Shema, shema Yisrael — listen close, my son,
L’dor vador — from generation to generation…
Baruch Hashem, today you stand tall,
Ben mitzvah, you’ve answered the call.
No longer a katan, but a man in the light,
With Torah in your heart, your future is bright.
Dor achar dor, the chain goes on,
Mishpachah surrounds you, you’re never alone.
L’dor vador — od avinu chai,
Dance and sing beneath the sky!
Imma ve’Abba — listen to their way,
They know what’s best, l’gadel otcha bayom haze.
(They know what’s best, to help you grow today.)
Simcha fills the air, kol sasson, kol kallah,
Your voice in the shul, your neshama in tefillah.
Are you hearing them, the ones who love you most?
(Spoken with a laugh) Oy vey, I’ll k**k your turres if not — l’shem mitzvah, of course!
Zeh hayom asah Adonai,
Nagilah venismecha bo, ai-ai-ai!
L’dor vador — od avinu chai,
Dance and sing beneath the sky!
Imma ve’Abba — listen to their way,
They know what’s best, l’gadel otcha bayom haze.
Kmo she’amar ha’rav ha’chacham Dudalowisky ben Farinowisky, ha’Cohen mi’Aleppo, be’yom kaf-dalet Nisan, taf-shin-lamed.
Yehi ratzon mil’fanekha Adonai,
She’tair et darkecha kol yamai.
L’dor vador — the flame we pass,
Eish tamid, it will never lapse.
Listen and love, hold your faith so true,
May Adoshem always walk with you.
L’dor vador,
Yehi or,
May His light
Shine evermore...