The focus of chants is not singing, but prayer – avodat lev (or avodah shebalev), ‘service/work of the heart’. If prayer is not a meaningful concept for you, that’s fine; chant is also a profound opportunity for inner work and mindfulness. When we chant, it is not the quality of our voice or musicianship that counts, but […]
What’s the point of chanting? Read More »
Music and Audio © Alexander Massey 13 Sept 2018 BUY the sheet music (solo lead sheet) – $3.95 BUY the sheet music (three voices) – $6.75 (3 copies @ $2.25) Han’shamah lach v’haguf pa-alach, chusah al amalach. Han’shamah lach v’haguf shelach, Havayah, aseih l’ma-an sh’mecha. The soul is Yours and the body is Your workmanship;
Composition and audio © Alexander Massey 20 May 2014 BUY the Modeh Ani sheet music (1 or 2 vces & pno) – $4.95 Many years ago, a good friend commented to me that I didn’t always say ‘thank you’ when it might have been appropriate. I was shocked, and embarrassed. I was convinced I was
Omer Day 7 – Malchut of Chesed Read More »
Music and recording © Alexander Massey 11 March 2015 BUY the Elohai N’shamah sheet music – $4.50 (3 copies @ $1.50) The sheet music is also available as part of ‘Five Sacred Chants’. Further commentary about this text can be found in two other of my articles: Elohai N’shamah: its music and meaning Elohai N’shamah: its
Omer Day 1 – Chesed of Chesed Read More »
Introduction This is my own personal take on the sequence of the Shabbat morning service. I have drawn from several siddurim (prayerbooks), from Orthodox, through Jewish Renewal to UK Reform and Liberal. I have included most of the big ‘set pieces’ of what happens in a service, as well as some of the more minor
Outline for Shabbat morning davenen Read More »
In 1872, Francis Galton wrote a now famous essay entitled ‘Statistical Inquiries into the Efficacy of Prayer’1 and concluded that prayer has no effect on either God, or the health or life expectancy of the person prayed for. The essay is full of value propositions and assumptions presented as fact, so I find it hard
Composition and audio © Alexander Massey 5 Dec 2015 BUY the sheet music (lead sheet) $3.95 Much could be (and has been) written about the Kaddish (to which I have put links below). Although one version is referred to as mourner’s kaddish, it is part of our daily prayers, and comes, in some form, in
Composition and audio © Alexander Massey 20 May 2014 BUY the sheet music (1 or 2 vces & pno) – $4.95 The Modeh ani prayer is often used as an alternative to the Elohai n’shamah prayer as the first words that are spoken on waking in the morning. ‘Thanks’ is the first thought, followed by awareness
Music and audio © Alexander Massey 13 August 2015 BUY the sheet music (1 or 2 vces lead sheet) – $4.50 (2 copies @ $2.25) Happy is the one who lives in God’s house Ashrei yoshvei veitecha; od y’hal’lucha. Selah. Ashrei ha’am shekachah lo; ashrei ha’am she’adonai elohav. Happy is the one who lives in
Ashrei Yoshvei Veitecha Read More »
The bonds of community and mutual care are given very high value within Judaism. The importance of a Jew extending themselves on behalf of another includes offering the same practical, emotional and spiritual concern for those beyond the Jewish community. One of the key ways that this can be expressed is through bikur cholim, visiting
Bikur cholim – visiting the sick Read More »