Usually, I share a single song performed by a wonderful artist to help bring in Shabbat.
But this Shabbat, Shabbat Bereishit, I am sharing the Kabbalat Shabbat service at the amazing B’nai Jeshurun, from June 1, 2018. Listen as long as you like, the music is enchanting and moving. If you’re ever in New York, stop in for an amazing experience with the folks at BJ.
Shabbat Shalom
As we welcome the first Shabbat after Yom Kippur, I wanted to share this wonderful rendition of Ana B’Choakh by Joey Weisenberg and the Hadar Ensemble.
This prayer is offered during Kabbalat Shabbat. A favorite of the mystics, it’s power is said to lie beyond the words themselves and in the structure of the prayer where, as an acrostic, the 42 letter name of God is spelled out.
Wishing everyone a year of health and blessings
Shabbat Shalom
Shalom Aleichem- Peace be with you, our traditional liturgical greeting of Shabbat dating back to the mystics of Tzfat (Safed) from the 16th or 17th century.
The story goes that two angels accompanied us on our way back home from the synagogue for Shabbat Dinner on Friday night. If the home was ready for Shabbat, the good angel blessed that next Shabbat it should also be so, and the bad angel would respond “Amen”. If the house was not ready for Shabbat, the roles were reversed.
An Open Letter to Jared Kushner
Mr. Jared Kushner
Publisher
The Observer
1 Whitehall St.
New York, NY 10004
November 11, 2016
Dear Mr. Kushner:
Congratulations to you on the victory of your father-in-law becoming the President-Elect. The election was fair and the people have spoken. However, this election has left a deeply divided country, many of us fearful because of things Mr. Trump has said and the groups that allied with him. We must see the repudiation of racism and bigotry, and Donald Trump must extend the hand of peace and wholeness.
You have claimed that Donald Trump is not an Anti-Semite. However, his words of divisiveness preyed on the fearful and the hate mongers. Groups including the Alt-Right, White Supremacists, and the Ku Klux Klan have rallied to your father-in-law finding permission to boldly and blatantly express their despicable views. This cannot be abided.
You uniquely have the president-elect’s ear as a confidante and advisor. You must use your position to speak on behalf of those genuinely fearful of persecution and loss of civil rights under the protection of a Trump Administration. The values you hold as an American and a Jew are antithetical to hatred and bigotry. Your full-throated voice must be raised to help heal and bring our country together, re-assuring all our citizens they are safe, their civil rights intact and sure, that all of us enjoy the full protection of law and dignity.
Sincerely,
Rabbi David Levin
A prayer for our friends and families in the path of Hurricane Matthew
May you find shelter from the storm, a safe passage until it has passed and may you emerge whole and unharmed.
My thoughts turn to the Hashkivenu prayer, said as part of the evening (Ma’ariv) service asking for God’s protection during the night at a time when we are so vulnerable. I hope that it provides some comfort.
Be Safe
הַשְׁכִּיבֵנוּ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ לְשָׁלוֹם וְהַעֲמִידֵנוּ מַלְכֵּנוּ לְחַיִּים. וּפְרוֹשׂ עָלֵינוּ סֻכַּת שְׁלוֹמֶךָ וְתַקְּנֵנוּ בְּעֵצָה טוֹבָה מִלְּפָנֶיךָ וְהוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ לְמַעַן שְׁמֶךָ וְהָגֵן בַּעֲדֵנוּ. וְהָסֵר מֵעָלֵינוּ אוֹיֵב דֶּבֶר וְחֶרֶב וְרָעָב וְיָגוֹן וְהָסֵר שָׂטָן מִלְּפָנֵינוּ וּמֵאַחֲרֵינוּ וּבְצֵל כְּנָפֶיךָ תַּסְתִּירֵנוּ כִּי אֵל שׁוֹמְרֵנוּ וּלְשָׁלוֹם מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ הַפּוֹרֵשׂ סֻכַּת שָׁלוֹם עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל וְעַל יְרוּשָׁלָיִם.
Hashkiveinu, Adonai Eloheinu, l’shalom, v’haamideinu shomreinu l’chayim, ufros aleinu sukat sh’lomecha, v’takneinu b’eitzah tovah milfanecha, v’hoshi-einu l’maan sh’mecha. V’hagein baadeinu, v’haseir mei-aleinu oyeiv, dever, v’chere, v’raav, v’yagon, v’harcheik mimenu avon vafesha. Uv’tzeil k’nafecha tastireinu, ki El shomreinu umatzileinu atah, ki El chanun v’rachum atah. Ushmor tzeiteinu uvo-einu l’chayim ul’shalom, mei-atah v’ad olam. Baruch atah, Adonai, haporeis sukat shalom aleinu v’al kol amo Yisrael v’al Yerushalayim.
Grant that we may lie down in peace, Eternal God, and awaken us to life. Shelter us with Your tent of peace and guide us with Your good counsel. Shield us from hatred, plague, and destruction. Keep us from warm famine and anguish. Help us to deny our inclination to evil. God of peace, may we always feel protected because You are our Guardian and Helper. Give us refuge in the shadow of Your wings. Guard our going forth and our coming in and bless us with life and peace. Blessed are You, Eternal God, whose shelter of peace is spread over us, over all Your people Israel, and over Jerusalem.
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.
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
Let’s move into Shabbat together with Rabbi Geela Rayzel Raphael.
Wishing you peace and wholeness this Shabbat.
We mourn the loss of Hillel Yaffe Ariel, brutally murdered while asleep in her bed. Hatred, violence, and murder of children do nothing to further the cause of peace or coexistence. Indeed often hardens the heart making the future for two people even more difficult.
Let us take this time to grieve for this innocent child and refuse to let anger and hatred consume us.
May her memory be a blessing.
Welcome Shabbat with this upbeat song, Psalm 29:1, from the incomparable Neshama Carlebach.
Shabbat Shalom
