Created by J. Yalovitser
  • Home
  • We Sing When We're Joyful
  • We Sing When We Mourn

                                                                                                  Fiddler on the roof Sabbath Prayer
                                                                        
Music - Jerrold Lewis "Jerry" Bock(1928-201o), Lyrics - Sheldon Harnick(1924)

Picture
     The Sabbath was a cornerstone of Temple service and of popular observance in ancient Israel. Shabbat is  supposed to be the weekly day of rest and abstention from work .This was required of the Israelites. The sabbath table is adorned with at least two candles (representing the dual commandments to remember and observe the sabbath), a glass of wine, and  two loaves of challah should be available(representing the dual portion of manna that God provided for the Israelites in preparation for habbat in the desert). The challah loaves are usually whole, and it is customary that it is covered with a bread cover, towel or napkin. Candles should be lit no later than 18 minutes before the sun goes down. At least two candles should be  lit, which represents the dual commandments to remember and to keep the sabbath. The candles are usually lit by the woman of the house. After lighting them , she waves her hands over the candles, welcoming in the sabbath. Then she proceeds to  cover her eyes, so as not to see the candles before reciting the blessing. She then recites the blessing ). Her hands are then removed from her eyes, and she looks at the candles, completing the mitzvah of lighting  the candles.Blessing over Candles (see lyrics ) Fiddler on the Roof is a musical based on Tevye and his Daughters (or Tevyethe Milkman and Other tales  by  Sholem Aleichem.)

Hebrew
Vay'hi erev vay'hi voker yom  hashishi
vay'khulu hashamayim v'ha'aretz v'khol tz'va'am
vay'khal elohim  bayom hash'vi'i m'la'kh'to asher asah
vayish'bot bayom hash'vi'i mikol m'la'kh'to asher asah
Vay'varekh Elohim et yom hash'vi'i vay'kadeish oto
Vay'varekh Elohim et yom hash'vi'i vay'kadeish oto
Barukh atah Adonai,  Eloheinu, melekh ha-olam
borei p'ri hagafen (Amein)
shehakol nih'yeh bid'varo (Amein)
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha-olam asher
kid'shanu b'mitz'votav v'ratzah vanu
v'shabat kad'sho b'ahavah uv'ratzon

hin'chilanu zikaron l'ma'aseih v'rei'shit
ki hu yom t'chilah l'mik'ra'ei
kodesh zeikher litzi'at Mitz'rayim
ki vanu vachar'ta v'otanu kidash'ta mikol  ha'amim
v'shabat kad'sh'kha b'ahavah uv'ratzon hin'chal'tanu
Barukh atah  Adonai m'kadeish hashabat (Amein)

English
May the Lord protect and defend you.
May He always shield you from shame.
May you come to be In Israel a shining name.
May you be like Ruth and like Esther.
May you be deserving of praise.
Strengthen them, Oh Lord,And keep them from the strangers' ways.

May God bless you and grant you long lives.
May the Lord fulfill our Sabbath prayer for you.
May  God make you good mothers and wives.
May He send you husbands who will care for you.
May the Lord protect and defend you.
May the Lord preserve you  from pain.
Favor them, Oh Lord, with happiness and peace.
Oh, hear our Sabbath prayer. Amen