Welcoming Shabbat with Yedid Nefesh by Ein Lanu Zman of Agudas Achim Congregation of Northern Virginia

Ein Lanu Zman (We Have No Time) is the name of the house band of Agudas Achim Congregation of Northern Virginia. Together with Hazzan Elisheva Dienstfrey they play and sing a wide variety of songs as part of Shabbat and Holiday services.

Led by Rabbi Steven Rein and based in Alexandria, Virginia, the congregation describes itself as a community built on covenantal relationships, generating the connections that bind one individual to another and one generation to the next.

Today we're welcoming Shabbat with Hazzan Dienstfrey and the band easing into the Kabbalat Shabbat service with a version of Yedid Nefesh by Josh Warshawsky.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

Welcoming Shabbat with Yedid Nefesh by The Shvesters

The Shvesters (Chava Levi and Polina Fradkin) are a Yiddish vocal duo hailing originally from Detroit, Michigan. They gained a reputation on social media for their perfectly synchronized voices (and signature matching outfits) — and have won the hearts of audiences from all backgrounds.  

The Shvesters transform classic Yiddish melodies and Hebrew prayers into sophisticated, contemporary harmonic jazz arrangements.

In this video the Shvesters welcome Shabbat with a rendition of Yedid Nefesh.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

Welcoming Shabbat with Yedid Nefesh by UMD's a Cappella Group, Kol Sasson

Founded in 1997 as the University of Maryland’s premier Jewish a cappella group, Kol Sasson has been serving the national Jewish community with song for over twenty years. Comprised of students from all backgrounds, studies, and cities around the country, the members of Kol Sasson come together to perform a repertoire ranging from English and Israeli pop to traditional Jewish melodies, and more.

In today's video, we join Kol Sasson in welcoming Shabbat with Yedid Nefesh, a preliminary poem to the Kabbalat Shabbat service.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Welcoming Shabbat with a Bluegrass Version of Yedid Nefesh by Jacob's Ladder

Last month we welcomed Shabbat with bluegrass versions of Shalom Aleichem and Lecha Dodi by David Sasso and the Boston-based Jacob's Ladder bluegrass group. The popularity of those selections encouraged us to follow up this Shabbat with their version of Yedid Nefesh, another song that we sing on Friday night.

David Sasso has composed a number of works on Jewish themes. Beyond chamber works from his college years, David has recently composed a choral setting of modern poetry on biblical themes and two setting for soprano and piano of Yiddish poems, including his own Yiddish translation of Wordsworth’s “Daffodils.” 

In 2023, David traveled to the island of St. Thomas to participate in a collaboration with local musician and fellow Interlochen Arts Camp alum Gylchris Sprauve, celebrating the many musical heritages of the US Virgin Islands, including David’s own personal ancestry in St. Thomas and his heritage of Sephardic Jewish music. 

Also in 2023, David teamed up with Boston-based Jewish bluegrass group, Jacob’s Ladder, to record selections from his bluegrass setting of the traditional Friday night Shabbat liturgy, Sasson v’Simcha - Joy and Delight. This service was dedicated to David’s parents, Rabbis Dennis and Sandy Sasso, and premiered in May 2023 at the retirement celebration of Rabbi Dennis Sasso at Congregation Beth-El Zedeck in Indianapolis.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO. 

Welcoming Shabbat with 'Yedid Nefesh" by Leah Shoshanah in Mexico's Yucatan Jungle

Tonight we're welcoming another Shabbat with a performance by Leah Shoshanah, a Chicago-based singer, songwriter & Jewish musician whose soulful, original music deftly navigates the folk, funk, rock and jazz genres.

Shoshanah's original music takes on a life of its own and has inspired audiences to sit spellbound, sing together, laugh, cry and dance.

Shoshanah has played on historic stages in Chicago, like the Old Town School of Folk Music, PianoForte, Martyrs’ and the Green Mill. She has played to audiences of thousands on tour in Germany, put on cabaret-style solo acts in underground neighborhood theaters, led musical meditations, and helped individuals and communities move through loss and celebrate life with song. 

In this video she sings Yedid Nefesh, a Piyyut (a Jewish liturgical poem), sung as part of the Kabbalat Shabbat service on Friday evenings. It was filmed by Robin Manesky in the Yucatan Jungle, Mexico. The structure behind her is a Temescal (sweat lodge). 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 companion​ship is purer than any fine taste or flavor.

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO 

Welcoming Shabbat with Yedid Nefesh by Assaf Shefer

Assaf Shefer began his musical journey at a siddur party at the age of four when he came up as a soloist and thrilled the audience with his voice. Later, as part of his studies, Asaf participated in in the discovery of young talents in his city, and was praised by the organizers and critics of the event. 

Over time, Shefer began to sing and play at family and friends' events, where he realized that he needed professional voice training. Several years ago, Assaf Shafer burst into the public consciousness when he beat dozens of candidates and was crowned as the "next voice" in Jewish music by an extensive panel of judges.

In today's Welcome to Shabbat, Assaf sings Yedid Nefesh, the liturgical poem that precedes the Kabbalat Shabbat service.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.  

Welcoming Shabbat with Yedid Nefesh in Sydney, Australia

Today we welcome Shabbat with a beautiful rendition of Yedid Nefesh, which is sung at the beginning of the Kabbalat Shabbat service on Friday night. The singers are Rabbi Motti Feldman and his son Menachem Feldman, both Chabad emissaries in Sydney, Australia.

The song was originally performed by Yehoram Gaon. The musical arrangement is by Raymond Goldstein.

Enjoy and Shabbat shalom!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Welcoming Shabbat with Yedid Nefesh by the Tandu Musical Group

One of our favorite singing groups has been The Fountainheads, an ensemble of young Israeli dancers, singers, actors and artists, all graduates and students of the Ein Prat Academy for Leadership, who have have joined forces to create new Jewish artistic content for today's Jewish World. 

 

Since 2011, we have posted 12 of their videos to great acclaim from Jewish Humor Central readers. But time passes, and groups drift apart. But the four seasoned original members of The Fountainheads stayed together in friendship, forming a new group called Tandu, performing Israeli classics and new compositions in different styles including folk, soul, and jazz.

 

Based in Jerusalem, Tandu is bringing back the soul to the music by collaborating between different styles from ethnic to classics, and to pop too.

 

Today we welcome another Shabbat with Tandu's version of Yedid Nefesh. 

 

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

 

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

 

Welcoming Shabbat with Yedid Nefesh by Rabbi Josh Warshawsky

This week we welcome Shabbat with a new version of Yedid Nefesh by Rabbi Josh Warshawsky.  

Rabbi Josh Warshawsky is a nationally touring Jewish musician, songleader, and composer. Originally from Chicago, Josh has shared his original melodies with over 100 Jewish communities throughout the US, Canada, the UK, and Israel. He has released four albums of Jewish music with a fifth on the way in 2022, and he has been featured on six Jewish music anthology publications in the last six years.

Yedid Nefesh is a love poem. It is the opening of the Friday night service (Kabbalat Shabbat), where we welcome the Shabbat Queen into our homes, communities, and into our very souls. The melody itself is intended to invoke this feeling of love and yearning. 

The way the melody works is the niggun (wordless melody) first, and then the verse melody is for the first two lines of each stanza. The niggun line comes back in with the words of the last line of each stanza, and then continues as a niggun in between verses. 

The last verse has a sense of urgency to it… the last line, “Maher ahuv, ki va moed,” means, “hurry, my love! The time has come!” and it leads us into the niggun (melody) again, with renewed strength. 

Lyrics יְדִיד נֶֽפֶשׁ, אָב הָרַחְמָן, מְשֹׁךְ עַבְדָּךְ אֶל־רְצוֹנָךְ, אֶל־רְצוֹנָךְ יָרוּץ עַבְדָּךְ כְּמוֹ אַיָּל, יִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה אֶל מוּל הֲדָרָךְ, מוּל הֲדָרָךְ, יֶעֱרַב־לוֹ יְדִידוּתָךְ מִנֹּֽפֶת צוּף וְכָל־טָֽעַם. הָדוּר, נָאֶה, זִיו הָעוֹלָם, נַפְשִׁי חוֹלַת אַהֲבָתָךְ, אַהֲבָתָךְ אָנָּא, אֵל, נָא, רְפָא־נָא לָהּ בְּהַרְאוֹת לָהּ נֹֽעַם זִיוָךְ, נֹֽעַם זִיוָךְ, אָז תִּתְחַזֵּק וְתִתְרַפֵּא, וְהָיְתָה לָךְ שִׁפְחַת עוֹלָם. וָתִיק, יֶהֱמוּ רַחֲמֶֽיךָ, וְחוּס־נָא עַל־בֵּן אוֹהֲבָךְ, עַל־בֵּן אוֹהֲבָךְ, כִּי זֶה כַּמָּה נִכְסֹף נִכְסַף לִרְאוֹת בְּתִפְאֶֽרֶת עֻזָּךְ, תִפְאֶֽרֶת עֻזָּךְ אָנָּא, אֵלִי, מַחְמַד לִבִּי, חֽוּשָׁה־נָּא וְאַל תִּתְעַלָּם. הִגָּלֶה־נָא וּפְרֹשׂ, חָבִיב, עָלַי אֶת־סֻכַּת שְׁלוֹמָךְ, סֻכַּת שְׁלוֹמָךְ, תָּאִיר אֶֽרֶץ מִכְּבוֹדָךְ, נָגִֽילָה וְנִשְׂמְחָה בָּךְ, וְנִשְׂמְחָה בָּךְ. מַהֵר, אָהוּב, כִּי בָא מוֹעֵד, וְחָנֵּֽנִי כִּימֵי עוֹלָם. 

Yedid nefesh, Av harachaman, meshoch avdach el Retzonach. Yarutz avdach kemo ayal, Yishtachave mul hadarach. Ye’erav lo yedidutach, minofet tsuf vechol ta’am. 

Hadoor 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 yehemoo rachamecha v’chus na al ben ohavach. ki zeh kamah nichsof nichsaf, lir’ot betiferet oozach. Anah Eyli, machmad leebee, chooshah nah v’al titalam. 

Higaleh nah uf’ros chaviv alai, et sukkat shelomach. Tair eretz mikevodach, nagilah v’nismechah bach. Maher ahoov, ki va moed, v’choneni kimei olam.

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Welcoming Shabbat with Moshav Singing Yedid Nefesh in Jerusalem

Yedid Nefesh is a piyyut (poem) usually sung on Friday night just before the Kabbalat Shabbat (Welcoming Shabbat) service begins.
 
According to Wikipedia, this beautiful poem is commonly attributed to the sixteenth century kabbalist, Rabbi Elazar ben Moshe Azikri (1533-1600), who first published it in Sefer Charedim (published in Venice 1601), but Azikri did not claim authorship of it and there have been other suggested authors (e.g. Judah Halevi, or Israel Nagara).
  
The first letters of each of the four verses make up the four letter name of God, known in English as the tetragrammaton.

This evening we welcome another Shabbat with the lilting melody of Yedid Nefesh sung by the group Moshav, presented as a dance in Jerusalem. It starts in a dance studio, swiftly moving from professional dancers to a flash mob of dancers in the city streets and at the pedestrian mall just outside the walls of the Old City.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Welcoming Shabbat with Yedid Nefesh Sung by Meir Barchichat

Yedid Nefesh is a piyyut (poem) usually sung on Friday night just before the Kabbalat Shabbat (Welcoming Shabbat) service begins.
 
According to Wikipedia, this beautiful poem is commonly attributed to the sixteenth century kabbalist, Rabbi Elazar ben Moshe Azikri (1533-1600), who first published it in Sefer Charedim (published in Venice 1601), but Azikri did not claim authorship of it and there have been other suggested authors (e.g. Judah Halevi, or Israel Nagara).
  
The first letters of each of the four verses make up the four letter name of God, known in English as the tetragrammaton.

In today's video, Yedid Nefesh is sung by Rabbi Meir Barchichat. Rabbi Barchichat is the founder of Netiv Meir, whose primary activity is organizing Bar Mitzvah celebrations for underprivileged children in Israel. 

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO. 

Welcoming Shabbat with Yedid Nefesh by Nurit Melamed at Machol Italia

Yedid Nefesh (Beloved of my soul) was written by Eliezer Azikri (1533-1600), a disciple of the great mystic Isaac Luria of Safed. He is the author of Sefer Haredim (the devotee's book) on Kabbalistic ethics.  

The Hasidim sing this song at the third dinner of Shabbat (Seuda shelishit), as an expression of great desire for God's closeness, a moment of great yearning for God.

Today we welcome Shabbat with a Jewish dance version of Yedid Nefesh presented by Nurit Melamed at Machol Italia 2019. It's an annual Jewish dance and culture seminar promoted by Terra di Danza, a Reggio Emilia association that deals with spreading the language of folk and ethnic dance through courses for adults, workshops in schools, shows , parties, animations, internships and research trips.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Welcoming Shabbat with Yedid Nefesh from Beth Shalom in Sacramento

This week we welcome Shabbat with Yedid Nefesh played on an oud by Jeff Swatt from Congregation Beth Shalom in Sacramento, California.

The oud is a short-neck lute-type, pear-shaped stringed instrument with 11 or 13 strings grouped in 5 or 6 courses, commonly used predominantly in the music of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries.

Congregation Beth Shalom celebrated its 40th anniversary on February 15, 2014. The congregation was formed in 1973 and 40 years later is still a thriving home to many in Sacramento's Jewish community.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom! 

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Welcoming Shabbat with Yedid Nefesh by the Ramatayim Men's Choir

Late in 1995, four enthusiasts gathered in the Ramot suburb of Jerusalem, to sing choral music they recalled from synagogue services in their youth. Since then the choir has grown to 40 choristers, native Israelis and Olim from 4 continents who share a love of the great tradition of Jewish liturgical music and of singing together.

 

The choir appears regularly at concert halls and synagogues throughout Israel. Their list of approximately 250 performances includes appearances alongside some of the finest cantors in the world as well as artists in different genres. They have appeared in concert with the Israel Symphonette Orchestra on national television and radio and have also performed at the residence of the President of Israel.

The choir's repertoire consists mainly of Jewish liturgical music and includes Chassidic and Israeli songs, pop, opera and folk music. All activities are performed on a voluntary basis. They perform regularly in support of various Israeli and Jewish charitable and social causes. A distinctive feature of the choir's activity is their active collaboration with ensembles of the same genre, inaugurating and hosting joint concerts in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

The choir's name derives from Ramatayim-Tzofim, in the hill country of Ephraim, birthplace of Samuel the Prophet, mentioned in the Book of Samuel 1 (1:1) and associated with the suburb Ramot, Jerusalem.

 

In this video they sing Yedid Nefesh, a liturgical poem that is sung before the start of the Kabbalat Shabbat service on Friday nights. The lead singer is Yitzchak Meir, and the choir is conducted by director Richard Shavei-Tzion.

 

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

 

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

 

 

Welcoming Shabbat with Yedid Nefesh as an Israeli Folk Dance

Yedid Nefesh is a piyyut (poem) usually sung on Friday night just before the Kabbalat Shabbat (Welcoming Shabbat) service begins.
 
According to Wikipedia, this beautiful poem is commonly attributed to the sixteenth century kabbalist, Rabbi Elazar ben Moshe Azikri (1533-1600), who first published it in Sefer Charedim (published in Venice 1601), but Azikri did not claim authorship of it and there have been other suggested authors (e.g. Judah Halevi, or Israel Nagara).
  
The first letters of each of the four verses make up the four letter name of God, known in English as the tetragrammaton.

We're very familiar with Yedid Nefesh as a song for Shabbat but were surprised to find out that it is also a popular folk dance in Israel. We hope you enjoy this performance choreographed by Yonatan Gabai and sung by Gad Elbaz.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!


A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Welcoming Shabbat with a Six-Part Harmony Version of Yedid Nefesh

We have posted many versions of Yedid Nefesh, one of the prayers in the Kabbalat Shabbat service on Friday night, but this one is very unusual. It's a cappella in six-part harmony recorded by a singer who doesn't identify himself in the YouTube video that he posted.

The only identification on the video is that it's a "That Was Fred" production. If the singer lets us know his name and gives us some of the backstory about his recording technique, we'll be glad to share the information and some of his other songs with you. 

The singer does say that he recorded and filmed himself singing his original arrangement of this wonderful Kabbalat Shabbat song and gives credit to all his Hebrew day school and summer experiences at Camp Ramah in the Poconos for making him love it so much. 

Enjoy and Shabbat Shalom!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Welcoming Shabbat with Yedid Nefesh Sung by South Africa's Star Chazzan

In 2016 Johannesburg-born Choni Goldman, aka Choni G, won the prestigious Jewish Star - an international American Idol-style competition that showcases the singing talents of Orthodox Jews.

Since then, he’s relocated to Cape Town to take on the role of chazzan at Cape Town's oldest and most famous synagogue. He performed at gigs in Australia, Brazil and the USA, and cemented his reputation as South Africa’s most sought-after Jewish wedding singer. 

In this video, Choni G. teams up with band leader Johnny Sklar to sing Yedid Nefesh on a rooftop in Cape Town in South Africa.

Enjoy and Shabbat shalom!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Welcoming Shabbat with a Freilach Version of Yedid Nefesh

What happens when you take a klezmer trio, put them on a stage in Israel, and ask them to play Yedid Nefesh, a traditional song that's sung on Friday night to welcome Shabbat?

You get a blend of a liturgical poem and a lively freilach melody, with a touch of singing by the  audience. All in all, a new and innovative combination to start Shabbat by the Michael Gorodetsky trio.

Enjoy and Shabbat shalom.

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Welcoming Shabbat with Eli Dali's Heavy Metal Version of Yedid Nefesh

Eliyahu Meir Dali (Eli Dali) is a guitarist and the founder of the project "Metal Prayer", which is a project of Heavy Metal arrangements of famous Jewish melodies, that are mostly known from Jewish prayers, and/or Jewish folklore. In these arrangements, the electric guitar has a major role.

This week we welcome Shabbat with a Heavy Metal version of the famous Jewish poet "Yedid Nefesh" ("ידיד נפש"), with the vocalist Rami Salmon.

Lyrics: Rabbi Elazar ben Moshe Azikri z"l
Music: traditional
Additional music and arrangement: Eli Dali

Performed by:

Rami Salmon - vocals
Eli Dali - electric guitars, acoustic guitars, classical guitars
Yoram Sadeh - keyboards, bass guitar
Refael Hevrony - drums

Lyrics

יְדִיד נֶפֶשׁ אָב הָרַחֲמָן, מְשֹׁךְ עַבְדְּךָ אֶל רְצוֹנֶךָ
יָרוּץ עַבְדְּךָ כְּמוֹ אַיָּל, יִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה אֶל מוּל הֲדָרֶךָ
יֶעֱרַב לוֹ יְדִידוֹתֶּךָ, מִנֹּפֶת צוּף וְכָל טָעַם
הָדוּר נָאֶה זִיו הָעוֹלָם, נַפְשִׁי חוֹלַת אַהֲבָתֶךָ
אָנָּא אֵל נָא רְפָא נָא לָהּ, בְּהַרְאוֹת לָהּ נֹעַם זִיוָךְ
אָז תִּתְחַזֵּק וְתִתְרַפֵּא, וְהָיְתָה לָהּ שִׁמְחַת עוֹלָם
וָתִיק יֶהֱמוּ נָא רַחֲמֶיךָ, וְחוּסָה נָא עַל בֵּן אֲהוּבֶךָ
כִּי זֶה כַּמָּה נִכְסֹף נִכְסַפְתִּי, לִרְאוֹת בְּתִפְאֶרֶת עֻזֶּךָ
אָנָּא אֵלִי מַחְמַד לִבִּי, חוּשָׁה נָּא וְאַל תִּתְעַלָּם
הִגָּלֶה נָא וּפְרֹשׂ חָבִיב עָלַי, אֶת סֻכַּת שְׁלוֹמֶךָ
תָּאִיר אֶרֶץ מִכְּבוֹדֶךָ, נָגִילָה וְנִשְׂמְחָה בָּךְ
מַהֵר אָהוּב כִּי בָא מוֹעֵד, וְחָנֵּנוּ כִּימֵי עוֹלָם

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Welcoming Shabbat with "Yedid Nefesh" by Los Angeles Cantor Shira Fox

Yedid Nefesh is a piyyut (poem) usually sung on Friday night just before the Kabbalat Shabbat (Welcoming Shabbat) service begins.
 
According to Wikipedia, this beautiful poem is commonly attributed to the sixteenth century kabbalist, Rabbi Elazar ben Moshe Azikri (1533-1600), who first published it in Sefer Charedim (published in Venice 1601), but Azikri did not claim authorship of it and there have been other suggested authors (e.g. Judah Halevi, or Israel Nagara).  
The first letters of each of the four verses make up the four letter name of God, known in English as the tetragrammaton.

The lead singer in this video is Cantor Shira Fox, the daughter of two Los Angeles cantors -- Herschel Fox, the Yiddish stand-up comedian we profiled in 2011 and his wife Judy, the cantor in the Synagogue for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles (where Joseph Telushkin is the rabbi). In this video she is joined by Deborah Jenkofsky.

This version of Yedid Nefesh was sung last month at Beit T'shuvah, a Los Angeles based synagogue community with a mission to guide individuals and families towards a path of living well, so that wrestling souls can recover from addiction and learn how to properly heal.

They also have a band, and in 2015 they recorded a Beatles Shabbat service with all the familiar songs in the Friday night liturgy sung to some of the most popular Beatles songs. We previously posted their version of Lecha Dodi set to Let it Be and V'Shamru set to Hey Jude.
   
Beit T'shuvah is led by Rabbi Mark Borovitz, described on the synagogue website as "spiritual leader, author, Senior Rabbi, ex-con, recovering alcoholic, and overall anomaly."

Enjoy and Shabbat shalom!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.