Unique Astrological Times
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.
Certainty + Yearly Energies