Ha’malach (London)

December 17, 2021

L’zchus Refuah Sheleima Yigal Yisroel ben Blima Gitel

A gutten Erev Shabbos everyone! While there is never a lack of musical inspiration in my life, there has certainly been a lack of time to sit down and put it into words. Thank you to all of those who have reached out over the recent radio silence. I must say, knowing that so many of you look forward to each post gives me tremendous chizuk, and definitely helps me push through that niggling thought of just taking a nap. So, let’s brew another pot of coffee and dive right in, shall we?

This week’s parsha, Vayechi, tells of the brachos Yaakov Avinu gave to the shevatim. Two brachos in particular have become an essential part of every Jewish home. Every night before going to sleep we say (or sing) Hamalach Hagoel. In addition, every Friday night finds fathers blessing their children with Yisimcha Elokim k’Efraim v’chiMenashe. {Have a look at last year’s post where we covered Yossi Green’s gem “Yisimcha,” sung by Avraham Fried.}

Yosef arranges his sons, readying them to receive a bracha from their holy zeidy. He places the older Menashe on his father’s right, and the younger Ephraim on the left. Facing the two boys, Yaakov carefully lifts his hands, but instead of stretching them out straight in front of him, he crosses his arms! He rests his right hand on Ephraim’s head, and rests his left on the head of Menashe. When prompted to give an explanation, Yaakov discloses the forthcoming fates and fortunes of their future offspring.

The Bnei Yissaschar explains the episode as follows: When Yaakov switched hands, he says, it was because he saw, with ruach hakodesh, that Yehoshua, a descendant of Efraim, would be greater than any of Menashe’s descendants. However, it frightened him. He knew that jealousy had played a large role in what had happened between Yosef and the shevatim. He was concerned that giving Efraim precedence would create a rift in a new generation. Yet, after saying Hamalach, he noticed that nothing had changed. Efraim was not any prouder for having been put first and Menashe was not jealous that he took second place.

Efraim and Menashe are the children of Golus, born in impure Mitzrayim, but not only display their commitment to derech avosam, but to supporting one another through thick and thin. It is then and there Yaakov perceives that his progeny would succeed in remaining loyal to his heritage in the exiles to come, and more importantly, he sees that they will remain loyal and devoted to each other, thus guaranteeing their ultimate survival.

Yaakov is so overcome that it is in this spirit that he gives his grandsons an extra bracha – may all of Klal Yisroel be like you; able to withstand the evil influences that will constantly surround you, and to remain free of pride and free of jealousy of one another above all else – blessings that have echoed in every Jewish home ever since.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you have probably heard about the impromptu, unofficial reunion that took place in Golders Green, London on Zos Chanukah 5782.

As you may know, Yigal Calek, the charismatic conductor of The London School of Jewish Song, has experienced some very difficult health issues over the last few years. While he has thankfully emerged from imminent danger, his health remains fragile. And so, a few of the old choir “boys” decided to arrange an evening of song and nostalgia to cheer his spirits on the brightest night of Chanukah.

If you’ve seen the footage, it’s just a couple dozen guys around a table in Golders Green, most of them in their 50s and 60s, singing songs they haven’t sung together in over 35 years, in perfect 3-part harmony, under the direction of an elderly, frail Yigal. And Yigal – you just couldn’t take your eyes off of him. With every passing minute and with each delicious note, his smile became broader, and his face brimmed with pleasure and pride. It truly was a thing of beauty.

Mr. David (Doody) Rosenberg of London, England, is a former choir member from the earliest days of The LS of JS and a close friend of Yigal’s. As an 11-year-old soloist on London’s first LP (Mah Novu, 1970), Rosenberg would quickly develop his musical awareness and song-writing abilities. By the time he was 16, he already had at least a dozen compositions to his name. At some point he began playing his songs for Yigal who would always enthusiastically encourage him to continue writing music.

But it was in 1978, when Calek decided to release a record in honor of the choir’s Tenth Anniversary Celebration that he proceeded to give Rosenberg the utmost endorsement – all 11 tracks were written by the budding composer! One after the next, each splendid song highlights the songwriter’s signature sweet style. From that iconic album, Ha’malach has gone on to become one of the world’s most beloved of Rosenberg’s melodies, perfectly conveying the hopes and dreams of our forefathers.

Every day, we echo the words of Yaakov Avinu and pray that we, and the generations to come, be a credit to our ancestors and fitting vessels for the blessings contained within.

Wishing everyone a revitalizing Shabbos Parshas Vayechi – Chazak!

3 Comments

  1. Avie Shapiro

    Reb Yigal’s genius as a musical director is reflected in his humility – by acknowledging the talent of one of his protégées. He has thus blessed the world-wide audience of Jewish music twice, with his own magnificent compositions and then by introducing us to the beautiful melodies of D. Rosenberg

    Reply
  2. elisha

    This melody and arrangement is breathtaking.

    Reply
  3. Binyomin Adler

    Growing up I thought all these songs were Yigal’s (why would I think otherwise?) but clearly this was a case (so to speak) of a תלמיד מחכים את רבו, a student outsmarting his teacher. Phillip Rosenberg’s voice was beyond exquisite and each song is a polished gem. Wishing Reb Yigal a complete רפואה.

    Reply

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