Prayers
What is the Hebrew Prayer Project?
The Hebrew Prayer Project is a musical venture to bring new life to our beloved Hebrew prayers of old. In its entirety, the purpose of The Hebrew Prayer Project is to advance the art of written Hebrew prayer as well as its practice. Propelled by musical accompaniment, we endeavor to bring Hebrew prayer to new heights of artistic creativity, excellence, and beauty, and to expand its practice with greater accessibility and participation. We want to open the door for congregants to encounter God in a way that is unique to written Hebrew prayers: as one, to be mindful of their words, and to hear the words God speaks in return.
At Beth Israel, Rabbi David and I observed how melodies and styles varied among leaders of the prayers. Depending on the person, the experience was sometimes beautiful and interesting, but always it was passive. We desired the congregation to participate so these beautiful and meaningful prayers could be internalized--written on our hearts--and sung with the strength of the whole congregation to the Lord.
We had a secondary desire as well: that the readings from the scriptures would be a seamless component of our time of praise and worship; that it would no longer be a time that we "stop" worshipping for and start as something new.
So I took a week's vacation from work, and I set out writing and arranging these accompaniments to all the prayers of the Torah service. We introduced them soon after (in 2006), and our congregation continues to sing these prayers in strength today.
With these accompaniments, we enter into the Ayn Kamocha, Vayhee Beensoah, and the parading of Torah seamlessly from singing praise songs and dancing; and from the Aytz Chayim He, we enter our worship with momentum, focus, and clear direction gleaned from the readings. It is an exciting and spirit-filled experience in our services our congregation whole-heartedly participates in and enjoys.
Tell me about "Aytz Chayim He"...
"Aytz Chayim He” (meaning, “It Is A Tree Of Life,”) is the first completed project of the Hebrew Prayer Project. Expressive piano arrangements accompany the traditional Hebrew Prayers, which were carefully framed in meter to build a more rhythmic flow, while preserving the lyrical freedom that has characterized our prayers for centuries. Expressing these words to Adonai with the right musical accompaniment—bringing simplicity and uniformity to the melodies—raises congregational participation and meaningful experience.
The “Aytz Chayim He” project is a collection of the ten Hebrew prayers used in the Shabbat Torah service, and offers materials for training and use in services:
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The CD contains two tracks for each Torah service prayer: one piano track and one piano and voice track. The piano and voice tracks are useful for learning the prayers, while the solo piano tracks can be used in service settings.
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The sheetmusic package contains the melody written in notation, with chords, for all 10 prayers. It also includes the hebrew and english for each prayer in a form for musicians' notebooks, and also in a more concise form (fewer pages) for the cantor.
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A powerpoint slide presentation of all the prayers will also become available in 2012.
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For purposes of simple copyright compliance and managing duplication, these materials can be purchased with a personal license or a congregational license. (See descriptions below.)
“Aytz Chayim He” will soon be followed with projects already underway to add accompaniments to the Erev and Yom Shabbat prayers, as well as the Amidah prayers. Our synagogue has sung the Torah service prayers with these accompaniments since 2006, and we continue to experience the presence of Adonai and hear from Him in new ways, as our melodies of praise and worship weave through the wonderful ceremony and celebration of reading the scriptures and blessing Him for His revelation.
Tell me about the Personal License...
The personal license permits one individual or family to make whatever use necessary to learn and incorporate the prayers into personal and family life, and to participate more fully in congregational services. This means copies can be made and distributed only among one immediate family.
How to Buy: The personal licensed package can be purchased online and downloaded as a .pdf. by clicking the link below. The training / performance CD is sold seperately via the second link below.
Price: $40 (CD sold seperately for $10)
Buy the personal license and download the sheetmusic now...
Buy (and/or listen to) the Hebrew Prayer Project: Aytz Chayim He CD...
Tell me about the Congregational License...
The congregational license contains the same materials as the Personal License package, but it permits unlimited duplication of all Aytz Chayim He materials for congregational use, until the end of time. It also includes free downloads of any subsequently improved editions of the printed materials.
How to Buy: The congregational licensed package can be purchased online and downloaded as a .pdf. by clicking the link below. The training / performance CD is sold seperately via the second link below.
Price: $140 (CD sold seperately for $10)
Buy the congregational license and download the sheetmusic now...
Buy (and/or listen to) the Hebrew Prayer Project: Aytz Chayim He CD...
What prayers are included?
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Ayn Kamocha
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Vay'hee Beensoah haAhrone
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Torah Opening Blessing
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Torah Closing Blessing
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V'zote haTorah
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Haftarah Opening Blessing
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Haftarah Closing Blessing
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B'reet haChadasha Opening Blessing (for Messianic Synagogues)
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B'reet haChadasha Closing Blessing (for Messianic Synagogues)
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Aytz Chayim He
