L’chu Neranena is the beginning of Psalm 95, part of a traditional welcoming of Shabbat. This version by Nava Tehila is an Indian melody, captivating, inviting, and mesmerizing. A wonderful introduction to Kabbalat Shabbat to help create a special mood.
Enjoy
Stay safe and healthy,
Shabbat Shalom
Sing a New Song is Psalm 96 that we sing as part of the welcoming of Shabbat in our Kabbalat Shabbat Service every Friday evening.
At this time, we are staying apart to guard against spreading the Corona Virus. But we will emerge, hopefully using this time to reflect on who we are and what is truly important. We will be singing a new song!
Enjoy Moshav’s rendition of Carelbach’s tune to the special words of the poem that is Psalm 96.
Shabbat Shalom!
In the good old days, such as they were, we were excited by the concept of “Casual Fridays” where we slipped off the formal business attire and opted for a looser approach. Ties came off, suits became sports jackets, slack became jeans. Now, many of us are in sweatpants and a t-shirt as our daily attire. Let’s change that and get dressed for work.
This Friday, pull out the “uniform” and dress for work, even if it is in front of a computer and without a Zoom or FaceTime connection.
It will make us feel better to get into that stiff formalwear that will somehow feel oddly comfortable.
Give it a try and join me for “Get Dressed for Work Day” May 1.
At Shabbat Dinner, we bless our children and spouses, wishing the best for them as they move forward through the challenges of life, ever so grateful for their presence in our life.
This Shabbat Alicia Keys soaring song Good Job offers such a blessing for those heroes among us.
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
The Hashiveinu prayer reaches out for the comfort and safety from the night under the protective wing of the Shechinah. A beautiful prayer and metaphor.
May we all find shelter and peace.
Shabbat Shalom.
To everyone who is will be at the Seder table this evening, wishing you a Chag Sameach.
Next Year in Jerusalem, Next Year Face to Face (in person)
Hanan Ben Ari shares this poignant song about our current situation.
Although we feel isolated and alone, remember that we are connected by our humanity. We have the power to reach out to others and express the love and caring we feel. This will sustain us until the day we can again embrace in each other’s arms.
Shabbat Shalom
Thank you to Ulpan La-Inyan for sharing this piece.
We figured we’d conquered it all
Towers in the heavens we built
Man, who needs man?
No other Flood will come in our day
We will never, ever fall
Leave it, we’ll be fine on our own
Smart, prepared and correct
And nothing is above us
Until you came
And infected
And crazed
And quarantined
And confused
And shocked
Who are you?
How you brought back sanity
Longing for human beings
The loneliness suddenly burns
We’re no longer flying from here to there
All the parks are locked
Weddings almost without people
We nearly lost ourselves
Almost stopped feeling
Soon all this will be over
And I request if possible
That the morning after you leave
We won’t go back to being the same