Re: HANASHIR digest 116

[joanna selznick <joanna...>]

Sara,

The prayer is the blessing before the study of Torah, which is printed in
the weekday and Shabbat morning service: "Praised are You, Eternal G-d,
Sovereign of the Universe, who has sancitified us and who has commanded us
to immerse ourselves in the words of Torah."  Jeff Klepper wrote the
melody, and i would venture that it's in his new songbook...we sing it
every Saturday at our Family Ed. program before we go off and learn.  When
I teach the prayer, I translate "immerse ourselves in the words of Torah"
as "SOAK UP the words of Torah" because of the word "La'aSOK" (*not*
la'asot) in the prayer.  I find that it helps people remember the last 3
words (they usually peter out after v'tzivanu), and it teaches them what
the prayer means.  We usually do the main section, and skip the bridge to
save time. This is what i do, with the capo on 2:

Am               G             F           Esus-E
Baruch Atah, Adonai Eloheinu,  Melech Ha'Olam,
Am               G                F     Esus-E
Asher kidshanu, b'mitzvotav, v'tziva...nu
    F        G    Am
La'asok b'divrey Torah
    F        G      C
La'asok b'divrey Torah
    F         G    Am
La'asok b'divrey Torah
    F         G    C    F
La'asok b'divrey Tora...ah
    Dm       Em    Am
La'asok b'divrey Torah.

Hope this helps!
Enjoy your turkey...
Joanna