Ana Bekoach – Jewish Relationships Initiative

Ana BeKoach

Ana b’Koach is an enigmatic prayer said to conceal a mystical formula for spiritual renewal within its plea for divine aid.*

*https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/ana-bkoach-a-portal-to-creation/

Shabbat Shalom

In our welcome of Shabbat, we share Ana BeKoach, a prayer asking we be released from the spiritual, emotional, and physical things that bind us. It invokes the power of God’s name through Jewish mysticism. In this troubling time, may we be freed.

Shir Appeal shares its acapella rendition with us here.

Shabbat Shalom

Ana Bekoach is a mystical prayer employing the 42 letters of the name of God to create this mystical prayer. The acrostic is seven lines of six words each. The prayer is attributed to Nechuniah dating back to second- century Israel.

Siddur Lev Shalem explains a particular phrase Tatir Tz’rurah, Undo the Knot, as perhaps referring to the exile in both its physical and spiritual sense. As we enter Shabbat, we pray that all that has kept us physically and spiritually constrained give way; instead, we hope to begin experiencing the gentle expansiveness of Shabbat. This plea reflects the mystical view that the forces of judgment, constriction, and negativity should not have power or authority on Shabbat.

Shabbat Shalom

Ana Becoach, or Ana Becoaj, is a Kabbalistic prayer invoking the power of the Divine Name. The prayer is seven lines of six words each, the first letter of each word spelling the 42 letter name of the Almighty. Written in the second century by the Kabbalist Rabbi Nehonia. It is traditionally sung before Lecha Dodi during Kabbalat Shabbat.

The phrase “untie the knot” may refer to exile in both its physical and spiritual sense. As we enter Shabbat we hope to begin experiencing its expansiveness. The plea reflects the mystical view that the forces of judgment, constriction, and negativity should not have power or authority on Shabbat. ( Siddur Lev Shalem, p. 22)

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