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 …
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 …
Composition and audio © Alexander Massey 10 Feb 2015 BUY the sheet music (lead sheet) – $3.95 For commentary about the text and symbolism of Adon Olam, click here.
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 …
Composition and audio © Alexander Massey 13 August 2015 BUY the sheet music (1 or 2 vces & pno/guit) – $4.95 The sheet music is also available as part of ‘Five Sacred Chants’. ןְטַהֵר לִבֵּנוּ לְעָבְדְּךָ בְּאֶמֶת V’taheir libeinu, l’ovd’cha b’emet. “Purify our hearts, that we may serve You in truth.” When, in the morning, …
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 …
There are many websites, resources, and articles, by noted medical experts, rabbis and authorities on Jewish tradition and halachah (law) that set out the arguments both against brit milah (the circumcision ritual for Jewish boys), and for alternative welcoming, naming and covenant ceremonies (such as brit shalom) that do not involve cutting or drawing of blood. You will find a number of useful resources …
Music and recording © Alexander Massey 11 March 2015 BUY the sheet music (3 vces & pno/guit) – $4.50 (3 copies @ $1.50) (I have written another substantial article on Elohai N’shamah, including 2 new meditations, which can be found here.) Chant, text, translation, source readings and reflections ….
Music, English lyrics and Recording © Alexander Massey, Aug 2014. Hebrew words (Trad.) Dedicated to my Rabbi, Reb Zalman Shachter-Shalomi (ztz”l), completed during shloshim. These three Hebrew lines from the evening blessing express our yearning for God’s protection – day and night – and throughout our lives. I think they can also be a prayer for the …