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Lecha Dodi, the quintessential prayer welcoming the Shabbos Queen (the “Bride”), written by 16th-century Tzfas kabbalist Rav Shlomo Halevi Alkabetz, is at the center of the Kabbalas Shabbos tefillah. In virtually every community, it’s recited in song — either a standard tune specific to that kehillah, or a weekly selection from a collection of familiar niggunim.

Composer Heshi Rottenberg

When I daven in other shuls, I sometimes use Carlebach tunes for Lecha Dodi. But I’m a Belzer chassid, so when I’m davening in our own shtibel I’ll choose either a Belz, Vizhnitz, or Modzhitz tune.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 714)