My Favorite Song From Fiddler on The Roof

Sabbath Prayer Lyrics

[MOTHERS AND FATHERS]
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, Oh Lord,
And keep them from the strangers' 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.
Favor them, Oh Lord, with happiness and peace.
Oh, hear our Sabbath prayer. Amen.

6 comments:

Stacey said...

You like this better than "Wonder of Wonders?" And "Sunrise, Sunset?" And "Matchmaker, Matchmaker?"

Stacey said...

But of all God's miracles large and small,
The most miraculous one of all
Is the one I thought could never be:
God has given you to me.

Anonymous said...

It is a beautiful song, never fails to make my mascara run.

It's interesting that the lyrics are "may you be like Ruth and like Esther" when the actual prayer (that parents say to daughters) references Sarah, Rivka, Leah and Rachel.

(The actual Sabbath prayer - blessing of the children.)

have popcorn will lurk said...

It's a beautiful scene, even though the Fiddler isn't in it. ;)

(My husband played the Fiddler in a production here last year.)

... Is the Window to Our Soul said...

Yes, that is one of mine too. My father's was always .."Do You Love Me?"

david c welker said...

that is an incredible song / prayer, from one of my all time favorite movies.

Not Quite Abandoned

I didn't think it had been as many months away from here as it has clearly been. I was certain I had updated this place in December and ...