Blog
Vlirushalayim (D’veykus 3)
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 (Clei Zemer)
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.
Yerushalayim (Journeys)
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.
Vayehi Binsoa (Lipa)
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.
Lo Alecha – 1974
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.
Habotchim (Amudai Shaish)
You don’t have to be told where your health, food or livelihood comes from. We all know that everything comes from the Ribono Shel Olam – we daven to Him that He grant us health, wealth and success. However, it may not occur to us that we must daven that He grant us peace as well. Peace isn’t just something that exists in the absence of war and discord. Shalom, just like everything else, is a gift from G-d, and can only be given (or taken away) by the Master of the universe Himself. Such a powerful thought, especially during times of such open displays of hatred and violence.
Kah Ribon by R’ Ari Goldwag
It's very rare for a song to be composed nowadays for Shabbos zemiros and sung in thousands of Jewish homes on Friday night. I asked Ari Goldwag to give a little bit of insight into what he thinks makes this tune so special. Hopefully it will also give us a deeper...
Ki Lo Yitosh – 1973
The words that we say each morning in Yehi Chivod is the promise Hashem gave His people – the Jewish people – to forever protect them in the face of all danger. May this song and the meaning of these words give us tremendous strength in times of need.
Mesikus HaTorah (Yisroel Werdyger)
If we could somehow comprehend the sweetness of the Torah and of the guaranteed goodness that we are promised therein, we would become obsessed with the Torah and would chase the opportunities to fulfill its words at all times. Silver and gold would have absolutely no value, and nothing would distract us from trying to acquire its wisdom because the Torah contains all the pleasures of the world. There truly is nothing else to pursue!
Tefillah Le’oni
Chazal teach us that the power of prayer is not a matter of kavanah as much as it is our emunah in the efficacy of our prayer and in its intrinsic strength.