One of the Jewish noders got a kick out of a
goy writing on things Jewish, like my
writeup on
Ma Nishtana. This writeup is a frank attempt to
blow his mind completely.
L’cha Dodi
An
acrostic poem composed by Shlomo Halevi Alkabetz of the 16th century in the
Safed community of Jewish
mystics. It was written as a
hymn to honor and usher in the Sabbath, figuratively a bride approaching her
bridegroom Israel. It has been sung to many
melodies in both the
synagogue and at the Sabboth
meal.
L'cha dodi lik-rat kalah, p'nei Shabbat n'kab'lah.
Shamor v'zachor b'dibur echad,
Hish-mianu El ham'yuchad;
Adonai echad, ush'mo echad,
L'sheim ul-tif'eret v'lit'hilah.
Lik'rat Shabbat l'chu v'neil'chah,
Ki hi m'kor hab'rachah
Meirosh mikedem n'suchah,
Sof ma'aseh b'machashava t'chila.
Hitor'ri, hitor'ri,
Ki va oreich! Kumi ori
Uri uri, shir dabeiri;
K'vod Adonai alayich niglah.
All rise to Welcome the Sabbath Bride -
Boi v'shalom, ateret ba'lah;
Gam b'simchah uv'tzoholah
Toch emunei am s'gula,
Boi chala! Boi chala!
And here is a free verse translation into English.
Beloved, come to meet the bride; beloved, come to greet Shabbath. Keep and remember1 is a single command, the one God had us to hear; the eternal is one, name of God is One, for honor, glory and praise. Come with me to meet Shabbat,
forever blessing's fountain. It still flows, as from the beginning to the last of days, for which the first was made.
Awake, awake, your light has come! Get up and shine, awake and sing; the glory of the Eternal is about to upon you.
Enter in peace, Crown of your husband; enter in gladness, enter in joy. Come to the people that keeps its faith. Enter, O bride!
_______________
1 = From the
Torah parsha (=Torah reading)
VA'ETCHANAN (Deut. 3:23-7:11)