Omer 5784
My recent posts...
Preparing for Pesach
My recent posts...Preparing for Pesach Looking forward to shining moments! Shabbat shalom! שבת שלום
Ears? Pockets? Hats?
My recent posts...How would you vote? Shabbat shalom! שבת שלום Purim sameiach!
Siddur Sessions 4 & 5
With barchu, we are summoned, and we respond “yes!” The word barchu has the same root as baruch, i.e., berech, meaning “knee.” Hence, the leader draws attention by bowing on “barchu” and we respond by bowing on the “baruch” of our response.
In Harmony
In Harmony
In some 54 of the 150 hymns in our biblical book of Psalms, the prefatory lines include the word “מְנַצֵחַ / m’natzeiach,” the conductor, the leader of the band. Music was a vital part of worship and ceremony in the ancient temple in Jerusalem: הַלְלוּהוּ בְּתֵקַע שׁוֹפָר / halleluhu b’teika shofar — praise Adonai with trumpet, harp and lyre, with drum, flute, strings and cymbals!
A conductor, a leader, guides the musicians and works to shape them into a willing and purposeful ensemble. The musicians must aid and abet those efforts with their harmonious responses to the conductor. The best ensembles, large or small, share trust and understanding between leader and members.
The Hebrew word for conductor, מְנַצֵחַ | m’natzeiach, also means victor or winner. When we all play our parts with conviction, energy and sensitivity, our new conductor can lead this Shirat Hayam orchestra to resonate and resound, winning over hearts, starting with our own.
Let’s make beautiful music together!
Shabbat shalom ! שבת שלום