Lecha
DodiJudaism's most popular Shabbat prayer-song,
composed
by Rabbi Shlomo Alkebetznew translation by Rabbi Moshe Miller
First Stanza / Refrain:
"Come out my Beloved, the Bride to meet;
The inner light of Shabbat, let us greet."
[Refrain]
Second Stanza:
"Observe" and "Remember" in a
single word,
He caused us to hear, the One and Only Lord.
G-d is One and His Name is One,
For renown, for glory and in song.
[Refrain]
Third Stanza:
To welcome the Shabbat, let us progress,
For that is the source, from which to bless.
From the beginning, chosen before time,
Last in deed, but in thought - prime.
[Refrain]
Fourth Stanza:
Sanctuary of the King, city royal,
Arise, go out from amidst the turmoil.
In the vale of tears too long you have dwelt,
He will show you [the] compassion [He always felt].
[Refrain]
Fifth Stanza:
Arise, now, shake off the dust,
Don your robes of glory - my people - you must.
Through the son of Yishai, the Bethelemite,
Draw near to my soul, set her free [from her plight].
[Refrain]
Sixth Stanza:
Wake up, wake up,
Your light has come, rise and shine.
Awaken, awaken; sing a melody,
The glory of G-d will be revealed upon thee.
[Refrain]
Seventh Stanza:
Be not ashamed, nor confounded,
Why are you downcast, why astounded?
In you, refuge for My poor people will be found,
The city will be rebuilt on its former mound.
[Refrain]
Eighth Stanza:
May your plunderers be treated the same way,
And all who would devour you be kept at bay.
Over you Your G-d will rejoice,
As a groom exults in his bride [of choice].
[Refrain]
Ninth Stanza:
To right and left you'll spread abroad,
And the Eternal One you shall laud.
Through the man from Peretz's family,
We shall rejoice and sing happily.
[Refrain]
Tenth Stanza:
Come in peace, her Husband's crown of pride,
With song (on Festivals: rejoicing) and good cheer.
Among the faithful of the people so dear,
Enter O Bride, enter O Bride;
(in an undertone: O Bride, Shabbat Queen, now come here!)
[go to Prayer Menu for commentary on each
stanza separately]
Rabbi Moshe-Leib Miller, a guest teacher at Ascent when he lived in Israel,
was born in South Africa and received his yeshiva education in Israel
and America. He is a prolific author and translator, with some twenty
books to his name on a wide variety of topics, including a new, authoritative,
annotated translation of the Zohar. He currently lives in Chicago.
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