In this heartfelt song, “V’zakeini,” Avraham Fried puts an excerpt from the prayer commonly recited after lighting Shabbat candles to music. The lyrics, posted below in Hebrew, English and transliteration, are a prayer to God for wise and God fearing descendent who will live lives of Torah and good deeds. To see the full prayer, click here. Popular in American, Orthodox circles, the well known composer and performer sings this song with the Asheknazic pronunciation often used in American Yeshivish communities. He recites the last line of the song in Yiddish, as opposed to Hebrew.
“V’zakeini” Lyrics
וְזַכֵּנִי לְגַדֵּל בָּנִים וּבְנֵי בָנִים חֲכָמִים וּנְבוֹנִים. אוֹהֲבֵי יְיָ. יִרְאֵי אֱלֹהִים. אַנְשֵׁי אֱמֶת. זֶרַע קֹדֶשׁ בַּיָי. דְּבֵקִים וּמְאִירִים אֶת הָעוֹלָם בַּתּוֹרָה וּבְמַעֲשִׂים טוֹבִים וּבְכָל מְלֶאכֶת עֲבוֹדַת הַבּוֹרֵא. אָנָּא שְׁמַע אֶת תְּחִנָּתִי. בִּזְכוּת אברהם, יצחק, ויעוב די טאַטע, די הייליק טאַטע. ובזכות שרה, רבקה, רחל הלאה, די מאַמאַס, די הייליק מאַמאַס,
Privilege me to raise children and grandchildren who are wise and understanding, who will love Hashem and fear G-d, people of truth, holy offspring attached to G-d, who will illuminate the world with Torah and good deeds and with every labour in the service of the Creator. Please, hear my supplication In the merit of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Fathers, the holy Fathers. And in the merit of Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah, the Mothers, the holy Mothers.
V’zakeini L’gadel Banim Uvnei Vanim Chachamim Un’vonim, Ohavei Ado-nai, Yirei Elo-him, Anshei Emet,
Zerah Kodesh, Ba-Donai D’veikim, Um’irim Et Ha-olam BaTorah Uv’ma-asim Tovim, Uv’chol M’lechet Avodat Haborei. Anah Sh’ma Et T’chinati Bizchut Avraham, Yitzchak, v’Yaakov, de tates, de heilegeh tates, U’bizchut Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel, v’Leah, de mamas, de heilegeh mamas.