Zarach BaChoshech Or LaY’sharim, Chanun v’Rachum v’Tzadik

Even in the darkness a light shines for the upright, gracious, compassionate and just. (Psalm 112:4)

The light that we shine sustains us through the Darkness, through difficult times. That light awakens in us (and in others) the qualities of Grace, Compassion and a Passion for Justice. This 3 part round is a practice of affirming and strengthening that shining inner light, as we face hard challenges, and scary times.

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

• Even in the Darkness  

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

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

Samuch libo lo yira (masculine)
Samuch liba lo tira (feminine)

Heart supported, fearless. (Psalm 112:8)

This is a practice that cultivates a path to fearlessness, one that I had not imagined possible. On this path, we open ourselves to the feeling of being completely supported. As we relax, expand and lean into that sense of being held and supported, our hearts open in fearlessness.

You can also do this practice with a spiritbuddy, gently placing one hand on the front of their heart and one hand on the back of their heart. As your spiritbuddy dances slowly to the chant, follow their movements giving them a sense of heart support in their dance. Then switch places.

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.

• Supported 1  
• Supported 2  
• Supported Mix  

For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 269.

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

Tzama l’cha nafshi, Kama l’cha v’sari

My Soul thirsts for You,
My flesh longs for You. (Psalm 63:2)

Our spiritual energy depends on cultivating a longing for the Divine. Through the power of this longing we free ourselves from the limitations of “small self”, open to the vastness of Being, and begin to treasure those precious glimpses of the Whole.

This chant is a two-part round designed to build the power of that Holy Longing.

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 Holy Longing  

NOTE: This was re-recorded on 5/26/2024.

Elecha Yah Ekra

To You, God, I call. (Psalm 30:9)

Methods: Concentration on reaching vast inner distances from an anchored depth. Projecting consciousness beyond the farthest horizon. Focusing and directing emotional energy. Absorbing and then radiating divine energy.

Goals: The expansion of inner space determines the power of the voice.

Phase 1: Chanting and visualization

1. Elecha Yah Ekra – Reaching deep inside on the first note, grounding, then moving out, projecting your “call” wide and far past the farthest horizon you can imagine. Crescendo in emotion and volume.
2. Elecha Yah Ekra – Feel the voice returning to you from beyond the horizon, coming a great distance, the words come to rest gently and deeply within you. Decrescendo in emotion and volume.
3. Same as 1.
4. Same as 2.
5. Elecha – Focus your “call” on a point in the far distance. This call is refined and directed, like a laser beam from the third eye.
6. Yah – Letting your call extend even further and dissolve into the “beyond-the-beyond.”
7. Ekra – as if you have seeded the clouds with your longing and are now opening to the gentle rain and receiving the divine flow into you.

Phase 2: Chanting and movement

1. Elecha Yah Ekra – Bowing to left side and returning to center, generating energy, intensifying commitment.
2. Elecha Yah Ekra – Bowing to right side and returning to center, generating energy, intensifying commitment.
3. Elecha Yah Ekra – Bowing to left side and returning to center, generating energy, intensifying commitment.
4. Elecha Yah Ekra – Bowing to right side and returning to center, generating energy, intensifying commitment.
5. Elecha – From center, longing, lifting, reaching, with both hands, palms up.
6. Yah – Deep bow to center, surrendering to the vastness of God.
7. Ekra – Coming back to center with palms at the heart.

Phase 3: Silent Chanting on the Breath

1. Elecha Yah Ekra – exhale toward the place beyond the wide horizon.
2. Elecha Yah Ekra – inhale receiving the call back from a great distance.
3. Elecha Yah Ekra – exhale toward the place beyond the wide horizon.
4. Elecha Yah Ekra – inhale receiving the call back from a great distance.
5. Elecha – exhale focusing on a distant point with refined breath.
6. Yah ­ inhale simultaneously through the crown and the root into the heart.
7. Ekra – exhale, radiating divine light in all directions like the sun.
8. Inhale in preparation, realignment, and setting your intention.

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

• Expanding Inner Space  

For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 274.

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