Shalom Aleichem by Debbie Friedman
Lauren Furman, Voice and Joyce Rosenzweig, Piano
Shalom aleichem, malachei ha-shareit, malchei elyon, mi-melech mal'chei ham'lachim, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
Peace upon you, O ministering angels, messengers of the Most High, Majesty of majesties, Holy One of Blessing.
Bo-achem l'shalom, malachei hashalom, malchei elyon, mi-melech mal'chei ham'lachim, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
Enter in peace, O ministering angels, messengers of the Most High, Majesty of majesties, Holy One of Blessing.
Bar'chuni l'shalom, malachei hashalom, malchei elyon, mi-melech mal'chei ham'lachim, HaKadosh Baruch Hu
Bless me with peace, O ministering angels, messengers of the Most High, Majesty of majesties, Holy One of Blessing.
Shuv'chem l'shalom, malachei hashalom, malchei elyon, mi-melech mal'chei ham'lachim, HaKadosh Baruch Hu
Return in peace, O ministering angels, messengers of the Most High, Majesty of majesties, Holy One of Blessing.
This Z’mirah (Shabbat Song) reminds us of the angels who escort us home on Shabbat, making sure that we, and our houses are prepared and ready. This melody is one of the last that Debbie Friedman wrote. It is all at once comforting and haunting, indicative of the story behind it. The change in text from Tzeitchem to Shuvchem reminds us that Shabbat will always return. This song reminds us of the holiness of Shabbat, the importance of Jewish time, of being with our loved ones, and of connecting to Judaism and God.