The Ana Bekoach is a mystical prayer written in the 1st century by the great Kabbalist, Rabbi Nehunia Ben Hakannah, (who was also the author of “The Bahir”, one of the most important of all classical kabbalah texts). A prayer for Israel’s redemption from exile, the Ana Bekoach is composed from a unique formula of 42 letters written in seven sentences of six words each, letters which are also thought to make up a secret 42-letter name of God. Interestingly, these letters are actually the first 42 letters of the book of Genesis. It is taught then that this combination of letters harness the energies of Creation.
The kabbalists consider the Ana Bekoach to be the most mystical and powerful of all prayers. By saying the Ana Bekoach, we enrich our lives with pure spiritual light and positive energy. Perhaps for this reason, the most well known time this prayer is said is at the transition into Shabbat, when it is sung aloud in many communities. In addition to using it as a prayer, carrying the Ana Bekoach on you in various forms of jewelry or amulets has become a popular way to potentially connect to its great power.
