In his heartfelt signature song, “V’zakeini,” Rabbi Baruch Levine puts an excerpt from the prayer commonly recited after lighting Shabbat candles to music. The lyrics, posted below in Hebrew, English and transliteration, are a prayer to God for wise and God fearing descendent who will live lives of Torah and good deeds. To see the full prayer, click here. In this six minute video, the Hebrew lyrics are displayed over emotive images of Ultra-Orthodox men and boys in prayer. Popular in American, Orthodox circles, the well known composer and performer sings this song with the Asheknazic pronunciation often used in American Yeshivish communities.
“V’zakeini” Lyrics
וזַכֵּנִי לְגַדֵּל בָּנִים וּבְנֵי בָנִים חֲכָמִים וּנְבוֹנִים. אוֹהֲבֵי יְיָ. יִרְאֵי אֱלֹהִים. אַנְשֵׁי אֱמֶת. זֶרַע קֹדֶשׁ בַּיָי. דְּבֵקִים וּמְאִירִים אֶת הָעוֹלָם בַּתּוֹרָה וּבְמַעֲשִׂים טוֹבִים וּבְכָל מְלֶאכֶת עֲבוֹדַת הַבּוֹרֵא.
Privilege me to raise children and grandchildren who are wise and understanding, who will love Hashem and fear G-d, people of truth, holy offspring attached to G-d, who will illuminate the world with Torah and good deeds and with every labour in the service of the Creator.
V’zakeini L’gadel Banim Uvnei Vanim Chachamim Un’vonim, Ohavei Ado-nai, Yirei Elo-him, Anshei Emet,
Zerah Kodesh, Ba-Donai D’veikim, Um’irim Et Ha-olam BaTorah Uv’ma-asim Tovim, Uv’chol M’lechet Avodat Haborei.