ָֹשׁה עָ ָשׂר‬
of the twelfth month,
‫לְ חֹדֶ שׁ ְשׁנֵים עָ ָשׂר‬
which is the month of Adar,
‫הוּא חֹדֶ שׁ אֲ ָדר‬
and to loot and humiliate them;
‫וּשׁ ָללָם לָבוֹז‬
ְ
keshe’amad aleihem Haman harasha,
bikesh lehashmid laharog ule’abed
et kol haYehudim
mina’ar ve’ad zaken
taf venashim beyom echad,
bishloshah asar
lechodesh shneim asar,
hu chodesh Adar,
ushelalam lavoz,
‫עַ ל‬
and you in your multiple mercies
ruined his plan
and frustrated his intention
and brought his deeds back
on his own head;
and they hanged him and his sons
38
‫הֵ פַ ְר ָתּ אֶ ת עֲ צָ ת ֹו‬
‫וְ ִקלְ ַקלְ ָתּ אֶ ת מַ חֲ ַשׁבְ תּ ֹו‬
‫וַ הֲ ֵשׁבו ָֹת לּ ֹו‬
‫גְּ מוּל ֹו בְּ רֹאשׁ ֹו‬
‫וְ ָתלוּ אוֹת ֹו וְ אֶ ת בָּ נָיו‬
‫עַ ל הָ עֵ ץ‬
ve’atah berachamecha harabim
hefarta et atzato,
vekilkalta et machashavto,
vahashevota lo
gemulo berosho,
e
vetalu oto ve’et banav
‫לִ גְ בוּלָם כִּ ימֵ י ֶקדֶ ם‬
the gates of their land were sealed
‫אַרצָ ם‬
ְ ‫נִ ְסגְ רוּ ַשׁעֲ ֵרי‬
against our brothers and sisters
‫בִּ פְ נֵי אַחֵ ינוּ‬
as they fled destruction,
‫פְּ לִ יטֵ י חֶ ֶרב‬
and their enemies formed an alliance,
‫יתם‬
ָ ‫וְ א ֹו ְיבִ ים בַּ עֲ לֵי בְּ ִר‬
rose up to destroy the Jewish people. ‫ִשׂ ָראֵ ל‬
ְ ‫ָקּמוּ לְ אַ בֵּ ד אֶ ת עַ ְמּ� י‬
But you in your great mercy
stood up for them in their time of trouble— ‫עָ מַ ְד ָתּ לָהֶ ם בְּ עֵ ת צָ ָר ָתם‬
and avenged their wrong.
ligvulam, kimei kedem,
Ps. 20:9
Hemah kar’u venafalu,
Sa
to their borders as in ancient times,
m
pl
on the gallows tree.
al ha’etz.
···········································································For Yom Ha’Atzmaut ···········································································
When the Jewish people were returning
‫ בִּ ימֵ י ִשׁיבַ ת עַ ְמּ� ִי ְשׂ ָראֵ ל‬Bimei shivat am’cha Yisra’el
Our foes crumpled and fell,
while we stood and prevailed!
‫הֵ מָּ ה כָּ ְרעוּ וְ נָפָ לוּ‬
‫עוֹדד‬
ָ ‫ַו ֲאנ ְַחנוּ קַּ ְמנוּ וַנִּ ְת‬
nisgeru sha’rei artzam
bifnei acheinu,
pelitei cherev,
ve’oyvim, ba’alei beritam
kamu le’abed et am’cha Yisra’el.
Ve’ata berachamecha harabim
amad’ta lahem be’et tzaratam,
ravta et rivam,
danta et dinam,
nakamta et nikmatam.
va’anachnu kamnu venit’odad!
Ulecha asita
SP
S
‫ית‬
‫ית‬
you made a great victory and deliverance.
On the fifth day
‫וּבַ חֹדֶ שׁ הַ ֵשׁנִ י‬
of Iyar, the second month,
‫בַּ חֲ ִמ ָשּׁה ַלחֹדֶ שׁ‬
we were free of foreign domination.1 ‫ארנוּ‬
ֵ ָ‫פָּ ַרקנוּ עוֹל גּ ֹויִם מֵ עַ ל צַ וּ‬
1
Uvachodesh hasheni,
bachamishah lachodesh,
paraknu ol goyuim me’al tzavarenu.
“In the second month, on the fifth day of the month, we removed the yoke of other nations from our necks!”
39
For All This ▪ ‫הַ כֹּל‬
‫וְ עַ ל‬
·········································································· For Yom Yerushalayim ·········································································
In the 20th year of our nation’s rebirth, ‫ בִּ ְשׁנַת עֶ ְשׂ ִרים לִ ְתקוּמָ ֵתנוּ‬Bishnat esrim lit’kumatenu,
Ps. 83:5
‫בְּ קוּם עָ לֵינוּ א ֹו ְיבֵ נוּ‬
‫ידם ִמגּוֹי‬
ֵ ‫אָ ְמרוּ ְלכוּ וְ נ ְַכ ִח‬
Saying, “Let’s destroy their state,
‫וְ ל ֹא־יִ זָּכֵ ר שֵׁ ם־יִ ְשׂ ָראֵ ל עוֹד‬
so the name ‘Israel’ will never be spoken!”
defended our people in their of trouble—
and avenged their wrong.
Ps. 20:9
‫עָ מַ ְד ָתּ לָהֶ ם בְּ עֵ ת צָ ָר ָתם‬
‫הֵ מָּ ה כָּ ְרעוּ וְ נָפָ לוּ‬
Our foes crumpled and fell,
‫עוֹדד‬
ָ ‫ַו ֲאנ ְַחנוּ קַּ ְמנוּ וַנִּ ְת‬
while we stood and prevailed!
In Iyar, the second month
on the twenty-eighth day
Ps. 122:2
velo yizacher shem Yisra’el od.”
Ve’ata berachamecha harabim
amad’ta lahem be’et tzaratam,
ravta et rivam,
‫ית‬
‫ית‬
‫וּבַ חֹדֶ שׁ הַ ֵשׁנִ י‬
‫בִּ ְשׁמ ֹונָה וְ עֶ ְשׂ ִרים בּ ֹו‬
danta et dinam,
nakamta et nikmatam.
Hemah kar’u venafalu,
va’anachnu kamnu venit’odad!
Ulecha asita
Sa
you made a great victory and deliverance.
Amru, “Lechu venach’chidem migoi,
m
pl
Then you in your great mercy
bekum aleinu oyveinu—
e
when our enemies rose against us—
We stood within your gates,
� ִ‫עֹ ְמדוֹת הָ יוּ ַרגְ לֵ ינוּ ִבּ ְשׁעָ ַרי‬
Uvachodesh hasheni,
bishmonah ve’esrim bo,
Omdot hayu ragleinu bish’arayich,
O Jerusalem!
‫ יְרוּשָׁ לָ ִם‬Yerushalayim.
······························································· The second blessing continues here ·······························································
For All This ▪ ‫הַ כֹּל‬
‫וְ עַ ל‬
S
And for all this, Sovereign God,
We thank you
and bless you—
SP
let every living thing bless your name
always and forever—
‫וְ עַ ל הַ כֹּל יי אֱ �הֵ ינוּ‬
�‫אֲ נ ְַחנוּ מו ִֹדים ָל‬
�‫וּמבָ ְרכִ ים או ָֹת‬
ְ
‫חַ י‬-‫ִי ְתבָּ ַר� ִשׁ ְמ� בְּ פִ י ָכל‬
‫ָתּ ִמיד לְ ע ֹולָם וָ עֶ ד‬
Ve’al hakol Adonai Elohenu
anachnu modim lach
umvar’chim otach—
yitbarach shimcha befi chol chay
tamid le’olam va’ed—
3. Have Mercy ▪ ‫ַרחֵ ם‬
Deut 8:10
You will eat (so it is written)1
‫וְ אָ כַ ְל ָ ֖תּ‬
40
‫ַכּ ָכּתוּב‬
Kakatuv: ve’achalta
֙ ָ‫וּב ַר ְכתּ‬
ֽ ֵ ָ‫וְ שָׂ ָב֑עְ תּ‬
vesavata uverachta
Your God who everything created
�‫ֱ�הי‬
ֶ ֔ ‫אֶ ת־יְ הוָ ֣ה א‬
et Adonai Elohecha
For the good land
‫עַ ל־הָ ָא ֶ֥רץ הַ טּ ָֹב֖ה‬
al ha’aretz hatova
�‫ן־ל‬
ֽ ָ ַ‫א ֲֶשׁ֥ר נָ ֽת‬
‫אָרץ וְ עַ ל הַ מָּ זוֹן‬
ֶ ָ‫עַ ל ה‬
For the land and for the food.
3. Have Mercy ▪ ‫ַרחֵ ם‬
asher natan lach.
Baruch ata Adonai
al ha’aretz ve’al hamazon.
m
pl
God has given to you.
e
And be sated, and you’ll bless
After thanks, in the third blessing we offer prayer; we ask God’s mercy
for Jerusalem, for Zion and for ourselves.
Your people Israel, God—take pity
‫ ַרחֵ ם יי אֱ �הֵ ינוּ‬Rachem Adonai Eloheinu
On them and on your holy city
SP
S
Sa
� ֶ‫י ְִשׂ ָראֵ ל עַ מּ‬-‫עַ ל‬
�‫ְרוּשׁ ַל ִים ִע ֶיר‬
ָ ‫י‬-‫וְ עַ ל‬
Jerusalem. Cast a kindly eye on
� ֶ‫צִ יּוֹן ִמ ְשׁ ַכּן כְּ בוֹד‬-‫וְ עַ ל‬
The dwelling of your glory, Zion,
‫מַ לְ כוּת בֵּ ית ָדּוִ ד‬-‫וְ עַ ל‬
The reign of David,
� ֶ‫ְמ ִשׁיח‬
your anointed,
‫הַ בַּ יִת הַ גָּדוֹל וְ הַ ָקּדוֹשׁ‬-‫וְ עַ ל‬
The great and holy house appointed
To bear your name—
‫ֶשׁנִּ ְק ָרא ִשׁ ְמ� עָ לָיו‬
O our God, our source of being,
‫אֱ �הֵ ינוּ אָבִ ינוּ‬
‫ְרעֵ נוּ זוּנֵנוּ‬
Be our shepherd and our feeder
‫פַּ ְרנְ סֵ נוּ וְ ַכלְ כְּ לֵנוּ‬
Our support and our sustainer
‫וְ הַ ְרוִ יחֵ נוּ‬
And our keeper—
‫לָנוּ יי אֱ �הֵ ינוּ‬-‫וְ הַ ְרוַ ח‬
Keep our troubles, God, far away,
Don’t delay—
‫צָ רוֹתֵ ינוּ‬-‫ְמהֵ ָרה ִמ ָכּל‬
And please don’t let us have to beg
‫ ַתּ ְצ ִריכֵנוּ‬-‫וְ נָא אַל‬
O ruling God, our only God,
‫�א לִ ידֵ י‬
Not for gifts from hands
‫מַ ְתּנַת בָּ ָשׂר וָ ָדם‬
of flesh and blood,
Not for gifts and not for loans from men;
‫אָתם‬
ָ ָ‫וְ �א לִ ידֵ י הַ לְ ו‬
1
al Yisra’el amecha
ve’al Yerushalayim irecha
ve’al Tziyon mishkan kevodecha
ve’al malchut beit David
meshichecha
ve’al habayit hagadol vehakadosh
shenikra shimcha alav—
Eloheinu avinu
re’einu zunenu
parneseinu vechalkeleinu
veharvichenu,
veharvach lanu Adonai Elohenu
meheira mikol tzaroteinu.
Vena al tatzrichenu,
Adonai Eloheinu,
lo lidei
matnat basar vadam,
velo lidei halva’atam;
Written in Deut. 8:10—Moses’ words to the Israelites.
We’d rather get it at your hand—
�‫כִּ י ִאם לְ י ְָד‬
‫הַ ְמּלֵאָה הַ פְּ תוּחָ ה‬
‫הַ ְקּדו ָֹשׁה וְ הָ ְרחָ בָ ה‬
‫ֶשׁ�א נֵבוֹשׁ‬
‫וְ �א נִ ָכּלֵם‬
‫לְ ע ֹולָם וָ עֶ ד‬
it’s jam packed, it’s open,
It’s holy and expansive;
So we won’t be ashamed,
And we won’t be disgraced
To the end of time.
Shabbat ▪ ‫ַשׁבָּ ת‬
Shabbat ▪ ‫ַשׁבָּ ת‬
ki im leyadcha
hamle’ah, haptucha,
hakdosha vehar’chava,
shelo nevosh
velo nikalem
e
le’olam va’ed.
m
pl
41
·········································· On Shabbat, the third blessing continues with this paragraph ·········································
Favor this prayer, Sovereign God,
‫ ְרצֵ ה וְ הַ חֲ לִ יצֵ נוּ‬Retzeh vehachalitzenu
and give us success in your rules,
and in the rules of the seventh day,
this great and holy Sabbath.
For this is a great and
a time to rest and relax lovingly,
according to the rules you favored.
Grant us your favor,
Sovereign God,
that this day of rest may be free
from all trouble, grief, or lament.
S
And show us, Sovereign God,
the consolation of Zion your city
and the rebuilding of Jerusalem
SP
your holy city.
Because you command
Adonai Eloheinu bemitzvotecha,
uv’mitzvat yom hashvi’i
haShabbat hagadol
vehakadosh hazeh.
Ki yom zeh gadol
vekadosh hu lefanecha,
Sa
holy day in your eyes,
�‫יי אֱ �הֵ ינוּ בְּ ִמ ְצו ֶֹתי‬
‫יעי‬
ִ ִ‫וּבְ ִמ ְצוַ ת יוֹם הַ ְשּׁב‬
‫הַ ַשּׁבָּ ת הַ גָּדוֹל‬
‫וְ הַ ָקּדוֹשׁ הַ זֶּה‬
‫כִּ י יוֹם זֶה גָּדוֹל‬
�‫וְ ָקדוֹשׁ הוּא לְ פָ נֶי‬
‫בּ ֹו וְ לָנוּחַ בּ ֹו‬-‫לִ ְשׁבָּ ת‬
�ֶ‫בְּ אַהֲ בָ ה כְּ ִמ ְצוַ ת ְרצ ֹונ‬
‫וּבִ ְרצוֹנְ � הָ נִ יחַ לָנוּ‬
‫ֶשׁ�א ְתהֵ א‬
‫צָ ָרה וְ יָגוֹן וַ אֲ נָחָ ה‬
‫בְּ יוֹם ְמנוּחָ ֵתנוּ‬
‫וְ הַ ְראֵ נוּ יי אֱ �הֵ ינוּ‬
�‫בְּ נֶחָ מַ ת ִציּוֹן ִע ֶיר‬
‫רוּשׁ ַל ִים‬
ָ ‫וּבְ בִ ְניַן ְי‬
�‫ִעיר ָק ְד ֶשׁ‬
‫כִּ י אַ ָתּה הוּא‬
‫בַּ עַ ל הַ יְשׁוּעוֹת וּבַ עַ ל הַ נֶּחָ מוֹת‬
1
lishbot bo velanu’ach bo
be’ahavah kemitzvat retzonecha.
Uvirtzoncha haniach lanu
Adonai Eloheinu,
shelo teheh
tzara veyagon va’anacha
beyom menuchatenu.
Vehar’enu Adonai Eloheinu
benechamat Tziyon irecha
uv’vinyan Yerushalayim
ir kodshecha.
ki ata hu
both salvation and consolation.
ba’al hay’shu’ot uva’al hanechamot.
········On a regular Shabbat, continue on page 43. On festivals, include the Festival section on the next page ·······
Literally, “because you are the ‘Ba’al’ of salvations and consolations.” “Ba’al” often means “master” as in
“master of the house”: it’s the person in charge.
1
For Festivals ▪ ‫חַ גִ ים‬
42
For Festivals ▪ ‫חַ גִים‬
may there rise, approach and reach you,
be seen, favored, and heard,
noticed and remembered—
thoughts and memories of us,
with memories of our ancestors,
and memories of the Messiah
(your servant David’s descendant),
and memories of Jerusalem
your holy city,
and memories of all your people
the house of Israel—
Sa
for deliverance, good,
grace, kindness, mercy,
life and peace,
Elohenu velohei
avoteinu ve’imoteinu,
ya’aleh veyavo veyagi’a
veyera’eh veyeratzeh veyishama
e
our ancestors,
‫אֱ �הֵ ינוּ וֵא�הֵ י‬
‫אֲ בו ֵֹתינוּ וְ ִאמּו ֵֹתינוּ‬
ַ‫יַעֲ לֶה וְ ָיבֹא וְ ַי ִגּיע‬
‫וְ י ֵָראֶ ה וְ י ֵָרצֶ ה וְ י ִָשּׁמַ ע‬
‫וְ ִיפָּ ֵקד וְ ִי ָזּכֵר‬
‫זִ כְ ר ֹונֵנוּ וּפִ ְקדּ ֹונֵנוּ‬
‫וְ זִ כְ רוֹן אֲ בו ֵֹתינוּ וְ ִאמּו ֵֹתינוּ‬
‫וְ זִ כְ רוֹן ָמ ִשׁיח‬
� ֶ‫בֶּ ן ָדּוִ ד עַ בְ דּ‬
ָ ‫וְ זִ כְ רוֹן ְי‬
�‫ִעיר ָק ְד ֶשׁ‬
�‫עַ ְמּ‬-‫וְ זִ כְ רוֹן ָכּל‬
�‫בֵּ ית י ְִשׂ ָראֵ ל לְ פָ נֶי‬
‫לִ פְ לֵיטָ ה לְ טוֹבָ ה‬
‫לְ חֵ ן וּלְ חֶ סֶ ד וּלְ ַרחֲ ִמים‬
‫לְ חַ ִיּים וּלְ ָשׁלוֹם‬
veyipaked veyizacher
zichronenu ufikdonenu,
m
pl
God and God of
vezichron avoteinu ve’imoteinu,
vezichron Mashiach
ben David avdecha,
vezichron Yerushalayim
ir kodshecha,
vezichron kol amcha
bet Yisra’el lefanecha
lifleita letova
lechen ul’chesed ul’rachamim
lechayim ul’shalom,
SP
S
············································································· For Rosh Chodesh ·············································································
on this beginning of the month.
‫ בְּ יוֹם רֹאשׁ הַ חֹדֶ שׁ הַ זֶּה‬beyom rosh hachodesh hazeh.
··················································································· For Pesach ···················································································
on this festival of matza.
‫ בְּ יוֹם חַ ג הַ מַּ צּוֹת הַ זֶּה‬beyom chag hamatzot hazeh.
·················································································· For Shavuot ··················································································
on this festival of weeks.
‫ בְּ יוֹם חַ ג הַ ָשּׁ ֻבעוֹת הַ זֶּה‬beyom chag hashavuot hazeh.
············································································For Rosh Hashanah ············································································
on this Day of Remembrance.
‫ בְּ יוֹם הַ זִּ ָכּרוֹן הַ זֶּה‬beyom hazikaron hazeh.
············································ For Yom Kippur (for children and those who may not fast) ············································
on this Day of Atonement
‫פּוּרים הַ זֶּה‬
ִ ִ‫ בְּ יוֹם הַ כּ‬beyom hakipurim hazeh.
··················································································· For Sukkot ···················································································
on this festival of huts.
‫ בְּ יוֹם חַ ג הַ סֻּ כּוֹת הַ זֶּה‬beyom chag hasukkot hazeh.
····························································For Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah····························································
on the eighth day,
‫ בְּ יוֹם הַ ְשּׁ ִמינִ י‬beyom hashmini
this festival of assembly.
‫חַ ג הָ עֲ צֶ ֶרת הַ זֶּה‬
chag ha’atzeret hazeh.
43
ָ ‫י‬
‫בּ ֹונֵה‬
····································································The Festival section continues ···································································
Remember us today for good,
‫ זָכְ ֵרנוּ יי אֱ �הֵ ינוּ‬Zochrenu Adonai Eloheinu
and save us for life.
And with a word of salvation and mercy
take pity on us, be gracious to us,
have mercy on us, and save us;
for our eyes are on you,
because you are God, a ruler
both gracious and compassionate.
ָ ‫י‬
‫בּ ֹונֵה‬
‫בּ ֹו לְ טוֹבָ ה‬
‫וּפָ ְקדֵ נוּ ב ֹו לִ בְ ָר ָכה‬
‫וְ הו ִֹשׁיעֵ נוּ ב ֹו לְ חַ ִיּים‬
‫וּבִ ְדבַ ר יְשׁוּעָ ה וְ ַרחֲ ִמים‬
‫חוּס וְ חָ נֵּנוּ‬
‫וְ ַרחֵ ם עָ לֵינוּ וְ הו ִֹשׁיעֵ נוּ‬
‫כִּ י אֵ לֶי� עֵ ינֵינוּ‬
�ֶ‫כִּ י אֵ ל מֶ ל‬
‫חַ נּוּן וְ ַרחוּם אָ ָתּה‬
bo letovah;
ufokdenu vo livracha;
vehoshi’enu vo lechayim.
e
and think of us for blessing;
Uvidvar yeshuah verachamim
chus vechanenu
verachem alenu vehoshi’enu,
m
pl
Sovereign God;
ki elecha enenu,
ki el melech
chanun verachum ata.
·································· The third blessing continues here. In a house of mourning, see page 61 ·································
To conclude the third blessing, we ask God to rebuild Jerusalem.
Build Jerusalem the holy city up again (2)
ָ ‫ וּבְ נֵה ְי‬Uv’nei Yerushalayim ir hakodesh (2)
you will build Jerusale-em.
Do it soon, do it soon,
‫ִעיר הַ קֹּדֶ שׁ‬
uv’nei Yerushalayim
Bimhera bimhera
do it soon while we’re still living.
You will build (2)
Uv’nei uv’nei
Sa
You will build, you will build,
bimhera veyamenu
Uv’nei v’nei uv’nei v’nei
You will build Jerusale-e-em. (2)
Blessed are you, Ruler
S
Who in mercy builds Jerusalem.
Baruch ata Adonai
Boneh verachamav Yerushalayim.
Amen.
SP
Amen.
‫רוּשׁ ָל ִים‬
ָ ‫בּ ֹונֵה בְ ַרחֲ מָ יו ְי‬
‫אָמֵ ן‬
uv’nei Yerushalayim. (2)
4. Goodness ▪ ‫וְ הַ מֵּ ִטיב‬
‫הַ טּוֹב‬
4. Goodness ▪ ‫וְ הַ מֵּ ִטיב‬
44
‫הַ טּוֹב‬
Source of life, our God who rules us,
Our great leader and creator,
Our redeemer, you who school us,
Holy to Jacob and holy to us,
Shepherd of Israel and us,
The good ruler
with goodness for all,
Who in every day—
Has done good, who does good,
Who saved us,
who saves us,
Sa
Will do good for us;
‫אֱ �הֵ ינוּ מֶ לֶ� הָ ע ֹולָם‬
‫הָ אֵ ל אָבִ ינוּ מַ לְ כֵּנוּ‬
‫אַ ִדּ ֵירנוּ בּו ְֹראֵ נוּ‬
‫גֹּ אֲ לֵנוּ יו ְֹצ ֵרנוּ‬
‫ְקדו ֵֹשׁנוּ ְקדוֹשׁ יַעֲ קֹב‬
‫רוֹעֵ נוּ רוֹעֵ ה י ְִשׂ ָראֵ ל‬
‫הַ מֶּ לֶ� הַ טּוֹב‬
‫וְ הַ מֵּ ִטיב ַלכֹּל‬
‫ֶשׁ ְבּ ָכל יוֹם וָ יוֹם‬
‫הוּא הֵ ִטיב הוּא מֵ ִטיב‬
‫ֵיטיב לָנוּ‬
ִ ‫הוּא י‬
‫הוּא גְ מָ לָנוּ‬
‫הוּא גו ְֹמלֵנוּ‬
‫הוּא ִיגְ ְמלֵנוּ לָעַ ד‬
‫לְ חֵ ן לְ חֶ סֶ ד וּלְ ַרחֲ ִמים‬
‫וּלְ ֶרוַ ח הַ צָּ לָה וְ הַ ְצלָחָ ה‬
‫בְּ ָר ָכה וִ ישׁוּעָ ה נֶחָ מָ ה‬
‫פַּ ְרנָסָ ה וְ ַכלְ ָכּ ָלה‬
‫וְ ַרחֲ ִמים וְ חַ יִּים וְ ָשׁלוֹם‬
‫טוֹב‬-‫וְ ָכל‬
‫טוֹב‬-‫וּמ ָכּל‬
ִ
‫אַל ְיחַ ְסּ ֵרנוּ‬
Will save us again—
For grace, for love, and kindliness,
For relief, deliverance, and success,
Blessing, salvation, comfort,
S
sustenance, and support,
And mercy, and life, and peace
And all that’s good;
And may God not let us
SP
Lack anything good.
Ha’El avinu malkenu
adirenu bor’enu
m
pl
God who rules forever,
e
The fourth blessing thanks God for divine goodness. It was added to the Grace after Meals after the fall of
Betar, the last Jewish stronghold in Bar Kochba’s rebellion. It expresses our gratitude when the Romans
allowed us to bury our dead.1
Blessed are you, Sovereign,
‫ בָּ רוּ� אַ ָתּה יי‬Baruch ata Adonai,
go’alenu yotzrenu
kedoshenu kedosh Ya’akov
ro’enu ro’eh Yisrael
hamelech hatov
vehametiv lakol
sheb’chol yom vayom—
Hu hetiv hu metiv
hu yetiv lanu
hu g’malanu
hu gomlenu
hu yigmelenu la’ad,
lechen lechesed ul’rachamim
ul’revach hatzala vehatzlacha
beracha vishua nechama
parnasa vechalkala,
verachamim vechayim veshalom
vechol tov
umikol tov
al yechasrenu.
Bamidbar Rabbah 23 asks, What blessing did people say before they entered their land? The first blessing.
Once they entered the land, they added the second blessing. When the land was destroyed, they added the third
blessing, confident that God would rebuild Jerusalem. When the Bar Kochba rebellion was crushed, they added
the fourth blessing, “Who is good and does good”: “Who is good” because the bodies did not decay, and “who
does good” because they were given burial. Such is our Midrashic tradition. One wonders if this determination
to thank God after both celebration and tragedy includes some angry sense of bitter irony.
1
45
The Merciful One ▪ ‫הָ ַרחֲ מָ ן‬
After the fourth blessing, these short prayers were added.
rule us for ever;
May the merciful one
be blessed in heaven and earth.
shall be praised
in every age;
And may God’s glory
through us shine
for endless time,
And in us manifest
sustain us with dignity.
May the merciful one smash
the yoke which weighs around our necks
and lead us,
yimloch aleinu le’olam va’ed;
Harachaman hu
yitbarach bashamayim uva’aretz.
Harachaman
hu yishtabach
ledor dorim;
Veyitpa’ar
banu la’ad
ul’netzach netzachim,
Veyit’hadar
banu la’ad
ul’ol’mei olamim.
Sa
God’s splendor without end.
Harachaman hu
m
pl
The source of mercy
‫הָ ַרחֲ מָ ן הוּא‬
‫ִי ְמלוֹ� עָ לֵינוּ לְ ע ֹולָם וָ עֶ ד‬
‫אָרץ‬
ֶ ָ‫ִי ְתבָּ ַר� בַּ ָשּׁמַ ִים וּב‬
‫הָ ַרחֲ מָ ן‬
‫הוּא י ְִשׁ ַתּבַּ ח‬
‫לְ דוֹר דו ִֹרים‬
-‫וְ ִי ְתפָּ אַר‬
‫בָּ נוּ לָעַ ד‬
‫וּלְ נֵצַ ח נְ צָ ִחים‬
-‫וְ ִי ְתהַ ַדּר‬
‫בָּ נוּ לָעַ ד‬
‫וּלְ עוֹלְ מֵ י ע ֹול ִָמים‬
‫ְיפַ ְרנְ סֵ נוּ בְּ ָכבוֹד‬
‫הָ ַרחֲ מָ ן הוּא י ְִשׁבּוֹר‬
‫ארנוּ‬
ֵ ָ‫עֻ לֵּנוּ מֵ עַ ל צַ וּ‬
‫וְ הוּא יוֹלִ יכֵנוּ‬
‫אַרצֵ נוּ‬
ְ ְ‫קו ְֹמ ִמיּוּת ל‬
e
Harachaman, hu
yefarnesenu bechavod.
Harachaman, hu yishbor
ulenu me’al tzavarenu
vehu yolichenu
walking tall, to our own land.
kom’miyut le’artzenu.
········································At the word ‫( שֻׁ לְ חָ ן‬table) many people tap (or pound) the table ·······································
S
May the merciful one send
a manifold blessing to this building
and to this table
SP
at which we have eaten.
‫הָ ַרחֲ מָ ן הוּא י ְִשׁלַח לָנוּ‬
‫בְּ ָר ָכה ְמרֻ בָּ ה בַּ בַּ ִית הַ זֶּה‬
‫וְ עַ ל שֻׁ לְ חָ ן זֶה‬
‫ֶשׁאָכַ לְ נוּ עָ לָיו‬
Harachaman, hu yishlach lanu
beracha meruba babayit hazeh
ve’al shulchan zeh
she’achalnu alav.
46
We ask God to send us Elijah, the herald of the Messianic Era.
It’s God who will send Elijah, and Elijah who will bring the good news.
The Source of Mercy1 soon2 will send us
‫לָנוּ‬-‫ הָ ַרחֲ מָ ן הוּא י ְִשׁ ַלח‬Harachaman hu yishlach lanu
Elijah remembered for good—
And he’ll bring us the hoped-for news (2)
He’ll bring salvation and consolation
et Eliyahu hanavi
zachur latov,
e
The Source of Mercy soon will send us
‫אֵ לִ יָּהוּ הַ נָּבִ יא‬-‫אֶ ת‬
‫זָכוּר לַטּוֹב‬
‫לָנוּ‬-‫וִ ְיבַ ֶשּׂר‬
‫בְּ שׂוֹרוֹת טוֹבוֹת‬
‫יְשׁוּעוֹת וְ נֶחָ מוֹת‬
vivaser lanu
besorot tovot
yeshu’ot venechamot.
m
pl
Elijah the seer;
for us and all our fellow Jews.
This part has many variations to honor hosts, parents and guests. The leader can choose what is appropriate
for the occasion and add to the traditional formulae if so inclined.
May the merciful one bless…
�‫ הָ ַרחֲ מָ ן הוּא ְיבָ ֵר‬Harachaman hu yevarech…
··················································································At a wedding··················································································
…the groom and bride
‫הַ ַכּ ָלּה‬-‫הֶ חָ ָתן וְ אֶ ת‬-‫… אֶ ת‬et hechatan ve’et hakalah,
Sa
and all who are seated here…
‫ ָכּל הַ יּו ְֹשׁבִ ים פּ ׂה‬-‫ וְ אֶ ת‬ve’et kol hayoshvim po…
·································································· In the presence of a bat mitzvah ··································································
…this bat mitzvah
‫חוּרה הַ בַּ ת ִמ ְצוָ ה‬
ָ ַ‫הַ בּ‬-‫… אֶ ת‬et habachurah habat mitzvah
and all her family…
‫ וְ אֶ ת ָכּל ִמ ְשׁפַּ ְח ָתּהּ‬ve’et kol mishpachtah…
·································································· In the presence of a bar mitzvah ··································································
…this bar mitzvah
‫הַ בַּ חוּר הַ בַּ ר ִמ ְצוָ ה‬-‫… אֶ ת‬et habachur habar mitzvah
and all his family…
‫ וְ אֶ ת ָכּל ִמ ְשׁפַּ ְחתּ ֹו‬ve’et kol mishpachto…
··············································································At your own table ··············································································
…me
‫… או ִֹתי‬oti
(and my wife/husband)
S
(and my children)
(ve’et ishti/ba’ali)
(ve’et zar’i)
ve’et kol asher li…
SP
and whatever is mine…
(‫בַּ ְעלִ י‬/‫)וְ אֶ ת ִא ְשׁ ִתּי‬
(‫)וְ אֶ ת ז ְַר ִעי‬
‫וְ אֶ ת ָכּל אֲ ֶשׁר לִ י‬
1
2
“The Source of Mercy” is literally “the merciful one.”
“Soon” is added for the rhythm, but our tradition holds that the arrival of Messiah is imminent.
47
···················································································· As a guest ····················································································
…(my father, my teacher)
(‫… אֶ ת )אָבִ י מו ִֹרי‬et (avi mori)
and (my mother, my teacher)
the mistress of this house,
them and their house
and children
‫בַּ עַ ל הַ בַּ ִית הַ זֶּה‬
(‫וְ אֶ ת ) ִא ִמּי מו ָֹר ִתי‬
‫בַּ עֲ לַת הַ בַּ ִית הַ זֶּה‬
‫או ָֹתם וְ אֶ ת בֵּ י ָתם‬
‫וְ אֶ ת ז ְַרעָ ם‬
‫וְ אֶ ת ָכּל אֲ ֶשׁר לָהֶ ם‬
ba’al habayit hazeh
ve’et (imi morati)
ba’alat habayit hazeh,
e
the master of this house
otam ve’et beitam
ve’et zar’am
as our ancestors were blessed,
Isaac and Rebeccah,
and Jacob and Rachel and Leah
in every thing…
May God bless us, all of us
As one and the same
With a blessing that’s perfect,
And let’s say “Amen.”
‫כְּ מ ֹו ֶשׁנִּ ְתבָּ ְרכוּ‬
‫אֲ בו ֵֹתינוּ וְ ִאמּו ֵֹתינוּ‬
‫אַבְ ָרהָ ם וְ ָשׂ ָרה‬
‫ִי ְצחָ ק וְ ִרבְ ָקה‬
‫וְ יַעֲ קֹב וְ ַרחֵ ל וְ לֵאָה‬
‫בַּ כֹּל ִמכֹּל כֹּל‬
‫כֵּן ְיבָ ֵר� או ָֹתנוּ‬
‫ֻכּלָּנוּ יַחַ ד‬
‫בִּ בְ ָר ָכה ְשׁל ֵָמה‬
‫וְ נֹ אמַ ר אָמֵ ן‬
‫בַּ מָ רוֹם ְיל ְַמּדוּ‬
‫עֲ לֵיהֶ ם וְ עָ לֵינוּ‬
‫זְ כוּת ֶשׁ ְתּהֵ א‬
‫לְ ִמ ְשׁמֶ ֶרת ָשׁלוֹם‬
‫וְ נִ ָשּׂא בְ ָר ָכה מֵ אֵ ת יי‬
‫וּצ ָד ָקה מֵ אֱ �הֵ י י ְִשׁעֵ נוּ‬
ְ
kemo shenitbar’chu
avoteinu ve’imoteinu
Avraham veSarah
Yitzchak veRivkah
Sa
Abraham and Sarah,
m
pl
and whatever is theirs…
ve’et kol asher lahem.
·············································································· For a large group ·············································································
…everyone seated here…
‫… אֶ ת ָכּל הַ ְמּסֻ בִּ ין ַכּאן‬et kol hamesubin kan…
············································ Continue here; some omit the references to the Matriarchs············································
…us and whatever is ours,
‫אֲ ֶשׁר לָנוּ‬-‫ ָכּל‬-‫… או ָֹתנוּ וְ אֶ ת‬otanu ve’et kol asher lanu
S
May this house be a shelter
Of peace and of love,
When our merit and theirs
Is acknowledged from above;
SP
And a blessing from God
Be bestowed here below,
veYa’akov veRachel veLe’ah
bakol mikol kol…
Ken yevarech otanu
kulanu yachad
bivracha shelemah,
venomar, “Amen.”
Bamarom yelamdu
aleihem ve’aleinu
Z’chut shet’heh
lemishmeret shalom,
Venisah verachah me’et Adonai
Utz’dakah me’Elohei yisheinu,
A gift from God our savior.
With sense and grace,
God and human race—
‫חֵ ן וְ ֵשׂכֶל טוֹב‬-‫וְ נִ ְמצָ א‬
‫אָדם‬
ָ ְ‫�הים ו‬
ִ ֱ‫בְּ עֵ ינֵי א‬
Venimtzah chen vesechel tov
Be’einei Elohim ve’adam.
May they show us favor!
48
‫יַנְ ִחילֵנוּ יוֹם‬
‫וּמנוּחָ ה‬
ְ ‫ֶשׁכֻּלּ ֹו ַשׁבָּ ת‬
‫לְ חַ יֵּי הָ ע ֹול ִָמים‬
yan’chilenu yom
‫ְיחַ דֵּ שׁ עָ לֵינוּ‬
‫אֶ ת הַ חֹדֶ שׁ הַ זֶּה‬
‫לְ טוֹבָ ה וְ לִ בְ ָר ָכה‬
yechadesh aleinu
‫יַנְ ִחילֵנוּ יוֹם‬
‫ֶשׁכֻּלּ ֹו טוֹב‬
yan’chilenu yom
Sa
·················································································· For Shabbat ··················································································
‫ הָ ַרחֲ מָ ן הוּא‬Harachaman hu
let us inherit the day
yechadesh aleinu
which is all rest and repose
shekulo Shabbat um’nucha
this month
m
pl
renew for us
e
for eternal life.
lechayey ha’olamim.
············································································· For Rosh Chodesh ·············································································
et hachodesh hazeh
for good and for blessing.
letovah veliv’rachah.
·················································································· For Yom Tov ··················································································
let us inherit the day
which is completely good.
shekulo tov.
············································································For Rosh Hashanah ············································································
renew for us
this year
‫ְיחַ דֵּ שׁ עָ לֵינוּ‬
‫אֶ ת הַ ָשּׁנָה הַ זֹּאת‬
‫לְ טוֹבָ ה וְ לִ בְ ָר ָכה‬
et hashanah hazot
for good and for blessing.
letovah velivrachah.
··················································································· For Sukkot ···················································································
May the merciful one erect for us
‫ הָ ַרחֲ מָ ן הוּא י ִָקים לָנוּ‬Harachaman hu yakim lanu
David’s fallen hut.
‫אֶ ת סֻ ַכּת ָדוִ יד הַ נֹּ פָ לֶת‬
et sukkat David hanofalet.
SP
S
······················ At a circumcision feast, add the circumcision poem, pages 57-59, then resume below ······················
49
············································ We may add these prayers for the State of Israel, for peace ···········································
and for freedom from oppression for all who suffer.
�‫ הָ ַרחֲ מָ ן הוּא ְיבָ ֵר‬Harachaman hu yevarech
May the merciful one bless
May the merciful one bestow friendship
‫הָ ַרחֲ מָ ן הוּא ִי ֵתּן אַחֲ וָ ה‬
‫בֵּ ין בְּ נֵי ִי ְצחָ ק‬
‫וּבֵ ין בְּ נֵי י ְִשׁמָ עֵ אל‬
between the descendants
of Yitzchak and Yishma’el.
all who are given over
to pain and misery,
and bring them from darkness to light.
et Medinat Yisra’el,
reshit tzemichat ge’ulatenu.
e
first sign of our coming redemption.
‫ ְמ ִדינַת י ְִשׂ ָראֵ ל‬-‫אֶ ת‬
‫אשׁית ְצ ִמיחַ ת גְ אֻ ל ֵָתנוּ‬
ִ ‫ֵר‬
Harachaman hu yiten achavah
bein benei Yitzchak
m
pl
the State of Israel,
�‫הָ ַרחֲ מָ ן הוּא ְיבָ ֵר‬
‫ ָכּל הַ נְּ תוּנִ ים‬-‫אֶ ת‬
‫בְּ צָ ָרה וַ אֲ נָחָ ה‬
‫וְ יוֹצִ יאֵ ם מֵ אֲ פֵ לָה לְ או ָֹרה‬
uvein benei Yishma’el.
Harachaman hu yevarech
et kol hanetunim
betzarah va’anachah
veyotzi’em me’afelah le’orah.
of the Messianic Era
Sa
···································· We pray that we may merit the arrival of the Messianic Era. ····································
‫ הָ ַרחֲ מָ ן הוּא ְי ַזכֵּנוּ‬Harachaman hu yezakenu
May the merciful one make us worthy
and the life of the world to come.
ַ‫לִ ימוֹת הַ ָמּ ִשׁיח‬
‫וּלְ חַ יֵּי הָ ע ֹולָם הַ בָּ א‬
limot hamashiach
ul’chayey ha’olam haba.
S
··························For festive days (Shabbat, festivals including Chol Hamo’ed and Rosh Chodesh) ·························
2 Sam 22:51
A tower of salvation for God’s king;1
‫ ִמגְ דּוֹל יְ שׁוּעוֹת מַ ְלכּוֹ‬Migdol yeshu’ot malko
················································································· For weekdays·················································································
2 Sam 22:51
More and more, God saves the king;
‫ מַ גְ ִדּיל יְ שׁוּעוֹת מַ ְלכּוֹ‬Magdil yeshu’ot malko
················································································· Continue here ················································································
Gracious actions does God bring
‫ וְ עֹ שֶׂ ה־חֶ סֶ ד ִל ְמ ִשׁיחוֹ‬ve’oseh chesed limshicho
To David and his royal line
To the end of time.
SP
Making peace in heaven above
May God bring peace
To us and to all Israel,
And let’s say, “Amen!”
‫וּלז ְַרעוֹ‬
ְ ‫ְל ָדוִ ד‬
‫עַד־עוֹלָ ם‬
‫ע ֶֹשׂה ָשׁלוֹם בִּ ְמרוֹמָ יו‬
‫הוּא יַעֲ ֶשׂה ָשׁלוֹם‬
‫י ְִשׂ ָראֵ ל‬-‫ ָכּל‬-‫עָ לֵינוּ וְ עַ ל‬
‫וְ ִא ְמרוּ אָמֵ ן‬
leDavid ul’zaro
ad olam.
Oseh shalom bimromav
Hu ya’aseh shalom
Alenu ve’al kol Yisra’el,
Ve’imru, “Amen.”
Our tradition retains two versions of the first word of this verse; the festival version is read aloud (Qeri)when
we chant the verse, but the other is written (Ketiv) in the text; Psalms 18:51 retains a third version of the word.
Such apparent discrepancies are far from unusual in our scripture.
1
A Selection From Psalms
50
A Selection From Psalms
Psalms 34:10-11
‫יְ ראוּ אֶ ת־יְ הוָה‬
Stand in awe of God,
‫קְ דֹשָׁ יו‬
You holy ones; stand back.
Y’ru et Adonai
kedoshav
‫יראָ יו‬
ֵ ‫ִכּי־אֵ ין מַ ְחסוֹר ִל‬
ki ein machsor li’re’av;
Hunger and want assail the lion’s whelp
‫ְכּ ִפ ִירים ָרשׁוּ וְ ָרעֵ בוּ‬
kefirim rashu vera’evu
‫וְ ד ְֹרשֵׁ י יְ הוָה ל ֹא־‬
But those who seek for God
Ps. 118:1
Give thanks for God is good
‫י ְַח ְסרוּ כָ ל־טוֹב‬
lo yachseru chol tov.
‫הוֹדוּ לַ יהוָה ִכּי־טוֹב‬
Hodu lAdonai ki tov
‫ִכּי ְלעוֹלָ ם חַ ְסדּוֹ‬
With kindness everlasting,
Ps. 145:16
�‫פּוֹתֵ חַ אֶ ת־י ֶָד‬
Opening your generous hand
To satisfy the deep desire of every living thing. ‫וּמַ ְשׂ ִבּיעַ ְלכָ ל־חַ י ָרצוֹן‬
Jer. 17:7
‫בָּ רוּ� הַ גֶּבֶ ר‬
Blessed is the one
Who says, “In God I trust.”
For him God is reliable and just.
I’ve been a boy,
And now my beard is grey;
Nor his children beg for food.
Ps 29:11
(2) 1
Our people God with strength uplifts,
umasbi’a lechol chai ratzon.
Baruch hagever
‫וְ הָ יָה יְהוָה ִמ ְבטַ חוֹ‬
vehaya Adonai mivtacho.
‫יתי‬
ִ ִ‫נַעַ ר הָ י‬
Na’ar hayiti
‫גַּם־זָקַ נְ ִתּי‬
gam zakanti
velo ra’iti tzadik ne’ezav,
‫וְ ז ְַרעוֹ ְמבַ קֶּ שׁ־לָ חֶ ם‬
vezar’o mevakesh lachem. (2)
‫יְהוָה עֹ ז ְלעַ מּוֹ יִ תֵּ ן‬
Adonai oz le’amo yiten
‫יְהוָה יְ בָ ֵר� אֶ ת־עַ מּוֹ בַ שָּׁ לוֹם‬
Adonai yevarech et amo vashalom.
SP
S
Blessed with peace and all God’s gifts.
pote’ach et yadecha
asher yivtach bAdonai
‫יתי צַ ִדּיק ֶנ ֱעזָב‬
ִ ‫ֹא־ר ִא‬
ָ ‫וְ ל‬
I’ve never seen a good man cast away,
ki le’olam chasdo,
‫אֲשֶׁ ר יִ ְבטַ ח בַּ יהוָה‬
Sa
Ps. 37:25
vedorshei Adonai
m
pl
Will need no help.
e
The people who respect God never lack.
1
Some recite this verse quietly as a prayer of hope since they haven’t yet seen it come true.
51
Grace at a Wedding Feast ▪ ‫זִ ימוּן‬
Grace at a Wedding Feast ▪ ‫זִימוּן‬
e
····································At a wedding feast, the Invitation to Say Grace includes extra poetry ···································
The leader takes a cup of wine and invites the company to prayer.
····························································Friends respond, and the leader repeats ···························································
�‫ י ְִהי ֵשׁם יי ְמב ָֹר‬Yehi shem Adonai mevorach
Even the mute in joy will sing;
Keep us on the righteous path,
m
pl
now and forever.
‫ע ֹולָם‬-‫ מֵ עַ ָתּה וְ עַ ד‬me’ata ve’ad olam.
····························· The leader continues with the special lines for a wedding celebration ······························
Away with sorrow and with wrath,
‫ ְדוַ י הָ סֵ ר וְ גַם חָ רוֹן‬Devai haser vegam charon,
‫וְ אָז ִאלֵּם בְּ ִשׁיר יָרוֹן‬
‫נְ חֵ נוּ בְּ מַ ְעגְּ לֵי צֶ דֶ ק‬
‫ְשׁעֵ ה בִּ ְר ַכּת בְּ נֵי יְשֻׁ רוּן‬
Ve’az ilem beshir yaron;
Necheinu bemaglei tzedek,
Heed your pledge to our offspring.1
She’ei bircat benei Yeshurun.
··········································································· The leader continues ···········································································
‫ֶשׁהַ ִשּׂ ְמ ָחה בִּ ְמעוֹנ ֹו‬
‫וְ ֶשׁאָ ַכלְ נוּ ִמ ֶשּׁלּ ֹו‬
nevarech Eloheinu
‫ֶשׁהַ ִשּׂ ְמ ָחה בִּ ְמעוֹנ ֹו‬
‫וְ ֶשׁאָ ַכלְ נוּ ִמ ֶשּׁלּ ֹו‬
shehasimcha bim’ono
shehasimcha bim’ono
Sa
in whose dwelling is joy
and who provides our food.2
veshe’achalnu mishelo.
Bless our God
in whose dwelling is joy
and who provides our food,
veshe’achalnu mishelo
SP
S
uv’tuvo chayinu.
··················································································· All together ··················································································
······················································ Continue with “God the Provider” on page 34 ·····················································
1
2
“Pay heed to the blessing of Jeshurun’s children,” i.e., Israel.
“Who provides our food” is literally, “we have eaten what is his.”
Wedding Blessings ▪ ‫בְּ ָרכוֹת‬
‫ֶשׁבַ ע‬
52
‫ֶשׁבַ ע‬
Ruler for eternity;
All that you made, you made to show
Your power and your
majesty.1
‫אָדם‬
ָ ָ‫יוֹצֵ ר ה‬
Baruch ata Adonai
‫אָדם בְּ צַ לְ מ ֹו‬
ָ ָ‫ה‬-‫אֲ ֶשׁר יָצַ ר אֶ ת‬
‫בְּ צֶ לֶם ְדּמוּת ַתּבְ נִ ית ֹו‬
‫וְ ִה ְת ִקין ל ֹו ִממֶּ נוּ‬
‫בִּ ְניַן עֲ דֵ י עַ ד‬
‫אָדם‬
ָ ָ‫יוֹצֵ ר ה‬
Baruch ata Adonai
race.2
eternal king:
3
Sa
Who made a model of your frame—
A man somehow in form the same—
And building from within you reared
A marriage made to last the years.
who made the human
race.3
Shehakol barah lichvodo.
2
Blessed are you, Sovereign God
You made the human
Eloheinu melech ha’olam;
m
pl
‫ֶשׁהַ כֹּל בָּ ָרא לִ כְ בוֹד ֹו‬
e
At a wedding, following Grace After Meals, we recite the Seven Wedding Blessings.
The leader takes a second cup of wine and says the marriage blessings over both cups of wine.
1
Childless Zion will rejoice
S
and be in bliss
As her children joyfully
are gathered to her.
SP
We bless you, God,
Who makes Zion happy with her children.
4
‫שׂוֹשׂ ָתּ ִשׂישׂ‬
‫וְ ָתגֵל הָ עֲ ָק ָרה‬
ָ‫בְּ ִקבּוּץ בָּ נֶיה‬
‫לְ ת ֹו ָכהּ בְּ ִשׂ ְמחָ ה‬
ָ‫ְמ ַשׂמֵּ חַ ִציוֹן בְּ בָ נֶיה‬
yotzer ha’adam.
asher yatzar et ha’adam betzalmo
betzelem demut tavnito
vehitkin lo mimenu
binyan adei ad.
Baruch ata Adonai,
yotzer ha’adam.
Sos tasis
vetagel ha’akarah
bekibutz baneha
letocha besimcha.
Baruch ata Adonai
mesame’ach Tziyon bevanehah.
This blessing affirms that nothing in God’s creation is bad; everything reveals God’s glory.
You could translate this as “creator of Adam” or “man.” This celebrates the idea that God set the example for
procreation.
3 Literally, lines six and seven are “And he prepared for him(self) from him a building for ever.” A “building
forever” refers to the self-perpetuating human race; “prepared from him” refers to making Eve from Adam’s
rib. So the theme of this blessing is that God created man and woman to perpetuate humanity through the
institution of marriage.
1
2
53
‫ֶשׁבַ ע‬
5
You’ll give them true delight;
Just as of old—long, long before—
Adam and Eve on Eden’s soil
‫ַשׂמֵּ חַ ְתּ ַשׂמַּ ח‬
‫ֵר ִעים הָ אֲ הוּבִ ים‬
�‫כְּ ַשׂמֵּ חֲ � ְי ִצ ְיר‬
‫בְּ גַן עֵ דֶ ן ִמ ֶקּדֶ ם‬
Same’ach tesamach
re’im ha’ahuvim,
kesamechacha yetzir’cha
beGan Eden mikedem.
e
These dear companions, for sure
In bliss you did unite.
‫ְמ ַשׂמֵּ חַ חָ ָתן וְ ַכלָּה‬
Baruch ata Adonai,
mesame’ach chatan vechalah.
m
pl
Blessed are you, O God, who gives
To groom and bride delight.1
6
Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu
melech ha’olam,
asher barah sason vesimcha,
chatan vechala,
gila, rina,
ditza vechedva,
ahava ve’achava,
veshalom vere’ut.
Mehera Adonai Eloheinu yishama
be’arei Yehudah
uvechutzot Yerushalayim
kol sason vekol simcha,
kol chatan vekol kalah,
kol mitzhalot chatanim mechupatam,
une’arim mimishteh neginatam.
Baruch ata Adonai,
mesame’ach chatan im hakalah.
SP
S
Sa
You rule this world so wide,
‫אֲ ֶשׁר בָּ ָרא ָשׂשׂוֹן וְ ִשׂ ְמחָ ה‬
You made both joy and happiness,
‫חָ ָתן וְ ַכ ָלּה‬
The bridegroom and the bride,
‫ִגּילָה ִרנָּה‬
Merriment and jollity,
‫ִדּיצָ ה וְ חֶ ְדוָ ה‬
Mirth along with gaiety,
‫אַהֲ בָ ה וְ אַחֲ וָ ה‬
Love and camaraderie,
Peace, and feeling neighborly.
‫וְ ָשׁלוֹם וְ ֵרעוּת‬
Soon, O God, let there be heard
‫ְמהֵ ָרה יי אֱ �הֵ ינוּ י ִָשּׁ ַמע‬
‫הוּדה‬
ָ ‫בְּ עָ ֵרי ְי‬
In Judah’s towns now bleak and bare
ָ ‫וּבְ חוּצוֹת ְי‬
And Jerusalem’s open spaces
The sound of joy, a happy air,
‫קוֹל ָשׂשׂוֹן וְ קוֹל ִשׂ ְמחָ ה‬
The voice of bridegroom and of bride,
‫קוֹל חָ ָתן וְ קוֹל ַכּ ָלּה‬
Of jubilant grooms from the canopy, ‫קוֹל ִמ ְצהֲ לוֹת חֲ ָתנִ ים מֵ חֻ פָּ ָתם‬
And youthful friends who feast in glee.
‫וּנְ עָ ִרים ִמ ִמּ ְשׁ ֵתּה נְ גִ ינ ָָתם‬
2
who makes the groom rejoice with the bride. ‫ְמ ַשׂמֵּ חַ חָ ָתן ִעם הַ ַכּ ָלּה‬
1 Literally: “You will surely delight these dear companions, as you delighted your creation in the Garden of
Eden long ago; blessed are you, Lord, who delights groom and bride.”
2 This was written in another time, when the towns of Judah and the courts and plazas (or streets) of Jerusalem
were (from the Jewish point of view) deserted and desolate. “Now bleak and bare” was added for clarity, not
just for the sake of the rhyme. Apparently, in the society where this was written, a bridegroom would leave the
wedding canopy and the wedding feast, with its drinking and music, and go carousing with his friends. In more
recent times, this custom was moved to the evening before the wedding.
‫ֶשׁבַ ע‬
54
······················································The leader now says, over the first cup of wine ······················································
7
Blessed are you, Sovereign God
boreh peri hagafen.
e
Who rules eternal space and time,
m
pl
······················ The wine in both cups is mixed together, and the groom and bride both taste the wine ······················
SP
S
Sa
We continue with the blessing after wine, “For Nourishment,” page 65.
55
Circumcision Feast ▪ ‫זִ ימוּן‬
Circumcision Feast ▪ ‫זִימוּן‬
e
·····································At a circumcision, the Invitation to Say Grace includes extra poetry ····································
The leader takes a cup of wine and invites the company to prayer.
m
pl
now and forever.
····························································The leader responds, and friends repeat ···························································
Let us give thanks to your name
�‫ נוֹדֶ ה לְ ִשׁ ְמ‬Nodeh leshimchah
among my faithful companions:
God!1
‫בְּ תוֹ� אֱ מוּנַי‬
‫בְּ רוּכִ ים אַ ֶתּם לַיי‬
betoch emunai,
‫אָיוֹם וְ נו ָֹרה‬
‫ִמ ְשׂגָּב לְ ִעתּוֹת בְּ צָּ ָרה‬
‫בוּרה‬
ָ ְ‫אֵ ל נֶאֱ זָר בִּ ג‬
‫אַ ִדּיר בַּ מָּ רוֹם יי‬
ayom venorah,
You are blessed by
beruchim atem lAdonai.
·························· The leader continues, invoking the approval of God, Torah and religious experts ·························
With the approval of God,
‫ בִּ ְרשׁוּת אֵ ל‬Birshut El
revered and awesome,
God clothed2 in power,
misgav le’itot betzarah,
El ne’ezar bigvurah,
Sa
shelter in times of trouble,
high and mighty God…
adir bamarom Adonai…
············································· All repeat “Nodeh leshimchah,” and the leader continues ············································
With the approval of holy Torah—
‫ בִּ ְרשׁוּת הַ תּו ָֹרה הַ ְקּדו ָֹשׁה‬Birshut haTorah hakdoshah—
it’s pure and clearly explained3—
commanded us as an inheritance
Moses, God’s servant…
‫ֹשׁה עֶ ֽבֶ ד־יְ הוָ ֛ה‬
ֶ֧ ‫מ‬
tehorah hi vegam perushah—
tziva lanu morashah
Moshe eved Adonai…
SP
S
by
Deut 34:5
‫רוּשׁה‬
ָ ְ‫ְטהו ָֹרה ִהיא וְ גַם פּ‬
‫ִצוָּ ה לָנוּ מו ָֹר ָשׁה‬
This allows more extensive interpretation, for example: “Let us together give thanks to your (i.e., God’s) name
(or reputation), in the middle of my faithful ones (i.e., in this company of people who share my beliefs)—you
(i.e., the faithful ones) are blessed for God.”
2 The root ‫ אזר‬is usually translated “girt” or “girded”—I think it refers to the last step in getting dressed,
wrapping a belt or “girdle” around your robe to fasten it.
3 ‫ פרש‬is the root of the word for interpretation or explanation of the Torah. The poem suggests that the meaning
of the Torah is perfectly clear, but not everyone would agree!
1
Circumcision Feast ▪ ‫זִ ימוּן‬
56
·············································All repeat “Nodeh leshimchah,” and the leader continues ············································
With the approval of Kohanim and Levi’im,1 ‫ בִּ ְרשׁוּת הַ כֹּהֲ נִ ים וְ הַ לְ וִ ִיּם‬Birshut haKohanim vehaLevi’im
I call on the God of the Jews
and declare God’s glory everywhere;2
‫אֶ ְק ָרא לֵא�הֵ י הָ ִעבְ ִר ִיּים‬
‫אֲ הוֹדֶ נוּ בְּ ָכל ִא ִיּם‬
‫אֲ בָ ְר ָכה אֶ ת יי‬
ekra lElohei ha’Ivri’im;
‫וּשׂפָ תי‬
ְ ‫אֶ פְ ַתּח פִּ י בְּ ִשׁיר‬
‫וְ תֹאמַ ְרנָה עַ ְצמו ַֹתי‬
eftach pi beshir usefatai,
ahodenu bechol iyim;
so my whole body can declare:4
m
pl
I open my mouth and lips to sing,3
e
I will bless God…
avar’cha et Adonai…
vetomarna atzmotai:
“Blessed is one who comes in God’s
‫“ בָּ רוּ� הַ בָּ א ְבּשֵׁ ם יְ הוָה‬Baruch habah beshem Adonai.”
Include “Eloheinu” when ten Jewish adults are present.
name.”5
nevarech Eloheinu
who provides our
Bless our God
Sa
food.6
SP
S
uv’tuvo chayinu.
···················································································All together ···················································································
··········································Continue with “God the Provider” on page 34, until page 38 ··········································
The Kohanim and Levi’im were the priests and ministers in the Temple—the religious experts. The poet says
the experts should all agree this is the right way to say Grace at a circumcision.
2 The root of ‫ אֲ הוֹדֶ נוּ‬is ‫הוֹד‬, glory; the word means, “I will make God glorious.” ‫ בְּ כָ ל ִאיִּם‬means “in all the
islands,” referring to the remotest regions of the world.
3 “I will open my mouth to sing, and my lips”—awkward, so that Hebrew rhymes.
4 Compare Psalm 35:10. Literally, it’s “my bones will declare”; the idea is that the lips form the sound that
express the entire body’s feelings of awe and praise.
5 Psalm 118:26. We welcome anyone who joins us “in God’s name,” to increase God’s reputation.
6 “Who provides our food” is literally, “we have eaten what is his.”
1
57
Circumcision Poem
Circumcision Poem
this child’s father and mother
avi hayeled ve’imo
veyizku legadlo
m
pl
‫אֲ בִ י הַ ֶיּלֶד וְ ִאמּ ֹו‬
‫וְ ִיזְ כּוּ לְ ג ְַדּל ֹו‬
and let them be worthy to see him grow
‫וּלְ חַ נְּ כ ֹו וּלְ חַ כְּ מ ֹו‬
and train him and teach him wisdom—
‫ִמיּוֹם הַ ְשּׁ ִמינִ י וָ הָ לְ אָה‬
from the eighth day and onwards
may his blood be accepted1—
‫י ֵָרצֶ ה ָדמ ֹו‬
Ezra 1:3
2
ִ ִ‫ו‬
and may the Ruler his
God be with him.
‫יהי יי אֱ�הָ יו עִ מּוֹ‬
e
Someone leads this poem by Abraham ben Isaac haKohen (Germany, 11th century).
The poem asks for blessings for the parents, the godfather (sandek), mohel and child.
Those participants do not lead the verse that asks for their own blessings.
The first blessing is for the parents.
ulechan’cho ulechakmo—
miyom hashmini vehal’ah
yeratzeh damo—
vihi Adonai Elohav imo.
······························································· A prayer for the godfather (sandek)·······························································
who delighted to do
the right thing with joy;
may God repay his act
with a double reward
‫בַּ עַ ל בְּ ִרית הַ ִמּי ָלה‬
‫אֲ ֶשׁר ָשׂשׂ ַלעֲ שׂוֹת‬
‫צֶ דֶ ק בְּ גִ ילָה‬
‫ישׁלֵּם פָּ עֳ ל ֹו‬
ַ ִ‫ו‬
‫וּמַ ְשׂכּ ְֻרתּ ֹו כְ פוּ ָלה‬
‫וְ ִי ְתּנֵהוּ לְ מַ ְעלָה לְ מַ ְעלָה‬
baal berit hamilah
asher sas la’asot
Sa
the godfather
vishalem po’olo
umaskurto chefulah,
veyitnehu lema’lah lema’lah!
SP
S
and raise him ever higher.
tzedek begilah,
The rule is that we circumcize boys on the eighth day, not before; and although we’re sure this is the right way
to do it, we still pray that God finds this practice acceptable.
2 When Cyrus allowed us to return and rebuild our land, he said of those who would return, “May his God be
with him / ‫ י ְִהי אֱ �הָ יו ִעמּ ֹו‬/ yehi Elohav imo.” So we hope this newborn boy will rebuild our people.
1
Circumcision Poem
58
···········································································A prayer for the child···········································································
May the merciful one bless the tender child
�‫ הָ ַרחֲ מָ ן הוּא ְיבָ ֵר� ַר‬Harachaman hu yevarech rach
and deserve to see God’s presence
three times a
year.1
hanimol lishmonah,
veyiheyu yadav velibo
la’El emunah,
e
faithful to God
‫הַ נִּ מּוֹל לִ ְשׁמ ֹונָה‬
‫וְ ִי ְהיוּ יָדָ יו וְ לִ בּ ֹו‬
‫לָאֵ ל אֱ מוּנָה‬
‫וְ ִיזְ כֶּה לִ ְראוֹת פְּ נֵי הַ ְשּׁכִ ינָה‬
‫ָשׁלשׁ פְּ עָ ִמים בַּ ָשּׁנָה‬
veyizkeh lir’ot penei haShechinah
shalosh pe’amim bashanah.
m
pl
circumcised on the eighth day
and let his hands and heart be
··········································································A prayer for the mohel··········································································
the one who circumcised the flesh of the foreskin,
hamal besar ha’orlah,
who tore the membrane and used suction to remove
ufara umatzatz
the blood of circumcision.
demei hamilah;
A timid and faint-hearted person’s
divine service would be invalid
Sa
if one of these three parts2 of the ritual
‫הַ מָּ ל בְּ ַשׂר הָ עָ ְר ָלה‬
‫וּפָ ַרע וּמָ צַ ץ‬
‫ְדּמֵ י הַ ִמּי ָלה‬
‫ִאישׁ הַ יּ ֵָרא וְ ַר� הַ לֵּבָ ב‬
‫עָ בו ָֹדת ֹו פְּ סוּלָה‬
‫ִאם ְשׁלָשׁ אֵ לֶּה‬
‫�א יַעֲ ֶשׂה לָהּ‬
avodato pesulah
im shelash eleh
lo ya’aseh lah.
SP
S
he failed to perform.
ish hayareh verach halevav—
This does not refer to the two days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, but the three main festivals, Pesach,
Shavu’ot and Sukkot.
2 The Encyclopedia Judaica discusses the three parts of the ritual in ancient times: 1, cutting the foreskin; 2,
tearing the edge of the mucous membrane down to the corona; 3, using suction (traditionally, using the mouth)
to remove the blood. It’s easier to read about circumcision in a book than see it in action.
1
59
Circumcision Poem
·········································································We pray for the Messiah ········································································
May the merciful one send us
‫ הָ ַרחֲ מָ ן הוּא י ְִשׁ ַל� לָנוּ‬Harachaman hu yevarech
the perfect Messiah1
m’shicho holech tamim
for the Circumcised One2,
bizchut chatan lamulot damim
e
levaser besorot tovot venichumim
le’am echad
mefuzar umeforad bein ha’amim.
m
pl
‫ְמ ִשׁיח ֹו ה ֹולֵ� ָתּ ִמים‬
‫בִּ זְ כוּת חֲ ַתן לַמּוּלוֹת ָדּ ִמים‬
to bring good news and comfort ‫חוּמים‬
ִ ִ‫לְ בַ ֵשּׂר ְבּשׂוֹרוֹת טוֹבוֹת וְ נ‬
to the people who are united, though
‫לְ עַ ם אֶ חָ ד‬
ְ ‫ְמ ֻפזָּר‬
scattered and divided among other nations. ‫וּמפו ָֹרד בֵּ ין הָ עַ ִמּים‬
··············································· We pray for Elijah, the Messiah’s herald, to come soon···············································
May the merciful one send us
‫ הָ ַרחֲ מָ ן הוּא י ְִשׁ ַל� לָנוּ‬Harachaman hu yevarech
the righteous priest3
‫כֹּהֵ ן צֶ דֶ ק‬
‫אֲ ֶשׁר ל ַֻקּח לְ ִעילוֹם‬
‫עַ ד הֻ ַכן כִּ ְסא ֹו‬
‫כּ ֶַשּׁמֶ שׁ וְ יַהֲ לוֹם‬
who was taken into hiding
until his throne is prepared,
bright like the sun and a diamond—
1 Kings 19:13
“he covered his face with his
cloak”4
Malachi 2:5
‫ַויָּלֶ ט פָּ נָיו ְבּאַ ַדּ ְרתּוֹ‬
‫וַ ִיּגְ לוֹם‬
asher lukach le’ilom,
ad huchan kis’o
kashemesh veyahalom,
vayalet panav be’adarto
vayiglom;
Sa
and wrapped himself in it:
kohen tzedek
“My contract was made with him,
‫יתי הָ יְ תָ ה ִאתּוֹ‬
ִ ‫ְבּ ִר‬
“Beriti haytah ito,
life and
‫ הַ חַ יִּ ים וְ הַ שָּׁ לוֹם‬hachayim vehashalom.”
················· Continue with the rest of Grace After Meals with “May the merciful one bless” on page 49 ·················
S
peace.”5
“His Anointed, who walks (i.e., conducts himself) perfectly.”
Editions differ on this line. ‫ בִּ זְ כוּת חֲ ַתן לַמּוּלוֹת דָּ ִמים‬means “because of the merit of the bridegroom of bloody
circumcision.” This would refer to the circumcised child, who earns merit by undergoing the procedure and
joining the Jewish people. However, it’s also a reference to the mysterious and evocative story (Exodus 4:2426) of Moses and Zipporah on their way to Egypt: she performs a circumcision to avert danger and declares,
‫מּוּ�ת‬
ֽ ַ‫ֲתן ָדּ ִמ֖ים ל‬
֥ ַ ‫ח‬. Some editions of this circumcision poem say ‫חַ ְתנֵי‬, “bridegrooms,” which would refer instead
to the Jewish people who observe the institution of circumcision.
3 Elijah was a Kohen, a priest; this prayer is for Elijah to come, since he will herald the arrival of the Messiah.
We reserve a chair for Elijah during the circumcision ceremony.
4 After hearing the “still, small voice,” Elijah covered his face with his cloak.
5 Malachi refers to God’s contract with the Levites.
1
SP
2
House of Mourning ▪ ‫זִ ימוּן‬
60
House of Mourning ▪ ‫זִימוּן‬
e
·························································· The leader invites the company to prayer ··························································
let’s bless our God, the one
the one who comforts mourners,
m
pl
now and forever.
······················· The leader continues; add “Eloheinu” in the presence of ten or more Jewish adults ·······················
‫ְמנַחֵ ם אֲ בֵ לִ ים‬
nevarech Eloheinu,
‫ְמנַחֵ ם אֲ בֵ לִ ים‬
menachem avelim
menachem avelim
who provides our food.1
Bless our God, the one
‫ בָּ רוּ� אֱ �הֵ ינוּ‬Baruch Eloheinu,
the one who comforts mourners
SP
S
Sa
uv’tuvo chayinu.
···················································································All together ···················································································
·········································· Continue on page 34, until “Rebuild Jerusalem” on page 43 ··········································
1
“Who provides our food” is literally, “we have eaten what is his.”
61
House of Mourning Third Blessing
House of Mourning Third Blessing
In a house of mourning, we conclude the third blessing with this formula and modify the fourth blessing.
Bring comfort, ruling God,
‫ נַחֵ ם יי אֱ �הֵ ינוּ‬Nachem, Adonai Eloheinu,
who grieve for this sadness;
comfort them in their grief
and bring happiness to their sadness,
as the book of Isaiah says (66:13):
“Like a man whose mother comforts him,
so will I comfort you,
and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”
We bless you, Ruler,
who comforts Zion
ve’et ha’avelim
hamitablim ba’evel hazeh;
nachamem me’evlam,
‫ְכּ ִאישׁ אֲשֶׁ ר ִאמּוֹ ְתּ ַנחֲמֶ נּוּ‬
vesamchem migonam,
ka’amur:
“Ke’ish asher imo tenachamenu,
‫כֵּ ן אָ נ ִֹכי ֲאנַחֶ ְמכֶ ם‬
ken anochi anachemchem,
‫וּבירוּשָׁ לַ ִם ְתּנֻחָ מוּ‬
ִ
uviYerushalayim tenuchamu.”
‫ְמנַחֵ ם צִ יּוֹן‬
ָ ‫בְּ בִ נְ יַן ְי‬
Baruch atah Adonai,
menachem Tziyon
bevinyan Yerushalayim.
SP
S
Sa
by rebuilding Jerusalem.
et avelei Yerushalayim,
e
and the mourners
ָ ‫אֶ ת אֲ בֵ לֵי ְי‬
‫וְ אֶ ת הָ אֲ בֵ לִ ים‬
‫הַ ִמּ ְתאַ בְּ לִ ים בָּ אֵ בֶ ל הַ זֶּה‬
‫נַחֲ מֵ ם מֵ אֶ בְ ָלם‬
‫וְ ַשׂ ְמּחֵ ם ִמיג ֹונָם‬
‫ָכּאָמוּר‬
m
pl
to those who mourn Jerusalem
House of Mourning Fourth Blessing Grace After Meals ▪ ‫המָּ זוֹן‬
62
House of Mourning Fourth Blessing
God, source of our life, our ruler,
mighty one, creator, redeemer,
our holy one, holiness of Jacob,
the living ruler
who is good and does good,
God of truth, judge of truth,
who delivers a righteous sentence,
takes souls in
justice2
and governs the world
to perform God’s will in it.
For all God’s ways are just,
Sa
and we are God’s people and servants.
And for all this, we are bound
to thank and bless God,
who repairs Israel’s fracture;
may God repair
this fracture for us,
Baruch ata Adonai,
Ha’El avinu malkenu
e
God who rules forever,
‫אַ ִדּ ֵירנוּ בּו ְֹראֵ נוּ גֹּ אֲ לֵנוּ‬
‫ְקדו ֵֹשׁנוּ ְקדוֹשׁ יַעֲ קֹב‬
‫הַ מֶּ לֶ� הַ חַ י‬
‫הַ טּוֹב וְ הַ מֵּ ִטיב‬
‫אֵ ל אֱ מֶ ת ַדּיַּן אֱ מֶ ת‬
‫שׁוֹפֵ ט צֶ דֶ ק‬
‫�קחַ נְ פָ שׁוֹת בַּ ִמ ְשׁפָּ ט‬
ֵ ְ‫ו‬
‫וְ ַשׁלִּ יט בְּ ע ֹולָמ ֹו‬
‫לַעֲ שׂוֹת בּ ֹו כִּ ְרצוֹנ ֹו‬
‫ ָכל ְדּ ָר ָכיו ַכ ִמ ְשׁפָּ ט‬-‫כִּ י‬
‫וַ אֲ נ ְַחנוּ עַ מּ ֹו וַ עֲ בָ ָדיו‬
‫וְ עַ ל הַ כֹּל אֲ נ ְַחנוּ חַ יָּבִ ים‬
‫לְ הוֹדוֹת ל ֹו וּלְ בָ ְרכ ֹו‬
‫גּוֹדֵ ר פִּ ְרצוֹת י ְִשׂ ָראֵ ל‬
‫הוּא ִיגְ דּוֹר‬
‫הַ פִּ ְרצָ ה הַ זֹּאת מֵ עָ לֵינוּ‬-‫אֶ ת‬
‫טוֹב‬-‫לְ חַ ִיּים וּלְ ָשׁלוֹם וְ ָכל‬
adirenu bor’enu go’alenu,
kedoshenu kedosh Ya’akov
hamelech hachay,
m
pl
Blessed1 are you, Sovereign,
hatov vehametiv,
El emet, dayan emet,
shofet tzedek,
veloke’ach nefashot bamishpat,
veshalit be’olamo
la’asot bo kirtzono.
Ki chol derachav chamishpat,
va’anachnu amo va’avadav.
Ve’al hakol anachnu chayavim
lehodot lo ulevarcho,
goder pirtzot Yisra’el:
hu yigdor
et hapirtzah hazot me’aleinu,
SP
S
for life and peace and all good.
lechayim uleshalom vechol tov.
······················································ Continue with “The merciful one” on page 45 ······················································
The concepts in this blessing can be very difficult for the mourning family. May God bring them comfort!
There are minor variations in this prayer in the ArtScroll Siddur, Siddur Sim Shalom, and the British
Commonwealth Siddur by Rev. S. Singer. I chose the simplest version in most cases.
2 Siddur Sim Shalom omits this line; in our grief, it’s difficult to find justice in the ending of a human life.
1
63
Shorter Grace
Shorter Grace
Tradition discourages us from using a shorter form of Grace,
but when you don’t have time for the longer form, here is an alternative for weekdays.
We bless you Sovereign God,
In mercy, love, and grace,
Who gives each species food to eat
In endless magnanimity.
God never makes us go
makes us go without (2)
—God is good beyond infinity.
For the sake of God’s powerful name
Because each one God does
hazan et ha’olam kulo betuvo
bechen bechesed uv’rachamim.
Hu noten lechem lechol basar
ki le’olam chasdo.
Uv’tuvo hagadol
tamid lo chasar lanu
ve’al yech’sar lanu
mazon le’olam va’ed.
Ba’avur shemo hagadol
ki hu El zan
um’farnes lakol,
Sa
feed and sustain
e
Who kindly feeds the world entire
‫הָ ע ֹולָם כֻּלּ ֹו בְּ טוּב ֹו‬-‫הַ זָּן אֶ ת‬
‫בְּ חֵ ן בְּ חֶ סֶ ד וּבְ ַרחֲ ִמים‬
‫בָּ ָשׂר‬-‫הוּא נוֹתֵ ן לֶחֶ ם לְ ָכל‬
‫כִּ י לְ ע ֹולָם חַ ְסדּ ֹו‬
‫וּבְ טוּב ֹו הַ גָּדוֹל‬
‫חָ סַ ר לָנוּ‬-‫ָתּ ִמיד �א‬
‫וְ אַל י ְֶחסַ ר לָנוּ‬
‫מָ זוֹן לְ ע ֹולָם וָ עֶ ד‬
‫בַּ עֲ בוּר ְשׁמ ֹו הַ גָּדוֹל‬
‫כִּ י הוּא אֵ ל זָן‬
‫וּמפַ ְרנֵס ַלכֹּל‬
ְ
‫וּמֵ ִטיב ַלכֹּל‬
‫וּמֵ כִ ין מָ זוֹן‬
‫לְ ָכל בְּ ִריּו ָֹתיו‬
‫אֲ ֶשׁר בָּ ָרא‬
‫הַ כֹּל‬-‫הַ זָּן אֶ ת‬
m
pl
And does all of us good,
and gives all of us food
(Every creature on earth
by God was given birth),
S
Who feeds the whole wide world.
We thank you, Sovereign God,
because you willed to our ancestors
a land pleasant, good, and spacious,
SP
the contract and the Torah
and food in plenty.
For the land and for the food.
‫נוֹדֶ ה לְ � יי אֱ �הֵ ינוּ‬
‫עַ ל ֶשׁ ִהנְ חַ לְ ָתּ ַלאֲ בו ֵֹתינוּ‬
‫אֶ ֶרץ חֶ ְמ ָדּה טוֹבָ ה ְוּרחָ בָ ה‬
‫בְּ ִרית וְ תו ָֹרה‬
‫וְ לֶחֶ ם לְ שׂוֹבַ ע‬
‫בָּ רוּ� אַ ָתּה י ָי‬
‫אָרץ וְ עַ ל הַ מָּ זוֹן‬
umetiv lakol
umechin mazon
lechol beriyotav
asher barah.
Baruch atah Adonai
hazan et hakol.
Nodeh lecha Adonai Eloheinu
al shehin’chalta la’avotenu
eretz chemda tova ur’chava,
berit veTorah
velechem lesovah.
Baruch ata Adonai
al ha’aretz ve’al hamazon.
on your people Israel
and the rule of the house of David,
your anointed,
and quickly increase
the glory of the Temple
to bring us double comfort.1
Blessed are you, Ruler
Who in mercy builds Jerusalem.
Amen.
God, source of our life, ruler,
the good ruler
who has done good, who does good,
and will do good for us;
and make us worthy of the Messianic Era
and the life of the world to come.
The One who makes peace on high,
will make peace
S
for us and for all Israel.
Now you say, “That’s right.”
Rachem Adonai Eloheinu
ve’al malchut bet David
meshichecha,
vetagdil mehera
kevod habayit,
utenachamenu bechiflayim.
Baruch ata Adonai
Boneh verachamav Yerushalayim.
Amen.
‫בָּ רוּ� אַ ָתּה יי אֱ �הֵ ינוּ‬
‫הַ מֶּ לֶ� הַ טּוֹב‬
‫וְ הַ מֵּ ִטיב ַלכֹּל‬
‫הוּא הֵ ִטיב הוּא מֵ ִטיב‬
‫ֵיטיב לָנוּ‬
ִ ‫הוּא י‬
‫יח‬
ַ ‫וִ י ַזכֵּנוּ לִ ימוֹת הַ מָּ ִשׁ‬
‫וּלְ חַ יֵּי הָ ע ֹולָם הַ בָּ א‬
Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu,
‫י ְִשׁ ָראֵ ל‬-‫עָ לֵינוּ וְ עַ ל ָכּל‬
Oseh shalom bimromav,
Sa
who does good for all creatures,
64
e
Take pity, ruling God,
‫ַרחֵ ם יי אֱ �הֵ ינוּ‬
‫מַ לְ כוּת בֵּ ית ָדּוִ ד‬-‫וְ עַ ל‬
‫וְ ַתגְ ִדּיל ְמהֵ ָרה‬
‫כְּ בוֹד הַ בָּ ִית‬
‫וּתנַחֲ מֵ נוּ בְּ כִ ְפ ַל ִים‬
ְ
ָ ‫בּ ֹונֵה בְ ַרחֲ מָ יו ְי‬
‫אָמֵ ן‬
m
pl
Shortest Grace
ha’El avinu malkenu,
hamelech hatov
vehametiv lakol.
Hu hetiv hu metiv
hu yetiv lanu,
vizakenu limot hamashiach
ul’chayey ha’olam haba.
hu ya’aseh shalom
aleinu ve’al kol Yisra’el,
ve’imru: “Amen.”
Shortest Grace
SP
A shepherd named Benjamin ate bread and then offered a short prayer of thanks. Rav said this is all he needed
to say (for the first blessing, as the other rabbis understood Rav’s comment). The story is in BT Berachot 40b.
Sometimes, the less we say the more we mean. Here is the shepherd’s prayer:
Blessed is the Merciful One,
‫ בְּ ִרי� ַרחֲ מָ ָנא‬Berich Rachamanah,
true owner of this bread.
‫יתּא‬
ָ ִ‫מָ ֵריהּ ְדּהַ אי פּ‬
marei dehai pitah.
Living as we do in a democracy with religious expression through prayer, it’s hard to assess how comforting it
would be to return to an absolute monarchy and a sacrificial system. As we say these words, we can ask for God
to guide our society, and for God to restore the spiritual connection we enjoyed in ancient times.
1
65
Meals Without Bread
Blessings Before Food
Meals Without Bread
e
Our tradition gives careful thought to the way we thank God for the food we enjoy.
When a meal includes bread, we begin with “Hamotzi” and conclude with Grace After Meals.
For other meals, we begin with one of the blessings below and conclude
with “Al Hamichyah” or “Borei Nefashot.”1
Blessings Before Food
m
pl
··········································· For wheat, barley, rye, oats or spelt products, but not bread ··········································
‫בּו ֵֹרא ִמינֵי ְמזוֹנוֹת‬
‫בּו ֵֹרא פְּ ִרי הָ עֵ ץ‬
‫בּו ֵֹרא פְּ ִרי הָ אֲ ָדמָ ה‬
‫ֶשׁהַ כֹּל נִ ְהיֶה בִּ ְדבָ ר ֹו‬
creator of different kinds of food.
borei minei mezonot.
····································································· For fruit that grows on trees·····································································
Sa
creator of fruit that grows on a tree.
borei peri ha’etz.
················································································ For vegetables ················································································
creator of fruit that grows from the ground.
borei peri ha’adamah.
··································· For other food—meat, fish, eggs, cheese, etc.—or drink (except wine) ··································
Ruler of the universe—
everything was created by your word.
For Nourishment ▪ ‫הַ ִמּ ְחיָה‬
shehakol nih’yeh bidvaro!
‫עַ ל‬
S
If a meal includes no bread but includes the produce of Israel mentioned in the Torah, we recite this blessing to
conclude the meal. The produce of Israel is: grape wine; the five grains, wheat, barley, rye, oats, and spelt;
and the five fruits, grapes, figs, olives, dates, and pomegranates.
SP
for the vine and fruit of the vine,
After wine made with grapes
‫פְּ ִרי הַ גֶּפֶ ן‬-‫הַ גֶּפֶ ן וְ עַ ל‬-‫עַ ל‬
al hagefen ve’al peri hagefen
‫עַ ל הָ עֵ ץ וְ עַ ל פְּ ִרי הָ עֵ ץ‬
al ha’etz ve’al peri ha’etz
After any of the five fruits
for the tree and fruit of the tree,
The detailed rules for the correct use of these blessings deserve careful study. On the one hand, we want to be
sure we thank God for the food we enjoy; on the other hand, we want to avoid “taking God’s name in vain”
with an unnecessary blessing.
1
‫עַ ל‬
Meals Without Bread
66
After food made with any of the five grains
for nourishment and sustenance
‫ עַ ל הַ ִמּ ְחיָה וְ עַ ל הַ ַכּלְ כָּ לָה‬al hamichyah ve’al hakalkalah
Afer wine and food made with any of the five grains
for nourishment and sustenance,
‫ עַ ל הַ ִמּ ְחיָה וְ עַ ל הַ ַכּלְ כָּ ָלה‬al hamichyah ve’al hakalkalah
and for the land—
ve’al eretz
S
Sa
m
pl
‫אֶ ֶרץ‬-‫וְ עַ ל‬
‫חֶ ְמ ָדּה טוֹבָ ה ְוּרחָ בָ ה‬
‫ית וְ ִהנְ חַ לְ ָתּ‬
ָ ‫ֶשׁ ָר ִצ‬
that you favored and gave as an inheritance
to our ancestors,
‫לֶאֱ כוֹל ִמפִּ ְריָהּ‬
to eat its fruit
and be filled with its goodness.
‫וְ לִ ְשׂבּוֹעַ ִמטּוּבָ הּ‬
Please take pity, Sovereign God,
‫ַרחֵ ם יי אֱ �הֵ ינוּ‬
on Israel your people,
�‫ְרוּשׁ ַל ִים ִע ֶיר‬
ָ ‫י‬-‫וְ עַ ל‬
and on Jerusalem your city,
� ֶ‫צִ יּוֹן ִמ ְשׁ ַכּן כְּ בוֹד‬-‫וְ עַ ל‬
and on Zion where your glory dwells,
and on your altar1 and on your Temple.
�ֶ‫הֵ י ָכל‬-‫ ִמזְ בַּ חֲ � וְ עַ ל‬-‫וְ עַ ל‬
And build Jerusalem, the holy city,
‫רוּשׁ ַל ִים ִעיר הַ קֹּדֶ שׁ‬
ָ ‫וּבְ נֵה ְי‬
quickly and in our days,
‫וְ הַ עֲ לֵנוּ לְ ת ֹו ָכהּ‬
and bring us up into it,
‫וְ ַשׂ ְמּחֵ נוּ בְּ בִ ְנ ָינָהּ‬
and make us rejoice as it’s rebuilt,
‫וְ נֹ א ַכל ִמפִּ ְריָהּ‬
and we’ll eat its fruit
‫וְ נִ ְשׂבַּ ע ִמטּוּבָ הּ‬
and be filled with its goodness,
ָ‫וּנְ בָ ֶרכְ � עָ לֶיה‬
and we’ll bless you for this
in holiness and purity.
‫בִּ ְקדֻ ָשּׁה וּבְ טָ הֳ ָרה‬
pleasant, good, and spacious—
e
for the vine and fruit of the vine,
‫פְּ ִרי הַ גֶּפֶ ן‬-‫הַ גֶּפֶ ן וְ עַ ל‬-‫ וְ עַ ל‬ve’al hagefen ve’al peri hagefen
·················································································Continue here ·················································································
and for the produce of the field,
‫ וְ עַ ל ְתּנוּבַ ת הַ ָשּׂדֶ ה‬ve’al tenuvat hasadeh
chemdah tovah ur’chavah
sheratzita vehinchalta
le’echol mipirya
velisbo’a mituva.
Rachem Adonai Eloheinu
ve’al Yerushalayim irecha
ve’al Tziyon mishkan kevodecha
ve’al mizbachacha ve’al hechalecha.
Uv’neh Yerushalayim, ir hakodesh,
bimhera veyamenu,
veha’alenu letocha
vesamchenu bevinyanah
venochal mipirya
venisba mituva
unevarechecha aleha
SP
bikdusha uv’tohorah.
··············································································· Add on Shabbat ···············································································
And take pleasure in this Shabbat day,
‫ ְוּרצֵ ה וְ הַ חֲ לִ יצֵ נוּ‬Uretze vehachalitzenu
and grant us success.
‫ בְּ יוֹם הַ ַשּׁבָּ ת הַ זֶּה‬beyom haShabat hazeh.
·········································································· Add on Rosh Chodesh ··········································································
and remember us for good
‫ וְ זָכְ ֵרנוּ לְ טוֹבָ ה‬vezochreinu letovah
on this new month.
1
‫בְּ יוֹם רֹאשׁ הַ ֹהדֶ שׁ הַ זֶּה‬
beyom rosh hachodesh hazeh,
Some omit this reference to Temple sacrifices.
67
Meals Without Bread
‫עַ ל‬
······························································ Add the appropriate line on festivals ······························································
And make us happy on…
‫ וְ ַשׂ ְמּחֵ נוּ בְּ יוֹם‬Vesamchenu beyom…
‫חַ ג הַ מַּ צּוֹת הַ זֶּה‬
‫חַ ג הַ ָשּׁ ֻבעוֹת הַ זֶּה‬
‫חַ ג הַ סֻּ כּוֹת הַ זֶּה‬
‫הַ ְשּׁ ִמינִ י חַ ג הָ עֲ צֶ ֶרת הַ זֶּה‬
this festival of weeks
this festival of huts
chag hamatzot hazeh,
chag hashavu’ot hazeh,
chag hasukkot hazeh,
e
this matzah festival
m
pl
this eighth day of assembly
hashmini, chag ha’atzeret hazeh,
·············································································On Rosh Hashanah ············································································
and remember us for good
‫ וְ זָכְ ֵרנוּ לְ טוֹבָ ה‬vezochreinu letovah
on this Remembrance Day
‫ בְּ יוֹם הַ זִּ ָכּרוֹן הַ זֶּה‬beyom hazikaron hazeh,
······································································· Continue on all occasions ······································································
because you are God,
‫אַ ָתּה יי‬-‫ כִּ י‬ki ata Adonai
who is good and does good to all,
‫טוֹב וּמֵ ִטיב ַלכֹּל‬
tov umetiv lakol,
and we’ll thank you for the land
‫אָרץ‬
ֶ ָ‫ וְ נוֹדֶ ה לְ � עַ ל ה‬venodeh lecha al ha’aretz
·····································································After wine made from grapes ····································································
and for the fruit of the vine.
‫ וְ עַ ל פְּ ִרי הַ גָּפֶ ן‬ve’al peri hagafen.
Baruch ata Adonai
Sa
for the land and fruit of the vine.
‫אָרץ וְ עַ ל פְּ ִרי הַ גָּפֶ ן‬
ֶ ָ‫ עַ ל ה‬al ha’aretz ve’al peri hagafen.
········································································After any of the five fruits ·······································································
and for the fruits.
‫ וְ עַ ל הַ פֵּ רוֹת‬ve’al haperot.
‫אָרץ וְ עַ ל הַ פֵּ רוֹת‬
Baruch ata Adonai
‫אָרץ וְ עַ ל הַ ִמּ ְחיָה‬
Baruch ata Adonai
‫וְ עַ ל פְּ ִרי הַ גֶּפֶ ן‬
‫אָרץ וְ עַ ל הַ ִמּ ְחיָה‬
‫וְ עַ ל פְּ ִרי הַ גָּפֶ ן‬
ve’al peri hagefen.
for the land and the fruits.
al ha’aretz ve’al haperot.
························································· After food made with any of the five grains·························································
and for the nourishment.
‫ וְ עַ ל הַ ִמּ ְחיָה‬ve’al hamichyah.
S
for the land and the nourishment.
al ha’aretz ve’al hamichyah.
············································After grape wine and food made with any of the five grains ···········································
and for the nourishment
‫ וְ עַ ל הַ ִמּ ְחיָה‬ve’al hamichyah
SP
and the fruit of the vine.
for the land and for the nourishment
and fruit of the vine.
Baruch ata Adonai
al ha’aretz ve’al hamichyah
ve’al peri hagafen.
After Other Food ▪ ‫נְ פָ שׁוֹת‬
Meals Without Bread
‫בּו ֵֹרא‬
After Other Food ▪ ‫נְפָ שׁוֹת‬
68
‫בּו ֵֹרא‬
·······················································After all other kinds of food, say this blessing ·······················································
and their needs—
for everything you created
to sustain every living creature,
borei nefashot rabot
vechesronan.
Al kol mah shebaratah
lehachayot bahem nefesh kol chai,
baruch chei ha’olamim.
SP
S
Sa
blessed is the Everliving God.1
e
creator of many living beings
‫בּו ֵֹרא נְ פָ שׁוֹת ַרבּוֹת‬
‫וְ חֶ ְסר ֹונָן‬
‫את‬
ָ ‫מַ ה ֶשׁבָּ ָר‬-‫עַ ל ָכּל‬
‫חָ י‬-‫לְ הַ חֲ יוֹת בָּ הֶ ם נֶפֶ שׁ כָּ ל‬
‫בָּ רוּ� חֵ י הָ ע ֹול ִָמים‬
m
pl
Ruler of the universe—
We thank God for creating the creatures that we eat, and those that they eat, all the way down to the very
bottom of the food chain. “To sustain every living creature” could be translated, “to give life through the
creatures that get eaten to every living soul.” “Everliving God” could be, “Life of the worlds,” or “Life of
eternity”—or “Eternal Source of Life.”
1
69
Songs
The World To Come ▪ ‫הַ בָּ א‬
‫בָּ ע ֹולָם‬
Songs
‫בָּ ע ֹולָם‬
‫בָּ ע ֹולָם הַ בָּ א‬
‫ַשׁבָּ ת ְמנוּחָ ה‬
‫יח‬
ַ ‫חֶ בְ לֵי מָ ִשׁ‬
‫בֶּ ן ָדוִ ד בָּ א‬
is a restful Shabbat.
After the throes of the Messiah,
David’s descendant is
How Good ▪
Num 24:5
coming!1
‫מַ ה־טֹּבוּ‬
‫מַ ה־טֹּבוּ אֹהָ לֶ י� ַי ֲעקֹב‬
Jacob! Your tents look really good;
‫ִמ ְשׁ ְכּנֹתֶ י� יִ ְשׂ ָראֵ ל‬
and Israel, so do your prayer houses.
Tree of Life ▪ ‫הִ יא‬
Prov 3:18
‫עֵ ץ־חַ יִּים‬
Cling to it, and it’s a tree of life;
those who uphold it are
‫ח ִזיקִ ים בָּ הּ‬
ֲ ַ‫עֵ ץ־חַ יִּ ים ִהיא לַ מּ‬
happy.2
Torah ways are pleasant ways;
O God, My God ▪ ‫אֵ לִי‬
O God, my God
The rushing of waters,
Chevlei Mashi’ach,
ben David bah.
‫וְ ת ְֹמכֶ יהָ ְמאֻ שָּׁ ר‬
Mah tovu ohalecha Ya’akov
Mishkenotecha, Yisra’el.
Etz chayim hi lamachazikim bah,
vetomcheha me’ushar.
‫ְדּ ָרכֶ יהָ ַד ְרכֵ י־נֹעַ ם וְ כָ ל־‬
Deracheha darchei no’am
‫נְ ִתיבוֹתֶ יהָ שָׁ לוֹם‬
vechol netivoteha shalom.
‫אֵ לִ י‬
I pray there forever may be
The sand and the sea,
Shabbat menuchan.
Sa
peaceful are its paths always.
Ba’olam habah,
e
In the world to come
m
pl
The World To Come ▪ ‫הַ בָּ א‬
The thundering sky,
S
The heart’s reverent cry—
The sand and the sea,
The rushing of waters,
SP
The thundering sky,
The heart’s reverent cry.3
‫אֵ לִ י אֵ לִ י‬
‫ֶשׁ�א ִיגָּמֵ ר לְ ע ֹו ָלם‬
‫הַ חוֹל וְ הַ יָּם‬
‫ִר ְשׁרוּשׁ ֶשׁל הַ מַּ ִים‬
‫בְּ ַרק הַ ָשׁמַ ִים‬
‫אָדם‬
ָ ָ‫ְתּפִ לַּת ה‬
‫הַ חוֹל וְ הַ יָּם‬
‫ִר ְשׁרוּשׁ ֶשׁל הַ מַּ ִים‬
‫בְּ ַרק הַ ָשׁמַ ִים‬
‫אָדם‬
ָ ָ‫ְתּפִ לַּת ה‬
Eli, Eli
Shelo yigamer le’olam
Hachol vehayam,
Rishrush shel hamayim,
Berak hashamayim
Tefilat ha’adam—
Hachol vehayam,
Rishrush shel hamayim,
Berak hashamayim
Tefilat ha’adam.
Our tradition holds that the Messiah will be descended from David and will arrive after a difficult period in
world history—the “throes of the Messiah.”
2 “It’s a tree of life to those who cling to it, and those who hold it up are happy.” A wonderful thought: Torah is
like a spiritual bank: it gives strength to the needy and happiness to those who give their strength to it.
3 Hannah Senesh, heroine and poet, composed this popular song.
1
‫ע ֶֹשׂה‬
‫ע ֶֹשׂה‬
The One who makes peace on high,
will make peace
for us and for all Israel.
Now you say, “That’s right.”
See How Good ▪ ‫מַ ה־טּוֹב‬
Ps 133:1
together.1
Israel Lives! ▪ ‫חַ י‬
‫עַ ם י ְִשׂ ָראֵ ל‬
The people of Israel live;
our Source of
Life2
is still vibrant!
No More War ▪ ‫גוֹי‬
‫י ְִשׁ ָראֵ ל‬-‫עָ לֵינוּ וְ עַ ל ָכּל‬
‫הִ נֵּה‬
See how good and pleasant it is
to sit like family,
70
‫�א־י ִָשּׂא‬
One people will not threaten another,3
‫שֶׁ בֶ ת אַ ִחים גַּם־יָחַ ד‬
‫עַ ם ִי ְשׂ ָראֵ ל חַ י‬
‫עוֹד אָבִ ינוּ חַ י‬
hu ya’aseh shalom
aleinu ve’al kol Yisra’el,
ve’imru: “Amen.”
Hineh mah tov umah na’im
shevet achim gam yachad.
Am Yisra’el chai,
od avinu chai.
‫ל ֹא־יִ שָּׂ א גוֹי אֶ ל־גּוֹי חֶ ֶרב‬
Lo yisa goy el goy cherev,
‫וְ ל ֹא־יִ ְל ְמדוּ עוֹד ִמ ְלחָ מָ ה‬
velo yilmedu od milchamah.
‫צֶ אנָה הַ בָּ נוֹת ְוּראֶ ינָה‬
‫חַ יָּלִ ים בַּ מּו ָֹשׁבָ ה‬
‫נָא ִת ְתי ֶָראנָה‬-‫אַל‬
‫צָ בָ א‬-‫חַ יַּל ִאישׁ‬-‫ִמבֶּ ן‬
Tse’na habanot ur’ena
Sa
and they shall no longer study war.
‫ִהנֵּה מַ ה־טּוֹב וּמַ ה־נּ ִָעים‬
Oseh shalom bimromav,
e
The Peacemaker ▪ ‫ָשׁלוֹם‬
Songs
m
pl
The Peacemaker ▪ ‫ָשׁלוֹם‬
Don’t Fear the Soldiers ▪ ‫צֶ אנָה‬
Come on girls, let’s go and see
the soldiers in the village.
For they are marriageable men,
Al nah tityare’nah
miben chayal ish tzavah.
SP
S
not bent on rape or
pillage.4
chayalim bamoshavah.
Psalm 133:1. “See how good and pleasant it is when siblings sit (or dwell) together!”
“Our father.”
3 “One nation will not brandish (or lift) its sword against another nation.”
4 Yissachar Miron composed this popular Israeli song when he served in the British Army’s Jewish Brigade
during the Second World War. “Come out, girls, and see the soldiers in the village; don’t be afraid of the soldier,
the man of war.”
1
2
71
Songs
Psalm 128:5-6
’‫יְבָ ֶרכְ � ה‬
‫יְ בָ ֶר ְכ� ה’ ִמ ִצּיּוֹן‬
May God bless you from Zion
‫ְוּראֵ ה ְבּטוּב יְ רוּשָׁ לָ ִם‬
and let you see Jerusalem flourish.
‫יְ בָ ֶר ְכ� ה’ ִמ ִצּיּוֹן‬
May God bless you from Zion
�‫כֹּל יְ מֵ י חַ יֶּי‬
all your days
�‫ְוּראֵ ה־בָ נִ ים ְלבָ נֶי‬
and let you enjoy your grandchildren,
‫שָׁ לוֹם עַ ל־יִ ְשׂ ָראֵ ל‬
‫לְ ָשׁנָה‬
Next year
‫לְ ָשׁנָה הַ בָּ אָה‬
‫ירוּשׁ ָל ִים הַ בְּ נוּיָה‬
ָ
ִ‫בּ‬
in Jerusalem—rebuilt!
You Will Spread Out ▪ ‫וּפָ ַרצְ ָתּ‬
Gen 26:14
‫וּפָ ַר ְצתָּ יָמָּ ה וָקֵ ְדמָ ה‬
You will spread west and east,
‫וְ צָ ֹפנָה ָונֶגְ בָּ ה‬
north and south;
�‫וְ נִ ְברֲ כוּ ְב‬
ure’eh betuv Yerushalayim.
Yevarech’cha Hashem miTsiyon
kol yemei chayecha,
ur’eh vanim levanecha
shalom al Yisra’el.
Leshana haba’ah
biYerushalayim habenuyah!
Ufaratzta yamah vakedmah
vetzafonah vanegbah,
venivrechu vecha
Sa
through you will be blessed
‫ל־מ ְשׁ ְפּחֹת הָ א ֲָדמָ ה‬
ִ ָ‫כּ‬
all the families of the earth—
� ֶ‫וּבז ְַרע‬
ְ
and through your descendants.
Land of Milk and Honey ▪ ‫חָ לָב‬
kol mishpechot ha’adamah
uvezar’echa.
‫אֶ ֶרץ זָבַ ת‬
‫אֶ ֶרץ זָבַ ת חָ לָ ב ְוּדבָ שׁ‬
A land oozing milk and honey.
If You Wish ▪ ‫חָ לָב‬
Yevarech’cha Hashem miTsiyon
m
pl
and peace for Israel.
Next Year ▪ ‫הַ בָּ אָה‬
’‫יְבָ ֶרכְ � ה‬
e
May God Bless You ▪ ‫ִמצִּ יּוֹן‬
May God Bless You ▪ ‫ִמצִּ יּוֹן‬
Eretz zavat chalav ud’vash.
‫אֶ ֶרץ זָבַ ת‬
If you wish, it need be no fable—
‫ִאם ִתּ ְרצוּ אֵ ין ז ֹו אַ גּ ָָדה‬
ְ ְ‫לִ ְהיוֹת עַ ם חָ ְפ ִשׁי בּ‬
‫ירוּשׁ ַל ִים‬
ָ ִ‫בְּ אֶ ֶרץ ִציּוֹן ו‬
Im tirtzu, ein zo agadah—
�‫ה ֲִשׁיבֵ נוּ יְהוָה אֵ לֶ י‬
Hashivenu, Adonai, elecha
S
to be a free people in our land,
the land of Zion and Jerusalem.1
lih’yot am chofshi be’artzenu,
be’eretz Zion virushalayim.
Take Us Back ▪ ‫הֲ ִשׁיבֵ נוּ‬
SP
God, take us back;
we’ll no more stray.
Take us back to the olden
days!”2
‫וְ נָשׁוּבָ ה‬
‫חַ ֵדּשׁ יָמֵ ינוּ ְכּקֶ ֶדם‬
venashuva;
chadesh yameinu kekedem.
The phrase “If you wish, it need be no fable” is attributed to Theodor Herzl, founder of political Zionism.
“Bring us back to you, Lord, and we shall come back; renew our days as of old”—a plea to return to the merit
we enjoyed before we suffered the destruction of Jerusalem, commemorated in the book of Lamentations.
1
2
‫אֶ ָשּׂא‬
I look up at the hills;
‫אֶ ָשּׂא עֵ ינַי אֶ ל־הֶ הָ ִרים‬
‫מֵ אַיִן ָיבֹא עֶ זְ ִרי‬
‫עֶ זְ ִרי מֵ ִעם יְהוָ ה‬
‫אָרץ‬
ֶ ָ‫ע ֵֹשׂה ָשׁמַ ִים ו‬
where am I to find help?
My help comes from Hashem,
who makes heaven and earth.
Rejoice with Jerusalem1 ▪ ‫ְרוּשׁ ָליִם‬
ָ ‫י‬
‫ִשׂישׂוּ אֶ ת‬
Rejoice with Jerusalem;
may all her
friends2
ָ ‫ִשׂישׂוּ אֶ ת ְי‬
ָ‫ִגּילוּ בָ ה ָכּל אוֹהָ בֶ יה‬
rejoice with her.
On your walls, city of David,
‫עַ ל ח ֹו ֹמ ַת ִי� עִ יר ָדּוִ ד‬
‫ִהפְ ַק ְד ִתּי שׁו ְֹמ ִרים‬
‫ָכּל הַ יּוֹם וְ ָכל הַ ַלּ ְילָה‬
… ‫ִשׂישׂוּ‬
I have positioned sentries
all day and all night.
Rejoice …
for your enemies flee from you.
Rejoice …
‫אַל ִתּ ָירא וְ אַל ֵתּחָ ת‬
‫עַ בְ ִדי יַעֲ ֹקב‬
�‫כִּ י יָנוּסוּ ְמ ַשׂנְ אֶ י� ִמפָּ נֶי‬
Sa
Do not fear, do not take fright,
my servant, Jacob,
72
Lift your eyes, look around
and see them all—the exiles
S
are gathered and coming to you!
me’ayin yavo ezri;
ezri me’im Hashem,
oseh shamayim va’aretz.
Sisu et Yerushalayim;
�‫ְשׂ ִאי סָ בִ יב עֵ י ַנ ִי‬
‫ְוּר ִאי ֻכּ ָלּם‬
�ָ‫נִ ְקבְּ צוּ וּבָ אוּ ל‬
gilu vah kol ohaveha.
Al chomotayich, ir David,
hifkadti shomrim
kol hayom vechol halaylah.
Sisu …
Al tira ve’al techat,
avdi, Ya’akov,
ki yanusu m’san’echa mipanecha.
Sisu …
Se’i saviv einayich
ure’i kulam
nikbetzu uva’u lach.
Sisu …
SP
Rejoice …
Esah einai el heharim,
e
I Look Up ▪ ‫עֵ ינַי‬
Psalm 121:1-2
Songs
‫אֶ ָשּׂא‬
m
pl
I Look Up ▪ ‫עֵ ינַי‬
1
2
This song is based on verses of Isaiah, for example 62:6 and 66:10, and other verses from Hebrew scripture.
“All those who love her.”
73
Songs
‫ָשׁלוֹם‬
Abundant peace
‫ָשׁלוֹם ָרב‬
�‫עַ ל י ְִשׂ ָראֵ ל עַ ְמּ‬
‫ָתּ ִשׂים לְ ע ֹולָם‬
on your people Israel
bestow forever.
For you are the ruler,
Abundant peace …
And it’s good in your eyes
�‫וְ טוֹב בְּ עֵ ינֶי� לְ בָ ֵר‬
‫אֶ ת עַ ְמּ� י ְִשׂ ָראֵ ל‬
‫בְּ ָכל עֵ ת וּבְ ָכל ָשׁעָ ה‬
� ֶ‫בִּ ְשׁלוֹמ‬
… ‫ָשׁלוֹם ָרב‬
to bless your people Israel
every time, and every hour,
with your peace.
Abundant peace …
‫עוֹד‬
al Yisra’el amcha
tasim le’olam.
Ki atah hu melech
adon lechol hashalom.
Shalom rav …
Vetov be’einecha
levarech et amcha Yisra’el
bechol et uv’chol sha’ah
bishlomecha.
Shalom rav …
Sa
Again We’ll Hear ▪ ‫ִשּׁמַ ע‬
ָ‫י‬
Shalom rav
m
pl
�ֶ‫כִּ י אַ ָתּה הוּא מֶ ל‬
‫אָדוֹן לְ ָכל הַ ָשּׁלוֹם‬
… ‫ָשׁלוֹם ָרב‬
sovereign of all peace.
Jer 33:10-11
‫ָשׁלוֹם‬
e
Abundant Peace1 ▪ ‫ָרב‬
Abundant Peace ▪ ‫ָרב‬
Again we’ll hear both far and wide
In Judah’s towns now bleak and bare
‫הוּדה‬
ָ ְ‫עָרי י‬
ֵ ‫ְבּ‬
‫וּבחֻ צוֹת יְ רוּשָׁ לַ ִם‬
ְ
And Jerusalem’s open spaces
The sound of joy, a happy air,
bride. 2
Od yishama
be’arei Yehudah
uvechutzot Yerushalayim
‫קוֹל שָׂ שׂוֹן וְ קוֹל ִשׂ ְמחָ ה‬
kol sason vekol simcha,
‫קוֹל חָ תָ ן וְ קוֹל כַּ לָּ ה‬
kol chatan vekol kalah.
SP
S
The voice of bridegroom and of
‫עוֹד יִ שָּׁ מַ ע‬
From the Minchah (afternoon service) Amidah.
“Again will be heard in Judah’s towns and Jerusalem’s courtyards the voice of happiness, the voice of joy, the
voice of bridegroom and the voice of the bride.”
1
2
So God Spoke ▪ ‫אֵ ל‬
Songs
‫ִמפִּ י‬
So God Spoke1 ▪ ‫אֵ ל‬
74
‫ִמפִּ י‬
The second words in each line (excluding the chorus) begin with successive letters
of the Hebrew alphabet. This acrostic poem praises God and the Jewish people.
So God spoke, so God spoke:
‫ ִמפִּ י אֵ ל ִמפִּ י אֵ ל‬Mipi El, mipi El,
none blessed like Amram’s
son,2
nothing is great as the Torah,
and none expound Torah like Israel!
Blessed will be all Israel’s folk!
None is beautiful like God,
none experienced like Amram’s son,
and none love Torah like Israel.
None is pure like God,
none upright like Amram’s son,
S
nothing is honored as the Torah,
and none study Torah like Israel.
ve’ein baruch keven Amram,
ve’ein gedolah kaTorah,
ve’ein dorshah keYisra’el.
Mipi El, mipi El,
yevorach kol Yisrael.
Ein hadur kAdonai,
‫אֵ ין טָ הוֹר כַּיי‬
‫וְ אֵ ין ָי ָשׁר כְּ בֶ ן עַ ְמ ָרם‬
‫וְ אֵ ין כְּ בו ָֹדהּ ַכּתּו ָֹרה‬
‫וְ אֵ ין לו ְֹמ ָדהּ כְּ ִי ְשׂ ָראֵ ל‬
‫ִמפִּ י אֵ ל ִמפִּ י אֵ ל‬
‫יְבו ָֹר� ָכּל ִי ְשׂ ָראֵ ל‬
Ein tahor kAdonai,
ve’ein vatik keven Amram,
ve’ein zaka’ah kaTorah,
ve’ein chomdah keYisra’el.
Mipi El, mipi El,
ve’ein yashar keven Amram,
ve’ein kevodah kaTorah,
ve’ein lomdah keYisra’el.
Mipi El, mipi El,
SP
Ein adir kAdonai,
‫אֵ ין הָ דוּר כַּיי‬
‫וְ אֵ ין וָ ִתיק כְּ בֶ ן עַ ְמ ָרם‬
‫וְ אֵ ין ָז ָכּאָה ַכּתּו ָֹרה‬
‫וְ אֵ ין חו ְֹמ ָדהּ כְּ ִי ְשׂ ָראֵ ל‬
Sa
nothing is worthy as the Torah,
‫אֵ ין אֲ ִדּיר כַּיי‬
‫וְ אֵ ין בָּ רוּ� כְּ בֶ ן עַ ְמ ָרם‬
‫וְ אֵ ין גְּ ֹדלָּה ַכּתּו ָֹרה‬
‫וְ אֵ ין דו ְֹר ָשׁהּ כְּ י ְִשׂ ָראֵ ל‬
e
None is mighty like God,
m
pl
1
“From God’s mouth”—i.e., the assurance is guaranteed by God’s own word.
was the father of Moses, Aaron and Miriam.
2 Amram
None is royal like God,
no prophet like Amram’s son,
nothing is treasured as the Torah,
and none work at Torah like Israel.
None saves like God,
none is righteous like Amram’s son,
nothing is holy like the Torah,
and none possess Torah like Israel.
None guards like God,
none is perfect like Amram’s son,
nothing is flawless like the Torah,
and none uphold Torah like Israel.
We Wept for Zion ▪ ‫בָּ בֶ ל‬
Ein melech kAdonai,
ve’ein navi keven Amram,
ve’ein segulah kaTorah,
ve’ein oskah keYisra’el.
Mipi El, mipi El,
‫אֵ ין פּוֹדֶ ה כַּיי‬
‫וְ אֵ ין צַ ִדּיק כְּ בֶ ן עַ ְמ ָרם‬
‫וְ אֵ ין ְקדו ָֹשׁה ַכּתּו ָֹרה‬
‫וְ אֵ ין רוֹכְ ָשׁהּ כְּ י ְִשׂ ָראֵ ל‬
Ein podeh kAdonai,
‫אֵ ין שׁוֹמֵ ר ַכּיי‬
‫וְ אֵ ין ָתּ ִמים כְּ בֶ ן עַ ְמ ָרם‬
‫וְ אֵ ין ְתּ ִמימָ ה ַכּתּו ָֹרה‬
‫וְ אֵ ין תּו ְֹמ ָכהּ כְּ ִי ְשׂ ָראֵ ל‬
Ein shomer kAdonai,
ve’ein tzadik keven Amram,
ve’ein kedoshah kaTorah,
ve’ein rochshah keYisra’el.
Mipi El, mipi El,
ve’ein tamim keven Amram,
ve’ein temimah kaTorah,
ve’ein tomchah keYisra’el.
Mipi El, mipi El,
‫עַ ל נַהֲ רוֹת‬
By Babylon’s streams
S
Ps 137:1
‫עַ ל נַהֲ רוֹת‬
Sa
‫אֵ ין מֶ לֶ� ַכּיי‬
‫וְ אֵ ין ָנבִ יא כְּ בֶ ן עַ ְמ ָרם‬
‫וְ אֵ ין ְס ֻגלָּה ַכּתּו ָֹרה‬
‫וְ אֵ ין עו ְֹס ָקהּ כְּ י ְִשׂ ָראֵ ל‬
‫ְיבו ָֹר� ָכּל ִי ְשׂ ָראֵ ל‬
We Wept for Zion ▪ ‫בָּ בֶ ל‬
e
Songs
m
pl
75
‫עַ ל ַנהֲרוֹת בָּ בֶ ל‬
‫שָׁ ם יָשַׁ ְבנוּ גַּם־בָּ ִכינוּ‬
as we thought of Zion.
‫ת־ציּוֹן‬
ִ
ֶ‫ְבּז ְָכ ֵרנוּ א‬
sham yashavnu, gam bachinu,
bezochreinu et Tziyon.
SP
we sat down and wept
Al naharot Bavel,
Our Hope ▪ ‫הַ ִתּ ְקוָ ה‬
Songs
76
Our Hope ▪ ‫הַ ִתּ ְקוָה‬
‫ָכּל עוֹד בַּ לֵּבָ ב פְּ נִ ימָ ה‬
‫הוּדי הו ִֹמיָּה‬
ִ ‫נֶפֶ שׁ ְי‬
‫וּלְ פַ אֲ ֵתי ִמזְ ָרח ָק ִדימָ ה‬
‫עַ יִן לְ ִציּוֹן צוֹפִ יָּה‬
The soul in longing yearns,
And far away, to eastern parts,
The eye to Zion turns.
Two-thousand-year-old dream
Of freedom in our land again—
Zion,
Jerusalem!1
Let’s Sing ▪ ‫נ ְַר ְנּנָה‬
Ps 95:1-2
‫ְלכוּ נְ ַרנְּ נָה לַ יהוָה‬
Lechu neran’na lashem
Let’s shout for joy to our salvation’s rock.
Let’s approach God with thanks
hatikvah shenot alpayim
lih’yot am chofshi be’artzeinu—
be’eretz Tziyon viYerushalayim.
‫נ ִָריעָ ה ְלצוּר יִ ְשׁעֵ נוּ‬
nari’ah letzur yish’enu.
‫תוֹדה‬
ָ ‫נְ קַ ְדּמָ ה פָ נָיו ְבּ‬
Nekadmah fanav betodah,
Sa
‫ִבּז ְִמרוֹת נ ִָריעַ לוֹ‬
bizmirot nari’a lo.
‫לְ כָה‬
Come, my friend, to greet the bride;
Let us welcome the presence of the Sabbath.
Shabbat Shalom ▪ ‫ָשׁלוֹם‬
‫לְ ָכה דו ִֹדי לִ ְק ַראת ַכּלָּה‬
‫פְּ נֵי ַשׁבָּ ת נְ ַקבְּ לָה‬
Lecha dodi likrat kala
p’nei Shabbat nekablah.
‫ַשׁבָּ ת‬
‫ַשׁבָּ ת ָשׁלוֹם‬
Shabbat shalom!
SP
S
Sabbath of peace.
ayin leTziyon tsofiyah.
Od lo avdah tikvateinu
‫לְ כוּ‬
Come, Friend ▪ ‫דו ִֹדי‬
Ulefa’atei mizrach kadimah
‫עוֹד �א אָבְ ָדה ִת ְקוָ ֵתנוּ‬
‫הַ ִתּ ְקוָ ה ְשׁנוֹת אַלְ פַּ ִים‬
ְ ְ‫לִ ְהיוֹת עַ ם חָ ְפ ִשׁי בּ‬
‫ירוּשׁ ַל ִים‬
ָ ִ‫בְּ אֶ ֶרץ ִציּוֹן ו‬
Come on, let’s sing to God,
and joyful song.
nefesh Yehudi homiyah.
m
pl
Our ancient hope is not in vain,
Kol od balevav penimah
e
Deep within each Jewish heart
Written by Naftali Herz Imber (1856-1909), the national anthem of the State of Israel expresses our enduring
love for the land of Israel and our desire to rebuild the State of Israel. Hatikvah was accepted as the anthem of
the Zionist movement in 1907. The origin of the melody is not known.
1
77
Songs
The Sabbath Queen1 ▪ ‫הַ מַּ לְ כָּה‬
and greet the Shabbat queen.
Look, here she comes,
holy and blessed,
With messengers
of peace and rest.
Come here to us,
O queen and bride,
And welcome,
angels at her side.
How Lovely is Shabbat! ▪ ‫הַ יּוֹם‬
‫מַ ה יַפֶ ה‬
ha’ilanot nistalkah.
Bo’u venetzeh
likrat Shabbat hamalkah.
e
the treetops green,
Hachamah merosh
Hineh hi yoredet
Hak’doshah, hab’ruchah
m
pl
‫הַ חַ מָּ ה מֵ רֹאשׁ‬
‫הָ ִאילָנוֹת נִ ְס ַתּלְּ ָקה‬
‫בֹּאוּ וְ נֵצֵ א‬
‫לִ ְק ַראת ַשׁבָּ ת הַ מַּ לְ כָּ ה‬
‫ִהנֵּה ִהיא יו ֶֹרדֶ ת‬
‫הַ ְקּדו ָֹשׁה הַ ְבּרוּ ָכה‬
‫וְ ִעמָּ הּ מַ לְ אָכִ ים‬
ְ ‫ְצבָ א ָשׁלוֹם‬
‫בּ ִֹאי בּ ִֹאי הַ מַּ לְ ָכּה‬
‫בּ ִֹאי בּ ִֹאי הַ מַּ לְ ָכּה‬
‫ָשׁלוֹם עֲ לֵיכֶם‬
Let’s go
‫מַ ה יַפֶ ה הַ יּוֹם‬
‫ַשׁבָּ ת ָשׁלוֹם‬
Ve’imah mal’achim,
tz’vah shalom um’nuchah.
Bo’i bo’i hamalkah,
Bo’i bo’i hamalkah,
Shalom aleichem
mal’achei hashalom.
Mah yafeh hayom,
Sa
Sabbath of rest.
‫ַשׁבָּ ת‬
‫ַשׁבָּ ת‬
The sun peeks o’er
How lovely is this day,
The Sabbath Queen ▪ ‫הַ מַּ לְ כָּה‬
Shabbat shalom.
Hevenu Shalom Aleichem ▪ ‫הֵ בֵ אנוּ‬
We brought you peace.
Good Luck ▪ ‫טוֹב‬
‫הֵ בֵ אנוּ ָשׁלוֹם עֲ לֵיכֶם‬
Heveinu shalom aleichem.
‫ִסמָּ ן טוֹב וּמַ זָּל‬
Good luck and favorable omens,
‫ִסמָּ ן טוֹב וּמַ זָּל טוֹב‬
‫ְיהֵ א לָנוּ וּלְ ָכל י ְִשׂ ָראֵ ל‬
S
may they come for us and all Israel.
David, King of Israel ▪ ‫ִשׂ ָראֵ ל‬
ְ‫י‬
Siman tov umazal tov
yehei lanu ul’chol Yisra’el.
�ֶ‫דָ וִ יד מֶ ל‬
David, king of Israel,
SP
is still going strong.
‫ָדוִ יד מֶ לֶ� י ְִשׂ ָראֵ ל‬
‫חַ י וְ ַקיָּם‬
David melech Yisra’el
chai vekayam.
This song, by Chaim Nachman Bialik, is sung to a beautiful melody composed by P. Minkovsky. Bialik
composed four verses, of which only one is given here.
1
Songs
‫ַרחֵ ל‬
Rachel Stood1 ▪ ‫עָ ְמדָ ה‬
‫ַרחֵ ל‬
Rachel stood by the well,
‫ַרחֵ ל עָ ְמ ָדה עַ ל הָ עַ ִין‬
‫ִהיא וְ ַכ ָדּהּ וְ ִאישׁ אַיִן‬
‫ִהיא וְ ַכ ָדּהּ ִהיא לְ בַ ָדּהּ‬
‫ִהיא וְ ַכ ָדּהּ ִהיא לְ בַ ָדּהּ‬
she and her pitcher, no one else;
she and her pitcher, all alone,
she and her pitcher, all alone.
Rejoice! ▪ ‫וּשׁאַבְ תֶּ ם־מַ יִם‬
ְ
‫וּשׁאַ ְבתֶּ ם־מַ יִ ם ְבּשָׂ שׂוֹן‬
ְ
from the springs of salvation.
Halelu ▪ ‫הַ לְ לוּ‬
Praise, praise God!
Save Your People ▪ � ֶ‫אֶ ת־עַ מּ‬
and bless your possession;
We’ve Made Aliyah! ▪ ‫עָ לִ ינוּ‬
‫הַ לְ לוּ הַ לְ לוּיָה‬
Halelu Haleluya
� ֶ‫הוֹשׁיעָ ה אֶ ת־עַ מּ‬
ִ
Hoshi’ah et amecha
� ֶ‫וּבָ ֵר� אֶ ת־ ַנחֲלָ ת‬
uvarech et nachalatecha
‫ְוּרעֵ ם וְ נ ְַשּׂאֵ ם עַ ד־הָ עוֹלָ ם‬
ur’em venasem ad olam.
Now we’re in Israel on the farm
S
We cleared the rocks and plowed our field;
We sowed the seed: soon comes the
My Love Is Mine ▪ ‫לִי‬
Eleh chamdah libi,
chusa nah ve’al na tit’alem.
‫אַרצָ ה‬
ְ
Hard work does no one any harm.
‫אַרצָ ה עָ לִ ינוּ‬
ְ
‫כְּ בָ ר חָ ַר ְשׁנוּ וְ גַם ז ַָר ְענוּ‬
‫אֲ בָ ל עוֹד �א ָקצַ ְרנוּ‬
Artza Alinu.
K’var charashnu vegam zara’nu,
Aval od lo katzarnu.
yield!2
SP
‫דּו ִֹדי‬
My love is mine, and I am his,
Grazing among the lilies;
You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride,
you’ve stolen my heart, my bride.
2
Ush’avtem mayim besason
mimaynei hayeshu’ah.
‫אֵ לֶּה חָ ְמ ָדה לִ בִּ י‬
‫חוּסָ ה נָּא וְ אַל נָּא ִתּ ְתעַ לֵּם‬
please be kind, please don’t hide.
1
hi vechadah, hi levadah.
‫אֵ לֶּה חָ ְמדָ ה‬
For these things I yearn;
4:9
hi vechadah, hi levadah,
‫ִממַּ עַ יְ נֵי הַ יְ שׁוּעָ ה‬
Sa
tend and sustain them forever.
Song of Songs, 2:16
hi vechadah, ve’ish ayin,
‫הו ִֹשׁיעָ ה‬
Save your people
My Yearning ▪ ‫לִ בִּ י‬
Rachel amdah al ha’ayin
m
pl
Rejoice as you draw water
Psalm 28:9
78
e
Rachel Stood ▪ ‫עָ ְמדָ ה‬
‫דּוֹדי ִלי ַואֲנִ י לוֹ‬
ִ
Dodi li, va’ani lo
‫הָ רֹעֶ ה בַּ שּׁוֹשַׁ נִּ ים‬
Haro’eh bashoshanim;
‫ִלבַּ ְב ִתּנִ י ֲאח ִֹתי כַ לָּ ה‬
‫ִלבַּ ְב ִתּינִ י כַ לָּ ה‬
Libavtini, achoti chalah,
libavtini chalah.
This little pastoral ditty has five verses: Isaac appears, they fall in love, and her pitcher falls and breaks.
“We made Aliyah to Israel. We already plowed and sowed, but we did not yet reap.”
79
Songs
The Wilderness Will Rejoice ▪ ‫יְשֻׂ שׂוּם‬
The Wilderness Will Rejoice ▪ ‫יְשֻׂ שׂוּם‬
The wilderness and parched land will exult; ‫יְ שֻׂ שׂוּם ִמ ְדבָּ ר וְ ִציָּה‬
the wilderness will rejoice
‫וְ תָ גֵל ע ֲָרבָ ה‬
and blossom like the rose.
‫וְ ִת ְפ ַרח כַּ חֲבַ צָּ לֶ ת‬
‫ִכּי־נִ ְבקְ עוּ בַ ִמּ ְדבָּ ר מַ יִ ם‬
For waters will flow in the wilderness
‫וּנְ חָ ִלים בָּ ע ֲָרבָ ה‬
and streams in the desert.
‫כִּ י הֵ ם‬
Torah’s our life, it keeps us going
(Doing it, doing it day and night);
We’re having us a grand old time,
And we know we’re living right. 1
Uziyahu ▪ ‫עֻזִּ יָּהוּ‬
2 Chron 26:9
vetagel arava
vetifrach kachavatzalet
Ki nivke’u vamidbar mayim
un’chalim ba’aravah.
m
pl
Torah’s Our Life ▪ ‫חַ יֵּינוּ‬
Yesusum midbar vetziya
e
Isaiah 35:1, 6
‫וַ יִּבֶ ן‬
Uziyahu—what a name!
‫כִּ י הֵ ם חַ יֵּינוּ‬
‫וְ א ֶֹר� יָמֵ ינוּ‬
‫וּבָ הֶ ם נ ְֶהגֶּה‬
‫יוֹמָ ם וָ ָל ְילָה‬
Ki hem chayeinu,
‫וַיִּ בֶ ן עֻ זִּ יָּהוּ‬
Vayiven Uziyahu
… ‫ִמגְ ָדּ ִלים ִבּירוּשָׁ לַ ִם‬
uvahem neh’geh
yomam valailah.
migdalim birushala’im,
Sa
His mom could hardly say it right.
ve’orech yameinu
‫וַיְחַ זְּ קֵ ם‬
So he became a Big Giver,
vayechazkem.
And got his name on every library, street,
square, and school in sight. 2
Three Things ▪ ‫ְדבָ ִרים‬
‫לשׁה‬
ָ ‫עַ ל ְשׁ‬
Three things keep the world a spinnin’,
Candy, liquor, and friendly women.
S
Oh dear, I’ve got it wrong! It should be:
Al sh’loshah devarim
ha’olam omed:
al haTorah, ve’al ha’avodah,
ve’al g’milut chasadim.
SP
Torah, work, and
charity. 3
‫לשׁה ְדבָ ִרים‬
ָ ‫עַ ל ְשׁ‬
‫הָ ע ֹולָם עוֹמֵ ד‬
‫עַ ל הַ תּו ָֹרה וְ עַ ל הָ עֲ בו ָֹדה‬
‫וְ עַ ל גְּ ִמילוּת חֲ סָ ִדים‬
From Ahavat Olam, the blessing which precedes the evening Shema. “For they are our life and the length of
our days, and in them we take delight day and night.”
2 Uzziah’s long and prosperous reign ended in leprosy. “Uziyahu built towers in Jerusalem, and fortified them.”
3 A favorite teaching of Shimon Ha-Tzaddik in Pirkei Avot 1:2. “The world rests on three things: on Torah, on
service to God, and on acts of kindness.”
1
I Hear My Lover ▪ ‫דּו ִֹדי‬
Song of Songs 2:8
Songs
‫קוֹל‬
80
‫קוֹל‬
‫דּוֹדי ִהנֵּה־זֶה בָּ א‬
ִ ‫קוֹל‬
I hear my lover—he’s in sight!
Skipping across the hills,
‫ְמ ַדלֵּ ג עַ ל־הֶ הָ ִרים‬
Frisking on the heights. 1
‫ְמקַ פֵּ ץ עַ ל־הַ גְּ בָ עוֹת‬
Who Enjoys Life? ▪ ‫ִמי־הָ ִאישׁ‬
Ps 34:13-15
‫ִמי־הָ ִאישׁ הֶ חָ פֵ ץ חַ יִּ ים‬
loving each day to see what good it holds?
‫אֹהֵ ב י ִָמים ִל ְראוֹת טוֹב‬
�‫וּשׂפָ תֶ י‬
ְ ‫נְ צֹר ְלשׁוֹנְ � מֵ ָרע‬
Keep bad words from your tongue
and lies from your
‫ִמ ַדּבֵּ ר ִמ ְרמָ ה׃‬
lips.2
‫סוּר מֵ ָרע ַועֲשֵׂ ה־טוֹב בַּ קֵּ שׁ‬
Turn from bad and do good,
‫שָׁ לוֹם וְ ָר ְדפֵ הוּ‬
look for peace and go after it.
My Soul Thirsts ▪ ‫נַפְ ִשׁי‬
Ps 63:2
� ְ‫צָ ְמאָה ל‬
My soul thirsts for you;
As a deer yearns for water brooks,
Light for the Righteous ▪ ‫לַצַּ ִדּיק‬
‫ְכּאַ יָּל תַּ ֲערֹג עַ ל־א ֲִפיקֵ י־מָ יִ ם‬
Sur merah va’aseh tov,
bakesh shalom verodfehu.
Ken baKodesh chiziticha
lir’ot uz’cha uchevodecha!
Ke’ayal ta’arog al afikei mayim,
ken nafshi ta’arog elecha, Elohim!
ַ‫אוֹר זָרֻ ע‬
S
And joy before the upright heart.
‫אוֹר ז ָֻרעַ לַ צַּ ִדּיק‬
Or zaru’a latzadik,
‫וּליִ ְשׁ ֵרי־לֵ ב ִשׂ ְמחָ ה‬
ְ
uleyishrei lev simchah;
‫יִ ְשׂ ְמחוּ הַ שָּׁ מַ יִ ם‬
Yismechu hashamayim
SP
‫י ְִשׂ ְמחוּ‬
Sky will delight
and earth rejoice,
the teeming sea will
usefatecha midaber mirmah.
kamah lecha vesari!
‫ֱ�הים‬
ִ ‫כֵּ ן נ ְַפ ִשׁי תַ ֲערֹג אֵ לֶ י� א‬
Before the righteous, light is sown
Psalm 96:11
Netzor leshon’cha merah
‫כְּ אַ יָּל‬
so does my soul yearn for you, God!
Sky Will Delight ▪ ‫הַ ָשּׁמַ יִם‬
ohev yamim lir’ot tov.
‫כָּ מַ הּ ְל� ְבשָׂ ִרי‬
�‫בוֹד‬
ֶ ‫וּכ‬
ְ � ְ‫ִל ְראוֹת עֻ זּ‬
to see your power and your glory!
Ps 97:11
Mi ha’ish hechafetz chayim,
Tzam’ah lecha nafshi,
�‫יתי‬
ִ ‫ח ִז‬
ֲ ‫כֵּ ן בַּ קּ ֶֹדשׁ‬
To see you so in the Sanctuary,
Ps 42:2
Mekapetz al hag’va’ot.
‫צָ ְמאָ ה ְל� נ ְַפ ִשׁי‬
Sa
how much my body yearns for you—
As a Deer Yearns ▪ ‫ַתּעֲ רֹג‬
Medaleg al heharim,
m
pl
Who is it that enjoys life,
Kol dodi Hineh zeh bah,
e
I Hear My Lover ▪ ‫דּו ִֹדי‬
roar.3
‫וְ תָ גֵל הָ אָ ֶרץ‬
‫וּמ�אוֹ‬
ְ ‫ְיִרעַ ם הַ יָּם‬
vetagel ha’aretz
yir’am hayam um’lo’o.
“The voice/sound of my love—here he comes, leaping on the mountains, skipping on the hills.”
“Lock up your tongue from [speaking] bad, and your lips from speaking deceit.”
3 “The sea and what fills it will roar.”
1
2
81
Songs
‫אֲ דוֹן‬
who ruled
Before creating anything,
When God formed all to God’s liking,
Then God was known as
“Sovereign”!2
And when an end to all will come
Alone, revered, then God will reign.
And God has been, and God still is,
And God shall be in glorious fame.
God stands alone; no second can
Compare as fit companion;
Before the first, beyond the last,
God has strength and dominion.
Adon olam asher malach
‫וְ אַחֲ ֵרי כִּ כְ לוֹת הַ כֹּל‬
‫לְ בַ דּ ֹו ִי ְמלוֹ� נו ָֹרא‬
‫וְ הוּא הָ יָה וְ הוּא ֹה ֶוה‬
‫אָרה‬
ָ ְ‫וְ הוּא י ְִהיֶה בְּ ִתפ‬
Ve’acharei kichlot hakol
‫וְ הוּא אֶ חָ ד וְ אֵ ין ֵשׁנִ י‬
‫לְ הַ ְמ ִשׁיל ל ֹו לְ הַ ְחבִּ ָירה‬
‫אשׁית בְּ לִ י ַתכְ לִ ית‬
ִ ‫בְּ לִ י ֵר‬
‫וְ ל ֹו הָ עֹז וְ הַ ִמּ ְשׂ ָרה‬
Vehu echad, ve’ein sheni
‫וְ הוּא אֵ לִ י וְ חַ י גֹּ אֲ לִ י‬
‫וְ צוּר חֶ בְ לִ י בְּ עֵ ת צָ ָרה‬
‫וְ הוּא נִ ִסּי וּמָ נוֹס לִ י‬
‫ְמנָת כּו ִֹסי בְּ יוֹם אֶ ְק ָרא‬
Sa
My God, who lives and me redeems–
�‫אֲ דוֹן ע ֹולָם אֲ ֶשׁר מָ ַל‬
‫בְּ טֶ ֶרם ָכּל ְי ִציר נִ בְ ָרא‬
‫לְ עֵ ת נַעֲ ָשׂה בְ חֶ ְפצ ֹו כֹּל‬
‫אֲ זַי מֶ לֶ� ְשׁמ ֹו נִ ְק ָרא‬
Rock of my pain in time of grief,
My banner and my refuge: when
I cry for help, God brings relief.
I place my soul into God’s care
Sure that I’ll wake after this night;
My soul shall with my body stay:
Le’et na’asah vecheftzo kol,
Azai melech shemo nikrah.
Levado yimloch norah:
‫רוּחי‬
ִ ‫בְּ יָד ֹו אַפְ ִקיד‬
‫ישׁן וְ אָעִ ָירה‬
ַ ‫בְּ עֵ ת ִא‬
‫רוּחי גְּ וִ יּ ִָתי‬
ִ ‫וְ ִעם‬
‫ יי לִ י וְ �א ִא ָירא‬
Vehu hayah, vehu hoveh,
Vehu yih’yeh betif’arah.
Lehamshil lo lehachbirah,
Beli reshit, beli tachlit,
Velo ha’oz vehamisrah.
Vehu eli vechai go’ali
Vetzur chevli be’eit tzarah.
Vehu nisi umanos li,
Menat kosi beyom ekrah.
Beyado afkid ruchi
Be’eit ishan ve’a’irah,
Ve’im ruchi geviyati,
Adonai li, velo irah.
SP
S
God is with me: I’ll not take
fright!3
Beterem kol yetzir nivrah
e
Eternal
sovereign,1
‫אֲ דוֹן‬
m
pl
Adon Olam ▪ ‫ע ֹולָם‬
Adon Olam ▪ ‫ע ֹולָם‬
1 In this, our favorite hymn, we acknowledge God’s eternal and awesome power, but we also trust that God
cares for each of us as individuals. The poem is sometimes attributed to the 11th-century poet Solomon Ibn
Gabirol. I like it best of all because (in Hebrew) it begins “I dunno,” and our ability to challenge each other in
discussion is an appealing characteristic of Judaism.
2 “Then ‘King’ was his name called”: i.e., then God was called King, Ruler, Sovereign.
3 The main idea is that when we sleep, the soul slips away from the body; if it doesn’t come back, we leave this
life. Confident in God’s help, we can go to sleep without worry.
Songs for Havdalah
82
Songs for Havdalah
‫אֵ לִ יָּהוּ הַ נָּבִ יא‬
‫אֵ לִ יָּהוּ הַ ִתּ ְשׁבִּ י‬
‫אֵ לִ יָּהוּ אֵ לִ יָּהוּ‬
‫אֵ לִ יָּהוּ הַ גִּ לְ עָ ִדי‬
‫יָבוֹא אֵ לֵינוּ‬
‫ ָדּוִ ד‬-‫ִעם מָ ִשׁיחַ בֶּ ן‬
In Toshav he was a lad;
Then Elijah, then Elijah,
Then Elijah lived in Gil’ad.
Let him hasten,
in our need (2)
With the anointed, David’s seed.(2)
Shavu’a Tov ▪ ‫טוֹב‬
ַ‫ָשׁבוּע‬
Have a good week.
‫ָשׁבוּעַ טוֹב‬
Hamavdil ▪ ‫הַ מַּ בְ ִדּיל‬
May God who divides holy from
‫ ֹקדֶ שׁ לְ חוֹל‬-‫הַ מַּ בְ ִדּיל בֵּ ין‬
‫ֹאתינוּ הוּא ִי ְמחֹל‬
ֵ ‫חַ טּ‬
‫ז ְַרעֵ נוּ וְ ַכ ְספֵּ נוּ י ְַרבֶּ ה ַכּחוֹל‬
‫וְ ַככּ ֹו ָכבִ ים בַּ ַלּ ְילָה‬
Sa
secular forgive our sins and make
our wealth increase like sand and
Eliyahu haTishbi
Eliyahu, Eliyahu,
Eliyahu haGil’adi
Bimhera veyamenu
yavo eleinu
Im mashi’ach ben David. (2)
Shavu’a tov!
Hamavdil bein kodesh lechol,
chatoteinu hu yimchol;
zarenu vechaspenu yarbeh kachol
vechakochavim balaylah.
SP
S
the stars of the night.
Eliyahu hanavi
e
Elijah the prophet
m
pl
83
Chasidic Songs
Yam Bam Bam
Chasidic Songs
Yam Bam Bam
Yam badabambambam
‫יָם בָּ ם בָּ ם‬
O grant us purity
of utterance,
e
Yam badabambambam
yambambimbambombambambadababam
Surpassing Babel’s
awkward mutterance!
Yam badabambambam
yambambimbambombambambadababam
Yababababababababambimbom
Yambabababababambambam
Bambambam
Yambambambambambambambambam
Bam bambam
Bambambam
Sa
Bam bim bam bom bam badambambam.
m
pl
Yam badabambambam
La La La
La la lalalala
‫לַא לַא לַא‬
La la lalalala
Lalalalalalalalalalalala (2)
La la la la
La lalalala lala
A little schnapps,
a little sable,
A bit more schnapps,
a piece of bagel,
Soon we’ll be dancing
S
La lalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalala
on the table.
Lalala lalala lalala lalala
La lalalalalalalalalalala
SP
Lalala lalala lalala lalala
La lalalalalalalalalalala.
ְ ‫לְ י‬
‫יוֹם זֶה‬
Friday Night Zemirot
84
light and joy,
Shabbat, a day of rest!
You gave us commandments
standing at Sinai:
“Shabbat and holy days,
keep them every year;
prepare in my presence
a table richly
dressed1—
Today is for Israel
light and joy,
The hearts’ desire
for shattered folk;
for spirits oppressed
S
an extra soul
for souls constrained
to soothe distress—
SP
Today is for Israel
light and joy,
1
Yom zeh leYisra’el
‫קּוּדים‬
ִ ִ‫ית פּ‬
ָ ִ‫ִצוּ‬
‫בְּ מַ עֲ מַ ד ִסינַי‬
‫ַשׁבָּ ת וּמוֹעֲ ִדים‬
‫לִ ְשׁמוֹר בְּ כָ ל ָשׁנַי‬
‫לַעֲ רוֹ� לְ פָ נַי‬
‫מַ ְשׂאֵ ת וַ אֲ רוּחָ ה‬
Tzivita pikudim
‫יוֹם זֶה לְ י ְִשׂ ָראֵ ל‬
‫או ָֹרה וְ ִשׂ ְמחָ ה‬
‫חֶ ְמ ַדת הַ לְּ בָ בוֹת‬
‫בוּרה‬
ָ ‫לְ אֻ מָּ ה ְשׁ‬
‫לִ נְ פָ שׁוֹת נִ כְ אָבוֹת‬
‫נְ ָשׁמָ ה ְי ֵת ָרה‬
‫לְ נֶפֶ שׁ ְמצֵ ָרה‬
‫י ִָסיר אֲ נָחָ ה‬
Chemdat hal’vavot
Sa
Shabbat, a day of rest!”
orah vesimchah,
e
Today is for Israel
Shabbat menuchah.
m
pl
ְ ‫לְ י‬
bema’amad Sinai:
“Shabbat umo’adim
lishmor bechol shanai,
la’aroch lefanai
mas’et va’aruchah,
Shabbat menuchah.”
orah vesimchah,
Shabbat menuchah.
le’umah shevurah,
linfashot nich’avot
neshamah yeterah,
lenefesh metzerah
yasir anachah,
Shabbat menuchah.
orah vesimchah,
Shabbat menuchah.
“A gift and a meal.”
You hallowed and blessed
Shabbat above other days;
you finished in six days
the work of the world;
today the grieving find
quiet and trust—
Today is for Israel
light and joy,
To ban creative labor
if I keep Shabbat.
To the Awesome One I bring
a fragrant meal-offering—
Today is for Israel
Kidashta, berachta
oto mikol yamim,
besheshet kilita
melechet olamim;
bo matz’u agumim
hashket uvit’chah,
Shabbat menuchah.
‫לְ ִאסוּר ְמלָא ָכה‬
‫יתנוּ נו ָֹרא‬
ָ ִ‫ִצוּ‬
‫אֶ זְ כֶּה הוֹד ְמלוּ ָכה‬
‫ִאם ַשׁבָּ ת אֶ ְשׁ ֹמ ָרה‬
‫אַק ִריב ַשׁי לַמּו ָֹרא‬
ְ
‫ִמנְ חָ ה מֶ ְר ָקחָ ה‬
orah vesimchah,
Shabbat menuchah.
Le’isur melachah
tzivitanu norah:
ezkeh hod melachah
Sa
awesome God told us.
I shall earn royal glory
‫ִק ַדּ ְשׁ ָתּ בֵּ ַרכְ ָתּ‬
‫אוֹת ֹו ִמ ָכּל י ִָמים‬
‫ית‬
ָ ִ‫בְּ ֵשׁ ֶשׁת כִּ לּ‬
‫ְמלֶאכֶת ע ֹול ִָמים‬
‫גוּמים‬
ִ ֲ‫בּ ֹו מָ ְצאוּ ע‬
‫הַ ְשׁ ֵקט וּבִ ְטחָ ה‬
m
pl
ְ ‫לְ י‬
e
85
light and joy,
S
Restore our Temple,
SP
remember the ruin;
With goodness and salvation,
soothe the grieving
who spend Shabbat
in song and praise—
‫חַ דֵּ שׁ ִמ ְק ָדּ ֵשׁנוּ‬
‫זָכְ ָרה נֶחֱ ֶרבֶ ת‬
‫טוּבְ � מו ִֹשׁיעֵ נוּ‬
‫ְתּנָה ַל ֶנּ ֱעצֶ בֶ ת‬
‫בְּ ַשׁבָּ ת יו ֶֹשׁבֶ ת‬
‫וּשׁבָ חָ ה‬
ְ ‫בְּ זֶמֶ ר‬
im Shabbat eshmorah;
akriv shai laMorah,
min’chah merkachah,
Shabbat menuchah.
orah vesimchah,
Shabbat menuchah.
Chadesh mikdashenu,
zochrah necherevet,
tuvcha moshi’enu
tena lane’etzevet;
beShabbat yoshevet
bezemer ushevachah,
Shabbat menuchah.
‫מַ ה‬
‫מַ ה‬
O Sabbath queen
we love a rest;
We welcome you
dressed in our best;
We light the candles—
work is halted—
Sit and enjoy
this day
exalted.1
We take delight in foods delicious,
Fish and fowl and other dishes.
Before night falls
Chickens fat
and gourmet dishes,
Spicy wines
and many a treat
For each of the
Mah yedidut menuchatech
‫מֵ עֶ ֶרב מַ זְ ִמי ִנים‬
‫ָכּל ִמינֵי מַ ְטעַ ִמּים‬
‫ִמבְּ עוֹד יוֹם מוּ ָכ ִנים‬
‫ַתּ ְרנְ גוֹלִ ים ְמ ֻפטָּ ִמים‬
‫וְ לַעֲ רוֹ� ַכּמָּ ה ִמינִ ים‬
‫ְשׁתוֹת יֵינוֹת ְמבֻ ָשּׂ ִמים‬
‫נוּקי מַ עֲ ַדנִּ ים‬
ֵ ְ‫וְ ַתפ‬
‫בְּ ָכל ָשׁלשׁ פְּ עָ ִמים‬
‫לְ ִה ְתעַ נֵּג בְּ ַתעֲ נוּ ִגים‬
‫וּשׂלָיו וְ ָדגִ ים‬
ְ ‫בּוּרים‬
ִ ‫בַּ ְר‬
Me’erev mazminim
Sa
they make the knishes,
�‫מַ ה ְיּ ִדידוּת ְמנוּחָ ֵת‬
‫אַ ְתּ ַשׁבָּ ת הַ מַּ לְ ָכּה‬
�‫את‬
ֵ ‫בְּ כֵן נָרוּץ לִ ְק ָר‬
‫בּ ִֹאי ַכלָּה נְ סוּ ָכה‬
‫לְ בוּשׁ בִּ גְ דֵ י חֲ מוּדוֹת‬
‫לְ הַ ְדלִ יק נֵר בִּ בְ ָר ָכה‬
‫וַ ֵתּכֶל ָכּל הָ עֲ בוֹדוֹת‬
‫�א ַתעֲ שׂוּ ְמלָא ָכה‬
ִ ‫בַּ ְר‬
three meals we eat.2
Bechen narutz likratech,
bo’i chalah nesuchah.
Levush bigdei chamudot,
lehadlik ner biv’rachah
vatechel kol ha’avodot:
lo ta’asu melachah.
Le hit an egg beta’anugim,
barburim us’lav vedagim.
kol minei mat’amim;
mib’od yom muchanim
tarn’golim mefutamim.
Vela’aroch kamah minim,
sh’tot yeinot mevusamim,
vetafnukei ma’adanim
bechol shalosh pe’amim.
SP
S
at Shabbat hamalkah.
e
Treasured Rest ▪ ‫יּ ְִדידוּת‬
86
m
pl
“How beloved is your rest, / you are Shabbat, the queen; / so we hurry to greet you, saying, ‘Come, O bride,
anointed.’ / Dressed in fine clothes, / lighting candles with the blessing. / Work is halted / according to the
command, ‘Do no work.’”
2 “At evening they prepare / all kinds of tasty foods; / while it was still day were prepared / fattened fowls, / in
order to prepare several kinds of foods, / to drink spiced wines / and tasty delicacies / for all three times that we
eat on Shabbat.”
1
they inherit,
Rich and poor
salvation merit,
“Treasure my Sabbath
and I’ll treasure you;
“Work six days,
not the seventh too.”1
Forget your accounts
and business plan;
a worthwhile man.
Teach the children,
sing a song,
Speak ill of no one
all day long.2
Nachalat Ya’akov yirash
b’li metzarim nachalah,
vichabduhu ashir varash
vetizku lig’ulah;
yom Shabbat im tishmoru
vih’yitem li s’gulah,
sheshet yamim ta’avodu
‫סוּרים‬
ִ ֲ‫חֲ פָ צֶ י� בּ ֹו א‬
‫וְ גַם לַחֲ שׁוֹב חֶ ְשׁבּוֹנוֹת‬
‫הוּרים מֻ ָתּ ִרים‬
ִ ‫ִה ְר‬
‫וּלְ ַשׁדֵּ � הַ בָּ נוֹת‬
‫וְ ִתינוֹק לְ ל ְַמּד ֹו סֵ פֶ ר‬
‫ל ְַמנַצֵּ חַ בִּ ְנגִ ינוֹת‬
‫וְ לַהֲ גוֹת בְּ ִא ְמ ֵרי ֶשׁפֶ ר‬
‫בְּ ָכל פִּ נוֹת וּמַ חֲ נוֹת‬
ִ ‫בַּ ְר‬
uvash’vi’i nagilah.
Chafatzecha bo asurim
vegam lachashov cheshbonot;
hirhurim mutarim
ul’shadech habanot.
Sa
Find your daughter
‫נַחֲ ַלַת יַעֲ קֹב ִי ָירשׁ‬
‫בְּ לִ י ְמצָ ִרים נַחֲ ָלה‬
‫וִ י ַכבְּ דוּהוּ עָ ִשׁיר וָ ָרשׁ‬
‫וְ ִתזְ כּוּ לִ גְ אֻ לָּה‬
‫יוֹם ַשׁבַּ ת ִאם ִתּ ְשׁ ֹמרוּ‬
‫יתם לִ י ְס ֻגלָּה‬
ֶ ‫וִ ְה ִי‬
‫ֵשׁ ֶשׁת י ִָמים ַתּעֲ בוֹדוּ‬
‫יעי נָגִ ילָה‬
ִ ִ‫וּבַ ְשּׁב‬
ִ ‫בַּ ְר‬
‫מַ ה‬
e
Jacob’s portion
m
pl
87
lamnatze’ach bin’ginot,
velahagot be’imrei shefer
bechol pinot umachanot.
SP
S
vetinok lelamdo sefer,
“They inherit Jacob’s legacy, / a legacy without restrictions. / Rich and poor honor Shabbat / and merit
redemption. / God has promised, ‘If you keep Shabbat, / you shall be my treasure.’ / Work six days, / and enjoy
the seventh.”
2 “On Shabbat, your business transactions are forbidden, / as is reckoning accounts. / Meditation is allowed, /
and marrying off daughters, / teaching a child a book; / it’s also permitted to sing a song, / to speak kind words /
in every corner and camp.”
1
A pleasant word,
a quiet stroll,
A restful nap
to refresh the soul;
Within the fence
of roses, joy
Awaits each yearning
girl and boy.1
A glimpse of Heaven,
this day’s delight
we greet it right.
Spared the turmoil
of the Last Days,
May we be saved
without “Oy-vays!”2
S
A glimpse of Heaven
is Shabbat cheer;
Th’Anointed’s
throes—3
SP
David’s heir is near!
88
‫ִהלּוּ ָכ� ְתּהֵ א בְ נַחַ ת‬
‫ֹענֶג ְק ָרא ל ַַשּׁבָּ ת‬
‫וְ הַ ֵשּׁנָה ְמשֻׁ בַּ חַ ת‬
‫כְּ ָדת נֶפֶ שׁ ְמ ִשׁיבַ ת‬
‫בְּ כֵן ַנ ְפ ִשׁי לְ � עָ ְרגָה‬
‫וְ לָנוּחַ בְּ ִחבַּ ת‬
‫כַּשּׁו ַֹשׁנִּ ים סוּגָה‬
‫בּ ֹו יָנוּחוּ בֵּ ן וּבַ ת‬
ִ ‫בַּ ְר‬
Hiluchach t’heh venachat
‫מֵ עֵ ין ע ֹולָם הַ בָּ א‬
‫יוֹם ַשׁבָּ ת ְמנוּחָ ה‬
‫ָכּל הַ ִמּ ְתעַ נְּ ִגים בָּ הּ‬
‫יִזְ כּוּ לְ רֹב ִשׂ ְמחָ ה‬
‫יח‬
ַ ‫מֵ חֶ בְ לֵי מָ ִשׁ‬
‫יֻצָּ לוּ לִ ְרוָ חָ ה‬
ַ‫דוּתנוּ ַת ְצ ִמיח‬
ֵ ְ‫פּ‬
‫וְ נָס יָגוֹן וַ אֲ נָחָ ה‬
ִ ‫בַּ ְר‬
Me’ein olam habah
Sa
We’ll merit if
oneg k’rah laShabbat,
vehashenah meshubachat
kedat nefesh meshivat.
Bechen nafshi lecha orgah
e
‫מַ ה‬
velanu’ach bechibat,
kashoshanim sugah
m
pl
‫מֵ עֵ ין ע ֹולָם הַ בָּ א‬
‫יוֹם ַשׁבָּ ת ְמנוּחָ ה‬
‫יח‬
ַ ‫חֶ בְ לֵי מָ ִשׁ‬
‫בֶּ ן ָדוִ ד בָּ א‬
bo yanuchu ben uvat.
yom Shabbat m’nuchah.
Kol hamit’angim bah
yizku lerov simchah.
Mechevlei mashi’ach
yutzalu lir’vachah,
pedutenu tatzmi’ach
venas yagon va’anachah.
Me’ein olam habah
yom Shabbat m’nuchah.
Chevlei mashi’ach
ben David ba!
“Let your stroll be pleasant (i.e., Enjoy your walk); / call Shabbat a joy; / sleeping is praiseworthy / to refresh
the soul. / So my soul yearns for you, / to rest in love / like roses, fenced in; / on Shabbat each boy and girl will
rest.”
2 “Like the World to Come / is the Shabbat day of rest. / All who enjoy it / earn great joy. / From the bonds of
the Anointed / they shall be saved for freedom. / May our salvation flourish / so that sadness and crying may
flee.”
3 “The throes of the Anointed”—i.e., the turmoil that many believe will precede the arrival of the Messiah
(Hebrew for anointed), descendant of King David. We hope and trust that the Messianic age is imminent.
1
89
‫יָהּ‬
Creator1
‫יָהּ ִרבּוֹן‬
‫עָ לַם וְ עָ לְ מַ יָּא‬
‫אַנְ ְתּ הוּא מַ לְ ָכּא‬
‫מֶ לֶ� מַ לְ ַכיָּא‬
�‫בוּר ֵתּ‬
ְ ְ‫עוֹבַ ד גּ‬
‫וְ ִת ְמהַ יָּא‬
� ָ‫ְשׁפַ ר ֳק ָדמ‬
‫לְ הַ חֲ וַ יָא‬
…‫יָהּ ִרבּוֹן‬
of the world entire,
Kings are high,
but you are higher!
In wondrous deeds
inspire.2
Creator…
Praises day and night
I shall fashion
all souls in creation,
of every nation,
Birds in the sky,
Angels dwelling higher.
An’t hu malka
melech malchayah.
Ovad gevurtech
vetimhayah,
‫ְשׁבָ ִחין אֲ סַ דֵּ ר‬
‫צַ פְ ָרא וְ ַר ְמ ָשׁא‬
‫ישׁא‬
ָ ‫לָ� אֱ לָהָ א ַק ִדּ‬
‫נַפְ ָשׁא‬-‫ִדּי בְ ָרא ָכּל‬
‫ישׁין‬
ִ ‫ִע ִירין ַק ִדּ‬
‫וּבְ נֵי אֱ נ ָָשׁא‬
‫חֵ יוַ ת בְּ ָרא‬
‫וְ עוֹפֵ י ְשְׁמַ יָּא‬
Shefar kodamach
lehachavayah.
Yah ribon…
Shevachin asader
tzafrah veramshah,
Lach Elahah kadishah
di verah kol nafshah.
Irin kadishin
uvenei enashah,
Cheivat berah
ve’ofei shemayah.
Yah ribon…
SP
S
Creator…
ve’almaya,
Sa
To God who made
Beasts, and people
Yah ribon alam
m
pl
you never tire;
Our praises
you
‫ָיהּ‬
e
Creator of the World ▪ ‫ִרבּוֹן‬
The Singlish translation follows the rhyme scheme for the original Aramaic—AAAA, BBBA, CCCA—as well
as the sound of the Hebrew rhyme—“higher” rhymes with “malchaya,” “fashion” uses the most conspicuous
sounds of “ramsha,” and so on. Echoing the rhyme is rather difficult to do while retaining English idiom, and
readers will have to judge the results for themselves. Be fair, though: sing the Singlish out loud—don’t just read
it—before you pass judgement.
2 “Creator and master of this world and all worlds, you are the king of the kings of kings; your work, mighty
and wonderful, it is good to describe before you.”
1
Many your deeds,
like lightning cleaving:
Humbling the proud,
the bowed relieving.
A thousand years a man might try
without once conceiving
The measure of your might
to seek out and inquire.
1
Creator…
God, who moves
both love and awe,
Free your flock
from the lion’s jaw.
and their land restore,
The people whom from all the world
you (God) did
desire.2
90
Ravrevin ovdech
vetakifin,
Machich remayah
vezakif kefifin.
Lu yichyeh gevar
shenin alfin,
Lah ye’ol gevurtech
‫אֱ לָהָ א ִדּי לֵהּ‬
‫בוּתא‬
ָ ‫ְי ַקר ְוּר‬
�ָ‫פְּ רוֹק יַת עָ נ‬
‫אַריְוָ ָתא‬
ְ ‫ִמפּוּם‬
� ֵ‫וְ אַ פֵּ יק יַת עַ מּ‬
‫ָלוּתא‬
ָ ‫ִמגּ ֹו ג‬
‫עַ מֵּ � ִדּי בְ חַ ְר ְתּ‬
‫אֻ מַּ יָּא‬-‫ִמ ָכּל‬
bechushbenayah.
Yah ribon…
Elahah di leh
yekar urevutah,
Prok yat anach
mipum aryevatah.
Ve’apek yat amech
migo galutah,
Amech di vechar’t
mikol umayah.
Yah ribon…
SP
S
Creator…
�‫ַרבְ ְרבִ ין עוֹבְ דֵ י‬
‫וְ ַת ִקּיפִ ין‬
‫מָ כִ י� ְרמַ יָּא‬
‫וְ ז ִַקּיף כְּ פִ ִיפִ ִין‬
‫לוּ ִי ְחיֶה גְ בַ ר‬
‫ְשׁנִ ין אַלְ פִ ִין‬
�‫בוּר ֵתּ‬
ְ ְ‫לָא יֵעוֹל גּ‬
‫בְּ חֻ ְשׁבְּ ַניָּא‬
Sa
Tend your scattered people,
e
‫יָהּ‬
m
pl
“Many and astonishing are your works, bringing low the proud and straightening those who are bowed down.
If a man were to live 1,000 years, in his mind he could not understand the extent of your power.”
2 “God to whom belong love and awe, deliver your sheep from the lion’s mouth, and take charge of your people
in their exile, your people whom you chose from every nation.”
1
Return to your Temple,
your holy mansion,
Where spirits and souls
will be dancing.
Songs and praises,
they’ll be chanting
‫יָהּ‬
Lemikdashech tuv
ulekodesh kudshin,
Atar di veh yechedun
ruchin venafshin.
Vizamrun lach
shirin verachashin,
BiYerushelem kartah
m
pl
In Jerusalem the city
‫לְ ִמ ְק ָדּ ֵשׁ� תּוּב‬
‫וּלְ קֹדֶ שׁ קֻ ְד ִשׁין‬
‫אֲ ַתר ִדּי בֵ הּ יֶחֱ דוּן‬
‫רוּחין וְ נַפְ ִשׁין‬
ִ
�‫וִ יז ְַמּרוּן ָל‬
‫ִשׁ ִירין וְ ַרחֲ ִשׁין‬
‫ירוּשׁלֵם ַק ְר ָתּא‬
ְ ִ‫בּ‬
‫ְדשֻׁ פְ ַריָּא‬
e
91
robed in fair attire.1
Yah ribon…
SP
S
Sa
Creator…
deshufrayah.
“Return to your Temple and your Holy of Holies, where spirits and souls will rejoice and sing to you songs
and praises, in Jerusalem the fair city.”
1
‫ְמנוּחָ ה‬
‫ְמנוּחָ ה‬
Rest and happiness,
light for the Jews,
is the Sabbath day,
a day of delight.
They who observe and recall1 it
are witnesses
that in six days
all was created and still exists.
The heavens above,
earth and seas,
all the host above,
and enormous
creatures2
show that in God the creator
is the rock of ages.
It’s God who spoke
‫ְמנוּחָ ה וְ ִשׂ ְמחָ ה‬
‫הוּדים‬
ִ ‫אוֹר ַל ְיּ‬
‫יוֹם ַשׁבָּ תוֹן‬
‫יוֹם מַ חֲ מַ ִדּים‬
‫שׁו ְֹמ ָריו וְ זוֹכְ ָריו‬
‫הֵ מָּ ה ְמ ִע ִידים‬
‫כִּ י לְ ִשׁ ָשּׁה‬
‫רוּאים וְ עו ְֹמ ִדים‬
ִ ְ‫כֹּל בּ‬
‫ְשׁמֵ י ָשׁמַ ִים‬
‫אֶ ֶרץ וְ י ִַמּים‬
‫ָכּל ְצבָ א מָ רוֹם‬
‫גְּ בו ִֹהים וְ ָר ִמים‬
‫אָדם‬
ָ ְ‫ַתּ ִנּין ו‬
‫וְ חַ יַּת ְראֵ ִמים‬
‫כִּ י בְּ יָּהּ יי‬
‫צוּר ע ֹול ִָמים‬
Sa
lofty and grand,
sea-monster, people
92
to the treasured people:
S
“Guard its holiness
from start to end”—
the holy Sabbath,
day of God’s delight—
SP
because then God rested
from creative work.
Menuchah vesimchah,
or laYehudim,
yom shabaton,
e
Rest and Happiness ▪ ‫וְ ִשׂ ְמחָ ה‬
yom machamadim.
Shomrav vezochrav,
hemah me’idim
m
pl
Rest and Happiness ▪ ‫וְ ִשׂ ְמחָ ה‬
‫הוּא אֲ ֶשׁר ִדּבֶּ ר‬
‫לְ עַ ם ְס ֻגלָּת ֹו‬
‫ָשׁמוֹר לְ ַק ְדּשׁ ֹו‬
‫ִמבּוֹא ֹו וְ עַ ד צֵ את ֹו‬
‫ַשׁבַּ ת ֹקדֶ שׁ‬
‫יוֹם חֶ ְמ ָדּת ֹו‬
‫כִּ י ב ֹו ָשׁבַ ת אֵ ל‬
‫ִמ ָכּל ְמלַאכְ תּ ֹו‬
ki leshishah
kol beru’im ve’omdim.
Shemei shamayim,
eretz veyamim,
kol tzevah marom
gevohim veramim,
tanin ve’adam
vechayat re’eimim
ki beYah Adonai
tzur olamim.
Hu asher diber
le’am segulato,
“Shamor lekadsho
mibo’o ve’ad tzeto.”
Shabbat kodesh,
yom chemdato,
ki vo shavat El
mikol melachto.
Shabbat is the subject of the fourth of the Ten Commandments, which appear in both Exodus and in
Deuteronomy. The two versions begin with a different word: in Exodus we are to “recall,” and in Deuteronomy
we are to “observe.” Tradition teaches that God uttered both words at once.
2 “Tanin” and “re’eim” are sea and land monsters of Jewish tradition; the sense is that God created everything,
even miracles and monsters, in the six days before the first Shabbat.
1
Friday Night Zemirot Making Shabbat Holy ▪ ‫ְשׁבִ יעִ י‬
God will empower you;
rise, call on God
to hurry to bring strength:
“Soul of all living”
and “We shall adore
you,”1
eat with joy, for God
has already favored you.
With two loaves of bread
and the Great Kiddush,2
with lots of tasty foods
and a generous spirit,
they who enjoy it
Bemitzvat Shabbat
El yachalitzach;
kum, kera elav
yachish le’amtzach:
“Nishmat kol chai”
vegam “Na’aritzach,“
echol besimchah
‫בְּ ִמ ְשׁנֶה לֶחֶ ם‬
‫וְ ִקדּוּשׁ ַרבָּ ה‬
‫בְּ רֹב מַ ְטעַ ִמּים‬
‫וְ רוּחַ נְ ִדיבָ ה‬
‫יִזְ כּוּ לְ ַרב טוּב‬
‫הַ ִמּ ְתעַ נְּ ִגים בָּ הּ‬
‫בְּ בִ יאַת גּוֹאֵ ל‬
‫לְ חַ יֵּי הָ ע ֹולָם הַ בָּ א‬
ki chevar ratzach.
Bemishneh lechem
vekidush rabah,
berov mat’amim
veru’ach nedivah,
yizku lerav tuv
Sa
will merit great goodness
‫בְּ ִמ ְצוַ ת ַשׁבָּ ת‬
� ָ‫אֵ ל יַחֲ לִ יצ‬
‫קוּם ְק ָרא אֵ לָיו‬
� ָ‫י ִָחישׁ לְ אַ ְמּצ‬
‫נִ ְשׁמַ ת ָכּל חַ י‬
� ָ‫וְ גַם נַעֲ ִריצ‬
‫אֱ כוֹל בְּ ִשׂ ְמחָ ה‬
� ָ‫כִּ י כְ בָ ר ָרצ‬
e
With the rule of rest,
when the Redeemer comes
hamit’angim bah—
bevi’at go’el
lechayei ha’olam habah.
SP
S
for the life of the World to Come.
‫כָּל ְמ ַקדֵּ שׁ‬
m
pl
93
I.e., Call on God by reciting the Shabbat service. “Nishmat kol chai” (soul of all living) begins the Shabbat
morning service. “Na’aritzach” (we shall adore you) begins the Shabbat Musaf Kedushah (the regular
Ashkenazi version is “na’aritzcha”).
2 Kiddush on Shabbat Morning is called the “great” kiddush although it is considered less important than the
Friday night kiddush. We use two challot for Shabbat lunch.
1
Who hallow
Shabbat1
as is right,
Guarding her
from desecration,
Earn rich rewards
to match their might,
Numbers 1:52
“Each at his camp,
each at his station.”2
God’s friends yearn
for the Lion’s Lair
But celebrate
the seventh day
So lift your hands to God
and say,
1 Kings 8:56
‫יעי‬
ִ ִ‫ָכּל ְמ ַקדֵּ שׁ ְשׁב‬
‫ָכּ ָראוּי ל ֹו‬
‫ָכּל שׁוֹמֵ ר ַשׁבָּ ת‬
‫ַכּ ַדּת מֵ חַ לְּ ל ֹו‬
‫ְשׂכָ ר ֹו הַ ְרבֵּ ה ְמ ֹאד‬
‫עַ ל פִּ י פָ עֳ ל ֹו‬
“We bless you for
kara’u’i lo,
kol shomer Shabbat
kadat mechalelo,
secharo harbeh me’od
al pi fo’alo,
“Ish al machanehu,
‫ל־דּגְ ל֖ וֹ‬
ִ ַ‫וְ ִא֥ישׁ ע‬
ve’ish al diglo.”
‫אוֹהֲ בֵ י יי הַ ְמחַ כִּ ים‬
‫בְּ בִ נְ יַן אֲ ִריאֵ ל‬
‫בְּ יוֹם הַ ַשּׁבָּ ת‬
‫ִשׂישׂוּ וְ ִשׂ ְמחוּ‬
‫כִּ ְמ ַקבְּ לֵי‬
‫מַ ַתּן נַחֲ לִ יאֵ ל‬
‫גַם ְשׂאוּ ְידֵ יכֶם קֹדֶ שׁ‬
‫וְ ִא ְמרוּ לָאֵ ל‬
Ohavei Adonai, hamechakim
bevinyan ari’el,
beyom haShabat
sisu vesimchu
kimekablei
matan nachali’el;
gam se’u yedeichem kodesh
ve’imru la’El,
‫בָּ רוּ� יְ הוָה אֲשֶׁ ר נָתַ ן‬
“Baruch Adonai asher natan
‫ְמנוּחָ ה ְלעַ מּוֹ יִ ְשׂ ָראֵ ל‬
menuchah le’amo Yisra’el.”
SP
S
the rest you share.”3
Kol mekadesh shevi’i
‫ִא֧ישׁ ַעֽל־מַ חֲנֵ ֛הוּ‬
Sa
As if God’s promise
came today!
94
e
Making Shabbat Holy ▪ ‫ְשׁבִ יעִ י‬
m
pl
Making Shabbat Holy ▪ ‫ְשׁבִ יעִ י‬
We include the first few stanzas of this alphabetical acrostic.
Each stanza ends with a quotation. The “station” is really a flag or banner.
3 Those who love God are waiting (i.e., in misery) for the building of the “Lion’s” place, the Temple, but even
they take time out to rejoice on Shabbat; it’s as if they got everything they have been waiting for. So everyone
raise hands in prayer and “thank God for the rest granted to God’s people.”
1
2
Friday Night Zemirot Making Shabbat Holy ▪ ‫ְשׁבִ יעִ י‬
Pursuing God,
‫דּו ְֹר ֵשׁי יי‬
‫ז ֶַרע אַבְ ָרהָ ם אוֹהֲ ב ֹו‬
‫הַ ְמאַחֲ ִרים לָצֵ את ִמן הַ ַשּׁבָּ ת‬
‫וּממַ הֲ ִרים לָבוֹא‬
ְ
‫וּשׂמֵ ִחים לְ ָשׁ ְמר ֹו‬
ְ
‫וּלְ עָ ֵרב עֵ רוּב ֹו‬
and are last to leave
Shabbat. We tend
its every need
Psalm 118:24
‫זֶה־הַ יּוֹם עָ שָׂ ה יְהוָה‬
With joy; God made it
Remember Moses’ law, which is
in Shabbat’s rules expounded,
A carving fashioned for this day
like a bride by maids surrounded,
The pure keep our tradition
ume’maharim lavo
usemechim leshomro
ule’arev eruvo,
“Zeh hayom asah Adonai,
“And on Day Seven
God completed
‫משׁה‬
ֶ ‫זִ כְ רוּ תּו ַֹרת‬
‫בְּ ִמ ְצוַ ת ַשׁבָּ ת גְּ רוּסָ ה‬
‫יעי‬
ִ ִ‫רוּתה לַיּוֹם הַ ְשּׁב‬
ָ ֲ‫ח‬
‫כְּ ַכלָּה בֵּ ין ֵרעו ֶֹתיהָ ְמשֻׁ בָּ צָ ה‬
ָ‫ְטהו ִֹרים ִי ָירשׁוּה‬
ָ‫יק ְדּשׁוּה‬
ַ ִ‫ו‬
‫בְּ מַ אֲ מַ ר ָכּל אֲ ֶשׁר עָ ָשׂה‬
nagilah venismechah vo.”
Zichru Torat Mosheh
bemitzvat Shabbat gerusah
Charutah layom hashvi’i
kechalah bein re’oteha meshubatzah.
Tehorim yirashuhah
Sa
with the holy words of kiddush:
‫יעי‬
progress.”2
ְ ַ‫ְמל‬
vikadshuha
bema’amar, “Kol asher asah”:
“Vayechal Elohim bayom hashevi’i
melachto asher asah.”
SP
S
all the work in
zera Avraham ohavo,
hame’acharim latzet min haShabat
‫נָגִ ילָ ה וְ נִ ְשׂ ְמחָ ה בוֹ‬
our reprieve!1
Genesis 2:2
Dorshei Adonai,
m
pl
dear Abraham’s seed
Arrive first
e
95
1 They who seek God, the seed of Abraham who loved God, delay leaving Shabbat, hurry to bring it in, and
rejoice to observe it and to prepare the “eruv” (so that people can carry), [thinking] “This is the day God made;
we shall rejoice and be glad in it.”
2 Remember Moses’ Torah, explained in the laws of Shabbat, dressed for the seventh day like a bride adorned
among her companions. Pure people pass it on and make it holy by saying [the words of kiddush] “God made it
all.” “And God finished on Day Seven the work in progress.”
‫צָ ְמאָה‬
96
This poem by the great medieval commentator Avraham Ben Ezra is an acrostic on his name.
My soul thirsts
‫ צָ ְמאָה נַפְ ִשׁי‬Tzamah nafshi
to the living God.
The one God created me
and said, “As I live,
a human being cannot see me
and live.”
God made everything wisely,
with planning and purpose;
much is concealed
God’s glory is high above all;
let every mouth speak God’s splendor;
Blessed is God, in whose hand
is every living soul.
God took Jacob’s1 children
to teach them rules
S
by which—if they follow them—
a person can live!
SP
What person can claim to be right?
People are like powdered dust!
Really, no living thing can claim
to be right before you.
1
‫בָּ ָרא כֹּל בְּ חָ כְ מָ ה‬
‫בְּ עֵ צָ ה וּבִ ְמזִ מָּ ה‬
‫ְמאֹד נ ְֶעלָמָ ה‬
‫מֵ עֵ ינֵי ָכּל חָ י‬
Sa
from the eyes of living creatures!
‫אֵ ל אֶ חָ ד בְּ ָראָנִ י‬
‫וְ אָמַ ר חַ י אָ ִני‬
‫אָדם‬
ָ ָ‫כִּ י �א ִי ְראַנִ י ה‬
‫וָ חָ י‬
lElohim, le’El chai;
libi uvesari yeranenu
e
My heart and body sing out
‫ֵא�הים לְ אֵ ל חָ י‬
ִ ‫ל‬
‫וּב ָשׂ ִרי י ְַרנְּ נוּ‬
ְ ‫לִ בִּ י‬
‫לְ אֵ ל חָ י‬
le’El chai!
El echad bera’ani
m
pl
for God, the living God.
ve’amar, “Chai ani,
ki lo yir’ani ha’adam
vachai.”
Barah kol bechochmah,
be’etzah uvim’zimah,
me’od nelamah
me’einei kol chai.
‫ָרם עַ ל ָכּל כְּ בוֹד ֹו‬
‫ָכּל פֶּ ה יְחַ ֶוּה הוֹד ֹו‬
‫בָּ רוּ� אֲ ֶשׁר בְּ יָד ֹו‬
‫נֶפֶ שׁ ָכּל חָ י‬
Ram al kol kevodo,
‫ִהבְ ִדיל ִנינֵי ָתם‬
‫חֻ ִקּים לְ הוֹרו ָֹתם‬
‫אֲ ֶשׁר יַעֲ ֶשׂה או ָֹתם‬
‫אָדם וָ חָ י‬
ָ ָ‫ה‬
Hivdil ninei Tam
‫ִמי זֶה ִי ְצטַ ָדּק‬
‫נִ ְמ ַשׁל לְ אָבָ ק ָדּק‬
‫אֶ מֶ ת כִּ י �א ִי ְצ ָדּק‬
‫חָ י‬-‫לְ פָ נֶי� ָכּל‬
kol peh yechaveh hodo;
baruch asher beyado
nefesh kol chai!
chukim lehorotam,
asher ya’aseh otam
ha’adam vachai.
Mi zeh yitztadak,
nimshal le’avak dak?
Emet ki lo yitzdak
lefanecha kol chai!
“God distinguished the offspring of the simple/perfect one,” a poetic reference to Jacob.
like a viper’s poison;
how can a person restore
the body to spiritual health?
Those who stray—had they only wished
to return from their evil path,
before they lie down in the
final home of every living creature!
For all this I shall speak your praise,
every mouth speak your splendor,
you who open your hand
and satisfy every living thing!
Recall your love for our ancestors
bring on the time
when the Messiah1 will live.
Look at the true mother,
your servant, who says:
1 Kings 3:22
kidmut chamat achshuv
ve’eichachah yashuv
habasar hechai?
‫נְ ס ֹו ִגים ִאם אָבוּ‬
‫וּמ ַדּ ְר ָכּם ָשׁבוּ‬
ִ
‫טֶ ֶרם י ְִשׁ ָכּבוּ‬
‫בֵּ ית מוֹעֵ ד לְ ָכל חָ י‬
Nesogim im avu
� ֶ‫עַ ל ָכּל אֲ הוֹד‬
� ֶ‫ָכּל פֶּ ה יְחַ ֶוּה הוֹד‬
� ֶ‫פּו ֵֹתחַ אֶ ת יָד‬
‫וּמַ ְשׂבִּ יעַ לְ ָכל חָ י‬
Al kol ahodecha,
‫דוּמים‬
ִ ‫זְ כוֹר אַהֲ בַ ת ְק‬
‫וְ הַ חֲ יֵה נִ ְר ָדּ ִמים‬
‫וְ ָק ֵרב הַ יּ ִָמים‬
‫אֲ ֶשׁר בֶּ ן י ִַשׁי חָ י‬
‫ְראֵ ה לִ גְ בֶ ֶרת אֱ מֶ ת‬
‫ִשׁפְ ָחה נוֹאֶ מֶ ת‬
“No, it’s your son who is dead
I will bow down
and spread out my hands
SP
when I open my mouth to say,
“The breath of every living
‫ל ֹא ִכי ְבּנֵ� הַ מֵּ ת‬
‫וּבנִ י הֶ חָ י‬
ְ
alive.”2
S
and mine who is
Belev yetzer chashuv
umidarkam shavu,
terem yishkavu
beit mo’ed lechol chai.
kol peh yechaveh hodecha,
pote’ach et yadecha
umasbi’ah lechol chai.
Zechor ahavat kedumim,
vehachayeh nirdamim,
Sa
and revive the sleeping dead;
‫בְּ לֵב יֵצֶ ר חָ שׁוּב‬
‫כִּ ְדמוּת חֲ מַ ת עַ כְ שׁוּב‬
‫וְ אֵ י ָכ ָכה יָשׁוּב‬
‫הַ בָּ ָשׂר הֶ חָ י‬
e
Our inner craving seems
m
pl
97
thing.”3
‫אֶ קּוֹד עַ ל אַ פִּ י‬
‫וְ אֶ פְ רוֹשׂ לְ � ַכּפִּ י‬
‫עֵ ת כִּ י אֶ פְ ַתּח פִּ י‬
‫בְּ נִ ְשׁמַ ת ָכּל חָ י‬
vekarev hayamim
asher ben Yishai chai.
Re’eh ligveret emet,
shifchah no’emet,
“Lo, ki venech hamet,
uveni hechai.”
Ekod al api
ve’efros lecha kapi,
et ki eftach pi
be “Nishmat kol chai.”
“Son of Jesse,” i.e., the one descended from King David, whose father was Jesse.
Two women came before King Solomon with a live child and a dead child, each claiming the live child was
hers. Solomon had to decide between them.
3 From the Shabbat morning service (we do not prostrate ourselves in the service).
1
2
The
‫צוּר‬
whose food we’re eating
Faithful friends, let’s greet him!
We’re full, and food we’re leaving
2 Kings 4:44
Following God’s
teaching.2
The rock…
The world our father feeds,
Our Shepherd fills our needs.
On God’s food we have dined,
And we have drunk God’s wine.
So thanks to God are due;
Hail God as we speak—
Speak and answer too:
Tsur mishelo achalnu
Barchu, emunai;
Savanu vehotarnu
‫ִכּ ְדבַ ר יְ הוָה‬
Kidvar Adonai.
‫צוּר ִמ ֶשּׁל ֹו‬
‫הַ זָּן אֶ ת ע ֹולָמ ֹו‬
‫רוֹעֵ נוּ אָבִ ינוּ‬
‫אָ ַכלְ נוּ אֶ ת ל ְַחמ ֹו‬
‫וְ יֵינ ֹו ָשׁ ִתינוּ‬
‫כֵּן נוֹדֶ ה לִ ְשׁמ ֹו‬-‫עַ ל‬
‫וּנְ הַ לְּ ל ֹו בְּ פִ ינוּ‬
‫אָמַ ְרנוּ וְ עָ ִנינוּ‬
‫אֵ ין ָקדוֹשׁ ַכּיי‬
Tsur mishelo…
Hazan et olamo,
Ro’enu, avinu,
Achalnu et lachmo
Veyeino shatinu.
Al ken nodeh lishmo
Unehalelo befinu;
Amarnu ve’aninu,
“Ein kadosh kAdonai.”
Tsur mishelo…
SP
S
The rock…
unique.”3
‫צוּר ִמ ֶשּׁל ֹו אָ ַכלְ נוּ‬
‫בָּ ְרכוּ אֱ מוּנַי‬
‫ָשׂבַ ְענוּ וְ הו ַֹת ְרנוּ‬
Sa
“Our holy God’s
98
e
The Rock ▪ ‫ִמ ֶשּׁל ֹו‬
rock:1
‫צוּר‬
m
pl
This poem is a fitting introduction to Grace After Meals; we invite our companions to join in thanking God for
giving us enough to eat and drink, and we pray for the coming of the Messiah. For the sake of euphony, the
translation sometimes refers to God as a male. Of course, God transcends our ideas of male and female.
2 “The rock whose food we have eaten—faithful friends, let’s bless him: we have eaten enough and left food
over, according to God’s word.” In 2 Kings 4, Elisha feeds 100 people from sparse provisions, “and they did eat
and had food left over, just as God had said.”
3 “The one who feeds his world, our shepherd, our father: we have eaten his food and drunk his wine. So let us
thank his name and hail him with our mouths. We have spoken and answered, ‘Nobody is holy like our God.’”
1
Bless God in unity
For the land, fair to see
Which God gave our family!
Of food and other stuff
God gave our souls enough;
Grace leaves us at a loss,
But we trust the Boss!1
The rock…
Take pity in your grace
Oh rock! upon your race,
On Zion, your glory’s dwelling place
Beshir vekol todah
Nevarech lEloheinu
Al eretz chemdah tovah
Shehin’chil la’avoteinu;
Mazon vetzedah
Hisbi’ah lenafshenu,
Chasdo gavar aleinu
� ֶ‫ַרחֵ ם בְּ חַ ְסדּ‬
‫צוּרנוּ‬
ֵ �‫עַ ְמּ‬-‫עַ ל‬
� ֶ‫עַ ל ִציּוֹן ִמ ְשׁ ַכּן כְּ בוֹד‬
‫אַר ֵתּנוּ‬
ְ ְ‫זְ בוּל בֵּ ית ִתּפ‬
� ֶ‫ ָדּוִ ד עַ בְ דּ‬-‫בֶּ ן‬
‫יָבוֹא וְ ִיגְ אָלֵנוּ‬
‫רוּחַ אַ פֵּ ינוּ‬
‫ְמ ִשׁיחַ יי‬
Ve’emet Adonai.
Tsur mishelo…
Rachem bechasdecha
Al amcha tzurenu,
Al Tziyon, mishkan kevodecha,
Z’vul bet tifartenu.
Sa
And on your Temple, sacred space.
Your servant of king David’s line
Will come to set us free:
Our very spirit—breath and mind–
Crowned by God is he!2
Ben David avdecha
Yavo veyig’alenu,
Ru’ach apenu,
Meshiach Adonai.
Tsur mishelo…
SP
S
The rock…
‫בְּ ִשׁיר וְ קוֹל תּו ָֹדה‬
‫נְ בָ ֵר� לֵא�הֵ ינוּ‬
‫עַ ל אֶ ֶרץ חֶ ְמ ָדּה טוֹבָ ה‬
‫ֶשׁ ִהנְ ִחיל לַאֲ בו ֵֹתנוּ‬
‫מָ זוֹן וְ צֵ ָדה‬
‫ִה ְשׂבִּ יעַ לְ נ ְַפ ֵשׁנוּ‬
‫חַ ְסדּ ֹו גָּבַ ר עָ לֵינוּ‬
‫ֶואֱ מֶ ת יי‬
‫צוּר‬
e
Singing gratefully,
m
pl
99
“In song and voice of thanks let us bless our God for the fair and good land which he gave to our parents as an
inheritance. Food and supplies he provided in abundance for our souls; his grace has overwhelmed us, and God
is trustworthy.”
2 “Take pity in your grace on your people (O our rock), on Zion the dwelling place of your glory, the shrine,
house of our glory. Your servant, child of David, may he come and redeem us—he is the spirit of our nostrils,
anointed by God.”
1
The holy Temple raise,
Zion’s city fill again;
With new song we shall praise
And gladly climb that hill again.
Tender and holy, him
Shall we bless and praise
With wine filled to the brim;
Thank God in fitting ways!1
‫יִבָּ נֶה הַ ִמּ ְק ָדּשׁ‬
‫ִעיר צִ יּוֹן ְתּמַ לֵּא‬
‫וְ ָשׁם נ ִָשׁיר ִשׁיר חָ ָדשׁ‬
‫וּבִ ְר ָננָה נַעֲ לֶה‬
‫הָ ַרחֲ מָ ן הַ נִּ ְק ָדּשׁ‬
‫ִי ְתבָּ ַר� וְ ִי ְתעַ לֶּה‬
‫עַ ל כּוֹס ַייִן מָ לֵא‬
‫כְּ בִ ְר ַכּת יי‬
100
Yibaneh hamikdash,
Ir Tziyon t’maleh,
Vesham nashir shir chadash
Uvir’nanah na’aleh.
Harachaman hanikdash
Yitbarach veyit’aleh
Al kos yayin maleh,
Kevirkat Adonai.
Tsur mishelo…
SP
S
Sa
The rock…
e
‫צוּר‬
m
pl
“Let the Temple be rebuilt. You’ll fill the city of Zion, and there we shall sing a new song, and we’ll go up in
joy. The compassionate one, the sanctified one, will be blessed and exalted over the full cup of wine, in a
manner fitting for a blessing to God.”
1
101
Shabbat Morning Zemirot
The Seventh Day ▪ ‫ַשׁבָּ תוֹן‬
‫יוֹם‬
‫יוֹם‬
The thought is like a breath of air!
Noah’s dove found rest today;
Weary, we rest from worldly care.
Weary, we rest from worldly care.1
For trusty folk this day alone
‫יוֹם ַשׁבָּ תוֹן אֵ ין לִ ְשׁכּו ַֹח‬
‫זִ כְ ר ֹו כְּ ֵריחַ הַ ִניח ַֹח‬
ַ‫י ֹונָה מָ ְצאָה ב ֹו מָ נוֹח‬
‫וְ ָשׁם יָנוּחוּ יְגִ יעֵ י כ ַֹח‬
ַ‫וְ ָשׁם יָנוּחוּ יְגִ יעֵ י כֹח‬
Yom shabbaton ein lishko’ach
zichro kere’ach hanicho’ach.
e
Keep in mind the seventh day;
Yonah matz’ah vo mano’ach
vesham yanuchu yegi’ei cho’ach.
m
pl
‫הַ יּוֹם נִ כְ בָּ ד לִ בְ נֵי אֱ מוּ ִנים‬
‫זְ ִה ִירים לְ ָשׁ ְמר ֹו אָבוֹת וּבָ ִנים‬
As told in Moses’ slabs of stone
‫חָ קוּק בִּ ְשׁנֵי לֻחוֹת אֲ בָ נִ ים‬
2
Carved by the untiring force above.
ַ‫מֵ רֹב א ֹו ִנים וְ אַ ִמּיץ כֹּח‬
Hayom nichbad livney emunim
The Jews with one voice all agreed,
Uva’u chulam bivrit yachad.
Ex 24:7
Deut 6:4
“God is one—that’s our creed.
“God energizes those who need
‫וּבָ אוּ ֻכלָּם בִּ בְ ִרית יַחַ ד‬
‫ַנע ֲֶשׂ֥ה וְ נִ ְשׁ ָ ֽמע‬
“We’ll sign the contract,
then we’ll read it;3
zehirim leshomro avot uvanim,
chakuk bishney luchot avanim
merov onim ve’amitz ko’ach.
Sa
They keep with anxious care and love;
it!”4
S
“Na’aseh venishma,”
amru ke’echad;
ufat’chu ve’anu, “Adonai echad.
“Baruch hanoten laya’ef ko’ach.”
SP
‫אָמרוּ כְּ אֶ חָ ד‬
ְ
‫וּפָ ְתחוּ וְ עָ נוּ יְ הוָ ֥ה אֶ ָ ֽחד‬
ַ‫בָּ רוּ� הַ נּו ֵֹתן ַליָּעֵ ף כֹּח‬
1 “The day of rest is not to be forgotten; remembering it is like the sweet smell of sacrifices (so Shabbat
observance perhaps replaces our sacrificial obligations). On this day the dove which Noah sent out from the Ark
found rest, and there shall the tired find rest.”
2 “This day is honored for the children of the faithful who are careful to observe—both parents and children—
its rules, carved in the two tablets of stone by the manifold power and the One who has mighty power.”
3 Na’aseh venishma— “We will do it, and then we’ll hear it!”—is what the Israelites said when accepting the
Covenant in Exodus 24.
4 “They all entered into one agreement: ‘We shall perform it and hear it,’ they all said together. They opened
their mouths and answered, ‘God is one.’ Blessed is the one who gives strength to the weary.”
Said Moses, from the Teaching Hill,1
“Remember, guard the seventh day.
“Teach all its rules with equal skill,
“Be strong, be firm, and don’t delay.”2
‫ִדּבֶּ ר בְּ ָק ְדשׁ ֹו בְּ הַ ר הַ מּוֹר‬
‫יעי זָכוֹר וְ ָשׁמוֹר‬
ִ ִ‫יוֹם הַ ְשּׁב‬
‫וְ ָכל פִּ קֻּ ָדיו יַחַ ד לִ גְ מוֹר‬
ַ‫חַ זֵּק מָ ְת ַניִם וְ אַ מֵּ ץ כֹּח‬
They lost their way like straying sheep.
102
Diber bekodsho behar hamor,
“Yom hash’vi’i zachor veshamor,
“Vechol pikudav yachad ligmor;
“Chazek motnayim ve’ametz ko’ach.”
e
‫יוֹם‬
m
pl
Ha’am asher na katzon ta’ah,
yizkor lefokdo b’rit ush’vu’ah;
leval ya’avor bam mikreh ra’ah,
ka’asher nishba’tah al mey No’ach.
SP
S
Sa
‫הָ עָ ם אֲ ֶשׁר נָע ַכּצֹּאן ָתּעָ ה‬
Oh think of them—and think of us! ‫וּשׁבוּעָ ה‬
ְ ‫יִזְ כּוֹר לְ פָ ְקד ֹו בְּ ִרית‬
At Noah’s Flood you said you’d keep ‫בָּ ם ִמ ְק ֵרה ָרעָ ה‬-‫לְ בַ ל יַעֲ בָ ר‬
Them free from harm; in you we trust.3 ַ‫מֵ י נֹ ח‬-‫שׁר נִ ְשׁבַּ ְע ָתּ עַ ל‬
ֶ ֲ‫ַכּא‬
1 “He (Moses) spoke in his holiness on the Teacher’s Hill (Sinai)”: we understand “har hamor” not as Mount
Moriah, where Abraham bound Isaac, but as “har hamoreh,” the Teacher’s Hill, where Moses instructed the
Children of Israel.
2 “He spoke in his holiness on theTeaching Hill, ‘The seventh day, remember and keep it with all its rules
together to fulfill. Gird your loins and strengthen your resolve.’”
3 “The people who strayed like a wandering flock, may God remember to take note of their pact and promise,
lest there should pass among them a bad occurrence (i.e., lest something bad should happen to them), as you
promised at the waters of Noah (i.e., after the Flood, God promised never to destroy the world by water).”
‫כִּ י אֶ ְשׁ ְמ ָרה‬
If I keep Shabbat,
God will keep me safe!
It is a sign, eternally,
between God and me.
Business is forbidden,
pursuing workday concerns,
or discussing on that day
to-do lists,
matters of trade
or political
issues;1
I shall focus on God’s Torah,
between God and me.
On Shabbat I always find
rest for my spirit.
See, to those who left
my Holy One granted
‫כִּ י אֶ ְשׁ ְמ ָרה ַשׁבָּ ת‬
‫אֵ ל י ְִשׁ ְמ ֵרנִ י‬
‫אוֹת ִהיא לְ עוֹלְ מֵ י עַ ד‬
‫בֵּ ינ ֹו וּבֵ י ִני‬
Ki eshmera Shabbat.
‫אָ סוּר ְמצֹא חֵ פֶ ץ‬
‫עֲ שׂוֹת ְד ָרכִ ים‬
‫גַּם ִמלְּ ַדבֵּ ר בּ ֹו‬
‫ִדּבְ ֵרי ְצ ָרכִ ים‬
‫ִדּבְ ֵרי ְסחו ָֹרה‬
‫אַף ִדּבְ ֵרי ְמלָכִ ים‬
‫אֶ ְהגֶּה בְּ תו ַֹרת אֵ ל‬
‫וּתחַ כְּ מֵ ִני‬
ְ
Asur metzo chefetz
‫בּ ֹו אֶ ְמצָ א ָת ִמיד‬
‫נֹ פֶ שׁ לְ נַפְ ִשׁי‬
‫ִהנֵּה לְ דוֹר ִראשׁוֹן‬
‫נ ַָתן ְקדו ִֹשׁי‬
‫מוֹפֵ ת בְּ ֵתת לֶחֶ ם‬
‫ִמ ְשׁנֶה בַּ ִשּׁ ִשּׁי‬
‫ָכּ ָכה בְּ ָכל ִשׁ ִשּׁי‬
‫יַכְ פִּ יל ְמזוֹנִ י‬
Bo emtza tamid
El yishmereni.
Ot hi le’olmei ad
beino uveini.
asot derachim,
gam mildaber bo
divrei tserachim,
divrei sechorah
af divrei melachim;
eh’geh beTorat El,
utechakmeni.
Ot hi le’olmei ad
Sa
which will make me wise.
e
If I Keep Shabbat ▪ ‫ַשׁבָּ ת‬
m
pl
103
Egypt2
S
a miracle, giving bread—
twice as much—on Friday.
So, every Friday,
God will double my food!
SP
between God and me.
beino uveini.
nofesh lenafshi;
hineh ledor rishon
natan kevodi
mofet, betet lechem
mishneh bashishi;
kachah bechol shishi
yachpil mezoni.
Ot hi le’olmei ad
beino uveini.
“Matters relating to rulers.”
“To the first generation,” the first to come out of Egypt. They had twice as much manna on Friday so that they
were free to rest on Shabbat and (the poet implies) devote themselves to Torah study.
1
2
God wrote in the Law
a rule for the priestly assistants:
to arrange on Shabbat
the surface-bread1 before God.
Therefore, fasting on Shabbat,
according to the experts,
is forbidden—except
for Yom Kippur.2
between God and me.
This is an honored day,
a day of delights,
meat and fish.
‫ָר ַשׁם בְּ ַדת הָ אֵ ל‬
‫חֹק אֶ ל ְס ָגנָיו‬
�ֹ‫בּ ֹו לַעֲ רו‬
‫לֶחֶ ם פָּ נִ ים בְּ פָ נָיו‬
‫עַ ל כֵּן לְ ִה ְתעַ נּוֹת בּ ֹו‬
‫עַ ל פִּ י נְ ב ֹונָיו‬
‫אָסוּר לְ בַ ד‬
‫ִמיּוֹם כִּ פּוּר עֲ ֹו ִני‬
Rasham bedat ha’El
‫הוּא יוֹם ְמכֻבָּ ד‬
‫הוּא יוֹם ַתּעֲ נוּגִ ים‬
‫לֶחֶ ם וְ ַייִן טוֹב‬
‫בָּ ָשׂר וְ ָד ִגים‬
‫הַ ִמּ ְתאַ בְּ לִ ים בּ ֹו‬
‫אָחוֹר נְ ס ֹו ִגים‬
‫כִּ י יוֹם ְשׂ ָמחוֹת הוּא‬
‫וּת ַשׂ ְמחֵ נִ י‬
ְ
Hu yom mechubad,
Sa
food and good wine,
People who are in mourning
stay in the background,
for this is a day of joys,
and it will make me happy.
chok el seganav
bo la’aroch
lechem panim befanav;
al ken lehitanot bo
al pi nevonav,
asur levad
miyom kippur avoni.
Ot hi le’olmei ad
beino uveini.
hu yom ta’anugim,
lechem veyayin tov,
basar vedagim.
Hamit’ablim bo
achor nesogim,
ki yom semachot hu
utesamcheni.
Ot hi le’olmei ad
beino uveini.
SP
S
between God and me.
104
e
m
pl
Each Shabbat, the priests changed the surface bread or “showbread” (Leviticus 24:5-9).
“Except for the day for atoning my sin.” Yom Kippur is the only fast in the Jewish calendar which can fall on
Shabbat; other fasts are moved to a different day of the week.
1
2
Someone who works on Shabbat
will come to a bad
end,1
so on Shabbat I shall clean
my heart like soap,2
I shall pray to God
the evening and morning services,
the additional and afternoon services,
and God will answer me!
‫מֵ חֵ ל ְמלָא ָכה בּ ֹו‬
‫סוֹפ ֹו לְ הַ כְ ִרית‬
‫עַ ל כֵּן אֲ ַכבֶּ ס בּ ֹו‬
‫לִ בִּ י כְּ ב ִֹרית‬
‫וְ אֶ ְתפַּ לְּ לָה אֶ ל אֵ ל‬
‫עַ ְרבִ ית וְ ַשׁחֲ ִרית‬
‫מוּסַ ף וְ גַם ִמנְ חָ ה‬
‫הוּא יַעֲ נֵנִ י‬
sofo lehachrit;
al ken achabes bo
libi kevorit,
ve’etpalelah el El
arvit veshacharit,
musaf vegam min’chah,
hu ya’aneni.
Ot hi le’olmei ad
beino uveini.
S
SP
1
2
“His end will be getting cut off from the community.”
‫ בּ ִֹרית‬is soapwort, a perennial herb whose crushed roots can produce suds when rubbed in water.
Mechel melacha bo,
Sa
between God and me.
e
m
pl
105
This Honored Day ▪ ‫ְמכֻבָּ ד‬
The day of rest sure is the best;
‫י ִָמים‬-‫יוֹם זֶה ְמכֻבָּ ד ִמכָּ ל‬
‫כִּ י ב ֹו ָשׁבַ ת צוּר ע ֹול ִָמים‬
It’s when the Maker took a
Get your work all done by Friday �‫שׂה ְמ ַלאכְ ֶתּ‬
ֶ ֲ‫ֵשׁ ֶשׁת י ִָמים ַתּע‬
’Cause the next is the On-High day.
�‫יעי לֵא�הֶ י‬
ִ ִ‫וְ יוֹם הַ ְשּׁב‬
Don’t let work and Shabbat mix;
‫ָשׁבַּ ת �א ַתּעֲ ֶשׂה ב ֹו ְמלָא ָכה‬
2
God made the whole wide world in six!
‫כִּ י כֹל עָ ָשׂה ֵשׁ ֶשׁת י ִָמים‬
The day of rest . . .
Of all the days to be in Shul,
This totally awesome day’s real cool.
So let the kiddush wine be poured,
With two whole loaves
‫ִראשׁוֹן הוּא לְ ִמ ְק ָראֵ י קֹדֶ שׁ‬
‫יוֹם ַשׁבָּ תוֹן יוֹם ַשׁבַּ ת ֹקדֶ שׁ‬
‫ ִאישׁ בְּ יֵינ ֹו ְי ַקדֵּ שׁ‬-‫עַ ל כֵּן ָכּל‬
‫עַ ל ְשׁ ֵתּי לֶחֶ ם‬
‫ימים‬
ִ ‫ִיבְ ְצעוּ ְת ִמ‬
Sa
upon the
board.3
Yom zeh mechubad mikol yamim
ki vo shavat tzur olamim.
Sheshet yamim ta’aseh melachtecha
veyom hash’vi’I lElohecha;
Shabbat, lo ta’aseh vo melacha
ki chol asah sheshet yamim.
m
pl
rest.1
106
e
Yom zeh . . .
Rishon hu lemikra’ei kodesh
yom shabbaton, yom Shabbat kodesh;
al ken kol ish beyeino yekadesh
al shtey lechem
yivtze’u temimim.
Yom zeh . . .
With pop & juice & cholent hearty,
Echol mashmanim, shteh mamtakim,
God throws all God’s friends a party;
ki El yiten lechol bo devekim—
beged lilbosh, lechem chukim,
basar vedagim vechol mat’amim.
Yom zeh . . .
SP
S
‫אֱ כוֹל מַ ְשׁמַ ַ ִנּים ְשׁ ֵתה מַ ְמ ַתּ ִקּים‬
‫כִּ י אֵ ל ִי ֵתּן לְ ָכל בּ ֹו ְדבֵ ִקים‬
‫בֶּ גֶד לִ לְ בּוֹשׁ לֶחֶ ם חֻ ִקּים‬
Clothes to wear, food for the belly,
4
Meat and fish, all kinds of deli.
‫מַ ְטעַ ִמּים‬-‫בָּ ָשׂר וְ ָד ִגים וְ ָכל‬
“This day is honored more than others because on it the Rock of Ages rested.”
“For six days do your work, and the seventh day is for your God, a rest day; don’t do work on it, because God
made everything in six days.”
3 “It’s the first among holy days, a rest day, the holy Sabbath. That’s why everyone will make Kiddush with
wine, on two whole loaves of bread.”
4 “Eat fatty foods and drink sweet things, for God will then give all God’s adherents clothes to wear and the
proper bread, meat and fish and all tasty treats.”
1
2
107
No lack, no stress pains us today.
Deut 8:10
We eat our fill, and then we
‫�א ֶת ְחסַ ר כֹּל בּ ֹו‬
֙ ָ‫וּב ַר ְכתּ‬
ֽ ֵ ָ‫וְ אָ כַ ְל ָ ֖תּ וְ שָׂ ָב֑עְ תּ‬
pray.1
We feel God’s love and shout
‫ֱ�הי� אֲ ֶשׁר אָהַ בְ ָתּ‬
ֶ ֔ ‫אֶ ת־יְ הוָ ֣ה א‬
Lo techsar kol bo,
“Ve’achaltah vesavata, uverachta
et Adonai Elohecha,” asher ahavta
ovations,
Look at the sky, God’s wonders trace,
ki verach’cha mikol ha’amim.
e
‫הָ עַ ִמים‬-‫כִּ י בֵ ַרכְ � ִמ ָכּל‬
Yom zeh . . .
m
pl
“God blessed us more than other nations!”2
Hashamayim mesaprim kevodo
vegam ha’aretz mal’ah chasdo;
re’u ki chol eleh astah yado
ki hu hatzur po’alo tamim.
Yom zeh . . .
SP
S
Sa
‫הַ ָשּׁמַ ִים ְמסַ פְּ ִרים כְּ בוֹד ֹו‬
While earth warms to God’s kind embrace. ‫אָרץ מָ לְ אָה חַ ְסדּ ֹו‬
ֶ ָ‫וְ גַם ה‬
God’s hand made every thing in sight; ‫אֵ לֶּה עָ ְשׂ ָתה יָד ֹו‬-‫ְראוּ כִּ י ָכל‬
God made it all, and made it right!3
‫כִּ י הוּא הַ צּוּר פָּ עֳ ל ֹו ָת ִמים‬
“Eat and be satisfied, and bless the Ruler your God.” This is the rule that instructs us to say Grace after Meals.
“On this day, nothing is lacking: ‘And you shall eat your fill and bless your God’ whom you love, because
God blesses you more than other peoples.”
3 “Heaven declares God’s glory, and God’s kindness fills the earth too. See how God’s hand made all these
things, for God is the Rock whose work is perfect.”
1
2
Freedom Comes ▪ ‫י ְִק ָרא‬
‫ְדרוֹר‬
108
‫ְדרוֹר‬
Sit down, relax! today’s
Shabbat.1
Descend! dwell in my sanctuary;
A sign of hope, God, make of me.
In my forest plant a tree;
Heed the cry of our progeny.2
In Botzrah crush your challenger;
‫ְדרוֹשׁ נָוִ י וְ אוּל ִָמי‬
‫וְ אוֹת י ֶַשׁע עֲ ֵשׂה ִע ִמּי‬
‫נְ טַ ע שׂו ֵֹרק בְּ תוֹ� ַכּ ְר ִמי‬
‫ְשׁעֵ ה ַשׁוְ עַ ת בְּ נֵי עַ ִמּי‬
‫פּוּרה בְּ תוֹ� בָּ ְצ ָרה‬
ָ �ֹ‫ְדּרו‬
‫וְ גַם בָּ בֶ ל אֲ ֶשׁר גָּבְ ָרה‬
‫נְ תוֹץ צָ ַרי בְּ אַף וְ עֶ בְ ָרה‬
‫ְשׁמַ ע קוֹלִ י בְּ יוֹם אֶ ְק ָרא‬
Sa
In Babylon, the conquerer,
‫וְ ִי ְנצָ ְרכֶם כְּ מ ֹו בָ בַ ת‬
‫נְ עִ ים ִשׁ ְמכֶם וְ �א י ְֻשׁבַּ ת‬
‫ְשׁבוּ וְ נוּחוּ בְּ יוֹם ַשׁבָּ ת‬
Your foes in anger massacre.
To hear my cry, God, don’t defer.3
Veyintzorchem kemo vavat;
Ne’im shimchem velo yushbat,
m
pl
To guard you as God’s treasured spot;
No stain your name will ever blot.
e
Composed by Dunash ben Labrat (920-990), this poem contains the author’s first name, ‫ד ו נ ש‬,in acrostic
form in the first, second, third, and sixth stanzas. The Singlish follows the Hebrew rhyme scheme. It reflects the
sound of the Hebrew rhyme in stanzas one and two; the rest of the Hebrew stanzas use open “ah” vowels,
which are rather rare in English, so the Singlish uses various open vowels for the rhyme.
God freedom brings for every tot
‫ ְדרוֹר ִי ְק ָרא לְ בֵ ן ִעם בַּ ת‬Dror yikrah leven im bat
Shevu venuchu beyom Shabbat.
Derosh navi ve’ulami
Ve’ot yesha aseh imi;
Neta sorek betoch karmi,
She’eh shav’at benei ami.
Deroch purah betoch Batzrah
Vegam Bavel asher gavrah;
Netotz tzarai be’af ve’evrah,
Shema koli beyom ekrah.
God, crown the desert-mountain bare
Elohim ten bamidbar har
With myrtle, elm, and cypress fair.
Hadas shitah berosh tidhar.
Velamazhir velanizhar
Shelomim ten kemei nahar.
S
‫�הים ֵתּן בַּ ִמ ְדבָּ ר הַ ר‬
ִ ֱ‫א‬
‫הֲ ַדס ִשׁטָּ ה ְבּרוֹשׁ ִתּ ְדהָ ר‬
The radiant, who observe with care—
‫וְ לַמַּ זְ ִהיר וְ ַל ִנּזְ הָ ר‬
4
Let peace refresh them like a river there!
‫ְשׁלו ִֹמים ֵתּן כְּ מֵ י נָהָ ר‬
“Freedom he will call for son together with daughter, and he will guard you like the apple of the eye. Your
name will be pleasant, and it will not stop. Sit down and rest on the Sabbath day.”
2 “Seek out my dwelling place and my hall (i.e., the place which “I”—Israel—have built for God to inhabit),
and perform a sign of salvation with me: plant a choice vine in the middle of my vineyard, take heed of the
outcry of the children of my people.”
3 “Tread the winepress in Botzrah (i.e., let your clothes be red with the blood of the wicked who make their last
stand in Botzrah), and in Babel which overwhelmed us; demolish those who trouble you, with anger and wrath.
Listen to my voice on the day when I call.”
4 “God, set in the desert a hill with myrtle, acacia, cypress (or pine), and elm. And for the radiant and for the
meticulous, grant peace flowing like the waters of a river.” In the second line, acacia was too much to fit into
the Singlish.
SP
1
Though your heart grieves to see their woe,
Which in our mouths will surely sow
A song of joy that on our tongues will grow.1
Let your soul on wisdom pore
You’ll wear the crown of our Torah.
Observe with care our holy law;
�‫ְדּעֵ ה חָ כְ מָ ה לְ נ ְַפ ֶשׁ‬
�‫ֹאשׁ‬
ֶ ‫וְ ִהיא כ ֶֶתר לְ ר‬
�‫נְ צוֹר ִמ ְצוַ ת ְקדו ֶֹשׁ‬
�‫ְשׁמוֹר ַשׁבַּ ת ָק ְד ֶשׁ‬
Hadoch kamay El kana,
Bemog levav uvamginah;
Venarchiv peh un’malenah,
Leshonenu lecha rinah.
De’eh chochmah lenafshecha
Vehi cheter leroshecha;
Netzor mitzvat kedoshecha
Shemor Shabbat kodshecha.
SP
S
Sa
The Sabbath guard, so you’ll enjoy it
more.2
‫הֲ דוֹ� ָקמַ י אֵ ל ַקנָּא‬
‫בְּ מוֹג לֵבָ ב וּבַ ְמּגִ נָּה‬
‫וְ נ ְַר ִחיב פֶּ ה וּנְ מַ לְּ אֶ נָּה‬
‫לְ שׁ ֹונֵנוּ לְ � ִרנָּה‬
‫ְדרוֹר‬
e
In anger crush my every foe
m
pl
109
“Trample my enemies, jealous God, with melting heart and sorrow; and we’ll open wide our mouths and fill
them, our tongues to you [shall sing] with joy.”
2 “Know wisdom (Torah) for your soul, and she will be a crown for your head. Guard the laws of your holy one;
observe (take care of) your holy Sabbath.”
1
God on High ▪ ‫עֶ לְ יוֹן‬
‫בָּ רוּ� אֵ ל‬
God on High ▪ ‫עֶ לְיוֹן‬
110
Rabbi Baruch ben Shmu’el of Mayence, who died in the 13th century, composed this poem.
The first letter of each verse forms the words ‫בָּ רוּ� חֲ זַק‬, “Baruch, be strong!”
ransom for our souls
from suffering and sighs;
May God come to Zion,
the rejected city;
how long will it continue, the grief
of the sighing soul?
Whoever keeps Shabbat,
son or daughter,
may God favor them
Psalm 68:5
God, who rides the skies,
eternal ruler,
‫הַ שּׁוֹמֵ ר ַשׁבָּ ת‬
‫הַ בֵּ ן ִעם הַ בַּ ת‬
‫לָאֵ ל י ֵָרצוּ‬
‫כְּ ִמנְ חָ ה עַ ל מַ חֲ בַ ת‬
Sa
like a meal-offering on the griddle.1
Baruch El elyon
asher natan menuchah
e
who granted rest—
‫בָּ רוּ� אֵ ל עֶ לְ יוֹן‬
‫אֲ ֶשׁר נ ַָתן ְמנוּחָ ה‬
‫לְ נַפְ ֵשׁנוּ פִ ְדיוֹן‬
‫ִמ ֵשּׁאת וַ אֲ נָחָ ה‬
‫וְ הוּא ִי ְדרוֹשׁ לְ ִציּוֹן‬
‫ִעיר הַ נִּ ָדּחָ ה‬
‫עַ ד אָנָה תּוּ ְגיוֹן‬
‫נֶפֶ שׁ נֶאֱ נָחָ ה‬
lenafshenu fidyon
mishet va’anachah;
vehu yidrosh leTziyon,
m
pl
Blessed be God on high
‫רכֵ ב בָּ ע ֲָרבוֹת‬
ֹ
ir hanidachah,
ad ana tugyon,
nefesh ne’enachah.
Hashomer Shabbat,
haben im habat,
la’El yeratzu
kemin’chah al machavat.
Rochev ba’aravot,
melech olamim,
and a family feast.
‫מֶ לֶ� ע ֹול ִָמים‬
‫אֶ ת עַ מּ ֹו לִ ְשׁבּוֹת‬
‫ימים‬
ִ ִ‫ִאזֵּן בַּ נְּ ע‬
‫בְּ מַ אֲ ָכלֵי עֲ ֵרבוֹת‬
‫בְּ ִמינֵי מַ ְטעַ ִמּים‬
‫בּוּשׁי ָכבוֹד‬
ֵ ְ‫בְּ מַ ל‬
‫זֶבַ ח ִמ ְשׁפָּ חָ ה‬
Whoever keeps Shabbat …
… ‫הַ שּׁוֹמֵ ר ַשׁבָּ ת‬
Hashomer Shabbat …
told God’s people to rest on Shabbat
(gently God made this heard)
with various foods
and types of treats,
(izen ban’imim)
bema’achalei arevot,
beminei mat’amim,
bemalbushei chavod,
zevach mishpachah.
SP
S
with fine clothes
et amo lishbot
1
Our tradition teaches that the offering of the poorest people is dearest to God. See Leviticus 2:5.
the double reward
from God who sees everything
but dwells in thick cloud.1
God grants this person an inheritance
in hill and valley,
an inheritance and a place to rest,
like Jacob, for whom the sun shone.2
Whoever keeps Shabbat
properly, protecting it from desecration,
earns the honor of cherished
holiness.3
Ve’ashrei kol chocheh
letashlumei chefel
me’et kol socheh,
shochen ba’arafel.
Nachalah lo yizkeh
bahar uvashafel,
nachalah umenucha,
‫ָכּל שׁוֹמֵ ר ַשׁבָּ ת‬
‫ַכּ ַדּת מֵ חַ לְּ ל ֹו‬
‫הֵ ן הֶ כְ ַשׁר ִחבַּ ת‬
‫קֹדֶ שׁ גּו ָֹרל ֹו‬
‫וְ ִאם יָצָ א חוֹבַ ת הַ יּוֹם‬
‫אַ ְשׁ ֵרי ל ֹו‬
‫אֶ ל אֵ ל אָדוֹן ְמחוֹלְ ל ֹו‬
‫ִמנְ חָ ה ִהיא ְשׁלוּחָ ה‬
kashemesh lo zarchah.
Kol shomer Shabbat
kadat mechalelo,
hen hechshar chibat
kodesh goralo.
Ve’im yatza chovat hayom,
Sa
If he fulfills the day’s obligations,
‫וְ אַ ְשׁ ֵרי ָכּל ח ֹוכֶה‬
‫לְ ַת ְשׁלוּמֵ י כֵפֶ ל‬
‫מֵ אֵ ת ָכּל ס ֹוכֶה‬
‫שׁ ֹוכֵן בָּ עֲ ָרפֶ ל‬
‫נַחֲ לָה ל ֹו יִזְ כֶּה‬
‫בָּ הָ ר וּבַ ָשּׁפֶ ל‬
ְ ‫נַחֲ לָה‬
‫כּ ֶַשּׁמֶ שׁ ל ֹו ז ְָרחָ ה‬
e
Happy are all who expect
m
pl
111
good for him!
To God, the ruler who formed him
the observance is sent as a meal-offering.
ashrei lo;
el El adon mecholelo,
min’chah hi sheluchah.
Dearest of days
‫חֶ ְמ ַדּת הַ יּ ִָמים‬
‫ְק ָרא ֹו אֵ לִ י צוּר‬
‫ימים‬
ִ ‫וְ אַ ְשׁ ֵרי לִ ְת ִמ‬
‫ִאם ִי ְהיֶה נָצוּר‬
‫לּוּמים‬
ִ ‫כּ ֶֶתר ִה‬
‫ֹאשׁם יָצוּר‬
ָ ‫עַ ל ר‬
‫צוּר הָ ע ֹול ִָמים‬
‫רוּח ֹו בָּ ם נָחָ ה‬
Chemdat hayamim
did my God, the Rock, call Shabbat,
S
and happy are the truly pious
if Shabbat is protected.
A crown of beaten gold
SP
is formed upon their heads,
while the Rock of Ages’
spirit is pleased with them.
kera’o Eli, tzur,
ve’ashrei litmimim
im yih’yeh natzur.
Keter hilumim
al rosham yatzur;
tzur ha’olamim,
rucho bam nachah.
God sees everything but cannot be seen (since God is surrounded by clouds).
“Like the sun for him shone.” After Jacob wrestled with the angel, Genesis 32:32,
shone upon him.”
3 “See, being fit for the honor of holiness is his lot.”
1
2
‫“—וַיִּ ֽ זְ ַ ֽרח־ל֣ וֹ הַ ֔ ֶשּׁמֶ שׁ‬the
sun
“Remember the day of Shabbat,
for it will gain greater respect,2
like a diadem to crown
it.3
So let a person grant
himself4
pleasure and happiness
as a soothing
balm.5
It’s holy for you,
wherever you live
do no work—
sons and daughters,
servants or maids.
karno ki gavhah,
Sa
into your houses
nezer al rosho;
al ken yiten ha’adam
lenafsho
oneg vegam simchah,
bahem lemoshcha.
Kodesh hi lachem,
Shabbat hamalkah,
el toch bateichem
lehani’ach beracha.
Bechol moshvoteichem
lo ta’asu melachah,
beneichem uvenoteichem,
eved vegam shifchah.
SP
S
Zachor et yom haShabbat
lekadsho,
‫ַק ְרנ ֹו כִּ י גָבְ הָ ה‬
‫ֵנזֶר עַ ל רֹאשׁ ֹו‬
‫אָדם‬
ָ ָ‫עַ ל כֵּן ִי ֵתּן ה‬
‫לְ נַפְ שׁ ֹו‬
‫ֹענֶג וְ גַם ִשׂ ְמחָ ה‬
‫בָּ הֶ ם לְ ָמ ְשׁחָ ה‬
‫ֹקדֶ שׁ ִהיא ָלכֶם‬
‫ַשׁבָּ ת הַ ַמּלְ ָכּה‬
‫אֶ ל תּוֹ� בָּ ֵתּיכֶם‬
‫לְ הַ נִ יחַ בְּ ָר ָכה‬
‫בְּ ָכל מו ְֹשׁבו ֵֹתיכֶם‬
‫�א ַתעֲ שׂוּ ְמלָא ָכה‬
‫בְּ נֵיכֶם וּבְ נו ֵֹתיכֶם‬
‫עֶ בֶ ד וְ גַם ִשׁ ְפחָ ה‬
the Shabbat queen,
bringing a blessing;
‫ָזכ֛ וֹר ֩ אֶ ת־ ֥י֨וֹם הַ שַּׁ ָ ֜ ֖בּת‬
‫ְלקַ ְדּ ֽ֗שׁוֹ‬
to keep it holy,”1
m
pl
Ex. 20:8
112
e
From the Ten Commandments.
“For its horn (i.e., its conspicuous reputation) has risen”; those who observe Shabbat win respect for the day
and for this fundamental Jewish concept.
3 “A diadem on its head.”
4 “For this reason let a man grant himself …”
5 “To be anointed with them (with pleasure and happiness).”
1
2
113
Keep My Sabbaths ▪ ‫ַשׁבְּ תוֹתֵ י‬
‫ִשׁ ְמרוּ‬
The first letters of the first four stanzas spell the poet’s name, ‫שלמה‬.
‫ ִשׁ ְמרוּ ַשׁבְּ תו ֵֹתי‬Shimru Shabtotai
‫וּשׂבַ ְע ֶתּם‬
ְ ‫לְ מַ עַ ן ִתּינְ קוּ‬
‫ִמזִּ יו בִּ ְרכו ַֹתי‬
‫אתם‬
ֶ ָ‫אֶ ל הַ ְמּנוּחָ ה כִּ י ב‬
‫וּלְ ווּ עָ לַי בָּ נַי‬
‫וְ ִע ְדנוּ מַ עֲ ָד ַני‬
‫ַשׁבָּ ת הַ יּוֹם לַיי‬
blessings’ breast1
when you come to repose.
Children, I shall bear the cost
as you savor my delights,
Shabbat’s today, and God will
pay!2
Tell the laborer to be free
while I grant my blessing—
one follows close upon the
other—3
showing my happiness on this day;
miziv bir’chotai
el hamnuchah ki va’tem.
Ulevu alai, banai,
‫לְ עָ מֵ ל ִק ְראוּ ְדרוֹר‬
‫וְ נ ַָת ִתּי אֶ ת בִּ ְר ָכ ִתי‬
‫ִא ָשּׁה אֶ ל אֲ חו ָֹתהּ לִ ְצרוֹר‬
‫לְ גַלּוֹת עַ ל יוֹם ִשׂ ְמחָ ִתי‬
‫בִּ גְ דֵ י ֵשׁשׁ ִעם ָשׁנִ י‬
‫וְ ִה ְתבּוֹנְ נוּ ִמזְּ קֵ נַי‬
‫וְ ִע ְדנוּ מַ עֲ ָדנַי‬
ve’idnu ma’adanai:
Shabbat hayom lAdonai.
Le’amel kiru dror
venatati et birchati—
ishah el achotah litzror—
legalot et yom simchati;
bigdei shesh im shani,
Sa
wear your finest clothes,4
lema’an tinku usevatem
e
so you can suckle and be satisfied
from my
m
pl
Keep my Sabbaths
and study with my sages.
Ulevu alai, banai,
S
Shabbat’s today, and God will pay!
vehitbonenu mizkenai.
SP
1 wy»z is often translated “glory”; however, the word also implies some kind of projection or eminence, and in the
context of this image of a suckling infant, it refers to the nourishing breast.
2 “And borrow the funds you need on my account, children, and take delight in my delights: Shabbat—today—
is for God.” The image is of an indulgent and financially generous parent who does not expect the children to
be self-sufficient on this day.
3 “To bind one woman to her sister.” h3k3r1B (blessing) is a grammatically feminine noun, so the poet imagines the
blessing as a woman, very close to its sister-blessings.
4 “Clothes of linen and scarlet wool,” special clothes for Shabbat. This refers to the priestly garments (Exodus
28:5), woven of these fibers. The garments were so holy they did not need to observe the rules of “sha’atnez”
(Leviticus 19:19).
Hurry up with the food
to do as Esther
says!1
Settle up with the owner;
pay for the food and the leftovers.2
Trust me, you who rely on me,
and drink wine from my store.
Look, this is the day of deliverance
if only you will keep Shabbat
and be my treasure.
One dark night, and then it is
over,3
‫מַ הֲ רוּ אֶ ת הַ מָּ נֶה‬
‫לַעֲ שׂוֹת אֶ ת ְדּבַ ר אֶ ְס ֵתּר‬
‫וְ ִח ְשׁבוּ ִעם הַ קּ ֹונֶה‬
‫לְ ַשׁלֵּם אָכוֹל וְ הו ֵֹתר‬
‫בִּ ְטחוּ בִ י אֱ מוּנַי‬
‫וּשׁתוּ ַייִן ִמ ְשׁמַ נַי‬
ְ
Maharu et hamaneh
‫ִהנֵּה יוֹם גְּ אֻ ָלּה‬
‫יוֹם ַשׁבָּ ת ִאם ִתּ ְשׁ ֹמרוּ‬
‫יתם לִ י ְס ֻגלָּה‬
ֶ ‫וִ ְה ִי‬
‫לִ ינוּ וְ אַחַ ר ַתּעֲ בֹרוּ‬
‫וְ אָז ִתּ ְחיוּ לְ פָ נַי‬
‫וּתמַ לְ אוּ ְצפוּנַי‬
ְ
Hineh yom ge’ulah,
Sa
then you shall live in my presence,
filled from my secret store.
la’asot et devar Esther!
vechishvu im hakoneh
leshalem achol vehoter.
Bit’chu vi, emunay,
ushetu yayin mishmanai.
Ulevu alai, banai,
yom Shabbat im tishmoru,
viheyitem li segulah.
Linu, ve’achar ta’avoru,
ve’az tichyu lefanai
utemal’u tzefunai.
Ulevu alai, banai,
SP
S
114
e
m
pl
Based on Esther 5:5. When Esther invites Ahasuerus and Haman to a banquet, the king declares, “Hurry
Haman to do as Esther says.” Instead of “Haman” (the name of the evil Haman) the poet uses the word
“Hamaneh” (the portion of food). The feast which Esther prepared brought about the salvation of the Jewish
people, so the poet hopes for another feast—the Shabbat feast—with the same effect.
2 The image is of a guest in an inn, settling the bill. It’s easy to do, because (as the chorus reminds us) God is
paying. Some view these two lines differently: “Settle up with the Owner (i.e., God), so that God can repay you
for food and whatever is left over.” Whether we are guests paying the innkeeper or God’s dependents, the poet
assures us that we can feast without worry on Shabbat.
3 “Sleep, and afterwards you shall pass through.”
1
Reinforce my city,
God, highest divinity,
restore my temple
with joy and music;
my choir will sing,
my Levites and Kohanim,
and you shall delight with God;
today is God’s day!
El, Elohim elyon,
vehashev et nevati
besimcha uvehigayon.
Yeshoreru sham rananai,
Leviyai veChohanai,
ve’az tit’anag al Adonai;
Shabbat hayom lAdonai!
Ulevu alai, banai,
S
SP
Chazek kiryati,
Sa
‫חַ זֵּק ִק ְרי ִָתי‬
‫�הים עֶ לְ יוֹן‬
ִ ֱ‫אֵ ל א‬
‫וְ הָ ֵשׁב אֶ ת נְ וָ ִתי‬
‫בְּ ִשׂ ְמחָ ה וּבְ ִהגָּיוֹן‬
‫יְשׁו ְֹררוּ ָשׁם ַר ָננַי‬
‫לְ וִ יַּי וְ כֹהֲ נַי‬
‫וְ אָז ִתּ ְתעַ נַּג עַ ל יי‬
e
m
pl
115
‫אֵ ל‬
‫אֵ ל‬
God of thanks,
Sovereign of peace
Who sanctifies the Sabbath day
And makes the seventh day be blessed,
And in pure holiness gives rest,
To people sated with delight—
A memory of Creation’s work.
Make Us Happy ▪ ‫ַשׂ ְמּחֵ נוּ‬
Make us happy, sovereign God,
through Elijah the prophet, your servant,
and with the rule of David’s line,
your anointed king1
El hahoda’ot,
‫ַשׂ ְמּחֵ נוּ יי אֱ �הֵ ינוּ‬
� ֶ‫בְּ אֵ לִ יָּהוּ הַ נָּבִ יא עַ בְ דּ‬
‫וּבְ מַ לְ כוּת בֵּ ית ָדּוִ ד‬
‫בִּ ְמהֵ ָרה ָיבֹא וְ ָיגֵל לִ בֵּ נוּ‬
Samchenu Adonai Eloheinu
adon hashalom
mekadesh haShabbat
umevarech shevi’i
umeni’ach bikdushah
le’am medushnei oneg,
zecher lema’asei vereshit.
BeEliyahu Hanavi avdecha
uvemalchut bet David
meshichecha
—bimherah yavoh veyagel libeinu.
SP
S
Sa
—let it come soon and delight our hearts.
‫אֵ ל הַ הו ָֹדאוֹת‬
‫אֲ דוֹן הַ ָשּׁלוֹם‬
‫ְמ ַקדֵּ שׁ הַ ַשּׁבָּ ת‬
‫יעי‬
ִ ִ‫וּמבָ ֵר� ְשׁב‬
ְ
‫וּמֵ נִ יחַ בִּ ְקדֻ ָשּׁה‬
‫לְ עַ ם ְמדֻ ְשּׁנֵי ֹענֶג‬
‫אשׁית‬
ִ ‫ֵזכֶר לְ מַ עֲ ֵשׂה ְב ֵר‬
e
God of Thanks ▪ ‫הַ הוֹדָ אוֹת‬
116
m
pl
God of Thanks ▪ ‫הַ הוֹדָ אוֹת‬
By Jewish tradition, Elijah will herald the approach of the Messiah, and the Messiah will be descended from
David’s royal line.
1
117
Se’udah Shlishit Zemirot
God’s Peace ▪ ‫ֶשׁלּ ֹו‬
‫ֶשׁהַ ָשּׁלוֹם‬
‫ֶשׁהַ ָשּׁלוֹם‬
Divine peace may God grant us,
‫ֶשׁהַ ָשּׁלוֹם ֶשׁלּ ֹו י ִָשׂים עָ לֵינוּ‬
‫בְּ ָר ָכה וְ ָשׁלוֹם‬
‫וּמיּ ִָמין‬
ִ ‫ִמ ְשּׂ ֹמאל‬
‫עַ ל י ְִשׂ ָראֵ ל ָשׁלוֹם‬
�‫הָ ַרחֲ מָ ן הוּא ְיבָ ֵר‬
‫אֶ ת עַ מּ ֹו בַ ָשּׁלוֹם‬
‫וְ ִיזְ כּוּ לִ ְראוֹת‬
‫בָּ ִנים וּבְ נֵי בָ ִנים‬
‫עו ְֹס ִקים בַּ תּו ָֹרה וּבְ ִמ ְצוֹת‬
‫עַ ל י ְִשׂ ָראֵ ל ָשׁלוֹם‬
blessing and peace,
from left and right,
our people with
peace1
and grant that we see
children and grandchildren
committed to Torah and its rules.
Let peace come to Israel!
Isa 9:5
‫יוֹעֵ ץ אֵ ל גִּ בּוֹר‬
Advisor of mighty God,
mismol umiyamin
al Yisra’el shalom.
‫א ֲִביעַ ד שַׂ ר־שָׁ לוֹם‬
peace.2
Harachaman, hu yevarech
et amo bashalom,
veyizku lir’ot
banim uvnei vanim,
oskim baTorah uvemitzvot.
Al Yisra’el shalom.
Yo’etz El gibor
avi-ad sar-shalom.
Sa
Father forever, prince of
berachah veshalom.
m
pl
peace for Israel.
Shehashalom shelo yasim alenu,
e
God’s Peace ▪ ‫שֶׁ לּ ֹו‬
Compassion’s Source3 ▪ ‫נֶפֶ שׁ‬
‫י ְִדיד‬
Compassion’s source, my soul’s desire,
Woo me (your servant) to your will.
I’ll run my race swift as the deer,
Before your majesty to kneel.
To me your love is sweeter far
Yedid nefesh, av harachaman,
Meshoch avdecha el retzonecha.
Yarutz avdecha kemo ayal,
Yishtachaveh el mul hadarecha,
Ye’erav lo yedidotecha,
Minofet tzuf vechol ta’am.
SP
S
Than honey drops or savor
rare.4
‫ְי ִדיד נֶפֶ שׁ אָב הָ ַרחֲ מָ ן‬
�ֶ‫ְמשׁוֹ� עַ בְ ְדּ� אֶ ל ְרצ ֹונ‬
‫יָרוּץ עַ בְ ְדּ� כְּ מ ֹו אַ יָּל‬
�‫י ְִשׁ ַתּחֲ ֶוה אֶ ל מוּל הֲ ָד ֶר‬
�‫ֶי ֱע ַרב ל ֹו ְי ִדידו ֶֹת‬
‫טָ עַ ם‬-‫ִמנֹּ פֶ ת צוּף וְ ָכל‬
Based on Psalms 29:11.
Isaiah 9:5; what this refers to, either in its original context or here, is subject to much discussion.
3 Many congregations begin Friday evening services with this poem by Eliezer Azikri, a 16th-century kabbalist;
it is an acrostic on the Tetragrammaton (the four-lettered name of God). Editions differ widely; this version is
traditional.
4 “Darling of my soul, source (father) of mercy, draw (me) your servant to your will. Your servant will run like a
deer, will kneel before your majestic presence, for your love will surpass the dripping of the honeycomb and
any delight.”
1
2
Glorious, beautiful—the world’s glow
My yearning soul grieves for your love.
Please, God, relieve her, as you show
Your pleasant radiance from above.1
Revive her strength, her heartache mend,
To bring you pleasure without end.
Eternal, let your mercy yearn
With pity for your love’s child, who
So fervently, so long has burned
The splendor of your might to view.
These things are my heart’s delight,
Take pity! Don’t hide from my sight.2
‫הָ דוּר נָאֶ ה זִ יו הָ ע ֹולָם‬
�‫נַפְ ִשׁי ח ֹולַת אַהֲ בָ ֶת‬
‫אָ נָּא אֵ ל נָא ְרפָ א נָא ָלהּ‬
�‫בְּ הַ ְראוֹת לָהּ נֹ עַ ם זִ י ֶו‬
‫אָז ִתּ ְתחַ זֵּק וְ ִת ְת ַרפֵּ א‬
‫וְ הָ ְי ָתה לָּהּ ִשׂ ְמ ַחת ע ֹולָם‬
�‫וָ ִתיק יֶהֱ מוּ נָא ַרחֲ מֶ י‬
� ֶ‫וְ חוּסָ ה נָּא עַ ל בֵּ ן אֲ הוּב‬
‫כִּ י זֶה ַכּמָּ ה נִ כְ סוֹף נִ כְ סַ פְ ִתּי‬
�ֶ‫לִ ְראוֹת בְּ ִתפְ אֶ ֶרת עֻ זּ‬
‫אֵ לֶּה חָ ְמ ָדה לִ בִּ י‬
‫וְ חוּסָ ה נָּא וְ אַל ִתּ ְתעַ לָּם‬
Show yourself, my love, and spread
‫ִה ָגּלֵה נָא וּפְ רוֹשׂ חֲ בִ יבִ י‬
� ֶ‫סֻ ַכּת ְשׁלוֹמ‬-‫עָ לַי אֶ ת‬
� ֶ‫ָתּ ִאיר אֶ ֶרץ ִמכְּ בוֹד‬
� ָ‫נָגִ ילָה וְ נִ ְשׂ ְמחָ ה בּ‬
‫מַ הֵ ר אָהוּב כִּ י בָ א מוֹעֵ ד‬
‫וְ חָ נֵּנוּ כִּ ימֵ י ע ֹולָם‬
Sa
O’er me your canopy of rest.
Let glory on the earth be shed
To bring us joy and happiness.
Hurry, dear: time is short: restore
Hadur na’eh, ziv ha’olam,
Nafshi cholat ahavatecha.
Ana, El na, refa nah lah,
Behar’ot lah no’am zivecha.
Az tit’chazek vetitrapeh
Vehayta lah simchat olam.
Vatik, yehemu na rachamecha,
Vechusa na al ben ahuvecha,
Ki ze kamah nichsof nichsafti
Lir’ot betif’eret uzecha.
Eleh chamdah libi,
Vechusa na, ve’al tit’alam.
Higaleh na uf’ros, chavivi,
Alai et sukat shlomecha.
Ta’ir eretz mikvodecha,
Nagila venismecha bach.
Maher, ahuv, ki va mo’ed,
Vechoneinu kimei olam.
SP
S
Your kind grace as in days of yore.3
118
e
‫י ְִדיד‬
m
pl
Compassion’s Source ▪ ‫נֶפֶ שׁ‬
“Glorious, beautiful, radiance of the world, my soul is sick for your love. Please, God, heal her, as you show
her the pleasantness of your radiance. Then she will be strengthened and healed, and will become for you an
eternal delight.”
2 “Ancient one, let your mercies yearn (let your compassionate nature be merciful), and take pity on the child
(son) of your beloved, for he has for so long yearned to see the splendor of your might. These are my heart's
delight. Take pity, and do not be concealed.”
3 “Show yourself, and spread, dear, over me the shelter of your peace. Light the earth with your glory, let us
rejoice and be happy in it. Hurry, beloved, for the time approaches, and show us grace as [you did] in times
past.”
1
S
SP
m
pl
Sa
e
S
SP
m
pl
Sa
e

Pesach, Matzah, and Maror - The Singlish Publication Society

Transcription

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