Here are English-language translations and summaries of the songs that appear on “Day of Rest.” The Hebrew lyrics (in many cases, with transliterations) may be found in “bentschers” (books containing Jewish table hymns and the Grace after Meals) which are available at Jewish bookstores or online.
Yom Shabbat Kodesh Hu | Shimru Shabbetotai | Le-Hai Olamim | Tzur Mishelo | Yom Zeh Le-Yisrael | Ki Eshmera Shabbat | Yah Ribon | Adon Olam | Yedid Nefesh | Barukh El Elyon | Al Tira | Yom Shabbaton | Mizmor le-David | Lullaby in C
The Sabbath Day is holy; blessed is the one who observes it. Even if you are poor, buy delicacies to honor the day, for God will surely repay you. Remember the story of Joseph the Sabbath-lover, a poor man who found a valuable jewel in a fish he bought for the Sabbath day.
(The last verse is a copyright notice written in medieval Hebrew. The writer added it following a court case that involved an attempt to plagiarize the song.)
Keep My Sabbaths and enjoy them. Borrow on My account, My children, and enjoy My delicacies, for the Sabbath Day belongs to God. (The last verse is a plea to God to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple: “Then we will sing to You, priests and Levites and poets, on the Sabbath, the day of God.”)
Also called “Ha-Aderet ve-ha-Emuna” after its first line. It is written as an acrostic, 22 lines long, one line for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet (with which each line begins). It appears in the Sabbath morning prayers after Psalm 136 in prayer books arranged according to the Sefarad tradition.
Majesty and faith are God’s who lives forever.
Understanding and blessing are God’s who lives forever.
Greatness and pride are God’s who lives forever.
Knowledge and speech are God’s who lives forever.
Glory and dignity are God’s who lives forever.
A hymn sung before the grace after meals; each verse parallels a principal blessing in that prayer. “Let us bless our Sustainer, Whose food we have eaten. Let us thank God for giving us the Torah and for the land of Israel, a good and spacious land. Please, God, have mercy on Your people and rebuild Your holy Temple.”
The title track of the disc, after its refrain, “Shabbat
menuha” (the Sabbath day, the day of rest).
This is Israel’s special day, a day of light, of happiness and
of rest, as You commanded us on Mount Sinai. It refreshes us
with the gift of an extra soul. You made the world in six days
and told us not to work on the seventh day. We know we will be
rewarded if we keep Shabbat, but please, God, do not forget
that the Temple is still to be rebuilt.
If we observe Shabbat, God will watch over us. It is not a day for pursuing our regular occupation, or even discussing it; rather it is for Torah study. Just as a double portion of manna fell on Friday, so may God double our portion. We must eat hallah; we may not fast on Shabbat except on Yom Kippur. It is a day for good food and good feelings, a day to pray to God in the knowledge that God will answer.
Lord of all worlds! Your creatures praise You! Even if we lived a thousand years, we could not recount the extent of Your greatness. God, save your people from exile and rebuild the Temple, and there, in Jerusalem, we will really be able to sing to You!
A prayer recited in the morning and at night before going to sleep. It affirms God’s creative and protecting power.
Written by Rabbi Israel Najara, one of the Kabbalists of Safed. It is a love song to God.
Beloved of my soul, merciful Father, draw Your servant towards You. Let Your servant run as a hind to bow before Your glory. Let Your affection for him be sweeter than a honeycomb or any other delicacy.
Glorious one, most beautiful splendor of the world, my soul is sick with love for You. Please, God, heal it by revealing the light of your splendor. Then it will be invigorated and healed, enjoying everlasting happiness.
Ancient One, let Your mercy be aroused and have pity on Your beloved child. For I have yearned for so long to see Your mighty splendor. This is the desire of my heart; have pity and do not hide Yourself.
Beloved, reveal Yourself and spread over me the shelter of Your peace. Let the earth sparkle with your glory; we will rejoice and be happy with You. Be quick, Beloved, for the time has come; favor us as in days of old.
Blessed is God who gives our weary souls rest. God told us to make the Sabbath a special day, and we will be amply rewarded for it. Remember to keep the Sabbath holy; relax and enjoy its royal feeling. Let the Sabbath Queen bring blessing to your home.
An acrostic, 22 lines long, each line beginning with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
The Lord has said to the house of Jacob,
Fear not, My servant Jacob.
The Lord chosen Jacob,
Fear not, My servant Jacob.
The Lord has redeemed Jacob,
Fear not, My servant Jacob.
There has stepped forth a star from Jacob,
Fear not, My servant Jacob.
In days to come rooted will be Jacob,
Fear not, My servant Jacob.
Dominion shall be exercised by Jacob,
Fear not, My servant Jacob.
Remember these things, O Jacob,
Fear not, My servant Jacob.
Shabbat is a day of rest which we are all careful to honor. Israel has a covenant with God in which He told us to rest on Shabbat. We will keep our side of the agreement and look to God to keep His, to see that no harm befalls us.
A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me past still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff comfort me. You set a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You have scented my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
This is the only song on the disc that is not a Sabbath song. The original English text was written by Ray Scudero and is copyrighted. The Hebrew is generally faithful to the original lyrics, which may be found on Ray Scudero’s website.