I was thinking about an interesting concept this Sabbath and came
across something I wanted to share. It is a prayer from the musical
Fiddler on the Roof. While I have not yet seen all of the musical, I
found this prayer inspiring. It is Jewish tradition to start Sabbath with a prayer of blessing over
the family. I have seen this done at a Messianic Jewish home church
we have attended in the past. I love how the husband expresses his
desire of blessing over his wife and then his children. It is such an
outward sign of love and commitment for his family and trust in God. In my home growing up, and probably many homes, my Dad did not express
how he felt about us or what his desires were for us. I realize that
men are not usually big on discussing their feelings or putting into
words their long-term goals. But what a difference it makes when they
do! I can imagine the worth and direction one must feel to know your
parents care enough to pray over you each week in front of everyone
and to share what they wish for your life. Children soak up that
sense of value to their parents and to God. And being a woman, I can
say that it means a lot for us to make a relational connection with
our families. So I loved the movie clip I ran across from The Fiddler on the Roof.
It showed the family standing around their dinner table. The mother
and father begin singing their Sabbath prayer of blessing over their
children. I quickly learned that this song is pretty popular, but
being fairly new to Sabbath I had not heard it before. Sabbath Prayer-(Fiddler on the Roof)
May the Lord protect and defend you
May he always shield you from shame
May you come to be in Israel a shining name
May you be like Ruth and like Esther
May you be deserving of praise
Strengthen them, O Lord, and keep them from the stranger's ways
May God bless you and grant you long lives
May the Lord fulfill our Sabbath prayer for you
May God make you good mothers and wives
May he send you husbands who will care for you
May the Lord protect and defend you
May the Lord preserve you from pain
Favour them, O Lord, with happiness and peace
O hear our Sabbath prayer
Amen If any of you have practiced this time of Sabbath prayer with your
families (either now or growing up) I would love to hear about your
experiences! I'm sure it would be a blessing to me and to others! Until next week,
Lisa G.
across something I wanted to share. It is a prayer from the musical
Fiddler on the Roof. While I have not yet seen all of the musical, I
found this prayer inspiring. It is Jewish tradition to start Sabbath with a prayer of blessing over
the family. I have seen this done at a Messianic Jewish home church
we have attended in the past. I love how the husband expresses his
desire of blessing over his wife and then his children. It is such an
outward sign of love and commitment for his family and trust in God. In my home growing up, and probably many homes, my Dad did not express
how he felt about us or what his desires were for us. I realize that
men are not usually big on discussing their feelings or putting into
words their long-term goals. But what a difference it makes when they
do! I can imagine the worth and direction one must feel to know your
parents care enough to pray over you each week in front of everyone
and to share what they wish for your life. Children soak up that
sense of value to their parents and to God. And being a woman, I can
say that it means a lot for us to make a relational connection with
our families. So I loved the movie clip I ran across from The Fiddler on the Roof.
It showed the family standing around their dinner table. The mother
and father begin singing their Sabbath prayer of blessing over their
children. I quickly learned that this song is pretty popular, but
being fairly new to Sabbath I had not heard it before. Sabbath Prayer-(Fiddler on the Roof)
May the Lord protect and defend you
May he always shield you from shame
May you come to be in Israel a shining name
May you be like Ruth and like Esther
May you be deserving of praise
Strengthen them, O Lord, and keep them from the stranger's ways
May God bless you and grant you long lives
May the Lord fulfill our Sabbath prayer for you
May God make you good mothers and wives
May he send you husbands who will care for you
May the Lord protect and defend you
May the Lord preserve you from pain
Favour them, O Lord, with happiness and peace
O hear our Sabbath prayer
Amen If any of you have practiced this time of Sabbath prayer with your
families (either now or growing up) I would love to hear about your
experiences! I'm sure it would be a blessing to me and to others! Until next week,
Lisa G.
