Vaani Kirvas (Yosef Schick & Baruch Levine)

September 17, 2024

We find ourselves already two weeks into Elul, and it still may not yet be clear to us how best to utilize this most auspicious time of year.

We know that the month of Elul is an opportunity – an invitation to make changes that can impact our entire year. We start small, with reflections, reconciliations and resolutions. But we mustn’t be satisfied with just those alone. Each passing day calls us to take action, to rise up in our prayers and efforts toward teshuvah. And so, as we move through the days of Elul, our yearning strengthens, and we rise to a crescendo of commitment, striving to become the best version of ourselves before Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

We also know that Elul is not only about accounting for our past deeds and making plans for a better future, but about recalibrating our focus. Dovid HaMelech teaches us that in addition to the actions we need to take, we must understand what it’s all about – what it all comes down to, and what is life’s ultimate goal. ואני קרבת אלוקים לי טוב“But as for me, the nearness of Hashem is my good” (Tehillim 73:28). These words highlight a profound message: true goodness in life is found not in material success or worldly achievements but in drawing near to Hashem.

With this, we are being reminded that closeness to Hashem is not only a privilege but a pathway to true fulfillment in our lives. This theme takes on heightened significance during Elul, the month when we are called to return to our spiritual roots and strengthen our relationship with the Divine. It is especially during these days that we must seize the opportunity to be close to Hashem, knowing that this closeness will be our greatest good, particularly as we prepare for the upcoming Yomim Nora’im.

In the world of Jewish music, few compositions capture the essence of spirituality and heartfelt yearning like today’s featured tune. Composed by Yosef and D. Schick many years ago, Vaani Kirvas was sung by both Yosef Schick and Baruch Levine on what became its official release as a single in 2022. On the average day, this song transcends melody and words, bringing the listener into the deepest realms of connection with Hashem. Today, standing at the midpoint of this propitious period, its inherent message carries even greater urgency.

The song provides the perfect soundtrack for this time of year, mirroring the spiritual process of Elul as it translates its theme into a poignant musical journey. In the month when “The King is in the field,” and the doors to teshuvah and closeness to Hashem are wide open, the song becomes more than a beautiful composition. It becomes a call to action.

At its core, Vaani Kirvas echoes the essence of Elul: seizing the moment to return, to reconnect, and to rebuild our relationship with our Creator. Not only does it pull at the heartstrings of anyone seeking to feel Hashem’s presence, but this song invites us to reflect on what truly matters. We are reminded that life’s greatest treasures are found in our closeness to Hashem, our connection to Torah, and our pursuit of spiritual growth. The external world may be filled with distractions, but this song draws us back to the essence of what it means to live a life aligned with the Ribono Shel Olam’s will.

As we reflect on the message of today’s tune, may we each take its message to heart. May we embrace the closeness of Hashem, use this time to reflect, grow, and prepare ourselves for the Yomim Nora’im with hearts full of song and souls ready to return. Let the nearness of Hashem be our good, and as the Days of Awe draw near, may we stand before Hashem with confidence, knowing that through our efforts to draw close, we will be inscribed for a year of health, happiness, holiness and peace.

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