THE WOMAN'S PRAYER - AT THE LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES (LA ORASION DE LA MUJER)

Melody by Flory Jagoda, recorded by Susan Gaeta

Lyrics: Traditional

Melody: Flory Jagoda, Balkan Sephardic composer

An MP3 recording can be heard at http://www.ritualwell.org/holidays/passover/candlelighting/primaryobject.2005-07-22.0265355985

This traditional Sephardic blessing recited before candle-lighting, “La Orasion de la Mujer” (The Woman's Prayer), has been used by families since they were ousted from Spain around 1492. Along with being a beautiful prayer, the music is incredible – the Spanish matrix of the music and the overlay of the oriental/Balkan influence is enchanting.

LA ORASION DE LA MUJER

Kun estas kandelas

Arrogamos al Dio

El Dio de muestros padres

Avram, Isak i Yakov

Ke muz de vida saludoza

A todus miz keriduz

I al mundo intero

Kun estas kandelas

Arrogamos al Dio

El Dio de muestros madres

Sara, Rifka, Lea i Rachel

Ke muz de vida saludoza

A todus miz keriduz

I al mundo intero

THE WOMAN'S PRAYER

With these candles

We pray to God

The God of our fathers

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

To grant us good life and health

To all my dear ones

And the whole world

With these candles

We pray to God

The God of our mothers

Sarah, Rebecca, Leah and Rachel

To grant us good life and health

To all my dear ones and the whole world

There are many more of these gorgeous prayers and benedictions, written in Ladino (Judeo-Spanish), and chanted from the soul.


haggadah Section: Introduction
Source: Foundation For Family Education, Inc