[HANASHIR:9532] Re: Eleh Ezk'rah substitute

[Lawrence Kay <LarryTheKay...>]

Rachelle,

If you guys don't mind recitative, and if you don't mind Yiddish, there's the 
powerful Jewish cri de coeur "Eli Eli [Lama Azavtani]".  "My God, my God, why 
have you abandoned me... people have burnt us...have made us a joke...but they 
have not turned us away from You, my God...Save me! Save me from danger!...hear 
my prayer and my woe...".  In addition, this song, like Rabbi Akiva, ends with 
a proclamation of the Shma - so if you want, you can mention that one episode 
from Eleh Ezkerah and tie it in with this song.

Another beautiful song is "Ashrei HaGafrur".  "Fortunate is the match that is 
consumed, having lit a flame.  Fortunate are the flames that burn in the secret 
places of the heart.  Fortunate are the hearts who knew to be extinguished with 
honor."  True, this song is associated with the Holocaust because of its Hannah 
Senesh authorship, but it does not explicitly mention that particular 
martyrdom.  So if this is a new song to your community, it can be introduced as 
a general martyrology song.

Larry Kay
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: H & R Shubert 
  To: Hanashir 
  Sent: Friday, July 27, 2001 8:09 PM
  Subject: [HANASHIR:9531] Eleh Ezk'rah substitute


  Hi folks,
  Here I am still working on a creative YK afternoon service.  The rabbi has 
suggested I find something other than Eleh Ezk'rah to sing, but I am stymied.  
Does anyone else have an idea here?
  Rachelle