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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.

Malchus Choir conductor Rabbi Pinchos Bichler

At really festive Shabbos gatherings, I use Reb Ben Zion Shenker’s famous Modzhitz “Baruch Kail Elyon” tune for Lecha Dodi. It has many parts and is beautiful with choir harmonies. And when it’s Shabbos and Yom Tov together, I’ll adapt a tune related to the Yom Tov.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 714)