I once attended a Shabbat dinner that was filled with the tastiest of challot, fish, chicken, vegetables, delightful individuals, and good conversation. Things felt very comfortable until we came to the end of the meal. That’s when we took the time to thank God for providing us with the food we had just consumed and satiating our hunger — Birkat HaMazon.
I thought to myself, “Ooooo, how wonderful, I loved singing Birkat HaMazon at NFTY events, I haven’t heard it in so long.” But a minute or so into the prayer I realized we had departed from the words that I recognized. That’s because we were doing the “full version” of the prayer, rather than the adapted “shorter version.” So I sat there quietly as everyone around me smiled and sang. I’d come in when it was the part I knew and then go back to smiling awkwardly pretending to look at the pages of the birkon*.
As we were walking home from the dinner, I sort of pulled a friend aside and said, “hey, sooooo I didn’t really know that version of Birkat HaMazon…think you could record it for me so I could practice?” He said, “of course,” and so I went on to spend a few minutes a day working on the Hebrew and the melody until I could finally sing the whole thing.
Just a few Shabbatot later I was joining in on Birkat HaMazon with the rest of the group and went on to even lead the prayer a few shabbatot after that.
All of this mattered to me because I loved the chance to pray with a group; I loved the chance to sing out in the language of our ancestors and the language of the Jewish people today; I loved to feel confident in my Jewish knowledge; and I still love all of these things today.
Right now, we have an amazing class happening at Temple Emanu-El. If you’ve ever felt similarly in a Jewish situation — whether it was at a Shabbat dinner, Shabbat Services, or throughout the High Holy Days — then this class is for you. We’re working from a rolling enrollment and Ilan Weismark would LOVE to see you on Monday nights at 7:30pm on Zoom. If you don’t remember all of your letters and vowels quite yet, here’s a link to a “Quizlet” to help you review. If you DO know all of your letters and vowels, then I invite you to sign up and hop in with the group!
This is a super judgment-free-zone with lots of opportunities to practice - and a designated time to help you commit! Secular New Year’s resolutions are just around the corner. Start yours a little early and become comfortable and proficient with the Hebrew we use here at Temple Emanu-El each and every week.
I mean…Ilan is the best, so I know you’ll have an amazing time!
Click HERE to continue your Hebrew Journey.
*A Birkon or a Benscher is a small book with prayers and songs related to Shabbat in the home
