The shaking of the Four Species, sometimes called ‘shaking the lulav’, has attracted a number of meanings over the course of Jewish history. One of these was the idea that all the four plants require water to grow, and this was a ritual to invoke the right amount of rain for the crops. I would […]
Sukkot matters (3): Finding meaning in shaking the lulav Read More »
Sukkot is a wonderful opportunity to reach back into our Jewish tradition, drawing upon ancient wisdom, at the same time as making new meanings for ourselves and contributing to the evolution of a living Judaism. I’m not going to give an exhaustive account of every detail, or of every ‘official’ version of the meanings of
Sukkot matters (1): Finding meaning in the sukkah Read More »
Listen/watch song on YouTube Composition and audio © Alexander Massey 15 February 2014 Download the free sheet music (vocal duet) The fun of this song is all in the lyrics (printed below). First, the chorus loses more words each time it happens, and, by doing so, gradually reveals the differences between the four children: In Chorus
The Four Children (song) Read More »
Composition and audio © Alexander Massey 23 January 2014 In English: In Hebrew: Download the free sheet music (solo voice, English & Hebrew) Written and first performed for the Council of Christians and Jews gathering with the Oxford Unitarians service at Harris Manchester College, Yom HaShoah 5774 / Holocaust Memorial Day 2014. Many commentators have
Essa Einai (I Lift My Eyes – Ps. 121) Read More »
Oseh Shalom No. 2 – Composition and audio © Alexander Massey, 12 Sept 2012 Download the free sheet music (1 or 2 voices & piano or guitar) I wrote this piece originally for the Yom Kippur Musaf service. This melody is based on musical motifs from the Hin’ni ‘Here I stand’ solo prayer sung by
Oseh Shalom No.2 (Maker of Peace) – High Holy Days Read More »
Psalm 89:16-19 Composition and audio © Alexander Massey, 24 May 2012 Listen / watch on YouTube (including spoken introduction) – SOAS Interfaith Music Festival Download the free sheet music (1, 2 or 3 voices, unaccompanied, or with guitar) Contact me to request the free sheet music for the version of 4 equal voices + piano. Verse
Ashrei Ha’Am (Happy Are The People) Read More »
Pesach 5772 / 2012 Why the ten plagues of Israel, and not Egypt? A midrashic suggestion Exodus tells the story of ten plagues that afflicted Egypt, prior to the flight of the Israelites into the desert. Why are the plagues given in such detail? Is there any allegorical meaning to be derived from the nature
The Ten Plagues of … Israel Read More »
Composition, lyrics and audio © Alexander Massey, 9 Nov 2011 Download the free sheet music (2 voices & piano) Vatomeir Rut al-tifgi-bi, l’azveich lashuv meiachara’ich: ki el asher teilchi eileich, uva’asher talini alin – ameich ami, veilohayich elohai; ba’asher tamuti amut, v’sham ekaveir; koh ya’aseh adonai li, v’choh yosif – ki hamavet, yafrid beini uveineich.
Your People Will Be My People (song of Ruth) Read More »
Composition and audio © Alexander Massey 8 March 2011 Download the free sheet music (1 or 2 voices & piano) The music for this came to me in the week of Tisha B’Av (the 9th of the month of Av), the day that marks many sadnesses for the Jewish people – the date it is
Nigun Nachamu Nachamu (comforting at Tisha B’av) Read More »
© Alexander Massey 9 Oct 2008 Contact me to request the free sheet music (2-4 voice round). I wrote this originally as a musical meditation to prepare for leading Mincha (the afternoon service) at Yom Kippur 5769 (2008) with the London Ruach Chavurah community (Jewish Renewal). Some commentators on the Book of Jonah have said
Nigun Yonah (chant for Yom Kippur mincha) Read More »