What’s an awesome Jewish wedding without great Jewish wedding songs?
The right music creates moods and livens up celebrations. Jewish wedding music has some of the most beautiful and exotic scales, full of emotion. It’s also some of the most positive and full of energy, based on traditional prayers and blessings for the couple.
These songs are great accompaniment and entertainment tunes for after parties and ceremonies. They also beautify the feel of the celebration, and we have 25 of the best.
1. “Daled Bavos”
“Daled Bavos” is a song that represents the four mystical worlds of the Qabbalah, with its four stanzas within. It’s a relaxing, beautiful song of graceful melody and somber but noble movement.
The song aims to bring the listener to these four worlds: Asiyah, Yetzirah, Beriah, and Atzilus. The string and horn sections of this symphony ensemble play the piece with a calming and reflective effect.
Rabbi Shneur Zalman composed this song based on traditional sacred melodies also used in ceremonies and weddings past. Some songs do not need words and vocals, and create the mood and energy with their melodies alone.
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4QDV-UJyY4
2. “Boi Kallah”
This lovely song fuses Jewish lyricism and modern influences by a band called Sensation Band, well known in local wedding music circles.
Right from the opening solo guitar riff, you recognize Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”. It’s an ethereal, inspiring song covered before by Jeff Buckley, John Cale, Rufus Wainwright, KG Lang, and many others.
The singing and lyrics come from a Jewish prayer named Lekha Dodi, which is a welcome song for the bride as she walks down the aisle. Combining these elements creates a new song that fuses sweet melodies and somber appreciation.
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkqeBSz7X9k
3. “Eishes Chayil”
Our next song, “Eishes Chayil,” is the traditional song of protection used in the bride ceremony for circling her husband seven times. This represents creating a protection barrier for her husband against evil, and for strengthening the bonds of family and marriage, sung only on Friday nights.
is a traditional Jewish song about a woman of valor, typically sung on Friday nights. Due to its meaningful lyrics and sweet melody, the song is often played as the bride circles her husband seven times.
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pUIgN8Jox0
4. “Sheva Brachot”
A more upbeat tune, “Sheva Brachot”, or seven blessings for the married couple, is also an important song. Often, a week after the wedding ceremony, the family dedicates a dinner for the married couple that includes the seven blessings.
The presiding Rabbi often sings these blessings, and in other cases, distinguished guests or the majority of the attendants and guests all sing it. It is a lively and tuneful song, and one that imparts good wishes and positive energy.
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NbcvslqxR4
5. “Ahavas Yisroel”
“Ahavas Yisroel” is a song based on the universal commandment of loving your fellow human as yourself, spake of in the Torah and popularly known as Jesus’s commandment as well.
This version is in English; nevertheless, it retains the original thoughts and inspiration behind the song. It is a general love of mankind tune, and also applicable to wedding ceremonies and reception celebrations.
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kOVTAuh5Fg
6. “Hamalach Hagoel”
At first listen, you will recognize the first few parts as the song, a popular children’s lullaby named “Brahm’s Lullaby”. The Jewish lyrics of the song were also actual lullabies sung to children, which are blessings and benedictions from angels and ancestors.
It is not uncommon to use traditional Jewish lyrics and modernize or re-craft them using modern songs or ballads. This gives more energy and encourages participation, engaging everyone in the celebration.
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srfL0zQSwUk
7. “Mi Bon Siach”
”Mi Bon Siach” is a song dedicated to the bride as she walks down to the wedding canopy, or chuppah, where she circles the groom seven times, creating a wall of protection and positive energy. It is also a song of appreciation and blessing for the couple.
This particular version of the song is by American wedding and contemporary Jewish religious music singer Simcha Leiner. The bright tones of the song, vocal blending, and masterful guitar and symphonics make it a poignant and powerful tune of blessings.
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLkkBJOZ2CQ
8. “Mi Adir”
That inspiring piano intro and first bars are moving pieces, before calming vocals carry greetings and regards to The Most High. Mi Adir is a greeting song that also blesses the couple, as they proceed to the chuppah.
The piano and symphonic elements combined in this song elevate the mood and positive words. The lyrics praise the Almighty in all glory in the first few lines. The last part requests blessings for the bride and groom.
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDXwVc-V5x8
9. “Ilan Ilan”
The Jewish word Ilan means tree. This song has roots in old prayers dedicated to a tree and its promising future. It gives full blessings and continuation of good life to their future and their future generations.
The original blessings come from the Gemara Taanis. It involves the story between Rav Nachman and Rav Yitzchak, and a parable Rav Yitzchak told about a man travelling in the desert blessing a tree that provided him respite from hunger, thirst, and protection from the heat. It already had abundant gifts, and the blessings wish to pass on and continue its great inherent qualities to future generations.
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSiwTwYYO94
10. “Yerushalayim Shel Zahav”
“Yerushalayim Shel Zahav”, translated to Jerusalem of Gold, is a song by the late renowned Jewish singer Naomi Shemer from 1967. The Mayor of West Jerusalem, Teddy Kollek, commissioned the song for the Israeli Song Festival. The lyrics highlight the Jewish people’s deep connection to their holy lands. Since then, the song became a popular tune that honors Israel and provides a stately atmosphere for the wedding ceremony and afterparties.
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niTWPbC8gXo
11. “Sunrise, Sunset”
“Sunrise, Sunset” is always known for the musical “Fiddler on the Roof”, about a Jewish character, Tevye the Milkman, and his adventures. This very moving song has become part of emotional blessings for the bride and groom, especially during the parents’ dance reception. It highlights the journey of a couple from childhood to falling in love, getting married, and raising a family. The song’s buildup and narration of these key life events always bring a tear or two to many attendees.
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp8GEytgdZA
12. “Boi Beshalom”
“Boi Beshalom” is a traditional Jewish wedding song that welcomes the bride to the chuppah. One of its most popular and iconic versions is this one that fuses the music of “Time To Say Goodbye” by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman with its inspiring lyrics. It lovingly pays tribute to and appreciates the bride. It evokes the same feelings as the original, and becomes more of a positive song of love and welcome.
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM9EIbHRSh0
13. “Lecha Dodi”
“Lecha Dodi” is a traditional popular hymn played during dusk on Friday night to welcome the Sabbath, the weekend day of rest, from Friday sunset to Saturday evening when three stars appear in the night sky. Rabbi Shlomo Halevi Alkabetz composed it in the 16th century. Its concept welcomes the bride as we welcome the Sabbath, with full grace and devotion.
As with many Jewish traditional songs, they have become modern adaptations, using modern songs such as “All of Me” by John Legend, with its traditional song lyrics. The result is as iconic, using its deep melodies and calming, emotional demeanor of lovely acceptance with open arms.
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwK9Kmm6VXM&feature=emb_title
14. “Erev Shel Shoshanim”
“Erev Shel Shoshanim” is one of the most popular and enduring Jewish wedding songs. Renowned Jewish folk songwriter Yosef Hadar composed the song with lyrics written by renowned Jewish writer and author Moshe Dor.
Many versions soon followed, making it also an international hit, with covers from Yafa Yarkoni, HaDuda’im, Harry Belafonte, Olivera Katarina, Nana Mouskouri, Martin Simpson, and other international artists. It’s a glorious, moving song.
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD_AiyIHnt4
15. “Hana’ava Babanot”
“Hana’ava Babanot” is a beautiful Jewish song by Amitai Ne’eman, a Jewish composer and songwriter, from 1955. It celebrates the bride and her beauty. The first line calls her “The Most Beautiful of Maidens.”
This version comes from Ose Shalom. It’s a very loving and romantic song that will make the bride fall in love even more with her man.
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJQ9ajDJEdo
16. “Yedid Nefesh”
“Yedid Nefesh” is originally a beautiful Jewish poem created by Rabbi Elazar ben Moshe Azikri. It praises the Almighty. Each beginning letter of its four verses corresponds to the 4 letters of the tetragrammaton. It has become a tradition to sing it when welcoming the Sabbath during Friday afternoon prayers. This slightly upbeat song is a pleasant song of praise and honor that fits the holy, loving marriage ceremony.
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe45pA4wJAc
17. “Dodi Li”
“Dodi Li” is another Jewish wedding song that originated from the ‘Song of Songs’ in the Jewish bible. The exact and complete Hebrew phrase that uses these words is “Ani l’dodi v’dodi li,” or “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.”
It compares the belonging and intimacy of Israel to the Most High, like a bride and groom are to each other. It’s not only a religious song and poem, but a statement of deep connection and belonging to each other in an iconic, generational song.
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcODACIBTuc
18. “Oseh Shalom”
“Oseh Shalom” is a traditional Jewish song and prayer later popularized by Israeli songwriter Nurit Hirsch in 1969. It soon became a popular Jewish song that asks for peace from the Most High, from whom peace originates.
This powerful song of wishing long-lasting peace and harmony plays during the seven blessings ceremony, or Sheva Brachot, for wishing peace and protection. They also play it after the ceremony, to leave a lasting feeling of harmonious peace to the wedded couple and all guests at the wedding.
YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHD4fjWDGOc&feature=emb_title
19. “Hava Nagila”
“Hava Nagila” means “Let us Rejoice,” and is an upbeat Jewish folk song meant for dancing at weddings and also a bat mitzvah or bar mitzvah. It celebrates the couple’s sacred union, and often involves the guests dancing in group circles, lifting the bride and groom in the air while on their seats, and more dancing and joyous celebration for the couple. The dancefloor becomes very busy with this tune.
One of the most popular Jewish wedding songs, it embodies the festive side of Jewish celebrations. It’s not uncommon to get it stuck in one’s head! It’s a delight to experience in person.
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSTOcyevIOE
20. Chassidic Traditional Wedding Dances
A Chassidic or Hasidic wedding dance, also known as the Mitzvah Tantz, is a lively dancing celebration song, like the Have Nagila, during Jewish celebrations, including weddings. These wedding dance songs often build up and speed up, making the mass dancing more lively.
These dances stem from Eastern European Jewish Hasidic traditions. These dances involve spiritual aspects with the ceremonies of marriage and dancing. It aimed to provide joyous spiritual connections through dance and honor the Almighty.
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoZU24hiI5U
21. “Silver Wedding”
“Silver Wedding” is another upbeat dancing tune with twists and turns, and fast, intense parts. Like many of the Chassidic-based dances, they encourage mass participation with circle dancing, or dancing in groups, using the Bulgar style, a common Jewish circle dance.
The Shir Ensemble plays it with the same instruments originally used by early Eastern European traditional Klezmer band musicians. Fiddles, double bass, clarinet, and nylon string guitars battle out melodies that make everyone at the celebration dance faster and livelier.
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJoCQEVuVXk
22. “Siman Tov u’Mazel Tov”
“Siman Tov u’Mazel Tov” is also an upbeat song full of positive energy and blessings for the married couple. While it’s not as intense as the other celebration songs in this list, it’s a feel-good tune with a ska-ish rhythm and melodic, catchy singing, to wish the bride and groom the best of luck.
Jewish music producer and songwriter Sheya Mendlowitz created the most popular modern version of the traditional song in 1993. Belzer Rebbe used it for his only son, Rav Aharon Mordechai’s wedding that same year. It appears on the album released in honor of that wedding.
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hlcHA6bP8o
23. “Od Yishama”
“Od Yishama” restarts the faster and more intense celebration songs again in this list. Guests, and also the bride and groom, form a circle and hold hands while dancing and pogoing up and down. Its spiritual concept of joyous spiritual dancing using its positive energy as a way to serve the Most High. It’s a very fun and spiritual activity.
While it comes from Jeremiah in the Hebrew Bible with Hasidic influences from the 1800s, the first popular and well-known recording is the one written by Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, which is still influential to this day.
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piDsoVDEIok
24. “Hevenu Shalom Aleichem”
“Hevenu Shalom Aleichem” or “We brought peace upon you” is an old Hasidic Jewish song based on the greeting Shalom Aleichem, using these three words as repeating lyrics. The melodic tune also has old Jewish Eastern European origins.
The positive message and simple catchiness of the song made it popular outside Israel and Europe. It appeared in different forms in popular music, history, and religious events. This version by the Colours of the Soul gives it a modern sheen and a dancey, almost tango-ish, jazzy swing that is hard to resist.
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqfXF8H9_4o
25. “Kol Berama”
“Kol Berama” features lyrics from the Hebrew bible in the book of Jeremiah. It has become a local song interpreted in different styles, many dedicated to events or melancholic times. Jewish religious music singer Simcha Leiner appears for the second time on our list, representing contemporary Jewish praise music. His version is a very somber, powerful display of emotion, and is sure to be a highlight in a Jewish wedding after parties and receptions.
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdCPw4KA6E4
