Kabbalat Shabbat: Welcoming Shabbat
Learn How
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Learn How to Sing the Ashkenazi Kabbalat Shabbat Service
This 16 minute long video by Rabbi Eli Garfinkel demonstrates how to sing the traditional Ashkenazi Kabbalat Shabbat service, with Hebrew, English and transliterated texts to follow along. He uses many melodies that are popular in North American Conservative synagogues. Whereas some hymns are sung in their
The Kabbalat Shabbat Experience Siddur: Guide, Text & Articles
This post presents a well-formatted, printable PDF booklet of the traditional Ashkenazi Kabbalat Shabbat service with the Hebrew, English and transliterated texts of each prayer. With introductory articles explaining the origins, structure and meaning behind the service, as well as short teachings scattered throughout, this
Guide to the Friday Night Synagogue Services
Great for beginners, this brief excerpt from “Friday Night and Beyond” by Lori Palatnik offers an explanation of the structure and meaning behind the Friday night synagogue services, including Mincha (the afternoon prayer), Kabbalat Shabbat, and Ma’ariv (the evening prayer). The article ends with a collection of
Let’s Learn T’fillah: L’cha Dodi
This short animated video from Rabbi David Paskin slowly demonstrates how to sing the chorus and the first two and last two verses of L’cha Dodi, the central prayer of the Kabbalat Shabbat service. He uses a catchy, upbeat tune. With on-screen Hebrew text and clear
Reform Kabbalat Shabbat Service Guide
This short Kabbalat Shabbat Guide from Temple Chai provides a list of all of the prayers and songs that make up the Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv evening service, along with a brief description of each prayer. Although it does not include the actual texts of
Conservative Kabbalat Shabbat Service Guide
This post presents the Guide and Transliteration for Friday Evening Services from the Fair Lawn Jewish Center/ Congregation Bnai Israel, a Conservative Egalitarian Synagogue in Fair Lawn, NJ. Particularly useful for those using the Conservative Siddur Sim Shalom prayer book, this pamphlet contains a guide to the
What to Expect at a Reform Shabbat Service
This article by Rabbi Wendi Geffen answers basic questions about the evening and morning Shabbat services in Reform Congregations, such as whether or not there will be music and what people may be wearing. This is a helpful resource for someone who is planning on
Customs
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Orthodox Ashkenazi Kabbalat Shabbat & Ma’ariv (Hebrew, English, Transliteration)
This post presents a well-formatted, printable PDF booklet of the traditional Ashkenazi Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv evening prayer service with the Hebrew, English and transliterated texts of each prayer. Originally created for a minyan held annually at the Arisia science fiction convention in Boston, MA, which takes place
Moroccan Kabbalat Shabbat Service (Hebrew Text & Audio)
This link will direct you to the full Hebrew text of the Moroccan Kabbalat Shabbat service along with a 27 minute long audio recording of the entire service in the chanting style characteristic of this tradition. The service includes the Psalms, hymns and Talmudic passages
Humanistic Kabbalat Shabbat Service
This link opens up a Humanistic Kabbalat Shabbat Service (pages 4-17), which includes a selection of poems, prayers and songs in Hebrew and English. Yedid Nefesh, a Kabbalistic hymn that often precedes Kabbalat Shabbat, is included in the candle lighting ceremony. The service begins with selected verses
A Reform Prayer for Kislev & Hannukah
This link opens up the Hebrew, English and transliterated text of a prayer that can be read from the beginning of the Hebrew month of Kislev through the end of Hannukah. Comprised of selected verses from Isaiah 60 about the power of divine light in dark times,
Audio Recordings of Ashkenazi High Holiday Liturgy
This link will take you to the musical prayer navigator of Mechon Hadar, where you can find audio recordings for each part of the synagogue service for Shabbat, weekday, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Festivals and Rosh Chodesh. A useful resource for those who want to learn
Reconstructionist Kabbalat Shabbat Melodies
Click this link to hear different versions of songs from Kabbalat Shabbat, recorded by Bnai Keshet, a vibrant Reconstructionist congregation in Montclair, NJ known for its lively, musical Kabbalat Shabbat services.
Spanish & Portuguese Kabbalat Shabbat Melodies
Click this link to hear songs from the Kabbalat Shabbat services of the Spanish & Portuguese Jews’ Congregation of London. This website explains the prayer customs of this community, featuring both traditional and contemporary melodies. The purpose of this website is to provide an online resource of
Syrian Song of Songs and Kabbalat Shabbat (Audio)
This post includes two audio recordings representing the Syrian custom and musical style, sung by Hazzan Faraj Samra. The first clip is a 20 minute long audio recording of the Song of Songs, traditionally recited in its entirety prior to Kabbalat Shabbat in many Sephardic
Cantor Shira Lissek’s Conservative Musical Kabbalat Shabbat
This hour long video features Cantor Shira Lissek leading the entire Kabbalat Shabbat service with musical accompaniment. Shira Lissek is the Associate Cantor of Park Avenue Synagogue, the largest Conservative community in NYC and the flagship of Jewish liturgical music in North America.
Kippalive: A Capella Carlebach Kabbalat Shabbat
This 9 and a half minute long video features the Israeli male a Capella group, Kippalive, singing harmonic versions of many of Rabbi Shlomo Calebach‘s most famous melodies for Kabbalat Shabbat. The group sings selected verses of each of the songs from the Shabbat Shabbat service, except
Conservative Kabbalat Shabbat Service Guide
This post presents the Guide and Transliteration for Friday Evening Services from the Fair Lawn Jewish Center/ Congregation Bnai Israel, a Conservative Egalitarian Synagogue in Fair Lawn, NJ. Particularly useful for those using the Conservative Siddur Sim Shalom prayer book, this pamphlet contains a guide to the
The Kabbalat Shabbat Experience Siddur: Guide, Text & Articles
This post presents a well-formatted, printable PDF booklet of the traditional Ashkenazi Kabbalat Shabbat service with the Hebrew, English and transliterated texts of each prayer. With introductory articles explaining the origins, structure and meaning behind the service, as well as short teachings scattered throughout, this
Nusach Edot Hamizrach Kabbalat Shabbat Service (Hebrew Text)
This post presents the entire Edot Hamizrach Kabbalat Shabbat service in Hebrew, including the Song of Songs, which is traditionally recited prior to Kabbalat Shabbat in Sephardic congregations, and Bameh Madlikin, a passage from the Mishnah which is often recited between Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv.
Siddur Livnat HaSapir for Welcoming Shabbat: A Personal Prayerbook by Aharon Varady
This link opens up a digitized version of Siddur Livnat HaSapir for Welcoming Shabbat, a complete Friday night prayerbook compiled by Aharon Varady, with Kabbalat Shabbat on page 38-94. Varady defines his personal siddur as “Nusach Ashkenaz with other choice customs,” explaining that it reflects his own
K’Gavna: A Kabbalistic Reading Following Kabbalat Shabbat
This post presents the Nusach Ha’Ari and Nusach Sefard tradition of reciting a passage from the Zohar called K’Gavna between Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv. This Kabbalistic commentary on Parshat Terumah explains the profound spiritual significance of the evening service on Shabbat. The English translation below
Yemenite Recitation of the Song of Songs
This 27 minute long audio recording presents the entire Song of Songs chanted according to Yemenite custom and pronunciation. One of the five megillot (scrolls) of the Bible, the Song of Songs is traditionally recited prior to Kabbalat Shabbat in Sephardic synagogues. With themes of
Bameh Madlikin: Hebrew Text of Mishnah Recited on Friday Nights
In many Orthodox congregations (both Ashkenazi and Sephardic,) the second chapter of the Mishnah Tractate Shabbat is recited on Friday nights, either between Kabbalat Shabbat and the Maariv evening prayer or after Kiddush (part of Ma’ariv on Shabbat) in synagogue. It discusses the lighting of Shabbat
Nusach Sefard-Jerusalem Kabbalat Shabbat Service (Hebrew Text & Audio)
This link will direct you to the full Hebrew text of the Kabbalat Service according to the Sefard, Jerusalem tradition, along with a 20 minute long audio recording of the entire service in the chanting style characteristic of this tradition. This resource is from the
Reform Kabbalat Shabbat Service
This link opens up the 2003 version of the UC-Berkeley Siddur for Shabbat. The Kabbalat Shabbat service (pages 1-19) includes some of the hymns and Psalms of the traditional service, together with contemporary writings, prayers, and poems, quotations from Jewish thinkers throughout history, and Talmudic and biblical
Secular/ Humanist Kabbalat Shabbat Service
This Secular/Humanist Shabbat Service presents poems and prayers for Kabbalat Shabbat on pages 6-10. This section includes translations and transliterations of Hebrew/Yiddish poems about welcoming the Sabbath Queen, by Hayim Nahman Bialik, Zalman Shenour and Kadia Molodowsky, secular/humanist adaptations of Shalom Aleichem and the Shema by Morris Sukenik, and Marcia Falk‘s
Renewal Kabbalat Shabbat Service
This excerpt from “Shabbat: A personal guide to the spiritual observance of Shabbat” presents the Kabbalat Shabbat service of the Beyt Tikkun Jewish Renewal neo-Hasidic synagogue in Berkeley, California. This Kabbalat Shabbat service begins with an outdoor meditation celebrating creation, followed by selections from Shema, a central
Reconstructionist Kabbalat Shabbat (Hebrew & English)
This link will open up a digitized version of “The Sabbath Prayer Book,” the first Reconstructionist siddur to have entered the public domain, arranged and translated by Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, the founder of the Reconstructionist movement. The complete Kabbalat Shabbat service can be seen from page 34-59,
Conservative Kabbalat Shabbat & Ma’ariv (Transliteration)
This 20 page PDF document contains an English transliteration of the entire evening service on Shabbat, including Kabbalat Shabbat, Ma’ariv, and some additional prayers.Specifically designed for the Conservative Beth El Congregation of Durham, NC, this resource is based on the Siddur Sim Shalom used in
Orthodox Kabbalistic Kabbalat Shabbat (Hebrew, English, Transliteration)
This 63 page PDF document contains the entire evening service on Shabbat, including Kabbalat Shabbat, Ma’ariv, and some additional prayers. With Hebrew, English and transliterated texts, as well as short introductions and explanations, this is an excellent resource for beginners. Created by Kabbalah4All, it focuses
Music
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The Nava Tehila Ensemble: Dancing in the Glory – A Journey into Kabbalat Shabbat
This post features the first song from Nava Tehila Ensemble’s album, “Dancing in the Glory: A Journey into Kabbalat Shabbat,” made up of original Kabbalat Shabbat melodies. The Nava Tehila Ensemble is a Jerusalem-based group who perform both original and traditional music that draws on Jewish,
Kippalive: A Capella Carlebach Kabbalat Shabbat
This 9 and a half minute long video features the Israeli male a Capella group, Kippalive, singing harmonic versions of many of Rabbi Shlomo Calebach‘s most famous melodies for Kabbalat Shabbat. The group sings selected verses of each of the songs from the Shabbat Shabbat service, except
Syrian Song of Songs and Kabbalat Shabbat (Audio)
This post includes two audio recordings representing the Syrian custom and musical style, sung by Hazzan Faraj Samra. The first clip is a 20 minute long audio recording of the Song of Songs, traditionally recited in its entirety prior to Kabbalat Shabbat in many Sephardic
Audio Recordings of Ashkenazi High Holiday Liturgy
This link will take you to the musical prayer navigator of Mechon Hadar, where you can find audio recordings for each part of the synagogue service for Shabbat, weekday, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Festivals and Rosh Chodesh. A useful resource for those who want to learn
The Hadar Institute: The Content, Meaning and Music of Lecha Dodi
This link will take you to a three-part online audio course exploring the content, meaning, and music of Lecha Dodi, as part of Mechon Hadar’s Tefillah Toolkit series. Three scholars explore what the prayer is about, what it means to pray it, and how to get
Reconstructionist Kabbalat Shabbat Melodies
Click this link to hear different versions of songs from Kabbalat Shabbat, recorded by Bnai Keshet, a vibrant Reconstructionist congregation in Montclair, NJ known for its lively, musical Kabbalat Shabbat services.
Spanish & Portuguese Kabbalat Shabbat Melodies
Click this link to hear songs from the Kabbalat Shabbat services of the Spanish & Portuguese Jews’ Congregation of London. This website explains the prayer customs of this community, featuring both traditional and contemporary melodies. The purpose of this website is to provide an online resource of
Cantor Shira Lissek’s Conservative Musical Kabbalat Shabbat
This hour long video features Cantor Shira Lissek leading the entire Kabbalat Shabbat service with musical accompaniment. Shira Lissek is the Associate Cantor of Park Avenue Synagogue, the largest Conservative community in NYC and the flagship of Jewish liturgical music in North America.
The Sabbath Queen: A Poem by Hayim Nahman Bialik
This post presents the Hebrew, English and transliterated text of “Sabbath Queen,” a poem by Israel’s national poet, Hayim Nahman Bialik, about welcoming Shabbat. This poem is included in many alternative Kabbalat Shabbat services in Israel and abroad. There is also an audio recording of
K’Gavna: A Kabbalistic Reading Following Kabbalat Shabbat
This post presents the Nusach Ha’Ari and Nusach Sefard tradition of reciting a passage from the Zohar called K’Gavna between Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv. This Kabbalistic commentary on Parshat Terumah explains the profound spiritual significance of the evening service on Shabbat. The English translation below
Nusach Sefard-Jerusalem Kabbalat Shabbat Service (Hebrew Text & Audio)
This link will direct you to the full Hebrew text of the Kabbalat Service according to the Sefard, Jerusalem tradition, along with a 20 minute long audio recording of the entire service in the chanting style characteristic of this tradition. This resource is from the
Moroccan Kabbalat Shabbat Service (Hebrew Text & Audio)
This link will direct you to the full Hebrew text of the Moroccan Kabbalat Shabbat service along with a 27 minute long audio recording of the entire service in the chanting style characteristic of this tradition. The service includes the Psalms, hymns and Talmudic passages
Rabbi Menachem Creditor: An Original Melody for Yedid Nefesh
This 4 minute long home video presents an original tune for Yedid Nefesh, composed and performed by Rabbi Menachem Creditor, the rabbi of the Conservative Netivot Shalom Congregation in Berkley, California. The liturgical poem is often sung by Ashkenazi congregations between the afternoon Minchah prayer on
Yigal Bashan: Likrat Shabbat (Hebrew)
This song, written by Avi Koren and performed by Yigal Bashan, is an Israeli classic describing the atmosphere of a traditional Friday night Shabbat dinner. It contains references to common Shabbat rituals, including the lighting of the Shabbat candles, the table set for a festive meal
Ana B’Ko’ach: A Musical Kabbalistic Meditation with On-Screen Text
This 6:26 minute long video produced by The Kabbalah Center provides deep mystical meditations based on the Kabbalistic secrets hidden within the song, Ana B’Koach, traditionally sung as part of the Kabbalat Shabbat prayer service. It also provides a musical version of the prayer and concludes
Yedid Nefesh: Introduction & Audio
This post provides a brief introduction to the liturgical poem “Yedid Nefesh,” often sung by Ashkenazi congregations between the afternoon Minchah prayer on Friday and the beginning of the Kabbalat Shabbat service. Although the authorship is uncertain, it is commonly attributed to the sixteenth century
Ethiopian Melody for Lecha Dodi on the Tel Aviv Port
This 5 minute long video presents an upbeat traditional Ethiopian melody for Lecha Dodi, the central song of the Kabbalat Shabbat service. This recording comes from the Kabbalat Shabbat service of Beit Tefilah Israeli, a creative, innovative and inclusive Jewish-Israeli community that offers meaningful Jewish ritual,
Informative Articles & Videos
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Welcoming the Sabbath with Kabbalat Shabbat, Lecha Dodi and Ma’ariv
This introductory article by George Robinson outlines the basic structure of the Kabbalat Shabbat and evening prayer service, including an explanation of traditions held in various communities and the development of customs throughout history. Although the Kabbalat Shabbat service is made up of many different prayers,
The Structure & Mystical Meaning of Kabbalat Shabbat
This post presents two approximately 4 minute long videos by Rabbi David Paskin introducing the basic structure and meaning behind the Kabbalat Shabbat service. The first video focuses on the first six Psalms of the service, which represent the six days of the week leading
Introduction to the Kabbalat Shabbat Prayer Service
This introductory article describes the origins and structure of the Kabbalat Shabbat services, noting various customs practiced in different communities. Originally from the Encyclopaedia Judaica, this article was shared on Jewish Virtual Library. Kabbalat Shabbat Kabbalat Shabbat (קַבָּלַת שַׁבָּת; literally “Reception of the Shabbat“) designates the inauguration of the Shabbat in
The Hadar Institute: The Content, Meaning and Music of Lecha Dodi
This link will take you to a three-part online audio course exploring the content, meaning, and music of Lecha Dodi, as part of Mechon Hadar’s Tefillah Toolkit series. Three scholars explore what the prayer is about, what it means to pray it, and how to get
Welcoming the Bride: Exploring the Songs of Kabbalat Shabbat
This link will take you to a six-part online audio course exploring the meaning behind the songs of Kabbalat Shabbat. Theologian, scholar, and educator, Rabbi Shai Held, examines each of the eight Psalms of the Kabbalat Shabbat service through a literary and theological lens, extracting lessons
The King and Queen in the Field: Reimagining a God Metaphor in Elul (Article & Poem)
The article and poem by Alden Solovy explore two traditional metaphors of God – the harsh King often seen throughout Bible, alongside the compassionate, loving Queen we greet in the Kabbalat Shabbat ceremony. Solovy calls for us to combine these two metaphors, imagining a God that exhibits
L’cha Dodi and the Kabbalist Background to Kabbalat Shabbat: A Collection of Articles
This link will take you to a collection of articles exploring the Kabbalistic background to the Kabbalat Shabbat service, with a special focus on the L’cha Dodi prayer, a central song of the service with deep mystical origins. Compiled by the Jewish scholar, Noam Zion, these
The Structure and Spirit of the Kabbalat Shabbat Service
This brief article from Chabad.org describes the structure of the Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv even prayer services on Shabbat. With a focus on prayer as the essence of Shabbat, the author describes how regular weekday prayer are adapted to reflect the special spirit of this
Guide to the Friday Night Synagogue Services
Great for beginners, this brief excerpt from “Friday Night and Beyond” by Lori Palatnik offers an explanation of the structure and meaning behind the Friday night synagogue services, including Mincha (the afternoon prayer), Kabbalat Shabbat, and Ma’ariv (the evening prayer). The article ends with a collection of
The Kabbalat Shabbat Experience Siddur: Guide, Text & Articles
This post presents a well-formatted, printable PDF booklet of the traditional Ashkenazi Kabbalat Shabbat service with the Hebrew, English and transliterated texts of each prayer. With introductory articles explaining the origins, structure and meaning behind the service, as well as short teachings scattered throughout, this
K’Gavna: A Kabbalistic Reading Following Kabbalat Shabbat
This post presents the Nusach Ha’Ari and Nusach Sefard tradition of reciting a passage from the Zohar called K’Gavna between Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv. This Kabbalistic commentary on Parshat Terumah explains the profound spiritual significance of the evening service on Shabbat. The English translation below
Ana B’Ko’ach: A Musical Kabbalistic Meditation with On-Screen Text
This 6:26 minute long video produced by The Kabbalah Center provides deep mystical meditations based on the Kabbalistic secrets hidden within the song, Ana B’Koach, traditionally sung as part of the Kabbalat Shabbat prayer service. It also provides a musical version of the prayer and concludes
Yedid Nefesh: Introduction & Audio
This post provides a brief introduction to the liturgical poem “Yedid Nefesh,” often sung by Ashkenazi congregations between the afternoon Minchah prayer on Friday and the beginning of the Kabbalat Shabbat service. Although the authorship is uncertain, it is commonly attributed to the sixteenth century
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What else?
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The Sabbath Queen: A Poem by Hayim Nahman Bialik
This post presents the Hebrew, English and transliterated text of “Sabbath Queen,” a poem by Israel’s national poet, Hayim Nahman Bialik, about welcoming Shabbat. This poem is included in many alternative Kabbalat Shabbat services in Israel and abroad. There is also an audio recording of
Art in Motion: The Ana B’Koach Prayer Video
This 3:39 minute long video presents David Asher Brook’s award winning artistic representation of the mystical Ana B’Koach prayer. The artist paints each of the 42 Hebrew letters hidden within the ancient kabbalistic prayer, using the color and style that corresponds to the deeper meaning behind
A Kabbalat Shabbat Poem About Transitions
This poem by Rabbi Annie Lewis explores the cyclical, evolving nature of the physical world and human beings, focusing on the transition into Shabbat as a time of peace and rest. Rabbi Annie Lewis, a poet, activist, and therapist, shared this poem on Ritualwell, a project of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College
Attend Reform Shabbat Services Online
This link takes you to the official website of the Reform movement, where you can view live streams and recorded Kabbalat Shabbat services from Reform synagogues all across North America. Whether you are curious about the synagogue services or simply can’t make it all the
A Kabbalat Shabbat Poem About the Stillness of Evening
This poem by Ruth F. Brin describes the stillness and silence of the transition into evening, as reflected in the physical world, human beings, and God. Brin, a liturgical pioneer in the 1950s, modernized traditional Jewish prayers and texts with new interpretive readings and original poetry reflecting her own
Rituals for Turning Off Devices Before Shabbat
This post by Elana Bell presents a short blessing and a list of actions to add spiritual intention to the simple act of turning of your electronic devices before Shabbat. Elana Bell, a poet, performer and lecturer, shared this ritual on Ritualwell, a project of the
An Illustrated Kabbalat Shabbat Siddur
This link opens up “An Illustrated Kabbalat Shabbat Siddur with Drawings by Daniel Nebenzahl,” a Hebrew siddur for adults full of drawings that are meant to inspire the user. The siddur contains the Mincha afternoon prayers, Kabbalat Shabbat, and the Ma’ariv evening service in Nusach
The King and Queen in the Field: Reimagining a God Metaphor in Elul (Article & Poem)
The article and poem by Alden Solovy explore two traditional metaphors of God – the harsh King often seen throughout Bible, alongside the compassionate, loving Queen we greet in the Kabbalat Shabbat ceremony. Solovy calls for us to combine these two metaphors, imagining a God that exhibits
Ana B’Ko’ach: A Musical Kabbalistic Meditation with On-Screen Text
This 6:26 minute long video produced by The Kabbalah Center provides deep mystical meditations based on the Kabbalistic secrets hidden within the song, Ana B’Koach, traditionally sung as part of the Kabbalat Shabbat prayer service. It also provides a musical version of the prayer and concludes
Reb Zalman’s Shabbat Afirmations
The following prayer comes from the “Siddur Tehillat HaShem Yidaber Pi — Sabbath Evening Supplement” by Rabbi Zalman M. Schachter-Shalomi, “Reb Zalman” (1924-2014), one of the founders of the Jewish Renewal movement and an innovator in ecumenical dialogue. Heavily rooted in deep, Kabbalistic concepts, it