With Purim fast approaching, it was my hope to get in at least one Purim-themed post to get us into the necessary freilich frame of mind. Last year at this time, we dug into the origins of some of our most famous and favorite Purim tunes – highlighting and discussing their place in classic Purim music lore.
But even before we reach the much anticipated holiday, another important day – a day of fasting and increased prayer – is observed. Ta’anis Esther, named for Esther’s brave response to her people’s grave plight, is by far one of the most misunderstood days on the Jewish calendar. It is because of this that Ta’anis Esther is often treated as a day like any other, reduced to a minor inconvenience – a mere bother that stands in the way of an otherwise jovial and celebratory time of festivity.
Fortunately, we know better. When it’s all said and done, we know that the day means much more than just putting a little less food in our stomachs. Even though we are allowed to listen to music, wear leather shoes and go to work on Ta’anis Esther, we all know that there is something hidden beneath its surface that we are tasked to uncover. So while it may look like an ordinary day to some, we are keenly aware that something unique and special is in the air, and will try not to let it go by without first letting it affect us in a meaningful way.
Esther, an orphan, a captive, trapped behind enemy lines, faced with the threat of national extinction, acted selflessly to initiate the ultimate salvation. As terrifying as it may have been, watching, in real time, all the events as they unfolded, Esther realized that there was more here than what met the eye. She understood that despite the way it looked, neither the king nor his wicked advisor was actually in control; rather it was all Hashem, hidden behind the scenes, Who had signed this heavenly decree. She knew and taught us all that to remedy His wrath, even in the most foreboding of moments, we must turn to Him in pure, heartfelt prayer.
It is for this reason that Ta’anis Esther deserves its due before we can begin to revel in the spirited yom tov of Purim. Before we can celebrate the salvation, we must first commemorate how it came about. This day serves as a primary reminder that no matter what situation we might find ourselves in – both physically or spiritually – help is always within reach. Mordechai, Esther, and the entire story of Purim showed us that the correct response to all our troubles is a healthy dose of genuine remorse, earnest prayer, and the commitment to help those around us. And when we follow these steps, we can trust that Hashem will do His part and tear up any detrimental decrees.
With this in mind, I was excited to finally feature today’s iconic tune. Taken from the words of the Ta’anis Esther selichos, Kanei L’shimcha is an impressive production that will help us connect to the awesome day, and to the eis ratzon that the ta’anis really represents. This powerful song appears on the 2008 album The 8th Note, and only further establishes the compositional competence of the incredible Yossi Green. For such an epic opus, Green felt compelled to assign this prayerful track to a voice capable of reaching the Kisei Rachamim. The magnificent and soulful sound of Chazzan Yitzchak Meir Helfgot has enthralled audiences for decades, and it is what has made Itche Meir one of the greatest and most important cantorial talents of the 21st century. It is also what made him the perfect choice for this pre-Purim, philharmonic masterpiece.
Wishing everyone a meaningful fast and a very freilichen Purim!
Lyrics:
קַנֵּא לְשִׁמְךָ נוֹרָא וְנִקְדָּשׁ
חֲזֵה כַרְמְךָ נֶהֱרָס וְנִדָּשׁ
זְרוּיֵינוּ קַבֵּץ, וְשִׁיר לְךָ יְחֻדָּשׁ
קַיְּמֵם וְהַחֲיֵם, בְּבִנְיַן בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ
וְכַעֲשׂוֹתְךָ נוֹרָאוֹת בְּאוֹתָן הַיָּמִים
אִתָּנוּ הַפְלֵא תְּשׁוּעַת עוֹלָמִים
מְצֹא לְפָנֶיךָ כֹּפֶר וְתַנְחוּמִים
קֵל מֶלֶךְ יוֹשֵׁב עַל כִּסֵּא רַחֲמִים
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