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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/ arranger Yitzy Bald

I love Ari Goldwag’s “Kah Ribon,” and that’s what I sing for Lecha Dodi when I daven from the amud. Ari has many beautiful songs, but that niggun is something very big. It’s slow and majestic and feels classical, although it’s actually contemporary.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 714)