Composed by Cantor Ben Ellerin
Also known as Birkat Kohanim or the Priestly Benediction

Text: Numbers 6:24-26, Parashat Naso
Mishkan T'filah p. 299 [603]

May God bless you and keep you.
May God’s light shine upon you, and may God be gracious to you. 
May you feel God’s Presence within you always, and may you find peace.

Y’varech’cha Adonai v’yishm’recha. 
Ya-eir Adonai panav eilecha vichuneka. 
Yisa Adonai panav eilecha v’yaseim l’cha shalom.

:יְבָרֶכְךָ יי, וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ
:יָאֵר יי פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ, וִיחֻנֶּךָּ
:יִשָּׂא יי פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ, וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם

Priestly Blessing by Cantor Ben Ellerin (Birkat Kohanim) - May God Bless You and Keep You

Rosh Hashanah songs are diverse, as are Yiddish folk songs. Chazzanut (cantorial singing)also has different styles. The lovely Yiddish song performed here, also known as "A Din Toire Mit Gott," arguably falls into all these genres. It is sung in this recording by Marc Berman, bass-baritone. 

The origin of this Jewish folk song is as follows: The early Hasidic leader Rabbi Levi Isaac of Berdichev (Bardichev) (1740–1809 )was known for his intercession with the Almighty on behalf of his people. It is said that he composed and recited this Yiddish song before he served as the cantor (prayer leader) on Rosh Hashanah. Indeed, the song ends with the words of the Kaddish, the first mandatory prayer that the cantor recites. The Kaddish's traditional melody is a highlight of Rosh Hashanah services and Rosh Hashanah prayers (as well as Yom Kippur services and Yom Kippur prayers). 

Like the best Yiddish music, and, more specifically, Yiddish songs, this piece has been recorded multiple times, albeit in different arrangements. These include a recording by opera tenor Jan Peerce (albeit in a different arrangement, that of Leo Low.) 

In the song, Rabbi Levi Issac questions the suffering that the Jewish people has been forced to endure over the ages. He demands from the Almighty an immediate end to all the misery. 

Joel Engel (1868–1927), whose musical arrangement of "Kaddish of Rabbi Levi Isaac" is featured in this recording, was a music critic, composer and a leading figure in the Jewish art music movement. He was born in Russia (now Ukraine), and moved to Berlin in 1922, where he founded the Yuval music publishing house. He moved to the Land of Israel in 1924. Engel inspired a generation of Jewish classical musicians to rediscover their roots and create a new style of nationalist Jewish music, patterned after the nationalist music movements of Russia, Slovakia, Hungary and elsewhere. Engel studied law at the Kharkiv National University, and later, at the insistence of Tchaikovsky, who heard his compositions, entered the Moscow Conservatory. 

At first, Engel composed in the increasingly popular Russian nationalist style. However, after Vladimir Stasov, a leading advocate of Russian nationalism in art and music, literally shouted at him, "Where is your national pride in your own people?" Engel returned to his Jewish musical roots. Engle collected and arranged numerous Yiddish folk melodies.  On February 11, 1927, Engel died in Tel Aviv. 

Engel's musical works consist of piano solo, chamber works, and songs. Like others of the Jewish art music movement, Engel favored songs featuring, besides the vocalist, a small ensemble of piano and, sometimes, one other or several other instruments, such as violin or flute. Many of Engel's own classical songs are based on Jewish folk songs. He also wrote popular songs, which during his lifetime are said to have dominated Hebrew popular music in the Land of Israel.  (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Engel_(composer) )

Here is a translation of the song:

Good morning, Master of the Universe!

I, Levi Issac, son of Sarah, from Berdichev have come to bring a claim against you for your people Israel:

What do you have against your people?

Why do you afflict your people Israel?

A misfortune happens, and you say "Command the children of Israel"!

A calamity occurs, and you say "Say to the children of Israel"!

A disaster  befalls us, and you say "Speak to the children of Israel"!

Dear Father, how many other nations are there?

Babylonians,

Persians,

and Romans!

What do the Prussians say?

"Our king is a true king!"

What do the English say?

"Our empire is a true empire!"

But, I, Levi Issac, son of Sarah, from Berdichev say:

"Exalted and sanctified...

is Your Great Name!"

And I, Levi Issac, son of Sarah, from Berdichev say:

I will not move from where I stand...

until you end all this suffering and redeem us!

"Exalted and sanctified...

is Your Great Name!"

KADDISH FUN REBBE LEVI-YITZCHOK (A DIN TOYRE MIT GOTT) - YIDDISH SONG -  MARC BERMAN

Yom Kippur songs include Yiddish songs.  This Yom Kippur music concerns the end of the High Holidays. The title essentially means "Late Yom Kippur Afternoon."  Jewish music is eclectic.  The theme of this  Yiddish music is the mood that marked the close of Yom Kippur services in Eastern Europe, and in particular the closing  Yom Kippur service (Neilah). The sense was that everyone's fate  was about to be sealed.  This theme also appears in many a Rosh Hashanah song and the Rosh Hashanah service. This song, as arranged, is basically classical music -- essentially akin to an opera aria. Or, if you will,  cantorial music  (chazzanut), or an art song.  Marc Berman is the bass-baritone soloist.

The  composer of this authentic Jewish music, Henry Lefkowitch (c. 1892-1959),  was a conductor and publisher of Jewish songs.  He ran  the Metro Music Company, publishing much sheet music. Lefkowitch studied composition with Ernest Bloch.  He wrote numerous Jewish art songs and some liturgical music. He even founded two orchestras.  Lefkowitch also  lectured on music on the radio. He published "Yom Kippur Tzu Minkhe" circa 1914. 

The text for the song is a poem by Morris Rosenfeld (1862-1923). Because Rosenfeld often wrote about Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe in New York's tailoring sweatshops, he is sometimes referred to as the "Poet of the Ghetto."

YOM KIPPUR TZU MINKHE - YIDDISH SONG -  MARC BERMAN

Music, original lyrics, and recording: Cantor Ben Ellerin © 2024
Text: Based on Exodus 13:8-9 from Parashat Bo, the Passover Haggaddah, and the Torah reading for Pessach Chol HaMoeid I.

וְהִגַּדְתָּ לְבִנְךָ בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא לֵאמֹר בַּעֲבוּר זֶה עָשָׂה יי לִי בְּצֵאתִי מִמִּצְרָיִם׃ 
וְהָיָה לְךָ לְאוֹת עַל־יָדְךָ וּלְזִכָּרוֹן בֵּין עֵינֶיךָ לְמַעַן תִּהְיֶה תּוֹרַת יי בְּפִיךָ כִּי בְּיָד חֲזָקָה הוֹצִאֲךָ יי מִמִּצְרָיִם׃ 

And you shall explain to your child on that day, ‘It is because of what the Eternal did for me when I went free from Egypt.’ 
And this shall serve you as a sign on your hand and as a reminder on your forehead — in order that the Teaching of the Eternal may be in your mouth — that with a mighty hand the Eternal freed you from Egypt.

Tell Your Child by Cantor Ben Ellerin (Parashat Bo & Passover, Exodus 13:8-9)

Cantor Jonathan Schultz, tenor
Tara Swartzbaugh, piano

Music by Moishe Oysher
Text from the Talmud - B'rachot 64a
2024 remix of a 2021 recording

Hazzanut

Amar Rabbi Elazar remix April 2024

"Kol Nidre" is  here chanted by Chazzan (Cantor) Marc Berman. In synagogue, Kol Nidre, a mainstay of Yom Kippur Services,  is recited before the start of the Yom Kippur evening synagogue service. The chazzan chants it  on behalf of the congregation. While commonly thought of as a Yom Kippur prayer, Kol Nidre is actually a legal text, written in both Hebrew and Aramaic. 
The purpose of the Kol Nidre is to release the worshiper  from any vows he makes to God that he is unable to keep. (Vows made to other people, including oaths sworn in a court of law, are not encompassed by Kol Nidre and are not released.)
It is a mystery why this mundane legal text is the emotional apex of the Yom Kippur service for Ashkenazi Jews. Some theorize that the Kol Nidre became associated with various persecutions suffered by  medieval Jews , wherein they were  forced to convert, on pain of death, to Roman Catholicism. By  reciting the Kol Nidre, these oppressed Jews felt that they were, in effect,  renouncing  the vows they were compelled to make in Church.
No doubt, too,  the hauntingly beautiful traditional tune plays a role in the continued emotional appeal of the Kol Nidre. Indeed, the  Kol Nidre melody  is as famous as any Jewish song, Jewish music, synagogue music, cantorial recitative or chazzanut.
As with many other Yom Kippur prayers, Kol Nidre has been recorded by many renowned artists, particularly chazzanim (cantors).  These singers include greats such as Yossele Rosenblatt, ,Moshe Koussevitzky, Mordechai Hershman, Zavel Kwartin, Moyshe Oysher, Leibele Waldman, Richard Tucker and  Jan Peerce. It has also served as the basis for instrumental pieces of classical music.

"Kol Nidre" -  Yom Kippur - Rosh Hashanah -Jewish Music - Cantorial - Chazzanut כל נדרי - חזנוּת

Shabbat music from the Friday night evening service proper, post Kabbalat Shabbat. Arranged and sung by Chazzan Marc Berman. A classic example of synagogue music. The traditional  tune for Vayechulu is as familiar as the popular nigunim (melodies) for the Zemirot of Shabbat (Shabbat songs, i.e., Sabbath Songs).  This lovely piece, loosely based on the traditional Ashkenazi melody for Vayechulu,  was composed by Hirsch Weintraub (1811-1882), chazzan (cantor) of Konigsberg, Germany (now Kaliningrad, Russia). Weintraub originally wrote it as a four-part choral piece.

"Vayechulu" -  A Shabbat Prayer, -  Jewish Music - Hazzanut - Marc Berman חזנות

The Chatzi Kaddish prayer is among the best-known parts of the services of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. It is chanted before the Musaf (additional) service. On the Jewish High Holidays, it is sung to a rousing melody by the hazzan (a/k/a cantor, or prayer-leader). The music is a staple of cantorial singing. Indeed, it is one of the beloved pieces of Jewish Music or of a Jewish song. Chazzan Marc Berman chants the prayer in this video. 
Among Jewish songs  of praise and worship,  this Kaddish is one of the most venerable, comparable to , say, "Kol Nidre," "Aleinu" or "U'netaneh Tokef."   The Chatzi Kaddish is found in both the Rosh Hashanah prayers and in the Yom Kippur prayers. That is, it is recited at both Rosh Hashanah services and in the Yom Kippur services.
(Fundraising Note: This channel primarily releases new recordings of rarely heard Jewish music from the past, especially  Yiddish music. It is so important that such seldom-heard Jewish songs be preserved for future generations.  Recording and producing music is an expensive endeavor. This new year, please  help us  by becoming a member or donating at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cantorclassics . Thank you so much.) 
"Chatzi Kaddish" (or "Khatzi" Kaddish*) literally means "half-Kaddish."  It is a shortened version of the full Kaddish recited near the end of every service. This half-kaddish, in contrast, generally marks the formal beginning of the Musaf service, which follows the morning service and the biblical readings of the day. The prayer praises the Deity and expresses the hope that He  will soon be universally recognized. 
This Chatzi Kaddish on the Yamim Noraim (Jewish high holidays)  is also sometimes referred to as the "great" Kaddish. (Not to be confused with the long "great kaddish" ("Kaddish Hagadol")  recited in the burial service at a cemetery.)
The musical version  sung here is the traditional Ashkenazi (Eastern European) nusach.   "Nusach" refers to the traditional musical prayer mode. Each holiday has its own nusach.  Indeed, there is often a different nusach for each section of each service on any given holiday.
"Nusach" can also refer to the text of a service, which varies slightly between different rites that emanate from different geographical locations.

*Pronunciation  Note:  The "ch"  (or, sometimes, "kh" or just "h") in "Chatzi,  "nusach" and "chazzan" is pronounced as a voiceless uvular fricative trill [(x) in the  International Phonetic Alphabet ]. This sound is common in Hebrew, but does not occur in some languages, including  English. One can hear it several times in the recording.

"Chatzi Kaddish". Rosh Hashanah Music. Yom Kippur Music. Chazzanut. Cantorial Music - Marc Berman

Ki Hayom Kadosh (Lullaby for Ezra) by Cantor Ben Ellerin

Please support our recording  of vintage Yiddish songs and Jewish Music: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cantorclassics  .  T I'm trying to help preserve classic Jewish Eastern European vocal music. Specifically, Yiddish music and chazzanus (cantorial chant). 

Please help support my  efforts by following me and posting my songs on  your social media. To reach me, send me a message through Soundcloud.

You can watch videos of some of my songs at https://www.youtube.com/c/CantorClassics .

Here are some of my concert reviews:

"Marc Berman came to us in full flower [with] ...the richness of his ...voice." - Saul & Evelyn Friedman, The Capital

""One of the finest voices ... which moved easily through its coloratura passages and also provided a well accomplished ... top...." - Iris Bass, Sightlines Magazine

"Marc Berman provided solid [singing]." - James Oestreich, New York Times

"Superb" -Susan L. Pena, Reading Eagle-Times

 I'm also available for  concerts, and to officiate as chazzan at synagogue services, as well as at weddings, bar mitzvahs and funerals. 

Thanks for listening!

Regards,

Marc Berman

Please support our recording  of vintage Yiddish songs and classic Jewish music like hazzanut: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cantorclassics  .  T I'm trying to help preserve classic Jewish Eastern European vocal music. Specifically, Yiddish music and chazzanus (cantorial chant). 

Please help support my  efforts by following me and posting my songs on  your social media. To reach me, send me a message through Soundcloud.

You can watch videos of some of my songs at https://www.youtube.com/c/CantorClassics .

Here are some of my concert reviews:

"Marc Berman came to us in full flower [with] ...the richness of his ...voice." - Saul & Evelyn Friedman, The Capital

""One of the finest voices ... which moved easily through its coloratura passages and also provided a well accomplished ... top...." - Iris Bass, Sightlines Magazine

"Marc Berman provided solid [singing]." - James Oestreich, New York Times

"Superb" -Susan L. Pena, Reading Eagle-Times

 I'm also available for  concerts, and to officiate as chazzan at synagogue services, as well as at weddings, bar mitzvahs and funerals. 

Thanks for listening!

Regards,

Marc Berman

New tracks tagged #Hazzanut