Here is a list of the music that I have written to Jewish texts that can fit into a Jewish wedding: B’ruchah Haba’ah (Blessed Is She) – A simple tune, the guests can pick up the refrain easily by ear and join in. Kumi Lach Rayati (Rise Up, My Love) – verses (and part verses) …
In Hebrew In English – ‘Rise up, my love, my fair one’ Composition and audio © Alexander Massey 9 Dec 2015 This recording and a version of this article were published on Ritual Well (USA) as ‘Arise, my love‘. English duet version (a recording with women’s voices is coming soon!) Hebrew duet version (a recording with …
Composition and audio © Alexander Massey 9 Dec 2015 BUY the sheet music (voice, guitar chords, optional flute part) – $4.50 (2 copies @ $2.25) BUY the sheet music (lead sheet) – $3.95 This recording and a version of this article were published on Ritual Well (USA) as ‘You have ravished my heart, my sister‘. …
Libavtini achoti chalah – ‘You have ravished my heart, my sister’ Read More »
One of the common questions that I hear from couples is: “What do people normally say in their vows at a Jewish wedding?” The ultra-traditional approach My first answer is that, the most common form for centuries was a very short statement, by only the groom, on placing the ring on the bride’s finger. The …
These are my own shorthand notes of a wonderful book by Rabbi Nancy Wiener, Beyond Breaking the Glass: A Spiritual Guide to Your Jewish Wedding, (2012, Central Conference of American Rabbis). I hope they encourage you to buy the book. By the way, the notes in square brackets are my own thoughts, rather than ideas gleaned …
Beyond Breaking the Glass (Nancy Wiener) – notes on the book Read More »
The Sheva Brachot are one of the core ‘set pieces’ of a Jewish wedding. [Scroll to the end of this page to hear 4 different musical versions of the same blessings.] While the wording is very traditional, and the blessings are traditionally sung by the celebrant or a chazan (cantor), there are many ways to reframe the seven …
Marriage is a support system for the deepest, highest selves – what spiritually oriented people might call the ‘souls’ – of the two partners. Take time to make a deep wedding ritual together, to bind yourselves together healthily and strongly.
Jewish religious wedding ceremonies are actually quite simple in structure and content, and this page sets out the main elements. However, simplicity should not be confused with superficiality. A religious wedding ceremony should not be hastily planned, rushed through on the day, or be a process of just ‘going through the motions’ – that would be a mark …
There is a lot to think about in preparing for your wedding day. This page is not about the venue, clothing decisions, stag or hen nights, food, flowers, guest list, invitations, room bookings, seating arrangements, honeymoon plans or many other pressing questions. Here, we focus solely on the ceremony itself, and what I will need to …
We have much beautiful music to choose from when putting together a Jewish wedding. Here is just a small selection of the main choices that are available; each text has many different musical versions. I am a seasoned professional singer and instrumentalist, and have been cantorial prayer leader for numerous services and communities; and as a published composer in the …