ẒUR MI-SHELLO

ẒUR MI-SHELLO (Heb. צוּר מִשֶּׁלוֹ; lit. "Rock from whose store (we have eaten)"), an anonymous hymn which is generally chanted at the conclusion of the Sabbath meals. This poem functions as an introduction to the grace after the Meal, and its four stanzas summarize the contents of that prayer. The first stanza is based on the first paragraph of the Grace which praises God for providing food for all His creatures. The second stanza, relating to the second paragraph of the Grace, expresses Israel's gratitude for the "good land" God has given it. Corresponding to the third paragraph of the Grace, the third stanza asks God to have mercy on Israel and to restore the Temple and the Kingdom of David. The fourth stanza continues the theme of the rebuilding of the Temple and also makes references to the fact that grace is recited over a cup of wine. The refrain of this hymn reads as follows: Rock from whose store we have eaten – Bless him, my faithful companions. Eaten have we and left over – This was the word of the Lord (transl. Nina Salaman; see Hertz in bibl.). Although it makes no references to the Sabbath, Ẓur mi-Shello is not recited on weekdays. Nevertheless, jacob emden was of the opinion that one reciting it during the week will be especially blessed (Siddur Beit Ya'akov, 156). -BIBLIOGRAPHY: Hertz, Prayer, 413; Idelsohn, Liturgy, 153. (Aaron Rothkoff)