Central Reform Congregation, St. Louis. CRC's 2008 machzor, including printed third-party credits retained in the service text.
Pages 187 to 215
The page numbers here are the printed book's own -- the numbers called from the bimah.
Each prayer begins with a line giving its page number -- to jump there, search for the word page followed by the number, in lower case: for example, page 190.
Where a prayer runs over more than one page, the extra numbers are listed on the lines just below, each marked continued, so a search for any page in the book lands on the prayer being said on it.
Under each heading come the rubrics -- the standing, sitting and other directions -- each marked with two right angle brackets. Then the transliteration, one line to a line as it is sung. Then the English, under the word English.
In the braille file the transliteration is uncontracted and the English is contracted, so that the Hebrew words read letter by letter.
Ashrei yoshvei veitecha.
Od y'hal'lucha! Selah!
Happy are all who dwell in Your house. They will continually praise You!
-- Psalm 84
Kaddish comes from the Hebrew word for holiness. There are five variations of the Kaddish prayer. This Kaddish is called the Chatzi Kaddish or half Kaddish because it omits one verse from the basic version. It is also called the Reader's Kaddish because it is used to separate the different parts of the service and offer a holy transition. Because our connection with the Kaddish is with mourning, we include the Reader's Kaddish to tell mourners they are welcome here, to praise the Source of Life, and to separate the preparation for prayer from our call to prayer. May our praying together move us from the way things are to the way they might be.
Yitgadal v'yitkadash shmei raba.
B'alma div'ra chirutei,
v'yamlich malchutei,
b'chayeichon uv'yomeichon
uv'chayei d'chol beit Yisrael,
ba'agala [ba'agala] uvizman kariv. v'im'ru: amen.
Y'hei sh'mei raba m'varach
l'alam ul'almei almaya.
Yitbarach [yitbarach] v'yishtabach
v'yitpa'ar y'vitromam v'yitnasei,
v'yit-hadar, v'yitaleh v'yit'halal
sh'mei d'kud'sha B'rich Hu,
l'eila min kol birchata v'shirata,
tushb'chata v'nechemata,
da'amiran b'alma, v'imru: amen.
Let the glory of God be extolled, let Your great name be hallowed in the world whose creation You willed. May Your ideal world soon prevail, in our own day, our own lives, and the life of all Israel, and let us say: Amen.
Let the name of the Holy One be glorified, exalted, and honored though God is beyond all praises, songs, and adorations that we can utter and let us say: Amen.
PLEASE RISE
page 190 continued
Baruch atah, Adonai, Eloheinu
vEilohei avoteinu v'imoteinu,
Elohei Avraham, Elohei Yitzchak
vEilohei Ya'akov, Elohei Sarah,
Elohei Rivkah, Elohei Leah
vEilohei Rachel.
Ha-El hagadol hagibor v'hanora,
El elyon, gomeil chasadim tovim,
v'koneih hakol,
v'zocheir chasdei avot v'imahot,
umeivi g'ulah
liv'nei v'neihem l'ma'an sh'mo b'ahavah.
Melech ozeir umoshia umagen.
Baruch atah, Adonai,
magen Avraham v'ezrat Sarah.
zochreinu l'chayim,
melech hafetz bachayim,
v'chotveinu beseifer hachayim,
lema'ancha Elohim chayim.
Remember us for life and write us in the Book of Life for yet another year.
Blessed are You, our God, and God of our fathers and mothers, God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, God of Sarah, God of Rebecca, God of Leah, and God of Rachel. Great, mighty and awesome God, God supreme, You bestow good, kind deeds, possess everything, and remember the kind deeds of our fathers and mothers. With love, You bring redemption to their descendants for the sake of Your name. Remember us for life, O Sovereign who delights in life. And inscribe us in the Book of Life, O Living God. You are our Ruler, Helper, Savior, and Shield. Blessed are You, Shield of Abraham and Help of Sarah.
Praised be the God of our fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob. Praised be the God of our mothers, of Sarah, of Rebecca, of Leah, and of Rachel. Praised be the source of strength and courage, the source of kindness and good deeds. Praised be the source of gentleness and love, of softness and kind words. Praised be the man who transcends strength through gentleness, Praised be the woman who perfects gentleness through strength. Praised be the person who acts according to the best that is within, Praised be the person who reaches out to touch the best in others. Praised be the gentle faithfulness of Abraham and the valiant strength of Sarah. Praised be the God Who created with divinity a woman and a man.
Atah gibor l'olam Adonai,
m'chayeih hakol atah, rav l'hoshia.
(bachoref)
Mashiv haruach umorid hagashem.
(bakayitz)
Morid hatal.
M'chalkeil chayim b'chesed,
m'chayeih hakol b'rachamim rabim,
someich noflim, v'rofei cholim,
umatir asurim,
um'kayeim, emunato lisheinei afar.
Mi chamochah ba'al g'vurot
umi domeh lach, melech meimit
um'chayeh umatzmiach y'shuah.
V'ne-eman atah l'hachayot hakol.
Baruch atah, Adonai, m'chayeih hakol.
You are the Spiritual Strength, renewing life. Great is Your power to save. (Winter) You cause the wind to shift and the rain to fall. (Summer) You rain dew upon us. You sustain the living with loving-kindness; You give life to all with great compassion. You support those who fall, heal the sick, Release the captives, and keep faith with those That sleep in the dust. Who is like You? Who is similar to you, O God, In whose hands are death and life, And who causes salvation to spring forth? Blessed is Yah, the source of life.
page 193 continued
The K'dushah is composed of verses from the Prophets and the Psalms. The form of the prayer is call and response. The custom to rise up on our tip-toes while reciting the first response recalls Isaiah's vision of angels witnessing the fullness of God's presence, calling "Holy, Holy, Holy." Reaching towards the heavens, we connect the heavens and the earth, filling the spaces between us with holiness.
N'kadeish et shimcha ba'olam, k'sheim
shemak'dishim oto bishmei marom,
kakatuv al yad n'viecha:
v'karah zeh el zeh v'amar.
We sanctify Your name on earth, even as all things, to the ends of time and space, proclaim Your holiness; and in the words of the prophet we say:
Kadosh, kadosh, kadosh Adonai tz'vaot,
m'lo chol ha'aretz k'vodo.
Holy, holy, holy is the God of hosts; the fullness of the whole earth is Your glory!
-- Isaiah 6:3
Adir adireinu Adonai adoneinu
mah adir shim'cha b'chol ha'aretz!
Source of our strength, sovereign, how majestic is Your presence in all the earth!
Baruch k'vod Adonai mim'komo.
Blessed is the glory of God in heaven and earth.
-- Ezekiel 3
Echad Hu Eloheinu Hu avinu Hu
mal'keinu Hu moshi'einu v'Hu
yash'mieinu b'rachamav l'einei kol chai:
You alone are our God and our creator; You are our ruler and our helper; and in Your mercy You reveal Yourself in the sight of all the living:
Ani Adonai E'loheichem!
I AM YOUR GOD!
Yimloch Adonai l'olam,
e'lohayich tzion, l'dor vador. Hal'lu Yah!
The Eternal shall reign forever; You are our God, O Zion, from generation to generation. Halleluyah!
-- Psalm 146
L'dor vador nagid god'lecha,
ul'neitzach n'tzachim k'dushat'cha nak'dish,
V'shivcha'cha Eloheinu,
mipinu lo yamush l'olam va-ed.
To all generations we will make known Your greatness, and to all eternity proclaim Your holiness. Your praise, O God, shall never depart from our lips.
Baruch atah, Adonai, haeil hakadosh.
Blessed is the eternal, the holy God.
PLEASE BE SEATED
Congregation:
Sim sha-lom tovah uv'rachah,
chein vachesed, v'rachamim,
aleinu v'al [v'al] kol
Yisraeil amecha.
Bar'cheinu avinu, kulanu k'echad
b'or panecha
Sim sha-lom tovah uv'rachah,
chein vachesed, v'rachamim,
aleinu v'al [v'al] kol
Yisraeil amecha.
v'tov b'einecha l'vareich
et amcha Yisrael
b'chol eit uv'chol
sha'ah bish'lomecha.
Sim sha-lom tovah uv'rachah,
chein vachesed, v'rachamim,
aleinu v'al [v'al] kol
Yisraeil amecha.
B'seifer chayim b'rachah v'shalom
ufarnasa tovah nizacheir
venikateiv l'fanecha,
anachnu v'chol amcha
beit Yisrael l'chayim
l'chayim tovim ulshalom.
tovim ulshalom.
Baruch atah Adonai,
oseh hashalom
-- Melody by Bonia Shur
Grant peace and happiness, blessing and mercy to all Israel and all the world. Bless us, our God, all of us together, with the light of Your presence, for in the light of Your presence we have found a teaching of life, the love of mercy, the law of justice and the way of peace: for it is ever Your will that Your people Israel be blessed with peace.
Teach us, O God, to labor for righteousness, and inscribe us in the Book of Life, blessing, and peace.
Blessed is Adonai, the Source of Peace.
page 196 continued
Kavannah. "Our Father our King" reaches toward the delicate balance between the intimate God and the distant awesome God. This English translation offers an additional aspect of the more intimate and personal imagining of God by including a call not only to the traditional "father", but to the image of God as a "gentle mother" as well. This expression reflects our belief that only by celebrating both the feminine and the masculine sides of each of us, our whole selves, can we help bring the world closer to peace.
The original prayer dates back to the time of Rabbi Akiva's prayer to end a drought. The formula was so effective, others added their own petitions and the prayer continued to grow. In the Sephardic version of Salonika there are 53 petitions. We hope that, if we pray from our hearts, it will be as effective today. We invite you to add your own verses to this prayer that has inspired our people for generations.
Avinu Malkeinu, sh'ma koleinu
Avinu Malkeinu hear our voice. Gentle Mother are You listening?
Avinu Malkeinu, chatanu l'fanecha
Avinu Malkeinu we have sinned against You. We have hurt each other, hurt ourselves.
Avinu Malkeinu, chamol aleinu
V'al olaleinu v'tapeinu
Avinu Malkeinu have compassion on us and on our children Hold us in Your loving arms and we will be gentle with our children.
Avinu Malkeinu, kaleih dever
V'cherev v'ra'av mei'aleinu
Avinu Malkeinu make an end to sickness, war, and famine Teach us that we must heal and feed and make peace.
Avinu Malkeinu,
Kaleih kol tzar u'mastin mei'aleinu.
Avinu Malkeinu make an end to all oppression. As long as one person is enslaved, no one is free.
Avinu Malkeinu,
Kotveinu b'seifer chayim tovim.
Avinu Malkeinu inscribe us for blessing in the Book of Life. May our eyes be open to see that the good far outweighs the evil in our world.
Avinu! Malkeinu,
Chadeish aleinu shanah tovah.
Avinu Malkeinu let the new year be a good year for us. Gentle Mother, may it be a good year for all people.
Avinu Malkeinu,
Harem keren Yisrael amecha.
Avinu Malkeinu give strength to Your people Israel. May we learn to temper strength with kindness.
Avinu Malkeinu,Chaneinu va'aneinu
Ki ein banu ma'asim
Aseih imanu tz'dakah
vachesed v'hoshi'einu.
Avinu Malkeinu be gracious and answer us, for we have little merit. Treat us generously and with kindness, and be our help.
THE ARK IS CLOSED
PLEASE BE SEATED
Eloheinu velohei avoteinu v'imoteinu
tavo l'fanecha t'filateinu,
v'al titalam mitchnateinu,
she'ein anu azei fanim ukshei oref,
lomar l'fanecha Adonai Eloheinu
velohei avoteinu v'imoteinu,
tzadikim anachnu v'lo chatanu
aval anachnu chatanu.
Chatanu. Avinu. Pashanu.
God of those who sought You out in ages past Let our prayers also come before You And do not turn aside from our entreaty. For we are not so obstinate and stubborn As to say before You: We are righteous, we have done no wrong. For indeed, we have done wrong, And we join, now as the gates are swinging shut, In the last confession of Yom Kippur before You.
Ashamnu, bagadnu, gazalnu, dibarnu
dofi, he'evinu, v'hir'shanu, zadnu,
chamasnu, lafalnu sheker, ya'atznu ra,
kizavnu, latznu, maradnu, ni'atznu,
sararnu, avinu, pashanu, tzararnu,
kishinu oref, rashanu, shichatnu,
ti'avnu, ta'inu, titanu.
We all have committed offenses; together we confess these human sins: The sins of arrogance, bigotry, and cynicism; of deceit and egotism, flattery and greed, injustice and jealousy. Some of us have kept grudges, were lustful, malicious or narrow-minded. Others were obstinate or possessive, quarrelsome, rancorous, or selfish. There was violence, weakness of will, xenophobia. We yielded to temptation and showed zeal for bad causes.
V'al kulam, eloha s'lichot,
s'lach lanu, m'chal lanu, kaper lanu.
For all these, O God of mercy, forgive us, pardon us, grant us atonement!
Pitchu-li sha'arei-tzedek
avo-vam odeh Yah
Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go into them, and I will praise the Creator.
-- Psalms 118:19
THE LIGHTS ARE DIMMED
Elohim, hashiveinu, v'ha'eir
panecha v'nivashei'ah.
Restore us, O God; Show us again the light of Your presence that we may find deliverance.
P'tach lanu sha'ar b'eit
n'ilat sha'ar, ki panah yom.
Hayom yifneh, hashemesh yavo
v'yifneh, navo'ah sh'arecha.
Open the gates for us, even now, even now, when the gates are closing, and the day begins to fade. Oh, the day is fading, the sun is setting; Let us enter Your gates!
The night descends once more on the atoning sunlight of lives made more profound and thoughtful by the words and hours we have spent together. What opened when the moon last rose as an Atonement Day has become At-one-ment Day, in which we have come closer to our people, have become more trusting of ourselves, and have lost some of the fears of the God before whom we have stood in awe. The night descends and we, strengthened and renewed, arise.
We have shared many words about ourselves this Atonement Day, confessing error, thoughtlessness, misdeed, and wrong. And yet the very act of confronting failings has enabled us to confront our virtue, and so what we must leave with each other this day is the conviction of our inner worth, the knowledge that no matter what we do we are the child of God, a valued and irreplaceable jewel in the crown that is God's universe.
Now the gates are closing in the heavens which have been the witness of our hearts on this afflicting, wearying, yet now exalting day. As the sun descends into the sea, we pray that it may take our misdeeds, thoughtlessness, and wrongs with it, that when the stars rise in the clear night sky there might rise with them the first and tender steps of a committed, thoughtful life, our soul awake to the brightness of possibilities that life can offer us, to enable us to shine among our cosmos as the full, bright Tishri moon that soon will glow above us in the Sukkot sky.
The night descends and we, strengthened and renewed, arise.
page 202 continued
RISE BEFORE OPEN ARK
Aleinu l'shabei-ach la'adon hakol,
lateit g'dulah l'yotzeir b'reishit,
shelo asanu k'goyei ha'aratzot,
v'lo samanu k'mishp'chot ha'adamah.
Shelo sam chelkeinu kahem,
v'goraleinu k'chol hamonam.
Va'anachnu kor'im
umishtachavim umodim,
lifnei Melech mal'chei hamlachim
HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
Shehu noteh shamayin v'yoseid aretz,
umoshav y'karo bashamayim mima'al
ush'chinat uzo b'govhei m'romim.
Hu Eloheinu ein od,
emet Malkeinu efes zulato.
Kakatuv b'Torato, v'yadata hayom
v'hasheivota el l'vavecha,
ki Adonai hu HaElohim
bashamayim mima'al.
v'al ha'aretz mitachat, ein od.
V'ne-emar, v'hayah Adonai
l'Melech al kol ha'aretz.
Bayom hahu yih'yeh Adonai echad
Ush'mo echad.
Let us adore the ever-living God and render praise unto the one who spread out the heavens and established the earth, whose glory is revealed in the heavens above and whose greatness is manifest throughout the world. Our God is one; there is none else. We bow our heads in reverence and worship the holy one, praised be our God. You spread out the heavens and established the earth. You are our God there is none else. In truth you alone are God, as it is written, "Know then this day and take it to heart, the Eternal One is God in the heavens above and the earth below; there is none else." May the time not be distant, Oh God, when all shall turn to You in love, when corruption and evil shall give way to integrity and goodness, when superstition shall no longer enslave the mind, nor idolatry blind the eye. Oh may all, created in your image, become one in friendship, forever united in Your service. Then shall Your realm be established on earth, and the word of Your prophet fulfilled: Adonai will reign for ever and ever.
We are dreamers, people with a vision. We are people who have not allowed our dream of a more perfect time to be tainted or trampled by those who have threatened to take our dream away from us. That more perfect time we speak of is a picture in our own highest, inextinguishable imaginings! Can we imagine a completed time, a time of peace, of completedness? Yes! We do imagine it. That is always the point... On That Day, of our completed time, we recognize the relatedness of all things -- all things are connected. Its Name is One, and that One is God. On That Day is our awakening. It is not the end of history, it's the very beginning. On That Day, we begin the upward course, to a more perfect time... never arriving always becoming, always becoming. -- J. S. Goodman
And then all that has divided us will merge And then compassion will be wedded to power And then softness will come to a world that is harsh and unkind And then both men and women will be gentle And then both women and men will be strong And then no person will be subject to another's will And then all will be rich and free and varied And then the greed of some will give way to the needs of many And then all will share equally in the Earth's abundance And then all will care for the sick and the weak and the old And then all will nourish the young And then all will cherish life's creatures And then all will live in harmony with each other and the Earth And then everywhere will be called Eden once again -- Judy Chicago
page 204 continued
God of awesome deeds God of awesome deeds Grant us pardon as the gates begin to close
Congregation
God, we stand in awe before your deeds
We who are few in number look to You with trembling we praise You as the gates begin to close
God, we stand in awe before your deeds
To You we pour out our souls; blot out our sins, our dishonest ways; grant us pardon as the gates begin to close
God, we stand in awe before your deeds
Be our refuge and shield us from danger assure us joy and honor as the gates begin to close
God, we stand in awe before your deeds
Be gracious to us, compassionate let Your judgment fall on tyrants and those who make war as the gates begin to close
God, we stand in awe before your deeds
Remember the merits of our mothers and fathers renew in us their spirit and faith as the gates begin to close
God, we stand in awe before your deeds
Proclaim a year of favor return the remnant of Your flock to honor and glory as the gates begin to close
God of awesome deeds, O God of awesome deeds
Grant us pardon as the gates begin to close
-- Bonia Shur
SAY THE FOLLOWING ONCE:
Sh'ma Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu,
Adonai Echad!
Hear, O Israel: Adonai is our God, Adonai is one.
SAY THE FOLLOWING THREE TIMES:
Baruch shem k'vod malchuto
l'olam va-ed
Praised be God's name, God's glorious rule is forever and ever.
SAY THE FOLLOWING SEVEN TIMES:
Adonai Hu HaElohim!
Adonai is God!
THE SHOFAR IS SOUNDED
Tekiah G'dolah
The name Havdalah is derived from the Hebrew word meaning 'to divide', and the ceremony takes place at the conclusion of the Sabbath or Festival, separating the sacred or Holy Day from the ordinary weekdays. As the Sabbath is ushered in with candlelight and a blessing over wine, so too is its departure accompanied by candlelight, wine, and prayer. We also inhale the fragrant spices contained in the Spice Box, symbolizing our hope that the coming week will be sweet and pleasant.
[All interpretations of the blessings are from Marcia Falk's Book of Blessings.]
Baruch atah Adonai
Eloheinu, Melech haolam,
borei p'ri hagafen
Let us bless the Source of Life that ripens fruit of the vine.
Baruch atah Adonai
Eloheinu, Melech haolam,
borei minei v'samim.
Let us celebrate the breath of all living things and praise all essences.
May the fire of the Havdalah candle illumine our way throughout the year.
Baruch atah Adonai
Eloheinu, Melech haolam,
borei m'orei ha-eish.
Let us seek the unseen sparks that kindle the greater lights.
Baruch atah Adonai
Eloheinu, Melech haolam,
hamavdil bein kodesh l'chol,
Let us distinguish parts within the whole and bless their differences,
Eiliyahu hanavi, Eiliyahu hatishbi;
Eiliyahu, (3X) hagiladi
Bimheirah v'yameinu, yavo eileinu
im Mashiach ben David
May Elijah the prophet, Elijah of Tishbi, Elijah of Gilead, quickly in our day come to us heralding redemption
We pray for all who work for a world of reason and compassion. May we come to see more clearly and surely, not that which divides us, but rather that which unites us, that each hour brings us closer to that final victory in which the nations shall have learned the human art of being merciful and compassionate, when humanity shall have developed the courage to love one another, and shall be unashamed to be tender with one another.
Miryam han'viah oz v'zimrah b'yadah.
Miryam tirkod itanu
l'hagdil zimrat olam.
Miryam tirkod itanu
l'takein et haolam.
Bimheira v'yameinu hi t'vi-einu
El mei hay'shuah
Miriam, the prophet, strength and song are in her hand. Miriam will dance with us to swell earth's song. Miriam will dance with us to redeem the world. Soon, in our day, she will bring us to the waters of redemption.
And now at the beginning of a new year, we pray for a blessing The spirit of wisdom and understanding
Congregation:
Amen The spirit of insight and knowledge
Amen The spirit of knowledge and reverence
Amen May we overcome trouble, pain and sorrow
Amen May our days and years increase
Amen
Yehi ratzon lefanecha
Adonai Eloheinu velohei
avoteinu v'imoteinu shetechadeish
aleinu shanah tovah umetukah
Eternal our God and God of our people renew us for a good year
Congregation
Amen, Amen, Amen
-- Bonia Shur
May it be a good year may it be a healthy year May it be a healthy year may it be a year of peace May it be a year of peace may it be a good year May it be a healthy year May it be a year of peace May it be a good year may it be a healthy year May it be a healthy year may it be a year of peace May we have the strength may we have the strength to make it so to make it so
Shanah tovah lechol
b'nai Yisrael ulechol
b'nai b'nai enosh.
-- Bonia Shur
This blessing was once reserved for the priests of old, but today we ask each of you to take it into your own hearts and, by embracing one another, share it with all the people whose lives you touch -- be they family, friends or strangers.
Y'varech'cha Adonai v'yishmarecha
Yaeir Adonai panav eilecha vichuneka
Yisah Adonai panav eilecha
v'yaseim lecha shalom
masculine form
Y'vrachech Adonai V'yishmerech
Yaeir Adonai panav alay'ich vichunech
Yisah Adonai panav alay'ich
v'yaseim lach shalom
feminine form
-- Numbers 6:24-26
May God bless you and keep you safe May God's love shine on you and be kind to you May God's presence be with you and give you peace
Numbers 6:24-26
May the blessings of peace and kindness, graciousness, goodness, and compassion flow among us, all the communities of Israel, and all the peoples of the world.
-- Marcia Falk
L'Shanah Tovah!
page 214 continued
Awaken, arise to the wholeness of your being; Awaken, arise to the beauty of your soul. Hitor'ri hitor'ri ki va oreich, kumi ori.
The text of L'chah Dodi was written by R. Shlomo Halevi of S'fat. This poem initiates the Raza, the Secret, of Shabbat that bestirs in us the ancient memory of shalom; of wholeness that preceded separation and alienation. Inspired by Kabbalistic imagery of union and integration, it reminds us of the 16th century custom of going out into the fields dressed in white to receive the presence of Shabbat, which some imagine as the Sabbath Bride, and invites us to call to that which will make us whole. We rise for the last verse and face the opening into our sanctuary hoping to glimpse the presence of the shalom of Shabbat.
Chorus:
L'chah dodi likrat kalah,
p'nei Shabbat n'kab'lah.
Come, my beloved; call the bride as we welcome the light of Shabbat.
Shamor v'zachor b'dibur echad,
hishmianu El ham'yuchad.
Adonai echad ush'mo echad.
l'shem ul'tiferet v'lit'hilah. L'chah...
'Keep and Remember': a single command the Only God caused us to hear; the Eternal is One, God's name is One; To God is honor and glory and praise.
Likrat Shabbat l'chu v'neilcha.
ki hi m'kor hab'rachah.
meirosh mikedem n'suchah.
sof ma'aseh b'machashava t'chilah. L'chah...
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.
Hitor'ri hitor'ri
ki va oreich, kumi ori.
uri uri, shir dabeiri.
k'vod Adonai alayich niglah. L'chah...
Awake, awake, your light has come! Arise, shine, awaken and sing: the Eternal's glory dawns upon you.
PLEASE RISE FOR THE LAST VERSE
Bo-i v'shalom ateret ba'alah.
gam b'simchah uv'tzoholah.
toch emunei am s'gulah.
bo-i chalah, bo-i chalah. L'chah...
Enter in peace, crown of your spouse; enter in gladness, enter in joy. Come to the people that keep its faith. Enter bride! Enter bride!
Shabbat is created to give us rest and to restore the soul. Vayinafash is from the Hebrew word nefesh (soul). Shabbat is the promise that there will be a time of peace when all souls will be renewed. As we guard Shabbat, Shabbat guards us and renews our souls.
V'shamru v'nei Yisrael et HaShabbat,
la'asot et HaShabbat
l'dorotam b'rit olam.
Beini u'vein b'nei Yisrael
ot hi l'olam,
ki sheishet yamim asah Adonai
et hashamayim v'et ha'aretz,
u'vayom hashvi-i shavat vayinafash.
As it is written in your Torah: the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing it throughout their generations, as an everlasting covenant. It is a sign forever between Me and the children of Israel, for in six days the eternal God made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day, God rested.
-- Exodus 31:16-17