[HANASHIR:2145] Re: Shehu Noteh Shamayim

[Chazzzan <Chazzzan...>]

This prayer, which follows Aleinu, was always very special to me.  It meant
the service was almost over, and the food was following soon!  Also, it was
the time all the little kids came up to the Bimah (stage or podium) to sing
along with the concluding hymns of the service.

However, at Hava Nashira -- maybe two or three years ago -- Debbie F. was
talking about how secular melodies have always infiltrated Jewish liturgy.
For example, she said, Shehu Noteh Shamayim sounds to her just like "eentsy
weentsy spider", the nursery song.

Ever since she said that to me, I have always associated the prayer with
"eentsy weentsy spider". So, you see that maybe it is NOT always good to know
where the music came from for a particular prayer!

Brian