God is From as far back as I can remember, God has been real for me. I don’t know where that comes from. My family wasn’t religious. We never discussed religion or God. I haven’t always seen eye to eye with God of course. We’ve had our differences and fallings out. I’ve turned my back […]
Making room for God Read More »
Here’s a selection of my music that can be used for morning blessings and P’sukei d’zimra (verses of song). Ashrei Yoshvei (Ps 84:5) Elohai N’shamah Halleluyah #1 (Ps 150) – and if you want a 4 part round in ‘old style’, try Halleluyah #2 Ki L’Olam Chasdo (Ps 136) Mah Gadlu (Ps 92:6) Modeh Ani Naomi’s
P’sukei d’zimra & morning music Read More »
These are my own gleanings from a book by Netanel Miles-Yepez & Zalman Shachter-Shalomi, God Hidden, Whereabouts Unknown: the Holy Ari and the ‘Contraction of God’ (2021, Albion-Andalus). I hope they encourage you to buy the book. I have paraphrased in order to clarify my own understanding, but there are also direct quotations from the
God hidden, whereabouts unknown – notes on the book by Miles-Yepez & Schachter-Shalomi Read More »
These are my own gleanings from a book by Netanel Miles-Yepez & Zalman Shachter-Shalomi, Foundations of the Fourth Turning of Hasidism: a manifesto (2014, Albion-Andalus). I hope they encourage you to buy the book. I have paraphrased in order to clarify my own understanding, but there are also direct quotations from the book. The notes
Fourth Turning of Hasidism – notes on the book by Miles-Yepez & Shachter-Shalomi Read More »
These are my own gleanings from a book by Zalman Shachter-Shalomi & Netanel Miles-Yepez, A Merciful God: stories and teachings of the holy rebbe, Levi Yitzhak of Berditchev – translated and retold with commentary (2010, Albion-Andalus). I hope they encourage you to buy the book. I have paraphrased in order to clarify my own understanding,
A Merciful God – notes on the book by Shachter-Shalomi & Miles-Yepez Read More »
Music & audio © 2024 Alexander Massey – All Rights Reserved Download the free sheet music (voice & piano) On Shabbat morning, as part of the Amidah blessings, we sing prayers in a call and response. Every prayer tradition has different texts for the parts that the leader recites, so I had to choose which
Kedushah (Blessing the holy name of God) Read More »
Music & audio © 2024 Alexander Massey – All Rights Reserved Download the free sheet music (voice & piano) This piyut (poem) by Solomon Ibn Gabirol (11th century) can be a great way to sing ourselves awake. At dawn I seek you, my rock and my refuge; I lay before You my morning and evening
Shachar Avakeshcha (At Dawn I Seek You) Read More »
These are my own gleanings from a the book by Zalman Shachter-Shalomi & Yair Hillel Goelman (translated and edited), Ahron’s Heart: the prayers, teachings and letters of Ahrele Roth, a Hasidic reformer (2009, Ben Yehuda Press). I hope they encourage you to buy the book. I have paraphrased in order to clarify my own understanding,
Ahron’s Heart – notes on the book by Shachter-Shalomi & Goelman Read More »
These are my own gleanings from a profound book (both spiritually and practically) by Zalman Shachter-Shalomi & Netanel Miles-Yepez, A Heart Afire: stories and teachings of the early Hasidic masters (2009, JPS). I hope they encourage you to buy the book. I have paraphrased in order to clarify my own understanding, but there are also
A Heart Afire – notes on the book by Shachter-Shalomi & Miles-Yepez Read More »
These are my own gleanings from the book by Avraham Weiss, Holistic Prayer: a guide to Jewish spirituality (2014, Maggid Books). I hope they encourage you to buy the book. I have paraphrased in order to clarify my own understanding, but there are also direct quotations from the book. The notes in square brackets are
Holistic Prayer: a guide to Jewish spirituality (Weiss) – notes on the book Read More »