אֲדֹנָי לִי וְלֹא אִירָא
God is with me, I will not fear.
You might recognize these words of Psalm 116 from one of our favorite closing songs, Adon Olam. This soothing phrase ends the last line of the fifth and final stanza, serving as a nechemta, a consoling or uplifting ending or last word. Indeed, this soothing reminder of God’s closeness is a perfect closing for Shabbat services, as Shabbat itself is the sweetest nechemta, the most comforting ending after a long and busy week.
What might be your own nechemta or gentle wrapping up of this week? Is there something that might bring you particular comfort or ease over the forthcoming twenty five hours of Shabbat? Perhaps a long walk, a longer nap, preparing a meal with or for loved ones, listening to music and teachings streamed from our Shabbat services, or sitting quietly with a book to let the stress of the week subside might add a nechemta to your Friday eve and Saturday.
When I hum this line of Adon Olam lately, these mystical words of Psalm 118, I imagine that sweet nechemta moment at the end of Shabbat services in our sanctuary, when the energy in the room is buzzing, when we are removing our prayer shawls and preparing to greet and hug one another, when children are about to clamber from their seats to lovingly attack the giant challah rolls. How blessed we are to have had Zoom gatherings, drive-up Shabbat celebrations, and many opportunities for in-person socially distanced prayer this past year, wow! And how we are also missing these comforting moments close together, hugging and sharing meals and singing soulfully. Indeed, how sweet and uplifting to imagine all of the opportunities ahead that we will have to gather together as a community…
Shabbat Shalom.
— Cantor Emma Lutz