Lately, we have been having some services "in the round," which provides a more intimate and cozy feel. We generally dance a bit, hora style, during the course of the service to, as the psalms say, feel what it's like to worship G-d "with all our bones." Those who have attended have enjoyed the more casual feel, and I sincerely hope that many more of you will come down and try it on for size. our Chazzan always finds a joyful and melodic way to inspire and energize us, and I have sought out some dialogue formats that get us to ponder the significance of Shabbat, upcoming holidays, or explore a theme in the weekly Torah portion. At the last "in the round," for example, we discussed the importance of Shabbat for each or our families and what it means that "the Shabbat Queen is descending." I shared these lyrics, which I composed to the popular Don McClean song, "Starry, Starry Night." The song was about the famous artist Vincent Van Gogh. Perhaps you will like it and sing it at your Shabbat table. Hopefully, we will see you next Shabbat!
Sung to "Starry, Starry Night," by Don McClean
Starry, starry night, Shabbat is upon us soon
Rebbe talks and the Chazzan croons,
To celebrate the day that we love best...
it's a day of rest.
For animals and servants too,
Not to mention all of you, who are davening and looking nicely dressed.
Starry, starry night, paint your tallit white and blue,
And look out the avenue
and welcome the beloved Shabbos queen...
time it can be mean.
It can swallow you with one big bite,
If you let it dominate without a fight,
Of slowing down and glowing candlelight.
Now I understand,
What G-d tried to say to me,
and how we suffered in our vanity,
And how he tries to set us free.
We don't listen often that is sad.
Without Shabbat we might go mad.
Starry, starry night, G-d paints his pallet with our souls,
Diverse and wondrous in our roles...
he looks upon it and he says it's good.
Each of us a star,
Who shines upon the world with hope
Making G-d's kaleidoscope. Our colors brighter with every brand-new year,
Now I understand.
What Shabbos means to me,
An opportunity for sanctity.
So to set our spirits free and when no hope is left inside,
on the starry, starry night.
Thank G-d for blessings G-d imbues,
The Torah tells us have hevra.
The world's a gentler place with the Shabbostik milieu.