Awakening Compassion: Mi yachin

04/16/2009 Alia Meira

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.

Chants, Psalms

Nature’s Celebration: N’harot yimcha-oo

04/16/2009 Alia Meira

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

Rivers will clap hands, mountains will sing for joy together. (Psalm 98:8)
[Click (or tap) to see the entire Psalm 98 in Hebrew and English (JPS 1985).]

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.

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

Chants, Psalms

Longing: Kayn nafshi ta’arog

02/20/2009 Alia Meira

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)
[Click (or tap) to see the entire Psalm 42 in Hebrew and English (JPS 1985).]

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.

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

Chants, Psalms

Let My Glory Sing: Y’zamercha chavod

02/20/2009 Alia Meira

Y’zamercha chavod v’lo yidom

Let my glory sing to You and not be silenced. (Psalm 30:13)
[Click (or tap) to see the entire Psalm 30 in Hebrew and English (JPS 1985).]

This is a practice of devotion, of finding the glory inside and pouring it out to God. Before you begin, examine what it is that silences that glory… Is it self-doubt, living in your head, being distracted, unforgiving or drained of passion? Has your glory been silenced by grief, cynicism or the fear of how you might sound or appear to others? Once you have made this discernment, look beneath the obstacle and find within you that glory that wants to be acknowledged and celebrated. As you chant, let the spark of God in you be fanned into glorious flame.

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 Let My Glory Sing (Y’zamercha) PDF. For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 286.

Chants, Isaiah

Peace Like a River: Hin’ni, noteh

02/20/2009 Alia Meira

Hin’ni, noteh ayleha k’nahar shalom.

Here I am extending Peace to her like a river. (Isaiah 66:12)

This is a practice of receiving through our receptive presence (Here I am) the Divine Flow, and then immediately giving that gift to the world that is before us. The gift that pours through us is given with “no strings attached.” We become an extension of the Divine River, flowing unselfconsciously into our world. In becoming fully present, we find our true generosity. Peace, a sense of wholeness, is received and given at once.

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 Peace Like a River PDF. For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 310.