Archive for September 2017
Traditional Prayer for the Family Following Candle Lighting
This prayer for the family is often recited after lighting the Shabbat candles, an auspicious time for prayer, according to Jewish tradition. Many women use this as an opportunity to recite their own
Laws and Customs Practiced in Preparation for the Grace After Meals
In this halachic discourse, Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir of the Orthodox Union, discusses the obligations and customs Jews practice before reciting the Grace After Meals, including washing hands, leaving the leftover bread on
Conservative Ashkenazi Grace After Meals (Audio + Text)
In this audio recording, Rabbi Barry Kenter of the Greenburgh Hebrew Center sings the Shabbat version of the Grace After Meals according to Conservative Ashkenazi tradition. Conveniently separated into 14 audio recordings and accompanied by
Piamenta’s Rock Song Inspired by the Grace After Meals
This video presents Yosi Piamenta’s original rock song inspired by the Grace After Meals. Although most of this 8 minute long song is made up of musical jams, the lyrics (which are shown on the screen
“Benching” 101: The Origin, Stucture, Customs and History of the Grace After Meals
This comprehensive introductory article by Kate Palley provides a thorough explanation for people of all knowledge levels on the origin, structure, customs, and history of the Grace After Meals. The author clarifies the circumstances under which one is
Menucha Ve-simcha
Often printed as the first of the Friday night repertoire of table songs (zemirot), this composition of unknown origin praises the “rest, joy, and light” that Shabbat heralds for the Jews. “Those who
Yah Ribon Olam
This song, usually grouped among those for Friday night, is a Shabbat favorite even though its content is not Shabbat-specific. This popular rendition of Rabbi Israel Najara’s Aramaic poem from 16th-century Safed and
Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi’s Creative Interpretation of the Grace After Meals
This innovative translation of the Ashkenazi Grace After Meals by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, the father of the Jewish Renewal movement, brings the English translation to life. Schachter-Shalomi, warmly known as ‘Reb Zalman,’ provides a
Yom Zeh Le-Yisrael
This classic zemer, whose first four stanzas were written by Isaac Chandali in 15th- century Crimea, was later expanded and attributed to the famous Safed mystic Isaac Luria. This rendition includes the full
A Brief Introduction to the Grace After Meals
This short post offers a basic overview of the Grace After Meals, including its biblical sources, an explanation of its structure, and links to the full Hebrew, English and transliterated texts of the