Birkat Hamazon – Rory Michelle © 2014

with thanks, appreciation, and gratitude to Nathaniel Moldoff for being my 'chevruta' (learning buddy) in unpacking the first paragraph of 'Birkat Hamazon', The Grace After Meals. Our discussion is the inspiration for this song.

Chorus:
Hazan et haolam kulo
You are the One who nurtures
In its vast expanse, the whole universe
Hazan et haolam kulo

Umfarnes lakol, umfarnes lakol
You support and maintain
Hold the space and sustain
Umfarnes lakol

Chorus

Umaitiv lakol, umaitiv lakol
You cause us to grow
Become more and more whole
Umativiv lakol

Chorus

Umaikhin mazon, umaikhin mazon
You prepare and provide
Make real dreams from inside
Umaikhin mazon

Chorus

Rav Daniel Landes' “Rashi” (Commentary)

"I've been bentchen (blessing) the Birkat HaMazon since I was a very little child, at least once a day. I do my best to avoid the public singing of it, while I do respond or lead the zimun (invitation, i.e. Rabbotai Ne'Varech), and say amen to the blessing at the end of the final paragraph.

"The public singing has only one musical form - I have never heard another! And I have so tired of this semi-football cheer / German biergarten chant. It does work to learn the words, and to finish this long blessing. But for me, it is not conducive to thankfulness, which is the point of it all.

"Rory Michelle's beautiful take on this blessing slows us down, and puts the emphasis on contemplating and thanking God who does... everything... for us. Her Kavannah (intention) allows us to feel the miracle of that large expanse, which is the universe being sustained by the even "larger" (such a term is only evocative rather than descriptive) God.

"And for that, Rory Michelle, I am moved and thankful and strangely hungry! After all, you can only bentch when you are satisfied - 

"And thou shalt eat and be satisfied, and bless the LORD thy God for the good land which He hath given thee."

"וְאָכַלְתָּ, וְשָׂבָעְתָּ--וּבֵרַכְתָּ אֶת-יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, עַל-הָאָרֶץ הַטֹּבָה אֲשֶׁר נָתַן-לָךְ"
Deuteronomy 8:10


Birkat Hamazon - Acoustic version

Rory Michelle Sullivan is a singer-songwriter and composer who has recorded and performed her songs internaRory Michelle Sullivan is a singer-songwriter and composer. Her work explores relating to ourselves, others, and a spiritual Source in healthy, authentic, creative, and constructive ways. She has recorded and performed her songs internationally, from parlor rooms in Jerusalem to bars in Vienna to Jimmy’s No. 43 in NYC’s East Village. Notably, she has performed at the Morgan Park Summer Music Festival on the same stage graced by folk legends Peter Yarrow and Dar Williams. Rory Michelle and her music have been featured at festivals such as ISH, Cincinnati's Jewish and Israeli Arts and Cultural Festival, on the Emerging Artist Showcase on Jewish Rock Radio hosted by celebrated Americana singer-songwriter Joe Buchanan, and in Philadelphia RowHome magazine.
Rory Michelle has released four studio albums of original songs: Rising in Love Concept Album (2019), The God Album (2015), Inner Child (2014), and Turtledove (2013). Her Jewish-themed musical endeavor, The God Album, includes fun folk, funk, rock, and swing music with songs infused, inspired, and informed by Jewish text. Listeners have called Rory Michelle's music "most enjoyable ... worshipful as well as fun" and "clever, honest, soul-bearing folk songs that transcend place, time, and circumstance and stir the imagination and tug gently but deservedly and genuinely at your heartstrings."
When she is not composing music, Rory Michelle is singing it with Jewish communities. Rory Michelle holds a Bachelors in psychology from Harvard University and a Masters in Arts in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is currently working on a musical. Watch the trailer, hear the music, and learn more at risinginlovethemusical.com.