Shabbat Shalom!!!

Shabbat Shalom!

Shabbat Shalom!

Shabbat Shalom and Sameach Chanukah!

May the lights of freedom shine for all!



Take a stand like this man did in Switzerland did after minarets were banned!

Shabbat Shalom!

Shabbat Shalom!

Shabbat Shalom!

Shabbat Shalom!

One of my favorite zemirot, Yedid Nefesh:

Shabbat Shalom!

I'm posting this earlier than usual. Instead of hoping for our President to fail like Limbaugh, or even praying for his death like this 'pastor', why not hope and pray that our country will succeed and the safety of our leaders. There are so much hateful words being spoken, let's tone it down. Hatefulness and anger, we are taught, pushes us away from G-d. If our words are full of hate, how can be thankful for the blessings we have?

There's a lot of craziness going on now and there's a wonderful prayer that is said during Sacharet services:

A Prayer for Our Country

Our G-d and G-d of our ancestors: In this time of national tragedy and sadness, we ask your blessings for our country, for its government, for its leaders and advisors, and for all who exercise just and rightful authority. Teach them the insights of Your Torah, that they may administer all affairs of state fairly, that peace and security, happiness and prosperity, justice and freedom may once again abide in our midst.

Creator of all flesh, bless all the inhabitants of our country with Your spirit. May citizens of all races and creeds forge a common bond in true harmony to banish all hatred and bigotry and to safeguard the ideals and free institutions which are the pride and glory of our country.

May this land under Your providence be an influence for good throughout the world, uniting all people in peace and freedom and helping them to fulfill the vision of your prophet: "Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they experience war any more."

--Based upon "Siddur Sim Shalom"

Shabbat shalom, y'all!!!

Shabbat Shalom!

My favorite zemirot for Shabbat:

Shabbat Shalom!

Congregation Beth Israel will have a simcha tomorrow! Another bat mitzvah!

Shabbat Shalom!

Shabbat Shalom!

Traditional Yemenite song for havdalah.

From the youtube site: Translation from hebrew: : My soul longs for the candle and the spices. If only you would pour me a cup of wine for Havdalah. O angels high, pave a way for me, clear the path for the bewildered and open the gates that I may enter, My heart yearning, I shall lift up my eyes to g-d, who provides for my needs day and night.

Shabbat Shalom!

Shabbat Shalom!

Passover is just around the corner. On Shabbat, I will not be thinking of all that is left to do. And I'll be chuckling when I remember these two videos.

Shabbat Shalom!

Shabbat Shalom!

My thoughts are in Jerusalem this week.

Shabbat Shalom!

Shabbat Shalom!

Shabbat Shalom!

Yedid Nefesh.

Transliteration:

Y'did nefesh av harachaman, mshoch avdecha el rtzonecha,
yarutz avdecha kmo ayal, yish-tachaveh el mul hadarecha,
ye-erav lo ydidosecha, minofes tzuf vchol ta-am.

Hodur na-eh ziv ha-olam, nafshi cholas ahavasecha, ana El na rfa na lah, bhar-os lah noam zivecha, az tis-chazeik vsisrapei, vhaysah lah simchas olam.

Vasik yehemu na rachamecha, vchusah na al bein ahuvecha, ki zeh kamah nichsof nichsafti, lir-os bsif-eres uzechcha, eileh chamdah libi, vchusah na val tis-alam.

Higaleh na ufros chavivi alai,
es sukas shlomecha, ta-ir eretz mikvodecha, nagilah vnism'chah bach, maheir ahuv ki va mo-eid, vchoneinu kimei olam.



Translation:

Beloved of the soul, Compassionate Father, draw Your servant to Your will. Then Your servant will hurry like a hart to bow before Your majesty. To him Your friendship will be sweeter than the dripping of the honeycomb and all taste.

Majestic, beautiful, radiance of the universe my soul is sick for your love. Please O G-d, heal her now by showing her the pleasantness of Your radiance. Then she will be strengthened and healed and eternal gladness will be hers.

All worthy One -- may Your mercy be aroused and please take pity on the son of Your beloved, because it is so very long that I have yearned intensely to see the splendor of Your strength, only these my heart desired, so please take pity and do not conceal Yourself.

Please be revealed and spread upon me, my Beloved, the shelter of Your peace that we may rejoice and be glad with You. Hasten, be loved, for the time has come, and show us grace as in days of old.