This translation of the second paragraph of the Sh’ma intersperses close reading of the original Hebrew with meditative interpolations to expand on multiple meanings and ambiguities in the Hebrew, as well as in the translation itself. The reader is invited to use this as a starting point for personal meditation on the deep power and […]
Shema (2) – Love and Follow Read More »
This translation of the first paragraph of the Sh’ma intersperses close reading of the original Hebrew with meditative interpolations to expand on multiple meanings and ambiguities in the Hebrew, as well as in the translation itself. The reader is invited to use this as a starting point for personal meditation on the deep power and
Shema (1) – Listen and Love Read More »
These are my own gleanings from a wonderful book by Abraham Joshua Heschel, Man’s Quest for God: Studies in Prayer and Symbolism (1954, copyright Susannah Heschel 1996). I hope they encourage you to buy the book. Normally, I paraphrase and summarise much more; however, Heschel has such a powerful command of language, that most of
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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
Watch/listen to Sim Shalom on YouTube BUY the sheet music (HIGH voice & pno/guit) – $4.95 BUY the sheet music (LOW voice & pno/guit) – $4.95 Translation: Bestow (‘put’) peace, goodness and blessing, grace, and loving-kindness and mercy, on us and on all Israel Your people. Bless us, our Creator, together as one with the
Mi Adir – Composition and audio © Alexander Massey, 13 Nov 2013 BUY the sheet music (1 or 2 vces & pno) – $4.95 BUY the sheet music (solo voice & string quartet) – $14.95 (full score + string parts) Mi Adir is a text that is traditionally used at a Jewish wedding as the couple processes
Y’varech’cha Adonai (May You Be Blessed) – Composition and audio © Alexander Massey, 3 July 2013 BUY the sheet music (solo & pno) – $4.95 BUY the sheet music (SATB & pno) – $11.25 (5 copies @ $2.25) The simple meaning I have always loved the sounds of this blessing (sometimes called the ‘Priestly Blessing’), whether
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Composition and recording © Alexander Massey – 14 March 2013 BUY the sheet music (3 vces) – $6.75 (3 copies @ $2.25) Who is like You among the gods, O God? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, awesome in splendour, doing wonders? A new song the redeemed sang to Your name at the shore
Music and audio © Alexander Massey 14 March 2013 Watch/listen on YouTube BUY the sheet music (solo & pno) – $4.95 BUY the sheet music (SATB & pno) – $11.25 (5 copies @ $2.25) Commentary The words of Mi chamocha are taken from the Song at the Sea (Shirat Hayam) in Exodus 15, and are