Through all of life’s distractions – big or small, easy or hard – and of all the ways to receive this important message, I guess it’s somewhat ironic that it’s through music that I am reminded I am never alone.
Mr. Streetlamp, Mr. Pump, Mr. Mobile – Chaim’s adventures on Torah Avenue are probably the most unusual that any child has ever had!
Imagine – this is the place where Avraham davened and was answered, thereby elevating and transforming its ground to the place most conducive for prayer and repentance – a place to which his children would forever flock to perform these spiritual feats…
Just like the Torah, teshuvah is a gift – a total act of chessed from the Ribono Shel Olam. And it is in these words that we are taught that it is something that Hashem guarantees is within our reach at all times.
Today, on the yahrtzeit of the holy Skulener Rebbe – with Elul’s arrival just a day a way – it behooves us to take heed of Dovid Hamelech’s words. To recommit ourselves to Hashem and His Torah; to pay no attention to those who may ridicule or question our observance and adherence to His laws. B’zchus hatzaddik R’ Eliezer Zusia ben R’ Yisroel Avraham Zecher tzaddik l’vracha.
When we listen and sing along to the entrancing melody let us take to heart the words of the Rambam’s twelfth principle of emunah: that while we don’t know when he will be here, we can believe with a perfect faith that he is most assuredly one day closer… Now let’s do what we can to be ready… today.
The words of the Mishnah practically come to life in this classic rendition, allowing the listener to apply his own life to the lesson of its words – a characteristic that makes, will continue to make Yigal’s music so uniquely precious for many years to come.
In a sincere spirit of optimism, we recite the words of Modim, offering an enthusiastic affirmation of Hashem’s great goodness. We thank Him and consciously accept everything He sends our way – whether or not it fits our ideal of a blissful and carefree existence.
What better way to begin our Shavuos preparations than with a timeless niggun of devotion and faith, united in declaring our readiness to accept Hashem as our One and Only King.
There is a particular piece of music that has become synonymous with the Holocaust. I would even suggest that if there was one tune that could capture and encapsulate the entirety of our extensive Exile – from beginning to end – this would be the one.