“ קרוב ה’ לכל קראיו, לכל אשר יקראהו באמת  – G-d is close to all who call unto Him, to all that call upon Him in truth.” The Ibn Ezra remarks that if an earthly king is distant from his subjects, he will be unable to respond to their needs. However Hashem is always as […]

“צדיק ה’ בכל דרכיו וחסיד בכל מעשיו – Hashem is just in all ways and kindly in all deeds.” The Etz Yosef explains that this verse demonstrates that G-d’s interaction with humanity is sometimes commensurate with the behavior of the individual, and sometimes Hashem gifts us with more than we deserve. There are people who […]

פותח את ידיך ומשביע לכל חי רצון – Open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

להודיע לבני אדם גבורתיו, וכבוד הדר מלכותו

Mizmor Download the PDF Version Here After the festive singing of Lecha Dodi and the ushering in of the Shabbat Queen, we acknowledge the cosmic shift of realities from the mundane week to the holy Shabbat by reciting Psalm 92 – Mizmor Shir Layom HaShabbat – The Song of Shabbat. This Psalm reflects the future […]

  Lecha Dodi III Download the PDF Version Here The remaining seven stanzas of Lechoh Dodi are divided into three parts. Part 1: Mikdash Melech…Hitnaari…and Hitoreri…all advance words of consolation, hope and renewal of Jerusalem from a state of exile. We implore Jerusalem, the throne of Hashem to arise from her desolation, cloak herself with […]

Lecha Dodi II Download the PDF Version Here The signature Tefillah of Kabbalat Shabbat is Lechoh Dodi – “Come my Beloved”. The opening letter of each paragraph spells out the name of the author Rabbi Shlomo Halevi Alkabetz who lived in Safed in the 1500s at the time of the Arizal and Rav Yosef Karo. […]

Lecha Dodi Download the PDF Version Here The crescendo of the Kabbalat Shabbat service is the beautiful poem Lechoh Dodi – Come my Beloved. It was composed by HaRav Shlom Halevi Alkabetz who lived in Tsfat in the sixteenth century alongside the great scholars and Kabbalists of the day such as the Arizal, Rav Moshe […]

Mizmor LeDovid & Anah Bakoach Download the PDF Version Here Although we already reviewed Psalm 29, Mizmor LeDovid in our Mussaf Tips, since we recite it again at this point in Kabbalat Shabbat and  all the commentaries stress that it should be recited with vigor and joy it is worthwhile for us to take another […]

Footstool to Heaven Download the PDF Version Here  Psalm 99 is the last of the consecutive Psalms recited during the Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat Ashkenazic Service. King David again foretells of the thundering revelation of G-d’s presence on earth amidst awe and trembling, and invites the people of Israel to Praise the G-d of Zion. […]