This article outlines many of the customs that have grown up around death in Jewish communities. Many of the practices follow halachah, rulings from the Rabbis of the Talmud, or subsequent decisions from rabbinic authority. As in all Jewish life, the level of observance – or deferring to a rabbinic ruling – varies considerably. Those […]
Jewish customs around death and mourning Read More »
Jewish religious wedding ceremonies are actually quite simple in structure and content, and this page sets out the main elements. However, simplicity should not be confused with superficiality. It is far better not to plan a religious wedding ceremony hastily, rush through it on the day, or just ‘go through the motions’. I would always
Jewish Wedding Ceremony – the elements Read More »
There is a lot to think about in preparing for your wedding day. On this page, we focus solely on the ceremony itself, and what I will need to know, in order to help you make the ceremony a success. (So we’re not going to cover questions about the venue, clothing decisions, stag or hen nights,
Jewish Wedding Ceremony Checklist Read More »
We have much beautiful music to choose from when putting together a Jewish wedding. Here is just a small selection of the main choices that are available; each text has many different musical versions. I am a seasoned professional singer and instrumentalist, and have been cantorial prayer leader for numerous services and communities; and as a published composer in the
Jewish Wedding Music Choices 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 »
Mi Adir – Composition and audio © Alexander Massey, 13 Nov 2013 Download free sheet music (solo version) Download the free sheet music (solo voice & string quartet) Mi Adir is a text that is traditionally used at a Jewish wedding as the couple processes to the chuppah. Last year, I composed a new musical setting for
Mi Adir (blessing the bride and groom) Read More »
Solo – Composition and audio © Alexander Massey 2012 Duet – Composition and audio © Alexander Massey 2012 Download the free sheet music (2 voices & piano) V’erastich li l’olam.V’erastich li b’tzedek uv’mishpat, uv’chesed uv’rachamim.V’erastich li b’emunah, v’yada’at et Havayah [YHVH/Adonai]. I betroth you to me forever,with equality and fairness, and kindness and compassion.I betroth
V’erastich Li (I Betroth Myself To You) 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 »
Background For ritual purposes, legal proceedings within Jewish law, and certificates, proselytes usually drop the use of their biological parents’ names, and adopt the names ben / bat avraham v’sarah (son / daughter of Abraham and Sarah). This appears to be almost universal minhag , expectation and assumption across all denominations. However, there is nothing in
Jewish parent names for a proselyte / convert Read More »
Midrash on Psalm 81 (1-4, 8, 11) Composition, lyrics and audio © Alexander Massey, 12 Sep 2011 Download the free sheet music (round for 3 voices & piano lead sheet) I love those old songs that have two melodies that overlap each other; one melody is like a fast patter song, and the other lyrical,