NOTES FROM THE Cantor

KABBALAT SHABBAT

Why Will Friday Night Services in July be Different?

Most of you have heard of the word “Kabbalah,” and know that it has something to do with Jewish mysticism.

When used with the word “Shabbat,” the term “Kabbalat Shabbat” refers to welcoming Shabbat. Liturgically, “Kabbalat Shabbat” is a rubric of prayer for the latter part of Friday (late afternoon/early evening) that precedes candle lighting and “Ma-ariv” — evening prayers which begin with the callto worship the “Bar’chu.”

“Kabbalat Shabbat” is made up of Psalms that correspond to the days of theweek:

Psalm 95 - Sunday

Psalm 96 - Monday

Psalm 97 - Tuesday

Psalm 98 - Wednesday

Psalm 99 - Thursday

Psalm 29– Friday

Followed by:

“L’chaDodi” – for Shabbat

Psalm 92– for Shabbat

Psalm 93– concluding Psalm

There was such anticipation of Shabbat for the Kabbalists of Safed (in the mountains of Galilee in Northern Israel) that the rabbis would dress in white (like bridegrooms) and joyously dance through the fields outside town, to welcome Shabbat,who ispersonified asa bride,or queen.

For the Fridays in July, our service will just consist of the Kabbalat Shabbat Psalms along with “L’cha Dodi” and “Shalom Aleichem.”

We will include the prayer for Healing, as well as Mourner’s Kaddish. (We will not include “Chatzi Kaddish” through the “Amidah” & “Aleinu.”)

These “Kabbalat Shabbat” Services will be shorter in length (not more than 40 minutes) and we hope to have a special Oneg Shabbat (whether food and/or more music) following services.

I intend to use the same musical settings for each service to help you participate through familiarity.

I WELCOME ANY SINGERS & MUSICIANS

TO JOIN ME FOR FRIDAY NIGHTS IN JULY, but please do contact me as soon as you can at cantorkassel@bethtikvah.com so that I may make necessary preparations.

Singers and Musicians: if you aren’t already involved in the musical life at TBT, please know that we’d love to have your participation. Just email me, and we’ll set up a time to talk! (Adult Choir; Ruach Shabbat musicians; singing for Ruach Shabbat services; talent show for sometime next year.) ******************************************

For the months of May, June and July, please also join us as we celebrate the holiday of Shavuot, beginning the evening of May 25, and observe Tisha B’av on theevening of July27.