Shavuot Eve

Before reciting the Ten Commandments,

I first ask permission and approval.

You upright, having heard this hymn of praise,

May you be in that blissful company!

You will merit to sit in the first row,

If you will obey God’s majestic words.

Blessed are You, Adonei, Source of Life, who creates the fruit of the vine.

Blessed are You, Adonei, Source of Life, who has chosen us amongst all peoples and has raised us amongst all tongues, and has sanctified us with His commandments. And You have given us, Adonei, appointed times for happiness, holidays and special times for joy, this Festival of Shavuot (Weeks), our season of receiving the Torah a holy convocation in memory of the Exodus from Egypt. For You have chosen us and sanctified us among all peoples. In Your gracious love, You granted us Your special times for happiness and joy. Blessed are You, One, who sanctifies Israel, and the appointed times (holidays).

Blessed are You, One, Source of Life, who creates the light of the fire.

Blessed are You, One, Source of Life, who distinguishes between the holy and the profane, between light and darkness, between the seventh day and the six working days. You have distinguished between the holiness of the Sabbath and the holiness of the Festival, and You have sanctified the seventh day above the six working days. You have distinguished and sanctified Your people Israel with Your holiness. Blessed are You, One, who distinguishes between the holy and the holy.

Blessed are You, One, Source of Life, who has granted us life and sustenance and has brought us to reach this season.

(14) They broke into weeping again, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law farewell. But Ruth clung to her. (15) So she said, “See, your sister-in-law has returned to her people and her gods. Go follow your sister-in-law.” (16) But Ruth replied, “Do not urge me to leave you, to turn back and not follow you. For wherever you go, I will go; wherever you sleep over, I will sleep; your people shall be my people, and your God my God. (17) Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus and more may the LORD do to me, if anything but death parts me from you.” (22) Thus Naomi returned from the country of Moab; she returned with her daughter-in-law Ruth the Moabite.

and the women neighbors gave him a name, saying, “A son is born to Naomi!” They named him Obed; he was the father of Jesse, father of David.