Let all the earth praise HaShem, for His love endures forever!
"Who will separate us from the love of the Messiah? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written,Notice however that he says we conquer through Him. This power is not of our own. Therefore, one must ask themselves how exactly we stay IN Him so as to conquer THROUGH Him. Well, as the disclaimer given on Andrew Roth’s show “Men are from Jerusalem, Women are from Galilee” says, "PRAY! Please always remember to pray!" Before we can even think about any other relationship or interaction, we must take care of our relationship with our Heavenly Father first and foremost. And this not only includes prayer, but PRAISE as well. Praising Him is so paramount, and if you’ve never tried praising Him prior to prayer before, I very much encourage you to do so. Spending time in the Word alone can be vanity if it is not coupled with prayer and praise. And if you’re going through a more difficult season, add fasting on top of that as well (and in our day and age, something like a facebook fast may be just as effective and for many could possibly be compared to when Yeshua went off alone to pray to the Father).
“FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.”
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor messengers, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of G-d, which is in the Messiah Yeshua our Master." (Romans 8:35-39 NASB)
Praise Music
Tsama Nafshi – Micha'el ben David
Micha'el ben David is a Psalmist who makes beautiful music videos praising HaShem in such an awesome way. If I could I would post all of his songs here, but you can check the rest out by visiting his youtube channel (and you can also check out his website here). This song in particular is something that I think must be emphasized, especially as we search out theology on the itnernet. Because no theological studying or attainment of knowledge will quench our souls thirst for the living G-d. Let us never forget that this is why we're here in the first place. May we not lose focus of Him - Oh Adonai, You are our all in all. May You bestow Your presence upon us as we worship You in spirit and in truth, and study Your word diligently so that we may walk in a manner that is pleasing unto You. We thank You Father for Your manifold blessings, and may You cotninue to lead and guide us and all of Your people Israel in the way that we should go. B'shem Yeshua Mashiach; amen.Shalom Alecheim – Idan Yaniv
Shalom alecheim is traditionally sung as you sit at the table on Erev Shabbat. The lyrics in English can be read here. Idan Yaniv has a most beautiful rendition of this song that is very uplifting for the soul. This is a song that invites HaShem and His peace to come and bless our household, our family, friends, and the fact that the week is complete (shalem) and we may now rest in Him.Shema Yisroel – Ya’akov Shweky
In this song, one of Ya'akov Shweky's only English songs, he shows the uniting power and importance of the Shema in Jewish life by singing a story about a Rabbi who went searching for Jewish children after the Holocaust. Some Catholic Churches had taken the children in and attempted to raise them not as Jews but as Catholics. When the Rabbi had come around asking if there were Jewish children, the priests denied. But then, the Rabbi called out those ever so precious words...Shema Yisrael - Meydad Tasa
This is another beautiful Shema song with very cool movie footage of the Exodus being played, which to me emphasizes what HaShem shall do for us if we "hear listen to, and obey" (SHEMA!)Vehi she Amda - Yossi Azulay
Vehi she amda is a declaration of HaShem's deliverance which is sung during Pesach. It translates as "And so it has stood for our fathers and for us, that it wasn't just one nation alone that rose up against us to destroy us, and The Holy One, Blessed is He, saves us from their hand". Amen. This is, in my opinion, the most beautiful version of this song.Shabbat Shalom - Am Yisrael Chai - Hevenu Shalom Alecheim – Shaluu Shalom Yerushalayim - Classic Erev Shabbat Songs
Don't know what to sing at the Erev Shabbat table? Here are all the classic songs all in one video, emphasizing peace and life for us, Jerusalem and all of Israel. And we all say "amen!"Lecha Dodi
Lecha Dodi is another traditional song for Shabbat, specifically to welcome in the Shabbat (referred to in this song as the bride) with our Beloved, HaShem Himself. To really learn the depth of this song you may study it over at Chabad.org by clicking here.Traditional Opening Havdala Song
This is the traditional opening liturgy of the Havdala sung as a beautiful praise song that is sentimental in the sense that we have to say good bye to Shabbat, but uplifting at the same time because HaShem is our salvation all week long. From the description, the translation is "Indeed, G-d is my deliverance; I am confident and shall not fear, for G-d the Lord is my strength and song, and He has been a help to me. You shall draw water with joy from the wellsprings of deliverance. Deliverance is the Lord's; may Your blessing be upon Your people forever. The Lord of hosts is with us the G-d of Jacob is our everlasting stronghold. Lord of hosts, happy is the man who trusts in You. Lord deliver us; may the King answer us on the day we call."Eliyahu haNavi
This is the traditional closing song of the Havdala, said at the end of the before we tell everyone to have a good week (Shavua tov!) It's emphasis is on the second coming of Mashiach, Mashiach ben David. Indeed, may Yeshua the Mashiach, the son of David, come speedily in our days to rule and reign forevermore. Amen."Ha is my Defense - Marty Goetz
This is a beautiful Messianic worship song that proclaims such a powerful truth that, even if you have nothing else in life, this is always something you can hold on to. Yes, He is our defense!Blessed is the Man - Andrew Hodkinson
This is a rendition of Tehillim (Psalm 1) with a beautiful music video to accompany it, showing the beauty of a HaShem's ways: that is, a Torah lifestyle in which His goodness is written upon our hearts.Yeshua Kadosh
Kadosh, kadosh, kadosh; Adonai Elohei Tsva'ot. Asher haya, v'hoveh, v'yavoh! Some of the most beautiful words of praise and liturgy ever spoken in the Scriptures, and this is one of the most beautiful songs proclaiming their very truth.Hodu l'Adonai Ki Tov
These are the words I used to label this page on my homepage, and it comes from one of the most tradition praise and worship songs out there: Psalm 118. This is one of the most beautifully sung versions of Tehillim 118 that I know of.Yom Zeh L'Yisrael
This a really fun song, one of my favorites actually about Shabbat. This is the only version I could find online, but we sing this in Shul all the time and I love it!The Mighty One of Israel
A wonderful song proclaiming the truth that haShem is truly the Mighty One of Israel and His voice shall indeed by heard by the power of His Word (Mashiach). A very catchy tune that can stay in your head all day long :)Egyptian Desert Prayer
Although this is a Hebrew Roots website and this particular song uses the more familiar "Jesus Christ" in it, I wanted to put this song in here because it represents what I can only describe as a middle eastern sincerity that is beautiful and touching. This is not to say that no one is sincere outside of the middle east, heaven forbid, but there is something about this song that hits me very deep. Also note that, from a theological perspective, asking Yeshua for help is like going through Him to the Father. Remember that the source is always HaShem, He who sent us Mashiach.Sa’eni Nah / You Raise Me Up - Dovid Moskovits
The famous song "You Raise Me Up" sung in Hebrew for the first time from the Jewish Star 2012 winner Dovid Moskovits. Absolutely breathtaking.
Liturgy
Liturgy can be a very important part of the worship service and really enhance the rich traditions that make up Shabbat and the Feast Days. Although some (mostly those coming from Protestant Christian backgrounds) like to argue that liturgy is "impersonal" and that spontaneous prayer should be done at all times instead. However, if you study Judaism you will learn that the liturgy and rehearsed prayers (such as the Shema) are not done correctly unless the individual reciting them has a thorough understanding of what he is saying and internalizes every word. This is when it becomes very personal, and at the same time, while the liturgy is guiding someone there is no reason why they cannot insert their own spontaneous prayer into that liturgy. We must also remember that Judaism has always been very strong liturgically, and so the original Apostles were also like this and that's why Catholicism, following in their footsteps, grew to be so liturgical as well. And if it was good enough for Maran Yeshua and the Shlichim, then it is good enough for me. But truly, there is something seemingly divine and at the very least very inspiring about the Hebrew being sung by a cantor, and HaShem has given us the ability to make things beautiful like this. So what better way is there than to use this ability in worship to Him? Many people go to Synagogue just to hear the cantor, and while it's nice to see professional cantors sing the Hebrew, the most important thing is that there is a genuine desire to connect with Heaven. I have never been a good singer and in fact used to be terribly embarrassed to sing as a kid, but I do the Hebrew cantering on a fairly regular basis in my Shul. Of course, the Ruach also has something to do with that ;) True worship is when we simply let go and have our spirits elevated to connect with His spirit, and then He empowers us to act as we ought to act and do what we need to do as Covenant Believers here on earth.
The following resources are to help you learn how to sing the liturgy found within any Judaic Siddur (Prayer Book). I hope that you will find them useful. For background information on some of the traditional prayers, please click here.
These are two excellent resources to learn how to sing all of the prayers and blessings within the Siddur. Bits and pieces are on youtube (and some will be linked below) but there are many missing which you will only be able to find at the above websites. I pray that as you learn to sing to HaShem that your heart will be raised and filled with all joy. The abundant joy which Mashiach came to bring to our hearts as we await His return (may it come speedily in our days!)Shema Yisrael
The Shema is the most famous a liturgical prayer, and this is one of the most beautiful and powerful renditions of it sung according to Sephardic nusach during the selichot prayers in the month of Elul. For those not familiar with halacha, this means that it is sung according to the middle eastern tradition during prayers of repentance in the 40 days prior to Yom Kippur which begins at the start of the month of Elul. This I believe is truly heartfelt music to HaShem. When I listen to this I get the feeling of our souls literally thirsting for HaShem so strongly as our one and only true source of fulfillment, contentment, protection and love. Amen v'amen.El Nora Halila - Yoel ben Simhon
This is a liturgical poem recited at the end of Yom Kippur, sung ever so beautifully. To learn about this please click here.How to Blow the Shofar
The shofar is a biblical rams horn that was commanded to be blown by HaShem and has become a beautiful part of liturgy. And in fact, one of HaShem's appointed times is Yom Teruah, the Feast of Trumpets, where we are to blow the shofar in rehearsal of Mashiach's second coming. Above is a video teaching you how to blow the shofar, and then I have two beautiful examples of what the Shofar should sound like. It takes a lot of practice to get the different notes!The Shema
There are several ways in which you can do the Shema. This is one version with the entire Shema sung that I enjoy.Participating in the Torah Service Part One
This is good if you are either unfamiliar with or nervous about participating in the Torah service. Rabbi David Paskin goes over everything step by step. However, you should also keep in mind particular customs within your Shul.Torah Liturgy Before
This is one way in which to sing the liturgy right before the Torah is read.Torah Liturgy After
This is one way in which to sing the liturgy immediately after the Torah is read.Haftarah Blessing Before
This is the single best video to learn to do the haftarah blessing if you're having trouble. Really, she gets it spot on and helps you along at just the right speed! An alternate video with the same blessing can be seen here.Haftarah Blessing After
This is one is not a sing along like the last, and the blessing after Haftarah is also longer and more difficult, but this is one video in which you can practice it with.Havdala - Traditional
This is a beautiful traditional havdala that really makes me think of spending time with HaShem in solitude, which we must do sometimes (like when Mashiach Yeshua went off into the mountains to pray alone).Havdala - Contemporary Singing
This is a great animated video showing how to go through the Havdala blessings and it does so with more of a contemporary singing of the blessings which is very uplifting and fun to do. To see an example of what it can look like, click here and here.Ma Nishtana - The Four Questions
The "Ma Nishtana" are the Four Questions that the youngest child reads during Pesach. This video teaches you not only how to sing them but the meaning behind the whole thing as well.Assyrian Liturgy
Maran Yeshua spoke Aramaic as did all of His followers, and so some of the subsequent followers of Mashiach developed their liturgy in Aramaic. This is liturgy from the Assyrian Church of the East, the ones who have brought down the Holy Peshitta to us in incredible accuracy, and it is said that this liturgy comes from Mar Addai (Thaddeus of Edessa, one of the seventy two disciples mentioned in the Apostolic Scriptures). If this is true, this would be some of the oldest liturgy in the world. To understand what is being said, you can read the liturgy in English here. As is all of the old liturgy, you will see that it is very Trinitarian in it's use of the formula found in Matthew 28:19. Of particular interest though is the Master's prayer which you can hear near the beginning. If you're not sure what that sounds like, click here for it without the rest of the liturgy. If you enjoy Aramaic liturgy, here is some more. You will also enjoy this hymn.