Good evening, friends. I present to you part three of what has been our joint musical journey through these uncharted times. A quick thank you goes out for the kind comments and endless encouragement that I have received throughout this unprecedented period. It means...
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.
To master the art of musical composition requires innate skills. To translate one’s emotion musically, to create beautifully expressive music, one must truly have lyrical genius. But to develop a majestic melody that radiates with sparkling finesse and that complements the accompanying lyrics, requires the insight and talents of an almost Davidic nature…
By taking us out in the way that He did, Hashem was clearly demonstrating that His beloved people are, and will always be under His direct and focused care. In this way, Yetzias Mitzrayim revealed the true essence of Klal Yisroel – we are, and always have been, a supernatural nation.
While composed with Havdalah in mind, it has since become one of the most well-known Purim songs of all-time. However, as we have now learned, this is much more than just a seasonal tune. Layehudim contains a lesson that applies as much to us now, as we approach the upcoming holiday, as it does every week, as we extinguish the light of the Havdalah candle.
A Niggun has the advantage of speech, in that those who are in earshot of the niggun can hear it, join in, and deepen their dveykus in Hashem.
Many assume Shenker’s compositions are traditional; as in older-than-Moshe-Rabbeinu, pre-date-chicken-soup, or at the very least, are from some prehistoric era. That kind of traditional.