א שִׁיר, הַמַּעֲלוֹת:
בְּשׁוּב יְהוָה, אֶת-שִׁיבַת צִיּוֹן-- הָיִינוּ, כְּחֹלְמִים.
ב אָז יִמָּלֵא שְׂחוֹק, פִּינוּ-- וּלְשׁוֹנֵנוּ רִנָּה:
אָז, יֹאמְרוּ בַגּוֹיִם-- הִגְדִּיל יְהוָה, לַעֲשׂוֹת עִם-אֵלֶּה.
ג הִגְדִּיל יְהוָה, לַעֲשׂוֹת עִמָּנוּ-- הָיִינוּ שְׂמֵחִים.
ד שׁוּבָה יְהוָה, אֶת-שבותנו (שְׁבִיתֵנוּ)-- כַּאֲפִיקִים בַּנֶּגֶב.
ה הַזֹּרְעִים בְּדִמְעָה-- בְּרִנָּה יִקְצֹרוּ.
ו הָלוֹךְ יֵלֵךְ, וּבָכֹה-- נֹשֵׂא מֶשֶׁךְ-הַזָּרַע:
בֹּא-יָבֹא בְרִנָּה-- נֹשֵׂא, אֲלֻמֹּתָיו.

Translation:

1 A Song of Ascents. {N}
When the LORD brought back those that returned to Zion, we were like unto them that dream.
2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing; {N}
then said they among the nations: 'The LORD hath done great things with these.'
3 The LORD hath done great things with us; we are rejoiced.
4 Turn our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the dry land.
5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
6 Though he goeth on his way weeping that beareth the measure of seed, {N}
he shall come home with joy, bearing his sheaves. {P}

Information:

JPS 1917 Translation (Public Domain)

 


 


Achat sha'alti

 
אַחַת שָׁאַלְתִּי


Achat sha'alti me'eit Hashem, otah avakesh:
shivti b'veit Hashem, kol y'mei chayai, lachazot b'noam Hashem, u'l'vaker b'heikhalo.
אַחַת שָׁאַלְתִּי מֵאֵת-יְהוָה אוֹתָהּ אֲבַקֵּשׁ:
שִׁבְתִּי בְּבֵית-יְהוָה, כָּל-יְמֵי חַיַּי,
לַחֲזוֹת בְּנֹעַם-יְהוָה, וּלְבַקֵּר בְּהֵיכָלוֹ.

Translation:

One thing I ask from the Lord, one thing I desire
That I might dwell in Your house all the days of my life
To behold the graciousness of the Lord, and to enter God's sanctuary.

Information:

From Psalms 27:4, the Psalm for the days of awe.
B'kol Echad page 77

Tzlil v'Zemer tune used with permission. (Featured below in the recordings by Shmuel Popper and Yisroel Mendelson)

Acheinu

 
אַחֵינוּ


Acheinu kol beit yisrael,
han'tunim b'tzara uvashivyah, haomdim bein bayam uvein bayabasha. Hamakom y'racheim aleihem v'yotziem mitzara lirvacha, umi'afaila l'orah umishibud lig'ulah, hashta ba'agala uvizman kariv.
אַחֵינוּ כָּל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, הַנְּתוּנִים בְּצָרָה וּבַשִּׁבְיָה, הָעוֹמְדִים בֵּין בַּיָּם וּבֵין בַּיַּבָּשָׁה, הַמָּקוֹם יְרַחֵם עֲלֵיהֶם, וְיוֹצִיאֵם מִצָּרָה לִרְוָחָה, וּמֵאֲפֵלָה לְאוֹרָה, וּמִשִּׁעְבּוּד לִגְאֻלָּה, הַשְׁתָּא בַּעֲגָלָא וּבִזְמַן קָרִיב.

Translation:

As for our brothers, the whole house of Israel, who are given over to trouble or captivity, whether they abide on the sea or on the dry land:

May the All-present have mercy upon them, and bring them forth from trouble to enlargement, from darkness to light, and from subjection to redemption, now speedily and at a near time.

Based on The Standard Prayer book by Simeon Singer (1915)

Information:

Lyrics: Said after Kriyas Hatorah

Adon Olam

 
אַדוֹן עוֹלָם


Adon olam asher malach,
b'terem kol y'tzir niv-ra.
L'eit na'asah b'cheftzo kol,
azai melech sh'mo nikra.


V'acharei kichlot hakol,
l'vado yimloch nora.
V'hu hayah, v'hu hoveh,
v'hu yihyeh, b'tifarah.


V'hu echad v'ein sheni,
l'hamishil lo l'hachbirah.
B'li reishit b'li tachlit,
v'lo haoz v'hamisra.


V'hu eili v'chai goali
v'tsur chevli b'eit tsarah.
V'hu nisi umanos li,
m'nat kosi b'yom ekrah.


B'yado afkid ruchi,
b'eit ishan v'airah.
V'im ruchi g'viati,
Adonai li v'lo irah.
אֲדוֹן עוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר מָלַךְ,
בְּטֶרֶם כָּל יְצִיר נִבְרָא.
לְעֵת נַעֲשָׂה בְחֶפְצוֹ כֹּל,
אֲזַי מֶלֶךְ שְׁמוֹ נִקְרָא.

וְאַחֲרֵי כִּכְלוֹת הַכֹּל,
לְבַדּוֹ יִמְלוֹךְ נוֹרָא.
וְהוּא הָיָה, וְהוּא הֹוֶה,
וְהוּא יִהְיֶה, בְּתִפְאָרָה.

וְהוּא אֶחָד וְאֵין שֵׁנִי,
לְהַמְשִׁיל לוֹ לְהַחְבִּירָה.
בְּלִי רֵאשִׁית בְּלִי תַכְלִית,
וְלוֹ הָעֹז וְהַמִּשְׂרָה.

וְהוּא אֵלִי וְחַי גֹּאֲלִי,
וְצוּר חֶבְלִי בְּעֵת צָרָה.
וְהוּא נִסִּי וּמָנוֹס לִי,
מְנָת כּוֹסִי בְּיוֹם אֶקְרָא.

בְּיָדוֹ אַפְקִיד רוּחִי,
בְּעֵת אִישַׁן וְאָעִירָה.
וְעִם רוּחִי גְּוִיָּתִי,
יְיָ לִי וְלֹא אִירָא.

Translation:

Lord of the universe who reigned before anything was yet was created:
At the time when all things were made by His desire, then was His Name proclaimed King.
And after all things shall have had an end, He alone, the dreaded One, shall reign;
He was, He is, and He will be in glory.
And He is One, and there is no second to compare to Him, to consort with Him:
Without beginning, without end: to Him belong strength and dominion.
And He is my God—my Redeemer liveth and—a rock in my travail in time of distress;
And He is my banner and my refuge, the portion of my cup on the day when I call.
Into His hand I commend my spirit, when I sleep and when I wake;
And with my spirit, my body also: the Lord is with me, and I will not fear.

*Translation from the Authorized Daily Prayer Book by Simeon Singer, published in 1890 (now in public domain)

Information:

Taken from the siddur.
Has been put to an innumerable amount of tunes...add your favorite one.

Tune by Yaakov Shwekey licensed for streaming and downloading from this page.

The Zemirot Database has also received permission from the owner of the copyright in the song "Sanctuary" for use of the Sanctuary tune here. The original Sanctuary tune is by John W. Thompson and Randy Scruggs.

Agadelcha

 
אֲגַדֶלְךָ


Agaddɛlkhɒ Ɛlo̞hey ko̞l-nǝshɒmɒ, ʋǝ'o̞ðɛkhɒ bǝro̞β-paħad ʋǝ'eymɒ.

Beʕo̞mði t̪o̞kh qǝhalkhɒ ṣoor lǝro̞mem, Lǝkhɒ ɛkhrɒʕ ʋǝ'ɛkko̞f rosh ʋǝqo̞mɒ.

Rǝqiʕey room halo̞ nɒʈɒ bǝmiβʈɒ, ʋǝhɒ'ɒrɛṣ yǝsɒðɒhh ʕal Bǝlimɒ.

Hayukhal ish ħaqo̞r ɛt so̞ð yo̞ṣro̞, umi Hu z̄ɛ bǝkho̞l qɛðmɒ ʋǝyɒmmɒ.

Mǝromɒm Hu ʕaley ko̞l-pɛ ʋǝlɒsho̞n, ashɛr hifli ʋǝʕɒsɒ-ko̞l bǝħo̞khmɒ.

Ʋǝyiŧ̪gaddal beɣo̞y qɒdo̞sh ʋǝʕɛlyo̞n, ʋǝyiŧ̪qaddash Shǝmeyhh rabbɒ bǝʕɒlmɒ.
אֲגַדֶּלְךָ אֱלֹהֵי כָּל-נְשָׁמָה. וְאוֹדֶךָ בְּרָב-פַּחַד וְאֵימָה:

בְּעָמְדִי תֹּוךְ קְהַלְךָ צוּר לְרוֹמֵם. לְךָ אֶכְרַע וְאֶכּוֹף רֹאשׁ וְקוֹמָה:

רְקִיעֵי רוּם הֲלֹא נָטָה בְּמִבְטָא. וְהָאָרֶץ יְסָדָהּ עַל בְּלִימָה:

הֲיוּכַל אִיש חֲקוֹר אֶת סוֹד יוֹצְרוֹ. וּמִי הוּא זֶה בְּכָל-קֶדְמָה וְיָמָּה:

מְרֹומָם הוּא עֲלֵי כָל-פֶּה וְלָשוֹן. אֲשֶר הִפְלִיא וְעָשָׂה-כָּל בְּחָכְמָה:

וְיִתְגַּדַּל בְּגוֹי קָדוֹש וְעֶלְיוֹן. וְיִתְקַדַּשׁ שְׁמֵיהּ רַבָּא בְּעָלְמָא:

Translation:

I will greaten Your [reputation], God of all souls, and I will praise You with abundance of fear and awe.
In my standing within Your congregation, forever to exalt; to You I will kneel and lower my head and stature.
The firmament of heights, hasn't He planted [it] with [just a] grunt?—and the land, [he] established it on nothingness.
Is a man able [to] investigate the secret of his creation? And who is He Who is in every location?
He is praised by every mouth and tongue, which He miracled and made each in His wisdom.
And His [reputation] is exalted by a sacred and lofty nation; and may His Great Name be sanctified in the world!

Information:

A popular song for the Shabbat table, with the ראשי תיבות of ״אברהם״.

Maqam Nahawand.

Al Shlosha D'varim

 
על שלושה דברים


Al sh'loshah d'varim
haolam omeid

Al hatorah, v'al ha'avodah, v'al g'milut chasadim
עַל שְׁלֹשָׁה דְּבָרִים
הָעוֹלָם עוֹמֶד:

עַל הַתּוֹרָה, וְעַל הַעֲבוֹדָה וְעַל גְּמִילוּת
חֲסָדִים.

Translation:

Upon three things the world stands​:
On Torah, on service (prayer), and on loving kindness. Pirkei Avot 1:2

Information:

The words are taken from a short statement of Pirkei Avot 1:2 (lit. Chapters of the Fathers), a compilation of ethical teachings reaching back to Sinai.

The song, which emphasizes the importance of Torah, is most often heard today in Reform temples during the part of the service before the Torah is read. However, the songs fits just as well as a short zemer for a kumzitz or Seudah Shelishit.

Some words are not sung in the recording below, but are part of the original text

Al Tira (Ki Ya'ashir ish)

 
אל תירא כי יעשר איש


Al tira ki ya’asir ish ki yirbe kevod beito. Ki lo be’moto yikach hakol lo yered acharav kevodo.
אַל תִּירָא כִּי יַעֲשִׁר אִישׁ כִּי יִרְבֶּה כְּבוֹד בֵּיתוֹ.
כִּי לֹא בְמוֹתוֹ יִקַּח הַכֹּל לֹא יֵרֵד אַחֲרָיו כְּבוֹדוֹ. (תהלים מט)

Translation:

Be not thou afraid when one waxeth rich, when the wealth of his house is increased;
For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away; his wealth shall not descend after him.

Source: Jewish Publication Society Bible 1917 (public domain)

Information:

Lyrics: Psalms 49:17-18


Ana B'choach

 
אָנָא בּכֹחַ


Ana b'choach gedulat yemincha tatir ts’rurah
kabel rinat am’cha, sagvenu, taharenu, norah

Na gibor dorshei y'chudcha k'vavat shomrem;
barchem taharem, rachamem, tzidkatcha tamid gomlem.

Chasin kadosh b'rov tuvcha nahel adatecha.
Yachid g'eh l'ameacha p'heh, zochrei k'dushatecha.
Shvateinu kabel ushma tsa'akateinu yodea ta'alumot.
אָנָּא בְּכֹחַ גְּדֻלַּת יְמִינְךָ תַּתִּיר צְרוּרָה.
קַבֵּל רִנַּת עַמְּךָ, שַׂגְּבֵנוּ טַהֲרֵנוּ נוֹרָא.

נָא גִבּוֹר, דּוֹרְשֵׁי יִחוּדְךָ, כְּבָבַת שָׁמְרֵם.
בָּרְכֵם, טַהֲרֵם, רַחֲמֵם, צִדְקָתְךָ תָּמִיד גָּמְלֵם.
חֲסִין קָדוֹשׁ, בְּרוֹב טוּבְךָ, נַהֵל עֲדָתֶֽךָ.
יָחִיד גֵּאֶה, לְעַמְּךָ פְּנֵה, זוֹכְרֵי קְדֻשָּׁתֶֽךָ.
שַׁוְעָתֵֽנוּ קַבֵּל, וּשְׁמַע צַעֲקָתֵֽנוּ, יוֹדֵֽעַ תַּעֲלֻמוֹת.

Translation:

O Lord, with the greatness of thy powerful right hand, we pray to thee to loosen those that are bound in captivity. Accept the cry of thy people; exalt and purify us, O thou who art tremendous!

O most powerful God! We beseech thee to preserve, as the apple of thine eye, those that seek thee. Bless, and purify them, and continually requite them according to thy merciful righteousness.

Thou, who are most mighty and holy! Guide thy congregation with thy abundant goodness. Thou, who art unique, and most excellent, regard thy people, who continually make mention of thy holiness.

Accept our prayers, and hearken to our cries. O Thou! To whom all secrets are known.

Translation based on Siddur Sifte Tsadikim, by Isaac Leeser (1837) (public domain)

Information:

While one of the most common tunes written to this poem only includes the first two lines, others have composed melodies incorporating the entire work.

Tune sung by Gabe Seed (first one), Joel Nothman, and Adi Wyner was composed by the Miami Boys Choir. Used with permission.

Tune sung by Ariel Ephraim is by Shlomo Carlebach. Recording below is an amateur recording and may not be an accurate representation of the tune as written by Rabbi Carlebach. The tune is used with permission from copyright owner Neshama Carlebach. Neshama Carlebach has granted permission to the Zemirot Database to offer interactive streams and downloads of cover versions of the tune.

Moshav band tune also used with permission.

Second tune sung by Gabe Seed is by Ovadia Hamama. Licensed from ACUM.

Watch it sung by Rabbi Hillel Yisraeli:
Object removed for printing

Ani Maamin B'emunah Sheleimah Sh'HaBorei

 
אני מאמין באמונה שלימה שהבורא


Ani maamin be'emunah sheleimah, sh'HaBorei, Yitbarach Sh'mo

Hu borei umanhig(umanhig) lchol haberuim, v'hu l'vado asah, (v')oseih v'yaaseh
Lchol hamaasim

(Words in parenthesis are dependently sung, depending on repetition)
אני מאמין באמונה שלימה
שהבורא, יתברך שמו,

הוא בורא ומנהיג לכל הברואים
והוא לבדו עשה (ו)עושה ויעשה
לכול המעשים

Translation:

I believe with perfect faith
That the Creator, blessed be His Name,

He created and guides all creatures
And He alone made, (and) makes, and will make
all things

(alt. Did, does, and will do all deeds)

User-contributed translation

Information:

This is a distillation of one of Maimonides' thirteen articles of faith. This attributes God with being the only Creator. It is often sung at seudah shelishit.

Ani Y'sheina

 
אֲנִי יְשֵׁנָה


Ani y'sheina v'libbi eir; kol dodi dofeik pitchi li Achoti ra'yati yonati tammati, sheroshi nimla' tal, k'vutzotai r'sisei layla
אֲנִי יְשֵׁנָה, וְלִבִּי עֵר; קוֹל דּוֹדִי דוֹפֵק, פִּתְחִי-לִי אֲחֹתִי רַעְיָתִי יוֹנָתִי תַמָּתִי--שֶׁרֹּאשִׁי נִמְלָא-טָל, קְוֻצּוֹתַי רְסִיסֵי לָיְלָה.

Translation:

I sleep, but my heart is awake; Hark! my beloved knocks: 'Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled; for my head is filled with dew, my locks with the drops of the night.'

Translation based on Jewish Publication Society Bible (1917) (public domain)

Information:

Song of Songs 5:2

Anim Zemirot (short version)

 
אַנְעִים זְמִירוֹת


Anim Zemirot vshirim eerog
ki eilecha nafshi taarog

Al kein adaber bcha nichbadot, vshimcha achabeid bshirei yedidot
אַנְעִים זְמִירוֹת וְשִׁירִים אֶאֱרֹג כִּי אֵלֶיךָ נַפְשִׁי תַּעֲרֹג

עַל כֵּן אֲדַבֵּר בְּךָ נִכְבָּדוֹת וְשִׁמְךָ אֲכַבֵּד בְּשִׁירֵי יְדִידוֹת

Information:

These are not simply the first two verses, as some are skipped from the longer song

Aromimcha

 
ארומימך


Aromimcha Hashem ki dilitani
Velo simachta oyvai li
ארומימך ה' כי דיליתני
ולא שימחת אויבי לי

Ashreinu

 
אשרינו


Ashreinu ma tov chelkeinu umah naim goralinu umah yafah y'rushateinu
אַשְׁרֵינוּ מַה טּוב חֶלְקֵנוּ וּמַה נָּעִים גּורָלֵנוּ וּמַה יָּפָה יְרֻשָּׁתֵנוּ:

Translation:

Happy are we! How goodly is our portion, and how pleasant is our lot, and how beautiful our heritage!

Translation from The Standard Prayer book by Simeon Singer (1915) (public domain)

Information:

From the liturgy, in the morning blessings.

Aufa Eshkona (A’oufa échkona)

 
אעופה אשכונה


A’oufa échkona
véar’hika nédod

Bamidbar alina
véoulaï emtsa dod


Néchék ahavato
bélibi bo’éra

Miyom pérédato
nafchi ‘alaï mara

A’oufa échkona
véar’hika nédod

Bamidbar alina
véoulaï emtsa dod


Yédid méni bara’h
halakh ‘azavani

ézo dérékh ara’h
véélkha gam ani

A’oufa échkona
véar’hika nédod

Bamidbar alina
véoulaï emtsa dod



Yatsati lévakéch
dodi bén ‘havérim

Nilkadti bémokéch
hikouni hachomérim


A’oufa échkona
véar’hika nédod

Bamidbar alina
véoulaï emtsa dod



Tsipiti lédodi
mataï yavo élaï

Yalbichéni ‘adi
vira’hém ‘alaï

A’oufa échkona
véar’hika nédod

Bamidbar alina
véoulaï emtsa dod



‘Hassof zéro’akha
lékabéts pézourim

Galé kéts yich’akha
védiglékha harém

A’oufa échkona
véar’hika nédod

Bamidbar alina
véoulaï emtsa dod


Koumi yé’hidati
véchouvi bitchouva

A’hoti ra’yati
hiné goalékh ba

A’oufa échkona
véar’hika nédod

Bamidbar alina
véoulaï emtsa dod



‘Hamouda yékara
rabat hama’alot

Gam mipaz niv’hara
tséi na vim’holot

A’oufa échkona
véar’hika nédod

Bamidbar alina
véoulaï emtsa dod



Zakharti lakh ‘hésséd
né’ouraïkh né’ourim
Hékhalékh ayasséd
béavné sapirim

A’oufa échkona
véar’hika nédod

Bamidbar alina
véoulaï emtsa dod


Kol dodi hiné ba
médalég ‘al héharim

Koumi lakh ahouva
ki ba kéts dérorim

A’oufa échkona
véar’hika nédod

Bamidbar alina
véoulaï emtsa dod
אָעוּפָה אֶשְׁכֹּנָה
וְאַרְחִיקָה נְדֹד
בַּמִּדְבָּר אָלִינָה
וְאוּלַי אֶמְצָא דּוֹד

נֶשֶׁק אַהֲבָתוֹ
בְּלִבִּי בֹּעֵרָה
מִיּוֹם פְּרֵדָתוֹ
נַפְשִׁי עָלַי מָרָה

אָעוּפָה אֶשְׁכֹּנָה
וְאַרְחִיקָה נְדֹד
בַּמִּדְבָּר אָלִינָה
וְאוּלַי אֶמְצָא דּוֹד

יְדִיד מֶנִי בָּרַח
הָלַךְ עֲזָבַנִי
אֵיזוֹ דֶּרֶךְ אָרַח
וְאֵלְכָה גַּם אֲנִי

אָעוּפָה אֶשְׁכֹּנָה
וְאַרְחִיקָה נְדֹד
בַּמִּדְבָּר אָלִינָה
וְאוּלַי אֶמְצָא דּוֹד

יָצָאתִי לְבַקֵּשׁ
דּוֹדִי בֵּין חֲבֵרִים
נִלְכַּדְתִּי בְּמוֹקֵשׁ
הִכּוּנִי הַשֹּׁמְרִים

אָעוּפָה אֶשְׁכֹּנָה
וְאַרְחִיקָה נְדֹד
בַּמִּדְבָּר אָלִינָה
וְאוּלַי אֶמְצָא דּוֹד

צִפִּיתִי לְדוֹדִי
מָתַי יָבוֹא אֵלַי
יַלְבִּישֵׁנִי עֶדְיִי
וִירַחֵם עָלַי

אָעוּפָה אֶשְׁכֹּנָה
וְאַרְחִיקָה נְדֹד
בַּמִּדְבָּר אָלִינָה
וְאוּלַי אֶמְצָא דּוֹד

חֲשֹף זְרוֹעֲךָ
לְקַבֵּץ פְּזוּרִים
גַּלֵּה קֵץ יִשְׁעֲךָ
וְדִגְלְךָ הָרֵם

אָעוּפָה אֶשְׁכֹּנָה
וְאַרְחִיקָה נְדֹד
בַּמִּדְבָּר אָלִינָה
וְאוּלַי אֶמְצָא דּוֹד


קוּמִי יְחִידָתִי
וְשׁוּבִי בִּתְשׁוּבָה
אֲחוֹתִי רַעְיָתִי
הִנֵּה גוֹאֲלֵךְ בָּא

אָעוּפָה אֶשְׁכֹּנָה
וְאַרְחִיקָה נְדֹד
בַּמִּדְבָּר אָלִינָה
וְאוּלַי אֶמְצָא דּוֹד


חֲמוּדָה יְקָרָה
רַבַּת הַמַּעֲלוֹת
גַּם מִפָּז נִבְחָרָה
צְאִי נָא בִמְחוֹלוֹת

אָעוּפָה אֶשְׁכֹּנָה
וְאַרְחִיקָה נְדֹד
בַּמִּדְבָּר אָלִינָה
וְאוּלַי אֶמְצָא דּוֹד


זָכַרְתִּי לָךְ חֶסֶד
נְעוּרַיִךְ נְעוּרִים
הֵיכָלֵךְ אֲיַסֵּד
בְּאַבְנֵי סַפִּירִים

אָעוּפָה אֶשְׁכֹּנָה
וְאַרְחִיקָה נְדֹד
בַּמִּדְבָּר אָלִינָה
וְאוּלַי אֶמְצָא דּוֹד

קוֹל דּוֹדִי הִנֵּה בָּא
מְדַלֵּג עַל הֶהָרִים
קוּמִי לָךְ אֲהוּבָה
כִּי בָּא קֵץ דְּרוֹרִים

אָעוּפָה אֶשְׁכֹּנָה
וְאַרְחִיקָה נְדֹד
בַּמִּדְבָּר אָלִינָה
וְאוּלַי אֶמְצָא דּוֹד

Translation:

I will fly away and rest, wandering far
I will sleep in the desert and perhaps find my lover

His loving kiss burns in my heart
My heart has been bitter since the day he left

I will fly away and rest, wandering far
I will sleep in the desert and perhaps find my lover

My love has run from me, left me
Which way did he take – I too will follow it

I will fly away and rest, wandering far
I will sleep in the desert and perhaps find my lover

I went out to find my lover among friends
I was caught in a trap, the watchmen hit me

I will fly away and rest, wandering far
I will sleep in the desert and perhaps find my lover

I watched for my lover, when will he come to me,
Dress me in my jewels and have mercy on me?

I will fly away and rest, wandering far
I will sleep in the desert and perhaps find my lover

Bare Your arm to gather the scattered ones
Reveal Your final salvation and raise Your banner

I will fly away and rest, wandering far
I will sleep in the desert and perhaps find my lover

Get up, my unique one, and return in repentance
My sister, my love, Your redeemer is coming

I will fly away and rest, wandering far
I will sleep in the desert and perhaps find my lover

Desirable and precious, often thought of
More valued than gold, go out and dance for joy

I will fly away and rest, wandering far
I will sleep in the desert and perhaps find my lover

I have remembered the kindness of your youth
I will build your Temple on sapphire foundations

I will fly away and rest, wandering far
I will sleep in the desert and perhaps find my lover

My beloved's voice is coming, skipping over the mountains
Get up, my love, the final redemption is coming

I will fly away and rest, wandering far
I will sleep in the desert and perhaps find my lover

User-contributed translation

Information:

Moroccan tradition. Written by R. Isaac Abihatzera in the 19th century/early 20th century.

For more information see this songsheet.

B'nei Heichala

 
בְּנֵי הֵיכָלָא


Atkinu s'udata dim'heim'nuta shleimata ched'vata d'malkah kadisha. Atkinu s'udata d'malka. Da hi s'udata diz'eir anpin, v'atika kadisha vachakal tapuchin kadishin at'yan l'sa'ada bahadei.

B'nei heichala, dichsifin, l'mechazei ziv diz'eir anpin, y'hon hacha, b'hai taka, d'vei malka b'gilufin.
Tz'vu lachada, b'hai va'ada, b'go irin v'chol gad'fin. Chadu hashta, b'hai shata, d'vei ra'ava v'leit za'afin.
K'rivu li, chazu cheili, d'leit dinin ditkifin, l'var natlin, v'la alin, hanei chalbin d'chatzifin.
V'ha azmin atik yomin, l'minchah adei y'hon chalfin. R'u dilei, d'galei leih, l'vatala b'chol k'lifin.
Y'shavei lon, b'nokveihon, vitamrun b'go cheiphin.
Arei hashta, b'minchata, b'chedvata diz'eir anpin.
אַתְקִינוּ סְעוּדָתָא דִמְהֵימְנוּתָא שְׁלֵמָתָא, חֶדְוְתָא דְמַלְכָּא קַדִישָׁא. אַתְקִיּנוּ סְעֻדָתָא דְמַלְכָּא. דָּא הִיא סְעוּדָתָא דַזְעֵיר אַנְפִּין, וְעַתִּיקָא קַדִּישָׁא וַחֲקַל תַּפּוּחִין קַדִּישִׁין אַתְיָן לְסַעֲדָא בַּהֲדֵהּ.

בְּנֵי הֵיכָלָא דִכְסִיפִין לְמֶחֱזֵי זִיו דִּזְעֵיר אַנְפִּין יְהון הָכָא. בְּהַאי תַּכָּא. דְבֵּיהּ מַלְכָּא בְּגִלוּפִין. צְבוּ לַחֲדָא. בְּהַאי וַעֲדָא. בְּגו עִירִין וְכָל גַדְּפִין. חֲדוּ הַשְׁתָּא. בְּהַאי שַׁעְתָּא. דְבֵּיהּ רַעֲוָא וְלֵית זַעֲפִין קְרִיבוּ לִי. חֲזוּ חֵילִי. דְלֵית דִּינִין דִּתְקִיפִין לְבַר נַטְלִין וְלָא עָאלִין. הַנָךְ כַּלְבִּין דַחֲצִיפִין וְהָא אַזְמִין עַתִּיק יומִין. לְמִצְחָא עֲדֵי יְהון חַלְפִין רְעוּ דִילֵהּ. דְגַלֵי לֵיהּ. לְבַטָּלָא בְּכָל קַלִיפִין יְשַׁוֵּי לון. בְּנוקְבֵיהון. וִיטַּמְרוּן בְּגו כֵפִין אֲרֵי הַשְׁתָּא בְּמִנְחָתָא בְּחֶדְוָתָא דִזְעֵיר אַנְפִּין.

Translation:

Prepare the meal of complete faith, the joy of God, prepare the feast for God. This is the meal of Zeir Anpin, and the holy Atik and the field of Holy Apples come to eat with him.
You princes of the palace, who yearn to behold the splendor of Z'eir Anpin: Be present at this meal at which God leaves an imprint. Exult, rejoice in this gathering together with the angels and all supernal beings; Rejoice now, at this most propitious time, when there is no sadness. Draw near to Me, behold My strength, for there are no harsh judgments. They are cast out, they may not enter, these insolent dogs. I herewith invite the Ancient of Days at this auspicious time, and they will be utterly removed. It is God’s revealed will to annul all the powers of impurity; God will hurl them into their abysses and they will hide in the clefts of the rocks. For this time of Minchah is a time of joy for Z'eir Anpin.

Information:

Written by the Ariza"l to be recited or sung as the first zemer for Shalosh Seudos

B'sheim Hashem

 
בְּשֵׁם הַשֵּׁם


B'sheim Hashem elohei yisrael, mimini Michael umismoli Gavriel, Umilfanai Uriel umeachorai Rafael, v'al roshi shechinat el
בְּשֵׁם הַשֵּׁם אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, מִימִינִי מִיכָאֵל, וּמִשְּׂמֹאלִי גַּבְרִיאֵל, וּמִלְּפָנַי אוּרִיאֵל, וּמֵאֲחוֹרַי רְפָאֵל, וְעַל רֹאשִׁי וְעַל רֹאשִׁי שְׁכִינַת אֵ-ל.

Translation:

In the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, may Michael be at my right hand; Gabriel at my left; before me, Uriel; behind me, Raphael; and above my head the divine presence of God.

Translation from The Standard Prayer book by Simeon Singer (1915) (public domain)

Information:

Lyrics from the order of prayers associated with the Bedtime Shema. All of the recordings below except the unlabeled one feature a tune by Shlomo Carlebach.

The recordings of the Carlebach tunes below are amateur recordings and may not be accurate representations of the tune as written by Rabbi Carlebach. The tune is used with permission from copyright owner Neshama Carlebach. Neshama Carlebach has granted permission to the Zemirot Database to offer interactive streams and downloads of cover versions of the tune.

The recording below from the Nativ College Leadership Program in Israel's Tisch CD was provided to the Zemirot Database by the creators of the CD, with permission to host the provided track on the Database. For more information check out www.nativ.org.
The recording by Camp Ramah California was also provided to the Zemirot Database with permission to host the provided track.

B'vo'o M'Edom

 
בבאו מאדום


B'vo'o mei'Edom, chamutz b'gadim, zevach lo b'votzra tevach lo b'vogdim, vayeiz nitzcham malbushav l'hadim, b'chocho hagadol, yivtzor ruach n'geedeem, hagah b'rucho hakashah b'yom kadim.

R'oso kee kein ha'adomi ha'otzer, yachshov lo b'votzra tiklot k'vetzer, u'malach k'adam b'socha yinatzer, u'meizid kashogeig b'miklat yei'atzeir, ehevu es Ado-nai kol chasidav, emunim notzeir.

Y'tzaveh Tzur chasdo, k'heelosav l'kabeitz, mei'arbah ruchos (olam), adav l'hikabetz, u'b'har marom harim osanu l'harbeitz, v'eetanu yashuv, nidachim koveitz, (heisheev lo ne'emar), yasheev lo ne'emar, kee eem v'shav v'keebeitz.

Baruch Hu Elo-heinu, asheir tov g'malanu, k'rachamav, u'k'rov chasadav, higdil lanu, eilah v'ch'eilah, yoseif eemanu, l'hagdeel Shmo hagadol, hageebor, v'ha'nora sheneekra aleinu.

Baruch Hu Elo-heinu shebaranu l'kvodo, l'hallelo u'l'shabcho, u'l'saper hodo, mikol om gavar aleinu chasdo, l'chein b'chol leiv, b'chol nefesh, u'v'chol m'od, namleecho u'n'yachdo.

[Ado-noy Melech Ado-noy Moloch, Ado-noy yeemloch l'olam va'ed - Ado-noy Melech Ado-noy Moloch, Ado-noy yeemloch l'olam va'ed - Shma Yisrael Ado-noy Elo-heinu Adon-oy Echad]

(Melech) She'ha'shalom shelo, yaseem aleinu (chaim) brachah v'shalom, mismol u'miyamin, al Yisrael shalom, HaRachaman hu y'vareich es amo va'shalom, yizku (v'yizakeinu) li'ros banim u'vnei vanim oskim b'Torah u'b'mitzvos (l'shmah), al Yisrael Shalom, Pele Yo'eitz Eil Geebor Avee ad sar Shalom.
בְּבֹאוֹ מֵאֱדוֹם חֲמוּץ בְּגָדִים
זֶבַח לוֹ בְּבָצְרָה וְטֶבַח לוֹ בְּבוֹגְדִים
וְיֵז נִצְחָם מַלְבּוּשָׁיו לְהַאֲדִים
בְּכֹחוֹ הַגָּדוֹל יִבְצֹר רוּחַ נְגִידִים
הָגָה בְּרוּחוֹ הַקָּשָׁה בְּיוֹם קָדִים
רְאוֹתוֹ כִּי כֵן אֲדֹמִי הָעוֹצֵר
יַחְשׁוֹב לוֹ בְּבָצְרָה תִּקְלֹט כְּבֶצֶר
וּמַלְאָךְ כְּאָדָם בְּתוֹכָהּ יִנָּצֵר
וּמֵזִיד כַּשּׁוֹגֵג בְּמִקְלָט יֵעָצֵר
אֶהֱבוּ אֶת ה' כָּל חֲסִידָיו אֱמוּנִים נוֹצֵר
יְצַוֶּה צוּר חַסְדּוֹ קְהִלּוֹתָיו לְקַבֵּץ
מֵאַרְבַּע רוּחוֹת עָדָיו לְהִקָּבֵץ
וּבְהַר מְרוֹם הָרִים אוֹתָנוּ לְהַרְבֵּץ
וְאִתָּנוּ יָשׁוּב נִדָּחִים קוֹבֵץ
יָשִׁיב לֹא נֶאֱמַר כִּי אִם וְשָׁב וְקִבֵּץ
בָּרוּךְ הוּא אֱלֹהֵינוּ אֲשֶׁר טוֹב גְּמָלָנוּ
כְּרַחֲמָיו וּכְרוֹב חֲסָדָיו הִגְדִּיל לָנוּ
אֵלֶּה וְכָאֵלֶּה יוֹסֵף עִמָּנוּ
לְהַגְדִּיל שְׁמוֹ הַגָּדוֹל הַגִּבּוֹר וְהַנּוֹרָא שֶׁנִּקְרָא עָלֵינוּ
בָּרוּךְ הוּא אֱלֹהֵינוּ שֶׁבְּרָאָנוּ לִכְבוֹדוֹ
לְהַלְּלוֹ וּלְשַׁבְּחוֹ וּלְסַפֵּר הוֹדוֹ
מִכָּל אוֹם גָּבַר עָלֵינוּ חַסְדּוֹ
לָכֵן בְּכָל לֵב וּבְכָל נֶפֶשׁ וּבְכָל מְאוֹד נַמְלִיכוֹ וּנְיַחֲדוֹ
(כי טוב ה' לעולם חסדו).
שֶׁהַשָּׁלוֹם שֶׁלּוֹ יָשִׂים עָלֵינוּ בְּרָכָה וְחַיִּים וְשָׁלוֹם
מִשְּׂמֹאל וּמִיָּמִין עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל שָׁלוֹם.
הָרַחֲמָן הוּא יְבָרֵךְ אֶת עַמּוֹ בַּשָּׁלוֹם
וְיִזְכּוּ לִרְאוֹת בָּנִים וּבְנֵי בָנִים עוֹסְקִים בַּתּוֹרָה וּבְמִצְוֹת עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל שָׁלוֹם.
פֶּלֶא יוֹעֵץ, אֵל גִּבּוֹר, אֲבִי עַד, שַׂר שָׁלוֹם

Information:

end of "Baruch Hashem Yom Yom" - sung by Shalosh Seudos. Some start by "Y'tzaveh". When there is a minyan many rise to say "Hashem Melech" and "Shma" in the brackets. When actually singing by Seudah Hashem's Name is said

Bar Yoħai

 
בַּר-יוֹחַאי


Chorus:
Bar Yo̞ħai, nimshaħt̪ɒ - ashrɛkhɒ!
Shɛmɛn sɒso̞n meħaherɛkhɒ.

Stanza I:
Bar Yo̞ħai, shɛmɛn mishħat qo̞ðɛsh
Nimshaħt̪ɒ mimmiddath haqo̞ðɛsh
Nɒsɒthɒ ṣiṣ nez̄ɛr haqqo̞ðɛsh
Ħɒbhush ʕal ro̞shǝkhɒ pe'erɛkhɒ
(Chorus: Bar Yo̞ħai…)

Stanza II:
Bar Yo̞ħai, mo̞shabh ʈo̞bh yashabht̪ɒ,
Yo̞m nast̪ɒ, yo̞m ashɛr bɒraħt̪ɒ
Bimʕɒrath ṣurim shɛʕɒmaðt̪ɒ
Sham qɒnitɒ ho̞ðǝkhɒ wahaðɒrɛkhɒ.
(Chorus: Bar Yo̞ħai…)

Stanza III:
Bar Yo̞ħai, ʕaṣei shiʈʈim ʕo̞mǝðim
Limmuðeh HASHEM hem lo̞mǝðim.
o̞r muphlɒ, o̞r häyyǝqo̞d hem yo̞qǝðim
Halo̞ hemmɒh yo̞rukhɒ mo̞rɛkhɒ.
(Chorus: Bar Yo̞ħai…)

Stanza IV:
Bar Yo̞ħai, wǝlisðeh t̪apuħim
ʕⱰlithɒ lilqo̞ʈ bo̞ mɛrqɒħim
So̞ð T̪o̞rɒh kǝṣiṣim uphrɒħim
Naʕaseh ɒðɒm nɛ'ɛmar baʕabhurɛkhɒ
(Chorus: Bar Yo̞ħai…)

Stanza V:
Bar Yo̞ħai, nɛ'ɛz̄art̪ɒ bighbhurɒh
Ubhmilħɛmɛth esh dɒth hash-shaʕrɒh
Wɛħɛrɛbh ho̞ṣethä mit̪t̪aʕrɒhh
Shɒlapht̪ɒ nɛghɛð ṣo̞rǝrɛkhɒ
(Chorus: Bar Yo̞ħai…)

Stanza VI:
Bar Yo̞ħai, limqo̞m abhnē shayish
Higgaʕt̪ɒ (u)liphnē aryeh layish
Gam gulath ko̞thɛrɛth ʕal ʕayish
T̪ɒshur(i) 'umi yǝshurɛkhɒ
(Chorus: Bar Yo̞ħai…)

Stanza VII:
Bar Yo̞ħai, bo̞Qo̞ðɛsh haQQo̞ðɒshim
Qaw Yɒro̞q, maħaddesh ħo̞ðɒshim
Shɛbhaʕ shabbɒtho̞th, so̞ð ħamish-shim
Qɒshart̪ɒ qishrē shin qǝshɒrɛykha
(Chorus: Bar Yo̞ħai…)

Stanza VIII:
Bar Yo̞ħai, yuð ħo̞khmɒh qǝðumɒh
Hishqaft̪ɒ likhbhuðɒhh pǝnimɒh
Lɛbh nǝthibho̞th reshith t̪ǝrumɒh
Eth kǝrubh mimshaħ z̄iw do̞rɛkhɒ
(Chorus: Bar Yo̞ħai…)

Stanza IX:
Bar Yo̞ħai, o̞r muphlɒh room maʕlɒh
Yɒrethɒ millahabiʈ ki rabh lɒhh
Taʕalumɒh wa'ayin qo̞rɒ lɒhh
Namt̪ɒ: ʕayin lo̞ thǝshurɛkhɒ
(Chorus: Bar Yo̞ħai…)

Stanza X:
Bar Yo̞ħai, ashre yo̞laðt̪ɛkhɒ
Ashre hɒʕɒm hem lo̞mǝðɛkhɒ
Wa'ashreh hɒʕo̞mǝðim ʕal so̞ðɛkhɒ
Lo̞bhsheh ħo̞shɛn tummɛkhɒ wu'urɛkhɒ
(Chorus: Bar Yo̞ħai…)

(Stanza XI:
Bar Yo̞ħai, z̄ǝkhutho̞ yaghen ʕalenu
Waʕal ko̞l-Yisra’el aħenu
Sheyyabho̞ wiyigh’alenu
Bimhera, wǝno̞mar Amen!)

Bar Yoħai
בַּר-יוֹחַאי, נִמְשַׁחְתָּ - אַשְׁרֶיךָ!
שֶׁמֶן שָׂשׂוֹן מֵחֲבֵרֶיךָ.


בַּר-יוֹחַאי, שֶׁמֶן מִשְׁחַת קדֶשׁ
נִמְשַׁחְתָּ מִמִּדַּת הַקּדֶשׁ,
נָשָׂאתָ צִיץ נֵזֶר הַקּדֶשׁ,
חָבוּשׁ עַל ראשְׁךָ פְּאֵרֶךָ.


בַּר-יוֹחַאי, מוֹשַׁב טוֹב יָשַׁבְתָּ,
יוֹם נַסְתָּ, יוֹם אֲשֶׁר בָּרַחְתָּ,
בִּמְעָרַת צוּרִים שֶׁעָמַדְתָּ,
קָנִיתָ הוֹדְךָ וַהֲדָרֶךָ.


בַּר-יוֹחַאי, עֲצֵי שִׁטִּים עוֹמְדִים,
לִמּוּדֵי ד' הֵם לוֹמְדִים,
אוֹר מֻפְלָא, אוֹר הַיְקוֹד הֵם יוֹקְדִים,
הֲלא הֵמָּה יוֹרוּךָ מוֹרֶךָ.


בַּר-יוֹחַאי, וְלִשְׂדֵה תַּפּוּחִים
עָלִיתָ לִלְקט בּוֹ מֶרְקָחִים,
סוֹד תּוֹרָה בְּצִיצִים וּפְרָחִים,
"נַעֲשֶׂה אָדָם" נֶאֱמַר בַּעֲבוּרֶךָ.


בַּר-יוֹחַאי, נֶאֱזַרְתָּ בִּגְבוּרָה,
וּבְמִלְחֶמֶת אֵשׁ דָּת הַשַּׁעְרָה,
וְחֶרֶב הוֹצֵאתָ מִתַּעְרָהּ
שָׁלַפְתָּ נֶגֶד צוֹרְרֶיךָ.


בַּר-יוֹחַאי, לִמְקוֹם אַבְנֵי שַׁיִשׁ
הִגַּעְתָּ (וּ)לִפְנֵי אַרְיֵה לַיִשׁ,
גַּם גֻּלַּת כּוֹתֶרֶת עַל עַיִשׁ,
תָּשׁוּר(י) וּמִי יְשׁוּרֶךָ.


בַּר-יוֹחַאי, בְּקדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים.
קַו יָרק מְחַדֵּשׁ חֳדָשִׁים,
שֶׁבַע שַׁבָּתוֹת סוֹד חֲמִשִּׁים
קָשַׁרְתָּ קִשְׁרֵי שִׁי"ן קְשָׁרֶיךָ.


בַּר-יוֹחַאי, יוּ"ד חָכְמָה קְדוּמָה
הִשְׁקַפְתָּ לִכְבוּדָהּ פְּנִימָה,
לֶ"ב נְתִיבוֹת רֵאשִׁית תְּרוּמָה
אֵת כְּרוּב מִמְשַׁח זִיו דּוֹרֶךָ.


בַּר-יוֹחַאי, אוֹר מֻפְלָא רֻם מַעְלָה
יָרֵאתָ מִלְּהַבִּיט כִּי רַב לָהּ,
תַּעֲלוּמָה וְאַיִן קרָא לָהּ,
נַמְתָּ: עַיִן לֹא תְשׁוּרֶךָ.


בַּר-יוֹחַאי, אַשְׁרֵי יוֹלַדְתֶּךָ,
אַשְׁרֵי הָעָם הֵם לוֹמְדֶיךָ,
וְאַשְׁרֵי הָעוֹמְדִים עַל סוֹדֶךָ,
לוֹבְשֵׁי חשֶׁן תֻּמֶּיךָ וְאוּרֶיךָ.


(בַּר-יוֹחָאי, זְכוּתוֹ יָגֵן עָלֵינוּ,
וֲעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל אָחֵינוּ,
שֶׁיָּבוֹא וְִיִגְאֲלֵנוּ,
בִּמְהֵרָה, וְנֹאמַר אָמֵן:)

בַּר-יוֹחָאי!

Translation:

Bar Yochai, you are anointed - you are praised! -
[with] oil of joy above your fellows.

Bar Yochai, sacred oil of anointing,
You were anointed from the holy level,
You carry the sacred frontlet headdress,
Your crown is set upon your head.

Bar Yochai, you settled a good settlement
On the day of your escape, [the] day that you fled,
In the cave of stones that you stood [in],
You acquired your glory and your majesty.

Bar Yochai, trees of acacia [are] standing,
The teachings of HASHEM are they learning,
Light of wonder, [by] light of the blaze are they ablaze;
Are not they your lessons [from] your teachers?!

Bar Yochai; and to the orchard of apples
You ascended, to collect [from] within it fragrances;
The Secret of Torah is like blossoms and flowers.
"Let us make man," They said in your passing.

Bar Yochai, you dressed in might,
and in [the] war of the Law-fire of the gate,
And a sword you extracted [and] whetted it;
You drew it against your oppressors.

Bar Yochai, to [the] place of stones of marble,
You arrived before the roar-reigning lion,
Also earned your laurels against the bear,
Whilst crowned, you rose over the Bear [constillation],
[and] Perceived - and who shall perceive you?!

Bar Yochai, in [the] Sacred of the Sacreds.
[The] Green line renews months,
Seven Sabbath-weeks, secret of fifty.
You knotted; [the] knots of Shin are your knots!

Bar Yochai, The preceding Yud of wisdom,
you perspected toward its inner honor,
Thirty-two paths of the first of [the] tithe,
Like a cherub, [you are] anointed with the radiance of your aura.

Bar Yochai, light of wonder in lofty heights
you feared to gaze [at], for transcendence is by it!
Hidden, (so much that) ‘Naught’ is called to it.
You spoke that [an] eye [can] not perceive you.


Bar Yochai, fortunate is your birther,
fortunate is the nation [which] they are your learner,
And fortunate are the [ones who] stand on your secret,
Wearers of [the] breastplate of your perfection and your illumination.

Bar Yochai, may his merit protect over us,
And over all our brothers [of] Yisra’el,
That he should come and redeem us
In a hurry; and we say: Amen!

Bar Yochai!

Information:

A liturgical poem praising one of the greatest Tanna'im, רַב שִׁמְעוֹן בַּר יוֹחַאי (Rabh Shimʕo̞n Bar Yo̞ħai). Within it are many references to secret Qabbalistic subjects.
This liturgy is generally sung at the very beginning of the Shabbat meal poems, and during the day of his passing, לַ״ג בָּעֹמֶר (Lagh Baʕo̞mer).

Baruch El Elyon

 
ברוך אל עליון


Barukh eil elyon asher natan m’nuha, l’nafsheinu fidyon misheit va’anaha.
V’hu yidrosh l’tsiyon ir hanidaha, ad ana tugyon nefesh ne’enaha?

Hashomeir shabbat, habein im habat,
la’eil yeiratsu k’minha al mahavat.

Rokheiv ba’aravot melekh olamim, et amo lishbot izein ban’imim. B’ma’akhalot areivot, b’minei mat’amim,
b’malbushei khavod zevah mishpaha.
Hashomer Shabbat...

V’ashrei kol hokheh l’tashlumei kheifel, mei’eit kol sokheh shokhein ba’arafel. Nahala lo yizkeh bahar uvashafel, nahala um’nuha, kashemesh lo zar’ha.
Hashomer Shabbat...

Kol shomeir shabbat kadat meihal’lo, hein hakhsheir hibat kodesh goralo.
V’im yeitsei hovat hayom ashrei lo, l’eil adon m’hol’lo minha hi sh’luha.
Hashomer Shabbat...

Hemdat hayamim k’ra’o eili tsur, v’ashrei litmimim im yihye natsur. Keter hilumim al rosham yatsur,
tsur ha’olamim ruho bam naha.
Hashomer Shabbat...

Zakhor et yom hashabbat l’kad’sho, karno ki gav’ha neizer al rosho. Al kein yitein ha’adam l’nafsho
oneg v’gam simha, bahem lo l’mosh’ha.
Hashomer Shabbat...

Kodesh hi lakhem shabbat hamalka, el tokh bateikhem l’haniah b’rakha. B’khol mosh’voteikhem lo ta’asu m’lakha, b’neikhem uv’noteikhem, eved v’gam shifha.
בָּרוּךְ אֵל עֶלְיוֹן אֲשֶׁר נָתַן מְנוּחָה,
לְנַפְשֵׁנוּ פִּדְיוֹן מִשְּׁאֵת וַאֲנָחָה.
והוּא יִדְרשׁ לְצִיּוֹן עִיר הַנִּדָּחָה,
עַד-אָנָה תּוּגְיוֹן נֶפֶשׁ נֶאֱנָחָה?

הַשּׁוֹמֵר שַׁבָּת, הַבֵּן עִם הַבַּת,
לָאֵל יֵרָצוּ כְּמִנְחָה עַל-מַחֲבַת

רוֹכֵב בָּעֲרָבוֹת מֶלֶךְ עוֹלָמִים,
אֶת-עַמוֹ לִשְׁבֹּת אִזֵּן בַּנְּעִימִים.
בְּמַאֲכָלוֹת עֲרֵבוֹת, בְּמִינֵי מַטְעַמִים,
בְּמַלְבּוּשֵׁי כָבוֹד זֶבַח מִשְׁפָּחָה
הַשּׁוֹמֵר שַׁבָּת...

ואַשְׁרֵי כָּל-חוֹכֶה לְתַשְׁלוּמֵי כֵפֶל,
מֵאֵת כָּל סוֹכֶה שׁוֹכֵן בָּעֲרָפֶל.
נַחֲלָה לוֹ יִזְכֶּה בָּהָר וּבַשָׁפֶל,
נַחֲלָה וּמְנוּחָה, כַּשֶׁמֶשׁ לוֹ זָרְחָה.
הַשּׁוֹמֵר שַׁבָּת...

כָּל-שׁוֹמֵר שַׁבָּת כַּדָּת מֵחֲלָלוֹ,
הֵן הַכְשֶׁר חִבַּת קֹדֶשׁ גּוֹרָלוֹ.
ואִם יֵצֵא חוֹבַת הַיּוֹם אַשְׁרֵי לוֹ,
לְאֵל אָדוֹן מְחוֹלְלוֹ מִנְחָה הִיא שְׁלוּחָה.
הַשּׁוֹמֵר שַׁבָּת...

חֶמְדַּת הַיָּמִים קְרָאוֹ אֵלִי צוּר,
ואַשְׁרֵי לִתְמִימִים אִם-יִהְיֶה נָצוּר.
כֶּתֶר הִלּוֹמִים עַל-רֹאשָׁם יָצוּר,
צוּר הָעוֹלָמִים רוּחוֹ בָּם נָחָה.
הַשּׁוֹמֵר שַׁבָּת...

זָכוֹר אֶת-יוֹם השַׁבָּת לְקַדְּשׁוֹ,
קַרְנוֹ כִּי גָּבְהָה נֵזֶר עַל-רֹאשׁוֹ.
עַל-כֵּן יִתֵּן הַאָדָם לְנַפְשׁוֹ
עֹנֶג וְגַם-שִׂמְחָה בָּהֶם לוֹ לְמָשְׁחָה.
הַשּׁוֹמֵר שַׁבָּת...

קֹדֶשׁ הִיא לָכֶם שַׁבָּת הַמַּלְכָּה,
אֶל-תּוֹךְ בָּתֵיכֶם לְהָנִיחַ בְּרָכָה.
בְּכָל-מוֹשְׁבוֹתֵיכֶם לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ מְלָאכָה,
בְּנֵיכֶם וּבְנוֹתֵיכֶם, עֶבֶד וְגַם-שִׁפְחָה.

Translation:

God on high be bless'd Who gives our soul repose.
When anguish mars our rest He healeth all our woes
To Zion sore distressed He his tender mercy shows,
"How long have ye oppressed?" He rebukes her raging foes
Keep the day divine,
Sons and daughters mine,
For He will then accept you
As gifts before His shrine.

Time's eternal Lord, Whose chariot spans the spheres,
Pleasantness His word, King of all the years,
Gave us rest outpoured ; then drink the wine that cheers,
Bring thy dainties stored, to feast with all thy peers.
Keep the day divine,
Sons and daughters mine,
For He will then accept you
As gifts before His shrine.

Blest band, whose twofold wage, God's promise shall assure;
A faithful heritage, for ever to endure.
Above the clouds that rage His throne abideth sure,
As doth the sun assuage so His gifts our rest secure.
Keep the day divine,
Sons and daughters mine,
For He will then accept you
As gifts before His shrine.

Stand ye fast and true, Sabbath's laws obey.
Her love will strengthen you, she will your love repay.
Your loyal duty do, 'tis your Maker's happy day.
He blessings doth renew, then this gift before Him lay,
Keep the day divine,
Sons and daughters mine,
For He will then accept you
As gifts before His shrine.

Day of pure delights, thee did our Lord acclaim,
Thrice happy be thy knights, thy guardians free from blame.
Their helmets gleam with lights, with a halo-crown of flame;
His Spirit from the heights comes to rest upon their name,
Keep the day divine,
Sons and daughters mine,
For He will then accept you
As gifts before His shrine.

Greet the Sabbath morn, mindful of the bride;
Exalted is her horn, a diadem of pride.
With joy your hearts adorn, aye, with Sabbath sanctified;
A new twin soul reborn comes to bless each Sabbath-tide,
Keep the day divine,
Sons and daughters mine,
For He will then accept you
As gifts before His shrine.

Day of holiness, Sabbath bridal queen,
O deign our homes to bless and leave a gift unseen !
The great thy sway confess, thou dost not disdain the mean,
Boys and girls fresh happiness, new rest, from labour glean,
Keep the day divine,
Sons and daughters mine,
For He will then accept you
As gifts before His shrine.

Translation by Herbert Loewe, Mediaeval Hebrew Minstrelsy, Songs for the Bride Queen's Feast, published 1926.

Information:

Zemer composed by Rabbi Baruch bar Shmuel, zt"l, of Mainz. Traditionally sung by Shabbos day lunch meal and/or by Shalosh Seudos.

The surviving son and the two granddaughters of Herbert Loewe have been glad to give their permission to reproduce his English version of this song. See this page for more information on the copyright status of Mediaeval Hebrew Minstrelsy.

Click here to read about Herbert Loewe. The linked page is written by Herbert Loewe's son Michael Loewe.

Baruch Eloheinu Shebaranu

 
בָּרוּךְ אֱלהֵינוּ שֶׁבְּרָאָנוּ


Baruch (hu) eloheinu shebaranu lichvodo, vehivdilanu min hatoyim, venatan lanu Torat emet, ve'chayei olam natah betocheynu.
בָּרוּךְ (הוּא) אֱלהֵינוּ שֶׁבְּרָאָנוּ לִכְבודו, וְהִבְדִּילָנוּ מִן הַתּועִים, וְנָתַן לָנוּ תּורַת אֱמֶת, וְחַיֵּי עולָם נָטַע בְּתוכֵנוּ.

Translation:

Blessed is our God who hath created us for His glory, and hath separated us from them that go astray, and hath given us the Law of truth and planted everlasting life in our midst.

Translation from Siddur Kol Bo, Hebrew Publishing Company, 1906 (In the public domain)

Information:

Included in the Zusha song 'Inner Worlds', from 4m:22s
https://youtu.be/2IFhZPF1h_c?t=262

Baruch Hu Elokeinu

 
ברוך הוא אלוקינו


Baruch hu Elokeinu shebera'anu lechvodo
V'hivdilanu min hato'im
V'natan lanu torat emet
V'chayei Olam Natan B'tocheinu
בָּרוּךְ הוּא אֱלהֵינוּ שֶׁבְּרָאָנוּ לִכְבוֹדוֹ וְהִבְדִּילָנוּ מִן הַתּוֹעִים
וְנָתַן לָנוּ תּוֹרַת אֱמֶת
וְחַיֵּי עוֹלָם נָטַע בְּתוֹכֵנוּ

הוּא יִפְתַּח לִבֵּנוּ בְּתוֹרָתוֹ
וְיָשֵׂם בְּלִבֵּנוּ אַהֲבָתוֹ וְיִרְאָתוֹ
וְלַעֲשׂוֹת רְצוֹנוֹ וּלְעָבְדוֹ בְּלֵבָב שָׁלֵם
לְמַעַן לא נִיגַע לָרִיק וְלֺא נֵלֵד לַבֶּהָלָה:

Translation:

Blessed is He, our God, Who created us for His glory, and set us apart from those who go astray; and gave us the Torah of truth, and eternal life He implanted within us.

May He open our heart to His Torah, and instill in our heart love and awe of Him, to do His will and serve Him with a perfect heart, so that we shall not labor in vain nor bring forth that which causes dismay.

Bilvavi

 
בִּלְבָבִי


Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh
l'hadar k'vodo,
ul’mishkan mizbeach asim l'karnei hodo,

ulner tamid ekach li es esh ha'akeidah,
ulkorban akriv lo es nafshi, es nafshi hayechida.
בִּלְבָבִי מִשְׁכָּן אֶבְנֶה לַהֲדַר כְּבוֹדוֹ,
וּלמִּשְׁכָּן מִזְבֵּֽחַ אָשִׂים לְקַרְנֵי הוֹדוֹ,
וּלְנֵר תָּמִיד אֶקַּח לִי אֶת–אֵשׁ הָעֲקֵידָה, וּלְקָרְבָּן אַקְרִיב לוֹ אֶת נַפְשִי,
אֶת נַפְשִׁי הַיְחִידָה.

Translation:

I will build a tabernacle in my heart to glorify God's honor. And I will place an altar in the tabernacle dedicated to God's divine rays of splendor.
And for the eternal, constant flame I will take upon myself the fire that fueled the Binding( of Isaac). And as a sacrifice I will offer God my soul, my unique soul.

User-contributed translation

Information:

Often Sung at Seudah Shlisheet.
Lyrics: Based on passage by Rabbi Eliezer Azikri, Sefer Haredim
Song composed by Rabbi Yitzchak Hutner, ztz"l, based on a verse from Sefer Haredim, set to music by Rabbi Shmuel Brazil.
See this link to Sefer Haredim.

Chabibi

 
חביבי


Ħaβiβi, Yɒh Ħaβiβi, Hɒ’El HaMMɛlɛkh, Ɒv HɒRahamɒn
Yishlaħ mǝshiħo̞ haNɛ'ɛmɒn!

Av haRahman, sh'ma koleinu
Shelach ben David v'yig'aleinu
Nashuv l'Tziyon ir kodsheinu
V'nishlot bah b'yad ramah

Havivi...

Shama nit'aseif b'ir haBira
U'meiHadash yishama kol shirah
V'az nadlik et haMenorah
B'veit shochen m'onah

Havivi...

R'eih b'oni Yisrael amecha
VaHashiveim na li'G'vulecha
V'az yeira'eh kol z'churecha
Shalosh p'amim baShanah

Havivi...
חֲבִיבִי יָהּ חֲבִיבִי
הָאֵל הַמֶּלֶך אַב הָרַחֲמָן
יִשְלַח מְשִיחוֹ הַנֶּאֱמָן


אַב הָרַחֲמָן שְמַע קוֹלֵינוּ
שְלַח בֶּן דָּוִד וְיִגְאֲלֵנוּ
נָשוּב לְצִיּוֹן עִיר קָדְשֵינוּ
וְנִשְלוֹט בָהּ בְיָד רָמָה

חֲבִיבִי...

שמה נתאסף בעיר הבירה
ומחדש ישמע קול שירה
ואז נדליק המנורה
בבית שוכן מעונה


חֲבִיבִי...

ראה בעוני ישראל עמך
והשיבם נא לגבוליך
וְאָז יראה כל זכורך
שָלוֹש פַּעֲמִים בּשָנָה


חֲבִיבִי...

Translation:

We are not authorized to display a translation by the terms of our license with ACUM.

Information:

traditional Syrian Sefardic zemer, composed by Rabbi Asher Mizrahi, z"l
Lyrics displayed with permission of ACUM. Recordings below streamed with permission from ACUM.

Maqam Kurd.

D'ror Yikra

 
דְּרוֹר יִקְרָא


D'ror yikra l'ven im bat, v'yintzorchem k'mo vavat, n'im shimchem v'lo yushbat, sh'vu v'nuchu b'yom shabbat.

D'rosh navi v'ulami, v'ot yesha aseh imi, n'ta sorek b'toch karmi, she'e shavat b'nei ami.

D'roch purah b'toch batzrah, v'gam bavel asher gavrah, n'totz tzarai b'af v'evrah, sh'ma koli b'yom ekra.

Elohim ten b'midbar har, hadas shitah b'rosh tidhar, v'lamazhir v'lanizhar, sh'lomim ten k'mei nahar.

Hadoch kamai, el kanah, b'mog levav uvamginah, v'narchiv peh unmalenah, l'shonenu l'cha rinah.

D'eh chochmah l'nafshecha, v'hi cheter l'roshecha, n'tzor mitzvat k'doshecha, sh'mor shabbat kodshecha.
דְּרוֹר יִקְרָא לְבֵן עִם בַּת, וְיִנְצָרְכֶם כְּמוֹ בָבַת,
נְעִים שִׁמְכֶם וְלֹא יֻשְׁבַּת, שְׁבוּ וְנֽוּחוּ בְּיוֹם שַׁבָּת.

דְּרוֹשׁ נָוִי וְאוּלָמִי, וְאוֹת יֶֽשַׁע עֲשֵׂה עִמִּי,
נְטַע שׂוֹרֵק בְּתוֹךְ כַּרְמִי, שְׁעֵה שַׁוְעַת בְּנֵי עַמִּי.

דְּרוֹךְ פּוּרָה בְּתוֹךְ בָּצְרָה, וְגַם בָּבֶל אֲשֶׁר גָּבְרָה,
נְתוֹץ צָרַי בְּאַף וְעֶבְרָה, שְׁמַע קוֹלִי בְּיוֹם אֶקְרָא.

אֱלֹהִים תֵּן בַּמִּדְבָּר הַר, הֲדַס שִׁטָּה בְּרוֹשׁ תִּדְהָר,
וְלַמַּזְהִיר וְלַנִּזְהָר, שְׁלוֹמִים תֵּן כְּמֵי נָהָר.

הֲדוֹךְ קָמַי אֵל קַנָּא, בְּמוֹג לֵבָב וּבַמְּגִנָּה,
וְנַרְחִיב פֶּה וּנְמַלֶּֽאנָה, לְשׁוֹנֵנוּ לְךָ רִנָּה.

דְּעֵה חָכְמָה לְנַפְשֶֽׁךָ, וְהִיא כֶֽתֶר לְרֹאשֶֽׁךָ,
נְצוֹר מִצְוַת קְדוֹשֶֽׁךָ, שְׁמוֹר שַׁבַּת קָדְשֶֽׁךָ.

Translation:

He grants release to lad and lass:
As His eye's apple safe, they play.
Their innocence shall never pass:
Then take your ease this Sabbath day.

O seek in love my martyred shrine
And to mine eyes salvation show.
In Zion's vineyard plant her vine
And hear my people's cry of woe.

On Bozrah's sin tread deep Thy press,
That Thy fair world be pure once more.
'Gainst Babel's full-grown wickedness
This day Thy safeguard I implore.

On desert hill Thy garden rear,
Make bloom the myrtle, fir and pine.
Teachers and taught-Thy saplings dear-
Nurture with streams of peace divine.

Our foemen rage in wrath and pride :
O turn their hearts, contrite, to Thee.
Then shall our mouths in song be wide,
Our tongues, with them in unity.

By wisdom crowned, in regal state
Let quest of wisdom be your goal.
As you each Sabbath consecrate
May Sabbath consecrate your soul.

Translation by Herbert Loewe, Mediaeval Hebrew Minstrelsy, Songs for the Bride Queen's Feast, published 1926.

Information:

Zemer usually sung on Shabbat afternoon, but often at Seudah Shelishit as well.
It is attributed to Dunash ibn Labrat, a 10th century Babylonian paytan, whose name is spelled acrostically in verses 1,2,3 and 6.

Rebbe Baruch of Mezbuzh, zy"a, taught that his grandfather, the holy Baal Shem Tov, zy"a, said that he "doesn't know where someone gets his strength for the entire week unless he sings 'Dror Yikra' by Shalosh Seudos"


The "Sloop John B" tune sung by Gabe Seed below is based on a Bahmanian folk tune (also called "John B. Sails") that was popularized by the Beach Boys in 1966. The tune is in the public domain. (See this page.)

The owner of the Zemirot Database has licensed the melody by Elli and Ravital Kranzler for streaming and downloads from this page. The original melody is on their album "Ki Ato Imadi."

The surviving son and the two granddaughters of Herbert Loewe have been glad to give their permission to reproduce his English version of this song. See this page for more information on the copyright status of Mediaeval Hebrew Minstrelsy.

Click here to read about Herbert Loewe. The linked page is written by Herbert Loewe's son Michael Loewe.

David Melech Yisrael

 
דָוִד מֶלֶךְ יְשׂרָאֵל


David, melech Yisrael, chai chai v'kayam!
דָוִד מֶלֶךְ יְשׂרָאֵל חַי חַי וְקַיָם

Translation:

David, King of Israel, lives forever!
(User-contributed translation)

Information:

Sometimes combined with Siman Tov.

The tune below sung by Adam Fisch (the one combined with Siman Tov) was written by Shlomo Carlebach. Recording below is an amateur recording and may not be an accurate representation of the tune as written by Rabbi Carlebach. The tune is used with permission from copyright owner Neshama Carlebach. Neshama Carlebach has granted permission to the Zemirot Database to offer interactive streams and downloads of cover versions of the tune.

Among children, like at summer camps, hand motions are associated with its singing: first two drums on the table/one's lap, then two claps, hands waved over each other horizontally twice, fists tapped twice and then reverse and twice again, and lastly an instance of waving each cupped hand whose elbow rests in the other.

Eilecha

 
אֵלֶיךָ


Eilecha Hashem Ekra, v'el Hashem Eschanan (x2),
Sh'ma Hashem v'choneni, Hashem heyeh ozer li.
אֵלֶיךָ ה' אֶקְרָא; וְאֶל- ה', אֶתְחַנָּן (x2)
שְׁמַע-ה' וְחָנֵּנִי; ה' הֱיֵה-עֹזֵר לִי.

Translation:

To you, God, I call, and to God I will plead. Hear, O God, and have mercy on me, be a a help to me!

Translation by Tom M. Oster

Information:

Psalm 30:9,11

Elohai Neshama

 
אֵלֹהַי נְשָׁמָה


Elohai n'shama shenata'ta bi t'hora hi.

Ata b’ratah, ata y’tzartah,
Ata b’ratah, ata y’tzartah, ata n’fachtah bi
v’ata m’shamrah b’kirbi
v’ata atid litelah mimeni ulehachazirah bi leatid lavo.
אֱלהַי. נְשָׁמָה שֶׁנָּתַתָּ בִּי טְהורָה הִיא.

אַתָּה בְרָאתָהּ, אַתָּה יְצַרְתָּהּ,
אַתָּה נְפַחְתָּהּ בִּי,
וְאַתָּה מְשַׁמְּרָהּ בְּקִרְבִּי,
וְאַתָּה עָתִיד לִטְּלָהּ מִמֶּנִּי, וּלְהַחֲזִירָהּ בִּי לֶעָתִיד לָבוֹא

Translation:

O my God, the soul which thou gavest me is pure.

Translation from The Standard Prayer book by Simeon Singer (1915) (public domain)

You created it, you designed it, you breathed it into me, you guard it within me, and you will take it from me, but return it to me eternally. (User-contributed translation)

Erev Shel Shoshanim

 
עֶרֶב שֶׁל שׁוֹשַׁנִּים


Erev shel shoshanim,
netzeh na el ha-bustan.
Mor, besamim, u'levona
le'raglech miftan.

Laila yored le'at,
ve'ruach shoshan noshvah.
Hava elchash lach shir balat
zemer shel ahava...

Shachar homa yona,
roshech maleh tlalim.
Pich el ha-boker shoshana,
ektefenu li.
עֶרֶב שֶׁל שׁוֹשַׁנִּים,
נֵצֵא נָא אֶל הַבֻּסְתָּן.
מוֹר, בְּשָׂמִים, וּלְבוֹנָה
לְרַגְלֵךְ מִפְתָּן.

לַיְלָה יוֹרֵד לְאַט,
וְרוּּחַ שׁוֹשָׁן נוֹשְׁבָה.
הָבָה אֶלְחַשׁ לָךְ שִׁיר בַּלָּאט,
זֶמֶר שֶׁל אַהֲבָה.

שַׁחַר הוֹמָה יוֹנָה
רֹאשֵׁךְ מָלֵא טְלָלִים.
פִּיךְ אֶל הַבֹּקֶר שׁוֹשַׁנָּה,
אֶקְטְפֶנּוּ לִי.

Translation:

Note: we are not licensed to display the translation until the song is in the public domain.

Information:

Lyrics by Moshe Dor, tune by Yosef Hadar.

The lyrics and cover recordings are displayed under license of ACUM.

HaAderet VeHaemunah

 
הָאַדֶּרֶת וְהָאֱמוּנָה


Haderet v'haemunah l'chai olamim.
Habinah v'habracha l'chai olamim.
Hagavah v'hag'dulah l'chai olamim.
Hadeah v'hadibur l'chai olamim.
Hahod v'hehadar l'chai olamim.
Haviud v'havatikut l'chai olamim.
Hazach v'hazohar l'chai olamim.
Hachayil v'hachosen l'chai olamim.
Hateches v'hatohar l'chai olamim.
Hayichud v'hayir'ah l'chai olamim.
Haketer v'hakavod l'chai olamim.
Ham'lucha v'hamemshalah l'chai olamim.
Hanoi v'hanetzach l'chai olamim.
Hasigui v'hasegev l'chai olamim.
Haoz v'ha'anavah l'chai olamim.
Hap'dut v'hap'er l'chai olamim.
Hatz'vi v'hatzedek l'chai olamim.
Hak'riah v'hak'dushah l'chai olamim.
Haron v'harom'mut l'chai olamim.
Hashir v'hashevach l'chai olamim.
Hat'hilah v'hatif'eret l'chai olamim.
הָאַדֶּֽרֶת וְהָאֱמוּנָה לְחַי עוֹלָמִים.
הַבִּינָה וְהַבְּרָכָה לְחַי עוֹלָמִים.
הַגַּאֲוָה וְהַגְּדֻלָה לְחַי עוֹלָמִים.
הַדֵּעָה וְהַדִּבּוּר לְחַי עוֹלָמִים.
הַהוֹד וְהֶהָדָר לְחַי עוֹלָמִים.
הַוַּֽעַד וְהַוָּתִיקוּת לְחַי עוֹלָמִים.
הַזָּךְ וְהַזֹּֽהַר לְחַי עוֹלָמִים.
הַחַֽיִל וְהַחֹֽסֶן לְחַי עוֹלָמִים.
הַטֶּֽכֶס וְהַטֹּֽהַר לְחַי עוֹלָמִים.
הַיִּחוּד וְהַיִּרְאָה לְחַי עוֹלָמִים.
הַכֶּֽתֶר וְהַכָּבוֹד לְחַי עוֹלָמִים.
הַלֶּֽקַח וְהַלִּבּוּב לְחַי עוֹלָמִים.
הַמְּלוּכָה וְהַמֶּמְשָׁלָה לְחַי עוֹלָמִים.
הַנּוֹי וְהַנֵּֽצַח לְחַי עוֹלָמִים.
הַסִּגּוּי וְהַשֶּֽׂגֶב לְחַי עוֹלָמִים.
הָעֹז וְהָעֲנָוָה לְחַי עוֹלָמִים.
הַפְּדוּת וְהַפְּאֵר לְחַי עוֹלָמִים.
הַצְּבִי וְהַצֶּֽדֶק לְחַי עוֹלָמִים.
הַקְּרִיאָה וְהַקְּדֻשָּׁה לְחַי עוֹלָמִים.
הָרֹן וְהָרוֹמֵמוּת לְחַי עוֹלָמִים.
הַשִּׁיר וְהַשֶּֽׁבַח לְחַי עוֹלָמִים.
הַתְּהִלָּה וְהַתִּפְאֶֽרֶת לְחַי עוֹלָמִים.

Information:

This piyut, which is sung by many at tishes and on simchat torah, and is normally recited in p'sukei d'zimrah in nusach s'fard on Shabbat and Yom Tov.


Habeit/Gaze

 
הבט


Habeit Mishamayim U'Reeh Ki Hayinu L'Ag VaKeles BaGoyim

Nechshavnu KeTzon LeTevach Yuval
Laharog U'LeAbed U'LeMaka U'LeCheirpah

U'VChol Zot Shimcha Lo Shachachnu Na Al Tishcacheinu
הבט משמים וראה כי היינו לעג וקלס בגוים

נחשבנו כצאן לטבח יובל
להרג ולאבד ולמכה ולחרפה

ובכל זאת שמך לא שכחנו נא אל תשכחנו

Translation:

Gaze upon us from Heaven and see,
Behold we are mocked and scorned among nations
We are thought of as sheep to slaughter for tribute
To kill and destroy and erase and to shame
But throughout out all this, we did not forget your name; please do not forget us.

(User-contributed translation)

Hamalach Hagoel

 
המַּלאַך הַגֹּאֵל


Hamalach hagoel oti mikol ra yevarech et han’arim vikareh bahem sh’mi
V’shem avotai Avraham v’Yizchak v’yidgu larov b’kerev ha’aretz.
הַמַּלְאָךְ הַגֹּאֵל אֹתִי מִכָּל-רָע, יְבָרֵךְ אֶת-הַנְּעָרִים,
וְיִקָּרֵא בָהֶם שְׁמִי,
וְשֵׁם אֲבֹתַי אַבְרָהָם וְיִצְחָק, וְיִדְגּוּ לָרֹב בְּקֶרֶב הָאָרֶץ.

Translation:

May the angel who hath redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named in them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.

Translation source: Jewish Publication Society Bible (1917) (public domain)

Information:

Lyrics: Genesis 48:16

Often sung as a lullaby for children.

The recording below from the Nativ College Leadership Program in Israel's Tisch CD was provided to the Zemirot Database by the creators of the CD, with permission to host the provided track on the Database. For more information check out www.nativ.org.

The tune sung by Joel Nothman, Sam Blustin, and the Nativ Program below was written by Abie Rotenberg and Dveykus Band. Licensed for streaming and downloading on the Zemirot Database.

Haven Yakir Li

 
הֲבֵן יַקִּיר לִי


Haven yakir li Efraim, im yeled sha'ashu'im; ki midei dab'ri bo, zachor ezkerenu od, al ken hamu meai lo, rachem arachamenu n'um hashem.
הֲבֵן יַקִּיר לִי אֶפְרַיִם אִם יֶלֶד שַׁעֲשׁוּעִים כִּי מִדֵּי דַבְּרִי בּו זָכר אֶזְכְּרֶנּוּ עוֹד עַל כֵּן הָמוּ מֵעַי לו רַחֵם אֲרַחֲמֶנּוּ נְאֻם ה':

Translation:

Is it because Ephraim is my beloved son, or that he is such a lovely child, that whenever I mention him, I yearn for him more and more?
NSCY bencher, pg 105

Information:

Taken from Jeremiah 31:20, also found in the Zichronot section of the Musaf amidah for Rosh Hashanah. Tune below was written by Abie Rotenberg and Dveykus Band. Licensed for streaming and downloading on the Zemirot Database.

Higaleh Na

 
הגלה נא


Higaleh nah uf’ros chaviv alai, et sukkat shelomach
הִגָלֵה נָא וּפְרשׂ, חָבִיב
עָלַי אֶת סֻכַת שְלומָךְ

Translation:

Help, my Lover, spread
Your canopy of peace.

Translation by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi.

Information:

Taken from the final verse of Y'did Nefesh

Translation by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi. The translation is part of the work Siddur Tehilat Hashem Y'daber Pi hosted on the Open Siddur Project. The translation has not been modified by the Zemirot Database.
The translation is protected by the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License. Please read the terms of the license before sharing.

Hineh Anochi

 
הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי


Hiney anochi sholeiach lachem, et Eliyahu hanavi, lifne bo yom Adonai hagadol v'hanora. V'heshiv lev avot al banim, v'lev banim al avotam.
הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי שֹׁלֵחַ לָכֶם, אֵת אֵלִיָּהו הַנָּבִיא--לִפְנֵי, בּוֹא יוֹם יהוה, הַגָּדוֹל, וְהַנּוֹרָא.וְהֵשִׁיב לֵב-אָבוֹת עַל-בָּנִים, וְלֵב בָּנִים עַל-אֲבוֹתָם.

Translation:

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. And He shall turn the heart of the parents to the children, and the heart of the children to their parents.

1917 JPS Translation (Public Domain)

Information:

Taken from the concluding verses of the book of Malachi (3:23-24). Tune below was written by Abie Rotenberg and Dveykus Band. Licensed for streaming and downloading on the Zemirot Database.

Hineh Mah Tov

 
הִנֵּה מַה טּוֹב


Hineh Mah tov umah na'im shevet achim gam yachad.
הִנֵּה מַה טּוֹב וּמַה נָעִים שֶבֶת אַחִים גַם יָחַד.

Translation:

Yea, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers and sisters to dwell together in unity!

Information:

Lyrics: Psalms 133:1

Hineh Yamim Ba'im

 
הִנֵּה יָמִים בָּאִים


Hineh yamim ba’im... ve’hishlachti ra’av ba’aretz lo ra’av la’lechem ve’lo tzama la’mayim ki im lishmoa et divrei Hashem.
הִנֵּה יָמִים בָּאִים... וְהִשְׁלַחְתִּי רָעָב בָּאָרֶץ לֹא רָעָב לַלֶּחֶם וְלֹא צָמָא לַמַּיִם כִּי אִם לִשְׁמֹעַ אֵת דִּבְרֵי ה’.

Translation:

Behold, the days are coming... I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.

Amos 8:11

Translation source: Jewish Publication Society Bible (1917) (public domain)

K'ayal Ta'arog

 
כְּאַיָּל תַּעֲרֹג


K'ayal ta'arog al afikei mayim ken nafshi ta'arog eilecha elohim.
Tzam'a nafshi l'elohim-- l'el chai, matai avo v'e'raeh p'nei elohim.
כְּאַיָּל, תַּעֲרֹג עַל-אֲפִיקֵי-מָיִם-- כֵּן נַפְשִׁי תַעֲרֹג אֵלֶיךָ אֱלֹהִים.
צָמְאָה נַפְשִׁי, לֵאלֹהִים-- לְאֵל חָי:
מָתַי אָבוֹא; וְאֵרָאֶה, פְּנֵי אֱלֹהִים.

Translation:

Like a deer thirsts for a brook of water, so my soul thirsts for you. My soul thirsts for the living God, when will I appear before my God.

Translation by Gabe Seed

Information:

Psalms 42:2-3

Ko Amar Hashem: Matza Chein

 
כֹּה אָמַר ה’: מָצָא חֵן


Ko amar Hashem: matsa chein bamidbar am shridei charev haloch le’hargi’o yisrael.
כֹּה אָמַר ה’: מָצָא חֵן בַּמִּדְבָּר עַם שְׂרִידֵי חָרֶב הָלוֹךְ
לְהַרְגִּיעוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל.

Translation:

Thus saith the Lord: the people that were left of the sword have found grace in the wilderness, even Israel, when I go to cause him to rest

Jeremiah 31:1

Translation source: Jewish Publication Society Bible (1917) (public domain)

Ko Amar Hashem: Zacharti Lach

 
כֹּה אָמַר ה', זָכַרְתִּי לָךְ


Ko amar Hashem, zacharti lach chesed n'urayich ahavat k'lulotayich. Lechetech acharai bamidbar, b'eretz lo z'ruah.
כֹּה אָמַר ה', זָכַרְתִּי לָךְ חֶסֶד נְעוּרַיִךְ, אַהֲבַת כְּלוּלֹתָיִךְ--לֶכְתֵּךְ אַחֲרַי בַּמִּדְבָּר, בְּאֶרֶץ לֹא זְרוּעָה.

Translation:

Thus saith the Lord: I remember for thee the affection of thy youth, the love of thine espousals; how thou wentest after Me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.

Translation source: Jewish Publication Society Bible (1917) (public domain)

Information:

Jeremiah 2:2

Kol B'rama Nishma

 
קול ברמה נשמע


Kol beramah nishma nehi bechi tamrurim rachel mevakah al baneha me-anah le-hinachem al baneha ki einenu. Ko amar Hashem min’i kolech mibechi ve’enecha midimah ki yesh sachar li’fi’ulatecha ne’um Hashem ve’shavu me’eretz oyev. Ve’yesh tikva le’acharitech ne’um Hashem ve’shavu banim li’gvulam.
קוֹל בְּרָמָה נִשְׁמָע נְהִי בְּכִי תַמְרוּרִים רָחֵל מְבַכָּה עַל בָּנֶיהָ מֵאֲנָה לְהִנָּחֵם עַל בָּנֶיהָ כִּי אֵינֶנּוּ.
כֹּה אָמַר ה’ מִנְעִי קוֹלֵךְ מִבֶּכִי וְעֵינַיִךְ מִדִּמְעָה כִּי יֵשׁ שָׂכָר לִפְעֻלָּתֵךְ נְאֻם ה’ וְשָׁבוּ מֵאֶרֶץ אוֹיֵב.
וְיֵשׁ תִּקְוָה לְאַחֲרִיתֵךְ נְאֻם ה’ וְשָׁבוּ בָנִים לִגְבוּלָם. (ירמיה לא)

Translation:

A voice is heard in the Heavens, lamentation, and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children; she refuseth to be comforted for her children, because they are not.
Thus saith the Lord: Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears; for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come back from the land of the enemy.
And there is hope for thy future, saith the Lord; and thy children shall return to their own border.


Translation source: Based on Jewish Publication Society Bible (1917) (public domain)

Information:

Jeremiah 31:14-16

Part of the haftorah on Second Day Rosh Hashanah

Kol Bayaar

 
קול ביער


Kol bayar onochi shomea, ov labonim koreya.
A geshrey un a gevald un a gefilder, a foter in vald zukht zayne kinder.

Bonay bonay hekhon holakhtem, asher olay kokh shekakhtem.
Kinder kinder voo zayt ir gevezn, vos af mir hot ir shoyn fargesn.

Bonay bonay lekhu l'beysi, ki lo oykhel losheves yekhidi b'beysi.
Kinder kinder kumt tsu mir aheym, varum mir iz umetik tsu zitsen aleyn.

Ovinu ovinu eykh nelekh, ki hashoymer oymeid b'shaar hamelekh.
Foter foter vi kenen mir geyn tsu dir, az der shoymer shteyt dokh bay der tir.
קול ביער אנכי שומע אב לבנים קורא.
א געשריי און א געוואלד און א געפילדער א פאטער אין וואלד זוכט זיינע קינדער.

בני בני היכן הלכתם אשר עלי כך שכחתם.
קינדער קינדער וואו זייט איר געוועזן וואס אויף מיר האט איר שוין פארגעסן.

בני בני לכו לביתי כי לא אוכל לשבת יחידי בביתי.
קינדער קינדער קומט צו מיר אהיים ווארום מיר איז אומעטיק צו זיצען אליין.

אבינו אבינו איך נלך כי השומר עומד בשער המלך.פאטער פאטער ווי קענען מיר גיין צו דיר אז דער שומר שטייט דאך ביי דער טיר.

Translation:

A cry and a scream and a feeling, a father in the forest is searching for his children.

Children, children, where have you been, that you have forsaken me?

Children, children, come back home to me, because I am tired of sitting alone.

Father, father, how can we go to you, when there's a guard standing at the door (king's gate).

Information:

This niggun was created by Reb Aryeh Leib (a follower of the Baal Shem Tov), who was also known as the Shpoler Zayde.

He would sing this niggun before Tikkun Chatzos, the midnight prayer bewailing the destruction of the Temple.

The song's lyrics reflect the meaning of that prayer. The niggun is about a father searching for his children, asking if they have forgotten about him and that they should return home. The children answer: "How can we return home when there's a guard at the door?"

This symbolizes our present situation with our Almighty Father and His children, the people of Israel. G-d is looking for the Jewish people who are in golus (exile), and implores them to return home. The Jewish people reply: "How can we return home, when there's a guard (our nefesh habehomis) blocking the way back home?"

Traditionally, each verse was sung in Hebrew, Yiddish and Russian (Russian lyrics are omitted here) before moving onto the next verse. Often, people now sing with an added English line to each verse:

A voice in the forest reaches my ears, a father calling his lost children near.
Children children where can you be, that you've forgotten all about me.
Children children return to your home, for I cannot bear to remain alone.
Father father how can we return once more, when your guard is standing outside your door.

Some, more recently, have added new verses (expressing the Father's reply to the Children). There are different versions, such as:
Children children repent for your sins, and against the enemy you will win.
Children children if for Moshiach you do yearn, mitzvos do and Torah learn.
Children children have no fear, the coming of Moshiach is very near.

La-kol Z'man V'eyt

 
לַכֹּל זְמָן וְעֵת


Lakol zeman ve’et…tachat ha’shamayim.
Et le’e’hov ve’et lisno et milchama ve’et shalom.
לַכֹּל זְמָן וְעֵת ... תַּחַת הַשָּׁמָיִם.
עֵת לֶאֱהֹב וְעֵת לִשְׂנֹא עֵת מִלְחָמָה וְעֵת שָׁלוֹם. (קהלת ג)

Translation:

To every thing there is a season, and a time... under the heaven.
A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

Translation source: Jewish Publication Society Bible (1917) (public domain)

Information:

From Koheles (Ecclesiastes) Chapter 3 verses 1 and 8.

Lema'ancha Eloheinu

 
לְמַעַנְךָ אֱ-לֹהֵינוּ


Lema’ancha Eloheinu, Aseh v’lo Lanu , re’eh amidateinu dalim v’reikim.

Han’shama lach, v’haguf po’olach, chusah al amalach.
לְמַעַנְךָ אֱ-לֹהֵינוּ עֲשֵׂה וְלֹא לָנוּ. רְאֵה עֲמִידָתֵנוּ דַּלִּים וְרֵיקִים:

הַנְּשָׁמָה לָךְ, וְהַגּוּף פָּעֳלָך, חוּסָה עַל עֲמָלָךְ:

Translation:

Do for Your sake, God, and not because of us; see that we are standing before you poor and empty.

The soul is Yours, and the body is Your creation, have mercy on the products of Your labor.

Information:

Translation by Rabbi Gabe Kretzmer Seed
Words from the Selihot liturgy, Minhag Lita.

Popularized by Eitan Katz in 2014 with below melody:


Lev Tahor

 
לב טהור


Lev tahor b'ra li Elohim, vruach nachon chadesh b'kirbi-Al tashlicheni mi'lfanecha, v'ruach kodshecha al tikach mimeni.
לֵב טָהוֹר, בְּרָא-לִי אֱלֹהִים; וְרוּחַ נָכוֹן, חַדֵּשׁ בְּקִרְבִּי.
אַל-תַּשְׁלִיכֵנִי מִלְּפָנֶיךָ; וְרוּחַ קָדְשְׁךָ, אַל-תִּקַּח מִמֶּנִּי.

Translation:

Create me a clean heart, O God; and renew a stedfast spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy holy spirit from me.

Translation source: Jewish Publication Society Bible (1917) (public domain)

Information:

Psalms 51:12-13
On YouTube (Dani Golan and Friends):
Object removed for printing.

Ma Tovu

 
מַה טֹּבוּ


Mah tovu ohaleicha ya'akov mishkenoteicha yisrael.

Va'ani berov chasdecha avo beitecha, eshtachaveh el heichal kodesheca beyiratecha.
מַה טֹּבוּ אֹהָלֶיךָ, יַעֲקֹב; מִשְׁכְּנֹתֶיךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל.

וַאֲנִי בְּרב חַסְדְּךָ אָבא בֵיתֶךָ אֶשְׁתַּחֲוֶה אֶל הֵיכַל קָדְשְׁךָ בְּיִרְאָתֶךָ.

Translation:

How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, thy dwelling places, O Israel! As for me, in the abundance of thy lovingkindness will I come into thy house: I will worship toward thy holy temple in the fear of thee.

Translation from The Standard Prayer book by Simeon Singer (1915) (public domain)

Information:

Numbers 24.

Video version below Shalsheles Junior

Mah Yedidut

 
מַה יְּדִידוּת


Mah yedidut m'nuchatech, at Shabbat hamalkah. B'chen narutz likratech. Boi, kallah n'suchah. L'vush bigdei hamudot, lehadlik ner bivracha, vateichel kol ha'avodot lo ta'asu m'lacha.

L'hit'aneg b'ta'anugim, barburim u'slav v'dagim.

Me'erev mazminim kol minei mat'amim, mib'od yom muchanim tarnegolim mefutamim. V'learoch kamah minim, shetot yeynot mevushamim, ve'tafnukei ma'adanim b'chol shalosh pa'amim.
L'hit'aneg...

Nachalat Ya'akov yirash b'li m'tzarim nachala, vichab'duhu ashir varash v'tizku lig'ula. Yom Shabbat im tishmoru, vih'yitem li s'gulah, sheshet yamim ta'avodu uvash'vi'i nagila.
L'hit'aneg...

Chafatzecha asurim v'gam lachashov cheshbonot, hirhurim mutarim ulishadech habanot. V'tinok l'lam'do sefer, lam'natzeach binginot, v'lahagot b'imrei shefer b'chol pinot umachanot.
L'hit'aneg...

Hiluchach t'hi b'nachat, oneg kara laShabbat, v'hasheina m'shubachat k'dat nefesh m'shivat. B'chen nafshi l'cha orgah, v'lanuach b'chibat, kashoshanim sugah, bo yanuchu ben uvat.
L'hit'aneg...

Me'ein olam habah yom Shabbat m'nucha, kol hamit'an'gim bah yizku l'rov simcha. M'chev'lei mashiach yutzalu lirvacha, p'duteinu tatzmiach v'nas yagon v'anacha.
L'hit'aneg...
מַה יְּדִידוּת מְנוּחָתֵךְ, אַתְּ שַׁבָּת הַמַּלְכָּה, בְּכֵן נָרוּץ לִקְרָאתֵךְ, בּֽוֹאִי כַלָּה נְסוּכָה, לְבוּשׁ בִּגְדֵי חֲמוּדוֹת, לְהַדְלִיק נֵר בִּבְרָכָה, וַתֵּֽכֶל כָּל הָעֲבוֹדוֹת, לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ מְלָאכָה.

לְהִתְעַנֵּג בְּתַעֲנוּגִים בַּרְבּוּרִים וּשְׂלָו וְדָגִים.

מֵעֶֽרֶב מַזְמִינִים, כָּל מִינֵי מַטְעַמִּים,
מִבְּעוֹד יוֹם מוּכָנִים, תַּרְנְגוֹלִים מְפֻטָּמִים, וְלַעֲרֹךְ כַּמָּה מִינִים, שְׁתוֹת יֵינוֹת מְבֻשָּׂמִים, וְתַפְנוּקֵי מַעֲדַנִּים, בְּכָל שָׁלֹשׁ פְּעָמִים.

לְהִתְעַנֵּג בְּתַעֲנוּגִים בַּרְבּוּרִים וּשְׂלָו וְדָגִים.

נַחֲלַת יַעֲקֹב יִירָשׁ, בְּלִי מְצָרִים נַחֲלָה, וִיכַבְּדֽוּהוּ עָשִׁיר וָרָשׁ, וְתִזְכּוּ לִגְאֻלָּה, יוֹם שַׁבָּת אִם תִּשְׁמֹֽרוּ, וִהְיִֽיתֶם לִי סְגֻלָּה, שֵֽׁשֶׁת יָמִים תַּעֲבֹֽדוּ, וּבַשְּׁבִיעִי נָגִֽילָה.

לְהִתְעַנֵּג בְּתַעֲנוּגִים בַּרְבּוּרִים וּשְׂלָו וְדָגִים.

חֲפָצֶֽיךָ בּוֹ אֲסוּרִים, וְגַם לַחֲשֹׁב חֶשְׁבּוֹנוֹת, הִרְהוּרִים מֻתָּרִים, וּלְשַׁדֵּךְ הַבָּנוֹת, וְתִינוֹק לְלַמְּדוֹ סֵֽפֶר, לַמְנַצֵּֽחַ בִּנְגִינוֹת, וְלַהֲגוֹת בְּאִמְרֵי שֶֽׁפֶר, בְּכָל פִּנּוֹת וּמַחֲנוֹת.

לְהִתְעַנֵּג בְּתַעֲנוּגִים בַּרְבּוּרִים וּשְׂלָו וְדָגִים.

הִלּוּכָךְ תְּהֵא בְנַֽחַת, עֹֽנֶג קְרָא לַשַּׁבָּת, וְהַשֵּׁנָה מְשֻׁבַּֽחַת, כְּדָת נֶֽפֶשׁ מְשִׁיבַת, בְּכֵן נַפְשִׁי לְךָ עָרְגָה, וְלָנֽוּחַ בְּחִבַּת, כַּשּׁוֹשַׁנִּים סוּגָה, בּוֹ יָנֽוּחוּ בֵּן וּבַת.

לְהִתְעַנֵּג בְּתַעֲנוּגִים בַּרְבּוּרִים וּשְׂלָו וְדָגִים.

מֵעֵין עוֹלָם הַבָּא, יוֹם שַׁבָּת מְנוּחָה,
כָּל הַמִּתְעַנְּגִים בָּהּ, יִזְכּוּ לְרֹב שִׂמְחָה, מֵחֶבְלֵי מָשִֽׁיחַ, יֻצָּֽלוּ לִרְוָחָה,
פְּדוּתֵֽנוּ תַצְמִֽיחַ, וְנָס יָגוֹן וַאֲנָחָה.

לְהִתְעַנֵּג בְּתַעֲנוּגִים בַּרְבּוּרִים וּשְׂלָו וְדָגִים.

Translation:

How sweet thy precious gift of rest
Queen Sabbath, cherished far and wide!
Let us speed in thy quest,
Haste, we'll greet our pure bride
Decked in splendid robes to meet her.
To our homes the lamp shall be her sure guide.
Labour o'er, we will greet her.
Cease your toil, at home in peace abide.

Let's rejoice to-day with viands fairest
Set in choice array, with morsels rarest,
Fat capons, quails and fish,
Each upon a lordly dish.

Each Friday busy housewives all
Bake dainties for the Sabbath fare.
Ere the evening shades fall;
Plumpest fowls, deft, they prepare ;
Crispest pie and sweetest pasty,
Spiced hippocras to drink and wines rare,
Morsels rich, comfits tasty,
Thrice the poor our Sabbath feasts shall share.
Let's rejoice...

Gain Jacob's heritage divine,
From sorrow set thy spirit free
And redemption be thine;
Rich or poor though thou be
Keep thy Sabbath God ordained.
Mid his chosen folk He sure will bless thee.
Six days' toil not disdained,
Take thy Sabbath rest in joyous glee,
Let's rejoice...

From week-day needs thou shalt refrain,
O Merchant, pondering o'er thy schemes ;
Soft thoughts be thy gain,
Daughter's bridal thy dreams;
Teach thy son our ancient glory;
(Israel's minstrel-king shall chaunt him sweet themes)
Israel's wanderings thy story,
Till thy boy with emulation gleams.
Let's rejoice...

Tread softly, woo the Sabbath's calm,
Queen Sabbath, happiness her name;
Yield to slumber's rare balm
So His Law heals thy frame
For her rest my soul is pining,
Sweet repose I seek, engirt with love's flame,
Mid white lilies reclining;
Lads and lasses, Sabbath peace acclaim!
Let's rejoice...

True vision of Paradise to be,
Thrice welcome, restful Sabbath day,
All whose hearts beat for thee,
Time unending shall play,
Earth's sore travail never heeding,
Save us ere we perish in the dense fray,
Our redemption soon speeding,
Then will tears and sighings fade away.
Let's rejoice...

Translation by Herbert Loewe, Mediaeval Hebrew Minstrelsy, Songs for the Bride Queen's Feast, published 1926.

Information:

Traditional Shabbat Zemer normally sung on Friday night.

The surviving son and the two granddaughters of Herbert Loewe have been glad to give their permission to reproduce his English version of this song. See this page for more information on the copyright status of Mediaeval Hebrew Minstrelsy.

Click here to read about Herbert Loewe. The linked page is written by Herbert Loewe's son Michael Loewe.

Meromemi u'Mekadshi

 
מרוממי ומקדשי


מְרוֹמְמִי וּמְקַדְּשִׁי הִנְחִילִי שֵׁשֶׁת חַגַּי
אוֹהֲבִי בַּשְּׁבִיעִי הִזְבִּידִי תַּעֲנוּגַי

מוֹצִיאִי קָרָא דְּרוֹר עַל קוֹרְאֵי מַעֲמַקִּים
אִמְּצַנִי עַל כְּנָפָיו נְשָׂאַנִי בַּשְּׁחָקִים
יִשְׁאֲלוּ אַרְבָּעָה מָה הָעֵדֹת וְהַחֻקִּים
רַנְּנוּ לְצוּר יִשְׁעֵיכֶם הַחוֹצֶה מֵי אֲפִיקִים

מְרוֹמְמִי וּמְקַדְּשִׁי הִנְחִילִי שֵׁשֶׁת חַגַּי
אוֹהֲבִי בַּשְּׁבִיעִי הִזְבִּידִי תַּעֲנוּגַי

וְזֹאת הַתּוֹרָה מִמִּדְבָּר מַתָּנָה
גַּבְנֻנִּים תְּרַצְדוּן בְּהַנְחִילוֹ אֲמָנָה
וְעָנִינוּ כֻּלָּנוּ עֵדוּתוֹ נֶאֱמָנָה
לֶקַח טוֹב נִתַּן לָנוּ מִשִּׂפְתֵי שׁוֹשַׁנָּה

מְרוֹמְמִי וּמְקַדְּשִׁי הִנְחִילִי שֵׁשֶׁת חַגַּי
אוֹהֲבִי בַּשְּׁבִיעִי הִזְבִּידִי תַּעֲנוּגַי

דּוֹר וָדוֹר זִכְרוֹ וְאַשְׁרֵי כָּל זוֹכְרָיו
הָמוּ מֵעָיו בְּזָכְרוֹ לֶכְתֵּנוּ אַחֲרָיו
פְּנֵי מֶלֶךְ לְחַלּוֹת בִּתְקוֹעַ שְׁבָרָיו
רָם יֵשֵׁב בְּכִסְּאוֹ בִּפְתֹחַ סְפָרָיו

מְרוֹמְמִי וּמְקַדְּשִׁי הִנְחִילִי שֵׁשֶׁת חַגַּי
אוֹהֲבִי בַּשְּׁבִיעִי הִזְבִּידִי תַּעֲנוּגַי

נֹעַם דְּרָכָיו גֹּדֶל רַחֲמִים
קְרוֹבָה מְחִילָתֵנוּ מִנּוֹטֵר כְּרָמִים
לֹבֶן בְּגָדִים לְבַקֵּשׁ בַּנְּעִימִים
כִּפּוּר עֲווֹנוֹתֵינוּ מִצּוּר עוֹלָמִים

מְרוֹמְמִי וּמְקַדְּשִׁי הִנְחִילִי שֵׁשֶׁת חַגַּי
אוֹהֲבִי בַּשְּׁבִיעִי הִזְבִּידִי תַּעֲנוּגַי

זִמְרָה וְקוֹל תּוֹדָה בְּאִגּוּד אַרְבָּעָה
בִּזְמַן שִׂמְחָתֵנוּ תִּמָּחֶה כָּל דִּמְעָה
אֶדֶר סֻכָּתֵנוּ בְּטֹהַר יְרִיעָה
בְּזָהָב וָכֶסֶף לְקַשְּׁטָהּ כָּל שִׁבְעָה

מְרוֹמְמִי וּמְקַדְּשִׁי הִנְחִילִי שֵׁשֶׁת חַגַּי
אוֹהֲבִי בַּשְּׁבִיעִי הִזְבִּידִי תַּעֲנוּגַי

תַּמּוּ יְמֵי הֶחָג וְעוֹד יוֹם נֶעֱצָרִים
שֻׁלְחָנוֹ יַעֲרֹךְ לִשְׁתִילָיו הַיְקָרִים
יַעַן כִּי קָשָׁה פְּרֵדַת טְהוֹרִים
בְּטוּב דּוֹדָיו יְאָרְחֵם בְּאֹהַב דְּבָרִים

מְרוֹמְמִי וּמְקַדְּשִׁי הִנְחִילִי שֵׁשֶׁת חַגַּי
אוֹהֲבִי בַּשְּׁבִיעִי הִזְבִּידִי תַּעֲנוּגַי

Translation:

He who elevates me and sanctifies me, bequeathed me my six Festivals.
On the seventh day (Shabbat), He who loves me gifted me a day of supernal delight.

My Deliverer proclaimed freedom [unto] those who called out from the depths;
He supported me upon His wings, and carried me aloft unto the skies.
The four [sons] ask, "What are these testimonies and statutes?" [And You reply,]
"Shout out in joyous song to the Rock of your salvation who split the mighty waters!"

He who elevates me and sanctifies me …

"The Torah He gifted [to us] from amid the barrenness.
The mountains did dance when He bequeathed it as the blueprint [for our lives]."
We answered together, “His Testimony (the Torah) is true!
Goodly teachings were spoken to us from His rose-like lips."

He who elevates me and sanctifies me …

His impression lasts for all generations, and praiseworthy are those who remember Him.
His feelings are stirred from within as He recalls how we [lovingly] followed after His ways.
The King is beseeched when the shevarim are blown [on the shofar].
He sits enthroned with His books open before Him.

He who elevates me and sanctifies me …

His ways are of pleasantness, for He is greatly merciful.
Forgiveness is readily granted to us by the Tender of vineyards.
The whitely-garbed one comes to beseech [in Your Sanctuary] with sweetness.
Our misdeeds are pardoned by the Fashioner of the universe.

He who elevates me and sanctifies me …

Songs of praise and thanksgiving are sung as the four are bound together as one.
This is "The Time of Our Rejoicing" when every last tear is wiped away.
Ensconced is our magnificent sukkah by a curtain of [white] purity;
Adorned with gold and silver for all seven [days].

He who elevates me and sanctifies me …

The days of the Festive rejoicing conclude, yet we remain [together] another day.
His table He sets for His precious children,
for pained is He by the departure of His pure ones.
He hosts with tender kindnesses and loving words.

He who elevates me and sanctifies me …

(User-contributed translation)

Information:

CHORUS:

Line 1 refers to the six festivals (ששת חגי) which are explicated across the six stanzas of the piyyut. הקב"ה is referred to here as מרוממי ומקדשי, based upon the nusach of the festival kiddush: ורוממנו מכל לשון וקדשנו במצוותיו.

Line 2 refers to the Shabbat. הקב"ה is called אוהבי here (‘He who loves me’), recalling the addition of the extra term 'באהבה' in the festival Kiddush when the festival coincides with a Shabbat. הזבידי means 'he gave to me as a present' (The word זֶבֶד [= gift] appears in Gen. 30:20, and the paytanim extended the word with the causative verb להזביד). תענוגי recalls the עונג component of Shabbos (cf. Is. 58:13-14: וקראת לשבת עֹנג... אז תתענג על ה').

[Grammatical note: In Biblical Hebrew, the words הנחילי ('he endowed me') and הזבידי ('he gave to me as a gift') would be conjugated with a 'נ' as part of the suffix: הנחילני and הזבידני. However, according to the paytanic tradition (represented first and foremost by the piyyutim of Elazar b'rabi Kallir), the 'נ' is an optional component, and may be omitted.]

STANZA 1: PESACH

Line 1 / מוציאי: Hashem, who took us out of Egypt (cf. Ex. 6:7: כי אני ה' אלקיכם המוציא אתכם מתחת סבלות מצרים). קרא דרור: granted freedom (the phrase appears in a number of places in Tanach, such as regarding the Yovel in Lev. 25:10). קוראי מעמקים: Those who cry out to Hashem from the depths. The phrase is based on Ps. 130:1 (ממעמקים קראתיך ה') and the reference is to Am Yisrael crying to Hashem in Egypt (cf. Ex. 2:23: ויזעקו ותעל שועתם אל האלקים מן העבֹדה).

Line 2 / as a whole refers to Ex. 19:4 (ואשא אתכם על כנפי נשרים). אמצני: He strengthened me and supported me. נשאני בשחקים: He carried me through the skies. (For the use of the word שחקים as 'skies' see for instance Deut. 33:26).

Line 3 / ארבעה: The four sons, as per the haggada. מה העדֹת והחֻקים: as per Deut. 6:20: כי ישאלך בנך מחר לאמר מה העדֹת והחֻקים.

Line 4 / רננו לצור ישעיכם: Praise God, your Savior. The phraseology is based on Ps. 95:1: לכו נרננה לה' נריעה לצור ישענו. החוצה מי אפיקים: Who divides the mighty waters (the term 'אפיקים' generally refers to lakes and rivers [see for instance Is. 8:7]; however, it can also be used in the sense of 'mighty' and 'strong' [see Job 12:21].)

STANZA 2: SHAVUOT

Line 1 / וזאת התורה: cf. Deut. 4:44: וזאת התורה אשר שם משה לפני בני ישראל. ממדבר מתנה: The phrase is from Num. 21:18, which is explained in the Midrash (אותיות דרבי עקיבא, ד"ה דבר אחר סמ"ך) as referring to the giving of the Torah on Sinai: וממדבר מתנה זה מדבר סיני שנתנה להם לוחות במתנה מסיני.

Line 2 / למה תרצדון: cf. Ps. 68:17: למה תרצדון הרים גבנֻנים, which is explained by the midrash to refer to the clamoring of the mountains who each wished to be the one on which the Torah would be given. See Genesis Rabba section 100: למה תרצדון הרבים גבנונים... בשעה שבא הקב"ה ליתן תורה בסיני היו ההרים רצים ומדיינים אלו עם אלו, זה אומר עלי התורה ניתנה, וזה אומר עלי תורה ניתנה. בהנחילו אמנה: As Hashem bestowed us with the Torah. אמנה is a term used by the paytanim to refer to the Torah, based upon Mishlei 8:30: ואהיה אצלו אמון, and the Midrash in Genesis Rabba section 1 which interprets that verse as referring to the Torah.

Line 3 / וענינו כולנו: we all answered (at Har Sinai). עדותו נאמנה: The Torah is true (cf. Ps. 19:18: תורת ה' תמימה... עדות ה' נאמנה).

Line 4 / לקח טוב: cf. Mishlei 4:2: כי לקח טוב נתתי לכם תורתי אל תעזֹבו. משפתי שושנה: Hashem, based on the description of the דוד in Shir Hashirim 5:13: שפתותיו שושנים.

STANZA 3: ROSH HASHANA

Line 1 / דור ודור זכרו: Hashem (cf. Ex. 3:15: זה זכרי לדֹר דֹר). ואשרי כל זוכריו: And fortunate are those who remember You. The idea is based upon the Rosh Hashana liturgy: אשרי איש שלא ישכחך.

Line 2 / המו מעיו בזכרו לכתנו אחריו: His insides turn as he remembers how we followed Him in the desert. This is based upon two verses from Jeremiah, both included within the זכרונות verses in the litrugy. Jer. 31:19: הבן יקיר לי אפרים... זכֹר אזכרנו עוד על כן המו מעי לו; and Jer. 2:2: זכרתי לך חסד נעוריך... לכתך אחרי במדבר.

Line 3 / פני מלך לחלות בתקוע שבריו: Supplicating before the King, as we blow His 'שברים' (that is, as we blow on the shofar as He commanded us).

Line 4 / רם ישב בכסאו: He sits majestically on His chair (cf. Is. 6:1, which his highlighted in the Rosh Hashana liturgy: יושב על כסא רם ונשא). בפתֹח ספריו: as the books of זכרונות are opened before Him.

STANZA 4: YOM KIPPUR

Line 1 / נעם דרכיו: God's pleasant ways (cf. Mishlei 3:17: דרכיה דרכי נעם). גֹדל רחמים: God's great and bountiful mercy.

Line 2 / קרובה מחילתנו: our forgiveness will soon be granted. מנוטר כרמים: Hashem, whose relationship to Israel is likened to that of a keeper to his vineyard, in the piyyut which we sing on Yom Kippur: כי אנו עמך ואתה אלקינו... אנו כרמיך ואתה נוטרנו.

Line 3 refers to the Kohen Gadol, who wears בגדי לבן on Yom Kippur, as he goes into the קדש הקדשים to plead for his nation. (בנעימים references the היכל and the קדש הקדשים based upon Ps. 27:4: לחזות בנֹעם ה' ולבקר בהיכלו).

Line 4 / צור עולמים is Hashem (cf. Is. 26:4: כי בי ה ה' צור עולמים).

STANZA 5: SUKKOT

Line 1 / זמרה וקול תודה: for the phraseology, cf. Is. 51:3: תודה וקול זמרה. The reference here is to the special joy of Sukkot, about which it is written: ושמחת בחגך (Deut. 16:14). באגוד ארבעה: as we join together the 4 minim. The term אגוד references the halacha that the 4 minim must be wrapped together (see Talmud Bavli Sukkah 11b: לולב צריך אגד)

Line 2 / בזמן שמחתנו: Sukkot, as it is referenced in the liturgy. תִמחה כל דמעה: an expression of eternal Joy based upon Is. 25:8: ומחה ה' א לקים דמעה מעל כל פנים.

Line 3 / אדר סוכתנו בטֹהר יריעה: The magnificence of our Sukkot, with their clean and beautiful curtains/walls (regarding the importance of beautifying the Sukkah, see Talmud Bavli, Shabbat 133b: התנאה לפניו במצות, עשה לפניו סוכה נאה).

Line 4 refers to the decoration of the Sukkah.

STANZA 6: SHMINI ATZERET

Line 1 / תמו ימי החג: the days of Sukkot are over. ועוד יום נעצרים: yet the people of Israel stay one more day. The term נעצרים is an epithet for those who stay for the עצרת.

Line 2 is based on the description of the essence of Shmini Atzeret as described in Talmud Bavli Sukkot 55b, in which this chag is likened to a King who sets up a special meal at the end of his celebration just for his loved ones: משל למלך בשר ודם שאמר לעבדיו עשו לי סעודה גדולה, ליום אחרון אמר לאוהבו עשו לי סעודה קטנה כדי שאהנה ממך. The phrase שלחנו יערֹך recalls Ps. 23:5 (תערֹך לפני שלחן), and the word שלחן together with the term שתיליו recalls the image of the children sitting around the father's table, as described in Ps. 128:3: בניך כשתִלי זיתים סביב לשלחנך.

Line 3 references the language used by Rashi (on Lev. 23:36) to paraphrase the aforementioned Gemara: כמלך שזימן את בניו לסעודה לכך וכך ימים, כיון שהגיע זמנן להפטר אמר בני בבקשה מכם עכבו עמי עוד יום אחד, קשה עלי פרידתכם.

Line 4 / בטוב דודיו יארחם: He shall host them with his kind love. באֹהב דברים: with loving words.

Mi Shemaamin

 
מי שמאמין


Bechol makom, kol hazman
yesh lechulanu migadol ve’ad katan
yamim yafim vegam pachot
uvenehem tshuva lechol hashe’elot

Yesh Elohim echad gadol
hu ba’olam haze noten lanu hakol
ben afela lekeren or
et hanativ anachnu rak tzrichim livchor

Veze yadu’a hachayim hem matana
hakol tzafuy veharashut netuna

Mi shema’amin lo mefached
et ha’emuna le’abed
velanu yesh et melech ha’olam
vehu shomer otanu mikulam

Ha’am haze hu mishpacha
echad ve’od echad ze sod ha’atzlacha
am Israel lo yevater
tamid al hamapa anachnu nisha’er

Veze yadu’a hachayim hem matana
hakol tzafuy veharashut netuna

Mi shema’amin lo mefached...

Mitzva gdola lihyot besimcha
lihyot besimcha tamid

Mi shema’amin lo mefached...
בכל מקום, כל הזמן
יש לכולנו מגדול ועד קטן
ימים יפים, וגם פחות
ובניהם תשובה לכל השאלות

יש אלוהים אחד גדול
הוא בעולם הזה נותן לנו הכל
בין אפלה לקרן אור
את הנתיב אנחנו רק צריכים לבחור

וזה ידוע החיים הם מתנה
הכל צפוי והרשות נתונה

מי שמאמין לא מפחד
את האמונה לאבד
ולנו יש את מלך העולם
והוא שומר אותנו מכולם

העם הזה הוא משפחה
אחד ועוד אחד זה סוד ההצלחה
עם ישראל לא יוותר
תמיד על המפה אנחנו נשאר

וזה ידוע חיים הם מתנה
הכל צפוי והרשות נתונה

מי שמאמין לא מפחד...

מצוה גדולה להיות בשמחה
להיות בשמחה תמיד

מי שמאמין לא מפחד...

Translation:

Note: we are not licensed to display the translation until the song is in the public domain.

Information:

Words: Yosi Gaspin; Melody: Adi Laon.

The lyrics and cover recordings are displayed under license of ACUM.

Mizmor l'David Hashem Roi (Psalm 23)

 
מִזְמור לְדָוִד, ה׳ רֹעִי (תהילים כ"ג)


Mizmor le'Dovid,
Hashem ro-i lo echsar.

Binot desheh yarbitzeini, al mei menuchot yenahaleini.

Nafshi yeshovev yancheini bemagalei tzedek lema'an shemo.

Gam ki elech be'gei tzalmavet, lo ira ra ki atah imadi, shivtechah u'mishantechah hemah yenachamuni.

Ta'aroch lefanai shulchan neged tzor'rai dishanta vashemen roshi, kosi rivaya.

Ach tov va'chesed yirdifuni kol yemei chayai ve'shavti be'veit Hashem l'orech yamim.
מִזְמור לְדָוִד,
ה׳ רֹעִי לֹא אֶחְסָר.

בִּנְאוֹת דֶשֶׁא יֵרְבִּיצֵנִי, עַל-מֵי מְנֻחוֹת יְנַהֲלֵנִי.

נַפְשִׁי יְשׁוֹבֵב, יַנְחֵנִי בְמַעְגְלֵי-צֶדֶק לְמֵעֵן שְׁמוֹ.

גַם כִּי-אֵלֵךְ בְּגֵיא צַלְמָוֶת לֹא-אִירָא רָע כִּי-אַתָּה עִמָדִי, שִׁבְטְךָ וּמִשְׁעַנְתֶּךָ הֵמָה יְנַחֲמֻנִי.

תַּעֲרֹךְ לְפָנַי שֻׁלְחָן נֶגֶד צֹרְרָי,
דִשַנְתָּ בַשֶמֶן רֹאשִי כּוֹסִי רְוָיָה.

אַךְ, טוֹב וָחֶסֶד יִרְדְפוּנִי כָּל-יְמֵי חַיָי, וְשַׁבְתִּי בְּבֵית-ה׳ לְאֹרֶךְ יָמִים.

Translation:

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures:
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul:
He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of Death,
I will fear no evil: for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies:
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Adapted from 1917 JPS Translation

Information:

This Psalm is sung on several occasions during Shabbos, but it is usually also sung mournfully as the daylight fades at the end of the day of rest.

Naar Hayiti

 
נָעַר הַיִיתִי


Na'ar Hayiti v'gam zakanti
v'lo raiti tzadik ne'ezov
v'zaro me'vakesh lachem
Hashem oz le'amo yiten
hashem yivarech et amo va'shalom
נָעַר הַיִיתִי וְגַם זַקָנְתִי
וְלֹא רָאִיתִי צָדִיק נֶעֶזָב
וְזָרְעוֹ מְבַקֵש לַחֶם
ה' עֹז לְעַמוֹ יִתֵן
ה' יְבַרֵך אֶת עַמוֹ בַשָלוֹם

Translation:

I have been young and now I am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging for bread.
The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.

Translation from The Standard Prayer book by Simeon Singer (1915) (public domain)

Information:

Birkat Hamazon

Ochila

 
אוחילה


Ochila la'el. Achaleh panav.
Eshalah mimenu ma'aneh lashon.
Asher bikhal am ashira uzo.
Abi'ah renanot be'ad mifalav.
Leadam ma'archi lev umea'aneh lashon.
Adonai sefatai tiftach ufi yagid tehilatecha.
אוֹחִילָה לָאל. אֲחַלֶּה פָנָיו.
אֶשְׁאֲלָה מִמֶּנּוּ מַעֲנֵה לָשׁוֹן:
אֲשֶׁר בִּקְהַל עָם אָשִׁירָה עֻזּוֹ.
אַבִּיעָה רְנָנוֹת בְּעַד מִפְעָלָיו:
לְאָדָם מַעַרְכֵי לֵב וּמֵיָי מַעֲנֵה
לָשׁוֹן:
יְיָ שְׂפָתַי תִּפְתָּח. וּפִי יַגִּיד תְּהִלָּתֶךָ:

Translation:

I will hope in God; I will entreat his presence; and beseech him to grant me eloquence of language, that in the congregation of the people, I may sing of His mighty power, and in joyful strains, rehearse, his wonderful works. The dispositions of the heart are of man, but the utterance of speech is from the Lord. O Lord! open thou my lips, that my mouth may declare your praise.

English Translation by Samuel Summer in "Form of Prayers for the Feast of New-Year According to the Custom of the German and Polish Jews," published in 1900 (in the public domain).

Information:

From the High Holiday liturgy.

Tune sung by "Jewish Phoenix" is by Rabbi Hilel Palei. Cover version posted under site-wide license from ACUM.

More tunes from Stanley Estrin can be found on You Tube at High Holidays Shaliach Tzibbur.

Ozi

 
עָזִי


Ozi v’zimrat Yah vay’hi li lishuah.
עָזִּי וְזִמְרָת יָהּ וַיְהִי לִי לִישׁוּעָה

Translation:

The Lord is my strength and song, and He is become my salvation.
Psalm 118:14, Exodus 15:2

Translation source: Jewish Publication Society Bible (1917) (public domain)

***

My Strength (balanced) with the Song of God will be my salvation.
(User-contributed translation)

Information:

Words from Shirat Hayam, Exodus 15:2. Composer unknown.
Often sung at seudah shlisheet.

In this practice I find and express my strength, my will, my effort and desire when I chant "Ozi." When I chant "v’zimrat Yah," I open and surrender to the God-song and let it be sung through me. Then in the last phrase, "Vayahi li lishuah," I balance those two aspects of my practice.

- Rabbi Shefa Gold
In the version below, music is by Rabbi Shefa Gold, performed by Valley Outreach Synagogue Young Adult Vocal Ensemble



Video below by Zamir Chorale of Boston

Psalm 126: Shir Hama'alot

 
שיר המעלות


Shir Hama'alot,
B'shuv Adonai et shivat tziyon
hayinu k'chol'mim.
Az Y'male s'chok peenu ulshoneinu rina.
Az yom'ru vagoyim
higdil Adonai la'asot im eleh; higdil Adonai la'asot imanu hayinu s'meicheim.
Shuva Adonai et shiviteinu ka'afikim banegev.
Hazor'im b'dimah b'rinah yiktzoru.
Haloch Yelech uvacho,
noseh meshech hazarah,
bo yavo v'rinah noseh alumotav.


Sometimes appended to Shir Hamaalot before Birkat Hamazon:

T'hilat Adonai y'dabeh pi, vivarech kol basar shem kodsho l'olam vaed.
Va'anachnu n'varech Yah, m'atah v'ad olam Hal'luyah.
Hodu Ladonai ki tov; ki l'olam Chasdo.
Mi y'malel g'vurot Adonai Yashmia kol t'hilato.
שִׁיר הַמַּעֲלות
בְּשׁוּב ה' אֶת שִׁיבַת צִיּון
הָיִינוּ כְּחלְמִים:
אָז יִמָלֵא שחוק פִּינוּ
וּלְשׁונֵנוּ רִנָּה
אָז יאמְרוּ בַגּויִם
הִגְדִּיל ה' לַעֲשות עִם אֵלֶּה:
הִגְדִּיל ה' לַעֲשות עִמָּנוּ
הָיִינוּ שמֵחִים:
שׁוּבָה ה' אֶת שְׁבִיתֵנוּ
כַּאֲפִיקִים בַּנֶּגֶב:
הַזּרְעִים בְּדִמְעָה בְּרִנָּה יִקְצרוּ:
הָלוךְ יֵלֵךְ וּבָכה נשא מֶשֶׁךְ
הַזָּרַע בּא יָבא בְרִנָּה נשא אֲלֻמּתָיו:

יש מוסיפים לפני ברכת מזון:

תְּהִלַּת ה' יְדַבֶּר פִּי. וִיבָרֵךְ כָּל בָּשר שֵׁם קָדְשׁו לְעולָם וָעֶד:
וַאֲנַחְנוּ נְבָרֵךְ יָהּ מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עולָם. הַלְלוּיָהּ:
הודוּ לה'. כִּי טוב. כִּי לְעולָם חַסְדּו:
מִי יְמַלֵּל גְּבוּרות ה'. יַשְׁמִיעַ כָּל תְּהִלָּתו:

Translation:

When the Lord returned the captives of Zion, we were like people in a dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with exultation: then said they among the nations, The Lord has done great things for them. The Lord has done great things for us; so we rejoiced! Bring back our captives, O Lord, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. Though he goes on his way weeping, bearing the store of seed, he shall come back with joy, bearing his sheaves.

Psalm 126

Translation based on The Standard Prayer book by Simeon Singer (1915) (public domain).

Sometimes appended to Shir Hamaalot before Birkat Hamazon:

My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD; and let all flesh bless His holy name for ever and ever.
Psalms 145:21

But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for ever, Hallelujah.
Psalms 115:18

O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever.
Psalms 118:1

Who can express the mighty acts of the LORD, or make all His praise to be heard?
Psalms 106:2

Translation source: Jewish Publication Society Bible (1917) (public domain)

Information:

Psalms 126 and other verses from psalms in brackets added by some. Shir Hama'alot is sung in Ashkenazi traditions before Birkat Hamazon on Shabbat, Festivals and other joyous occasions.

List of Songs that 'go into' (i.e. can be sung immediately before, and then with the same tune as Shir Hamaalot):
Tov L'hodot
Im Eshkachech (2 Tunes)
Yedid Nefesh
Essa Einai

Before Hatikvah was chosen for the purpose, Shir Hama'alot was a serious contender as Israel's national anthem. "When the Lord brought us out of captivity, we were like people in a dream!"

The first tune in the list below, recorded by Joel Nothman, was composed by Cantor Pinkhas Minkowski (1859-1924) and was made famous by Cantor Yossele Rosenblatt (1882-1933). As far as can be determined, the tune is in the public domain.

The tune recorded by Emily Barton is by Debbie Friedman. The Zemirot Database has obtained licenses for this use from the Deborah Lynn Friedman Trust.

Rabot Machshavot

 
רַבּוֹת מַחֲשָׁבוֹת


Rabot machshavot b'lev ish va'atzat Hashem hi takum. Atzat Hashem l'olam ta-amod, machshavot libo l'dor vador.
רַבּוֹת מַחֲשָׁבוֹת בְּלֶב אִישׁ וַעֲצַת ה' הִיא תָקוּם.
עֲצַת ה' לְעוֹלָם תַּעֲמֹד מַחְשְׁבוֹת לִבּוֹ לְדֹר וָדֹר.

Translation:

A man's heart has many thoughts, but the advice of God is timeless.
Proverbs 19:21

God's advice stands forever, God’s ideas carry from generation to generation.
Psalms 33:11

User-contributed translation

Information:

Youtube version

Video below performed by Machsan. Melody composed by Baruch Chait

Raishis Chachmah

 
ראשית חכמה


El Mistater b'shafrir chevyon

HaSeichel HaNe'elam Mikol rayon

Ilas ha'ilos muchtar b'keser elyon, Keser yitnu l'cha Ado-noy

B'reishis Toras'cha hakedumah, r'shumah chachmas'cha hastumah, mei'ayin timatzei v'hi ne'elamah, reishis Chochmah yiras Ado-noy

Rechovos hanahar, nachlei emunah, mayim amukim, yidleim ish t'vunah,
totz'oseha chamishim sha'arei Binah, emunim notzer Ado-noy

Ha'El haGadol einei kol negdecha, rav Chesed gadol al hashamayim chasdecha, Elo-hey Avraham zechor l'avdecha, chasdei Ado-noy azkir tehilos Ado-noy

Marom ne'edar b'koach u'Gevurah, motzi orah me'ein t'murah, pachad Yitzchak mishpateinu ha'irah, Atah gibor l'olam Ado-noy

Mi El kamocha, oseh g'dolos, Avir Ya'akov Nora tehilos, Tiferes Yisrael, shomei'a tefilos, ki shomei'a el evyonim Ado-noy

Yah z'chus avos tagein aleinu, Netzach Yisrael mitzaraseinu ga'aleinu, u'mibor galus daleinu v'ha'aleinu l'natzeiach al m'leches beis Ado-noy

Miyamin u'mi'smol yenikas ha'n'vi'im, netzach v'Hod meihem nimtza'im Yachin u'Boaz b'sheim nikra'im, v'chol banayich limudei Ado-noy

Yesod Tzadik b'shivah ne'elam, os bris hu l'olam, m'ein habrachah Tzadik Yesod Olam, Tzadik Atah Ado-noy

Na hakem (bimheirah) Malchus Dovid u'Shlomo, b'atarah sh'itrah lo imo, K'neses Yisrael, Kalah k'ru'ah b'n'imah, ateres tiferes b'Yad Ado-noy

Chazek m'yached k'echad eser S'firos, umafrid aluf lo yirah m'oros, sapir gizrasam yachad m'iros, tikrav rinasi (some say: rinaseinu) lifanecha Ado-noy
א-ל מסתתר בשפריר חביון

השכל הנעלם מכל רעיון

עילת העילות מוכתר

בכתר עליון כתר יתנו לך ה׳


בראשית תורתך הקדומה

רשומה חכמתך הסתומה

מאין תמצא והיא נעלמה

ראשית חכמה יראת ה׳


רחובות הנהר נחלי אמונה

מים עמוקים ידלם איש תבונה

תוצאותיה חמישים שערי בינה

אמונים נוצר ה׳


הא-ל הגדול עיני כל נגדך

רב חסד גדול על השמיים חסדך

א-להי אברהם זכור לעבדך

חסדי ה׳ אזכיר תהילות ה׳


מרום נאדר בכח וגבורה

מוציא אורה מאין תמורה

פחד יצחק משפטינו האירה

אתה גיבור לעולם ה׳


מי א-ל כמוך עושה גדולות

אביר יעקב נורא תהילות

תפארת ישראל שומע תפילות

כי שומֵעַ אֶל אביונים ה׳


יה זכות אבות תגן עלינו

נצח ישראל מצרותנו גאלנו

ומבור גלות דלנו והעלנו

לנצח על מלאכת בית ה׳


מימין ומשמאל יניקת הנביאים

נצח והוד מהם נמצאים

יכין ובעז בשם נקראים

וכל בניך לימודי ה׳


יסוד צדיק בשבעה נעלם

אות ברית הוא מעולם

מעין הברכה צדיק יסוד עולם

צדיק אתה ה׳


נא הקם (במהרה) מלכות דוד ושלמה

בעטרה שעיטרה לו אימו

כנסת ישראל כלה קרואה בנעימה

עטרת תפארת ביד ה׳


חזק מיחד כאחד עשר ספירות

ומפריד אלוף לא יראה מאורות

ספיר גזרתם יחד מאירות

תקרב רנתי (נ"א: רנתינו) לפניך ה׳

Information:

Deeply Kabalistic song, invoking the ten sefiros, traditionally sung by Shalosh seudos, near the end of the meal, often followed by Ein K'Elokeinu and bentching

Sab'einu

 
שבענו מטובך


Sab'einu mituvekha
v'Samah nafsheinu biyshuatekha
v'taher libbenu l'ovdekha b'emet v'hanhilenu hashem elohenu be'ahava uveratzon shabbat kodshekha
שַׂבְּעֵנוּ מִטּוּבָךְ
ושַׂמֵּחַ נַפְשֵׁנוּ בִּישׁוּעָתָךְ.
וְטַהֵר לִיבֵּנוּ לְעָבְדְּךָ בֶּאֱמֶת.
וְהַנְחִילֵנוּי השם אֱלהֵינוּ בְּאַהֲבָה וּבְרָצון
שַׁבָּת קָדְשֶׁךָ

Translation:

Satisfy us with thy goodness,
And gladden us with thy salvation;
Purify our hearts to serve thee in truth;
And in thy love and favor, O Lord our God, let us inherit thy holy Sabbath.

Translation from The Standard Prayer book by Simeon Singer (1915) (public domain)

Information:

Heard at Breslov Katamom

Shifchi Kamayim Libeich

 
שִׁפְכִי כַּמַיִם לִיבֵּך


Shifchi kamayim libeich, nochach pnei hashem.
שִׁפְכִי כַּמַיִם לִיבֵּך נוֹכַח פְּנֵי ה'

Translation:

Pour out thy heart like water before the face of the Lord.

Translation source: Jewish Publication Society Bible (1917) (public domain)

Information:

Lamentations 2:19


The recordings of the Carlebach tunes below are amateur recordings and may not be accurate representations of the tune as written by Rabbi Carlebach. The tune is used with permission from copyright owner Neshama Carlebach. Neshama Carlebach has granted permission to the Zemirot Database to offer interactive streams and downloads of cover versions of the tune.

Shimru Shabtotai

 
שִׁמְרוּ שַׁבְּתוֹתַי


Shimru shab'totai l'ma'an tin'ku usvatem
Miziv birchotai, el ham'nuchah, ki vatem.
Ul'vu alai banai, v'eednu ma'adanai
Shabbat Hayom Lashem.

Chorus:
Ul'vu alai banai, v'eednu ma'adanai
Shabbat Hayom Lashem.

L'amel kir'u d'ror, v'natati et birchati
Ishah el achotah litzror l'galot aal yom simchati. Bigdei sheish eem shanai, v'hitbon'nu miz'keinai, Shabbat haYom LaShem.

Chorus:
Ul'vu alai banai, v'eednu ma'adanai
Shabbat Hayom Lashem.

Maharu et hamaneh, la'asot et d'var Ester, V'chishvu im hakonah, l'shalem achol v'hoter. Bitchu vi emunai, ushtu yein mishmanai, Shabbat Hayom LaShem.

Chorus:
Ul'vu alai banai, v'eednu ma'adanai
Shabbat Hayom Lashem.

Hineh yom g'ulah, yom Shabbat eem tishmoru, Vi'h'yi'tem li s'gulah, linu v'a'har ta'avoru.
V'az Tihyu l'fanai utmal'u tz'funai,
Shabbat Hayom LaShem.

Chorus:
Ul'vu alai banai, v'eednu ma'adanai
Shabbat Hayom Lashem.

Chazeik kiryati, El Elohim Elyon,
V'hashev et n'vati b'simcha uv'higayon. Y'shor'ru sham r'nanai l'viyai v'chohanai, Shabbat Hayom Lashem.

Chorus:
Ul'vu alai banai, v'eednu ma'adanai
Shabbat Hayom Lashem.
שִׁמְרוּ שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, לְמַֽעַן תִּינְקוּ וּשְׂבַעְתֶּם,
מִזִּיו בִּרְכוֹתַי, אֶל הַמְּנוּחָה כִּי בָאתֶם,
וּלְווּ עָלַי בָּנַי, וְעִדְנוּ מַעֲדָנַי, שַׁבָּת הַיּוֹם לַייָ.
וּלְווּ עָלַי בָּנַי, וְעִדְנוּ מַעֲדָנַי, שַׁבָּת הַיּוֹם לַייָ.

לְעָמֵל קִרְאוּ דְרוֹר, וְנָתַתִּי אֶת בִּרְכָתִי,
אִשָּׁה אֶל אֲחוֹתָהּ לִצְרוֹר, לְגַלּוֹת עַל יוֹם שִׂמְחָתִי,
בִּגְדֵי שֵׁשׁ עִם שָׁנַי, וְהִתְבּוֹנְנוּ מִזְּקֵנַי, שַׁבָּת הַיּוֹם לַייָ.
וּלְווּ עָלַי בָּנַי, וְעִדְנוּ מַעֲדָנַי, שַׁבָּת הַיּוֹם לַייָ.

מַהֲרוּ אֶת הַמָּנֶה, לַעֲשׂוֹת אֶת דְבַר אֶסְתֵּר,
וְחִשְׁבוּ עִם הַקּוֹנֶה, לְשַׁלֵּם אָכוֹל וְהוֹתֵר,
בִּטְחוּ בִי אֱמוּנַי, וּשְׁתוּ יֵין מִשְׁמַנַּי, שַׁבָּת הַיּוֹם לַייָ.
וּלְווּ עָלַי בָּנַי, וְעִדְנוּ מַעֲדָנַי, שַׁבָּת הַיּוֹם לַייָ.

הִנֵּה יוֹם גְּאֻלָּה, יוֹם שַׁבָּת אִם תִּשְׁמֹֽרוּ,
וִהְיִֽיתֶם לִי סְגֻלָּה, לִֽינוּ וְאַחַר תַּעֲבֹֽרוּ,
וְאָז תִּחְיוּ לְפָנַי, וּתְמַלְאוּ צְפוּנַי, שַׁבָּת הַיּוֹם לַייָ.
וּלְווּ עָלַי בָּנַי, וְעִדְנוּ מַעֲדָנַי, שַׁבָּת הַיּוֹם לַייָ.

חַזֵּק קִרְיָתִי, אֵל אֱלֹהִים עֶלְיוֹן,
וְהָשֵׁב אֶת נְוָתִי, בְּשִׂמְחָה וּבְהִגָּיוֹן,
יְשׁוֹרְרוּ שָׁם רְנָנַי, לְוִיַיּ וְכֹהֲנַי, וְאָז תִּתְעַנַּג עַל יְיָ, שַׁבָּת הַיּוֹם לַייָ.
וּלְווּ עָלַי בָּנַי, וְעִדְנוּ מַעֲדָנַי, שַׁבָּת הַיּוֹם לַייָ.

Translation:

Keep ye my Sabbath rest,
With rich draughts she feeds you;
From her soft sweet-flowing breast
To repose she leads you.

Though you beg her needs she will repay
Richest dainties bring forth, be gay,
'Tis my Sabbath, keep ye holiday.

Labour's task is ended;
See, I send you my benison [note- "benison" means blessing].
As brides twain, soft blended,
Singing sweetly in unison,
So my counsels sage attract your ear,
Scarlet silks shall be yours to wear,
Sabbath's holiday is here.

Though you beg her needs she will repay
Richest dainties bring forth, be gay,
'Tis my Sabbath, keep ye holiday.

Esther's feast prepare ye,
To the mart haste, good cheer provide
Freely, nor forbear ye
Aught, to welcome this Sabbath-tide.
He who sells will fill your purse anew;
Come, buy sweetest wines of ruby hue,
Trust His promise, sure, to you.

Though you beg her needs she will repay
Richest dainties bring forth, be gay,
'Tis my Sabbath, keep ye holiday.

Redemption swift is speeding,
Then Mine own ye once mone shall be.
Hear My Sabbath pleading:
'Rest one night, ere ye pass, with me'
In My Presence shall your years be blessed,
Life's hid joys all to you confessed,
For life's secret is the Sabbath rest.

Though you beg her needs she will repay
Richest dainties bring forth, be gay,
'Tis my Sabbath, keep ye holiday.

My bulwarks shattered,
Lord of Glory, rebuild again;
My exiles scattered
Lead in joy to their old domain.
Priests and Levites there restored shall sing
Songs which exiled hearts at last shall bring,
A joyous welcome to their King.

Though you beg her needs she will repay
Richest dainties bring forth, be gay,
'Tis my Sabbath, keep ye holiday.

Translation by Herbert Loewe, Mediaeval Hebrew Minstrelsy, Songs for the Bride Queen's Feast, published 1926.

Information:

A lesser known, yet still beautiful Shabbat afternoon zemer.

The surviving son and the two granddaughters of Herbert Loewe have been glad to give their permission to reproduce his English version of this song. See this page for more information on the copyright status of Mediaeval Hebrew Minstrelsy.

Click here to read about Herbert Loewe. The linked page is written by Herbert Loewe's son Michael Loewe.

Shir Lama'alot: Esah Einai (Psalm 121)

 
שִׁיר לַמַּעֲלוֹת: אֶשָּׂא עֵינַי (תהילים קכא)


Shir lama'alot,

Esah einai el heharim, meayin yavo ezri?

Ezri me'im Adonai oseh shamayim va'aretz.

Al yiten lamot raglecha, al yanum shomrecha.

Hineh lo yanum - v'lo yishan shomer yisrael.

Adonai shomrecha, Adonai tzilecha, al yad yeminecha.

Yomam hashemesh lo yakeka, vayareich baleilah

Adonai yishmarcha mikol ra, yishmor et nafshecha.

Adonai yishmor tzietcha uvoecha meata vead olam.
שִׁיר לַמַּעֲלוֹת.

אֶשָּׂא עֵינַי, אֶל-הֶהָרִים, מֵאַיִן יָבֹא עֶזְרִי.

עֶזְרִי מֵעִם יְהוָה עֹשֵׂה שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ.

אַל יִתֵּן לַמּוֹט רַגְלֶךָ, אַל יָנוּם שֹׁמְרֶךָ.

הִנֵּה לֹא יָנוּם, וְלֹא יִישָׁן שׁוֹמֵר יִשְׂרָאֵל.

יְהוָה שֹׁמְרֶךָ, יְהוָה צִלְּךָ, עַל יַד יְמִינֶךָ.

יוֹמָם הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ לֹא יַכֶּכָּה ויָרֵחַ בַּלָּיְלָה.

יְהוָה יִשְׁמָרְךָ מִכָּל-רָע יִשְׁמֹר אֶת נַפְשֶׁךָ.

יְהוָה יִשְׁמָר צֵאתְךָ וּבוֹאֶךָ מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם.

Translation:

A Song of Ascents.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains: from where shall my help come?

My help comes from God, who made heaven and earth.

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; He that keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, He that keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.

God is your keeper; God is your shade upon your right hand.
The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night.

God will keep you from all evil; He will keep your soul.

God will guard your going out and your coming in, from this time forth and for ever.

Based on Jewish Publication Society 1917 translation

Song of the Grass (Shirat Ha'asabim)

 
שִׁירַת הָעֲשׂבִּים


Da lecha shekol roeh v'roeh, yesh lo niggun m'yuchad mishelo.
Da lecha shekol esev v'esev, yesh lo shirah m'yuchedet mishelo,
Umishirat ha'asabim, na'aseh niggun shel roeh.
Kamah yafeh, kamah yafeh v'naeh ksheshom'im hashir shelahem.
Tov me'od l'hitpalel beineihem, uvyirah la'avod et Hashem,
Um'shirat ha'asabim, mitorerr halev umishtokek.
Ukshehalev min hashirah mitorerr umishtotek el eretz Yisrael.
Or gadol azai nimshach v'oleh mikdushat ha'aretz alav.
Umishirat ha'asabim, na'aseh niggun shel halev.
דע לך שכל רועה ורועה יש לו ניגון מיוחד משלו.
דע לך שכל עשב ועשב יש לו שירה מיוחדת משלו.
ומשירת העשבים נעשה ניגון של רועה.
כמה יפה, כמה יפה ונאה כששומעים השירה שלהם.
טוב מאוד להתפלל ביניהם וביראה לעבוד את ה'.
ומשירת העשבים מתעורר הלב ומשתוקק.
וכשהלב מן השירה מתעורר ומשתוקק אל ארץ ישראל
אור גדול אזי נמשך ועולה מקדושתה של הארץ עליו.
ומשירת העשבים נעשה ניגון של הלב.

Translation:

Know that each and every shepherd has his or her own unique tune.
Know that each and every blade of grass has its own unique song.
And from the songs of the grass, the tune of the shepherd is created.
How beautiful, how beautiful and fine when we hear their song.
It is very good to pray between them and to labor for God with awe.
And the song of the grass causes the heart to awaken and to long.
And when, from the song, the heart awakens and longs towards the Land of Israel,
A great light is drawn out and rises because it has the holiness of the land upon it.
And from the song of the grass the tune of the heart is fashioned.

Translation by Mendy

Information:

The words of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov about the holiness of everything in the world, that even one little blade of grass can bring us to the ultimate redemption.

Tov l'hodot

 
טוֹב לְהוֹדוֹת


Tov l'hodot la'hashem,
Tov l'hodot la'hashem, ulzamer ulzamer l'shimcha elyon,
Tov l'hodot la'hashem.

l'hagid baboker chasdecha, l'hagid baboker chasdecha, v'emunatcha baleylot, v'emunatcha baleylot,
Tov Tov l'hodot la'hashem.
טוֹב לְהֹדוֹת לַה', וּלְזַמֵּר לְשִׁמְךָ עֶלְיוֹן. לְהַגִּיד בַּבֹּֽקֶר חַסְדֶּֽךָ, וֶאֱמוּנָתְךָ בַּלֵּילוֹת

Translation:

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto Thy name, O Most High;
To declare Thy lovingkindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness in the night seasons.

Translation source: Jewish Publication Society Bible (1917) (public domain)

Information:

Lyrics: Psalms 92:2-3
Music: Various, including Shlomo Carlebach

Sung by Shlomo Carlebach on YouTube:
Object removed for printingads.

Tzama Nafshi

 
צמאה נפשי


Tzama nafshi / le'elohim, le'eil chai.
Leebi uvsari / yeranenu el el chai (another tradition: le'el chai)

El chai (echad) bera'ani / ve'amar chai ani
Ki lo yirani / ha'adam vachai

Bara kol be'chochma / be'etza u'vimzima
(Ad) meod (ve)ne'elama / me'einei kol chai

Leebi uvsari / yeranenu el el chai (le'el chai)

Ram al kol kevodo / kol peh yachveh hodo
Baruch asher beyado / nefesh kol chai

Hivdil ninei tam / chukim lehorotam
Asher ya'aseh otam / ha'adam vachai

Leebi uvsari / yeranenu el el chai (le'el chai)

Mi zeh itztadak / nimshal le'avak dak
Emet ki lo itzdak / lefaneicha kol chai

Be'lev yetzer chasuv / kidmut chamat achshuv
Ve'eichacha yashuv / habasar hechai

Leebi uvsari / yeranenu el el chai (le'el chai)

Lesogim im avu / (u)midarkam shavu
Terem yishkavu / bei moed lekol chal

Al kol chasdeicha / techadesh adeicha
(Al kol ahodeicha / kol peh teyahadeicha)
Poteach et yadeicha / u'masbeia lechol chai

Leebi uvsari / yeranenu el el chai (le'el chai)

Zachor ahavat kedumim / vehachayeh nirdamim
Vekarev hayamin / asher ben yishai chai

Re'eh ligveret emet / shifcha noemet
Lo ki venach hamet / uvni hechai

Leebi uvsari / yeranenu el el chai (le'el chai)

[Halo chelkecha merosh / chalak damo derosh
Shefoch af al rosh / hasair hechai]

Ekod al api / ve'efrosh lach chapi
Et ki eftach pi / benishmat kol chai

Leebi uvsari / yeranenu el el chai (le'el chai)
צָמְאָה נַפְשִׁי לֵאלֹהִים לְאֵל חָי
לִבִּי וּבְשָׂרִי יְרַנְּנוּ לְאֵל חָי

אֵל אֶחָד בְּרָאָנִי וְאָמַר חַי אָנִי כִּי לֹא יִרְאַנִי הָאָדָם וָחָי

בָּרָא כֹּל בְּחָכְמָה בְּעֵצָה וּבִמְזִמָּה מְאֹד נֶעֱלָמָה מְעֵינֵי כָּל חָי

לִבִּי וּבְשָׂרִי יְרַנְּנוּ לאֵל חָי

רָם עַל כֹּל כְּבוֹדוֹ כָּל פֶּה יְחַוֶה הוֹדוֹ
בָּרוּךְ אֲשֶר בְּיָדוֹ נֶפֶש כָּל חָי

הִבְדִּיל נִינֵי תָם חֻקִּים לְהוֹרוֹתָם אֲשֶר יַעֲשֶׂה אוֹתָם הָאָדָם וָחָי

לִבִּי וּבְשָׂרִי יְרַנְּנוּ לאֵל חָי

מִי זֶה יִצְטַדָּק נִמְשַׁל לְאָבָק דָּק אֶמֶת כִּי לֹא יִצְדַּק לְפָנֵיךָ כָּל חָי

בְּלֵב יֵצֶר חָשׁוּב כִּדְמוּת חֲמַת עַכְשׁוּב
וְאֵיכָכָה יָשׁוּב הַבָּשָׂר הֶחָי

לִבִּי וּבְשָׂרִי יְרַנְּנוּ לאֵל חָי

נְסוֹגִים אִם אָבוּ מִדַּרְכָּם שָׁבוּ
טֶרֶם יִשְׁכָּבוּ בֵּית מוֹעֵד לְכָל חָי

עַל כֹּל אֲהוֹדֶךָ כָּל פֶּה תְּיַחֲדֶךָ פּוֹתֵחַ אֶת יָדֶךָ וּמַשְׂבִּיעַ לְכָּל חָי

לִבִּי וּבְשָׂרִי יְרַנְּנוּ לאֵל חָי

זְכוֹר אַהֲבַת קְדוּמִים וְהַחֲיֶה נִרְדָמִים
וְקָרֵב הַיָמִים אֲשֶר בֵּן יִשַׁי חָי

רְאֵה לִגְבֶרֶת אֱמֶת שִׁפְחָה נוֹאֶמֶת לֹא כְּי בְנַךְ הַמֵת וּבְנִי הֶחָי

לִבִּי וּבְשָׂרִי יְרַנְּנוּ לאֵל חָי

אֶקּוֹד עַל אַפִּי וְאֶפְרוֹשׁ לְךָ כַפִּי עֵת כִּי אֶפְתַּח פִּי בְּנִשְׁמַת כָּל חָי

לִבִּי וּבְשָׂרִי יְרַנְּנוּ לאֵל חָי

Information:

Zemer composed by Rabbenu Avraham Ibn Ezra, zt"l. The Chasam Sofer, zt"l, stressed the importance of singing or reading this zemer Friday Night. As seen from the last verse, it was originally written as a poetic introduction to the Nishmat prayer recited on Shabbat and festival mornings.

U'macha Hashem Dima

 
ומחה ה' דמעה


U'macha Hashem dima me'al kol panim vecherpat amo yasir me'aol kol ha'aretz.
Ve'amar bayom hahu hinei elokeinu ze, ze Hashem kivinu lo nagila venismecha b'yeshuato.
Oseh shalom bimromav hu ya'ase shalom aleinu ve'aol kol yisrael veimeru amen.
ומחה ה' דמעה מעל כל פנים וחרפת עמו יסיר מעל כל הארץ.
ואמר ביום ההוא הנה אלוקינו זה, זה ה' קיוינו לו נגילה ונשמחה בישועתו.
עושה שלום במרומיו הוא יעשה שלום עלינו ועל כל ישראל ואמרו אמן.

Translation:

And the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the reproach of His people will He take away from off all the earth...
And it shall be said in that day: "Lo, this is our God, for whom we waited.. this is the Lord, for whom we waited, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation."

Isaiah 25:8-9
Translation source: Jewish Publication Society Bible (1917) (public domain)

He who maketh peace in his high places, may he make peace for us and for all Israel; and say ye, Amen.

From the end of the Kaddish, also based on Job 25:2
Translation source: The Standard Prayer book by Simeon Singer (1915) (public domain)

Information:

First recording from the Nativ College Leadership Program in Israel's Tisch CD - for more information check out www.nativ.org.

The recording from the Tisch CD was provided to the Zemirot Database by the creators of the CD, with permission to host the provided tracks on the Database.

Tune is by Yehuda! Used with permission.

V'haviotim

 
וַהֲבִיאוֹתִים


V'haviotim el har kodshi, v'simachtim b'veit t'filati. Oloteiheim v'zivchehem l'ratzon al mizb'chi, ki veiti beit t'filah y'karei l'chol ha'amim.
וַהֲבִיאוֹתִים אֶל-הַר קָדְשִׁי, וְשִׂמַּחְתִּים בְּבֵית תְּפִלָּתִי--עוֹלֹתֵיהֶם וְזִבְחֵיהֶם לְרָצוֹן, עַל-מִזְבְּחִי: כִּי בֵיתִי, בֵּית-תְּפִלָּה יִקָּרֵא לְכָל-הָעַמִּים.

Translation:

Even them will I bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer; their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices shall be acceptable upon Mine altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.

Translation source: Jewish Publication Society Bible (1917) (public domain)

Information:

Isaiah 56:7. Also appears in the liturgy, especially in Selichot immediately before the climax of Sh'ma Koleinu.
The slow tune on guitar:
Object removed for printing

V'hee she'amda

 
וְהִיא שֶׁעָמְדָה


V'hee she'amda V'hee she'amda lavoteinu velanu,
shelo echad bilvad amad aleinu lechaloteinu,
amad aleinu lechaloteinu,
vehakadosh baruch hu matzileinu miyadam.
vehakadosh baruch hu matzileinu miyadam.
וְהִיא שֶׁעָמְדָה לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ וְלָנוּ, שֶלֹא אֶחָד בִּלבָד עָמַד עָלֵינוּ לְכַלוֹתֵינוּ, אלא שבכל דור ודור, עומדים עלינו לכלותנו, וְהַקָדוֹשׁ בָּרוּך הוּא מַצִילֵנוּ מִיָדָם.

Translation:

That which stood for our ancestors applies to us as well.
For it was not only one individual who stood up against us to destroy us.
Rather, in every generation they stand up against us to destroy us.
But the Holy One, Blessed Be He, redeems us from their hands.

Translation by Eve Levavi.

Information:

Lyrics: From the Hagaddah

V'lirushalayim Ircha

 
ולירושלים


V'lirushalayim ircha berachamim tashuv, vetishkon betochah ka'asher dibarta.

Uvneh otah bekarov beyameinu binyam olam.

Vekiseh David avdecha m'herah l'tocha tachin.
וְלִירוּשָלַיִם עִירְךָ בְּרַחֲמִים תָּשוּב וְתִּשְׁכוֹן בְּתוֹכָהּ כַּאֲשֶׁר דִבַּרְתָּ.

וּבְנֵה אוֹתָהּ בְּקָרוֹב בְּיָמֵינוּ בִּניַן עוֹלָם.

וְכִסֵּא דָוִד עַבְדְּךָ מְהֵרָה לְתוֹכָהּ תָּכִין.

Translation:

And to Jerusalem, thy city, return in mercy, and dwell therein as thou hast spoken; rebuild it soon in our days as an everlasting building, and speedily set up therein the throne of David.

Translation from The Standard Prayer book by Simeon Singer (1915) (public domain)

Information:

Words: The 14th blessing of the weekday amidah.

The recording below from the Nativ College Leadership Program in Israel's Tisch CD was provided to the Zemirot Database by the creators of the CD, with permission to host the provided track on the Database. For more information check out www.nativ.org.

The fast tune by Rabbi Josh Cahan and the tune by the Nativ Program are by Shlomo Carlebach. The recordings of the Carlebach tunes below are amateur recordings and may not be accurate representations of the tune as written by Rabbi Carlebach. The tune is used with permission from copyright owner Neshama Carlebach. Neshama Carlebach has granted permission to the Zemirot Database to offer interactive streams and downloads of cover versions of the tune.

V'zakeini L'gadel

 
וזכני לגדל


Ve'zakeini le'gadeil banim u'vnei vanim chachamim u'nivonim, o'havei Hashem, yir'ei Elokim, anshei emes, zerah kodesh, ba'Hashem de'veikim, u'mi'irim es ha'olam baTorah u've'ma'asim tovim, u've'chol mi'leches avodas ha'Borei.
וְזַכֵּנִי לְגַדֵל בָּנִים וּבְנֵי בָנִים, חֲכָמִים וּנְבוֹנִים, אוֹהַבֵי הַשֵם, יִראֵי אֶלֹקִים, אַנְשֵי אֶמֶת, זֶרַע קוֹדֶשׁ, בַשֵם דְּבֵקִים, וּמְאִירִים אֶת הָעוֹלָם בַּתוֹרָה וּבְמַעֲשִים טוֹבִים, וּבְּכָל מְלֶאכֶת עֲבוֹדַת הַבוֹרֵא.

Translation:

May I merit to raise children and grandchildren, wise/sagacious and intelligent/understanding, who love Hashem, fear G-d, and speak the truth. May they be holy offspring, who cleave to G-d, and light up the world with Torah and good deeds, and with service to the Creator.

User-contributed translation

Information:

Excerpt from the prayer after lighting Shabbat candles.

Sung by Baruch Levine:


The recording below is from the Nativ College Leadership Program in Israel's Tisch CD - for more information check out www.nativ.org.

The recording from the Tisch CD was provided to the Zemirot Database by the creators of the CD, with permission to host the provided tracks on the Database. The tune is by Baruch Levine. The Zemirot Database has purchased a separate license from Baruch Levine to distribute the Nativ cover version. If you want to distribute the Nativ recording yourself or put it to another use, please contact the Zemirot Database and we will try to put you in touch with the appropriate parties.

V'Zakeinu l'Kabel Shabatot

 
וזכנו לקבל שבתות


V'zakeinu lekabel shabatot

Mitoch rov simcha

Umitoch osher ve'chavod

Umitoch miut a'vanut

Ve'ten banu yetzer tov le'avdecha be'emet u'veyirah u'veahava
וזכנו לקבל שבתות

מתוך רב שמחה

ומתוך עושר וכבוד

ומתוך מיעוט עוונות

ותן בנו יצר טוב לעבדך באמת וביראה ובאהבה

Translation:

And may we merit to receive Shabbos in the midst of great happiness, and in the midst of wealth and honor and in the midst of few transgressions. And place within us a good inclination so that we may serve you with truth, awe and with love.
(User contributed translation)

Information:

This is a niggin sung Friday night after singing Shalom Alechem and before Aishes Chayil. It is also sung during Shalosh Suedes.

Ve-ha’er Eineinu

 
וְהָאֵר עֵינֵינוּ


V'ha-eir eineinu b'toratecha
v'dabek libeinu b'mitzvotecha,
v'yached l'vaveinu l'ahava ul-yira et sh'mecha v'lo nevosh v'lo nikalem v'lo nikashel l'olam vaed.
וְהָאֵר עֵינֵינוּ בְּתורָתֶךָ וְדַבֵּק לִבֵּנוּ בְּמִצְותֶיךָ וְיַחֵד לְבָבֵנוּ לְאַהֲבָה וּלְיִרְאָה אֶת שְׁמֶךָ וְלֹא נֵבושׁ וְלֹא נִכָּלֵם וְלֹא נִכָּשֵל לְעולָם וָעֶד.

Translation:

Light up our eyes with your Torah, and let our hearts cling to your Mitzvot, and unite our hearts to love and revere your name, that we shall never depart from it.

Translation by Gabe Seed

Information:

From the Shacharit (morning) service, in the second B'racha before K'riat Sh'ma

The recording of the Carlebach tune below is an amateur recording and may not be an accurate representation of the tune as written by Rabbi Carlebach. The tune is used with permission from copyright owner Neshama Carlebach. Neshama Carlebach has granted permission to the Zemirot Database to offer interactive streams and downloads of cover versions of the tune.

The recording below from the Nativ College Leadership Program in Israel's Tisch CD was provided to the Zemirot Database by the creators of the CD, with permission to host the provided track on the Database. For more information check out www.nativ.org.
The recording by Camp Ramah Canada was also provided to the Zemirot Database with permission to host the provided track.

The tune composed by Yehuda! is used with permission. The tune is featured in the recordings by Ramah Canada, the Nativ Program, and Gabe Seed.

Vehu Keli

 
והוא קלי


Vehu Keli, V’Chai Go’ali V’tzur Chevli B’es Tzara
V’hu Nesi, U’Manos Li
Menas Cosi B’yom Ekrah

Oy) B’Yado, Adkin Ruchi)
, B’es Eeshan V’aeerah
V’im Ruchi Geviasi
Hashem Li, V’Lo Eeirah

Oy) B’Yado, Adkin Ruchi)
, B’es Eeshan V’aeerah
V’im Ruchi Geviasi
Hashem Li, V’Lo Eeirah.
הוּא קֵלִי, וְחַי גוֹאֲלִי
,וְצוּר חֶבְלִי בְּעֵת צָרָה
וְהוּא נִסִּי, וּמָנוֹס לִי
מְנָת כּוֹסִי בְּיוֹם אֶקְרָא

אוֹי) בְּיָדוֹ, אַפְקִיד רוּחִי)
,בְּעֵת אִישָׁן וְאָעִירָה
וְעִם רוּחִי גְּוִיָּתִי
.הַ’ לִי, וְלֹא אִירָא
אוֹי) בְּיָדוֹ, אַפְקִיד רוּחִי)
,בְּעֵת אִישָׁן וְאָעִירָה
וְעִם רוּחִי גְּוִיָּתִי
,הַ’ לִי, וְלֹא אִירָא
וְלֹא אִירָא

Translation:

And he is my God—my Redeemer liveth and—a rock in my travail in time of distress;​
And he is my banner and my refuge, the portion of my cup on the day when I call.
Into his hand I commend my spirit, when I sleep and when I wake;
And with my spirit, my body also: the Lord is with me, and I will not fear.
(Adon Olam)

Information:

Sang by Yaakov Shwekey

Y'did Nefesh

 
ידִיד נֶפֶש


Yedid nefesh, Av harachaman,
meshoch Avdecha el Retzonecha.
Yarutz avdecha kemo ayal,
yishtachave mul hadarach.
Ki ye’erav lo yedidutach, minofet tsuf vechol ta’am.

Hadur naeh ziv haolam, nafshi cholat ahavatach.
Anah El nah refah nah lah, b’harot lah noam zivach,
Az titchazek v’titrapeh, v’hay’tah lah shifchat olam.

Vatik yehemu rachamecha v’chus na al ben ohavach.
Ki zeh kamah nichsof nichsaf, lir’ot b'tiferet uzach.
Anah Eyli, machmad libi, chushah nah v’al titalam.

Higaleh nah uf’ros chaviv alai, et sukkat shelomach
Tair eretz mikevodach, nagilah v’nismechah bach.
Maher ahuv, ki va moed, v’choneni kimei olam.
יְדִיד נֶפֶשׁ, אָב הָרַחְמָן,
מְשֹךְ עַבְדְךָ אֶל רְצוֹנֶךָ,
יָרוּץ עַבְדְךָ כְּמוֹ אַיָל,
יִשְתַחֲוֶה מוּל הֲדָרָךְ
כִּי יֶעְרַב לוֹ יְדִידוּתָךְ
מִנּפֶת צוּף וְכָל טָעַם

הָדוּר, נָאֶה, זִיו הָעולָם
נַפְשִי חולַת אַהֲבָתָךְ
אָנָא אֵל נָא, רְפָא נָא לָהּ
בְּהַרְאות לָהּ נעַם זִיוָךְ
אָז תִתְחֵזֵּק וְתִתְרַפֵּא
וְהָיְתָה לָךְ שִפְחַת עולָם

וָתִיק, יֶהְמוּ רַחֲמֶיךָ
וְחוּס נָא עַל בֵּן אוֹהֲבָךְ
כִּי זֶה כַּמֶה נִכְסף נִכְסַף
לִרְאות בְּתִפְאֶרֶת עֻזָךְ
אָנָא אֵלִי, מַחְמָד לִבִי
חוּסה נָא, וְאַל תִּתְעַלָם

הִגָלֵה נָא וּפְרשׂ, חָבִיב
עָלַי אֶת סֻכַת שְלומֶךְ
תָּאִיר אֶרֶץ מִכְּבוֹדָךְ
נָגִילָה וְנִשְׂמְחָה בָךְ
מַהֵר אָהוּב, כִּי בָא מועֵד
וְחָנֵנִי כִּימֵי עולָם

Translation:

Lover of my soul, merciful God,
bring your servant close to Your will.
Your servant will run like a gazelle, to prostrate before Your glory.
For Your companionship is purer than any fine taste or flavor.

Perfect, pleasing, radiance of the world, my soul desires Your love.
Please, God, heal her now, as You show her the pleasantness of Your light.
Now, strengthen and heal her, and she will be for You an eternal servant.

Ancient one, many your mercies be made manifest,
And have compassion on the child of Your lover.
For it is so long that I have faithfully waited, to see the glory of Your strength.
Please, my God, the desire of my Heart, hurry and do not hide!

Please, my beloved, reveal yourself and spread over me the shelter of Your peace.
Fill the world with the light of your glory, so that we may rejoice and be happy in You.
Be quick, my lover, for the time has come, and have mercy on me for all time.

(Translation - Gabe Seed)

Information:

Written by Rabbi Elazar Azriki. While many different girsaot (versions) of this piyut (poem) exist, the one presented here is based on a manuscript in the author's own handwriting found among the geniza fragment collection of the Library of the Jewish Theological Seminary.
A digital copy can be viewed here (additional software may be required): http://jnul.huji.ac.il/dl/books/html/bk1157324.htm

Y'hi Shalom

 
יְהִי שָׁלוֹם


Y'hi shalom becheylech shalva b'armenotayich
יְהִי שָׁלוֹם בְּחֵילֵךְ שַׁלְוָה בּאַרְמְנוֹתָיךְ.

Translation:

Peace be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces.

Translation based on The Standard Prayer book by Simeon Singer (1915) (public domain)

Information:

The recording below is from the Nativ College Leadership Program in Israel's Tisch CD - for more information check out www.nativ.org.

The recording from the Tisch CD was provided to the Zemirot Database by the creators of the CD, with permission to host the provided tracks on the Database.

Ya'aleh v'yavo

 
יַעֲלֶה וְיָבֹא


Ya'aleh v'yavo v'yagi'a
v'yera'eh v'yeratzeh v'yishama v'yipaked
v'yizacher
zichroneinu ufikdoneinu
v'zichron avoteinu
v'zichron Mashiach ben David avdecha
v'zichron Yerushalayim ir kodshecha
v'zichron kol am'cha Beit Yisrael l'fanecha lifleita l'tova
יַעֲלֶה וְיָבֹא וְיַגִּיעַ
וְיֵרָאֶה וְיֵרָצֶה וְיִשָּׁמַע וְיִפָּקֵד
וְיִזָּכֵר
זִכְרוֹנֵנוּ וּפִקְדוֹנֵנוּ
וְזִכְרוֹן אֲבוֹתֵינוּ,
וְזִכְרוֹן מָשִׁיחַ בֶּן דָּוִד עַבְדֶּךָ
וְזִכְרוֹן יְרוּשָׁלַיִם עִיר קָדְשֶׁךָ
וְזִכְרוֹן כָּל עַמְּךָ בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל
לְפָנֶיךָ לִפְלֵטָה לְטוֹבָה

Translation:

May our remembrances and merits arise, arrive, come, appear, be heard and recalled, with the merit of our ancestors and messiah son of David, Jerusalem Your holy city, and all of Your people, the house of Israel, before You for good.

Translation by Gabe Seed

Information:

Taken from a special tefillah recited on Rosh Chodesh and festivals. Tune by Miami Boys Choir. Used with permission.

Yishtabach

 
יִשְׁתַּבַּח


Yishtabach shimchah la'ad malkeinu, ha'eil hamelech hagadol v'hakadosh bashamayim uva'arets, ki lecha na'eh Adonai elohainu ve'elohei avoteinu. Shir ushvacha, ha'leil v'zimrah, oz umemshalah netsach gedulah ugvurah t'hilah v'tiferet kdushah u'malchut. brachot v'hodaot meatah v'ad olam. Baruch ata adonai eil melech gadol batishbachot, eil hahodaot, adon haniflaot, habocher b'shirei zimrah, melech eil chei haolamim.
יִשְׁתַּבַּח שִׁמְךָ לָעַד מַלְכֵּנוּ, הָאֵל הַמֶּלֶךְ הַגָּדוֹל וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ, בַּשָּׁמַיִם וּבָאָרֶץ, כִּי לְךָ נָאֶה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ. שִׁיר וּשְׁבָחָה, הַלֵּל וְזִמְרָה, עֹז וּמֶמְשָׁלָה, נֶצַח, גְּדֻלָּה וּגְבוּרָה, תְּהִלָּה, וְתִפְאֶרֶת, קְדֻשָּׁה, וּמַלְכוּת. בְּרָכוֹת וְהוֹדָאוֹת, מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ , אֵל מֶלֶךְ גָּדוֹל בַּתִּשְׁבָּחוֹת, אֵל הַהוֹדָאוֹת, אֲדוֹן הַנִּפְלָאוֹת, הַבּוֹחֵר בְּשִׁירֵי זִמְרָה, מֶלֶךְ אֵל חֵי הָעוֹלָמִים:

Yism'chu v'malchut'cha

 
יִשמְחוּ בְמַלְכוּתְךָ


Yismechu vemalchutecha shomrei Shabbat vekorei oneg. Am mekadshei shvi'i kulam yisbe'u veyitan'gu mituvecha, uvashvi'i ratzita bo vekidashto, chemdat yamim oto karata, zecher lema'ase vreshit.
יִשְׂמְחוּ בְמַלְכוּתְךָ, שׁוֹמְרֵי שַׁבָּת וְקֽוֹרְאֵי עֹֽנֶג, עַם מְקַדְּשֵׁי שְׁבִיעִי, כֻּלָּם יִשְׂבְּעוּ וְיִתְעַנְּגוּ מִטּוּבֶֽךָ, וּבַשְּׁבִיעִי רָצִֽיתָ בּוֹ וְקִדַּשְׁתּוֹ, חֶמְדַּת יָמִים אוֹתוֹ קָרָֽאתָ, זֵֽכֶר לְמַעֲשֵׂה בְרֵאשִׁית:

Translation:

They that keep the Sabbath and call it a delight shall rejoice in thy kingdom; the people that hallow the seventh day, even all of them shall be satiated and delighted with thy goodness, seeing that thou didst find pleasure in the seventh day, and didst hallow it; thou didst call it the desirable of days, in remembrance of creation.
Translation from The Standard Prayer Book by Simeon Singer (1915); in the public domain.

Information:

Taken from the Shabbat musaf amidah. Some nusaḥim include it in all Shabbat amidot.
Available in B'kol Echad, page 100

Yismaħ Ħaŧ̪ɒni

 
ישמח חתני


Chorus (2x):
Yismaħ ħaŧ̪ɒni biqhal ɛmunai; yissɒ βǝrɒkhɒh me’eŧ̪ HASHEM.

Stanza I:
SHADDⱰI yǝmallë t̪a’aʋaŧ̪ libo̞, maɣen ʋǝṣinnɒh [ṣinnɒh ʋǝrinnɒh]* yihyɛh sǝβiβo̞; ʋayɒ’er o̞ŧ̪o̞ ʋiyasher nǝŧ̪iβo̞, liɣmo̞r ʋǝlishmo̞r darkhey HASHEM.

Chorus (2x):
Yismaħ ħaŧ̪ɒni biqhal ɛmunai; yissɒ βǝrɒkhɒh me’eŧ̪ HASHEM.

Stanza II:
Lǝro̞sho̞ yǝṣaʋʋeh βǝrɒkho̞ŧ̪ ʕaṣumo̞ŧ̪, ʋǝyissaʕ bǝkho̞l-ʕeŧ̪ kǝnɒhɒr shǝlo̞mo̞ŧ̪; bo̞ yɒβo̞ βǝrinnɒh no̞së alumo̞ŧ̪, yiz̄kɛh ʋǝyir’ɛh yǝshuʕaŧ̪ HASHEM.

Chorus (2x):
Yismaħ ħaŧ̪ɒni biqhal ɛmunai; yissɒ βǝrɒkhɒh me’eŧ̪ HASHEM.
יִשְׂמַח חֲתָנִי בִּקְהַל אֱמוּנַי
יִשָּׂא בְרָכָה מֵאֵת יְיָ: (ב׳)

שַׁדָּי יְמַלֵּא תַּאֲוַת לִבּוֹ
מָגֵן וְצִנָּה [צִנָּה וְרִנָּה] יִהְיֶה סְבִיבוֹ
וְיָאֵר אוֹתוֹ וִייַשֵּׁר נְתִיבוֹ
לִגְמוֹר וְלִשְׁמוֹר דַּרְכֵי יְיָ:

יִשְׂמַח חֲתָנִי בִּקְהַל אֱמוּנַי
יִשָּׂא בְרָכָה מֵאֵת יְיָ: (ב׳)

לְרֹאשׁוֹ יְצַוֶּה בְּרָכוֹת עֲצוּמוֹת
וְיִסַּע בְּכָל-עֵת כְּנָהָר שְׁלוֹמוֹת
בֹּא יָבֹא בְרִנָּה נוֹשֵׂא אֲלוּמוֹת
יִזְכֶּה וְיִרְאֶה יְשׁוּעַת יְיָ:

יִשְׂמַח חֲתָנִי בִּקְהַל אֱמוּנַי
יִשָּׂא בְרָכָה מֵאֵת יְיָ: (ב׳)

Translation:

[May] my groom rejoice in the congregation of my conviction; [may he] carry blessing from HASHEM.

[May] SHAQQAI* fill the yearning of his heart; defense and shield [shield and celebration]** shall be his surroundings, and enlighten him and straighten his path, to finish and guard the paths of HASHEM.

[May] my groom rejoice in the congregation of my conviction; [may he] carry blessing from HASHEM.

Toward his head will He command mighty blessings, and he will travel at all times like a river of peacefulnesses; he will absolutely come in celebration, carrying sheaves; he will merit and he will see [the] Salvation of G-D.

[May] my groom rejoice in the congregation of my conviction; [may he] carry blessing from HASHEM.

Information:

A joyous poem sung during appropriately joyous times, such as Shabbat, Festivals, Mitzvah celebrations, etc.

Translation from Sefaria, with edits by anonymous user.

*One of the Names of G-D.
**Some say instead of the preceding phrase.

Yom Zeh L'Yisrael

 
יום זה לישראל


Yom zeh le'yisrael orah vesimchah, Shabbat menuchah. (Chorus in many versions).

Tzivita pekudim, bema'amad har sinai. Shabbat umo'adim, lishmor bechol shanai. La'aroch lefanai, maseit ve'arucha. Shabbat menuchah.

Hemdat haLevavot l'umah sh'vurah, Linfashot n'chavot neshamah yeteirah, L'nefesh m'tzeirah yasir anachah, Shabbat menucha.

Kidashta beirachta, oto mikol yamim. B'sheishet kilita m'lechet olamim. Bo matzu agumim, hashkeit uvitcha. Shabbat menucha.

L'isur melacha, tzvitanu nora. Ezkey hod melucha, im shabbat eshmorah. Akriv shai lamora, mincha merkacha. Shabbat meucha.

Ve'ashir arach lach, benigun vene'eema, mul tiferet gadlach, nafshi lach kamah, lisgulah temima, kayem havtacha.
Shabbat menucha.

Ratza tefilati, kemo korban nachshon, veyom menuchati, berina uvsason, chaviv kivat ishon, berov hatzlacha.
Shabbat menucha.

Yishecha kivinu, yah adir adirim, ben david malkenu, shlach na leivrim, veyikra ledrorim, ruach vehanacha.
Shabbat menucha.

Ana elyon norah, hebitah aneinu, padenu bemehera, chanenu chanenu, samach nafsheinu, beor vesimcha.
Shabbat menucha.

Chadeish mikdasheinu zachra naherevet. Tuvcha moshieinu tena lanehtzevet. B'shabbat yoshevet, b'zemer u'shvacha. Shabbat menucha.

Zachor kadosh lanu, bizchut yekarat hayom, shmor na otanu, bayom zeh uvchol yom, dodi tzach veayom, tavi rucha.
Shabbat menucha.

Kol rina vishua, leyisrael hishmiah, bevo chezyon teshua, tzur matzmiach yeshua, or shimshi hofia, tamid hazricha.
Shabbat menucha.
יוֹם זֶה לְיִשְׂרַאֵל אוֹרָה וְשִׂמְחָה שַׁבָּת מְנוּחָה.

צִוִּיתָ פִּקּוּדִים בְּמַעְַמַד הַר סִינַי,
שַׁבָּת וּמוֹעֲדִים לִשְׁמוֹר בְּכָל שָנַי,
לַעֲרוֹך לְפָנַי מַשְׂאֵת וַאֲרוּחָה,
שַׁבָּת מְנוּחָה.

חֶמְדַּת הַלְבָבוֹת לְאֻמָּה שׁבוּרָה,
לִנְפָשׁוֹת נִכְאָבוֹת נְשָׁמָה יְתֵרָה,
לְנֶפֶשׁ מְצֵרָה יָסִיר אֲנָחָה,
שַׁבַּת מְנוּחָה.

קִדַּשְׁתָּ בֵּרַכְתָּ אוֹתוֹ מִכָּל יָמִים,
בְּשֵׁשֶׁת כִּלִּיתָ מְלֶאכֶת עוֹלָמִים,
בּוֹ מָצְאוּ עֲגוּמִים הַשְקֵט וּבִטְחָה,
שׁבָּת מְנוּחָה.

לְאִסּוּר מְלָאכָה צִוִּיתָנוּ נוֹרָא,
אֶזְכֶּה הוֹד מְלוּכָה אִם שָׁבָּת אֶשְׁמֹרָה,
אַקְרִיב שַׁי לַמּוֹרָא מִנְחָה מֶרְקָחָה,
שַׁבַּת מְנוּחָה.

ואשיר אערך לך, בנגון ונעימה,
מול תפארת גדלך, נפשי לך כמה,
לסגלה תמימה, קים הבטחה,
שבת מנוחה.

רצה תפלתי, כמו קרבן נחשון,
ויום מנוחתי, ברנה ובששון,
חביב כבת אישון, ברוב הצלחה,
שבת מנוחה.

ישעך קוינו, יה אדיר אדירים,
בן דוד מלכנו, שלח נא לעברים,
ויקרא לדרורים, רוח והנחה,
שבת מנוחה.

אנא עליון נורא, הביטה עננו,
פדנו במהרה, חננו חננו,
שמח נפשנו, באור ושמחה,
שבת מנוחה.

חַדֵּשׁ מִקְדָּשֵׁנוּ זָכְרָה נֶחֶרֶבֶת,
טוּבְךָ מוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ תְּנָה לַנֶּעֱצֶבֶת,
בְּשַׁבָּת יוֹשֶׁבֶת בִּזְמִיר וּשְׁבָחָה,
שַׁבַּת מְנוּחָה.

זכור קדוש לנו, בזכות יקרת היום,
שמור נא אותנו, ביום זה ובכל יום,
דודי צח ואיום, תביא רוחה,
שבת מנוחה.

קול רנה וישועה, לישראל השמיעה,
בבא חזיון תשועה, צור מצמיח ישועה,
אור שמשי הופיעה, תמיד הזריחה,
שבת מנוחה.

Translation:

Your gift to those who strive with You
is joy and light: Shabbat Menucha.

Certain of Your holy ways You revealed to us at Sinai
Shabbat and other holy days
we are to keep as You commanded You send your healing rays
accept our human ways:
Shabbat Menuchah

Charm is Shabbat for the heart
for the poor and broken people
if all week we were depressed additional souls are ours on Shabbat to help our anxious moods
breathe a relaxing sigh:
Shabbat Menuchah

Consecrated bride You blessed
all other days gave her their blessing
in the sixth and final phase You finished global creation There found the sorrowing calm and security:
Shabbat Menuchah

Let go of every form of toil
You in Your kindness have commanded
regal auras shine from us
when we keep Shabbat as is wanted I offer holy gifts
a fragrant sacrifice:
Shabbat Menuchah

What songs of love could I perform with rhythm and harmony and music
to please your presence holy God? My soul delights in her surrender Do keep that promise God
to your beloved folk:
Shabbat Menuchah

Receive my worship blessed God as if it was my life I offered
This restful, blissful Shabbat day with ample joy and sweet elation we feel secure and loved
in Your protection God:
Shabbat Menuchah

Your salvation do we trust
Yah God most powerful and mighty
David’s heirs - do send them soon
to those who do transcend convention Let Freedom be proclaimed
and with it space that’s safe:
Shabbat Menuchah

Awesome God who is most High do look for us and give an answer redeem this troubled planet soon be kind and manifest Your caring revive our trust in You
with light and blissfulness:
Shabbat Menuchah

Cherish and Renew Your house enough the years it was in shambles With Your compassion Gentle God console the grieving ones in sorrow who puts her grief aside
to sing You Shabbat songs:
Shabbat Menuchah

Zealous to treasure this holy day keep us well in your remembrance
protect and guard us wondrous God
This day and every other day Beloved do respond
and grant deliverance:
Shabbat Menuchah

Could celebration’s welcome song be heard by Israel and her neighbors
When that vast vision is fulfilled and all the world is safe from terror Our light has dawned this day
and shines in every way:
Shabbat Menuchah

Translation by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi

Information:

Zemer for shabbat morning
Attributed to Isaac Luria (HaAri), some say portions of it are older. The original verses by HaAri had the acrostic of יצחק לח which stood for יצחק לוריא חזק. Later authors decided to fill in the abbreviated לח and added the stanzas that start with וריא זק.

Translation by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi. The translation is part of the work Siddur Tehilat Hashem Y'daber Pi hosted on the Open Siddur Project. The translation has not been modified by the Zemirot Database except for formatting and punctuation changes necessary to present it on this website.
The translation is protected by the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License. Please read the terms of the license before sharing.

Capo on 2
Dm A C Dm | Bb C F A7
Dm Gm C Dm | F C Dm F | A A7 Dm (A)

Yom Zeh M'chubad

 
יוֹם זֶה מִכֻבָּד


Yom zeh m'chubad mikol yamim, ki vo shavat tsur olamim.

Sheshet yamim ta'ase m'lachtecha, v'yom ha'shvi'i l'elokecha, Shabbat lo ta'ase vo m'lacha ki chol asah sheshet yamim.
Yom zeh...

Rishon hu l'mikraei kodesh, yom shabbaton yom shabbat kodesh, al kein kol ish b'yeino y'kadesh al shtei lechem yivtz'u t'mimim.
Yom zeh...

Echol mashmanim shteh mamtakim ki El yiten l'chol bo d'vekim, beged lilbosh, lechem chukim basar v'dagim v'chol mat'amim.
Yom zeh...

Lo techsar kol bo v'achalta v'savata uberachta, et Hashem elokecha asher ahavta ki verach'cha mikol ha'amim.
Yom zeh...

Hashamayim m'sap'rim k'vodo, v'gam ha'aretz mal'ah chasdo, r'u ki kol eleh as'tah yado ki hu hatsur pa'olo tamim.
Yom zeh...
יוֹם זֶה מְכֻבָּד מִכָּל יָמִים, כִּי בוֹ שָׁבַת צוּר עוֹלָמִים.

שֵֽׁשֶׁת יָמִים תַּעֲשֶׂה מְלַאכְתֶּֽךָ, וְיוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי לֵאלֹהֶֽיךָ, שַׁבָּת לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה בוֹ מְלָאכָה,
כִּי כֹל עָשָׂה שֵֽׁשֶׁת יָמִים.
יוֹם זֶה...

רִאשׁוֹן הוּא לְמִקְרָֽאֵי קֹֽדֶשׁ, יוֹם שַׁבָּתוֹן יוֹם שַׁבָּת קֹֽדֶשׁ, עַל כֵּן כָּל אִישׁ בְּיֵינוֹ יְקַדֵּשׁ,
עַל שְׁתֵּי לֶֽחֶם יִבְצְעוּ תְמִימִים.
יוֹם זֶה...

אֱכוֹל מַשְׁמַנִּים שְׁתֵה מַמְתַּקִּים, כִּי אֵל יִתֵּן לְכָל בּוֹ דְבֵקִים, בֶֶּֽגֶד לִלְבּוֹשׁ לֶֽחֶם חֻקִּים, בָּשָׂר וְדָגִים וְכָל מַטְעַמִּים.
יוֹם זֶה...

לֹא תֶחְסַר כֹּל בּוֹ וְאָכַלְתָּ וְשָׂבָֽעְתָּ וּבֵרַכְתָּ
אֶת יְיָ אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ אֲשֶׁר אָהַֽבְתָּ, כִּי בֵרַכְךָ מִכָּל הָעַמִּים.
יוֹם זֶה...

הַשָּׁמַֽיִם מְסַפְּרִים כְּבוֹדוֹ, וְגַם הָאָֽרֶץ מָלְאָה חַסְדּוֹ, רְאוּ כִּי כָל אֵֽלֶּה עָשְׂתָה יָדוֹ, כִּי הוּא הַצּוּר פָּעֳלוֹ תָמִים.
יוֹם זֶה...

Translation:

Crown of days, above all blest,
The Rock of Ages chose thee for His rest.

Six days are for toil created
But the seventh God has consecrated.
Do no labour! Thus He bade us;
In six days a world He made us.

Crown of days, above all blest,
The Rock of Ages chose thee for His rest.

First of all His feasts renowned,
Holy Sabbath day, with glory crowned.
With our cup we speak thy blessing,
With twin loaves His grace confessing.

Crown of days, above all blest,
The Rock of Ages chose thee for His rest.

Eat thy fill, then drink thy pleasure,
For He granteth of His richest treasure:
Gifts to all His word believing,
To His faithful promise cleaving.

Crown of days, above all blest,
The Rock of Ages chose thee for His rest.

Lacking naught, give thanks abounding,
Satisfied, then let thy praise be sounding.
Love the Lord thy God Who loved thee.
From all nations He approved thee.

Crown of days, above all blest,
The Rock of Ages chose thee for His rest.

Hark, the heavens His praise are singing;
With His mercy, hark, the spheres are ringing!
Look, He wrought these works enduring,
True His word our weal assuring.

Crown of days, above all blest,
The Rock of Ages chose thee for His rest.

Translation by Herbert Loewe, Mediaeval Hebrew Minstrelsy, Songs for the Bride Queen's Feast, published 1926.

Information:

A traditional shabbat afternoon Zemer.

The surviving son and the two granddaughters of Herbert Loewe have been glad to give their permission to reproduce his English version of this song. See this page for more information on the copyright status of Mediaeval Hebrew Minstrelsy.

Click here to read about Herbert Loewe. The linked page is written by Herbert Loewe's son Michael Loewe.

The tune labeled "another tune" is based on the Bumble Bee Tuna jingle. Listen to it here. Permission is given by Bumble Bee Foods.

Printed from the Zemirot Database