Category Archives: 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, Liturgy

Unifying the Heart: V’yachayd l’vavaynu

12/26/2007 Alia Meira

V’yachayd l’vavaynu l’ahavah u’l’yirah et sh’mecha.

Unify our hearts to love and to be in awe of Your Name/Essence. (From the Liturgy)

These words are part of the prayer that comes in the paragraph just before the Sh’ma. The Sh’ma opens in us the perception of Unity, but before we go there, we must do the work of unification inside our own hearts. This practice guides me to identify with both the love and the awe for the essence that is hidden behind all form. When I chant, v’yachayd l’vavaynu, I journey into my heart. When I chant, l’ahavah, I find my love. When I chant, u’l’yirah, I find my awe. And when I chant et sh’mecha, I call on the wholeness of my heart to perceive/receive the essence of That-Which-Is.

Note: Psalm 86:11 says:

Unify my heart to be in awe of Your Name.

The liturgist obviously knew this psalm and decided that Love was also needed.

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.

To download the PDF file for this chant, click Unifying the Heart PDF. For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 239.

Chants, Liturgy, Psalms

Surrender: B’yad’cha

11/28/2007 Alia Meira

B’yad’cha Afkid Ruchi

Into Your hand I entrust my spirit. (Psalm 31:6)

I created this practice in preparation for knee surgery. For the couple months leading up to surgery, I was limping around somewhat nonchalantly mostly pre-occupied with getting a lot done. Then as the time approached, I experienced the first stages of panic realizing exactly what kind of power-tool, screws, cadaver-parts, and strange manipulations that were waiting for me. The message that my soul whispered so very clearly was that I was required to surrender now. I had done all the work of setting up care for myself, learning what I needed, renting and buying the right devices for rehab, listening to the message that my knee was communicating to me so articulately. Now I could almost see the smoking trail of my good witch’s broomstick in the sky: “Surrender, Shefa.”

So, as a chanter, I looked for a sacred phrase that might help me and chose Psalm 31:6. (Into Your hand I entrust my spirit.) As the chant/practice developed, I began to become aware of God’s hands manifesting in and through the world, through those who love me, through my doctors and devices, and through breath and color. With each repetition of the chant I could release control and trust the Great Hand that held me. I could also become aware of just how much I had been holding on to control and see how much work was still before me.

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

Surrender

To download the PDF file for this chant, click Surrender PDF.

Chants, Liturgy

Oh Pure Soul: Elohai n’shama

04/25/2007 Alia Meira

Elohai n’shama she’natata bi t’hora hi.

Oh Pure Soul, in you I see endless possibility! (Liturgy)

A rabbi-friend who is a hospital chaplain asked me to write a chant that she could sing to the tiny babies who were born prematurely and were struggling to come fully into their embodied life. When I imagined singing these words to them, I realized that there is a tiny, fragile baby inside of me who also needs encouragement in order to be fully realized. When I sing to her each morning, I am calling forth her potential and gently welcoming her into form.

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

Oh Pure Soul

For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 240.

Chants, Liturgy

Medicine for Overwhelm: Tachanun

06/20/2006 Alia Meira

Medicine for Overwhelm (Tachanun) Hebrew text
Tachanun is a petition for grace that is part of the daily morning and afternoon service. It is omitted on Shabbat, Festivals, during the month of Nisan, or at a house of mourning.

When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I don’t function very well; I forget my practice, I forget to open to God’s help; I don’t have access to the vast treasures of spiritual resources that are in me. I use this prayer as an antidote to Overwhelm. If I can remember at the moment of feeling overwhelmed, to take refuge in God, in the ultimate Compassion of the Universe, then I will not fall victim to the curse to Overwhelm.

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 246.