Alia Meira – Page 2 – Rabbi Shefa Gold

Through the Darkness

La’y’hudim ha’y’tah orah
v’simchah v’sason viykar
Through the Darkness in Hebrew
You have guided us through the darkness, illuminating the night.
You have lifted up our broken heart with your joy and your light.
(Esther 8:16 and Havdalah)

These words from the Book of Esther recall a moment of rejoicing after successfully navigating a most dangerous and harrowing passage. We sing these words at Havdalah as we move from the shelter of Shabbat into the work of our week, facing the challenges of this world with the faith that we are guided and blessed. We are grateful to the Holy One who guides us from within, and to the extraordinary people who are filled with the Divine Spirit and lead us through the darkness with their joy and inspiration.

(This chant was composed in honor of Rabbi Deborah Waxman.)

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

To download the PDF file for this chant, click Through the Darkness PDF. For the musical notation, click Through the Darkness notation PDF.

02/01/2026

Comfort for Our Worries

B’rov sarapai b’kirbi
Tanchumecha y’sha’ashu nafshi

When worries multiply within me, Your comfort soothes my soul. (Psalm 94:19)
[Click (or tap) to see the entire Psalm 94 in Hebrew and English (JPS 1985).]

NOTE: Traditionally, Psalm 94 is read on Wednesday.

When we become aware of the multitude of voices within, and place those concerns into the context of a vast inner spaciousness, then our harried souls can be soothed, comforted and allowed their Freedom.

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 Comfort for Our Worries PDF. For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 301.

12/05/2025

Your Throne Secured

Nachon kisacha me-az, me-olam atah

Your throne was long ago secured; beyond eternity are You! (Psalm 93:2)
[Click (or tap) to see the entire Psalm 93 in Hebrew and English (JPS 1985).]

NOTE: Traditionally, Psalm 93 is read on Friday.

On Fridays as we prepare for Shabbat, we gradually release our grip on personally mastering this world. No matter how we have struggled, succeeded or failed during this past week, today we prepare ourselves now to let go of the illusion of control and surrender our cleverness to the vast Intelligence that has been in charge all along.

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 Your Throne Secured PDF. For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 303.

12/05/2025

Ma-Gadlu

Ma-Gadlu Ma’asecha Yah, m’od amku mach’sh’votecha

How great is your work, oh God, how very deep are your thoughts! (Psalm 92:6)
[Click (or tap) to see the entire Psalm 92 in Hebrew and English (JPS 1985).]

NOTE: Traditionally, Psalm 92 is read on Shabbat.

On Shabbat we step outside of the ordinary stream of time; we leave behind the structures of Duality in order to drink from the extraordinary river of Delight that flows directly from the Source. We set aside our struggles and worries in order to simply appreciate and celebrate Life.

Shabbat consciousness requires us to embrace a profound paradox. On the one hand we see the amazing beauty of God’s Creation, and in that same vision we encounter the unfathomable suffering and mystery of our world. On Shabbat we let go of our struggle to understand, explain, make excuses or figure it out. We embrace and accept it all and celebrate existence itself.

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

Ma-Gadlu

To download the PDF file for this chant, click Ma-Gadlu PDF. For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 304.

12/05/2025

Our Stillness/Silence

Diminu Elohim Chasdecha

Our Stillness/Silence is Your Love God (Psalm 48:10)
[Click (or tap) to see the entire Psalm 48 in Hebrew and English (JPS 1985).]

NOTE: Traditionally, Psalm 48 is read on Monday.

Coming into relationship with God and opening to Divine Love is perhaps the best way of become authentic and of knowing the True Self. As we come into this relationship and open to the force of Love, God strips us of all artifice. We become naked to ourselves. In relationship to God, the Great Mystery, all the layers of defense fall away; all of our posturing dissolves.

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.