Behind the Notes

Open My Eyes (Joey Newcomb)

by Jewish Musical Notes | Jan 17, 2022 | Behind the Notes, Tu b'Shvat Notes, Yom Tov Notes

Tu B’Shvat is the ideal time to ask Hashem to afford us the ability, mental capacity, and clarity of understanding to reach new heights in our Torah study and to be able to develop and elucidate original Torah thoughts and ideas. For us, the 15th of Shvat is the day on which we can aspire to reach new heights in learning Torah, achieve new levels in understanding the wisdom of Hashem, and embark on a new year of learning. We ask Hashem to provide us the necessary resources to produce beautiful new peiros of our own.

The Hand of Hashem (Judáea)

by Jewish Musical Notes | Dec 31, 2021 | Behind the Notes, Inspired by the Parsha, Oldie of The Week

We have a mitzvah to remember Yetziyas Mitzrayim every single day – it is a mitzvah that profoundly permeates our individual practices, as well as our collective Jewish consciousness. At the core of this crucial commandment is the eternal mission of the Jew: to perceive and appreciate the undeniable presence of the Yad Hashem in each and every aspect of his life. With just a little training, one can see Hashem’s clear and undeniable orchestration in practically all of existence.

Shir Hashalom (MBD)

by Jewish Musical Notes | Nov 26, 2021 | Behind the Notes, Inspired by the Parsha

Chazal teach us: Yerushalayim was destroyed because of groundless hatred (Yoma 9b). Fortunately, we are also informed of the antidote: Shalom. And though it sometimes seems as if peace only exists in some far-off dream, this week’s parsha – in which fantastic dreams are very much a common theme – we are shown that shalom is in fact a great dream to have. And all of this, ladies and gentlemen, reminded me of a song.

Hashem’s the World (Avraham Fried)

by Jewish Musical Notes | Oct 1, 2021 | Behind the Notes, Inspired by the Parsha, Shabbos Notes

“Castles in the Air” was a smashing success, but the long-lasting achievement of that year’s event was definitely the creation of this musical masterpiece. ‘Even if we’ve heard the song ten thousand times before,’ it never fails to decorate our imaginations with the many miracles and marvels of Hashem and of the world that He created.

Ma Nuvi (Yiddish Nachas)

by Jewish Musical Notes | Aug 13, 2021 | Behind the Notes, Inspired by the Parsha

“Ma navu al heharim…” Prophecies such as this one have sustained us throughout millennia more or less filled with much discouragement and suffering. Klal Yisroel’s national existence has always been brightened by the knowledge that Hashem is nearby, longing for us to let Him bring the Mashmia Shalom, the Mevaser Tov, the Mashmia Yeshuah.

V’neekaisie – 1971

by Jewish Musical Notes | Jun 23, 2021 | Behind the Notes, Oldie of The Week

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.

🕯 Eli Kohen Gadol and his sons, Chofni & Pinchas – 10th of Iyar

by Jewish Musical Notes | Apr 22, 2021 | Behind the Notes, Sefira Notes, Yahrtzeit

Year after year, a barren Chanah would cry from her sorrow, and would even be ridiculed for her inability to bear children. Finally, after 19 years of pain, she felt she could no longer accept her childless fate. Chanah lifted herself up and tapped into the most potent vehicle for change that exists in the world – Tefillah. At that moment, she davened the most heartfelt prayer she had ever prayed – clear and to the point, from the depths of her broken heart.

Ma Nidaber Ma Nisaper

by Jewish Musical Notes | Mar 26, 2021 | Behind the Notes, Oldie of The Week, Pesach Notes

After taking a moment to collect himself, the boy closed his eyes and began to sing, in Yiddish, the famous Seder song Echod Mi Yodea. The boy only knew it starting from seven and so he slowly began, “Zibin iz der heiligeh Shabbos….” This turned out to be the highlight of the night.

Chad Gadya – Moishe Oysher

by Jewish Musical Notes | Mar 24, 2021 | Behind the Notes, Oldie of The Week, Pesach Notes

Moishe Oysher’s voice was rich, warm and colorful. In his recordings, he attains a depth and a celebration that affect the listener to the core of his emotions. He was a natural actor and would use his theatrical aptitude to entertain his audience through his masterful gift of song.

Big Gedaliah Goomber – 1969

by Jewish Musical Notes | Mar 3, 2021 | Behind the Notes, Oldie of The Week

At seventeen feet tall, Gedaliah Goomber may not have been the largest personality in Jewish history, but I think we can all agree that he was probably the first shomer Shabbos deep-sea diving construction worker that anyone had ever heard of.

Open My Eyes (Joey Newcomb)

The Hand of Hashem (Judáea)

Shir Hashalom (MBD)

Hashem’s the World (Avraham Fried)

Ma Nuvi (Yiddish Nachas)

V’neekaisie – 1971

🕯 Eli Kohen Gadol and his sons, Chofni & Pinchas – 10th of Iyar

Ma Nidaber Ma Nisaper

Chad Gadya – Moishe Oysher

Big Gedaliah Goomber – 1969

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