https://simplecast.com Shabbat Unbound Podcast Each prayer its own world. With its own Torah to teach us. Most Friday night services move through fifteen prayers in one sitting. Shabbat Unbound asks a different question: what if we took just one prayer and really stayed with it? Over eight episodes, we give one prayer our full, undivided attention. Its history. Its language. Its music. The arguments it has sparked, the comfort it has given, and the questions it refuses to resolve. en Fri, 25 Sep 2026 04:10:00 +0000 Fri, 25 Sep 2026 04:10:11 +0000 https://shabbat-unbound-podcast.simplecast.com Shabbat Unbound Podcast https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/42f2593b-8482-43a3-82e8-ad5146ff29e4/eee66d7d-a4ee-4cf4-9ced-f00687df9029/3000x3000/podcast_graphic.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://shabbat-unbound-podcast.simplecast.com episodic Each prayer its own world. With its own Torah to teach us. Most Friday night services move through fifteen prayers in one sitting. Shabbat Unbound asks a different question: what if we took just one prayer and really stayed with it? Over eight episodes, we give one prayer our full, undivided attention. Its history. Its language. Its music. The arguments it has sparked, the comfort it has given, and the questions it refuses to resolve. Lex Rofeberg, Miriam Terlinchamp, Judaism Unbound false https://feeds.simplecast.com/YeCqhfLS judaism,prayer,service,shabbat,unbound Judaism Unbound jtaylor@bespokenlive.org 60709315-30bb-4a18-92f1-45a2dd0cc6fc Episode 4: Lecha Dodi Welcome to Shabbat Unbound, the world's longest Friday night Sabbath service, stretching over eight episodes. Instead of rushing through all the Friday night Shabbat prayers in one sitting, like we might in a classical synagogue environment, we're taking our time diving deep into one prayer each episode through song study and sacred conversation. It's the most original and traditional way to engage in the transition into Shabbat, taking each prayer as its own world with its own Torah to teach us. Miriam Terlinchamp, Lex Rofeberg and an incredible group of musicians invite you to discover what happens when Shabbat slows down. The fourth episode focuses on Lecha Dodi.

[1] Source for writing Lecha Dodi.  Rabbi Chaim Vital (1543-1620),  student of  Arizal (Rabbi Isaac Luria, 1534-1572), writes in his Pri Etz Chaim (Sha’ar Shabbat) the Arizal’s precise procedure for Kabbalat Shabbat:

He would go out into the fields and first recite Psalm 29 (‘Mizmor l’David’). Then he would say bo’i kallah three times, followed by Psalm 92 (‘Mizmor Shir l’Yom haShabbat’). That was it! The Arizal would then return home, and had another set of rituals around the meal table. One of these was to recite the words Zachor v’shamor b’dibbur echad ne’emru, to recall the mitzvah of Shabbat in the Ten Commandments. Recall that in the first passage of the Ten Commandments in the Book of Exodus, God says zachor et yom haShabbat, to “commemorate” the Sabbath day, while in the second passage of the Ten Commandments in the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses recorded it as shamor et yom haShabbat, to “safeguard” the Sabbath day. Our Sages explained that God had said both words simultaneously—the people heard zachor v’shamor b’dibbur echad, to “commemorate” and “safeguard” in a single utterance.

[2] Miriam mentions bridal imagery in Lecha Dodi and Sabbath practices in general. Here is a sweet article about mystic love by Sara Crispe in her www.myjewishlearning.com essay, “Love Lessons from Lecha Dodi.” 

[3] Love this rendition of Lecha Dodi? Great! Check out Batya Levine’s other recordings and compositions on her website www.batyalevine.com. Batya’s newest album “Yivarechecha” focuses on blessings and is a downright magical compilation of gorgeous and resonant music. 

[4] If you want to listen to some of the other nearly 1,000 tunes for Lecha Dodi, we have a few special one’s highlighted on our website at: www.judaismunbound.com/shabbat5785. There’s one set to “All of me” by John Legend, another by “The Jews of Uganda”, a Bretzlover chasidic tune, and more!  

[5] Want to watch the music video of our version of Lecha Dodi? Great you can find it here.

]]> Fri, 25 Sep 2026 04:10:00 +0000 jtaylor@bespokenlive.org (Judaism Unbound) https://shabbat-unbound-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/episode-4-lecha-dodi-2PtOzV5J Welcome to Shabbat Unbound, the world's longest Friday night Sabbath service, stretching over eight episodes. Instead of rushing through all the Friday night Shabbat prayers in one sitting, like we might in a classical synagogue environment, we're taking our time diving deep into one prayer each episode through song study and sacred conversation. It's the most original and traditional way to engage in the transition into Shabbat, taking each prayer as its own world with its own Torah to teach us. Miriam Terlinchamp, Lex Rofeberg and an incredible group of musicians invite you to discover what happens when Shabbat slows down. The fourth episode focuses on Lecha Dodi.

[1] Source for writing Lecha Dodi.  Rabbi Chaim Vital (1543-1620),  student of  Arizal (Rabbi Isaac Luria, 1534-1572), writes in his Pri Etz Chaim (Sha’ar Shabbat) the Arizal’s precise procedure for Kabbalat Shabbat:

He would go out into the fields and first recite Psalm 29 (‘Mizmor l’David’). Then he would say bo’i kallah three times, followed by Psalm 92 (‘Mizmor Shir l’Yom haShabbat’). That was it! The Arizal would then return home, and had another set of rituals around the meal table. One of these was to recite the words Zachor v’shamor b’dibbur echad ne’emru, to recall the mitzvah of Shabbat in the Ten Commandments. Recall that in the first passage of the Ten Commandments in the Book of Exodus, God says zachor et yom haShabbat, to “commemorate” the Sabbath day, while in the second passage of the Ten Commandments in the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses recorded it as shamor et yom haShabbat, to “safeguard” the Sabbath day. Our Sages explained that God had said both words simultaneously—the people heard zachor v’shamor b’dibbur echad, to “commemorate” and “safeguard” in a single utterance.

[2] Miriam mentions bridal imagery in Lecha Dodi and Sabbath practices in general. Here is a sweet article about mystic love by Sara Crispe in her www.myjewishlearning.com essay, “Love Lessons from Lecha Dodi.” 

[3] Love this rendition of Lecha Dodi? Great! Check out Batya Levine’s other recordings and compositions on her website www.batyalevine.com. Batya’s newest album “Yivarechecha” focuses on blessings and is a downright magical compilation of gorgeous and resonant music. 

[4] If you want to listen to some of the other nearly 1,000 tunes for Lecha Dodi, we have a few special one’s highlighted on our website at: www.judaismunbound.com/shabbat5785. There’s one set to “All of me” by John Legend, another by “The Jews of Uganda”, a Bretzlover chasidic tune, and more!  

[5] Want to watch the music video of our version of Lecha Dodi? Great you can find it here.

]]> Episode 4: Lecha Dodi Judaism Unbound 00:31:14  Welcome to Shabbat Unbound, the world's longest Friday night Sabbath service, stretching over eight episodes. Instead of rushing through all the Friday night Shabbat prayers in one sitting, like we might in a classical synagogue environment, we're taking our time diving deep into one prayer each episode through song study and sacred conversation. It's the most original and traditional way to engage in the transition into Shabbat, taking each prayer as its own world with its own Torah to teach us. Miriam Terlinchamp, Lex Rofeberg and an incredible group of musicians invite you to discover what happens when Shabbat slows down. The fourth episode focuses on Lecha Dodi.  Welcome to Shabbat Unbound, the world's longest Friday night Sabbath service, stretching over eight episodes. Instead of rushing through all the Friday night Shabbat prayers in one sitting, like we might in a classical synagogue environment, we're taking our time diving deep into one prayer each episode through song study and sacred conversation. It's the most original and traditional way to engage in the transition into Shabbat, taking each prayer as its own world with its own Torah to teach us. Miriam Terlinchamp, Lex Rofeberg and an incredible group of musicians invite you to discover what happens when Shabbat slows down. The fourth episode focuses on Lecha Dodi. false full 4 46f59609-a921-4ae4-b24d-71d22f30dc63 Episode 3: Ana B'Koach Welcome to Shabbat Unbound, the world's longest Friday night Sabbath service, stretching over eight episodes. Instead of rushing through all the Friday night Shabbat prayers in one sitting, like we might in a classical synagogue environment, we're taking our time diving deep into one prayer each episode through song study and sacred conversation. It's the most original and traditional way to engage in the transition into Shabbat, taking each prayer as its own world with its own Torah to teach us. Miriam Terlinchamp, Lex Rofeberg and an incredible group of musicians invite you to discover what happens when Shabbat slows down. The third episode focuses on Ana B'Koach.

[1] Interested in learning more about Ana B’Koach? Lex compiled this incredible list of resources including multiple translations, tunes and essays.  

[2] Jacob’s Ladder has an incredible repertoire of Jewish music. Check out their newest album, HaMakom/The Place here.

[3] Here’s a picture of Lex’s ring. Want your own? Us too. Here are a few options by artisans. 

[4] Lex mentions the role of the 42 names of of God, you can read the original text in the Talmud (Kiddushin 71a:13) that introduces this concept. 

[5] Richard Levy z”l, Rabbi, poet, teacher, and modern liturgist, published an exceptional translation of psalms, Songs Ascending, an incredible compilation for any poetic, creative, or lover of ancient poetry. 

[6] Want to watch the music video of our version of Ana Bakoach? Great you can find it here.

]]> Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:10:00 +0000 jtaylor@bespokenlive.org (Judaism Unbound) https://shabbat-unbound-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/episode-3-ana-bkoach-OrkFa8AW Welcome to Shabbat Unbound, the world's longest Friday night Sabbath service, stretching over eight episodes. Instead of rushing through all the Friday night Shabbat prayers in one sitting, like we might in a classical synagogue environment, we're taking our time diving deep into one prayer each episode through song study and sacred conversation. It's the most original and traditional way to engage in the transition into Shabbat, taking each prayer as its own world with its own Torah to teach us. Miriam Terlinchamp, Lex Rofeberg and an incredible group of musicians invite you to discover what happens when Shabbat slows down. The third episode focuses on Ana B'Koach.

[1] Interested in learning more about Ana B’Koach? Lex compiled this incredible list of resources including multiple translations, tunes and essays.  

[2] Jacob’s Ladder has an incredible repertoire of Jewish music. Check out their newest album, HaMakom/The Place here.

[3] Here’s a picture of Lex’s ring. Want your own? Us too. Here are a few options by artisans. 

[4] Lex mentions the role of the 42 names of of God, you can read the original text in the Talmud (Kiddushin 71a:13) that introduces this concept. 

[5] Richard Levy z”l, Rabbi, poet, teacher, and modern liturgist, published an exceptional translation of psalms, Songs Ascending, an incredible compilation for any poetic, creative, or lover of ancient poetry. 

[6] Want to watch the music video of our version of Ana Bakoach? Great you can find it here.

]]> Episode 3: Ana B'Koach Judaism Unbound 00:23:08 Welcome to Shabbat Unbound, the world's longest Friday night Sabbath service, stretching over eight episodes. Instead of rushing through all the Friday night Shabbat prayers in one sitting, like we might in a classical synagogue environment, we're taking our time diving deep into one prayer each episode through song study and sacred conversation. It's the most original and traditional way to engage in the transition into Shabbat, taking each prayer as its own world with its own Torah to teach us. Miriam Terlinchamp, Lex Rofeberg and an incredible group of musicians invite you to discover what happens when Shabbat slows down. The third episode focuses on Ana B'Koach. Welcome to Shabbat Unbound, the world's longest Friday night Sabbath service, stretching over eight episodes. Instead of rushing through all the Friday night Shabbat prayers in one sitting, like we might in a classical synagogue environment, we're taking our time diving deep into one prayer each episode through song study and sacred conversation. It's the most original and traditional way to engage in the transition into Shabbat, taking each prayer as its own world with its own Torah to teach us. Miriam Terlinchamp, Lex Rofeberg and an incredible group of musicians invite you to discover what happens when Shabbat slows down. The third episode focuses on Ana B'Koach. false full 3 321dcef7-4d56-4fc8-9412-81be83c834d9 Episode 2: Shiru L'Adonai Welcome to Shabbat Unbound, the world's longest Friday night Sabbath service, stretching over eight episodes. Instead of rushing through all the Friday night Shabbat prayers in one sitting, like we might in a classical synagogue environment, we're taking our time diving deep into one prayer each episode through song study and sacred conversation. It's the most original and traditional way to engage in the transition into Shabbat, taking each prayer as its own world with its own Torah to teach us. Miriam Terlinchamp, Lex Rofeberg and an incredible group of musicians invite you to discover what happens when Shabbat slows down. The second episode focuses on Shiru L'Adonai.

[1] Check out the music video for Shiru L'Adonai here.

[2] All the music for the Shabbat Unbound podcast was recorded live at The Monastery Studios in Cincinnati, Ohio under the direction of Ric Hordinski.  

[3] Check out this page for further learning about Shiru L’Adonai (and all our Shabbat Unbound episodes). 

[4] Interested in learning more about composer Jake Erhlich and his community? You can find out more about Jake and Congregation T’chiyah on their website. 

[5] “Every psalm, every prayer is an act of relationship, a way of moving into holy Presence, a way of opening ourselves to hear the voice of the Divine, which the cares of ordinary life may, all too frequently, muffle”.  – Psalms of Jewish liturgy, page 121 Miriyam Glazer

[6 ] Miriam mentions the  Zohar, the mystical text of Kabbalah, when referring to the Sabbath. You can read more about the spiritual nature of the Sabbath in the Zohar, Volume II (Shemot), Terumah 14:164–165

]]> Fri, 26 Jun 2026 04:10:00 +0000 jtaylor@bespokenlive.org (Judaism Unbound) https://shabbat-unbound-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/episode-2-shiru-ladonai-rBOcFjgC Welcome to Shabbat Unbound, the world's longest Friday night Sabbath service, stretching over eight episodes. Instead of rushing through all the Friday night Shabbat prayers in one sitting, like we might in a classical synagogue environment, we're taking our time diving deep into one prayer each episode through song study and sacred conversation. It's the most original and traditional way to engage in the transition into Shabbat, taking each prayer as its own world with its own Torah to teach us. Miriam Terlinchamp, Lex Rofeberg and an incredible group of musicians invite you to discover what happens when Shabbat slows down. The second episode focuses on Shiru L'Adonai.

[1] Check out the music video for Shiru L'Adonai here.

[2] All the music for the Shabbat Unbound podcast was recorded live at The Monastery Studios in Cincinnati, Ohio under the direction of Ric Hordinski.  

[3] Check out this page for further learning about Shiru L’Adonai (and all our Shabbat Unbound episodes). 

[4] Interested in learning more about composer Jake Erhlich and his community? You can find out more about Jake and Congregation T’chiyah on their website. 

[5] “Every psalm, every prayer is an act of relationship, a way of moving into holy Presence, a way of opening ourselves to hear the voice of the Divine, which the cares of ordinary life may, all too frequently, muffle”.  – Psalms of Jewish liturgy, page 121 Miriyam Glazer

[6 ] Miriam mentions the  Zohar, the mystical text of Kabbalah, when referring to the Sabbath. You can read more about the spiritual nature of the Sabbath in the Zohar, Volume II (Shemot), Terumah 14:164–165

]]> Episode 2: Shiru L'Adonai Judaism Unbound 00:23:46  Welcome to Shabbat Unbound, the world's longest Friday night Sabbath service, stretching over eight episodes. Instead of rushing through all the Friday night Shabbat prayers in one sitting, like we might in a classical synagogue environment, we're taking our time diving deep into one prayer each episode through song study and sacred conversation. It's the most original and traditional way to engage in the transition into Shabbat, taking each prayer as its own world with its own Torah to teach us. Miriam Terlinchamp, Lex Rofeberg and an incredible group of musicians invite you to discover what happens when Shabbat slows down. The second episode focuses on Shiru L'Adonai.  Welcome to Shabbat Unbound, the world's longest Friday night Sabbath service, stretching over eight episodes. Instead of rushing through all the Friday night Shabbat prayers in one sitting, like we might in a classical synagogue environment, we're taking our time diving deep into one prayer each episode through song study and sacred conversation. It's the most original and traditional way to engage in the transition into Shabbat, taking each prayer as its own world with its own Torah to teach us. Miriam Terlinchamp, Lex Rofeberg and an incredible group of musicians invite you to discover what happens when Shabbat slows down. The second episode focuses on Shiru L'Adonai. false full 2 4ef8421c-90e4-4086-bd02-ba87c480f743 Episode 1: Yedid Nefesh  Welcome to Shabbat Unbound, the world's longest Friday night Sabbath service, stretching over eight episodes. Instead of rushing through all the Friday night Shabbat prayers in one sitting, like we might in a classical synagogue environment, we're taking our time diving deep into one prayer each episode through song study and sacred conversation. It's the most original and traditional way to engage in the transition into Shabbat, taking each prayer as its own world with its own Torah to teach us. Miriam Terlinchamp, Lex Rofeberg and an incredible group of musicians invite you to discover what happens when Shabbat slows down. The first episode focuses on Yedid Nefesh. 

[1] Check out the music video for Yedid Nefesh here.

[2] All the music for the Shabbat Unbound podcast was recorded live at The Monastery Studios in Cincinnati, Ohio under the direction of Ric Hordinski.  

[3] Lex made AMAZING resources to accompany each episode of Shabbat Unbound, check out this page for further learning. 

[4] Molly Baigot, composer of this version of Yedid Nefesh, is a queer Jewish musician, educator, and activist living on Nipmuc & Pocumtuc land in Easthampton, MA. You can find out more about her on her website: mollybajgot.com

[5] Reb’ Zalman’s translation of Yedid Nefesh can be found here

[6] Check out this gorgeous article on the power of vulnerability through the lens of love, by Karen Erlichman

[7] The melody Healer of the Broken-Hearted for the prayer for healing comes from Shir Meira Feit. Learn more about their work at ShirMeira.com.

]]> Fri, 22 May 2026 04:10:00 +0000 jtaylor@bespokenlive.org (Miriam Terlinchamp, Lex Rofeberg) https://shabbat-unbound-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/episode-1-yedid-nefesh-OztTyI18  Welcome to Shabbat Unbound, the world's longest Friday night Sabbath service, stretching over eight episodes. Instead of rushing through all the Friday night Shabbat prayers in one sitting, like we might in a classical synagogue environment, we're taking our time diving deep into one prayer each episode through song study and sacred conversation. It's the most original and traditional way to engage in the transition into Shabbat, taking each prayer as its own world with its own Torah to teach us. Miriam Terlinchamp, Lex Rofeberg and an incredible group of musicians invite you to discover what happens when Shabbat slows down. The first episode focuses on Yedid Nefesh. 

[1] Check out the music video for Yedid Nefesh here.

[2] All the music for the Shabbat Unbound podcast was recorded live at The Monastery Studios in Cincinnati, Ohio under the direction of Ric Hordinski.  

[3] Lex made AMAZING resources to accompany each episode of Shabbat Unbound, check out this page for further learning. 

[4] Molly Baigot, composer of this version of Yedid Nefesh, is a queer Jewish musician, educator, and activist living on Nipmuc & Pocumtuc land in Easthampton, MA. You can find out more about her on her website: mollybajgot.com

[5] Reb’ Zalman’s translation of Yedid Nefesh can be found here

[6] Check out this gorgeous article on the power of vulnerability through the lens of love, by Karen Erlichman

[7] The melody Healer of the Broken-Hearted for the prayer for healing comes from Shir Meira Feit. Learn more about their work at ShirMeira.com.

]]> Episode 1: Yedid Nefesh Miriam Terlinchamp, Lex Rofeberg 00:28:45  Welcome to Shabbat Unbound, the world's longest Friday night Sabbath service, stretching over eight episodes. Instead of rushing through all the Friday night Shabbat prayers in one sitting, like we might in a classical synagogue environment, we're taking our time diving deep into one prayer each episode through song study and sacred conversation. It's the most original and traditional way to engage in the transition into Shabbat, taking each prayer as its own world with its own Torah to teach us. Miriam Terlinchamp, Lex Rofeberg and an incredible group of musicians invite you to discover what happens when Shabbat slows down. The first episode focuses on Yedid Nefesh.  Welcome to Shabbat Unbound, the world's longest Friday night Sabbath service, stretching over eight episodes. Instead of rushing through all the Friday night Shabbat prayers in one sitting, like we might in a classical synagogue environment, we're taking our time diving deep into one prayer each episode through song study and sacred conversation. It's the most original and traditional way to engage in the transition into Shabbat, taking each prayer as its own world with its own Torah to teach us. Miriam Terlinchamp, Lex Rofeberg and an incredible group of musicians invite you to discover what happens when Shabbat slows down. The first episode focuses on Yedid Nefesh. false full 1 c9409dec-d02e-4fe3-8ae9-84fcb6e38d0c Trailer Each prayer its own world. With its own Torah to teach us. Most Friday night services move through fifteen prayers in one sitting. Shabbat Unbound asks a different question: what if we took just one prayer and really stayed with it? Over eight episodes, we give one prayer our full, undivided attention. Its history. Its language. Its music. The arguments it has sparked, the comfort it has given, and the questions it refuses to resolve.

One prayer. All the way in. No rushing. No catalogue. A singular prayer, explored from every direction.

Song: We listen to how the prayer sounds — its melodies, its variations, the way different communities have sung it across centuries and continents.

Study: We open the words themselves — unpacking the Hebrew, the layers of meaning, the rabbinic debates and the poets who shaped every syllable.

Story:  We bring each prayer to life through the people who wrote it, prayed it, and found themselves changed by it.

Eight Prayers. Eight Worlds.

One episode drops the fourth Friday of every month. Start anywhere or start from the beginning.

]]> Thu, 7 May 2026 17:00:00 +0000 jtaylor@bespokenlive.org (Judaism Unbound) https://shabbat-unbound-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/trailer-SJCaeKAH Each prayer its own world. With its own Torah to teach us. Most Friday night services move through fifteen prayers in one sitting. Shabbat Unbound asks a different question: what if we took just one prayer and really stayed with it? Over eight episodes, we give one prayer our full, undivided attention. Its history. Its language. Its music. The arguments it has sparked, the comfort it has given, and the questions it refuses to resolve.

One prayer. All the way in. No rushing. No catalogue. A singular prayer, explored from every direction.

Song: We listen to how the prayer sounds — its melodies, its variations, the way different communities have sung it across centuries and continents.

Study: We open the words themselves — unpacking the Hebrew, the layers of meaning, the rabbinic debates and the poets who shaped every syllable.

Story:  We bring each prayer to life through the people who wrote it, prayed it, and found themselves changed by it.

Eight Prayers. Eight Worlds.

One episode drops the fourth Friday of every month. Start anywhere or start from the beginning.

]]> Trailer Judaism Unbound 00:00:53 Each prayer its own world. With its own Torah to teach us. Most Friday night services move through fifteen prayers in one sitting. Shabbat Unbound asks a different question: what if we took just one prayer and really stayed with it? Over eight episodes, we give one prayer our full, undivided attention. Its history. Its language. Its music. The arguments it has sparked, the comfort it has given, and the questions it refuses to resolve. Each prayer its own world. With its own Torah to teach us. Most Friday night services move through fifteen prayers in one sitting. Shabbat Unbound asks a different question: what if we took just one prayer and really stayed with it? Over eight episodes, we give one prayer our full, undivided attention. Its history. Its language. Its music. The arguments it has sparked, the comfort it has given, and the questions it refuses to resolve. false full 1