Hold firmly, without wavering, to the hope that we confess. (Hebrews 10:23)

Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof

Justice, Justice you shall pursue. (Deuteronomy 16:20)

In Barack Obama’s acceptance speech at the Democratic Convention, he quoted this line from scripture as a reminder that we must not succumb to cynicism or fear. During this time leading up to the election, there is so much pettiness and poison in the air. I wrote this chant to help us stay anchored in the hope, and in the possibility of justice.

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.

• Justice, Justice 1  
• Justice, Justice 2  
• Justice, Justice Mix  

Dov orev hu li, ori b’mistarim.

He is a waiting bear for me, a lion in hiding. (Lamentations 3:10)

He is a waiting bear for me, a lion in hiding, a lion of the secret places. My intention is to raise up the power of this pasuk from Lamentations into Maschiachkeit. Let the power of past devastation be turned and transformed into the deliberate innocence of the bear and the heartful courage of the lion, not just any lion…. but one who can enter into the deepest mysteries and emerge with a gift for all of us.

Perhaps it is God who is the bear, waiting for me. And God is the lion who prowls the secret places of my own heart. In the moment of my destruction, I am raised up. Defeated by God, I finally know victory, salvation and wholeness. For what has God defeated but my separate and small self who had delusions of running the show? God is the bear who demolishes my artifice with one swipe of his paw. God is the lion who rips open my defenses so that all that is hidden in me might be exposed to the light of Purity and Ultimate Love.

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.

• A Lion in Hiding 1  
• A Lion in Hiding 2  
• A Lion in Hiding Mix  

To download the PDF file for this chant, click Dov Orev Hu Li PDF.

Notzar t’ayna yochal piryah.

Those who guard the Truth will be nourished by her fruit. (Proverbs 27:18)

The literal meaning of this verse is, “those who guard a fig-tree will eat its fruit… .” But, since this is from the Book of Proverbs, I receive its meaning figuratively rather than literally. When I can bring my attention to the fullness of this moment, in all its complexity, beauty, poignancy, and meaning… then I will be nourished by its fruit. When I become fully present, attentive, reverent and receptive to the holiness and truth of each moment, then I will receive the bounty of my experience.

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

• Rewards of Our Attention  

To download the PDF file for this chant, click Rewards of Our Attention PDF. For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 259.

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

Mi yachin la’orev tzaydo ki y’ladav el el y’shavay’u

Who prepares nourishment for the raven when its young ones call out to God? (Job 38:41)

This practice calls forth from each of us, the Divine quality of compassion for all creatures who are calling out in hunger, yearning or despair. We also open to the parts of ourselves that are calling out for tender consideration and care.

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

• Awakening Compassion  

To download the PDF file for this chant, click Awakening Compassion PDF. For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 261.

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