Children Of The Palace (bnei Heichala) Apr 2026
It is sung during Ra’ava D’Ra’avin ("The Will of all Wills"), the peak of Shabbat afternoon when divine compassion is most accessible.
Rabbi Isaac Luria composed three primary songs for the three Shabbat meals. While "Azameir B'Shvachin" is for Friday night and "Asader L'Seudosah" is for Shabbat lunch, Bnei Heichala is the final and most solemn, reserved for the late afternoon. Children of the Palace (Bnei Heichala)
The first letters of the verses form an acrostic that hints at the author's name, Yitzchak Luria . 3. Musical Tradition It is sung during Ra’ava D’Ra’avin ("The Will
The "Palace" and "Table" in the song represent the spiritual realm where the "King" (God) is present in an intimate way with those who have elevated their souls through the Shabbat. 2. Origins and Authorship The first letters of the verses form an
(Hebrew: בְּנֵי הֵיכָלָא), which translates to "Children of the Palace" or "Princes of the Palace," refers to a sacred Kabbalistic hymn ( piyyut ) traditionally sung during the third meal of Shabbat ( Seudah Shlishit ). Composed by the 16th-century mystic Rabbi Isaac Luria (the Arizal), it is deeply significant in Jewish mystical and Chassidic traditions for its spiritual intensity and its focus on a unique time of divine favor. 1. Mystical Significance
Unlike many joyful Shabbat songs, the melody for Bnei Heichala is often sung slowly and with a sense of deep longing and yearning.
