Shalom Bayit - (Peace of the Home) with audio

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Shabbat Shalom, they said as each came to the door
First came the early birds, and then more chaverim, (friends), trickled in,
Followed by pilgrims bearing gifts of wine
Their faces lifted up our home bringing blessings upon us
The air began to cool down from the 95 degree temperature
As they each began to help prepare for the evening
It was still light, late afternoon and summer

A long set of tables had been placed with chairs set all around
Some guests helped put down the table cloths and I left off to change clothes
Soon it was time to begin and reaching for some red wine
I returned to the tables now beautifully adorned and filled with happy young faces
A calm easy evening breeze blew and the transformation was complete
The air was now afresh with the scent of the nearby jasmine and roses
Twightlight arrived, sending the temperature plummeting to a relaxing 75 degrees

The crickets danced, hummingbirds hovered above the red bougainvilleas
Little birds chirped and the morning doves coo'd
Many of our guests laughed in conversation, some sat quietly, eyes shining brightly
To my right by the fragrant jasmine sat my princes smiling and joking
The strength of my youth, our older and younger son
With their mother coming, going and joining us once again
All the frustration and stresses of the week fled away
The sweetness of the gathering fell upon all like a tefillah and tehillah,
(prayer and song of praise)

The gentle flowing air whispered in the ear
And played the little group of souls like Mendelsohn's nocturn
Alluding to what must have been for him a longing
For something wonderful realized here in this night
In each beating breast, and eyes full of the wonder of life
Songs, B'ruchas, (Blessings), wine, challah and festive feasting
Yai yai yai, yah yah yah, lai lai lai, Maschiach, Maschiach, Maschiach
And HEY! We sang, led by the young teacher, who was inspired by the flower

Parshat Naso, 176 verses to touch the senses more than any other,
Coinciding with the longest day of the year,
Dividing sacred and the profane, the lunar cycle,
Day and night, the Jewish Calendar year of 353 days
First three, then five, followed by seven
A census of Shalom Bayit,  Shabbat shalom and
The number of our guests,
Recounting Aaron's blessing
Hashem Bless you,
Hashem lift up his face
Hashem Shine upon and grant you Shalom

The moon pregnant with desire, but at first shy,
Peered down at the scene from behind the palm branches
Then moving leisurely crossing over stars in the night
Her delight burst forth upon us reflecting a greater glory
O, Tidal beauty fret not, even though you are a world away,
Tonight you are here with us, joining in our celebration
Our spirits welling up in joy as waves within us
Welcoming the bride, hearts overflowing as one
With the hope of all creation among the host
That the creator might dwell with us,
Among us, to make all things new

So it was this night, in the faces of our children,
And their friends, mixed up in the laughter
Kabbalat daughters and sons at rest with us
Here in this brief yet eternal season of time
The Shabbat refreshes and awakens to life
Makes us hope in the coming of the Messiah
To pray for the peace of Jerusalem city of gold
As Hashem makes his face to shine within us

So we ate, drank and chatted passionately into the night
Playing cards, drinking tea, and eating birthday cake
Until it was two in the morning and the stars tearing up,
Pleaded with us: go to bed,  so we said, lilah tov, goodnight,
Shalom Aleichem, Shabbat Shalom, until our guests had departed

Then each one of our little family retired to the inner recesses of our home
Where we sank down upon the pillows and blankets
Falling into unconcerned sleep, safe, contented and at peace
Resting at the foot of Jacobs ladder
With angels in attendance.