Music & audio © 29 Sept 2022 Alexander Massey – All Rights Reserved Download the free sheet music (unison or 3 voices) A mystical poem, using seven different names of God, chanted at times of crisis in the Jewish community. We beg You, by the strength of Your right hand, untie the knot of our […]
Ana B’choach (We call on Your strength) Read More »
Music & Audio © 4 Nov 2022 Alexander Massey – All Rights Reserved Download the free sheet music (3 voices & piano) I believe in the sun, even though all around be dark.I believe in God, even though he be silent.I believe in love, even when love must hide. [English lyrics: Alexander Massey] The original
Light is apparently mentioned only 36 times in the Torah (B’nei Yissascher on Kislev and Tevet 1:6). It is mentioned many more times in the Talmud, and especially the mystical text of the Zohar. We are taught that the soul of a each person is part of the light of God (Proverbs 20:27). There are
Themes of Light – A Collection Read More »
Music and audio © November 2022 Alexander Massey – All Rights Reserved Download the free sheet music (voice & piano or guitar) אוֹר, זָרֻעַ לַצַּדִּיק, וּלְיִשְׁרְי לֵב שִׂמְחָה “Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.” (Ps. 97:11) I wrote a completely different setting of Or Zarua during the same
Or Zarua No. 2 (Light is Sown) Read More »
Music and audio © November 2022 Alexander Massey – All Rights Reserved Download the free sheet music (voice & piano) אוֹר, זָרֻעַ לַצַּדִּיק, וּלְיִשְׁרְי לֵב שִׂמְחָה “Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.” (Ps. 97:11) This inward, contemplative setting could almost be a lullaby. I wrote a completely different
Or Zarua No.1 (Light is Sown) Read More »
Here are a few songs that can help people make sacred space together. The commentaries give some useful ideas about kavanah – focus and intentionality. Ashrei Yoshvei Veitecha – ‘Happy are those who dwell in your house’ Elohai N’shamah (Ber. 60b) – ‘My God, the soul You have given me is pure.’ (easy 3 part
Making sacred space together Read More »
Music, English translation and audio © 18 July 2022 Alexander Massey Dedicated to my dear uncle, Paul Massey (z”l), who died on 12 July 2022. Download the free sheet music (voice & piano or guitar) The poem that has become known as Dudeleh (also as A dudele) was written in Yiddish by Reb Levi Yitzchak
Dudeleh, Ribono Shel Olam (You, You, You!) Read More »
Music and recording © Alexander Massey, 20 June 2022 Download the free sheet music (voice & piano or guitar) Just over two years ago, I wrote a penitential, yearning setting of this text (Adonai, Adonai No.1) inspired by a conversation with Rabbi Anne Brener. Just recently, I have been studying the books and lectures of Rabbi
Adonai Adonai No. 2 (The 13 Attributes of Compassion) Read More »
Arrangement & Audio © 2022 Alexander Massey Download the free sheet music (3 voices & piano) The events unfolding in Ukraine since February 2022 have been horrifying. I am so sad to see the disregard for the lives and human rights of Ukrainian people, and the destruction of the country and its natural environment. It
Oseh Shalom (Maker Of Peace) – Ukrainian lullaby tune Read More »
Music and Audio © 2022 Alexander Massey – All Rights Reserved Download the free sheet music (voice & piano, including lead sheet) ;הוָה, אוֹרִי וְיִשְׁעִי–מִמִּי אִירָא .יְהוָה מָעוֹז-חַיַּי, מִמִּי אֶפְחָד :אַחַת, שָׁאַלְתִּי מֵאֵת-יְהוָה– אוֹתָהּ אֲבַקֵּשׁ ;שִׁבְתִּי בְּבֵית-יְהוָה, כָּל-יְמֵי חַיַּי .לַחֲזוֹת בְּנֹעַם-יְהוָה, וּלְבַקֵּר בְּהֵיכָלוֹ Translation God is my light and my refuge secure — whom shall
Adonai Ori / Achat Sha’alti (God is My Light / Only One Thing I Ask) Read More »