Blog
Mareh Kohen (London)
In shul, as we reach the pinnacle of the Yom Kippur avodah, there is a palpable feeling of elation in the air when we read this special piyut. Using magnificent expression and splendid portrayal of imagery, this esoteric sonnet portrays the Kohen Gadol’s safe emergence and successful departure from the Holy of Holies on this wondrous day.
Seder Ho’avodah (Ishay Ribo)
A song of such caliber deserves a different kind of introduction, which is why I am proud to present you with an article found in this week’s The Voice of Lakewood (pg. 199) that was brought to my attention earlier this evening by my youngest brother Eli. The excellent essay was written by Yitti Berkovic and paints says it all. So without further ado… Yitti, take it away.
V’hakohanim & Gates by Aryeh Kunstler
2 Songs for Yom Kippur: "V'hakohanim" & "Gates" by my brother, Aryeh Kunstler. Two of the most important parts of the Yom Kippur davening are portrayed in these two songs. Aryeh gives us some background into "V'Hakohanim", and the climax of the Yomim Noraim are...
Kechu (Rav Shmuel Brazil)
The words in our selichos and our prayers for forgiveness this time of year are certainly very powerful. We may even recite them with profound feelings of remorse. However, and it might be just me, but when we return to the world outside of shul, we may forget the anguish we just felt for having behaved improperly. Therefore, the navi Hoshea (14:3) gives us the remedy, and cautions us in this week’s haftorah – קְחוּ עִמָּכֶם דְּבָרִים וְשׁוּבוּ אֶל ה׳ – That we must take these words with us – even after we have left shul – and work to transform our sincere tefillos into genuine actions of repentance.
Im Yihyeh (MBD)
Moshe Rabbeinu is telling us that, today – as we find ourselves standing before Hashem, about to experience the ultimate encounter with the Melech Malchei Hamlachim during the Yomim Noraim – we must know there is no Yid beyond redemption – that there is no such thing as being “hopelessly lost.” What incredible chizzuk! No matter how far one may have fallen, no matter how far one may have strayed, Hashem will be there to take him back home.
S’ee Saviv (Avraham Fried)
The Navi Yeshaya is telling us that very soon, yachid v’rabim – every one of us, together – will find our way back to Hashem’s Torah. Very soon, the time will come when we will ALL return to Hashem.
Hashem Hashem by Dani Kunstler
There's no better way to go into selichos then to have a real & personal understanding of the 13 middos harachamim. This is a song I wrote in the middle of the pandemic, after feeling disconnected from Hashem, and isolated from the spirituality around me. We...
Welcoming the Queen (Benny Friedman)
“Mi shetarach b’Erev Shabbos yochal b’Shabbos – One who toils on Erev Shabbos will eat on Shabbos” (Avodah Zara 3a). Erev Shabbos: a special time of the week. Elul: a special month of the year. Combined, they enable us to open the door to our Beloved – to welcome in the Divine. The connection is closer than you think.
Keracheim Av by Avi Kunstler
Some of you may be old enough to remember this father son showcase on Miami Experience 1. Soon before I left the Miami Boys Choir, Yerachmiel Begun watched my father & I perform this song together at my Bar Mitzvah, and desired it to be sung at the first Miami...
Kan Tzipor – 1974
When something happens to us – when we “chance upon” a scenario in life – we have to realize that it was not by chance at all. On the contrary! Hashem is giving us a handpicked, finely tuned, personal opportunity to elevate ourselves towards our fullest spiritual potential. We must train ourselves to be aware of this concept at all times, even when things are made to look as if they are merely “happenstance.”