Every Shabbos when we put back our Torah scroll in the Ark we recite these special words written by King Solomon in Proverbs. The Torah is our tree of Life. It is the special gift Hashem gives us and we are cautioned never to abandon it, rather we are meant to grab onto it and support it. These words sung each time inspire not only those of us that are fortunate enough to study the words of Torah but as well those that support it's institutions. There are none that are more fortunate then our nation that have this special gift from Hashem.
Sung and arranged by Dovid Lowy, my humble composition expresses the joy and fortune we have with that special gift.
Ki Lekach Tov nasati lachem- for a good portion I have given you
Torasi al ta'azovu- do not abandon my Torah
Eitz Chayim Hee- It is a a tree of of life
la'machazikim bah- to those who grasp on to it
v'tomcheiha mi'ushar- and its supporters are fortunate

Eitz chayim

The month of Elul is one where are are told that the "King" is in the field. Hashem leaves His palace and comes out to the field to gather His children and bring them close to Him before the High Holidays of Judgement and forgiveness; before the days of repentance when we return to Him. 
Each morning and afternoon or evening there is a custom to recite Psalm 27  where King David describes his longing and passion for Hashem and his request.
To be honest I had two versions of the wording of this song.
The first words of the low part of the song are 
Lecha Amar Libi- To You my heart says
Bakshu Panai- seek out my face
Es panecha Hashem Avakesh- I seek out Your face Hashem
Bakshu Panai- Seek out my face
Es Panecha Hashem Avakesh- I seek out Yuor face Hashem
I originally switched around the words as it came to me.
I origianlly wrote
 Lecha amar Libi-  To you my heart says
Es Panecha Hashem Avakesh- Your face I seek out Hashem
And only then did I go back to the wording of King David
Bakshu Panai- Seek out my face
Es Panecha Hashem Avakesh- I seek out my face
I felt that the song made more sense coming from this deep desire to seek out Hashem and to see His glory and be united with it. And then afterwards asking Hashem to seek me out.
Yet, Dovid Lowy my singer and arranger- perhaps because he shares the soul of King David besides his name, arranged the song the way it had been written and as it is here. And as I listened to it I understood that the truth is what King David is describing is that more than we want to see Hashem, we want Him to seek us out. We want to feel that we are loved by Him, that He has come out to the field to us. That no matter how far we have fallen or dissappointed Him, He still seeks our face. Once we feel and experience this and perhaps only then can we then say with an even deeper honesty that we as well wish to see His face. That we want to come close to Him.
The high part of the song is all of the impediments and fears we have that prevent us from experiencing that closeness that we long for
Al Tasteir panecha mimeni- don't hide Your face from me
Al tat b'af avdecha- don't turn in wrath to Your servant
ezrasi hayisa- You have been my help
al titsheini- don't abandon me
al ta'azveini elokei yishi- don't leave me the God of my salvation.
If there were ever words or a song that express the longing and spirit of this holy month it is these words that I believe encapsulates it all.

Panechah- Your Face

It's been too long. It's not just 284 days. It's been centuries of us all not being home. If there is one cry that best describes this war it is this cry of coming Home. It's the hostages, the evacuees, the farmers, the soldiers fighting. It's the cry of the Shechina for 2000 years that wants to return to His Home. The song that has taken our world by storm is this prayer that we recite when we read from the Torah. Its for our brothers that are being held captive, its for all of us. It is a prayer for the light of Hashem to fill the world and for the darkness to finally be over. May we merit it to see that day speedily in our times.
Acheinu Kol Bais Yisrael- our brother all of Israel
Ha'Nesunim Ba'tzarah U'vashivya- that are being held in trouble and capitivity
ha'omdim bein ba'yam u'bein ba'yabasha- that are stanind between the "river and the sea"
Ha'Makom Yerachem aleheim- Hashem should have mercy on them
ViYotziem Mi'tzara Li'revacha- and take them out of their tight places to expansiveness
u'meiafela l'orah- and from darkness to light
u'meishibud l'geula- and from being subjected to redemption
hashta ba'agala u'vizman kariv now and speedily in a near time

ACHAINU

Yosef Bornstein Nov 17

About two months before the birth of my first grandson, i had a dream that he would be born on a friday and I was running around getting food for the traditionall Jewish Shalom Zachor party that night. Sure enough my daughter went into labor weds. night. My wife was nervous,but I assured her we would have till Friday. That Friday I went out to buy food, despite the baby not being born yet. 
Along the way I composed this song. the words are
May Hashem merit us to see children and grandchildren who toil in Torah and fulfillment of Commandments. And may he proclaim to us good tidings, salvations and consolation;upon Israel peace. 
Vzakeynu Liros Banim UVney Banim Oskim Batorah UvaMitzvos Vivaser Lanu Besoros Tovos Yeshuos VNechemos Al Yisrael Shalom
Enjoy!

ויבשר לנו  vzakeynu

Vzakeynu Lirot Banim

This fun song is traditionally song on the holiday of Purim and comes from the Meggilat Esther the scroll of Esther that was written after our miraculous salvation from Haman and his genocidal plot in Persia 2400 years ago.
The words are a testimony to those times and the added words of prayer are recited each week when we recite havvdala after shabbat and we ask for light in our lives. The tune is a festive one composed by me and the arrangements and singing by my dear friend Dovid Lowy
Layehudim haysa orah v'simcha v'sason v'yikar- the Jews had light, happiness, rejoicing and prestige
kein ti'hiyeh lanu orah v'simcha v'sason v'yikar- so we should have light happiness, rejoicing and prestige

Layehudim

Ephraim Schwartz

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