Category: Shabbat Shalom

Shabbat Shalom

Shir Lama’alot- Psalm 121, A Song of Ascents

Cantor Harold Messinger shares his beautiful melody

This thoughtful rendition helps set the mood for this Shabbat in Elul.  Wishing you all Shabbat Shalom.

שיר למעלות
אשא עיני אל ההרים
מאין יבא עזרי
עזרי מעם הי
עושה שמים וארץ
אל יתן למוט רגלך
אל ינום שומרך
הנה לא ינום ולא יישן שומר ישראל
הי שומרך
הי צלך
על יד ימינך
יומם השמש לא יככה
וירח בלילה
הי ישמרך מכל רע
ישמור את נפשך
הי ישמור צאתך ובואך
מעתה ועד עולם
Song of Ascents
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,
from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the Lord,
which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved:
he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is thy keeper:
the Lord is thy shade
upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil:
He shall preserve thy soul.
The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in
from this time forth, and even for evermore.
Psalm in English and Hebrew from
http://lyricstranslate.com/en/%D7%A9%D7%99%D7%A8-%D7%9C%D7%9E%D7%A2%D7%9C%D7%95%D7%AA-shir-lamaalot-song-ascents.html

Shabbat Shalom

Lo Yaavod- A great music video based on the commentary of Rabbi Obadia by Yaakov Shwekey.  A translation of the lyrics is below.

It is a message of brotherhood, love and Klal Yisrael- a great way to start Shabbat.

Shabbat Shalom

Do not be as slaves

Do not be as slaves who serve their master for the sake of reward.
One should serve his Creator solely out of love.
(Mishnah Avot, C – commentary of Rabbi Obadiah)
Do not be as slaves who serve their master
for the sake of reward.
A man should not serve
A man should not serve his Creator
Unless out of love
Unless solely out of love
Alone

Shabbat Shalom

 

Ana Bekoach (Please by the power of Your great right hand) a mystical prayer/meditation/song said to contain the 42 letter name of God. Written as seven lines of six words each the prayer miraculously connects us to the pure spiritual light and energy that created the world.  A sublime introduction to the evening prayers of Shabbat.

Shabbat Shalom

Shabbat Shalom – Peace and Reflection

ShabbatCandlesThis Shabbat, rather than a musical selection, I want to offer a moment to reflect on the recent tragedies and  acts of horrible violence we have experienced.

 Tonight the words Shamor v’Zachor will dance in my mind as the light from the flickering flames of the Shabbat candles fill the room. It will not be a joyful beautiful dance this evening. Tonight I will somberly reflect on what it means to remember and preserve Shabbat. So much violence, so many lives needlessly taken by fear and violence. How will I react?

 I hope to rise above my own anger and frustration. Instead of hate, I want to resolve to be part of something better. I will look to my community and join with them as my community joins with others. I hope to become part of something greater that aligns with the message of hope instead of despair, of love instead of hate, of joy instead of pain.

 Join me in committing to something better. Find your caring community and become part of it. Embrace and share the values that will transform our communities, our nation, and our world the place it ought to be. On this Shabbat let us dedicate that we will be an active part of bringing peace and wholeness to the world. May it begin with this Shabbat.

Shabbat Shalom