This excerpt from “Shabbat: A personal guide to the spiritual observance of Shabbat” presents the Kabbalat Shabbat service of the Beyt Tikkun Jewish Renewal neo-Hasidic synagogue in Berkeley, California. This Kabbalat Shabbat service begins with an outdoor meditation celebrating creation, followed by selections from Shema, a central prayer of the Ma’ariv evening prayer service, concluding with Shalom Aleichem, a hymn usually sung around the table prior to the beginning of the Friday night Shabbat meal. To see the entire guide, prepared by Rabbi Michael Lerner and members of the Beyt Tikkun congregation, click here.
A Prayer Celebrating Creation
To do the prayer celebrating creation, go outside if the weather permits. Find a quiet, safe, private space to stand where you can see the sky. Take time to relax, make yourself feel comfortable and safe. Breathe in and out some deep breaths and relax. Now, look at the sky. Imagine where you are in the physical universe—on the North American continent on a globe that has been turning all day, first toward the sun, and now away from the sun and toward the millions of stars, a few of which you may be able to see. Imagine the reality—all day long this globe has been turning, and all day it has also been moving forward on its path around the sun. Allow yourself to contemplate the infinite expanses of the universe. Become aware of your actual place in this vast reality. Allow yourself to see the complexity and the grandeur of the physical universe, and to give thanks to God for creating all this and giving us the opportunity to experience it.
Then, say the prayer:
Baruch Ata, Adonai, hama-ariv aravim.
Blessed are you, the Transformative Power of the Universe, who evenings the evening.
The Prayer of God’s Love: Ahavat Olam
Ahavat olam
Beyt Yisra-el
amcha, amcha, ahavta:
torah umitzvot,
chukim umishpatim
otanu, otanu, limadeta.
Al keyn Adonai Eloheynu
b’shachbeynu uv’kumeynu
nasi-ach b’chukecha, v’nismach b’divrey Toratecha
uv’mitzvotecha l’olam va-ed.
Ki hem chayeynu v’orech yameynu,
uvahem negeh yomam valaila.
V’ahavatcha al tasir mimenu l’olamim,
mimenu l’olamim!
Baruch Ata, Adonai, ohev, ohev, amo Yisra-el.We are loved by an unending love.
We are embraced by arms that find us
Even when we are hidden from ourselves.
We are touched by fingers that soothe us
Even when we are too proud for soothing.
We are counseled by voices that guide us
Even when we are too embittered to hear.
We are loved by an unending love.
We are supported by hands that uplift us
Even in the midst of the fall.
We are urged by the eyes that meet us
Even when we are too weak for meeting
We are loved by an unending love.
Embraced, touched, soothed and counseled…
Ours are the arms, the fingers, the voices;
Ours are the hands, the eyes, the smiles;
We are loved by an unending love.
Blessed are You, Our Source,
who loves Your people Israel.
—translated by Rabbi Rami Shapiro
Now, recognizing and affirming God as the Unity of All Being, proclaim:
SHEMA YISRA-EL, ADONAI ELOHEYNU, ADONAI ECHAD!
Hear, Israel, the Power of Transformation and Healing is the Creator of the Universe, the Transformative Power is an Inexpressible Unity.
Immediately following the Shema we chant or recite the Ve’ahavta prayer. It not only affirms God as the Unity of All Being but defines ways in which we can demonstrate our belief in that One God.
Ve’ahavta et adonay eloheha behol levaveha uvhol nafsheha uvhol me’odeha.
Vehayu hadevarim ha’eleh asher anohi metzaveha hayom allevaveha.
Veshinantam levaneha vedibarta bambeshivteha beveyteha uvlehteha vadereh uvshohbeha uvkumeha.
Ukshartam le’ot al yadeha vehay letotafot beyn eyneha.
Uhtavtam al mezuzot beyteha uvishareha.You shall love YHVH, the Source of Healing and Transformation, with all your mind, with all your strength and
with all your being. Set these words which I command you this day, upon your heart. Teach them faithfully to your children; speak of them in your home and on your way, when you lie down and when you rise up.
Bind them as a sign upon your hand; let them be a symbol before your eyes; inscribe them on the doorposts of your house, and on your gates.
Stay outside and continue to contemplate the vastness and grandeur of the universe. When you are ready, come back inside.
Shalom Aleychem—Welcoming the Angels
It is traditional to imagine that when we come into the place where we eat our Shabbat meal and see the table set with wine and challah, we notice the presence of angels. Rabbi Rami Shapiro teaches us that angels are another name for feelings. When we act with kindness and love, we create angels of love and kindness; when we act with hate or violence, we create angels of hate and violence. It is our job to fill our world with the angels of love, messengers of kindness that link people together as one family. Put your arms around each other and sing Shalom Aleychem:
Shalom aleychem malachey hashareyt, malachey elyon,
MiMelech mal’chey ham’lachim, haKadosh Baruch Hu.
Bo-achem l’shalom, malachey hashalom, malachey elyon,
MiMelech mal’chey ham’lachim, haKadosh Baruch Hu.
Barchuni l’shalom, malachey hashalom, malachey elyon,
MiMelch mal’chey ham’lachim, haKadosh Baruch Hu.
Tzeytchem l’shalom, malachey hashalom, malachey elyon,
MiMelech mal’chey ham’lachim, haKadosh Baruch Hu.Welcome among us, messengers of peace, angels of the Highest one from deep within us, Majesty of majesties, the blessed Holy One
—translated by Rabbi Burt Jacobson