Wake up, wake up,

Your light has come, rise and shine.

Awaken, awaken; sing a melody,

The glory of G‑d will be revealed upon thee.

 

Wake up, wake up: This is as in the verse in Isaiah 51:16. This is process of spiritual awakening and is referred to in Kabbala as "haalat mayin nukvin (Ma'N)", literally, "arousing the female waters."

Your light has come, rise and shine: This is as in the verse Isaiah 60:1. "Your light has come" refers to the light of the soul; "rise and shine" signifies the soul's task to illuminate the body (it was for precisely this purpose that the soul was brought down from its lofty perch). The fulfillment of this task serves as a preparation for an even greater revelation of light - the light of the Final Redemption. The entire concept is particularly significant on Shabbat eve, when every Jew receives an additional soul, and thus an additional measure of light for the duration of the Shabbat.

Song is an expression of the soul's delight…

Sing a melody: See Judges 5:12. Song is an expression of the soul's delight and has the power to elicit an even greater measure of revelation from above. Hence, "the glory of G‑d will be revealed upon thee," meaning face-to-face, so to speak.

To read the entire original rhyming translation of Lecha Dodi (without commentary) click here.

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