29. Blessing for the Bridegroom

A blessing for the bridegroom usually sung immediately after Song 28. It is performed by women in the house while the groom kisses the hands of the elders, before he leaves for the synagogue to be married. Set to the tunes of four popular Hebrew songs, it invokes the divine blessings given to Abraham, Joseph and Aaron and concludes with Jacob's blessing of  Serah Bat Asher, in a version different from that of Song no. 19. S everal verses are omitted from this translation, and the first two words of Part II are missing from the recording. Tunes: I. Eḥad yaḥid, also Yigdal elohim ḥay, as sung at closing ceremony of Simhat Torah; II. Shaḥar avaqeshkha (piyyut by Salomon Ibn Gabirol) sung before "Nishmat kol ḥay"; III. Qumu be-rinnah (for Simhat Torah, as in song no. 17 above); IV. Final Qaddish for the closing ceremony of Simhat Torah; also the refrain "Halleluyah, beit Israel" sung on the same occasion, while the temporary ark is being dismantled in the synagogue.

Text

I. Tampirān Muyimpu... Abṛāmābinūṭa

May the Lord be our first help.
There came a promise to our father Abraham:
"I shall make you a great People.
I shall bless you and make you great.
I shall bless those who bless you.
God Who gives dew from heaven
Gives food and drink from the fat of the earth.

II. [Sadhāyi Sādhakan] ninnējo vāstumě

[God Shadai] will bless you
And multiply you among the nations.
Through God's blessing of Abraham
You will inherit the land of your forefathers
So that you can dwell in it.
The eternal God's blessings will be your help.
The blessings of your forefathers will rest upon you.
Like Joseph you will be the first - the leader you will be.

III. Ñayannal upakāram

Justice will come as your reward.
God will always be your life.
Your legs will not falter.
Your protector will not be drowsy.
Curses will not affect you.
Illness will not attack your house.
God will send you an angel
To protect you on your path.

IV. Tampirān tannarulāle

Surely by God's command he heard,
He heard the song sung by the girl,
Saying "Joseph is still alive!"
These words with joy he heard
And hearing, he called to the girl:
"Come here, come here!
God will bless you,
So that you will never die."