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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.

Singer Shulem Lemmer

The tunes I like best for Lecha Dodi are the niggunim that the shul sings along with. That can vary, depending where I daven. My personal favorites are “Shomrei” from Belz, the Breslov Lecha Dodi, and the Carlebach Lecha Dodi [the same as his niggun for “Kah Ribon”]. They’re all beautiful when everyone sings together.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 714)