V’zot Haberacha: Zemer of The Week

Shalom Aleichem

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת, מַלְאֲכֵי עֶלְיוֹן, מִמֶּלֶךְ מַלְכֵי הַמְּלָכִים הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא.

“Peace be upon you, ministering angels, angels of the Most High, from the King of kings, the Holy One, blessed be He."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88J3zftzVaI

This zemer opens Shabbat by welcoming companions from heaven who enter our homes hand in hand with us. Singing “Shalom Aleichem” teaches children that holiness begins with greeting, warmth, and the courage to open our hands to others – a living model of yedidut (beloved friendship) with which we open Shabbat.

Yedid Nefesh

יְדִיד נֶפֶשׁ אָב הָרַחֲמָן, מְשׁוֹךְ עַבְדְּךָ אֶל רְצוֹנֶךָ. יָרוּץ עַבְדְּךָ כְּמוֹ אַיָּל, יִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה אֶל מוּל הֲדָרֶךָ.

“Beloved of the soul, Compassionate Father, draw Your servant to Your will. Let Your servant run like a deer to bow before Your splendor.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mqtc4UVTlYQ

This mystical love song, sung each Shabbat either to open it before Kabbalat Shabbat or at Shalosh Seudot to close Shabbat, turns the doubled “hands” of yedid into a symbol of yearning and closeness: the human soul reaching toward God, and God reaching back. Its emotional vulnerability parallels Dr. Brené Brown’s idea that true connection requires openness and courage.