Parashat Shoftim: Magistrates and Officials. New High Holy Day Songs.

“Hush of Midnight” at KI and AJ Selichot Service: Saturday evening, September 28th

The Israelites are about to enter the Promised Land after the completion of their 40 years of wandering in the desert. Moses presents his Third Discourse to the assembled Israelites prior to his imminent death.  They are camped on the Moab plateau, east of Jericho and the Jordan River.  His teachings review history, laws for the behavior of the community, religious practices and judicial procedures. He commands the people to seek justice in all their activities, interpersonal and religious: “Justice, justice, shall you pursue, that you may thrive and occupy the land that the Eternal your G-d is giving you. (16:20)” Of greatest importance: there is no distinction among ethical, legal, and religious law. All of these categories, interpersonal and ritual, are of equal emphasis!

This portion is long and detailed, teaching legal guidelines for ethical and moral behavior. The Israelites have become a complex community that needs moral and religious guidance. There are lists of prohibited forms of magic. We learn of the command to establish three Cities of Refuge for inadvertent murders. Moses teaches of the necessity for two witnesses in order to declare a wrongdoer guilty of a crime. 

“A single witness may not validate against a person any guilt or blame for any offense that may be committed; a case can be valid only on the testimony of two witnesses or more. (19:15)”

We live today in a world soaked in evil, especially against Jews. The laws that Moses taught B’nai Yisrael/the children of Israel show that the inclination to perpetrate evil acts is very old! I watched a few moments of the funeral for Hersh Goldman-Polin, of blessed memory, murdered by the evil Hamas captors. The huge assembly of mourners began singing the prayer for the release of captive Jews, “Acheinu/Our Brothers and Sisters,” according to the melody that our choir, Shir KI, introduced last winter, and that is now sung at synagogues around the world. We have made so little progress in eradicating evil against Jews around the world. We must continue to sing this prayer until all the captives have been returned to their families!

New High Holy Day Anthems ~

Cantor Levy and I are proud to introduce two new anthems during our forthcoming High Holy Day Services: We shall sing again “Acheinu/Our Brothers and Sisters,” a traditional prayer for the release of captives with new music by Abie Rotenberg, a Canadian songwriter, and “V’Hi She-amda” by Yonatan Razel, an Israeli singer and composer. Acheinu is now sung in synagogues all over the world. Vehi She’amda is a stirring and emotional song with text from the Passover Hagadah. The words describe how so many nations have tried to destroy us, and G-d Almighty has time and again saved us from their evil hands. The song has been arranged by Cantor Jonathan Comisar, colleague of Cantor Levy and well known to KI members.

Both of these songs are especially relevant and meaningful during these painful times. Please listen for these songs in our High Holy Day services, and we shall be glad to hear your reactions.

Here is Acheinu sung by an Israeli Cantor and choir of IDF soldiers:

Here is V’hi Sheamda, sung by Ishai Ribo: 

New singers are always welcome in Shir KI. Now is an especially good time to join us as we begin preparations for the High Holy Day services.  We rehearse on Tuesday evenings, 7-9 pm in the chapel. Call Cantor Levy or me for additional info!

“Hush of Midnight” to be presented at the Combined KI/AJ Selihot Service, Saturday Evening, September 28th ~

At Cantor Levy’s initiative, KI and Congregation Adath Jeshurun will join together for the Selichot Service beginning the High Holy Day season on Saturday evening, September 28th, at AJ, Old York and Ashbourne Roads. “Hush of Midnight” was composed by Cantor Charles Davidson, of blessed memory, long time Cantor of AJ. The work was commissioned by Congregation Adas Israel, Washington, DC, in 1966. This composition has been presented in synagogues across the USA. It is a 30-minute work that sets the Selichot prayers, in addition to contemporary poetry by Ruth Brin, of blessed memory, in a variety of styles.  When the work was first composed, Cantor Davidson stated that this is “a service for our time, calling for an assembly youthful in spirit, cantorial solo, guitars, piano, and drums. The poignant cries of past suffering and the suggestion of bodies swaying in prayer do not lurk unabashedly in the background,” he explained. “They proclaim themselves over the beating of drums and the throbbing electric guitars.” 

The musical materials include traditional synagogue High Holy Day modes and melodies, skillfully combined with Cantor Davidson’s contemporary music.  The texts include traditional Selichot and High Holy Day prayers in Hebrew and original English poetry.

Shir KI, our superb volunteer choir and professional quartet, have joined together with members of AJ to learn this magnificent composition under the guest direction of Lys Davidson, Cantor Davidson’s daughter and a member of KI’s music staff. The Cantorial solos will be sung by Cantor Amy Levy and Rav Hazzan Howard Glantz, Cantor of AJ. Over 40 singers will participate in this auspicious beginning of the High Holy Day season. The work will be accompanied by an instrumental ensemble of keyboard, guitar, and percussion. 

I urge you to join us for this magnificent Selichot service beginning our High Holy Day season.

All the Tilman’s wish you Shabbat Shalom.