אוֹר, זָרֻעַ לַצַּדִּיק, וּלְיִשְׁרְי לֵב שִׂמְחָה “Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.” (Ps. 97:11) In 2020, over one 24-hour period, I composed these two very different settings of Or Zarua – one lyrical and contemplative for Yom Kippur, and the other celebratory for Shabbat. Here are the two […]
Or Zarua – Two ways of sowing light Read More »
In 2020 I composed a sombre, yearning setting of the 13 attributes (Adonai, Adonai No.1). Two years later, I composed a completely different setting (Adonai, Adonai No.2) that was filled with light and relief. Here are the two settings, set side by side, with their commentaries. For me, both settings carry equal weight in my
Adonai, Adonai – Two faces of the 13 Attributes 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 »
Music & audio © 2023 Alexander Massey – All Rights Reserved Download the free sheet music (voice & piano or guitar) נֵר יְהוָה, נִשְמַת אָדָם חֹפֵשׂ, כָל-חַדְרֵי-בָטֶן אֱלהַי נְשָמָה שֶנָתַתָ בִי טְהורָה הִיא כִי-אַתָה, תָאִיר נֵרִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהַי, יַגִיהַ חָשְכִי Verse 1: The soul of a person is the candle of God, that searches the
Neir Adonai No.1 (Candle of God) Read More »
Music and audio © 2 Dec 2023 Alexander Massey – All Rights Reserved Listen/view on YouTube. Download the free sheet music (voice & piano) אֱלהַי נְשָמָה שֶנָתַתָ בִיטְהורָה הִיאנֵר יְהוָה, נִשְמַת אָדָםחֹפֵשׂ, כָל-חַדְרֵי-בָטֶןכִי-אַתָה, תָאִיר נֵרִייְהוָה אֱלֹהַי, יַגִיהַ חָשְכִי Chorus: My God, the soul you have given me is pure. [Berachot 60b, morning prayer]Verse 1: The
Neir Adonai No.2 (Candle of God) Read More »
Invocation for strength, and songs of hope Adonai, Adonai No.2 – Invoking God’s 13 attributes of mercy – connecting directly with those qualities that we want to experience, and embody them, emphasising the warmth of God’s love. Adonai Roi (Ps 23) – Yah is my shepherd … Ana B’choach – A mystical poem, using seven
Jewish songs in a time of crisis Read More »
Music and audio © 1 May 2023 Alexander Massey Download the free sheet music (voice & piano) “Seek the peace—the shalom—of the city, and pray to God for it: for in its shalom, you shall all have shalom.” (Jeremiah 29:7) In Hebrew, the word ‘peace’ is shalom. The first letter of shalom is shin, which,
V’Dirshu et Shalom Ha’Ir (Seek the Peace of the City) Read More »
Music & Audio @ 7 Dec 2022 Alexander Massey – All Rights Reserved Download the free sheet music (voice & piano or guitar) שְׁלַח-אוֹרְךָ וַאֲמִתְּךָ, הֵמָּה יַנְחוּנִייְבִיאוּנִי אֶל-הַר-קָדְשְׁךָ, וְאֶל-מִשְׁכְּנוֹתֶיךָ ;Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me let them bring me to your holy mountain, and to your dwelling place. (Ps 43:3) Yearning
Sh’lach Or’cha (Send Out Your Light) 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