Erev Shabbat Jewish Blogging

[gnomi]

This week, Lecha Dodi

Friday night's davening has a section known as Kabbalat Shabbat that is for welcoming the beginning of Shabbat. As part of Kabbalat Shabbat, we sing Lecha Dodi, a song composed in the 16th century by Rabbi Shlomo HaLevi Alkabetz.

In Lecha Dodi, Shabbat is referred to in turn as a bride (whose husband is the Jewish people), as the "source of blessing,"as "last in deed but first in thought" (meaning that Shabbat was the last thing created but the primary focus of creation), and as the "crown of her husband."

The paytan (composer) then talks to Jerusalem, which is in mourning for her children who are in exile. Jerusalem is urged to rise, to shake off the dust of mourning. God, she is told, will show compassion to her and the days of the Messiah will come. At that time, the oppressors will be "downtrodden," her children -- the Jewish people -- will return to her, and she will rejoice with them.

The final verse of Lecha Dodi is as follows (translation from the Art Scroll's "Siddur Ahavat Shalom"):

Enter in peace, oh crown of her husband
Even in gladness and good cheer
Among the faithful of the treasured nation
Enter, O bride! Enter, O bride!

For this verse, we traditionally stand and turn to face the entrance of the synagogue. We bow at "Enter, O bride," showing Shabbat the respect she deserves. And at that point, Shabbat has truly begun.

Shabbat shalom!

Comments

[42itous.livejournal.com]

I love that song, one of the few I learned in childhood well enough that I can still sing the chorus without a transliteration. Unfortunately, I think people use a different tune up here, so I have to sing my own tune in my head. :)