Unique Astrological Times


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The Hebrew Calendar provides for 12 Unique Periods during the Year. The Sages also provide meditations, and Kavenot to use during these and other unique Astrological Periods. Click on the links below to learn more about each period

Prayer K4A_Siddur_Ishi_Maariv.pdf

Most Hebrew People who do not study Kabbalah, perceive the New Year as the Holiday of Rosh Hashana. The actual New Year starts with Rosh Chodesh Nissan. Each of these months start much earlier for people. People need to prepare themselves in advance of the potential new year (Month - Chodesh of Nissan) and the actual New Year (Month - Chodesh of Tishrai) which is the Holiday of Rosh HaShanah. To learn more about these issues read each item below.

  • Morning Prayers

  • Afternoon Prayers

    • Preparation for the Tishrai Holidays

    The preparation for the Tishrai Holidays commences on Rosh Chodesh Tammuz which includes the energy of the beginning of the three week period starting on the 17th day of Tammuz. Here is the link to bring you to recordings and hand outs about Tammuz

    Click to scroll down to the Recording of Rosh Chodesh Tammuz 5777 as well as to the blog for the essence of Tammuz

    Tikunei Zohar

    Read or Scan The Complete Aramaic Tikunei Zohar From Rosh Chodesh Elul Until Yom Kippur

  • Tikunei Zohar Aramaic Complete

  • Defining Tshuvah and the practical aspects of doing Tshuvah

  • "Mah" Meditations for the month of Elul and Tishrai from the ARI

  • Meditations for the month of Elul and Tishrai

  • Psalm 27 is read twice each day from 2nd Elul through Yom Kippur - Morning and Afternoon


  • Slichot PDF is said each morning from 2nd Elul through Yom Kippur - Sefardic Mincha.

  • Nishmat Kol Chai Hebrew can be said each morning from 2nd Elul through Yom Kippur - This s a Segulah = Benefit and a good thing to do,

  • Nishmat Kol Chai English.

  • Abridged Kaddish - Can be said without a Minyan

  • Meditation by reading about the 8 Kings in Edom prior to there being a King in Israel - This starts 15th of Elul to 28th of Elul

  • Meditation that begins on 18th of Elul - Chai Elul.

  • Hatarat Nedarim - Voiding Vows


    • Community Morning Prayers During Elul

  • Modeh/Modah Ani
  • 18 Morning Blessings
  • Adon OLam
  • Parasha Akeidah
  • 13 Attributes at the level of Arich Anpin with meditation of 13 Attributes at the level of Zeir Anpin
  • Parasha Ketoret
  • Workings of the Ketoret

    • Ana BeKoach

    Adonai Hu HaElohim

    Adonai Melech

    Baruch SheAmar

  • Ashrai Yoshvai
  • Shir HaYam
  • Shemah Ysrael

  • Bed Time Shema Israel

  • 10 Utterances

    • Amidah

    Psalm 27

  • Here is a link to some different blowing of the Shofar.

    • Tishrai Holidays


  • Tishrai 5781 Blog


  • Tishrai 5779 Blog


  • Rosh Hashana


  • Days of Awe (First Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday of the Year)

  • Yom Kippur

  • Succoth - Holiday of Booths or How to avoid Anti-Semitism for the year

  • Zohar Tzav Section 16 explaining about Hoshana Raba

  • Shemeinei Atzeret and Simchat Torah

    • Hoshana Rabah

  • Deuteronomy - Devarim Reading for Hoshana Raba

    • Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan

  • Mar Cheshvan Handout 5783

  • Mar Cheshvan Handout 5782

  • Mar Cheshvan Handout 5781

  • Mar Cheshvan Handout 5780

  • Mar Cheshvan Handout 5779

  • Hilula of Rachel Imeinu on 11th of Cheshvan

  • SIGD - Israeli Holiday

  • Book of Jubilees

    • Rosh Chodesh Kislev

  • Kislev Handout 5783

  • Kislev Handout 5782

  • Kislev Handout 5781

  • Kislev Handout 5780

  • Kislev Handout 5779

  • Kislev Handout 5778

  • Kislev Handout 5777

  • Kislev Handout 5776

  • Kislev Handout 5775

  • Kislev Handout 5774

  • Kislev Handout 5773

  • Kislev Handout 5772


    • A Time for Miracles - Including a Ritual

  • 9th hr of the 9th day of the 9th month

  • Partial Meditation for your Miracles

  • Patach Eliyahu Meditation

    • Our community will meet to perform this ritual on Sunday night/Monday morning at midnight pacific time. In preparation it is recommended to write a list of miracles desired in advance of the ritual. This ritual can be done any time during Kislev after the 9th of Kislev.It is best done on the ninth of Kislev.


    Chanukah

  • Chanukah Stories to Read While Watching Candles

  • Chanukah Handout
  • Chanukah Handout - Channah and the 7 Sons Story
  • Chanukah Handout - Rituals

  • Chanukah Lighting Meditation

  • NER Yichud - Chanukah Handout - 2

  • NER Yichud - Chanukah Handout - 3

  • NER Yichud - Chanukah Handout - 4

  • Chanukah Class 4 - Where in the Torah is a Hint to Chanukah?

  • Chanukah Handout - for Baruch - Blessing

  • Chanukah Handout - for NER Visualization

  • Chanukah - Kavenot for the 25th day of Kislev

  • Chanukah - Kavenot for the 26th day of Kislev - Second Candle

  • Chanukah - Kavenot for the 27th day of Kislev - Third Candle

  • Chanukah - Kavenot for the 28th day of Kislev - Fourth Candle

  • Chanukah - Kavenot for the 29th day of Kislev - Fifth Candle

  • Chanukah - Kavenot for the 30th day of Kislev - Sixth Candle

    • 30th of Kislev is Rosh Chodesh Alef Tevet. It is recommended that you also use the first link under Rosh Chodesh Tevet below.


  • Chanukah - Kavenot for the First day of Tevet - Seventh Candle

  • Chanukah - Kavenot for the 2nd day of Tevet - Eight Candles - Zot Chanukah

    • Rosh Chodesh Tevet

  • Tevet Handout 5783 - Sundown Shabbat Dec 23rd 2020 to Sundown Sunday Dec 25 2020

  • Tevet Handout 5782 - Sundown Shabbat Dec 3rd 2020 to Sundown Sunday Dec 5 2020

  • Tevet Handout 5781 - Sundown Tuesday Dec 15 2020 to Sundown Dec 16 2020

  • Tevet Handout 5780 - Sundown Shabbat Dec 28 2019 to Sundown Dec 30 2019

  • Tevet Handout 5779 - Sundown Shabbat Dec 7 2018 to Sundown Dec 9 2018

  • Tevet Handout 5778 - Sundown Dec 17 2017 to Sundown Dec 19 2017

  • Tevet Handout 5777

  • Tevet Handout 5776

  • Tevet Handout 5775 - Evening Dec 21 to Sundown Dec 22 2014 - 30th of Kislev

  • Tevet Handout 5774

  • Tevet Handout 5773

  • Tevet Handout 5772


    • Recordings for Chodesh Tevet

  • Rosh Chodesh Tevet Recording for 5776


    • Preparation for the Period of Shovvavim

  • Shovvavim שובבים Shovvavim Handout

  • Shovvavim שובבים Shovvavim Handout - Part 2

  • Psalm Landing Page - Psalm 1 - 68

  • Psalm Landing Page - Psalm 69 - 88

  • Psalm Landing Page - Psalm 89 - 96

  • Psalm Landing Page - Psalm 97 - 150

  • Psalms - Tehillim For Healing

  • Material for a Tanit Debur
  • Material for a Tanit Debur - TikunimChalali and Yesosd by Avraham Sutton

  • Perek Shirah Material

    • Recordings of Psalms

  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 1 - Psalm 1 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 2 - Psalm 2 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 3 - Psalm 3 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 4 - Psalm 4 + 3 Pasukim of Psalm 5 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 5 - Psalm 5 + 4 Pasukim of Psalm 6 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 6 - Psalm 6 + 6 Pasukim of Psalm 7 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 7 - Psalm 7 + Intro to Psalm 8 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 8 - Psalm 8 + Intro to Psalm 9 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 9 - Psalm 9 Pasukim 1 - 9 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 9 A - Psalm 9 Pasukim 8 - 21 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 10 - Psalm 10 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 11 - Psalm 11 - 12 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 12 - Psalm 13 - 15 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 13 - Psalm 16 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 14 - Psalm 17 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 15 - Psalm 18 Verses 1 - 25 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 16 - Psalm 18 Verses 26 - 51 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 17 - Psalm 18 Verses 1 - 51 +Psalm 19 Verses 1 - 7 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 18 - Psalm 19 Verses 8 - 15 + Psalm 20 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 19 - Psalm 21 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 21 - Psalm 22 Verses 17 - 32 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 22 - Psalm 23 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 23 - Psalm 24 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 24 - Psalm 25 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 25 - Psalm 26 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 26 - Psalm 27 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 27 - Psalm 28 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 28 - Psalm 29 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 29 - Psalm 30 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 29 - Psalm 31 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 30 - Psalm 32 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 33 - Psalm 33 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 35 - Psalm 35 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 36 - Psalm 36 - Shovvavim Preparation
  • Taanit Debur Preparation - Class 37 - Psalm 37 Verses 1 - 26 - Shovvavim Preparation

    • Rosh Chodesh Shevat

  • Rosh Chodesh Shevat 5783

  • Rosh Chodesh Shevat 5782

  • Rosh Chodesh Shevat 5781

  • Rosh Chodesh Shevat 5780

  • Rosh Chodesh Shevat 5779

  • Rosh Chodesh Shevat 5778

    • Ritual of Study the Manna - Parasha Beshalach

  • Ritual of Study for the Chapter of Manna - Exodus Chapter 16 - Verses 4 - 36 - Parasha Beshalach
  • 72 Names Addendum

    • Holdiay of Tu BeShevat

  • Blessing of the Trees - For those who did not Bless Trees in Nissan

  • Kabbalistic Tu BeShevat
  • Tu BeShevat - New Year for the Tree - Pri Etz Hadar - The Original Sedar - Scroll Down 1/4 inch
  • Tu BeShevat - New Year for the Tree
  • Tu BeShevat - New Year for the Tree Part 2

    • Shabbat Shekalim

  • Ascending Consciousness - Writing Issues by the ARI - Rabbi Isaac Luria

  • Shabbat Shekalim - - - Donation of a 1/2 Shekel or Chatzi Shekel to the upkeep of the Temple - Learn How to take a Census.
  • Machatzit HaShekalim Recording - 5778
  • HaShekel Class Recording from 2016

    • Recording for Spring and Summer Holiday Preparation

  • Spring Summer Holiday Preparation Class 1 Year 5775 - Shekalim Recorded 2 15 2015
  • Spring Summer Holiday Preparation Class 1 Year 5774 - Shekalim Recorded 3 2 2014
  • What are the 3 weeks about?

    • Rosh Chodesh Adar

  • Kabbalistic Information about the month of Adar for the year 5783

  • Kabbalistic Information about the month of Adar for the year 5782

  • Kabbalistic Information about the month of Adar for the year 5781

  • Kabbalistic Information about the month of Adar for the year 5780

  • Kabbalistic Information about the month of Adar Beit for the year 5779

  • Kabbalistic Information about the month of Adar Alef for the year 5779

  • Kabbalistic Information about the month of Adar for the year 5778

  • Kabbalistic Information about the month of Adar for the year 5777

    • Preparation for the Spring Holidays

  • Preparation for the Holidays of Purim - Pesach - The Omer - Shavuot

  • Rosh Chodesh Adar

  • Zion Adar - Hilula for Moshe Rabeinu

  • Shabbat Zachor

  • Holiday of Purim

  • Zohar About Amelek

  • Pesach Cleaning Procedure

  • Pesach Cleaning Procedure - Part 2

  • Shabbat Para Aduma - Removing Death Forever - Prior to the new year

  • Shabbat HaChodesh - Declaring the New Moon

  • Shabbat HaChodesh - Taking Control of the Year by Taking control of the Astrological Influences

  • First Days of Nissan

    • Rosh Chodesh Nissan

  • Rosh Chodesh Nissan 5783

  • Rosh Chodesh Nissan 5782

  • Rosh Chodesh Nissan 5781

  • Rosh Chodesh Nissan 5780

  • Rosh Chodesh Nissan 5779

  • Rosh Chodesh Nissan 5778

  • Blessing of the Trees - First spiritual action in Nissan

    • About the Omer Period

  • Omer Counting Dates and Numbers

  • The Relationship Between Hair and Omer Period as Explained by Rabbi Isaac Luria known as The AriZal

    • About Shabbat HaGadol

  • Shabbat HaGadol - Is it tradition? or is it an energy we have forgotten the meaning?

    • Parasha of Tazria and Metzora when ever it occurs either in Adar or Nissan. Read the 11 verses in the hand out from the Ayin Harah Protection Shield Link next.

  • Ayin Harah Protection Shield

    • Erev Pesach


    Pesach


    It is our intent to add a Hagadah at this location later.

    Discussion of Psalm 67

  • Psalm 67 - Menorah
  • Psalm 67 - Omer Kavenah
  • Silence in Prayer - Use of Sheviti

    • Rosh Chodesh Iyar

  • Rosh Chodesh Iyar 5783 - Healing + Second Chances
  • Rosh Chodesh Iyar 5782 - Healing + Second Chances
  • Rosh Chodesh Iyar 5781 - Healing + Second Chances
  • Rosh Chodesh Iyar 5780 - Healing + Second Chances
  • Rosh Chodesh Iyar 5779 - Healing + Second Chances
  • Rosh Chodesh Iyar 5778 - Healing + Second Chances
  • Rosh Chodesh Iyar 5777- Healing + Second Chances
  • Pesach Sheini - Our spiritual second chance

    • Lag B'Omer is a unique astrological event due to the specific Spherot that is connected through the counting of the Omer on this day. The Mekubalim usually stay up with an all night study similar to the All Night study of Shavuot. This is because the counting of Hod S'B'Hod has all of the manifestation of the light of the Torah without any of the negativity associated with the physical world after the "Sin" of Adam and Eve. Here are links to assist you in this study.

  • Preparation for Lag B'Omer

    • This is the Holiday of Lag B'Omer (33rd of the Omer). Bar Be Que's and Bonfires take place all over Israel. It is good to read the Idra Rabba section of the Zohar and if possible to stay up all night. Tune in to the special study that will take place on our video conference and conference call systems both Saturday evening 10 PM PDT and Sunday morning at 10:30 AM PDT

    Here are 3 links to material to use during your Lag B'Omer study

  • Study Material for Lag B'Omer - Hilulah Rabbah
  • Study Material for Lag B'Omer - Idra Rabbah
  • Study Material for Lag B'Omer prepared by Daily Zohar.com. This includes Idra Zuta in Aramaic and a translation. This is the traditional all night study material used by the Mekubalim on Lag B'Omer.

  • Study Material - Rav Kook on Lag BeOmer

  • Study Material - Stories for Lag BeOmer

  • Rainbow Day and Yom Yerushalem Preparation

    • Rosh Chodesh Sivan

  • Blog for Rosh Chodesh Sivan 5783

  • Blog for Rosh Chodesh Sivan 5782

  • Blog for Rosh Chodesh Sivan 5781

  • Blog for Rosh Chodesh Sivan 5780

  • Blog for Rosh Chodesh Sivan 5779

  • Blog for Rosh Chodesh Sivan 5778

    • Shavuot

    Study Material for Shavuot

  • What Happened To The Esser Debrot? - History

  • Zohar Reading for the Night of Shavuot - Part 1 - Prologue

  • Zohar Reading for the Night of Shavuot - Part 2 - Jewels

  • Tikun Shavuot From Tanach

  • Tikkun for the Night of Shavuot

  • This Tikkun Leil Shavuot - From Rabbi Chaim Drizin - Scroll to Page 13 for the Shavuot Jewels

  • Mikva Instructions including a Dry Mikva

  • Shavuot - Pentecost

  • Shavuot - Mt Sinai - Immortality - Part 1

  • Shavuot - Mt Sinai - Immortality- Part 2

  • Shavuot - Writings of the Ari - Rabbi Isaac Luria

  • Breslov Shavuot Study Material - Rabbi Nachman on Shavuot

  • Meditations for Shavuot Evening as Well as the Mikva Meditations

  • Shavuot From Kosher Torah

  • Shavuot From Avraham Sutton - Power Pack

  • Shavuot From Avraham Sutton - Power Pack - Parable

  • Shavuot From Kosher Torah - Year 5779

  • Commentary on the Book of Ruth

  • Shavuot From the Talmud

  • Shavuot Summary to begin the study of the all night study

    • Erev Holiday Shavuot

  • Shavuot Prayer for Children - HaShela Prayer - Hebrew and Transliteration

    • Per the teachings of the ARI, Staying up all night on Erev Shavuot and studying the material in this link will bring the student to a level of consciousness that will provide a chaos free life between Shavuot and Rosh Hashana


    Rosh Chodesh Tammuz

  • Rosh Chodesh Tammuz 5783 Blog

  • Rosh Chodesh Tammuz 5782 Blog

  • Rosh Chodesh Tammuz 5781 Blog

  • Rosh Chodesh Tammuz 5780 Blog

  • Rosh Chodesh Tammuz 5779 Blog

  • Rosh Chodesh Tammuz 5778 Blog

  • Rosh Chodesh Tammuz 5777 Blog

  • Recording of Rosh Chodesh Tammuz 5773 Connection

    • 3 Week Period


  • Deeper Insights to 3 week period

  • Deeper Insights to 3 week period - Sefirot

  • Deeper Insights to 3 week period - Communal Mourning
  • Deeper Insights to 3 week period - 3 Weeks Info
  • Vadui is Confession - English Translation by Rabbbi Avraham Sutton
  • 3 Weeks by Rav Avitan
  • Tikun Chatzot - during 3 Weeks only say Tikun Rachel during the late afternoon. Do not say Tikun Leah
  • Tikun Chatzot - English Only - during 3 Weeks only say Tikun Rachel during the late afternoon. Do not say Tikun Leah

  • 3 Week Meditations - Print Version


    • When Israel is in an active physical war, this is a good thing to say.

  • Battle Prayer for when Israel is involved with an actual physical war.

    • Rosh Chodesh Av


  • Rosh Chodesh Av 5783 Blog
  • Rosh Chodesh Av 5782 Blog
  • Rosh Chodesh Av 5781 Blog
  • Rosh Chodesh Av 5780 Blog
  • Rosh Chodesh Av 5779 Blog
  • Rosh Chodesh Av 5778 Blog
  • Rosh Chodesh Av 5777 Blog
  • Rosh Chodesh Av 5776 Event

    • Tisha B'Av - 9th of Av

  • Writings / Teachings of the ARI - Rabbi Isaac Luria


  • Preparation for Tisha B'Av


    • It is recommended to listen by candle light.


    7 weeks of Comfort
    Shabbat Nachamu Precedes Tu B'Av - Chag Zvug or Day of Love

    For those interested in learning about the New Year Kabbalistically

  • 5774 The year ahead תשעד - YR of PEACE
  • 5775 The year ahead תשעה - YR of Swallowing Death Forever.
  • 5776 The year ahead תשעו - YR of the Pause.
  • 5777 The year ahead תשעז - YR of Waking up the Goat .
  • 5778 The year ahead תשעח - YR of bowing to HaShem in order to walk with HaShem.
  • 5779 The year ahead תשעט - YR of Becoming Wizened.
  • 5780 The year ahead תש֚ף - YR of Compensation Unity With Shefa
  • 5781 The year ahead תש֚פא - YR of "potential redemption"

    • 5773 the year i did not have time to develop the tzerufim and permute the word that is the spelling of the year.

  • 5772 The year ahead תשעב
  • See for yourself what was said about last year before the year startred תשעא

    • Kabbalah

  • Sefaria Kabbalah Menu
  • Pirkei Avot = Ethics Of The Fathers
  • Book of Jubilee
  • Daf Mishna Link

    • Various Healing Meditations and Cleansing Tikunim

  • Corona Virus Protection - The Ketoret - Incense - Including Zohar
  • Corona Virus Protection - The Ketoret - Expanded Version including Kabbalistic Meditation - Incense - Including Zohar
  • Tikunei Zohar 48 out of 70. This needs to be said daily for the cleansing and Tikun = rectification of the sin of Keri = wasting seed
  • Ramban's Letter to his son - Iggeret HaRamban - Recommended to be read weekly - Both Hebrew and English
  • Ramban's Letter to his son - Part 2 Recommended to be read weekly - Both Hebrew and English
  • The Shir HaShirim - Hebrew and English + Rashi Comments
  • Tzerutim HaShem with the Word Ani - support the process of the realignment of one's soul with one's Divine Source

    • Character Development and Tools to Refine / Cleanse Our Character Traits

    Works of Mussar

  • Sefer Tomer Devorah = Devorah's Palm Tree by Moshe Cordovero = Ramak
  • Messalit Yesharim = Path of the Just by Rabbi Moshe Luzzato = Ramchal
  • Noam Elimelech - Writings by Reb Elimelech on the Parasha
  • Verses on Mussar = Ethical Growth
  • 72 Names - HaShem
  • 72 Names - Tzadikim
  • 10 Utterances - Esser Debrot
  • Tzerutim HaShem with the Word Ani - support the process of the realignment of one's soul with one's Divine Source
  • Orot Tzadikim = Light of the Righteous in Hebrew and English
  • Beraita of Rabbi Yishmael

    • Recommended Daily Readings

  • Tikunei Zohar 48 out of 70. This needs to be said daily for the cleansing and Tikun = rectification of the sin of Keri = wasting seed

    • Tikune HaKlali - 10 Songs / Psalms Recommended by Rabbib Nachman of Breslov

    They are : Tehillim 16 - 11 Verses - Mictam

    Tehillim 32 - 11 Verses - Maskil by David

    Tehillim 41 - 14 Verses - Mizmor

    Tehillim 42 - 12 Verses - Maskil by Benai Korach

    Tehillim 59 - 18 Verses - Lamnatzeach Over Destruction

    Tehillim 77 - 21 Verses - Lamnatzeach Al Yedutun

    Tehillim 90 - 17 Verses - Tefilah Moshe

    Tehillim 105 - 45 Verses - Hodu LaHaShem

    Tehillim 137 - 9 Verses - Al Naharot Bavel

    Tehillim 150 - 6 Verses Halalu Yah

  • Material for a Tanit Debur
  • Material for a Tanit Debur - TikunimChalali and Yesosd by Avraham Sutton - English Only

  • Perek Shirah Material

    • Performed At Least Weekly

    https://www.sefaria.org/Sifra%2C_Braita_d'Rabbi_Yishmael.3?ven=Sifra_by_Rabbi_Shraga_Silverstein&vhe=Venice_1545&lang=bi&with=Avot%20D%27Rabbi%20Natan&lang2=en

  • Patach Eliyahu Meditation

  • Ramban's Letter to his son - Iggeret HaRamban - Recommended to be read weekly - Both Hebrew and English
  • Ramban's Letter to his son - Part 2 Recommended to be read weekly - Both Hebrew and English

    • Friday Afternoon Only Song of Songs

  • The Shir HaShirim - Hebrew and English + Rashi Comments

    • Years Energies 5774 - 5781

    The Custom to Read Shir Hashirim On Friday Night

    There is a time-honored practice – dating back many centuries – to read Shir Hashirim on Friday night. Some communities read it before Minha on Friday afternoon, others between Minha and Arbit, and some after Arbit.

    The text of Shir Hashirim is, essentially, a love story between a man and a woman. The Seror Ha’mor (Rav Abraham Saba, 1440-1508), in his introduction to Shir Hashirim, bemoans the fact that the Apikorsim (heretics) interpret Shir Hashirim literally, as describing an actual relationship between a man and a woman, Heaven forbid. This profanes Shir Hashirim, which our Sages describe as "Kodesh Kodashim" – the most sacred of all the texts in the Tanach. This book allegorizes the close relationship between Am Yisrael and the Almighty, describing the deep love He feels for us and we feel for Him. One verse in Shir Hashirim says, "Shehora Ani Ve’na’ava" – "I am black but beloved," referring to the fact that Beneh Yisrael are beloved to Hashem even when we’re "black," darkened by sin.

    The simplest explanation for why we read Shir Hashirim at the beginning of Shabbat is because Shabbat is like the "wedding" between the Jewish People and G-d. This is why we sing, "Bo’i Kalla" ("Come, O bride") when Shabbat begins, and we dress up in our finest clothing and have an elaborate meal, just like at a wedding. Furthermore, in our Friday night prayer, we refer to Shabbat in the feminine form – "Ve’yanuhu Bah," whereas on Shabbat morning, we use the masculine form – "Ve’yanuhu Bo," and at Minha some have the custom to recite the plural form – "Ve’yanuhu Bam." Some explain these passages as allusions to the bride and groom, who come together on Shabbat afternoon, the time of the "Yihud," the culmination of the "wedding," the height of love and closeness between G-d and His special nation. Appropriately, then, as we celebrate this "wedding," we read Shir Hashirim which tells of the unique feelings of love between G-d and Am Yisrael.

    The Hida (Rav Haim Yosef David Azulai, 1724-1806), in his work Kiseh Rahamim, brings another reason. He cites the Seder Ha’dorot as stating that although Beneh Yisrael spent 210 years in Egypt, they worked as slaves for only 117 years. The number 117, then, is associated with the end of exile and suffering, and the onset of redemption, as it was after 117 years of labor that Beneh Yisrael were freed. Our Sages teach us that if we all observe Shabbat properly, then we become worthy of redemption. So, on this day we read Shir Hashirim, which contains 117 verses, as though telling the Almighty that the merit of our observance of Shabbat should bring the end of our exile. Just as G-d redeemed our ancestors from Egypt after 117 years of slave labor, we, too, hope for our redemption in the merit of Shabbat observance, alluded to by the 117 verses in Shir Hashirim. (This is likely the reason why it is customary to read Shir Hashirim after the Seder on Pesach, because of the association between the 117 verses of this book and the Exodus from Egypt.)

    Another explanation is based on a teaching of the Roke’ah (Rav Elazar of Worms, Germany, 1176-1238). The Zohar comments that the wicked who suffer in Gehinam are granted a reprieve during the 24 hours of Shabbat. (Our lighting of a candle on Mosa’eh Shabbat signifies the rekindling of the fires of Gehinam.) But in addition, the Zohar writes, the fires of Gehinam cease to burn also when Am Yisrael recites each of the three daily prayers – Shaharit, Minha and Arbit. Specifically, the Zohar says that when Am Yisrael recites one of these prayers, the fires of Gehinam stop burning for an hour and a half – or 4.5 hours each day. Now the six workdays have a total of 144 hours (24 * 6), and among those, the fires of Gehinam are not burning for 27 hours (4.5 * 6). It turns out, then, that the fires of Gehinam burn for a total of 117 hours (144-27). The Roke’ah teaches that King Shlomo composed the 117 verses of Shir Hashirim as a prayer that the merit of this sacred text should save people from the punishment of Gehinam. We therefore recite Shir Hashirim at the end of the week so that the merit of our recitation will save us from the 117 weekly hours of suffering in Gehinam.

    Summary: It is customary to read Shir Hashirim on Friday night, either before Minha, after Minha, or after Arbit. The simplest reason is because Shir Hashirim talks of the special love between G-d and Am Yisrael, and Shabbat is the "wedding" between us and Hashem. There are also Kabbalistic reasons for this practice.

    Kabbalistic Reasons For Shir HaShirim on Friday Afternoon

    With the energy of the coming Shabbat we transform our negative actions from last Shabbat until now to positive actions through Teshuvah, which is the reading.

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