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.

To download the PDF file for this chant, click Longing PDF. 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.

Chants, Liturgy, Scripture

Incantation for Hopefulness: Lishuatcha

01/07/2009 Alia Meira

Lishuatcha kiviti Yah;
Kiviti Yah lishuatcha;
Yah lishuatcha kiviti.
Incantation for Hopefulness Hebrew text
I wait/hope for Your Salvation. (Genesis 49:18, Bedtime liturgy)

As Jacob lies on his death bed, blessing each of his sons, he suddenly stops and cries out this line, then returns to his task of blessing. The bedtime liturgy takes his exclamation and turns it into a magic incantation of power and protection.

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 Incantation for Hopefulness PDF. For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 240.

Chants, Scripture

Soul Light: Ner Adonay

01/04/2009 Alia Meira

Ner Adonay Nishmat adam Chofays kol-chadray-vaten.
Soul Light Hebrew text
My soul is the flame of God that searches the inner chambers. (Proverbs 20:27)

This practice from Proverbs defines the soul as an aspect of God that is Pure Awareness, which can be activated as a force of holy curiosity as we explore the inner landscape. This chant can be sung as a 4-part round to build the energy and intention for inner search and inquiry.

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

Soul Light

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