Valley of Death: Gam ki elech

01/14/2011 Alia Meira

Gam ki elech b’gay tzalmavet, lo ira ra

Though I walk through the Valley of Death, I will not fear,
Though I walk through the Valley of Death, my God is near. (Psalm 23:4)
[Click (or tap) to see the entire Psalm 23 in Hebrew and English (JPS 1985).]

I wrote this chant to help myself and others deal with a difficult time of tragedy. When I encounter “evil” in the world — the premature death of a friend, the terrible suffering caused by madness or terrorism, the injustice of innocents dying, the horrible suffering that “shouldn’t” have been — I may tremble inside, lose my way, or become paralyzed. These words from Psalm 23 have helped me to find the steadiness of God’s presence within me, to find the path of loving, and to move forward again in courage.

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 Valley of Death PDF. For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 292.

Chants, Psalms

A Spirit of ‘Yes!’: V’Ruach nachon

12/29/2010 Alia Meira

V’Ruach nachon chadaysh b’kirbi

Renew within me a Spirit of “Yes!” (Psalm 51:12)
[Click (or tap) to see the entire Psalm 51 in Hebrew and English (JPS 1985).]

The ruach nachon that I’m in need of renewing is the remembrance of the “rightness” of the reality before me. When my spirit can fully agree to and accept “what is,” then I am empowered to rest in the truth of this moment and walk through the doors of transformation that open. I need this renewal because I sometimes fight with the truth of “what is” and that is an exhausting and losing battle. (Inwardly I say, “Oh, no! I don’t like what this is.” And I can get stuck there in my “oh, no!”) When the spirit of “Yes” is renewed in me, I lean into the mystery of this moment and look for the doors of opportunity and transformation that open in response to my curiosity, and in response to my agreement to accept the challenge of my Life.

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 A Spirit of Yes PDF. For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 291.

Chants, Shir HaShirim

Beloved: Ani l’dodi

12/28/2010 Alia Meira

Ani l’dodi v’Dodi li

I am my Beloved’s and my Beloved is mine. (Song of Songs 6:3)

God as this world holds me in Her loving embrace. I belong to The Whole. I am an integral aspect to Everything-that-is. I belong. And that wondrous mystery I call God is central to all I see, all I do, all I know, all I am. With this chant I raise up my awareness and attune my vibration with the truth being totally accepted, and totally beloved… flowing with the Divine Will, lifted up into the arms of the Infinite.

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

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 Beloved (Ani l’dodi) PDF. For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 255.

Chants, Liturgy

Under the Wings: Va’ani matzati

11/19/2010 Alia Meira

Va’ani matzati menucha mitachat kanfay HaSh’china

Under the Wings of Shechina I have found my rest.

I wrote this chant in honor of Sukkot. I imagine sitting in my Sukkah under a delicate roof of branches that give me a glimpse of the vast deep blue sky. The Divine Presence also protects me, yet allows me to see through her wings and connect with The Beyond.

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 Under the Wings PDF. For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 241.

Chants, Liturgy

Gratefulness: Odach

09/29/2010 Alia Meira

Odach b’od t’h’yeh Nishmat Eloha bi

I will thank You as long as the Divine Breath is in me.
(Solomon ibn Gabirol, 11th Century Spanish poet and philosopher)

Gratefulness is the foundation for my practice and it is the fuel for my spiritual search. When I can fully receive the miracle of this moment, I am energized and inspired to face whatever challenge Life gives me. This line from a poem by Solomon ibn Gabirol, expresses my intention so well — to feel God’s breath in me, and to use that breath in gratitude.

Also, see the Flavors of Gratefulness page for Modah Ani chants.

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 Gratefulness (Odach) PDF. For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 233.