The beauty of the Jewish way of life is that we keep present in our lives what is meaningful to us! Who all would be interested in secularized hasidic tefillot and nigunim?
As some within the humanistic Jewish community are aware, I’ve been working some favorites of my past, trying to keep the original intact, while keeping the focus on us Jewish humans as a culture. So far, I’ve finished Ashrei Ha’am (easy one!), and Ana b’Cho’ach (required a lot more thought!). Hopefully, a lot more is to come!
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The Humanist Hasid – החסיד ההומניסטי – Meditation/Tefillot/Daven
A taste of indigenous Jewish chanting with a humanistic focus that is emphasized with hassidic joy! A daily meditation. … Tried to express across the Jewish spectrum on this one, for the Jewish people are One people. With this thought, here are some FYI on this chanting act:
Daven/davenen – It is said that דאוון “daven” comes from the Aramaic דאבהתנא “d’avhatana” (or דאבונן “d’avunon”), which means a ritual “from our fathers.” And my morning chant shared here reflects this passing of Jewish tradition. Others say that “daven” comes from the Hebrew word דף “daf,” which means “page,” which would lead us to the action of דפנען “dafnen,” which means “to turn the pages.” Originally, it is said, this word applied to saying the morning prayer, the act of דאווענען “davenen,” which is the intent of this shared recording here – to inspire a morning focus on our purpose as a Jewish people.
But, I am a Sephardi Jew בן אחר בן. So, do we דאוון? Hmmm, let’s look at another word.
Tefilah/Tefillot – Mizrahi-Sephardi Jews don’t “daven,” but yes we do! We just call it תפלה “tefilah,” which is the Canaanite Hebrew word that is often translated as “prayer.” The word “tefilah” is derived from the Hebrew word פלל “palal,” which means to “arbitrate,” “intercede,” to “make favorable judgement.” So, when we תפלה/דאוון “tefilah/daven,” we are chanting a request for intercession into this world, which is the “act of interceding” – to reconcile differences between parties by תפלות “tefilot” for the sake of תיקון עולם “tikun olam.”
One additional thought. There is Colonial Arab-European perfect, and there is Indigenous imperfect perfection. As Indigenous Peoples, we are taught to judge ourselves by established Colonial Arab-European standards, whether it be in looks/appearance, arts, or in music. This is a mistake, always! Especially, once understanding that every established chant of the Indigenous was born by a חכם Chacham/Rebbe (Shaman, Medicine Man, whatever) trying to compromise with his/her environment for the people’s survival – aka, ad-libbing from the Indigenous heart which, then, caught on by Indigenous members, and became a “thang.” To be Indigenous is to be slightly odd in your perfection, even when you embrace some Colonial standards, of course, imperfectly. 🙂
Tell me what you think. The comment section is wide open. רנן “ranèn”! (“cry aloud,” “chant joyfully”!)
The Humanist Hasid – החסיד ההומניסטי – Meditation/Tefillot/Daven
Upon Us to Praise
harèini mekabèl alày mitzvàt asèh shèl v’ahàvta le’re’achà kamòcha
Hereby I take upon myself to fulfill the mitzvah: Love your fellow human as yourself.
Wrestling with Purpose – Jewish Call to Action
(hold tzitzit)
sh’mà yisra’èl nitòl et khel’kèinu b’tikùn olàm.
Hear Israel, we will take up our portion in repairing the world. (SHJ)
v’nohàv et ehyèh ashèr ehyèh v’et yaldèi ha’adàm b’kòl levavènu uv’kòl nafshènu uv’kòl me’òdnu.
And we will love the Name and children of humanity with all our heart, with all our body-mind, and with all our fullest actions.
(D’varim 6:5)
Humanistic Kaddish
yitgadàl v’yitkadàsh shlamà b’almà. nivrà shlamà chir’utàna v’namlìch malchùtei b’chayechòn uv’yomeichòn uv’chayèi d’chòl bèit yisraèl b’agalàh uv’zmàn karìv v’imrù amèin.
Magnified and sanctified is peace in the world. Let us create a peaceful world and let us establish its kingdom now and in the future, unto us and unto the entire household of Israel, and let us say so be it. (Sherwin Wine)
Blessing Life
barùch mì she’memagèr et ha’rà miha’olàm. mevorachìm v’mehulalìm v’meshubachìm hèm hado’agìm l’kehiloteihèm. achèn yèsh leha’arìch otàm yotèr m’kòl shìr v’mizmòr she’matzi’ìm ba’olàm ha’zèh.
Blessed are those who eradicate evil from the world. Let those who care for their communities be blessed, extolled, and praised. Indeed they are to be revered, more than any song or paean (psalm) we offer in this world. (Tzemah Yoreh)
ha’adamà mekayèmet otànu, nishmòr alèha v’kòl ha’chayìm bà! shalòm v’achrayùt bekèrev bnèi adàm àl ha’èretz.
It is the earth that sustains us, we will preserve her and all life on her! Peace and responsibility among humans upon the land.
harèini mekabèl alày mitzvàt asèh shèl v’ahàvta le’re’achà kamòcha
Hereby I take upon myself to fulfill the mitzvah: Love your fellow human as yourself.
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אשרי העם – Happy the People
(a secularized Karliner weekday nigun meditation)
אשרי העם שככה לו אשרי העם שרוח בתוכנו.
ashrei ha’am she’kacha lo, ashrei ha’am she’ruach betochenu.
Happy the people that has this for itself, happy the people that has breath within us.
אנא בכח – Please In Strength
(a secularized Skolyer shabbat nigun for group singing)
אנא בכח גדול ימינו תתיר צרורה:
ana b’ko’ach gidul yaminu tatir tzrura.
Now we ask! In growing strength our right hand unties the bound.
קבל רנת עמנו קבלנו רנה טהרנו:
kabel rinat am’nu kabelnu rina taharenu.
Receive! Shouts of our people, receive us, joyfulness cleanse us.
נא אנו שמקשיבים יחודנו נמשכת בעולם:
na anu she’makshivim yichudnu nimshechet ba’olam.
Please, now! We that listen, our uniqueness continues in the world.
חסין קהל ברוב טובנו נהל עדתנו:
chasin kahal b’rov tuvnu nahel edatenu.
Strong community, in our most goodness lead our community.
צדקה תמיד צדקה צדקה תמיד גמלם:
tzdakah tamid tzdakah tzdakah tamid gom’lem.
Justice always justice, justice always paid towards them.
שלום עליכם – Shalom Aleichem
(chanted to Debbie Friedman’s nigun for Shalom Aleichem)
(Based on SHJ adaptation – I Goldfarb, adapted Schweitzer, Mandel, … and, now, Farkasdi)
שלום עליכם שלום עליכם אוהבי השלום אוהבי האנושות
כול מלאכי השלום כול אוהבי בני אדם:
shalom aleichem shalom aleichem ohavei ha’shalom ohavei ha’enoshot
kol mal’achei ha’shalom kol ohavei bnei adam:
Peace upon you, peace upon you, lovers of peace, lovers of humanity,
All emissaries of peace, all lovers of, children of humanity:
בואכם לשלום אוהבי השלום מלאכי התקווה
כול מלאכי השלום כול אוהבי בני אדם:
bo’achem l’shalom ohavei ha’shalom mal’achei ha’tikva,
kol mal’achei ha’shalom kol ohavei bnei adam:
Come you to peace, lovers of peace, emissaries of hope,
All emissaries of peace, all lovers of, children of humanity:
ברכונו לשלום אוהבי השלום מלאכי התקווה
כול מלאכי השלום כול אוהבי בני אדם:
barchunu l’shalom ohavei ha’shalom mal’achei ha’tikva,
kol mal’achei ha’shalom kol ohavei bnei adam:
Bless us with peace, lovers of peace, emissaries of hope,
All emissaries of peace, all lovers of, children of humanity:
צאתכם לשלום אוהבי השלום מלאכי התקווה
כול מלאכי השלום כול אוהבי בני אדם:
tzet’chem l’shalom ohavei ha’shalom mal’achei ha’tikva,
kol mal’achei ha’shalom kol ohavei bnei adam:
Depart you in peace, lovers of peace, emissaries of hope,
All emissaries of peace, all lovers of, children of humanity:
היום נתאמץ – ha’yom nit’ametz
(a secularized Rosh ha’Shanah musaf for everyday chanted to a Chabad Amherst nigun)
היום נתאמץ (אמן),
ha’yom nit’ametz (amen).
Today we will make an effort!
היום נברך (אמן),
ha’yom nevarech (amen).
Today we will bless!
היום נצמח (אמן),
ha’yom nitzmach (amen).
Today we will grow!
היום נדרוש לטובה (אמן),
ha’yom nidrosh l’tovah (amen)!
Today we will demand for the better!
היום נכתוב לחיים טובים (אמן)!
ha’yom nichtov l’chayim tovim (amen)!
Today we will write for a good life!
הוּא הָיָה אוֹמֵר – It Is Said
(the beating heart wisdom of the neshamah, “breath,” within our nefesh, “body-mind”)
אִם אֵין אֲנִי לִי, מִי לִי? וּכְשֶׁאֲנִי לְעַצְמִי, מָה אֲנִי? וְאִם לֹא עַכְשָׁיו, אֵימָתַי? אֵימָתַי? עַכְשָׁיו! וְאִם לֹא עַכְשָׁיו, אֵימָתַי? אֵימָתַי? עַכְשָׁיו!
ìm èin anì lò, mì lò? uch’she’anì li’ats’mì, màh anì? v’ìm lò ach’shàv, eimatài? eimatài? ach’shàv! v’ìm lò ach’shàv, eimatài? eimatài? ach’shàv!
If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, then what am I? And if not now, when? When? Now! And if not now, when? When? Now!
שלום עליכם – Shalom Aleichem Covid19 Edition
(chanted to Debbie Friedman’s nigun for Shalom Aleichem)
שלום עליכם מלאכי השרת מלאכי השלום
מלאכי האנושות שמגנים על חיינו:
shalom aleichem mal’achei ha’sharet mal’achei ha’shalom,
mal’achei ha’enoshot she’memagnim al chayeinu.
Peace upon you, angels of healing, angels of peace,
Angels of humanity who protect our lives.
בואכם לשלום מלאכי השלום מלאכי התקווה
מלאכי האנושות שמגנים על חיינו:
bo’achem l’shalom mal’achei ha’shalom mal’achei ha’tikva,
mal’achei ha’enoshot she’memagnim al chayeinu.
Come you to peace, messengers of peace, messengers of hope,
Angels of humanity who defend our lives.
ברכונו לשלום מלאכי השלום מלאכי התקווה
מלאכי האנושות שמגנים על חיינו:
barchunu l’shalom mal’achei ha’shalom mal’achei ha’tikva,
mal’achei ha’enoshot she’memagnim al chayeinu.
Bless us with peace, messengers of peace, messengers of hope,
Angels of humanity who protect our lives.
צאתכם לשלום מלאכי השלום מלאכי התקווה
מלאכי האנושות שמגנים על חיינו:
tzet’chem l’shalom mal’achei ha’shalom mal’achei ha’tikva,
mal’achei ha’enoshot she’memagnim al chayeinu.
Depart you in peace, messengers of peace, messengers of hope,
Angels of humanity who defend our lives.
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More nigunim from around the Jewish world with lyrics will be added here as we go. Now, for a little nigunim history:
Among the Hasidim, there are two forms of nigunim. The slower deeply reflective type that uses no words or very few words is called devekut nigunim. As the Baal Shem Tov taught, “songs that transcend syllables and sound.” The faster more upbeat, even danceable versions, can be without words, as well, but often have liturgical poetry, folksong lyrics, or musar philosophy incorporated in. Think Kaliver nigunim, Musar nigunim, and Chabad nigunim.
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The beauty of a Jewish nigun is that it speaks whatever is presently in the heart of the Jew that chants it. It is separate of any text that may be added to it, and any text may be added to any nigun created and chanted by a Jew. This is beyond ethno-religious concerns, and nigunim speak the heartfelt essence of Jewishness. Always keep this in mind! Every nigun chanted belongs to every Jew to express themselves through.
In other words, besides the inherited Torah, all Jews share a common relationship with nigunim – courtesy of our ANE ancestors’ penchant to chant – despite our vastly different cultural/musical experiences. Something to think about this week, and every week. A question: Why would any Jew limit themselves to a certain genre of Jewish experience (outside of personal taste)?
The following recording contains Jewish nigunim that are without words that we like to chant as a community. Feel free to emulate!
Moshiach Nigun (a deveikes nigun popularized by Dovid Zeller)
Yababam (a Karliner hasid riqud nigun popular in Uman)
Hai Didi Dai Didi – (a Karliner tisch nigun, also featured above with ashrei ha’am lyrics)
Hayom a la Chabad (a Chabad Amherst tisch nigun, also featured above with rosh hashanah joy and life blessing piyut)
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Anyone really good at biblical Hebrew/Aramaic/Ladino/Yiddish, and want to help me fine tune the words? Speak up!
When done, I’ll make a vid that captures these beautiful nigunim! Along with sharing ones without any words. (Still got to work a trope for the Siddur of Doubts project, too. Thinking a Syrian Jewish approach.)
Y’alls thoughts?!
יוסף פרקשדי
Joseph T Farkasdi
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