Re: Four Quesions on Am Yisroel Chai

If memory serves me correctly, "Am Yisroel Chai" is chanted during Kiddush Levanah for the New Moom or as part of Havdalah.

>From: Sam Weiss

>Reply-To: jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org

>To: World music from a Jewish slant

>Subject: Re: Four Quesions on Am Yisroel Chai

>Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2003 23:26:58 -0400

>At 10:12 AM 4/28/03, Gavriel Bellino wrote:

>>1. What is the source of the words? (I researched the phrase in the

>>Biblical and Rabbinic literature and drew a blank. Is it a loose

>>rephrasing of a biblical theme? If so which one? I have a few

>>ideas, but

>>nothing too elucidating. ) Is it a poetic creation for the sake of

>>a

>>song, like Hava Nagilah?

>The phrase Am Yisrael ("the Jewish people") is not liturgical and,

>as you indicate, not scriptural; it probably arose with Zionism, and

>along with it, the slogan "Am Yisrael Chai". But Am Yisrael is very

>close to some biblical phrases, and the differences are noteworthy.

>The common biblical equivalent to Am Yisrael is simply Yisrael. We

>also find B'ney Yisrael ("the progeny of Israel") or Beyt Yisrael

>("the house of Israel"), phrases that retain the tribal associations

>with an ancestor called Yisrael (=Jacob) -- along the lines of Beyt

>Aharon, Beyt Ya'akov, Beyt [ha-]Levi -- rather than an independent

>"people."

>The biblical phrases that do contain "Am-" in connection with

>"Yisrael" seem to further negate the notion of an "independent

>people" inasmuch as they are always combined with a pronoun (usually

>referring to God). Thus we find Amcha Yisrael, Ami Yisrael and Amo

>Yisrael, but no Am Yisrael.

>DEUTERONOMY 21.9

>Absolve, O Lord, Your people Israel whom You redeemed, and do not

>let guilt for the blood of the innocent remain among Your people

>Israel.

>KINGS 6.13

>I will abide among the children of Israel, and I will never forsake

>My people Israel.

>CHRONICLES 6.6

>But then I chose Jerusalem for My name to abide there, and I chose

>David to rule My people Israel.

>DANIEL 9.20

>While I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of

>my people Israel...

>JEREMIAH 30.3

>For days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will restore the

>fortunes of My people Israel and Judah, said the Lord...

>PSALMS 135.12

>...and gave their lands as a heritage, as a heritage to His people

>Israel.

>JOEL 4.2

>I will gather all the nations

>And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat.

>There I will contend with them

>Over My very own people, Israel,

>Which they scattered among the nations.

>_____________________________________________________________

>Cantor Sam Weiss === Jewish Community Center of Paramus, NJ

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