Music and Prayers
MUSIC AT RODEF SHOLOM
Music infuses all of our services and much of our programming here. You can participate in our High Holy Day Choir, conducted by our cantor, David Margules, join one of our many congregant musicians who pray with their instruments on Shabbat and Simchat Torah, or sing and jam in our informal Shabbat song session, Shabbat Unplugged, when our artist-in-residence, Dan Nichols, is in town. Cantor David can connect you with the opportunity that fits best for you - david@rodefsholom.org.
Dan Nichols, our artist-in-residence
Dan Nichols is one of the most popular and influential Jewish musicians in North America and his music has become an important part of the Reform Jewish movement. His last two albums have garnered critical acclaim and a legion of growing fans. Songs like "L'takein (The Na Na Song)," "B'tzelem Elohim," "Kehilah Kedoshah," and "My Heart is in the East" are some of the most popular songs in Reform Judaism today. Dan is a classically trained musician and his versatility and experience as a teacher and songleader will appeal to young and old, in large groups and small gatherings, at Shabbat services and in private homes throughout this next year. You can hear more here.
BLESSINGS AND PRAYERS
Please use these blessings and prayers as a resource to learn more of our Shabbat service so that you feel comfortable participating in singing and praying. You can also:
- Send a link to this page to your relatives if they need to learn how to chant the blessings for before and after the Torah at a bat or bar mitzvah;
- Listen to them at home or on the road and feel close to your Rodef Sholom community; and or
- Learn the blessings and prayers for Shabbat at home and for healing rituals.
LISTEN TO MUSIC AND PRAYERS
Click on any of the sound files to listen to our prayers and music.
BLESSINGS FOR THE SHABBAT TABLE
Candle lighting
Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav,
v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Shabbat.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, who hallows us with mitzvot,
commanding us to kindle the light of Shabbat.
Kiddush (blessing over wine - Friday night version)
Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, borei p’ri hagafen.
Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’ratzah vanu, v’Shabbat kodsho b’ahavah uv’ratzon hinchilanu, zikaron l’maaseih v’reishit. Ki hu yom t’chilah l’mikra-ei kodesh, zecher litziat Mitzrayim. Ki vanu vacharta, v’otanu kidashta, mikol haamim. V’Shabbat kodsh’cha b’ahavah uv’ratzon hinchaltanu. Baruch atah, Adonai, m’kadeish HaShabbat.
Praise to You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.
Praise to You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, who finding favor with us, sanctified us with mitzvot. In love and favor, You made the holy Shabbat our heritage as a reminder of the work of Creation. As first among our sacred days, it recalls the Exodus from Egypt. You chose us and set us apart from the peoples. In love and favor You have given us Your holy Shabbat as an inheritance. Praise to You, Adonai, who sanctifies Shabbat.
Blessings over the children
For a son: Y’simcha Elohim k’Efrayim v’chi M’nasheh.
May God inspire you to live like Ephraim and Menasseh.
For a daughter: Y'simeich Elohim k'Sarah, k'Rivkah, k'Rachel uch'Leah.
May God inspire you to live like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah.
Then for both: Y'varech'cha Adonai v'yishm'recha. Ya-eir Adonai panav eilecha vichuneka. Yisa Adonai panav eilecha v'yaseim l'cha shalom.
May God bless you and keep you.
May God's light shine upon you, and may God be gracious to you.
May you feel God's Presence within you always, and may you find peace.
Handwashing
Blessing for handwashing
Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav,
v'tzivanu al netilat yadaim.
Our praise to You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, who hallows us with mitzvot, commanding us to wash our hands.
HaMotzi (blessing over challah/food)
Baruch atah, Adonai, Eloheinu, Melech haolam, hamotzi lechem min haaretz.
Our praise to You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.
Mi Shebeirach (prayer for healing)
Mi shebeirach avoteinu
M'kor hab'rachah l'imoteinu
May the Source of strength who blessed the ones before us,
help us find the courage to make our lives a blessing and let us say, Amen.
Mi shebeirach imoteinu
M'kor hab'rachah laavoteinu.
Bless those in need of healing, with r'fuah sh'leimah,
the renewal of body, the renewal of spirit, and let us say, Amen.
SELECTED PRAYERS/BLESSINGS FROM SHABBAT MORNING SERVICES
Torah Blessings (Aliyah)
Before reading the Torah (this has a call and response part at the beginning):
Reader (you): Bar'chu et Adonai ham'vorach.
Congregation answers: Baruch Adonai ham'vorach l'olam va-ed.
Reader repeats: Baruch Adonai ham'vorach l'olam va-ed.
Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher bachar banu mikol haamim,
v'natan lanu et Torato. Baruch atah, Adonai, notein haTorah.
Bless Adonai who is blessed.
Blessed is Adonai who is blessed now and forever.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, who has chosen us from
among the peoples, and given us the Torah. Blessed are You, Adonai, who gives the Torah.
After reading the Torah:
Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher natan lanu Torat emet, v’chayei olam nata b’tocheinu. Baruch atah, Adonai, notein haTorah.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, who has given us a Torah of truth, implanting within us eternal life. Blessed are You, Adonai, who gives the Torah.
Kiddush for Shabbat morning
Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, borei p’ri hagafen.
Praise to You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.
The Mourner's Kaddish
Yitgadal v'yitkadash sh'mei raba.
B'alma di v'ra chirutei, v'yamlich malchutei, b'chayeichon uv'yomeichon
uv'chayei d'chol beit Yisrael, baagala uviz'man kariv. V'im'ru: Amen.
Y'hei sh'mei raba m'varach
l'alam ul'almei almaya.
Yitbarach v'yishtabach v'yitpaar
v'yitromam v'yitnasei,
v'yit'hadar v'yitaleh v'yit'halal
sh'mei d'Kud'sha B'rich Hu,
l'eila min kol birchata v'shirata,
tushb'chata v'nechemata,
daamiran b'alma. V'imru: Amen.
Y'hei sh'lama raba min sh'maya,
v'chayim aleinu v'al kol Yisrael.
V'imru: Amen.
Oseh shalom bimromav,
Hu yaaseh shalom aleinu,
v'al kol Yisrael. V'imru: Amen
Exalted and hallowed be God's great name in the world which God created, according to plan. May God's majesty be revealed in the days of our lifetime and the life of all Israel - speedily, imminently, to which we say Amen.
Blessed be God's great name to all eternity.
Blessed, praised, honored, exalted, extolled, glorified, adored, and lauded be the name of the Holy Blessed One, beyond all earthly words and songs of blessing, praise, and comfort. To which we say Amen.
May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us and all Israel.
to which we say Amen.
May the One who creates harmony on high, bring peace to us and to all Israel.
To which we say Amen.