I Am the Rose of Sharon: Ani chavatzelet

09/07/2020 Alia Meira

Ani chavatzelet hasharon shoshanat ha’amakim

I am the rose of Sharon
A lily of the valleys. (Song of Songs 2:1)

This is a practice of blossoming forth and rooting down. Although we can’t be sure exactly what flowers these are (various translations include rose, lily, tulip, hyacinth, narcissus, lotus, crocus, wildflower), we do know that these flowers have a resonance in the prophetic traditions of Isaiah 35:1-2 (The desert shall be glad, the wilderness shall rejoice and blossom like the rose) and Hosea 14:6-8 (I will be as the dew to Israel who will blossom as the lily).

As I chant these words I am rising towards the sunlight of glory and redemption, and at the same time connecting myself to the deepest places in the world and in myself. The word for valleys (amakim) also means the depths. When we blossom from those depths, our beauty, however transient, is grounded in the fullness and power of our earthly existence.

To view context from Shir HaShirim through the Love at the Center project, click Shir HaShirm (Vayishlach).

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

To download the PDF file for this chant, click I Am the Rose of Sharon PDF.

Chants, Shir HaShirim

A Mare Among Pharaoh’s Chariots: L’susati

09/06/2020 Alia Meira

L’susati b’richvay faro dimitich rayati

I see you, my love, as a mare,
Among Pharaoh’s chariots. (Song of Songs 1:9)

Considering the fact that Shir Hashirim is often read as a midrash on the story of Exodus, this was a shocking image for me. It seemed to call up the power that belonged to our oppressors. I read many commentaries and still was disturbed… until I began chanting these words. I found myself chanting to my own body, that mare who carries me with such nobility and power. Yes, her power feels a bit dangerous, and yet, as I honor that mare among Pharaoh’s chariots, she is radiant in her dignity and resolute in her fierce beauty.

With this practice we affirm the holy animal that we are, honor her power and beauty, while letting go of any shame or fear that might impede the richness and full-realization of embodied love.

To view context from Shir HaShirim through the Love at the Center project, click Shir HaShirm (Chayei Sarah).

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

To download the PDF file for this chant, click A Mare Among Pharaoh’s Chariots — L’susati PDF. For the musical notation, click A Mare Among Pharaoh’s Chariots — L’susati Notation PDF.

Chants, Shir HaShirim

He Brought Me to the Tavern: Hevi’ani

08/30/2020 Alia Meira

Hevi’ani ayl bayt hayayin, v’diglo alai ahavah

He brought me to the tavern,
And his banner over me is Love. (Song of Songs 2:4)

In mystical poetry of many different traditions, the tavern represents the place where we become God-intoxicated. We let go of the illusion of control and surrender to the power of transformation. The boundaries of self, blur as we glimpse the Unity and begin to grasp our place in Oneness Consciousness. The ego or superficial self, loosens its grip. In that tavern, we are drunk with love, and we are claimed by God-as-Love.

To view context from Shir HaShirim through the Love at the Center project, click Shir HaShirm (Miketz).

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

He Brought Me to the Tavern

To download the PDF file for this chant, click He Brought Me to the Tavern PDF.

Chants, Shir HaShirim

The Voice of My Beloved: Kol dodi

08/30/2020 Alia Meira

Kol dodi hinay zeh ba

The voice of my beloved: Here it comes! (Song of Songs 2:8)

Many years ago I had these words embroidered on the attarah of my tallit, my prayer shawl. I wanted to live in a state of expectancy, always opening to the unknown.

This is a practice of anticipating the miracle that is about to break through my complacency. With these words, I invite surprise.

To view context from Shir HaShirim through the Love at the Center project, click Shir HaShirm (Vayechi).

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

To download the PDF file for this chant, click The Voice of My Beloved PDF.

Chants, Shir HaShirim

My Perfume: Ad she’hamelech

08/30/2020 Alia Meira

Ad she’hamelech bimsibo, nirdi natan raycho

When the King lay down beside me,
My perfume gave forth its sweetness. (Song of Songs 1:12)

The practice here is to allow myself to be aroused by my experience of Divine Presence. Sexual arousal is the metaphor. When I am given a glimpse of the Mystery, I soften, lean into the experience, let my “juices” flow. I let down my defenses, and become both receptive and responsive.

As I chant these words, I let myself be seduced by my imagination; I become unself-conscious… shameless. The perfume that wafts out is my response (beyond words)to being touched by the Mystery.

To view context from Shir HaShirim through the Love at the Center project, click Shir HaShirm (Toldot).

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

To download the PDF file for this chant, click My Perfume PDF. For the musical notation, click My Perfume Notation PDF.