As we all know, Elul is the time when we work on drawing closer to Hashem. The Chassidic masters tell us that this is hinted to in the first letter of the words “Ani L’dodi V’dodi Li (Shir HaShirim 6:3) – I am to my beloved, and my beloved is mine.” This commonly quoted acronym captures the very essence of our relationship with the Ribono Shel Olam – a reciprocal relationship of increasing closeness and commitment between Hashem and the Jewish people.
But, believe it or not, just as Elul is the most opportune time to strengthen this connection, Erev Shabbos contains that very same potent potential.
The Midrash (Beraishis Rabba 11:8) records that Shabbos bemoaned that it lacked a companion. All the other days had one another but Shabbos remained the odd one out. Hashem urged Shabbos not to be distraught and informed her that K’nesses Yisroel will be her mate. This union is formed and sustained by a weekly wedding, one in which we participate as the chosson to our royal kallah – the Shabbos Queen.
The chasunah analogy is brought even a step further through the common practice of reciting Shir HaShirim on Erev Shabbos. This ultimate wedding song contains the utmost expression of the loving relationship between Klal Yisroel and Hashem, which of course includes the famous aforementioned phrase.
However, before this ethereal event takes place, as it is with any wedding, we must first attend the chuppah. Erev Shabbos, the moments preceding the Queen’s arrival, is a time particularly conducive to attaining the elevated bond that exists between Hashem and His people. Much like Elul, it is through Kabbalas Shabbos – the chuppah of Shabbos – that we can reestablish our intimate and undying love with the King of the universe. On Erev Shabbos, a transcendent transformation occurs. Just before Shabbos arrives, every Yid becomes much more than an eved, a servant of Hashem – we become a dod, a beloved partner of our Creator.
The great Kabbalist Rav Shlomo HaLevi Alkabetz, the author of our most well-known Erev Shabbos hymn, alludes to this awesome event and in doing so, reveals to us one of the great secrets of Shabbos. Lecha Dodi likras kallah – Come, my Beloved, to greet the bride, let us welcome the presence of Shabbos. Following the first two stanzas which proclaim the primary themes of Shabbos, there are six stanzas that focus on the yearning for the restoration of the Beis Hamikdash and the resurrection of our downtrodden nation.
If you look closely, you may notice the use of the various prophetic terms that the Navi Yeshaya exclaimed in this, and last week’s haftorahs:
Shoftim – “His’oriri his’oriri…” “Uri uri…” “Livshi bigdei sif’arteich…” “Hisna’ari mei’afar kumi…”
Ki Seitzei – “Yomin u’smol tifrotzi…” “Lo seivoshi (v’al) tikulmi…”
By including these expressions in this piyut, R’ Alkabetz is effectively telling us that our relationship with Hashem depends on our connection with kedushah. As much as kedushah certainly includes Shabbos, as long as there is no Beis Hamikdash, our kedushah is incomplete. How important it is, then, that at the same time we welcome and embrace Shabbos, we simultaneously call upon Eliyahu HaNavi to address Yerushalayim and awaken her from her current state of ruin.
When it comes to Shabbos albums, few compare to the 2014 release, Bnei Heichala – A Shabbos with Benny Friedman. The seamless blend of songs both new and old, from far and wide, all sung with the lively and heartfelt flair that only Benny can bring – this album of medleys is one of the greats. Welcoming the Queen is one such medley, and contains just the right inspiration we need in order to enter Shabbos in the right frame of mind.
The songs in order are:
(1) Lecha Dodi – The classic pre-war Yiddish composition by Bobover chossid R’ Yechezkel Shraga Rottenberg, z’l Hy’d.
(2) Shamor V’zachor – A more contemporary song composed by singer/songwriter Yerachmiel Ziegler that was first introduced to us by Aaron Razel and Yerachmiel in 2009.
(3) Lecha Dodi – Another well-known tune, this time from the 70’s, co-composed by both Nadav Medina & Avner Tzadok.
(4) Raza D’Shabbos – The medley’s finale, a Michoel Streicher gem from 1991 and just one of the many Shabbos melodies written by famed composer R’ Binyomin (Benny) Hershkowitz z’l.
“Mi shetarach b’Erev Shabbos yochal b’Shabbos – One who toils on Erev Shabbos will eat on Shabbos” (Avodah Zara 3a). Erev Shabbos: a special time of the week. Elul: a special month of the year. Combined, they enable us to open the door to our Beloved – to welcome in the Divine. May we be zocheh to take advantage of these very special moments.
Wishing all of you a very lovely Shabbos!
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