L'cha Dodi

One of the Jewish noders got a kick out of a goy writing on things Jewish, like my writeup on Ma Nishtana. This writeup is a frank attempt to blow his mind completely.

L’cha Dodi

An acrostic poem composed by Shlomo Halevi Alkabetz of the 16th century in the Safed community of Jewish mystics. It was written as a hymn to honor and usher in the Sabbath, figuratively a bride approaching her bridegroom Israel. It has been sung to many melodies in both the synagogue and at the Sabboth meal.

L'cha dodi lik-rat kalah, p'nei Shabbat n'kab'lah.

Shamor v'zachor b'dibur echad, Hish-mianu El ham'yuchad; Adonai echad, ush'mo echad, L'sheim ul-tif'eret v'lit'hilah.

Lik'rat Shabbat l'chu v'neil'chah, Ki hi m'kor hab'rachah Meirosh mikedem n'suchah, Sof ma'aseh b'machashava t'chila.

Hitor'ri, hitor'ri, Ki va oreich! Kumi ori Uri uri, shir dabeiri; K'vod Adonai alayich niglah.

All rise to Welcome the Sabbath Bride -

Boi v'shalom, ateret ba'lah; Gam b'simchah uv'tzoholah Toch emunei am s'gula, Boi chala! Boi chala!

And here is a free verse translation into English.

Beloved, come to meet the bride; beloved, come to greet Shabbath. Keep and remember¹ is a single command, the one God had us to hear; the eternal is one, name of God is One, for honor, glory and praise. Come with me to meet Shabbat,

forever blessing's fountain. It still flows, as from the beginning to the last of days, for which the first was made. Awake, awake, your light has come! Get up and shine, awake and sing; the glory of the Eternal is about to upon you. Enter in peace, Crown of your husband; enter in gladness, enter in joy. Come to the people that keeps its faith. Enter, O bride!

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¹ = From the Torah parsha (=Torah reading) VA'ETCHANAN (Deut. 3:23-7:11)

Thought I'd repost it in the way it was meant to be read:

L’cha dodi lik-rat kalah, p’nei Shabbat n’kab’lah.
Shamor v’zachor b’dibur echad,
Hish-mianu El ham’yuchad;
Adonai echad, ush’mo echad,
L’sheim ul-tif’eret v’lit’hilah.
Lik'rat Shabbat l’chu v’neil’chah,
Ki hi m’kor hab’rachah
Meirosh mikedem n’suchah,
Sof ma'aseh b’machashava t’chila.
Hitor’ri, hitor’ri,
Ki va oreich! Kumi ori
Uri uri, shir dabeiri;
K’vod Adonai alayich niglah.

- All Rise to Welcome the Sabbath Bride -

Boi v’shalom, ateret ba'lah;
Gam b’simchah uv’tzoholah
Toch emunei am s’gula,
Boi chala! Boi chala!

English:

Beloved, come to meet the bride; beloved, come to greet Shabbat.
Keep and Remember: a single command,
the Only God caused us to hear;
the Eternal is One, God’s name is One,
for honor and glory and praise.
Come with me to meet Shabbat,
forever a fountain of blessing
Still it flows as from the start:
the last of days,
for which the first was made.
Awake, awake,
your light has come! Arise, shine,
awake and sing;
the Eternal’s glory dawns upon you.

- All Rise to Welcome the Sabbath Bride -

Enter in peace, O crown of your husband;
enter in gladness, enter in joy
Come to the people that keeps its faith.
Enter, O bride! Enter, O bride!

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Note: In most prayer books that I've seen, it just says 'all rise'. This poem is usually just recited by orthodox, but conservative and reform jews often sing it. Debbie Friedman's rendition of it is the most popular amongst reform.