Welcoming Shabbat with an Egyptian Version of Yigdal by Jenni Asher

Tonight we welcome Shabbat and the seventh day of Pesach with an Egyptian version of Yigdal, the hymn that usually closes the Friday Night service.

This rendition has roots in Egyptian music, which is part of the tradition of Jenni Asher's family. This is the tenth version of the song that we've posted, and it's the first to use an Egyptian tune.

The song is a musical expression of Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (Maimonides)’s Thirteen Principles of Faith.

We will not be posting on Sunday because we'll be in our Florida shul observing the last day of Pesach. We'll be back on Monday with another Joke to Start the Week.

Enjoy, Shabbat shalom, and Chag Pesach sameach! 

Welcoming Shabbat with Yigdal by Sephardi Cantor Daniel Halfon

Tonight we welcome Shabbat with the singing of Yigdal by Emeritus Hazzan Daniel Halfon of the Yad Harav Nissim synagogue in Jerusalem and a leading authority of the cantorial style of the western Sephardim. 

A classically trained baritone, Halfon was born in England and grew up in London's ancient Spanish and Portuguese community under the tutelage of Rabbi Dr Abraham Levy z"l. 

He studied Hazzanut with four of the outstanding cantors of the Western Sephardi tradition: Eliezer Abinun z"l, Abraham Beniso z"l, Abraham Lopes Cardozo z"l and Halfon Benarroch z"l. As a young man he received the call from Congregation Shearith Israel in New York to serve as Hazzan, and over the past 30 years he has been invited to sing in Sephardi synagogues across the world. 

In 2006 he was appointed by the President of the State of Israel as Hazzan of the Presidential Synagogue. Daniel studied vocal production with Neil Semer and Kenneth Newbern in New York, and in Jerusalem with Jay Shir.

This spirited melody for Yigdal, which bears a striking, but probably wholly coincidental, resemblance to the Scottish folk song Coming Through The Rye, is a comparative late comer to the London repertoire. In all likelihood it was brought to Bevis Marks from the Netherlands by Hazzan Joseph Gomes de Mesquita (1878-1958). Although much loved, it is sung only occasionally on Shabbatot and Mo’adim. In the Portuguese community of Amsterdam, by contrast, this tune is the standard Erev Shabbat melody. In addition it provides an endearing setting for the table song Yah Ribon. 

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom! 

Welcoming Shabbat with Yigdal by Rabbi Hillel Lavery-Yisraeli and Lara Traum

Most synagogues conclude the Friday evening service with the liturgical poem Yigdal. 

Yigdal (Hebrew: יִגְדָּל‬ means "Magnify [O Living God]") is a Jewish hymn which in various rituals shares with Adon Olam the place of honor at the opening of the morning and the close of the evening service. 

It is based on the 13 Articles of Faith formulated by Maimonides (The Rambam). A translation can be found in any bilingual siddur in the language of the country where it is sung.

Today we're welcoming Shabbat with a traditional Ladino Sephardic version of Yigdal by Rabbi Hillel Lavery-Yisraeli of the Israel Center of Conservative Judaism of Flushing, New York, and Lara Traum.

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 Yigdal by the Atlanta Jewish Girls Choir

Today we welcome Shabbat with a performance of Yigdal by The Atlanta Jewish Girls Choir. These words come from the tefilla (prayer) 'Yigdal' which speaks about the greatness of Hashem (G-d). 

In this video, the girls sing while observing nature and beautiful scenery, which lets them ponder Hashem's greatness. 

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

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 Yigdal by Israeli Singer-Songwriter Yasmin Levy

Yasmin Levy is an Israeli singer and songwriter of Judeo-Spanish music. 

With her distinctive and emotive style, Levy has brought a new interpretation to the medieval Judeo-Spanish (Ladino) song by incorporating more "modern" sounds of Andalusian flamenco and traditional Turkish music as well as combining instruments like the darbuka, oud, violin, cello, and piano. 

In this video Yasmin sings her interpretive version of Yigdal, a song traditionally sung at the end of Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday night.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO IS NOT VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY.  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 Yigdal by Chicago's West Suburban Temple Har Zion

Most synagogues conclude the Friday evening service with the liturgical poem Yigdal. 

Yigdal (Hebrew: יִגְדָּל‬ means "Magnify [O Living God]") is a Jewish hymn which in various rituals shares with Adon Olam the place of honor at the opening of the morning and the close of the evening service. 

It is based on the 13 Articles of Faith formulated by Maimonides (The Rambam). A translation can be found in any bilingual siddur in the language of the country where it is sung.

Today we're welcoming Shabbat with a version of Yigdal by the Mizmor L'David Davening Team of Chicago's West Suburban Temple Har Zion.

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 Yigdal by the Portnoy Brothers

The Portnoy Brothers were born and raised in Manchester, UK and are currently living just outside of Jerusalem in Bet Zayit.

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Sruli and Mendy have been making music together for as long they can remember. Two out of nine kids in a very musical family, they released their debut album "Learn to Love" after years of hard work.

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Their sound is one that spans many genres but all of which maintain the harmony of brothers. Whether they're with their full band, or performing as a duo, their distinct sound always shines through.

Now they have a new Shabbat album in the works. Here is Yigdal, a lively adaptation of the traditional song that we sing at the end of the Friday night services.

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.

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Welcoming Shabbat with a North African Version of Yigdal by Marlene Samoun

Most synagogues conclude the Friday evening service with the liturgical poem Yigdal. 

Yigdal (Hebrew: יִגְדָּל‬ means "Magnify [O Living God]") is a Jewish hymn which in various rituals shares with Adon Olam the place of honor at the opening of the morning and the close of the evening service. 

It is based on the 13 Articles of Faith formulated by Maimonides (The Rambam). A translation can be found in any bilingual siddur in the language of the country where it is sung.

Today we're welcoming Shabbat with a version from North Africa sung by Marlene Samoun, a French singer, accompanied by violinist Rachid Brahim-Djelloul. The lyrics alternate in Hebrew and French.

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 Yigdal by Enrico Macias

Enrico Macias, a native of French Algeria, has performed around the world, primarily in Europe and the Middle East. Born to Jewish parents in 1938, he has not been allowed to return to Algeria because of his ongoing support for Israel.

Today our Welcoming Shabbat post features Macias singing a Sephardic version of Yigdal Elohim Chai, the liturgical poem that concludes the Friday evening 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 Rock Version of Yigdal by Eden

Today we're welcoming Shabbat with a traditional song usually sung at the completion of the Friday evening service. But if you're familiar with Yigdal, it's unlikely that you've heard it the way it's played by Eden.

Comprised of three childhood friends growing up with a love for music, Eden is a Jewish Rock trio from Brooklyn, New York that has been an explosive musical force from its inception. 

Having performed before audiences numbered from hundreds to thousands, Eden’s powerful message of spirituality and joy has spread to people all over the world. Their musical influences cover the gamut of rock, ranging from the earliest roots of folk to the most modern explosive metal and everything in between.

So get ready to rock into Shabbat with a most unusual version of Yigdal.

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 START THE VIDEO.

Musical Showcase: Kol Ish Singers and Key Tov Orchestra Team Up In Bluegrass Yigdal

Here's another in our series of showcasing Jewish singing and instrumental groups that are relatively new on the scene. 

We think this video offers a melodic and fresh way of welcoming Shabbat with an unusual twist -- a bluegrass version of Yigdal, the song that ends the Friday night Shabbat service.

We're calling attention to two groups here, Kol Ish, an otherwise a cappella group that got its start at the University of Maryland, and Key Tov, a Chicago-based wedding band that takes Kol Ish out of its usual instrument-free mode and enriches their sound with a solid bluegrass beat.

In this music video, a Kol Ish singer stops on his way to synagogue to pick up a tiny yellow flower, which he takes with him. Nodding off during the service, thoughts of the flower transport him to a farm, where he strolls among the flowers and animals and is joined by the other Kol Ish singers.

As the song (and the service) ends, his colleagues wake him and he leaves the shul wearing a straw cowboy hat. Was it a dream? We'll let you decide.

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.)