The Music of Tishah B’Av – Part 1 touched upon the essence of music, and how to find relevance in its obvious absence on Tishah B’Av. This year I would like to do just the opposite, and turn our attention to the unique presence of song on this difficult day.
This Shabbos, it is especially fitting that we keep in mind the words of Retzei: “…she’lo te’hei tzarah v’yagon va’anacha b’yom menuchaseinu…,” that there be no distress, no grief, no pain or suffering for ourselves or for any of our fellow Yidden, “v’hareinu Hashem Elokeinu b’nechamas Tzion irecha…,” that we merit to bear witness to the ultimate comfort – the nechamas Tzion – with the immediate rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash.
With the 3 weeks coming up, I felt it appropriate to share an idea on how to practically relate to the churban Yerushalayim. There are so many songs composed with the words of Im Eshkacheich, but I chose the one sung by Lev Tahor and composed by R' Mordechai Dov Ber...
The two pesukim at the very end of Sefer Yoel (4:20,21) deal with the restoration of Bnei Yisroel in their land, which involves Hashem punishing the Gentiles for shedding the blood of His people. All other sins can be overlooked and forgiven, but spilling the blood of His children? For that, Hashem says He cannot ignore – He cannot forgive. It was with these two pesukim that the late, great, multifaceted dynamo R’ Eli Teitelbaum, z’l and long-time arranger and conductor Yisroel Lamm composed our featured tune.
Accustom yourself to speak gently to all people at all times. This will protect you from anger – a most serious character flaw…” Words no less valid today than they were 750 years ago, are they not?
Chodesh Tammuz is upon us, which means a stronger focus on the churban and Yerushalayim. I decided to share a specific idea that has helped me personally relate to our hopes and dreams for a rebuilt Yerushalayim. This beautiful song, V'lirushalayim, was composed by...
Ki Lecho, one of Abie’s first compositions – the one that he says gave him the confidence to continue composing – ended up being the title track of this 1971 release.
The Jewish people have a legacy of well over three thousand years of continuous love and longing for Eretz Yisroel. This supernatural connection has remained strong, and will remain strong, until Moshiach draws every Yid from even the most forsaken corner of the earth into its borders and we see the rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash – the terrestrial palace of the King of all Kings.
As we take out the Torah and prepare to read it, we are reminded of what could have and should have been. We remind ourselves that the only way back to that ideal is through a focus on Hashem and His Torah. In the desert, we failed to appreciate the gift that Hashem had bestowed upon us. We must always remember that the journey to Eretz Yisroel is so that Torah may flow from Yerushalayim – the road we intend to travel is spiritual, not physical. We praise Hashem for giving us the Torah, reinforcing our commitment to living by its holy words, lest we again forget to appreciate His gift.
Hashem doesn’t expect us to be as great as any other person. What He does expect of us is to maximize our own potential. A person who has a deep mind or is a quick learner is expected to learn more Torah than those who don’t. A person blessed with wealth is expected to give more tzedakah than those who have less. A person who is naturally influential has the responsibility to influence others for the better. Each person is expected to use the tools and talents that he was given to serve Hashem to the best of his ability.