Richard Tuckers Kiddush

Richard Tucker (1914–1975), singer and cantor. Born in New York, Tucker sang in a synagogue choir and studied singing under Paul Althouse. From 1939 to 1944 he was ḥazzan at Temple Adath Israel, Brooklyn, and also appeared in concerts and on radio. In 1944 he was engaged by the Metropolitan Opera, but continued officiating as ḥazzan at the Brooklyn Jewish Center until 1947. At the Metropolitan he became one of the leading lyric tenors, specializing in French and Italian operas. “No matter how big a star Richard  Tucker had become, his first love was always chazzanut...Being a cantor always remained an important part of the opera star’s life, even after he made his debut at the Met” (Singer). 

This Kiddush was written specifically for Tucker by Shalom Secunda (most known for his Yiddish theater music "Bi Mir Bistu Sheyn") and was broadcast live and in color on NBC on April 13, 1965.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה', אֱלהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר בָּחַר בָּנוּ מִכָּל־עָם וְרוֹמְמָנוּ מִכָּל־לָשׁוֹן וְקִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו. וַתִּתֶּן לָנוּ ה' אֱלֹהֵינוּ בְּאַהֲבָה מוֹעֲדִים לְשִׂמְחָה, חַגִּים וּזְמַנִּים לְשָׂשוֹן,  אֶת יוֹם חַג הַמַּצּוֹת הַזֶּה זְמַן חֵרוּתֵנוּ,  מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ זֵכֶר לִיצִיאַת מִצְרָיִם. כִּי בָנוּ בָחַרְתָּ וְאוֹתָנוּ קִדַּשְׁתָּ מִכָּל הָעַמִּים, וּמוֹעֲדֵי קָדְשֶׁךָ בְּשִׂמְחָה וּבְשָׂשוֹן הִנְחַלְתָּנוּ.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה', מְקַדֵּשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל וְהַזְּמַנִּים.

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, borei p’ri hagafen. Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher bachar banu mikol am, v’rom’manu mikol lashon, v’kid’shanu b’mitzvotav. Vatiten lanu, Adonai Eloheinu, b’ahavah mo-adim l’simchah, chagim uz’manim l’sason, et yom Chag HaMatzot hazeh, z’man cheiruteinu, mikra kodesh, zeicher litziat Mitzrayim. Ki vanu vacharta v’otanu kidashta mikol haamim umo-adei kodsh’cha b’simchah uv’sason hinchaltanu. Baruch atah, Adonai m’kadeish Yisrael v’hazmanim

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the world, Creator of the fruit of the vine. Blessed are You, Our God, Sovereign of the universe, who has chosen us from among the peoples, exalting us by hallowing us with mitzvot. In Your love, Adonai our God, You have given us feasts of gladness, and seasons of joy; this Festival of Pesach, season of our freedom, a sacred occasion, a remembrance of the Exodus from Egypt. For You have chosen us from all peoples and consecrated us to Your service, and given us the Festivals, a time of gladness and joy. Blessed are You, Adonai, who sanctifi es Israel and the Festivals.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה', אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, shehecheyanu v’kiy’manu v’higianu laz’man hazeh. Praise to You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach this season.


haggadah Section: Kadesh