The Heart and the Wellspring: Maoz Tzur

Courtesy of Ynet, off the new(-ish) album Achake Lo: Songs From the Ashes of the Holocaust.

ZUSHA: EP release announcement/review

I am pleased to help spread the word that ZUSHA is set to release their debut EP this coming week, October 28th; a special release party is scheduled for the Sunday prior to that with folk singer Levi Robin.

ZUSHA is guitarist Zacharia Goldschmiedt, percussionist Elisha Mlotek and singer Shlomo Gaisin. These three friends combine their energies and draw from a wealth of influences to create a sound that is at once familiar and fresh. A mix of world music combined with the heart and soul of chassidut, ZUSHA's eponymous EP is a welcome addition to my playlist.

Gaisin (who may be familiar to readers as half of the creative team behind JudaBlue) has demonstrated considerable growth as a vocalist. His soulful crooning has a transcendent effect as the tracks progress from a simple setup into a melodical exploration that almost begs the listener to sway along with the music. Most of the tracks are niggunim, wordless meditations that provide a tapestry upon which the listener can project his own personal meaning. My only real criticism at this point is directed toward the three tracks that have lyrics: while the music/lyrical content are indeed complementary, I always struggle when I hear the same verses/lyrics used time and again (the second track "Peace" uses the oft-repeated expression of Rebbe Nachman Ein yi'ush b'Olam b'chlal as one example). I recognize that the causal link is because there is something significant about those particular expressions, but it can also be indicative of a superficial familiarity with the source material. But I digress - young musicians becoming drawn in to the world of chassidut is a good thing, and I choose to view this as an expression of neophyte excitement.

"Yoel's Niggun" evoked strong feelings that continued long after the initial listen; the best way to describe it is hirhurei Teshuva, making me glad I heard it before Hoshana Rabbah. The final track "Tzion" is a personal favorite; the a capella version below is only a taste a what it is.



One last comment: the band's bio describes them as neo-Chassidic, which is more often a term used to describe groups in the Renewal movement and other groups outside of Orthodoxy. Association is a strong thing, and I don't identify with the need to distinguish myself as a neo-Chassid. Just an observation.

Overall, the debut EP is a strong offering, and I'm looking forward to see what the group does after their tour following the release.

Watch The Walls Melt Down

The new single from Matisyahu's forthcoming album Akeda, available for pre-order (I'm such a sucker...).

Love the chorus, not so hot on the verse; the lyrics are okay. I still hear some of that original seeker that I first encountered a long time ago at Chelsea Piers...

Gad Elbaz - Miracles feat. Ari Lesser and Naftali Kalfa

HT to my father-in-law, who showed this to me literally two minutes ago. It's fresh (uploaded onto YouTube earlier today) and timely, so enjoy!

Matisyahu - Refuge

This is from Matis' debut album from way back. I had this on the other night and it just spoke to me, as it's coming from a very real, very deep place in a young journey along a path of chassidut and even some bittul. When I go back to the older albums, it reminds me that that guy still exists somewhere in there. I know he's on a quest - we all are - and we can all relate to the fact that sometimes that quest meanders. Hearing his old music somehow infuses me with hope that he can make it back alright.



Ani auni vevyone. Hashem yashav li. Ezrati, umafalti, atau.

My word is like a hammer like a shattering rock,
crack through your heart and take the evil apart

From the end of the earth unto you I call, time and again I fall, back to you I crawl
You have been a refuge for me, a tower of strength in the face of the enemy
Enemy, enemy lines I find I let myself get tied up too many times
You can't have my heart I'm taking back what's mine
I know it lie just smoke in your eye and you saved my soul from the other side

When faint grows my heart to a rock that too hard for me to climb alone lead me
For you have been a refuge

With you I smash a troop and with my G-d I leap over a wall
May the king answer you on the day that you call
Stand tall, battle yawl, the clouds crawl low, all stalled,
heavens lay draped over New York like a prayer shawl,
the holy one enthroned upon the praises of Israel

Pathways of my heart clogged like a traffic jam
From the start, I want to take the blockage apart

Katonti...

...קָטֹנְתִּי מִכֹּל הַחֲסָדִים, וּמִכָּל-הָאֱמֶת, אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָ, אֶת-עַבְדֶּךָ:

Adapted from Ein AYaH:

The Talmud (Shabbat 32a) counsels the following attitude towards miracles: 

"One should never put himself in a dangerous situation and say, 'A miracle will save me.' Perhaps the miracle will not come. And even if a miracle occurs, one's merits are reduced."

The Sages learned that one should not rely on miracles from Jacob. When Jacob returned home after twenty years in Laban's house, he greatly feared meeting his brother Esau. He prayed to God, "I am unworthy of all the kindness and faith that You have shown me" (Gen. 32:11). The Sages explained Jacob's prayer in this way: "I am unworthy due to all the kindness and faith that You have shown me." Your miracles and intervention have detracted from my merits. 

We need to examine this concept. What is so wrong with relying on miracles? Does it not show greater faith? And why should miracles come at the expense of one's spiritual accomplishments? 

The Function of SkepticismSkepticism is a natural, healthy trait. Miracles can have a positive moral influence, but they also have a downside. Reliance on miracles can lead to a weakened or even warped sense of reality. 

At certain times in history, God disrupted natural law in order to increase faith and knowledge. However, this intervention in nature was always limited as much as possible, in order that we should not belittle the importance of personal effort and initiative. This is where skepticism fulfills its purpose. Our natural inclination to doubt the occurrence of miracles helps offset these negative side effects, keeping us within the framework of the naturally-ordered world, which is the greatest good that God continually bestows to us. It is preferable that we do not rely on divine intervention, but rather say, 'Perhaps a miracle will not occur.' 

Miracles and NatureUltimately, both miracles and natural events are the work of God. So how do they differ? A miracle occurs when we are unable to succeed through our own efforts. By its very nature, a miracle indicates humanity's limitations, even helplessness. When miracles occur, we are passive, on the receiving end. 

Natural events are also the work of God, but they are achieved through our skill, initiative, and effort. When we are active, we spiritually advance ourselves by virtue of our actions. Our zechuyot (merits) are the result of the positive, ethical deeds that we have performed. We should strive for an active life of giving, not a passive one of receiving. Such an engaged, enterprising life better fulfills God's will — the attainment of the highest level of perfection for His creations. 

Jacob 'used up' merits when he required God's intervention to protect him from Laban and Esau. He admitted to God, "I am unworthy due to all the kindness and faith that You have shown me." But Jacob later regained spiritual greatness through his active struggle against the mysterious angel. "For you have struggled with angels and men, and have overcome them" (Gen. 32:29).

 And here's a rather nice song from Yonatan Razel, inspired by these verses; as you can see, he's taken some liberties with the wording, but it works overall...

This song has been on constant replay lately. Something resonates deeeeply within...

Noah Lubin's albums are on sale; you can buy them on Amazon as well as iTunes...

Adon HaSelichot

Elul is upon us, and my beloved sephardi brethren are already preparing for the Days of Awe while the rest of us roll over in bed.

Kol hakavod to them...

Nosson Zand - Believers

I just found this tonight. I've always been a fan of Nosson's, and while this isn't the sound I'm used to coming from him, I dig it.

The Matisyahu feature is a blast from the past - I really miss the beard and peyos (and the yarmulke...). Which makes me wonder: why was Nosson sitting on this for so long?



Love the imagery: the lamplighters stuff at the end, the foam cup thing is pretty cool too...

Before the 3 weeks begin...

Moshe Hecht and Levi Robin performing on behalf of Lamplighters Yeshiva

An e-mail I received from Moshe Hecht:

         Dearest Friends,

On June 23rd I will be celebrating and performing along side singer/songwriter Levi Robin and artist Noah Lubin (נוח לובין) in support of Lamplighters Yeshivah - the wonderful school that my Son Shney attends. It's going to be an elegant evening of Food/Drinks, Music & Art - all of my favorite things:) I hope you will join me. All of the info is here: LamplightersImpressions.com

From Lamplighters' website:

Every day, Lamplighters Yeshivah empowers students to make their own unique imprint on the world—as people and as Chassidim. Just like the faintest light can dispel the darkest night, even the smallest impressions we make on our young have a power unrivaled. By giving our children not just lessons but experiences that encourage their abilities and challenge their ways of thinking and behaving, their unique splendor comes to life.​Join Lamplighters Yeshivah, New Yorks’s only Chassidic Montessori demonstration school, as we celebrate another successful year of creating lasting impressions on the torchbearers of tomorrow.

I'm not necessarily a fan of Montessori, but its style is helpful for many children. A school that is trying to integrate chassidus as a basic element of its atmosphere gets a vote in my book.

Levi Robin is crazy talented. His EP (below) is fantastic, and he is currently on tour with Matisyahu.



Here is a new song from Moshe Hecht




​

Music

I just got the two newest albums from The Heart and the Wellspring ensemble. One is comprised of Chabad niggunim, the other of niggunim from Rav Yitzchak Ginsburg of Gal Einai.



HaMadregot also released a new album recently, one consisting of pizmonim from Rabbi Avraham Ibn Ezra, one of the foremost commentaries on the Torah and an incredibly complex poet.

Awesome!

Transcendent Gratitude

Gratitude to God is the most dominant motif of the Jewish liturgy. It is expressed through shevach, songs of praise to God. Its most exultant forms are the Hallel (Psalms 113-118) and Hallel HaGadol (Psalm 136). The latter shevach was chanted publicly in the Temple with its rhythmic response "For His lovingkindness endures forever," ki l'olam chasdo. 

Hallel is recited on Festival days, but it was omitted from the Purim liturgy because, as Rav Nachman explained: "Its reading (i.e. the Megillah) fulfills the requirement to recite Hallel." (TB Megillah 14) Shevach is implicit in the very recital of the Purim narrative and no additional Hallel was necessary. If so, why was Hallel included in the Haggadah when the narrative of the Exodus itself should have satisfied the shevach requirement? 

It seems that shevach is not enough for the Seder night. We are expected to rise to higher levels of exultant praise, to a shirah chadasha. It is a night when the Jew is in love with God, a night of passionate romance which is reflected in the tradition of reading Song of Songs after the Haggadah. We move from Hallel HaGadol to Nishmat kol chai, "the breath of every living being shall bless your name." We ecstatically see all of creation joining in a grand symphony of homage to God for all the blessings of life. From the geulat Mitzrayim we are gripped with an appreciation that God is also the ultimate salvation of all mankind. The concluding note of the Haggadah is an eschatological vision of a glorious future, when "every mouth shall give thanks and every tongue shall swear allegiance unto You; every knee shall bow to You." To highlight this added dimension of gratitude, the Hallel and the Hallel HaGadol were included in the Haggadah. 

- Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, Reflections of the Rav (pp. 215-216)
   

The value of a tear.

This song is my favorite Moshe Yess song, by far. Something about it gets me going, every time.

Check yourself before you wreck yourself

Matisyahu acoustic EP out today

Matisyahu just released a live acoustic EP from his Spark Seeker tour today. It can be found on iTunes or at his website.

The Lubliner Rebbetzin...

L'Kavod Shabbos Kodesh, a most enjoyable story



My favorite part is when the Seer is called up to the Heavenly Court: "We expect trouble from you, Seer...but your rebbetzin?!?"

Awesome.

Music

I just thought it would be nice to post some music reflecting what's been in rotation on my iPod lately...

More than a year later, and Moshe Hecht's debut album continues to be a fresh listen. There are some free tracks available on his website.


I'm not very familiar with Chazzan Helfgott but I absolutely love Eternal Echoes, the collaboration between him and virtuoso Itzhak Perlman. A dudele is a favorite song...


Oren Tsur (mandolin) is part of the HaLev v'HaMaayan ensemble (where he mainly plays violin) along with Chilik Frank and others. He shows his versatility in this clip with Nadav Bachar, a talented young artist.


Moshiach Oi! gets a listen only when I'm in an ironic mood, but it's good for injecting humor into an overcast day.

8th Day/ Kids of Courage

The 8th Day is one of those few bands that has universal appeal in my family; their albums are on regular rotation here...

A sweet video for an important cause...

'Tis the season...

Get it here. All proceeds go to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy.