All posts by Alia Meira

Receiving Our Inheritance: Zichru l’olam/Kol ashayr

01/02/2008 Alia Meira

Zichru l’olam b’rito, davar tzivah l’elef dor.
Receiving Our Inheritance 1 Hebrew text
Always remember his covenant,
The promise of a thousand generations. (Chronicles 1, 16:15)

Kol ashayr bilvavcha asay,
Ki Ha-Elohim imach.

Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you. (Chronicles 1, 17:2)

You can use the first chant to connect with your legacy and open to receive the inheritance that is bequeathed to you through your ancestors.

The second chant is a message of permission and encouragement from your ancestor’s soul to you.

To hear the two chants, use the audio players. To download a chant, right-click a note and save (or download) the linked MP3 file.

Chants, Liturgy

The Majesty of Nurture: L’takayn

01/02/2008 Alia Meira

L’takayn Olam b’malchut Shaddai

Healing the World through the Majesty of Nurture (Alaynu)

These words are found in the prayer which is called “Alaynu.” It comes near the end of the prayer service and is meant to energize us for our holy work. This translation was given to me by Rabbi Arthur Waskow, whose dedication to the holy work of healing the world is an inspiration for me. The Divine name Shaddai is related to the word for Breast. It is an ancient name of God that invokes the Source of all nurturance.

As we chant these words, we align ourselves with the Majesty of Nurture by expressing the awesome healing power of compassion for all Life.

To hear the chant, use the audio player. To download the chant, right-click the note and save (or download) the linked MP3 file.

The Majesty of Nurture

For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 249.

Chants, Psalms

Protecting Our Inner Child: Ki chizak

01/02/2008 Alia Meira

Ki chizak b’richay sh’arayich, Bayrach baniyich b’kirbaych
Protecting Our Inner Child Hebrew text
When your boundaries are strong, your inner child is blessed. (Psalm 147:13)

There is a place inside each of us that is young and fragile and innocent. Part of our spiritual practice is to protect and honor that part of ourselves. When we protect her from our own cynicism and from the harshness of the world, she is nurtured from within and blessed with the space to feel safe. When she doesn’t feel that safety, the inner child is apt to “act out” in destructive ways… just to get our attention.

To hear the chant, use the audio player. To download the chant, right-click the note and save (or download) the linked MP3 file.

Protecting Our Inner Child

For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 289.

Chants, Isaiah

Divine Congratulations: Ki Mala

01/02/2008 Alia Meira

Ki Malah tz’va’ah

Her time of service is fulfilled. (Isaiah 40:2)

Sometimes I can feel oppressed by the feeling that I’m never finished. I feel the weight of everything that is left undone, and that weight can keep me from receiving the joy of this present moment which is always complete in itself. This practice allows me to rest in the satisfaction of having completed my whole life up till now. God is congratulating me for my achievements. This is a practice of receiving these divine accolades so that I can rest in fulfillment and be renewed.

To hear the various parts of the chant, use the audio players. To download a part, right-click a note and save (or download) the linked MP3 file.

For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 306.

Chants, Scripture

Knowing Beauty and Finding the Universe: Et Hakol Asa

01/02/2008 Alia Meira

Et-Hakol asa yafeh b’ito, gam et ha-olam natan b’liba

[God] makes everything beautiful in its time, and also hides the universe in their hearts. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Kohelet lays before us a profound spiritual challenge, “to completely enjoy what is before you,” even through uncertainty, even though all our pleasures are temporary.

The practice we are given is to receive and comprehend the beauty of this changing world without grasping or attachment. The hint that we are given which can help us, is that everything that we perceive as outside of ourselves is actually hidden within our own hearts.

The practice we are given is to look inward to find the whole universe hidden there, waiting to be discovered. The hint that we are given which can help us, is that everything is beautiful in its time. When we can perceive the beauty of each and every phase of our existence, then we will recognize the Truth that was inside us all along.

To hear the chant, use the audio player. To download the chant, right-click the note and save (or download) the linked MP3 file.

Knowing Beauty and Finding the Universe

For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 253.