How to play Shabbat Shalom

How to play Shabbat Shalom
by Gary Beckwith

Shabbat Shalom is a poplular song that is sung to welcome Shabbat, the day of rest. It is traditionally sung at sundown on Friday night but can also be sung at any time during Shabbat which goes until sundown on Saturday night. It is a very simple song and it just means "Happy Shabbat" or "Peaceful Shabbat." On other days of the week when you meet or greet someone you might just say "Shalom" which means peace or hello. But on Shabbat we say "Shabbat Shalom" because Shabbat is a special day.

My son was at summer camp and called me up and aske me to teach him how to play the song so he could play it at camp at the next Shabbat services. I quickly made this video for him and it worked out! I thought afterwards, maybe some other folks might want to learn how to play this song. So here it is....

It's very simple, ony 3 chords. Play it over and over again as many times as you want, and get everyone into it by speeding up and slowing down, playing loud and soft.

Have fun with it!

Shabbat Shalom!