All posts by Alia Meira

Ashrei

01/05/2008 Alia Meira

Ashrei yoshvei vetecha od y’hal’luchah

Happy are those that dwell in Your house; they keep on praising. (Psalm 84:5)
[Click (or tap) to see the entire Psalm 84 in Hebrew and English (JPS 1985).]

Sometimes our perspective gets very narrow. Our view is determined by “small mind” (mochin de-katnut). From this state, the possibilities seem quite limited, and our sense of who we are and where our consciousness can reach is constricted and finite. From this state, it feels quite natural to complain and be filled with despair about the world.

But then it is possible to step into a wider perspective, to expand into “big mind” (mochin de-gadlut). This is called stepping into the “God-house.” By chanting this sacred phrase we can move into a state of consciousness that is wide and spacious. From here we can feel a sense of limitless possibility. We can feel our awareness reach out to the far edges of the universe, as far as the imagination can touch. From this state, it feels completely right to express praise for everything we perceive. Praise becomes our natural way of being in the world.

May we all radiate with the happiness that comes from knowing that we live in the God-House and may praise pour forth from that knowing.

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

For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 236.

Chants, Liturgy

Freedom and Homecoming: T’ka b’shofar

01/05/2008 Alia Meira

T’ka b’shofar gadol l’chayrutaynu
V’sa nes l’kabaytz g’luyotaynu
Freedom and Homecoming Hebrew text
Sound the Great Shofar for our Freedom
And raise the banner as we all come home. (Amida)

A Chant for Rosh Hashana

These words are part of the daily Amida, but they can be chanted especially for Rosh Hashana as we gather the tribe in celebration of the New Year and all its possibilities. For me this prayer is an affirmation that while we each are sent far and wide to our freedom — to fulfill the destiny we are given. We can also return in celebration and be welcomed home.

To hear the various parts of the chant, use the audio player. 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 242.

Chants, Psalms

Inviting Our Future Selves: Hodiyeini Yah

01/05/2008 Alia Meira

Hodiyeini Yah kitzi, u’midat yamai ma hi

Oh God, show me my end, and what is the measure of my days? (Psalm 39:5)
[Click (or tap) to see the entire Psalm 39 in Hebrew and English (JPS 1985).]

With this chant we can pray for a vision of who we are becoming. At the end of the chant, open up to receive a visit from your future self. Receive her gift, wisdom, guidance or blessing.

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

Inviting Our Future Selves

For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 266.

Chants, Scripture

Oath of Friendship: Hinay Yah

01/05/2008 Alia Meira

Hinay Yah Bayni u’vayncha, Ad Olam
Oath of Friendship Hebrew text
Here is God between me and you forever! (1st Samuel 20:23)

This is the Oath of friendship that Jonathan says to David. He invokes God’s presence in the space between himself and his friend, as a way of sanctifying the relationship. We can use this chant to acknowledge the holiness of the space between, the miracle of the Divine glue that connects us.

This chant can be done with movement as a two-part round facing a partner. If done in two concentric circles with each person in the inner circle facing out towards a partner, after each repetition, one circle steps to the right while the other stands still, so that you are facing a different partner.

The movements: When you sing “Hinay Yah…” with one hand’s flowing gesture, create a figure 8 between you and your partner. When you sing “Ad Olam” put your hands at your side facing forward and slowly lift them up as high as you can and slowly lower them.

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

Oath of Friendship

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

Chants, Psalms

Calling Forth the Hidden Power: Kumah Adonai

01/02/2008 Alia Meira

Kumah Adonai, Hoshiyeyni Elohai

Rise up YHVH, Save me, my God. (Psalm 3:8)
[Click (or tap) to see the entire Psalm 3 in Hebrew and English (JPS 1985).]

With this practice, I call forth the hidden power. I sing to the force that is hidden in my depths and in the secret places of this world. I sing with a bold demand and with a humble plea for that force to reveal itself. As I chant, I dedicate myself as a vessel for that power. I pray to be saved from the traps of superficiality. I pray to have access to depths of meaning and purpose rather than be a prisoner to the surface of things.

This practice was composed especially as a preparation for the High Holy Days.

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

Calling Forth the Hidden Power

For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 268.