Mi ha-ish hechafetz Chayyim, Ohev yomim lirot tov?

Who is the one that has a passion for Life, loving every day, seeing the Good? (Psalm 34:13)

During my pilgrimage to the Galapagos, I communed with a variety of animals who amazed me with their forthright presence, beauty and intelligence. Many of the animals I saw exist nowhere else. Marine Iguanas, Galapagos Penguins and Blue-footed Boobies astounded me. Everywhere were the reminders of the humor and creative genius of The Creator.

The climax of my Galapagos adventure was the opportunity to swim with the Sea Lions. We hiked across Floreana Island to their secret cove and jumped into the clear swirling tide. The sea lions immediately surrounded us, excited to play. All afternoon we frolicked in delighted abandon with these sweet and bold teachers of the sea. When I got back on the boat, I was inspired to sing this line from Psalm 34: “Who is the one with a passion for Life, loving each day, seeing the Good?”

I imagined that through their play, the sea lions were asking me this question. And I answered without hesitation, “I will be that one. I promise.”

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.

• The Sea Lion’s Question 1  
• The Sea Lion’s Question 2  
• The Sea Lion’s Question Mix  

To download the PDF file for this chant, click The Sea Lion’s Question PDF. For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 277.

The Magic of Hebrew Chant ©2013 Shefa Gold. All rights reserved.

Ladonay ha’aretz um’loah, tevel v’yoshvay va

The earth and all that fills her, and all who dwell in her…
all belong to God. (Psalms 24:1)

With this practice we acknowledge everything and everyone as part of the Divine Body. And we surrender to the One who encompasses our very being. Our intention is to re-member, to acknowledge just how integral we are to the Whole of God, to the community of All, to each other.

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.

• Re-membering 1  
• Re-membering 2  
• Re-membering Mix  

To download the PDF file for this chant, click Re-Membering PDF. For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 287.

The Magic of Hebrew Chant ©2013 Shefa Gold. All rights reserved.

Y’hi ch’vod Shechina l’olam, yismach yah b’ma’asav

May the presence ever shine; may God rejoice in His Creation. (Psalm 104:31)

With this practice, I affirm the God’s Presence that is continually and eternally shining out from the center of every molecule. That radiance is the Divine Rejoicing in itself.

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.

• Divine Rejoicing Melody  
• Divine Rejoicing Harmony  
• Divine Rejoicing Mix  

To download the PDF file for this chant, click Divine Rejoicing PDF.

N’harot yimcha-oo chaf, yachad harim y’ranaynu

Rivers will clap hands, mountains will sing for joy together. (Psalm 98:8)

When we can attune ourselves to the celebration of Creation that is happening right now, then we can find our place in that celebration and be inspired to add our unique voices to the chorus of praise.

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.

• Nature’s Celebration 1  
• Nature’s Celebration 2  
• Nature’s Celebration Mix  

To download the PDF file for this chant, click Nature’s Celebration PDF.

Kayn nafshi ta’arog aylecha Elohim

Just as the deer longs for water by the riverbank,
So does my soul long for You, oh God. (Psalm 42:2)

The deer, which we are recalling with this practice, is standing at the riverbank. Her longing is for that water that is right there, right in front of her. Our longing for God, for truth, for the doorway into the sublime mystery is just like this. We long to know intimately the Reality that is right before us; we long to feel the earth that beneath our feet, to taste the food that is in our mouths, to touch the life that is embracing us. We long for the Power of Presence to awaken us to the gift that is given in this very moment.

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.

• Longing 1  
• Longing 2  
• Longing Mix  

For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 284.

The Magic of Hebrew Chant ©2013 Shefa Gold. All rights reserved.