The Woman's Prayer (La Orasion de la Mujer)
Prayer
Melody by Flory Jagoda, recorded by Susan Gaeta
Lyrics: Traditional
Melody: Flory Jagoda, Balkan Sephardic composer
This traditional Sephardic blessing recited before candlelighting, 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.
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
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.
To hear Susan Gaeta's recording, taken from her CD, "From Her Nona's Drawer," click here.
Used by permission of artist
