Menucha veSimcha is a piyyut which Ashkenazic Jews traditionally sing on Sabbath eve. The piyyut is acrostically signed "MoSHE", and some attribute it to Moses ben Qalonymus.
The theme of the piyyut is praise of the Sabbath. The payyetan praises those who properly observe the Sabbath, whose acts attest to God's six-day creation of the world. The piyyut mentions various Sabbath obligations and practices, and the reward which comes to those who keep them.[1]
Words
| Hebrew Original | English translation |
|---|---|
מְנוּחָה וְשִׂמְחָה אוֹר לַיְּהוּדִים |
Rest and happiness, light to Jews!
Day of rest, day of delights. Its keepers and observers -- they attest That all was created in six. |
שְׁמֵי שָׁמַיִם אֶרֶץ וְיַמִּים |
High heavens, earth, and seas,
All the great and exalted host of heaven, Leviathan, man, wild oxen, That God is the Eternal Rock. |
הוּא אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר לְעַם סְגֻלָּתוֹ |
He who said to his special people,
"Be sure to sanctify it from start to finish", The holy Sabbath, His favorite day, For then did God rest form all his work. |
בְּמִצְוַת שַׁבָּת אֵל יַחֲלִיצָךְ |
In the Sabbath commandment, god encourages you.
Come, call to him, he hurries to strengthen you! Breath of all life, he will also hearten you, Eat in happiness -- it is foreordained. |
בְּמִשְׁנֶה לֶחֶם וְקִדּוּשׁ רַבָּה |
With doubled bread, and great kiddush,
With many dishes, and vigorous spirit, Those who enjoy it will merit much good, When the Messiah brings us to the Next World. |