Every song

Intro

רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה — day one. The leining is one chapter, and it starts with a promise being kept.

Chorus

הַשֵּׁם פָּקַד אֶת־שָׂרָה —

Hashem remembered Sarah.

כַּאֲשֶׁר אָמָר —

exactly as He said.

A promise made, a promise kept,

He remembered Sarah.

Verse 1

Right before this, Avraham stood and prayed,

not for himself, for a stranger's house.

Rashi says look at the order —

whoever prays for someone else

when he needs that very thing,

he is the one who is answered first.

וַתַּהַר וַתֵּלֶד שָׂרָה —

and Sarah conceived, and gave birth,

לַמּוֹעֵד אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּר —

at the very time He had spoken.

Chorus

הַשֵּׁם פָּקַד אֶת־שָׂרָה —

Hashem remembered Sarah.

כַּאֲשֶׁר אָמָר —

exactly as He said.

A promise made, a promise kept,

He remembered Sarah.

Verse 2

צְחֹק עָשָׂה לִי אֱלֹקִים —

Hashem has given me laughter, she said.

Rashi says she did not laugh alone —

many mothers were remembered with her,

many sick were healed that day,

and the whole world was rejoicing.

מִי מִלֵּל לְאַבְרָהָם —

who would have told Avraham?

Rashi says that who is praise —

look Who it is that keeps His word.

He promises, and He performs.

Chorus

הַשֵּׁם פָּקַד אֶת־שָׂרָה —

Hashem remembered Sarah.

כַּאֲשֶׁר אָמָר —

exactly as He said.

A promise made, a promise kept,

He remembered Sarah.

Verse 3

Midrash Tanchuma says a king may promise

and take it back if his son does wrong.

But when הַשֵּׁם promises something good,

He never takes it back, not ever.

And Sforno hears her joy that day —

her baby had just had his בְּרִית, his bris,

and still her heart was full.

כָּל־הַשֹּׁמֵעַ יִצְחַק־לִי —

everyone who hears will laugh with me.

Chorus

הַשֵּׁם פָּקַד אֶת־שָׂרָה —

Hashem remembered Sarah.

כַּאֲשֶׁר אָמָר —

exactly as He said.

A promise made, a promise kept,

He remembered Sarah.

Verse 4

And a mother wept out in the desert,

the water gone, her boy under a bush.

וַיִּשְׁמַע אֱלֹקִים אֶת־קוֹל הַנַּעַר —

and Hashem heard the voice of the boy.

Rashi says the sick one's own תְּפִלָּה, his own prayer,

is heard before anyone else's.

בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם —

right where he is, right now.

Rashi says He judged him by that day,

not by what would come after.

That is this day. That is today.

Chorus

הַשֵּׁם פָּקַד אֶת־שָׂרָה —

Hashem remembered Sarah.

כַּאֲשֶׁר אָמָר —

exactly as He said.

A promise made, a promise kept,

He remembered Sarah.

Outro

הַשֵּׁם פָּקַד אֶת־שָׂרָה —

He remembered Sarah.

Intro

רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה — day one. The leining is one chapter, and it starts with a promise being kept.

Chorus

הַשֵּׁם פָּקַד אֶת־שָׂרָה —

Hashem remembered Sarah.

כַּאֲשֶׁר אָמָר —

exactly as He said.

A promise made, a promise kept,

He remembered Sarah.

Verse 1

Right before this, Avraham stood and prayed,

not for himself, for a stranger's house.

Rashi says look at the order —

whoever prays for someone else

when he needs that very thing,

he is the one who is answered first.

וַתַּהַר וַתֵּלֶד שָׂרָה —

and Sarah conceived, and gave birth,

לַמּוֹעֵד אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּר —

at the very time He had spoken.

Chorus

הַשֵּׁם פָּקַד אֶת־שָׂרָה —

Hashem remembered Sarah.

כַּאֲשֶׁר אָמָר —

exactly as He said.

A promise made, a promise kept,

He remembered Sarah.

Verse 2

צְחֹק עָשָׂה לִי אֱלֹקִים —

Hashem has given me laughter, she said.

Rashi says she did not laugh alone —

many mothers were remembered with her,

many sick were healed that day,

and the whole world was rejoicing.

מִי מִלֵּל לְאַבְרָהָם —

who would have told Avraham?

Rashi says that who is praise —

look Who it is that keeps His word.

He promises, and He performs.

Chorus

הַשֵּׁם פָּקַד אֶת־שָׂרָה —

Hashem remembered Sarah.

כַּאֲשֶׁר אָמָר —

exactly as He said.

A promise made, a promise kept,

He remembered Sarah.

Verse 3

Midrash Tanchuma says a king may promise

and take it back if his son does wrong.

But when הַשֵּׁם promises something good,

He never takes it back, not ever.

And Sforno hears her joy that day —

her baby had just had his בְּרִית, his bris,

and still her heart was full.

כָּל־הַשֹּׁמֵעַ יִצְחַק־לִי —

everyone who hears will laugh with me.

Chorus

הַשֵּׁם פָּקַד אֶת־שָׂרָה —

Hashem remembered Sarah.

כַּאֲשֶׁר אָמָר —

exactly as He said.

A promise made, a promise kept,

He remembered Sarah.

Verse 4

And a mother wept out in the desert,

the water gone, her boy under a bush.

וַיִּשְׁמַע אֱלֹקִים אֶת־קוֹל הַנַּעַר —

and Hashem heard the voice of the boy.

Rashi says the sick one's own תְּפִלָּה, his own prayer,

is heard before anyone else's.

בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם —

right where he is, right now.

Rashi says He judged him by that day,

not by what would come after.

That is this day. That is today.

Chorus

הַשֵּׁם פָּקַד אֶת־שָׂרָה —

Hashem remembered Sarah.

כַּאֲשֶׁר אָמָר —

exactly as He said.

A promise made, a promise kept,

He remembered Sarah.

Outro

הַשֵּׁם פָּקַד אֶת־שָׂרָה —

He remembered Sarah.

Intro

רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה — the whole leining, one dance, hold on tight.

Chorus

צְחֹק עָשָׂה לִי אֱלֹקִים —

(laughter!) Hashem gave me laughter!

כָּל־הַשֹּׁמֵעַ יִצְחַק־לִי —

everyone who hears will laugh with me!

Verse 1

הַשֵּׁם פָּקַד אֶת־שָׂרָה — (He remembered!)

Hashem remembered Sarah, just like He said!

וַתַּהַר וַתֵּלֶד שָׂרָה — (a baby!)

Sarah had a son, and Avraham was old!

וַיִּקְרָא אַבְרָהָם — he called him יִצְחָק, (Yitzchak!)

because the name means laughter!

Eight days old, בֶּן־שְׁמֹנַת יָמִים, (eight days!)

Avraham gave him his בְּרִית, his bris,

and Avraham was a hundred years old! (a hundred!)

Chorus

צְחֹק עָשָׂה לִי אֱלֹקִים —

(laughter!) Hashem gave me laughter!

כָּל־הַשֹּׁמֵעַ יִצְחַק־לִי —

everyone who hears will laugh with me!

Verse 2

מִי מִלֵּל לְאַבְרָהָם — (who said it?)

who would have told Avraham

הֵינִיקָה בָנִים שָׂרָה — that Sarah would nurse children?

The boy grew up, וַיִּגָּמַל, he was weaned, (he grew!)

וַיַּעַשׂ אַבְרָהָם מִשְׁתֶּה גָדוֹל —

and Avraham made a great big feast! (a feast!)

But then Sarah saw the other boy מְצַחֵק, (mocking!)

and she said to Avraham, send him away,

and הַשֵּׁם said, שְׁמַע בְּקֹלָהּ — listen to her voice,

כִּי בְיִצְחָק יִקָּרֵא לְךָ זָרַע —

through Yitzchak your children will be called!

Chorus

צְחֹק עָשָׂה לִי אֱלֹקִים —

(laughter!) Hashem gave me laughter!

כָּל־הַשֹּׁמֵעַ יִצְחַק־לִי —

everyone who hears will laugh with me!

Verse 3

וַיַּשְׁכֵּם אַבְרָהָם בַּבֹּקֶר — (early!)

Avraham got up early with bread and water,

and Hagar went and lost her way, (lost!)

בְּמִדְבַּר בְּאֵר שָׁבַע — in the desert of Be'er Sheva.

The water was gone, and she cried out loud, (she cried!)

וַיִּשְׁמַע אֱלֹקִים אֶת־קוֹל הַנַּעַר —

Hashem heard the voice of the boy!

אַל־תִּירְאִי — do not be afraid! (do not fear!)

בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם — right where he is!

וַתֵּרֶא בְּאֵר מָיִם — and she saw a well of water! (water!)

Chorus

צְחֹק עָשָׂה לִי אֱלֹקִים —

(laughter!) Hashem gave me laughter!

כָּל־הַשֹּׁמֵעַ יִצְחַק־לִי —

everyone who hears will laugh with me!

Verse 4

Then the king came, אֲבִימֶלֶךְ, with his general, (the king!)

אֱלֹקִים עִמְּךָ — Hashem is with you in all you do!

Swear to me, he said — אָנֹכִי אִשָּׁבֵעַ, (I will swear!)

and the two of them made a בְּרִית, a treaty.

שֶׁבַע כִּבְשֹׂת הַצֹּאן — seven little ewes, (seven!)

to prove the well was Avraham's own,

and the place was called בְּאֵר שָׁבַע! (Be'er Sheva!)

וַיִּטַּע אֶשֶׁל — he planted a tree to feed the strangers,

וַיִּקְרָא־שָׁם בְּשֵׁם הַשֵּׁם —

and there he called out the Name of Hashem!

Chorus

צְחֹק עָשָׂה לִי אֱלֹקִים —

(laughter!) Hashem gave me laughter!

כָּל־הַשֹּׁמֵעַ יִצְחַק־לִי —

everyone who hears will laugh with me!

Verse 5

And the maftir is the day itself — (today!)

יוֹם תְּרוּעָה יִהְיֶה לָכֶם —

a day of sounding the horn for you!

Seven lambs and a ram and a bull, (bring them!)

for the first day of the seventh month,

מִקְרָא־קֹדֶשׁ — a holy day, this day!

Chorus

צְחֹק עָשָׂה לִי אֱלֹקִים —

(laughter!) Hashem gave me laughter!

כָּל־הַשֹּׁמֵעַ יִצְחַק־לִי —

everyone who hears will laugh with me!

Outro

כָּל־הַשֹּׁמֵעַ יִצְחַק־לִי —

everyone who hears will laugh! Hey!

Intro

רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה — the whole leining, one dance, hold on tight.

Chorus

צְחֹק עָשָׂה לִי אֱלֹקִים —

(laughter!) Hashem gave me laughter!

כָּל־הַשֹּׁמֵעַ יִצְחַק־לִי —

everyone who hears will laugh with me!

Verse 1

הַשֵּׁם פָּקַד אֶת־שָׂרָה — (He remembered!)

Hashem remembered Sarah, just like He said!

וַתַּהַר וַתֵּלֶד שָׂרָה — (a baby!)

Sarah had a son, and Avraham was old!

וַיִּקְרָא אַבְרָהָם — he called him יִצְחָק, (Yitzchak!)

because the name means laughter!

Eight days old, בֶּן־שְׁמֹנַת יָמִים, (eight days!)

Avraham gave him his בְּרִית, his bris,

and Avraham was a hundred years old! (a hundred!)

Chorus

צְחֹק עָשָׂה לִי אֱלֹקִים —

(laughter!) Hashem gave me laughter!

כָּל־הַשֹּׁמֵעַ יִצְחַק־לִי —

everyone who hears will laugh with me!

Verse 2

מִי מִלֵּל לְאַבְרָהָם — (who said it?)

who would have told Avraham

הֵינִיקָה בָנִים שָׂרָה — that Sarah would nurse children?

The boy grew up, וַיִּגָּמַל, he was weaned, (he grew!)

וַיַּעַשׂ אַבְרָהָם מִשְׁתֶּה גָדוֹל —

and Avraham made a great big feast! (a feast!)

But then Sarah saw the other boy מְצַחֵק, (mocking!)

and she said to Avraham, send him away,

and הַשֵּׁם said, שְׁמַע בְּקֹלָהּ — listen to her voice,

כִּי בְיִצְחָק יִקָּרֵא לְךָ זָרַע —

through Yitzchak your children will be called!

Chorus

צְחֹק עָשָׂה לִי אֱלֹקִים —

(laughter!) Hashem gave me laughter!

כָּל־הַשֹּׁמֵעַ יִצְחַק־לִי —

everyone who hears will laugh with me!

Verse 3

וַיַּשְׁכֵּם אַבְרָהָם בַּבֹּקֶר — (early!)

Avraham got up early with bread and water,

and Hagar went and lost her way, (lost!)

בְּמִדְבַּר בְּאֵר שָׁבַע — in the desert of Be'er Sheva.

The water was gone, and she cried out loud, (she cried!)

וַיִּשְׁמַע אֱלֹקִים אֶת־קוֹל הַנַּעַר —

Hashem heard the voice of the boy!

אַל־תִּירְאִי — do not be afraid! (do not fear!)

בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם — right where he is!

וַתֵּרֶא בְּאֵר מָיִם — and she saw a well of water! (water!)

Chorus

צְחֹק עָשָׂה לִי אֱלֹקִים —

(laughter!) Hashem gave me laughter!

כָּל־הַשֹּׁמֵעַ יִצְחַק־לִי —

everyone who hears will laugh with me!

Verse 4

Then the king came, אֲבִימֶלֶךְ, with his general, (the king!)

אֱלֹקִים עִמְּךָ — Hashem is with you in all you do!

Swear to me, he said — אָנֹכִי אִשָּׁבֵעַ, (I will swear!)

and the two of them made a בְּרִית, a treaty.

שֶׁבַע כִּבְשֹׂת הַצֹּאן — seven little ewes, (seven!)

to prove the well was Avraham's own,

and the place was called בְּאֵר שָׁבַע! (Be'er Sheva!)

וַיִּטַּע אֶשֶׁל — he planted a tree to feed the strangers,

וַיִּקְרָא־שָׁם בְּשֵׁם הַשֵּׁם —

and there he called out the Name of Hashem!

Chorus

צְחֹק עָשָׂה לִי אֱלֹקִים —

(laughter!) Hashem gave me laughter!

כָּל־הַשֹּׁמֵעַ יִצְחַק־לִי —

everyone who hears will laugh with me!

Verse 5

And the maftir is the day itself — (today!)

יוֹם תְּרוּעָה יִהְיֶה לָכֶם —

a day of sounding the horn for you!

Seven lambs and a ram and a bull, (bring them!)

for the first day of the seventh month,

מִקְרָא־קֹדֶשׁ — a holy day, this day!

Chorus

צְחֹק עָשָׂה לִי אֱלֹקִים —

(laughter!) Hashem gave me laughter!

כָּל־הַשֹּׁמֵעַ יִצְחַק־לִי —

everyone who hears will laugh with me!

Outro

כָּל־הַשֹּׁמֵעַ יִצְחַק־לִי —

everyone who hears will laugh! Hey!

Intro

רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה — sit down. On the day the whole world is judged, we read about one boy, in one place, on one day.

Chorus

בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם —

right where he is.

Hashem heard the voice of the boy

right where he is, right now, today,

בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם.

Spoken Word 1

The chapter opens on a promise being kept. הַשֵּׁם פָּקַד אֶת־שָׂרָה כַּאֲשֶׁר אָמָר — Hashem remembered Sarah exactly as He had said, and He did for Sarah exactly as He had spoken.

וַתַּהַר וַתֵּלֶד שָׂרָה לְאַבְרָהָם בֵּן לִזְקֻנָיו — Sarah conceived and bore Avraham a son in his old age, at the appointed time He had spoken. Avraham called him יִצְחָק — Yitzchak.

Spoken Word 2

וְאַבְרָהָם בֶּן־מְאַת שָׁנָה — Avraham was one hundred years old. And Sarah said: צְחֹק עָשָׂה לִי אֱלֹקִים — Hashem has made laughter for me, כָּל־הַשֹּׁמֵעַ יִצְחַק־לִי — everyone who hears will laugh with me.

מִי מִלֵּל לְאַבְרָהָם — who would have said to Avraham that Sarah would nurse children?

The boy grew, and was weaned, וַיַּעַשׂ אַבְרָהָם מִשְׁתֶּה גָדוֹל — and Avraham made a great feast on the day Yitzchak was weaned.

Chorus

בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם —

right where he is.

Hashem heard the voice of the boy

right where he is, right now, today,

בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם.

Spoken Word 3

Then it turns hard, and the Torah does not look away. Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian מְצַחֵק — mocking. And she said, גָּרֵשׁ הָאָמָה הַזֹּאת וְאֶת־בְּנָהּ — send this slave-woman away, and her son, for he will not inherit with my son, with Yitzchak.

It was very wrong in Avraham's eyes, because of his son. But Hashem told him: כֹּל אֲשֶׁר תֹּאמַר אֵלֶיךָ שָׂרָה שְׁמַע בְּקֹלָהּ — everything Sarah tells you, listen to her voice, כִּי בְיִצְחָק יִקָּרֵא לְךָ זָרַע — because through Yitzchak your children will be called. And the other boy, He promised, would also become a nation.

וַיַּשְׁכֵּם אַבְרָהָם בַּבֹּקֶר — Avraham rose early in the morning. Bread, and a skin of water, on Hagar's shoulder, with the boy. And she went, וַתֵּתַע בְּמִדְבַּר בְּאֵר שָׁבַע — and lost her way in the desert of Be'er Sheva.

וַיִּכְלוּ הַמַּיִם מִן־הַחֵמֶת — the water in the skin ran out. She put the boy under one of the bushes. She sat a bowshot away and said, אַל־אֶרְאֶה בְּמוֹת הַיָּלֶד — let me not see the child die. וַתִּשָּׂא אֶת־קֹלָהּ וַתֵּבְךְּ — and she lifted her voice, and wept.

וַיִּשְׁמַע אֱלֹקִים אֶת־קוֹל הַנַּעַר — and Hashem heard the voice of the boy. Not hers, Rashi says. His. Because the prayer of the sick person himself is stronger than anyone praying for him.

An angel called from heaven: מַה־לָּךְ הָגָר אַל־תִּירְאִי — what is it, Hagar? Do not be afraid. Hashem has heard the voice of the boy, בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם — where he is.

And Rashi tells what happened in heaven. The angels argued against him: one day his children will let Your children die of thirst, and You will give him a well? And Hashem asked: what is he right now? Righteous, they said. Then I judge him by right now. Where he is. That is the whole day in three words.

Chorus

בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם —

right where he is.

Hashem heard the voice of the boy

right where he is, right now, today,

בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם.

Spoken Word 4

קוּמִי שְׂאִי אֶת־הַנַּעַר — get up, lift up the boy, hold your hand strong on him, כִּי־לְגוֹי גָּדוֹל אֲשִׂימֶנּוּ — for I will make him a great nation.

וַיִּפְקַח אֱלֹקִים אֶת־עֵינֶיהָ וַתֵּרֶא בְּאֵר מָיִם — and Hashem opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She filled the skin and gave the boy to drink. וַיְהִי אֱלֹקִים אֶת־הַנַּעַר וַיִּגְדָּל — and Hashem was with the boy, and he grew, and lived in the wilderness, an archer, and his mother took him a wife from Egypt.

Spoken Word 5

And the maftir is this day: וּבַחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי בְּאֶחָד לַחֹדֶשׁ — the first day of the seventh month, מִקְרָא־קֹדֶשׁ — a holy day, יוֹם תְּרוּעָה יִהְיֶה לָכֶם — a day of sounding the ram's horn for you.

Outro

בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם —

right where he is.

right where he is.

Intro

רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה — sit down. On the day the whole world is judged, we read about one boy, in one place, on one day.

Chorus

בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם —

right where he is.

Hashem heard the voice of the boy

right where he is, right now, today,

בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם.

Spoken Word 1

The chapter opens on a promise being kept. הַשֵּׁם פָּקַד אֶת־שָׂרָה כַּאֲשֶׁר אָמָר — Hashem remembered Sarah exactly as He had said, and He did for Sarah exactly as He had spoken.

וַתַּהַר וַתֵּלֶד שָׂרָה לְאַבְרָהָם בֵּן לִזְקֻנָיו — Sarah conceived and bore Avraham a son in his old age, at the appointed time He had spoken. Avraham called him יִצְחָק — Yitzchak.

Spoken Word 2

וְאַבְרָהָם בֶּן־מְאַת שָׁנָה — Avraham was one hundred years old. And Sarah said: צְחֹק עָשָׂה לִי אֱלֹקִים — Hashem has made laughter for me, כָּל־הַשֹּׁמֵעַ יִצְחַק־לִי — everyone who hears will laugh with me.

מִי מִלֵּל לְאַבְרָהָם — who would have said to Avraham that Sarah would nurse children?

The boy grew, and was weaned, וַיַּעַשׂ אַבְרָהָם מִשְׁתֶּה גָדוֹל — and Avraham made a great feast on the day Yitzchak was weaned.

Chorus

בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם —

right where he is.

Hashem heard the voice of the boy

right where he is, right now, today,

בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם.

Spoken Word 3

Then it turns hard, and the Torah does not look away. Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian מְצַחֵק — mocking. And she said, גָּרֵשׁ הָאָמָה הַזֹּאת וְאֶת־בְּנָהּ — send this slave-woman away, and her son, for he will not inherit with my son, with Yitzchak.

It was very wrong in Avraham's eyes, because of his son. But Hashem told him: כֹּל אֲשֶׁר תֹּאמַר אֵלֶיךָ שָׂרָה שְׁמַע בְּקֹלָהּ — everything Sarah tells you, listen to her voice, כִּי בְיִצְחָק יִקָּרֵא לְךָ זָרַע — because through Yitzchak your children will be called. And the other boy, He promised, would also become a nation.

וַיַּשְׁכֵּם אַבְרָהָם בַּבֹּקֶר — Avraham rose early in the morning. Bread, and a skin of water, on Hagar's shoulder, with the boy. And she went, וַתֵּתַע בְּמִדְבַּר בְּאֵר שָׁבַע — and lost her way in the desert of Be'er Sheva.

וַיִּכְלוּ הַמַּיִם מִן־הַחֵמֶת — the water in the skin ran out. She put the boy under one of the bushes. She sat a bowshot away and said, אַל־אֶרְאֶה בְּמוֹת הַיָּלֶד — let me not see the child die. וַתִּשָּׂא אֶת־קֹלָהּ וַתֵּבְךְּ — and she lifted her voice, and wept.

וַיִּשְׁמַע אֱלֹקִים אֶת־קוֹל הַנַּעַר — and Hashem heard the voice of the boy. Not hers, Rashi says. His. Because the prayer of the sick person himself is stronger than anyone praying for him.

An angel called from heaven: מַה־לָּךְ הָגָר אַל־תִּירְאִי — what is it, Hagar? Do not be afraid. Hashem has heard the voice of the boy, בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם — where he is.

And Rashi tells what happened in heaven. The angels argued against him: one day his children will let Your children die of thirst, and You will give him a well? And Hashem asked: what is he right now? Righteous, they said. Then I judge him by right now. Where he is. That is the whole day in three words.

Chorus

בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם —

right where he is.

Hashem heard the voice of the boy

right where he is, right now, today,

בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם.

Spoken Word 4

קוּמִי שְׂאִי אֶת־הַנַּעַר — get up, lift up the boy, hold your hand strong on him, כִּי־לְגוֹי גָּדוֹל אֲשִׂימֶנּוּ — for I will make him a great nation.

וַיִּפְקַח אֱלֹקִים אֶת־עֵינֶיהָ וַתֵּרֶא בְּאֵר מָיִם — and Hashem opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She filled the skin and gave the boy to drink. וַיְהִי אֱלֹקִים אֶת־הַנַּעַר וַיִּגְדָּל — and Hashem was with the boy, and he grew, and lived in the wilderness, an archer, and his mother took him a wife from Egypt.

Spoken Word 5

And the maftir is this day: וּבַחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי בְּאֶחָד לַחֹדֶשׁ — the first day of the seventh month, מִקְרָא־קֹדֶשׁ — a holy day, יוֹם תְּרוּעָה יִהְיֶה לָכֶם — a day of sounding the ram's horn for you.

Outro

בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם —

right where he is.

right where he is.

Intro

רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה — a mother in the desert, a boy under a bush, and a voice from heaven that says get up.

Verse 1

The water in the skin ran out.

She put him down beneath a bush.

She sat a bowshot off and cried,

אַל־אֶרְאֶה בְּמוֹת הַיָּלֶד —

let me not see the child die.

Pre-Chorus

וַיִּשְׁמַע אֱלֹקִים אֶת־קוֹל הַנַּעַר —

and Hashem heard the voice of the boy.

Rashi says his own prayer came first —

and then the sky spoke —

Chorus

קוּמִי שְׂאִי אֶת־הַנַּעַר —

get up, lift up the boy!

אַל־תִּירְאִי —

do not be afraid!

בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם —

He hears you where you are,

He hears you where you are!

Verse 2

Rashi says the angels argued —

look what his children will do one day.

And Hashem asked, what is he now?

And they said, righteous.

Then that is how I judge him. Now.

Pre-Chorus

וַיִּפְקַח אֱלֹקִים אֶת־עֵינֶיהָ —

and Hashem opened her eyes,

וַתֵּרֶא בְּאֵר מָיִם —

and she saw a well of water —

Chorus

קוּמִי שְׂאִי אֶת־הַנַּעַר —

get up, lift up the boy!

אַל־תִּירְאִי —

do not be afraid!

בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם —

He hears you where you are,

He hears you where you are!

Bridge

This same chapter started with a promise kept —

הַשֵּׁם פָּקַד אֶת־שָׂרָה —

Hashem remembered Sarah.

Midrash Tanchuma says there are four keys

He never hands to anyone —

food, and rain, and the grave,

and the mother with no child.

כַּאֲשֶׁר אָמָר — exactly as He said!

He keeps them all, He keeps His word,

and today He turns the key!

Chorus

קוּמִי שְׂאִי אֶת־הַנַּעַר —

get up, lift up the boy!

אַל־תִּירְאִי —

do not be afraid!

בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם —

He hears you where you are,

He hears you where you are!

Outro

יוֹם תְּרוּעָה יִהְיֶה לָכֶם —

a day of the ram's horn for you.

בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם —

He hears you where you are.

Intro

רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה — a mother in the desert, a boy under a bush, and a voice from heaven that says get up.

Verse 1

The water in the skin ran out.

She put him down beneath a bush.

She sat a bowshot off and cried,

אַל־אֶרְאֶה בְּמוֹת הַיָּלֶד —

let me not see the child die.

Pre-Chorus

וַיִּשְׁמַע אֱלֹקִים אֶת־קוֹל הַנַּעַר —

and Hashem heard the voice of the boy.

Rashi says his own prayer came first —

and then the sky spoke —

Chorus

קוּמִי שְׂאִי אֶת־הַנַּעַר —

get up, lift up the boy!

אַל־תִּירְאִי —

do not be afraid!

בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם —

He hears you where you are,

He hears you where you are!

Verse 2

Rashi says the angels argued —

look what his children will do one day.

And Hashem asked, what is he now?

And they said, righteous.

Then that is how I judge him. Now.

Pre-Chorus

וַיִּפְקַח אֱלֹקִים אֶת־עֵינֶיהָ —

and Hashem opened her eyes,

וַתֵּרֶא בְּאֵר מָיִם —

and she saw a well of water —

Chorus

קוּמִי שְׂאִי אֶת־הַנַּעַר —

get up, lift up the boy!

אַל־תִּירְאִי —

do not be afraid!

בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם —

He hears you where you are,

He hears you where you are!

Bridge

This same chapter started with a promise kept —

הַשֵּׁם פָּקַד אֶת־שָׂרָה —

Hashem remembered Sarah.

Midrash Tanchuma says there are four keys

He never hands to anyone —

food, and rain, and the grave,

and the mother with no child.

כַּאֲשֶׁר אָמָר — exactly as He said!

He keeps them all, He keeps His word,

and today He turns the key!

Chorus

קוּמִי שְׂאִי אֶת־הַנַּעַר —

get up, lift up the boy!

אַל־תִּירְאִי —

do not be afraid!

בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם —

He hears you where you are,

He hears you where you are!

Outro

יוֹם תְּרוּעָה יִהְיֶה לָכֶם —

a day of the ram's horn for you.

בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם —

He hears you where you are.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת בְּרֵאשִׁית — the week the whole world begins, and the Torah begins with it.

Chorus

וְהִנֵּה־טוֹב מְאֹד —

and behold, it was very good.

He looked at all of it at once,

and called the whole world good.

Verse 1

There was nothing you could stand on,

only darkness on the deep.

And then a voice said one thing —

יְהִי אוֹר —

let there be light, and there was light.

Rashi says the world was almost built on judgment alone,

but He saw it could not last that way,

so He put mercy first, and joined the justice to it.

That is the world you woke up in.

Chorus

וְהִנֵּה־טוֹב מְאֹד —

and behold, it was very good.

He looked at all of it at once,

and called the whole world good.

Verse 2

Day after day He spoke it —

sky and sea and seed and star,

the fish, the birds, the animals,

and after each one, כִּי־טוֹב —

that it was good, that it was good.

Sforno says that finishing one part well is one thing;

holding every part together, complete —

that is why the word is not just טוֹב,

that is why He said מְאֹד.

Chorus

וְהִנֵּה־טוֹב מְאֹד —

and behold, it was very good.

He looked at all of it at once,

and called the whole world good.

Verse 3

Six days of building, and it still was not done.

Rashi asks what the world was missing.

Rest. It was missing rest.

שַׁבָּת came — and the rest came with it,

and only then the work was finished.

וַיְבָרֶךְ אֱלֹקִים אֶת־יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי —

He blessed the seventh day

and He made it holy.

Chorus

וְהִנֵּה־טוֹב מְאֹד —

and behold, it was very good.

He looked at all of it at once,

and called the whole world good.

Verse 4

He took dust up off the ground

and made a man out of the floor,

וַיִּפַּח בְּאַפָּיו נִשְׁמַת חַיִּים —

and breathed the breath of life into him.

He put him in the garden with one job,

לְעָבְדָהּ וּלְשָׁמְרָהּ —

to work it and to guard it.

The man fell, and the brothers fell after him.

But before any of it, He had already said to Kayin:

וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ —

you can rule over it.

And Rashi says, in five plain words:

if you want to, you can win.

Chorus

וְהִנֵּה־טוֹב מְאֹד —

and behold, it was very good.

He looked at all of it at once,

and called the whole world good.

Outro

וְהִנֵּה־טוֹב מְאֹד —

and behold, it was very good.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת בְּרֵאשִׁית — the week the whole world begins, and the Torah begins with it.

Chorus

וְהִנֵּה־טוֹב מְאֹד —

and behold, it was very good.

He looked at all of it at once,

and called the whole world good.

Verse 1

There was nothing you could stand on,

only darkness on the deep.

And then a voice said one thing —

יְהִי אוֹר —

let there be light, and there was light.

Rashi says the world was almost built on judgment alone,

but He saw it could not last that way,

so He put mercy first, and joined the justice to it.

That is the world you woke up in.

Chorus

וְהִנֵּה־טוֹב מְאֹד —

and behold, it was very good.

He looked at all of it at once,

and called the whole world good.

Verse 2

Day after day He spoke it —

sky and sea and seed and star,

the fish, the birds, the animals,

and after each one, כִּי־טוֹב —

that it was good, that it was good.

Sforno says that finishing one part well is one thing;

holding every part together, complete —

that is why the word is not just טוֹב,

that is why He said מְאֹד.

Chorus

וְהִנֵּה־טוֹב מְאֹד —

and behold, it was very good.

He looked at all of it at once,

and called the whole world good.

Verse 3

Six days of building, and it still was not done.

Rashi asks what the world was missing.

Rest. It was missing rest.

שַׁבָּת came — and the rest came with it,

and only then the work was finished.

וַיְבָרֶךְ אֱלֹקִים אֶת־יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי —

He blessed the seventh day

and He made it holy.

Chorus

וְהִנֵּה־טוֹב מְאֹד —

and behold, it was very good.

He looked at all of it at once,

and called the whole world good.

Verse 4

He took dust up off the ground

and made a man out of the floor,

וַיִּפַּח בְּאַפָּיו נִשְׁמַת חַיִּים —

and breathed the breath of life into him.

He put him in the garden with one job,

לְעָבְדָהּ וּלְשָׁמְרָהּ —

to work it and to guard it.

The man fell, and the brothers fell after him.

But before any of it, He had already said to Kayin:

וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ —

you can rule over it.

And Rashi says, in five plain words:

if you want to, you can win.

Chorus

וְהִנֵּה־טוֹב מְאֹד —

and behold, it was very good.

He looked at all of it at once,

and called the whole world good.

Outro

וְהִנֵּה־טוֹב מְאֹד —

and behold, it was very good.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת בְּרֵאשִׁית — from the very first word to the very last, here we go.

Chorus

יְהִי אוֹר —

let there be light! (let there be light!)

וַיְהִי־אוֹר —

and there was light! (and there was light!)

He said one word and the dark broke open,

He said one word and the world was born!

Verse 1

Day one, He splits the light from the dark, (from the dark!)

He calls them day and night. (day and night!)

Day two, a canopy inside the water, (in the water!)

waters under, waters over. (under and over!)

Day three, the sea runs to one place,

וְתֵרָאֶה הַיַּבָּשָׁה —

and the dry land shows its face! (shows its face!)

Grass and herbs and fruit trees,

every seed inside its own.

Chorus

יְהִי אוֹר —

let there be light! (let there be light!)

וַיְהִי־אוֹר —

and there was light! (and there was light!)

He said one word and the dark broke open,

He said one word and the world was born!

Verse 2

Day four, two great lights up in the sky, (up in the sky!)

the big one for the day, the small one for the night,

and all the stars beside them. (and all the stars!)

Day five, the water swarms with living things

and the birds go up on the wind. (up on the wind!)

Day six, every animal out of the ground,

and then — נַעֲשֶׂה אָדָם —

let us make a man! (let us make a man!)

וְהִנֵּה־טוֹב מְאֹד —

and behold, it was very good!

Chorus

יְהִי אוֹר —

let there be light! (let there be light!)

וַיְהִי־אוֹר —

and there was light! (and there was light!)

He said one word and the dark broke open,

He said one word and the world was born!

Verse 3

A garden in עֵדֶן, a river in four,

לְעָבְדָהּ וּלְשָׁמְרָהּ —

work it and guard it, and eat from every tree but one. (but one!)

The snake talked. They ate. They hid.

אַיֶּכָּה —

where are you? He called into the trees.

Out of the garden, into the thorns,

בְּזֵעַת אַפֶּיךָ —

bread by the sweat of your face.

Verse 4

Two brothers and two offerings, and one of them went wrong,

and He said it straight to Kayin before a thing was done:

וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ —

you can rule over it! (you can rule over it!)

Then tents and flocks, כִּנּוֹר וְעוּגָב —

the harp and the flute, the first music in the world! (the first music!)

Ten generations counted out,

and חֲנוֹךְ walked with Hashem.

The world went wrong, and the parsha holds one door:

וְנֹחַ מָצָא חֵן —

and Noach found favor. (found favor!)

Chorus

יְהִי אוֹר —

let there be light! (let there be light!)

וַיְהִי־אוֹר —

and there was light! (and there was light!)

He said one word and the dark broke open,

He said one word and the world was born!

Outro

He said one word and the world was born! (the world was born!)

יְהִי אוֹר — and there was light!

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת בְּרֵאשִׁית — from the very first word to the very last, here we go.

Chorus

יְהִי אוֹר —

let there be light! (let there be light!)

וַיְהִי־אוֹר —

and there was light! (and there was light!)

He said one word and the dark broke open,

He said one word and the world was born!

Verse 1

Day one, He splits the light from the dark, (from the dark!)

He calls them day and night. (day and night!)

Day two, a canopy inside the water, (in the water!)

waters under, waters over. (under and over!)

Day three, the sea runs to one place,

וְתֵרָאֶה הַיַּבָּשָׁה —

and the dry land shows its face! (shows its face!)

Grass and herbs and fruit trees,

every seed inside its own.

Chorus

יְהִי אוֹר —

let there be light! (let there be light!)

וַיְהִי־אוֹר —

and there was light! (and there was light!)

He said one word and the dark broke open,

He said one word and the world was born!

Verse 2

Day four, two great lights up in the sky, (up in the sky!)

the big one for the day, the small one for the night,

and all the stars beside them. (and all the stars!)

Day five, the water swarms with living things

and the birds go up on the wind. (up on the wind!)

Day six, every animal out of the ground,

and then — נַעֲשֶׂה אָדָם —

let us make a man! (let us make a man!)

וְהִנֵּה־טוֹב מְאֹד —

and behold, it was very good!

Chorus

יְהִי אוֹר —

let there be light! (let there be light!)

וַיְהִי־אוֹר —

and there was light! (and there was light!)

He said one word and the dark broke open,

He said one word and the world was born!

Verse 3

A garden in עֵדֶן, a river in four,

לְעָבְדָהּ וּלְשָׁמְרָהּ —

work it and guard it, and eat from every tree but one. (but one!)

The snake talked. They ate. They hid.

אַיֶּכָּה —

where are you? He called into the trees.

Out of the garden, into the thorns,

בְּזֵעַת אַפֶּיךָ —

bread by the sweat of your face.

Verse 4

Two brothers and two offerings, and one of them went wrong,

and He said it straight to Kayin before a thing was done:

וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ —

you can rule over it! (you can rule over it!)

Then tents and flocks, כִּנּוֹר וְעוּגָב —

the harp and the flute, the first music in the world! (the first music!)

Ten generations counted out,

and חֲנוֹךְ walked with Hashem.

The world went wrong, and the parsha holds one door:

וְנֹחַ מָצָא חֵן —

and Noach found favor. (found favor!)

Chorus

יְהִי אוֹר —

let there be light! (let there be light!)

וַיְהִי־אוֹר —

and there was light! (and there was light!)

He said one word and the dark broke open,

He said one word and the world was born!

Outro

He said one word and the world was born! (the world was born!)

יְהִי אוֹר — and there was light!

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת בְּרֵאשִׁית — sit down. This is where all of it starts.

Chorus

בְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹקִים —

in the beginning He made the world,

אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ —

the heavens and the earth.

He spoke, and there was something.

He looked, and it was good.

Spoken Word

At the start there was nothing you could stand on. Unformed, desolate, darkness over the face of the deep, and the breath of God moving above the water. And then a voice. יְהִי אוֹר — let there be light. And there was light. He saw the light was good and He separated it from the dark and gave them both names. Evening, morning, day one. Then a canopy inside the waters. Then the sea pulled back to one place so the dry land could be seen. Then grass, and herbs with seed in them, and fruit trees carrying their own seed inside the fruit. Every time, the same line: וַיַּרְא אֱלֹקִים כִּי־טוֹב — and God saw that it was good.

Spoken Word

Two great lights in the sky, the big one to rule the day and the small one the night, and the stars with them. Water swarming with living creatures, birds across the face of the sky, and a blessing on all of it — פְּרוּ וּרְבוּ — be fruitful and multiply. Animals out of the ground, every one of its own kind. And then, on the sixth day, a sentence He had not used all week: נַעֲשֶׂה אָדָם בְּצַלְמֵנוּ — let us make man in our image. Male and female He created them, blessed them, and handed them the whole world for food. Then He looked at everything together and said something new: וְהִנֵּה־טוֹב מְאֹד — and behold, it was very good.

Spoken Word

The heavens and the earth were finished, and on the seventh day He stopped, and He blessed that day and made it holy. He formed the man out of dust from the earth, וַיִּפַּח בְּאַפָּיו נִשְׁמַת חַיִּים — and blew into his nostrils the breath of life — and man became a living soul. A garden in Eden, the Tree of Life in the middle and the Tree of Knowledge beside it, one job, לְעָבְדָהּ וּלְשָׁמְרָהּ — to work it and to guard it — and one rule. Every tree but that one.

Chorus

בְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹקִים —

in the beginning He made the world,

אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ —

the heavens and the earth.

He spoke, and there was something.

He looked, and it was good.

Spoken Word

לֹא־טוֹב הֱיוֹת הָאָדָם לְבַדּוֹ — it is not good for the man to be alone. Every animal came to be named, and none of them was a helper for him, so his wife was built from his own side. The serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field. She saw the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes; she took, and ate, and gave to her husband, and he ate. And the first question God asked a human being was אַיֶּכָּה — where are you? Each one passed the blame along, and each one heard what would follow: the serpent on its belly, pain in bearing children, and for the man a ground that grows thorns, בְּזֵעַת אַפֶּיךָ תֹּאכַל לֶחֶם — bread by the sweat of your face, until you return to the dust you were taken from. And then, before He sends them out of the garden, He makes them coats of leather Himself and clothes them.

Spoken Word

Kayin brings from the fruit of the ground; Hevel brings from the firstborn of his flock and from the best of them, and Hevel's offering is regarded and Kayin's is not, and his face falls. God speaks to him first, while there is still a choice: הֲלוֹא אִם־תֵּיטִיב שְׂאֵת — if you improve there is forgiveness — and if not, sin is crouching at the opening, its desire toward you, וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ — but you can rule over it. He did not, and in the field his brother was killed, and God asked him where his brother was, and he said he did not know. Then six words hold the door open for next week: וְנֹחַ מָצָא חֵן — and Noach found favor.

Chorus

בְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹקִים —

in the beginning He made the world,

אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ —

the heavens and the earth.

He spoke, and there was something.

He looked, and it was good.

Outro

He spoke, and there was something. He looked, and it was good.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת בְּרֵאשִׁית — sit down. This is where all of it starts.

Chorus

בְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹקִים —

in the beginning He made the world,

אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ —

the heavens and the earth.

He spoke, and there was something.

He looked, and it was good.

Spoken Word

At the start there was nothing you could stand on. Unformed, desolate, darkness over the face of the deep, and the breath of God moving above the water. And then a voice. יְהִי אוֹר — let there be light. And there was light. He saw the light was good and He separated it from the dark and gave them both names. Evening, morning, day one. Then a canopy inside the waters. Then the sea pulled back to one place so the dry land could be seen. Then grass, and herbs with seed in them, and fruit trees carrying their own seed inside the fruit. Every time, the same line: וַיַּרְא אֱלֹקִים כִּי־טוֹב — and God saw that it was good.

Spoken Word

Two great lights in the sky, the big one to rule the day and the small one the night, and the stars with them. Water swarming with living creatures, birds across the face of the sky, and a blessing on all of it — פְּרוּ וּרְבוּ — be fruitful and multiply. Animals out of the ground, every one of its own kind. And then, on the sixth day, a sentence He had not used all week: נַעֲשֶׂה אָדָם בְּצַלְמֵנוּ — let us make man in our image. Male and female He created them, blessed them, and handed them the whole world for food. Then He looked at everything together and said something new: וְהִנֵּה־טוֹב מְאֹד — and behold, it was very good.

Spoken Word

The heavens and the earth were finished, and on the seventh day He stopped, and He blessed that day and made it holy. He formed the man out of dust from the earth, וַיִּפַּח בְּאַפָּיו נִשְׁמַת חַיִּים — and blew into his nostrils the breath of life — and man became a living soul. A garden in Eden, the Tree of Life in the middle and the Tree of Knowledge beside it, one job, לְעָבְדָהּ וּלְשָׁמְרָהּ — to work it and to guard it — and one rule. Every tree but that one.

Chorus

בְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹקִים —

in the beginning He made the world,

אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ —

the heavens and the earth.

He spoke, and there was something.

He looked, and it was good.

Spoken Word

לֹא־טוֹב הֱיוֹת הָאָדָם לְבַדּוֹ — it is not good for the man to be alone. Every animal came to be named, and none of them was a helper for him, so his wife was built from his own side. The serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field. She saw the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes; she took, and ate, and gave to her husband, and he ate. And the first question God asked a human being was אַיֶּכָּה — where are you? Each one passed the blame along, and each one heard what would follow: the serpent on its belly, pain in bearing children, and for the man a ground that grows thorns, בְּזֵעַת אַפֶּיךָ תֹּאכַל לֶחֶם — bread by the sweat of your face, until you return to the dust you were taken from. And then, before He sends them out of the garden, He makes them coats of leather Himself and clothes them.

Spoken Word

Kayin brings from the fruit of the ground; Hevel brings from the firstborn of his flock and from the best of them, and Hevel's offering is regarded and Kayin's is not, and his face falls. God speaks to him first, while there is still a choice: הֲלוֹא אִם־תֵּיטִיב שְׂאֵת — if you improve there is forgiveness — and if not, sin is crouching at the opening, its desire toward you, וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ — but you can rule over it. He did not, and in the field his brother was killed, and God asked him where his brother was, and he said he did not know. Then six words hold the door open for next week: וְנֹחַ מָצָא חֵן — and Noach found favor.

Chorus

בְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹקִים —

in the beginning He made the world,

אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ —

the heavens and the earth.

He spoke, and there was something.

He looked, and it was good.

Outro

He spoke, and there was something. He looked, and it was good.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת בְּרֵאשִׁית — the first week of the world, and the first choice in it.

Verse 1

You made the light before You made the day.

You made the ground before You made me.

You took the dust up in Your hand

and breathed a living soul in me.

וַיִּפַּח בְּאַפָּיו נִשְׁמַת חַיִּים —

You breathed the breath of life in me.

Pre-Chorus

And You said it to the first man's son,

before a single thing was done —

not after. Before.

Chorus

וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ —

you can rule over it!

וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ —

you can rule over it!

Rashi says it in five words:

if you want to, you can win.

וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ —

you can rule over it!

Verse 2

Six days of building, and it was not done.

Rashi asks what the world was missing.

Rest. It was only missing rest.

שַׁבָּת came, and the work was finished.

וַיְקַדֵּשׁ אֹתוֹ —

and He made that day holy.

Pre-Chorus

And You said it to the first man's son,

before a single thing was done —

not after. Before.

Chorus

וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ —

you can rule over it!

וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ —

you can rule over it!

Rashi says it in five words:

if you want to, you can win.

וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ —

you can rule over it!

Bridge

He called into the trees, אַיֶּכָּה —

where are you?

He is still asking.

And Sforno says the whole world only got the word מְאֹד,

very good, when every part of it stood complete.

So stand.

So stand.

Chorus

וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ —

you can rule over it!

וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ —

you can rule over it!

Rashi says it in five words:

if you want to, you can win.

וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ —

you can rule over it!

Outro

וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ —

you can rule over it.

וְנֹחַ מָצָא חֵן —

and Noach found favor.

The door is still open.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת בְּרֵאשִׁית — the first week of the world, and the first choice in it.

Verse 1

You made the light before You made the day.

You made the ground before You made me.

You took the dust up in Your hand

and breathed a living soul in me.

וַיִּפַּח בְּאַפָּיו נִשְׁמַת חַיִּים —

You breathed the breath of life in me.

Pre-Chorus

And You said it to the first man's son,

before a single thing was done —

not after. Before.

Chorus

וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ —

you can rule over it!

וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ —

you can rule over it!

Rashi says it in five words:

if you want to, you can win.

וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ —

you can rule over it!

Verse 2

Six days of building, and it was not done.

Rashi asks what the world was missing.

Rest. It was only missing rest.

שַׁבָּת came, and the work was finished.

וַיְקַדֵּשׁ אֹתוֹ —

and He made that day holy.

Pre-Chorus

And You said it to the first man's son,

before a single thing was done —

not after. Before.

Chorus

וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ —

you can rule over it!

וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ —

you can rule over it!

Rashi says it in five words:

if you want to, you can win.

וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ —

you can rule over it!

Bridge

He called into the trees, אַיֶּכָּה —

where are you?

He is still asking.

And Sforno says the whole world only got the word מְאֹד,

very good, when every part of it stood complete.

So stand.

So stand.

Chorus

וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ —

you can rule over it!

וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ —

you can rule over it!

Rashi says it in five words:

if you want to, you can win.

וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ —

you can rule over it!

Outro

וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ —

you can rule over it.

וְנֹחַ מָצָא חֵן —

and Noach found favor.

The door is still open.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת בְּרֵאשִׁית — one evening in a garden, and one question.

Verse 1

The fruit was eaten,

and both their eyes were opened.

They sewed fig leaves together,

and made themselves something to wear.

Then they heard the voice of הַשֵּׁם,

מִתְהַלֵּךְ בַּגָּן לְרוּחַ הַיּוֹם —

moving in the garden at the breeze of the day.

Pre-Chorus

The man and his wife went still,

and hid among the trees,

בְּתוֹךְ עֵץ הַגָּן —

in among the trees of the garden.

Chorus

וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ אַיֶּכָּה —

and He said, where are you?

He called out to the man,

into the trees, into the breeze,

וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ אַיֶּכָּה —

where are you, where are you?

Verse 2

The man answered from the trees,

אֶת־קֹלְךָ שָׁמַעְתִּי בַּגָּן —

I heard Your voice in the garden,

וָאִירָא —

and I was afraid,

וָאֵחָבֵא —

so I hid.

Pre-Chorus

מִי הִגִּיד לְךָ —

who told you? He asked.

Have you eaten from the tree?

The man said, the woman gave it to me.

The woman said, the serpent fooled me.

Each one heard what would follow,

and they would have to leave the garden.

Chorus

וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ אַיֶּכָּה —

and He said, where are you?

He called out to the man,

into the trees, into the breeze,

וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ אַיֶּכָּה —

where are you, where are you?

Bridge

But before they went out,

before the long road away,

He made them something new.

כָּתְנוֹת עוֹר —

coats of leather,

וַיַּלְבִּשֵׁם —

and He clothed them.

He clothed them.

Final Chorus

וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ אַיֶּכָּה —

and He said, where are you?

He called out to the man,

into the trees, into the breeze,

וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ אַיֶּכָּה —

where are you, where are you?

Outro

וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ אַיֶּכָּה —

where are you?

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת בְּרֵאשִׁית — one evening in a garden, and one question.

Verse 1

The fruit was eaten,

and both their eyes were opened.

They sewed fig leaves together,

and made themselves something to wear.

Then they heard the voice of הַשֵּׁם,

מִתְהַלֵּךְ בַּגָּן לְרוּחַ הַיּוֹם —

moving in the garden at the breeze of the day.

Pre-Chorus

The man and his wife went still,

and hid among the trees,

בְּתוֹךְ עֵץ הַגָּן —

in among the trees of the garden.

Chorus

וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ אַיֶּכָּה —

and He said, where are you?

He called out to the man,

into the trees, into the breeze,

וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ אַיֶּכָּה —

where are you, where are you?

Verse 2

The man answered from the trees,

אֶת־קֹלְךָ שָׁמַעְתִּי בַּגָּן —

I heard Your voice in the garden,

וָאִירָא —

and I was afraid,

וָאֵחָבֵא —

so I hid.

Pre-Chorus

מִי הִגִּיד לְךָ —

who told you? He asked.

Have you eaten from the tree?

The man said, the woman gave it to me.

The woman said, the serpent fooled me.

Each one heard what would follow,

and they would have to leave the garden.

Chorus

וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ אַיֶּכָּה —

and He said, where are you?

He called out to the man,

into the trees, into the breeze,

וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ אַיֶּכָּה —

where are you, where are you?

Bridge

But before they went out,

before the long road away,

He made them something new.

כָּתְנוֹת עוֹר —

coats of leather,

וַיַּלְבִּשֵׁם —

and He clothed them.

He clothed them.

Final Chorus

וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ אַיֶּכָּה —

and He said, where are you?

He called out to the man,

into the trees, into the breeze,

וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ אַיֶּכָּה —

where are you, where are you?

Outro

וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ אַיֶּכָּה —

where are you?

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת נֹחַ — the week the world goes under water, and one wooden boat carries everything that is left.

Chorus

וַיִּזְכֹּר אֱלֹקִים אֶת־נֹחַ —

and He remembered Noach.

A year of water and no ground,

and He had not forgotten him.

Verse 1

The whole world had gone wrong at once,

and one man was still walking straight.

נֹחַ אִישׁ צַדִּיק תָּמִים —

Noach was a righteous man, whole.

Rashi says look at the order of the words —

it promises us his children,

and then it praises the man instead,

because the real children of a righteous man

are the good things that he does.

Chorus

וַיִּזְכֹּר אֱלֹקִים אֶת־נֹחַ —

and He remembered Noach.

A year of water and no ground,

and He had not forgotten him.

Verse 2

הַשֵּׁם could have saved him any way at all.

Instead the word came down: build.

עֲשֵׂה לְךָ תֵּבַת עֲצֵי־גֹפֶר —

make yourself an ark of gopher wood.

Rashi says it took one hundred and twenty years

so the whole generation would walk past and ask him,

what do you need this boat for out here —

and maybe, hearing the answer, turn back.

Not one of them did.

Chorus

וַיִּזְכֹּר אֱלֹקִים אֶת־נֹחַ —

and He remembered Noach.

A year of water and no ground,

and He had not forgotten him.

Verse 3

Sforno says he walked with הַשֵּׁם

by being useful to the people near him,

teaching them, telling them the truth.

And Midrash Tanchuma says he fed them all —

straw for the camel, barley for the donkey,

every animal the food it was used to,

every single day, inside a closed boat.

Chorus

וַיִּזְכֹּר אֱלֹקִים אֶת־נֹחַ —

and He remembered Noach.

A year of water and no ground,

and He had not forgotten him.

Verse 4

And then the dove came home at evening

with something small held in her mouth.

עֲלֵה־זַיִת טָרָף בְּפִיהָ —

a torn off olive leaf in her beak.

Rashi brings the Midrash on that leaf,

and it is the whole year in one line:

better my food be bitter as an olive

and come from the hand of הַשֵּׁם,

than sweet as honey from the hand of men.

Chorus

וַיִּזְכֹּר אֱלֹקִים אֶת־נֹחַ —

and He remembered Noach.

A year of water and no ground,

and He had not forgotten him.

Outro

וַיִּזְכֹּר אֱלֹקִים אֶת־נֹחַ —

and He remembered Noach.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת נֹחַ — the week the world goes under water, and one wooden boat carries everything that is left.

Chorus

וַיִּזְכֹּר אֱלֹקִים אֶת־נֹחַ —

and He remembered Noach.

A year of water and no ground,

and He had not forgotten him.

Verse 1

The whole world had gone wrong at once,

and one man was still walking straight.

נֹחַ אִישׁ צַדִּיק תָּמִים —

Noach was a righteous man, whole.

Rashi says look at the order of the words —

it promises us his children,

and then it praises the man instead,

because the real children of a righteous man

are the good things that he does.

Chorus

וַיִּזְכֹּר אֱלֹקִים אֶת־נֹחַ —

and He remembered Noach.

A year of water and no ground,

and He had not forgotten him.

Verse 2

הַשֵּׁם could have saved him any way at all.

Instead the word came down: build.

עֲשֵׂה לְךָ תֵּבַת עֲצֵי־גֹפֶר —

make yourself an ark of gopher wood.

Rashi says it took one hundred and twenty years

so the whole generation would walk past and ask him,

what do you need this boat for out here —

and maybe, hearing the answer, turn back.

Not one of them did.

Chorus

וַיִּזְכֹּר אֱלֹקִים אֶת־נֹחַ —

and He remembered Noach.

A year of water and no ground,

and He had not forgotten him.

Verse 3

Sforno says he walked with הַשֵּׁם

by being useful to the people near him,

teaching them, telling them the truth.

And Midrash Tanchuma says he fed them all —

straw for the camel, barley for the donkey,

every animal the food it was used to,

every single day, inside a closed boat.

Chorus

וַיִּזְכֹּר אֱלֹקִים אֶת־נֹחַ —

and He remembered Noach.

A year of water and no ground,

and He had not forgotten him.

Verse 4

And then the dove came home at evening

with something small held in her mouth.

עֲלֵה־זַיִת טָרָף בְּפִיהָ —

a torn off olive leaf in her beak.

Rashi brings the Midrash on that leaf,

and it is the whole year in one line:

better my food be bitter as an olive

and come from the hand of הַשֵּׁם,

than sweet as honey from the hand of men.

Chorus

וַיִּזְכֹּר אֱלֹקִים אֶת־נֹחַ —

and He remembered Noach.

A year of water and no ground,

and He had not forgotten him.

Outro

וַיִּזְכֹּר אֱלֹקִים אֶת־נֹחַ —

and He remembered Noach.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת נֹחַ — hold on, the whole parsha in one dance.

Chorus

שְׁנַיִם שְׁנַיִם בָּאוּ אֶל־נֹחַ —

(two by two!) they came to Noach,

two by two right up the ramp,

זָכָר וּנְקֵבָה — male and female, every kind!

Verse 1

One good man in a rotten world, (one good man!)

נֹחַ אִישׁ צַדִּיק תָּמִים — a righteous man, whole.

The earth was full of stealing and it could not stand, (it could not stand!)

so הַשֵּׁם said, Noach, here is what you do —

עֲשֵׂה לְךָ תֵּבַת עֲצֵי־גֹפֶר,

make an ark of gopher wood!

Three hundred long and fifty wide, (measure it!)

thirty high with three decks inside,

וַיַּעַשׂ נֹחַ כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה אֹתוֹ —

and Noach did exactly what he was told!

Chorus

שְׁנַיִם שְׁנַיִם בָּאוּ אֶל־נֹחַ —

(two by two!) they came to Noach,

two by two right up the ramp,

זָכָר וּנְקֵבָה — male and female, every kind!

Verse 2

בֹּא־אַתָּה וְכָל־בֵּיתְךָ אֶל־הַתֵּבָה —

come inside, you and all your house!

Seven pairs of every clean one, (seven pairs!)

two of every other kind,

and the door swung shut behind them —

אַרְבָּעִים יוֹם וְאַרְבָּעִים לָיְלָה,

forty days and forty nights of rain.

The water lifted up the boat, (up it went!)

and everything outside was gone.

One year floating in the dark,

feeding camels, feeding birds!

Chorus

שְׁנַיִם שְׁנַיִם בָּאוּ אֶל־נֹחַ —

(two by two!) they came to Noach,

two by two right up the ramp,

זָכָר וּנְקֵבָה — male and female, every kind!

Verse 3

וַיִּזְכֹּר אֱלֹקִים אֶת־נֹחַ — (He remembered!)

He remembered Noach in the boat!

A wind went over all the water, (down it goes!)

וַתָּנַח הַתֵּבָה — the ark came down to rest,

עַל הָרֵי אֲרָרָט — on the mountains of Ararat!

Out went the raven, out went the dove, (send her out!)

back she came with nothing in her beak,

then — עֲלֵה־זַיִת טָרָף בְּפִיהָ,

an olive leaf! An olive leaf! Dry land!

Chorus

שְׁנַיִם שְׁנַיִם בָּאוּ אֶל־נֹחַ —

(two by two!) they came to Noach,

two by two right up the ramp,

זָכָר וּנְקֵבָה — male and female, every kind!

Verse 4

Out of the boat and onto the ground! (out they come!)

וַיִּבֶן נֹחַ מִזְבֵּחַ — Noach built a מִזְבֵּחַ, an altar,

and the promise came back down:

לֹא־אֹסִף לְקַלֵּל עוֹד אֶת־הָאֲדָמָה —

never again will I curse the ground!

פְּרוּ וּרְבוּ וּמִלְאוּ אֶת־הָאָרֶץ, (fill it up!)

be fruitful, multiply, fill up the earth!

אֶת־קַשְׁתִּי נָתַתִּי בֶּעָנָן —

I put My bow up in the cloud,

וְהָיְתָה לְאוֹת בְּרִית — a sign of a promise that holds!

Chorus

שְׁנַיִם שְׁנַיִם בָּאוּ אֶל־נֹחַ —

(two by two!) they came to Noach,

two by two right up the ramp,

זָכָר וּנְקֵבָה — male and female, every kind!

Verse 5

The world filled up with families again, (count them out!)

seventy nations, every land, every tongue.

וַיְהִי כָל־הָאָרֶץ שָׂפָה אֶחָת —

the whole earth still had one language.

נִבְנֶה־לָּנוּ עִיר וּמִגְדָּל, they said, (build it high!)

let us build a city and a tower —

וְנַעֲשֶׂה־לָּנוּ שֵׁם, and make ourselves a name.

So their words got mixed and the building stopped,

עַל־כֵּן קָרָא שְׁמָהּ בָּבֶל — and He called the place Bavel!

And the names run down the page to Terach,

and Terach had a son called Avram. (Avram!)

Chorus

שְׁנַיִם שְׁנַיִם בָּאוּ אֶל־נֹחַ —

(two by two!) they came to Noach,

two by two right up the ramp,

זָכָר וּנְקֵבָה — male and female, every kind!

Outro

שְׁנַיִם שְׁנַיִם בָּאוּ אֶל־נֹחַ —

two by two, every kind! Hey!

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת נֹחַ — hold on, the whole parsha in one dance.

Chorus

שְׁנַיִם שְׁנַיִם בָּאוּ אֶל־נֹחַ —

(two by two!) they came to Noach,

two by two right up the ramp,

זָכָר וּנְקֵבָה — male and female, every kind!

Verse 1

One good man in a rotten world, (one good man!)

נֹחַ אִישׁ צַדִּיק תָּמִים — a righteous man, whole.

The earth was full of stealing and it could not stand, (it could not stand!)

so הַשֵּׁם said, Noach, here is what you do —

עֲשֵׂה לְךָ תֵּבַת עֲצֵי־גֹפֶר,

make an ark of gopher wood!

Three hundred long and fifty wide, (measure it!)

thirty high with three decks inside,

וַיַּעַשׂ נֹחַ כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה אֹתוֹ —

and Noach did exactly what he was told!

Chorus

שְׁנַיִם שְׁנַיִם בָּאוּ אֶל־נֹחַ —

(two by two!) they came to Noach,

two by two right up the ramp,

זָכָר וּנְקֵבָה — male and female, every kind!

Verse 2

בֹּא־אַתָּה וְכָל־בֵּיתְךָ אֶל־הַתֵּבָה —

come inside, you and all your house!

Seven pairs of every clean one, (seven pairs!)

two of every other kind,

and the door swung shut behind them —

אַרְבָּעִים יוֹם וְאַרְבָּעִים לָיְלָה,

forty days and forty nights of rain.

The water lifted up the boat, (up it went!)

and everything outside was gone.

One year floating in the dark,

feeding camels, feeding birds!

Chorus

שְׁנַיִם שְׁנַיִם בָּאוּ אֶל־נֹחַ —

(two by two!) they came to Noach,

two by two right up the ramp,

זָכָר וּנְקֵבָה — male and female, every kind!

Verse 3

וַיִּזְכֹּר אֱלֹקִים אֶת־נֹחַ — (He remembered!)

He remembered Noach in the boat!

A wind went over all the water, (down it goes!)

וַתָּנַח הַתֵּבָה — the ark came down to rest,

עַל הָרֵי אֲרָרָט — on the mountains of Ararat!

Out went the raven, out went the dove, (send her out!)

back she came with nothing in her beak,

then — עֲלֵה־זַיִת טָרָף בְּפִיהָ,

an olive leaf! An olive leaf! Dry land!

Chorus

שְׁנַיִם שְׁנַיִם בָּאוּ אֶל־נֹחַ —

(two by two!) they came to Noach,

two by two right up the ramp,

זָכָר וּנְקֵבָה — male and female, every kind!

Verse 4

Out of the boat and onto the ground! (out they come!)

וַיִּבֶן נֹחַ מִזְבֵּחַ — Noach built a מִזְבֵּחַ, an altar,

and the promise came back down:

לֹא־אֹסִף לְקַלֵּל עוֹד אֶת־הָאֲדָמָה —

never again will I curse the ground!

פְּרוּ וּרְבוּ וּמִלְאוּ אֶת־הָאָרֶץ, (fill it up!)

be fruitful, multiply, fill up the earth!

אֶת־קַשְׁתִּי נָתַתִּי בֶּעָנָן —

I put My bow up in the cloud,

וְהָיְתָה לְאוֹת בְּרִית — a sign of a promise that holds!

Chorus

שְׁנַיִם שְׁנַיִם בָּאוּ אֶל־נֹחַ —

(two by two!) they came to Noach,

two by two right up the ramp,

זָכָר וּנְקֵבָה — male and female, every kind!

Verse 5

The world filled up with families again, (count them out!)

seventy nations, every land, every tongue.

וַיְהִי כָל־הָאָרֶץ שָׂפָה אֶחָת —

the whole earth still had one language.

נִבְנֶה־לָּנוּ עִיר וּמִגְדָּל, they said, (build it high!)

let us build a city and a tower —

וְנַעֲשֶׂה־לָּנוּ שֵׁם, and make ourselves a name.

So their words got mixed and the building stopped,

עַל־כֵּן קָרָא שְׁמָהּ בָּבֶל — and He called the place Bavel!

And the names run down the page to Terach,

and Terach had a son called Avram. (Avram!)

Chorus

שְׁנַיִם שְׁנַיִם בָּאוּ אֶל־נֹחַ —

(two by two!) they came to Noach,

two by two right up the ramp,

זָכָר וּנְקֵבָה — male and female, every kind!

Outro

שְׁנַיִם שְׁנַיִם בָּאוּ אֶל־נֹחַ —

two by two, every kind! Hey!

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת לֶךְ־לְךָ — one man hears a voice, gets up, and goes.

Verse 1

Leave your land, your family,

your father's house behind,

מֵאַרְצְךָ וּמִמּוֹלַדְתְּךָ —

from your land and from your birthplace,

אֶל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אַרְאֶךָּ —

to the land that I will show you.

Rashi says, go for yourself,

for your own good, for your own good.

Chorus

וֶהְיֵה בְּרָכָה —

and you will be a blessing,

וְנִבְרְכוּ בְךָ —

through you they will be blessed,

all the families of the earth.

Verse 2

Rashi says a journey costs three things,

your family, your wealth, your name,

so הַשֵּׁם gave him three blessings.

וְאֶעֶשְׂךָ לְגוֹי גָּדוֹל —

I will make you a great nation,

children, and wealth, and a great name.

Chorus

וֶהְיֵה בְּרָכָה —

and you will be a blessing,

וְנִבְרְכוּ בְךָ —

through you they will be blessed,

all the families of the earth.

Verse 3

He did not walk alone,

וְאֶת־הַנֶּפֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר־עָשׂוּ בְחָרָן —

the souls they made along the way.

Rashi says he taught the men,

and she taught the women,

and brought them close, beneath His sheltering wings.

Chorus

וֶהְיֵה בְּרָכָה —

and you will be a blessing,

וְנִבְרְכוּ בְךָ —

through you they will be blessed,

all the families of the earth.

Verse 4

He pitched his tent between two cities,

וַיִּבֶן־שָׁם מִזְבֵּחַ —

and there he built an altar.

Sforno says he chose that place

so the crowds would come and hear him teach.

Verse 5

Out beneath the stars he heard,

כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ —

so many will your children be.

וְהֶאֱמִן —

and he believed,

Rashi says, he did not ask for a sign.

Chorus

וֶהְיֵה בְּרָכָה —

and you will be a blessing,

וְנִבְרְכוּ בְךָ —

through you they will be blessed,

all the families of the earth.

Outro

וֶהְיֵה בְּרָכָה —

be a blessing.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת לֶךְ־לְךָ — one man hears a voice, gets up, and goes.

Verse 1

Leave your land, your family,

your father's house behind,

מֵאַרְצְךָ וּמִמּוֹלַדְתְּךָ —

from your land and from your birthplace,

אֶל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אַרְאֶךָּ —

to the land that I will show you.

Rashi says, go for yourself,

for your own good, for your own good.

Chorus

וֶהְיֵה בְּרָכָה —

and you will be a blessing,

וְנִבְרְכוּ בְךָ —

through you they will be blessed,

all the families of the earth.

Verse 2

Rashi says a journey costs three things,

your family, your wealth, your name,

so הַשֵּׁם gave him three blessings.

וְאֶעֶשְׂךָ לְגוֹי גָּדוֹל —

I will make you a great nation,

children, and wealth, and a great name.

Chorus

וֶהְיֵה בְּרָכָה —

and you will be a blessing,

וְנִבְרְכוּ בְךָ —

through you they will be blessed,

all the families of the earth.

Verse 3

He did not walk alone,

וְאֶת־הַנֶּפֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר־עָשׂוּ בְחָרָן —

the souls they made along the way.

Rashi says he taught the men,

and she taught the women,

and brought them close, beneath His sheltering wings.

Chorus

וֶהְיֵה בְּרָכָה —

and you will be a blessing,

וְנִבְרְכוּ בְךָ —

through you they will be blessed,

all the families of the earth.

Verse 4

He pitched his tent between two cities,

וַיִּבֶן־שָׁם מִזְבֵּחַ —

and there he built an altar.

Sforno says he chose that place

so the crowds would come and hear him teach.

Verse 5

Out beneath the stars he heard,

כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ —

so many will your children be.

וְהֶאֱמִן —

and he believed,

Rashi says, he did not ask for a sign.

Chorus

וֶהְיֵה בְּרָכָה —

and you will be a blessing,

וְנִבְרְכוּ בְךָ —

through you they will be blessed,

all the families of the earth.

Outro

וֶהְיֵה בְּרָכָה —

be a blessing.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת לֶךְ־לְךָ — pack up the tent, we're on the road, let's go!

Chorus

וַיֵּלֶךְ אַבְרָם —

(he went!) and he went on his way!

כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אֵלָיו —

just as he was told! (he went!)

Verse 1

בֶּן־חָמֵשׁ שָׁנִים וְשִׁבְעִים שָׁנָה — (seventy-five!)

seventy-five years old and out the door!

With שָׂרַי his wife and לוֹט beside him, (beside him!)

וַיָּבֹאוּ אַרְצָה כְּנָעַן — they came into the land!

לְזַרְעֲךָ אֶתֵּן אֶת־הָאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת — (this land!)

to your children I will give this land!

Chorus

וַיֵּלֶךְ אַבְרָם —

(he went!) and he went on his way!

כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אֵלָיו —

just as he was told! (he went!)

Verse 2

וַיְהִי רָעָב בָּאָרֶץ — (a famine!)

there was hunger in the land,

down to מִצְרַיִם, and they took שָׂרַי to the king, (the king!)

the king was struck with plagues and sent them on their way!

Back up with sheep and silver, (and gold!)

back to the מִזְבֵּחַ, calling out to הַשֵּׁם!

Chorus

וַיֵּלֶךְ אַבְרָם —

(he went!) and he went on his way!

כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אֵלָיו —

just as he was told! (he went!)

Verse 3

The shepherds fight, and אַבְרָם says, (stop!)

אַל־נָא תְהִי מְרִיבָה — please, let there be no fight,

כִּי־אֲנָשִׁים אַחִים אֲנָחְנוּ — (brothers!)

for we are brothers, you and I!

שָׂא נָא עֵינֶיךָ — lift up your eyes! (look!)

north and south and east and west!

כַּעֲפַר הָאָרֶץ — like the dust of the earth! (so many!)

Chorus

וַיֵּלֶךְ אַבְרָם —

(he went!) and he went on his way!

כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אֵלָיו —

just as he was told! (he went!)

Verse 4

Four kings against five, and לוֹט is taken, (taken!)

וַיָּרֶק אֶת־חֲנִיכָיו — he called out his trained men,

שְׁמֹנָה עָשָׂר וּשְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת — (three hundred eighteen!)

he chased them through the night and brought him home!

מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק — a king came out to greet him, (came out!)

הוֹצִיא לֶחֶם וָיָיִן — he brought out bread and wine!

אִם־מִחוּט וְעַד שְׂרוֹךְ־נַעַל — (not a thing!)

not a thread, not a shoelace, I won't take a thing!

Chorus

וַיֵּלֶךְ אַבְרָם —

(he went!) and he went on his way!

כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אֵלָיו —

just as he was told! (he went!)

Verse 5

הַבֶּט־נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה — (look up!)

look up to the sky and count the stars!

וְהָיָה שִׁמְךָ אַבְרָהָם — (a new name!)

your name is new, a father of nations!

כִּי שָׂרָה שְׁמָהּ — and hers is new as well! (as well!)

וְקָרָאתָ אֶת־שְׁמוֹ יִצְחָק — a baby boy is coming!

בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה — (that very day!)

they came into the בְּרִית that very day!

Chorus

וַיֵּלֶךְ אַבְרָם —

(he went!) and he went on his way!

כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אֵלָיו —

just as he was told! (he went!)

Outro

וַיֵּלֶךְ אַבְרָם —

and he went! Hey!

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת לֶךְ־לְךָ — pack up the tent, we're on the road, let's go!

Chorus

וַיֵּלֶךְ אַבְרָם —

(he went!) and he went on his way!

כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אֵלָיו —

just as he was told! (he went!)

Verse 1

בֶּן־חָמֵשׁ שָׁנִים וְשִׁבְעִים שָׁנָה — (seventy-five!)

seventy-five years old and out the door!

With שָׂרַי his wife and לוֹט beside him, (beside him!)

וַיָּבֹאוּ אַרְצָה כְּנָעַן — they came into the land!

לְזַרְעֲךָ אֶתֵּן אֶת־הָאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת — (this land!)

to your children I will give this land!

Chorus

וַיֵּלֶךְ אַבְרָם —

(he went!) and he went on his way!

כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אֵלָיו —

just as he was told! (he went!)

Verse 2

וַיְהִי רָעָב בָּאָרֶץ — (a famine!)

there was hunger in the land,

down to מִצְרַיִם, and they took שָׂרַי to the king, (the king!)

the king was struck with plagues and sent them on their way!

Back up with sheep and silver, (and gold!)

back to the מִזְבֵּחַ, calling out to הַשֵּׁם!

Chorus

וַיֵּלֶךְ אַבְרָם —

(he went!) and he went on his way!

כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אֵלָיו —

just as he was told! (he went!)

Verse 3

The shepherds fight, and אַבְרָם says, (stop!)

אַל־נָא תְהִי מְרִיבָה — please, let there be no fight,

כִּי־אֲנָשִׁים אַחִים אֲנָחְנוּ — (brothers!)

for we are brothers, you and I!

שָׂא נָא עֵינֶיךָ — lift up your eyes! (look!)

north and south and east and west!

כַּעֲפַר הָאָרֶץ — like the dust of the earth! (so many!)

Chorus

וַיֵּלֶךְ אַבְרָם —

(he went!) and he went on his way!

כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אֵלָיו —

just as he was told! (he went!)

Verse 4

Four kings against five, and לוֹט is taken, (taken!)

וַיָּרֶק אֶת־חֲנִיכָיו — he called out his trained men,

שְׁמֹנָה עָשָׂר וּשְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת — (three hundred eighteen!)

he chased them through the night and brought him home!

מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק — a king came out to greet him, (came out!)

הוֹצִיא לֶחֶם וָיָיִן — he brought out bread and wine!

אִם־מִחוּט וְעַד שְׂרוֹךְ־נַעַל — (not a thing!)

not a thread, not a shoelace, I won't take a thing!

Chorus

וַיֵּלֶךְ אַבְרָם —

(he went!) and he went on his way!

כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אֵלָיו —

just as he was told! (he went!)

Verse 5

הַבֶּט־נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה — (look up!)

look up to the sky and count the stars!

וְהָיָה שִׁמְךָ אַבְרָהָם — (a new name!)

your name is new, a father of nations!

כִּי שָׂרָה שְׁמָהּ — and hers is new as well! (as well!)

וְקָרָאתָ אֶת־שְׁמוֹ יִצְחָק — a baby boy is coming!

בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה — (that very day!)

they came into the בְּרִית that very day!

Chorus

וַיֵּלֶךְ אַבְרָם —

(he went!) and he went on his way!

כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אֵלָיו —

just as he was told! (he went!)

Outro

וַיֵּלֶךְ אַבְרָם —

and he went! Hey!

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת לֶךְ־לְךָ — sit close. This is the story of a man who walked away from everything, because הַשֵּׁם told him to.

Chorus

הַבֶּט־נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה —

look up, look up to the sky,

וּסְפֹר הַכּוֹכָבִים —

count the stars, if you can,

כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ —

so many will your children be.

Spoken Word 1

הַשֵּׁם said to אַבְרָם: go from your land, your birthplace, your father's house, אֶל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אַרְאֶךָּ — to the land I will show you. Rashi says, go for your own good. וֶהְיֵה בְּרָכָה — and you will be a blessing.

So אַבְרָם went, seventy-five years old, with שָׂרַי his wife, his nephew לוֹט, and the souls they had made in חָרָן. Rashi says, the people they had brought close to הַשֵּׁם. In the new land he built a מִזְבֵּחַ, and Sforno says he set his tent between two cities, so the crowds would come and hear him teach.

Chorus

הַבֶּט־נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה —

look up, look up to the sky,

וּסְפֹר הַכּוֹכָבִים —

count the stars, if you can,

כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ —

so many will your children be.

Spoken Word 2

וַיְהִי רָעָב בָּאָרֶץ — a famine came, and they went down to מִצְרַיִם. אַבְרָם asked שָׂרַי to say she was his sister. She was taken to the king's palace, the king and his house were struck with plagues, and he sent them away with all they had.

Then the shepherds of אַבְרָם and לוֹט began to quarrel. אַל־נָא תְהִי מְרִיבָה — please, no fighting, said אַבְרָם, for we are brothers. לוֹט chose the green plain, near a city of wicked people. And הַשֵּׁם said: lift up your eyes, north and south and east and west. Your children will be like the dust of the earth.

Chorus

הַבֶּט־נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה —

look up, look up to the sky,

וּסְפֹר הַכּוֹכָבִים —

count the stars, if you can,

כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ —

so many will your children be.

Spoken Word 3

Four kings went to war against five, and they carried off לוֹט. אַבְרָם gathered three hundred and eighteen men of his house, chased them by night, and brought לוֹט home. מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק came out with bread and wine and blessed him, and אַבְרָם gave him a tenth of everything. The king of that wicked city offered him the spoils. אִם־מִחוּט וְעַד שְׂרוֹךְ־נַעַל — not a thread, not a shoelace, said אַבְרָם. No one will say they made me rich.

Chorus

הַבֶּט־נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה —

look up, look up to the sky,

וּסְפֹר הַכּוֹכָבִים —

count the stars, if you can,

כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ —

so many will your children be.

Spoken Word 4

Then הַשֵּׁם spoke in a vision. אַל־תִּירָא אַבְרָם — do not be afraid. אָנֹכִי מָגֵן לָךְ — I am your shield. He took him outside: look at the sky, count the stars. Rashi says He lifted him up, above the stars. וְהֶאֱמִן — and he believed, and Rashi says he did not even ask for a sign.

He was told his children would be strangers in a land not theirs for four hundred years, and then go free with great wealth. And הַשֵּׁם made a בְּרִית with him, giving the land to his children.

Chorus

הַבֶּט־נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה —

look up, look up to the sky,

וּסְפֹר הַכּוֹכָבִים —

count the stars, if you can,

כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ —

so many will your children be.

Spoken Word 5

Still no child. שָׂרַי gave אַבְרָם her maid הָגָר, and when הָגָר looked down on her there was trouble, and הָגָר ran away. An angel found her by a spring and sent her back, for הַשֵּׁם had heard her pain.

At ninety-nine, הַשֵּׁם said: הִתְהַלֵּךְ לְפָנַי וֶהְיֵה תָמִים — walk before Me and be whole. Your name is אַבְרָהָם now, father of many nations, and hers is שָׂרָה, and she will have a son, יִצְחָק. בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה — on that very day, אַבְרָהָם and all his house entered the בְּרִית.

Chorus

הַבֶּט־נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה —

look up, look up to the sky,

וּסְפֹר הַכּוֹכָבִים —

count the stars, if you can,

כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ —

so many will your children be.

Outro

כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ —

so many, so many,

like the stars.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת לֶךְ־לְךָ — sit close. This is the story of a man who walked away from everything, because הַשֵּׁם told him to.

Chorus

הַבֶּט־נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה —

look up, look up to the sky,

וּסְפֹר הַכּוֹכָבִים —

count the stars, if you can,

כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ —

so many will your children be.

Spoken Word 1

הַשֵּׁם said to אַבְרָם: go from your land, your birthplace, your father's house, אֶל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אַרְאֶךָּ — to the land I will show you. Rashi says, go for your own good. וֶהְיֵה בְּרָכָה — and you will be a blessing.

So אַבְרָם went, seventy-five years old, with שָׂרַי his wife, his nephew לוֹט, and the souls they had made in חָרָן. Rashi says, the people they had brought close to הַשֵּׁם. In the new land he built a מִזְבֵּחַ, and Sforno says he set his tent between two cities, so the crowds would come and hear him teach.

Chorus

הַבֶּט־נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה —

look up, look up to the sky,

וּסְפֹר הַכּוֹכָבִים —

count the stars, if you can,

כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ —

so many will your children be.

Spoken Word 2

וַיְהִי רָעָב בָּאָרֶץ — a famine came, and they went down to מִצְרַיִם. אַבְרָם asked שָׂרַי to say she was his sister. She was taken to the king's palace, the king and his house were struck with plagues, and he sent them away with all they had.

Then the shepherds of אַבְרָם and לוֹט began to quarrel. אַל־נָא תְהִי מְרִיבָה — please, no fighting, said אַבְרָם, for we are brothers. לוֹט chose the green plain, near a city of wicked people. And הַשֵּׁם said: lift up your eyes, north and south and east and west. Your children will be like the dust of the earth.

Chorus

הַבֶּט־נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה —

look up, look up to the sky,

וּסְפֹר הַכּוֹכָבִים —

count the stars, if you can,

כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ —

so many will your children be.

Spoken Word 3

Four kings went to war against five, and they carried off לוֹט. אַבְרָם gathered three hundred and eighteen men of his house, chased them by night, and brought לוֹט home. מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק came out with bread and wine and blessed him, and אַבְרָם gave him a tenth of everything. The king of that wicked city offered him the spoils. אִם־מִחוּט וְעַד שְׂרוֹךְ־נַעַל — not a thread, not a shoelace, said אַבְרָם. No one will say they made me rich.

Chorus

הַבֶּט־נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה —

look up, look up to the sky,

וּסְפֹר הַכּוֹכָבִים —

count the stars, if you can,

כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ —

so many will your children be.

Spoken Word 4

Then הַשֵּׁם spoke in a vision. אַל־תִּירָא אַבְרָם — do not be afraid. אָנֹכִי מָגֵן לָךְ — I am your shield. He took him outside: look at the sky, count the stars. Rashi says He lifted him up, above the stars. וְהֶאֱמִן — and he believed, and Rashi says he did not even ask for a sign.

He was told his children would be strangers in a land not theirs for four hundred years, and then go free with great wealth. And הַשֵּׁם made a בְּרִית with him, giving the land to his children.

Chorus

הַבֶּט־נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה —

look up, look up to the sky,

וּסְפֹר הַכּוֹכָבִים —

count the stars, if you can,

כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ —

so many will your children be.

Spoken Word 5

Still no child. שָׂרַי gave אַבְרָם her maid הָגָר, and when הָגָר looked down on her there was trouble, and הָגָר ran away. An angel found her by a spring and sent her back, for הַשֵּׁם had heard her pain.

At ninety-nine, הַשֵּׁם said: הִתְהַלֵּךְ לְפָנַי וֶהְיֵה תָמִים — walk before Me and be whole. Your name is אַבְרָהָם now, father of many nations, and hers is שָׂרָה, and she will have a son, יִצְחָק. בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה — on that very day, אַבְרָהָם and all his house entered the בְּרִית.

Chorus

הַבֶּט־נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה —

look up, look up to the sky,

וּסְפֹר הַכּוֹכָבִים —

count the stars, if you can,

כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ —

so many will your children be.

Outro

כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ —

so many, so many,

like the stars.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת לֶךְ־לְךָ — one voice, one road, one step at a time.

Verse 1

Leave the land you know,

מֵאַרְצְךָ וּמִמּוֹלַדְתְּךָ —

your land, the place where you were born,

for a land you've never seen,

אֶל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אַרְאֶךָּ —

the land that I will show you.

Pre-Chorus

Seventy-five and starting new,

Rashi says it's for your own good,

and every step is calling you —

Chorus

הִתְהַלֵּךְ לְפָנַי —

walk before Me!

וֶהְיֵה תָמִים —

and be whole!

Walk before Me, walk before Me,

walk before Me and be whole!

Verse 2

Out beneath the open sky,

הַבֶּט־נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה —

look up, and count the stars,

אַל־תִּירָא אַבְרָם —

do not be afraid,

אָנֹכִי מָגֵן לָךְ —

I am your shield.

Pre-Chorus

וְהֶאֱמִן — and he believed,

Rashi says he never asked a sign,

and every step is calling you —

Chorus

הִתְהַלֵּךְ לְפָנַי —

walk before Me!

וֶהְיֵה תָמִים —

and be whole!

Walk before Me, walk before Me,

walk before Me and be whole!

Bridge

Rashi says, walk before Me means

stay close, and serve Me, all your days.

וְהָיָה שִׁמְךָ אַבְרָהָם —

your name is new,

כִּי אַב־הֲמוֹן גּוֹיִם —

a father of many nations,

לִבְרִית עוֹלָם —

a covenant forever! Forever!

Chorus

הִתְהַלֵּךְ לְפָנַי —

walk before Me!

וֶהְיֵה תָמִים —

and be whole!

Walk before Me, walk before Me,

walk before Me and be whole!

Outro

הִתְהַלֵּךְ לְפָנַי —

walk before Me.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת לֶךְ־לְךָ — one voice, one road, one step at a time.

Verse 1

Leave the land you know,

מֵאַרְצְךָ וּמִמּוֹלַדְתְּךָ —

your land, the place where you were born,

for a land you've never seen,

אֶל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אַרְאֶךָּ —

the land that I will show you.

Pre-Chorus

Seventy-five and starting new,

Rashi says it's for your own good,

and every step is calling you —

Chorus

הִתְהַלֵּךְ לְפָנַי —

walk before Me!

וֶהְיֵה תָמִים —

and be whole!

Walk before Me, walk before Me,

walk before Me and be whole!

Verse 2

Out beneath the open sky,

הַבֶּט־נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה —

look up, and count the stars,

אַל־תִּירָא אַבְרָם —

do not be afraid,

אָנֹכִי מָגֵן לָךְ —

I am your shield.

Pre-Chorus

וְהֶאֱמִן — and he believed,

Rashi says he never asked a sign,

and every step is calling you —

Chorus

הִתְהַלֵּךְ לְפָנַי —

walk before Me!

וֶהְיֵה תָמִים —

and be whole!

Walk before Me, walk before Me,

walk before Me and be whole!

Bridge

Rashi says, walk before Me means

stay close, and serve Me, all your days.

וְהָיָה שִׁמְךָ אַבְרָהָם —

your name is new,

כִּי אַב־הֲמוֹן גּוֹיִם —

a father of many nations,

לִבְרִית עוֹלָם —

a covenant forever! Forever!

Chorus

הִתְהַלֵּךְ לְפָנַי —

walk before Me!

וֶהְיֵה תָמִים —

and be whole!

Walk before Me, walk before Me,

walk before Me and be whole!

Outro

הִתְהַלֵּךְ לְפָנַי —

walk before Me.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת לֶךְ־לְךָ — one night, one man, and a sky full of stars.

Verse 1

אַחַר הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה —

after all of these things,

after the kings, and the rescue of לוֹט,

the word of הַשֵּׁם came to אַבְרָם,

בַּמַּחֲזֶה —

in a vision, quiet and close.

Pre-Chorus

And these were the first words,

the very first words He said —

Chorus

אַל־תִּירָא אַבְרָם —

do not be afraid, אַבְרָם,

אָנֹכִי מָגֵן לָךְ —

I am your shield,

שְׂכָרְךָ הַרְבֵּה מְאֹד —

your reward is very great.

Verse 2

And אַבְרָם answered softly,

מַה־תִּתֶּן־לִי —

what will You give me,

וְאָנֹכִי הוֹלֵךְ עֲרִירִי —

I go on without a child.

And the word came back to him,

הוּא יִירָשֶׁךָ —

your own son will be your heir.

Verse 3

וַיּוֹצֵא אֹתוֹ הַחוּצָה —

He took him outside, into the night.

הַבֶּט־נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה —

look up toward the heavens,

וּסְפֹר הַכּוֹכָבִים —

and count the stars, if you can.

כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ —

so many will your children be.

Pre-Chorus

Rashi says He lifted him up,

high above the stars —

Chorus

אַל־תִּירָא אַבְרָם —

do not be afraid, אַבְרָם,

אָנֹכִי מָגֵן לָךְ —

I am your shield,

שְׂכָרְךָ הַרְבֵּה מְאֹד —

your reward is very great.

Bridge

No sign, and no question,

Rashi says, he did not ask for a sign.

וְהֶאֱמִן —

and he believed in הַשֵּׁם,

וַיַּחְשְׁבֶהָ לּוֹ צְדָקָה —

and it was counted for him as righteousness.

Final Chorus

אַל־תִּירָא אַבְרָם —

do not be afraid, אַבְרָם,

אָנֹכִי מָגֵן לָךְ —

I am your shield,

שְׂכָרְךָ הַרְבֵּה מְאֹד —

your reward is very great.

Outro

אַל־תִּירָא אַבְרָם —

do not be afraid.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת לֶךְ־לְךָ — one night, one man, and a sky full of stars.

Verse 1

אַחַר הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה —

after all of these things,

after the kings, and the rescue of לוֹט,

the word of הַשֵּׁם came to אַבְרָם,

בַּמַּחֲזֶה —

in a vision, quiet and close.

Pre-Chorus

And these were the first words,

the very first words He said —

Chorus

אַל־תִּירָא אַבְרָם —

do not be afraid, אַבְרָם,

אָנֹכִי מָגֵן לָךְ —

I am your shield,

שְׂכָרְךָ הַרְבֵּה מְאֹד —

your reward is very great.

Verse 2

And אַבְרָם answered softly,

מַה־תִּתֶּן־לִי —

what will You give me,

וְאָנֹכִי הוֹלֵךְ עֲרִירִי —

I go on without a child.

And the word came back to him,

הוּא יִירָשֶׁךָ —

your own son will be your heir.

Verse 3

וַיּוֹצֵא אֹתוֹ הַחוּצָה —

He took him outside, into the night.

הַבֶּט־נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה —

look up toward the heavens,

וּסְפֹר הַכּוֹכָבִים —

and count the stars, if you can.

כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ —

so many will your children be.

Pre-Chorus

Rashi says He lifted him up,

high above the stars —

Chorus

אַל־תִּירָא אַבְרָם —

do not be afraid, אַבְרָם,

אָנֹכִי מָגֵן לָךְ —

I am your shield,

שְׂכָרְךָ הַרְבֵּה מְאֹד —

your reward is very great.

Bridge

No sign, and no question,

Rashi says, he did not ask for a sign.

וְהֶאֱמִן —

and he believed in הַשֵּׁם,

וַיַּחְשְׁבֶהָ לּוֹ צְדָקָה —

and it was counted for him as righteousness.

Final Chorus

אַל־תִּירָא אַבְרָם —

do not be afraid, אַבְרָם,

אָנֹכִי מָגֵן לָךְ —

I am your shield,

שְׂכָרְךָ הַרְבֵּה מְאֹד —

your reward is very great.

Outro

אַל־תִּירָא אַבְרָם —

do not be afraid.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת וַיֵּרָא — an open tent, and a father and son walking up a mountain.

Verse 1

In the heat of the day he sat,

יֹשֵׁב פֶּתַח־הָאֹהֶל —

sitting at the door of his tent.

Rashi says הַשֵּׁם came to him,

came to visit him while he was sick,

on the third day, still in pain.

Chorus

וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו —

and the two of them walked together,

וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו —

together, with one heart.

Verse 2

Rashi says הַשֵּׁם brought out the sun,

out of its sheath, so hot, so bright,

and still he sat beside the door

to see if anyone passed by.

וַיִּשָּׂא עֵינָיו —

he lifted up his eyes,

וְהִנֵּה שְׁלֹשָׁה אֲנָשִׁים —

and there stood three men.

Chorus

וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו —

and the two of them walked together,

וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו —

together, with one heart.

Verse 3

Years go by, a voice is calling,

he hears his name, and he answers,

הִנֵּנִי —

here I am.

Rashi says, that is how the pious answer,

meek and ready, meek and ready.

Chorus

וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו —

and the two of them walked together,

וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו —

together, with one heart.

Verse 4

He rose up early in the morning,

Rashi says, eager to do the command.

He saddled the donkey himself,

no servant, no waiting,

Rashi says, love does not stand on ceremony.

Verse 5

The boy asks, where is the lamb?

אֱלֹקִים יִרְאֶה־לּוֹ הַשֶּׂה —

הַשֵּׁם will show the lamb, my son.

And Rashi says they walked on

with the same ready heart.

Chorus

וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו —

and the two of them walked together,

וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו —

together, with one heart.

Outro

וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו —

the two of them, together.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת וַיֵּרָא — an open tent, and a father and son walking up a mountain.

Verse 1

In the heat of the day he sat,

יֹשֵׁב פֶּתַח־הָאֹהֶל —

sitting at the door of his tent.

Rashi says הַשֵּׁם came to him,

came to visit him while he was sick,

on the third day, still in pain.

Chorus

וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו —

and the two of them walked together,

וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו —

together, with one heart.

Verse 2

Rashi says הַשֵּׁם brought out the sun,

out of its sheath, so hot, so bright,

and still he sat beside the door

to see if anyone passed by.

וַיִּשָּׂא עֵינָיו —

he lifted up his eyes,

וְהִנֵּה שְׁלֹשָׁה אֲנָשִׁים —

and there stood three men.

Chorus

וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו —

and the two of them walked together,

וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו —

together, with one heart.

Verse 3

Years go by, a voice is calling,

he hears his name, and he answers,

הִנֵּנִי —

here I am.

Rashi says, that is how the pious answer,

meek and ready, meek and ready.

Chorus

וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו —

and the two of them walked together,

וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו —

together, with one heart.

Verse 4

He rose up early in the morning,

Rashi says, eager to do the command.

He saddled the donkey himself,

no servant, no waiting,

Rashi says, love does not stand on ceremony.

Verse 5

The boy asks, where is the lamb?

אֱלֹקִים יִרְאֶה־לּוֹ הַשֶּׂה —

הַשֵּׁם will show the lamb, my son.

And Rashi says they walked on

with the same ready heart.

Chorus

וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו —

and the two of them walked together,

וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו —

together, with one heart.

Outro

וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו —

the two of them, together.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת וַיֵּרָא — the door is open, the guests are coming, let's go!

Chorus

וַיָּרָץ לִקְרָאתָם —

(he ran!) he ran out to greet them!

מִפֶּתַח הָאֹהֶל —

right from the door of the tent! (he ran!)

Verse 1

וְהִנֵּה שְׁלֹשָׁה אֲנָשִׁים — (three men!)

three guests are standing by the tent!

יֻקַּח־נָא מְעַט־מַיִם — (some water!)

a little water for your feet,

וְאֶקְחָה פַת־לֶחֶם — (some bread!)

and I will bring you bread!

מַהֲרִי שְׁלֹשׁ סְאִים — (hurry!)

hurry, bake the cakes, the finest flour!

Chorus

וַיָּרָץ לִקְרָאתָם —

(he ran!) he ran out to greet them!

מִפֶּתַח הָאֹהֶל —

right from the door of the tent! (he ran!)

Verse 2

וְהִנֵּה־בֵן לְשָׂרָה אִשְׁתֶּךָ — (a son!)

next year your wife will have a son!

וַתִּצְחַק שָׂרָה בְּקִרְבָּהּ — (she laughed!)

she laughed inside, so old, so old,

הֲיִפָּלֵא מֵהַשֵּׁם דָּבָר — (nothing!)

is anything too hard for הַשֵּׁם?

Chorus

וַיָּרָץ לִקְרָאתָם —

(he ran!) he ran out to greet them!

מִפֶּתַח הָאֹהֶל —

right from the door of the tent! (he ran!)

Verse 3

The wicked cities, and he stood to pray, (he prayed!)

הֲשֹׁפֵט כָּל־הָאָרֶץ — (the Judge!)

the Judge of all the earth will do what's right!

וְאָנֹכִי עָפָר וָאֵפֶר — (dust and ash!)

I am only dust and ash, he said,

fifty, forty, thirty, twenty, ten!

The wicked cities fell, (they fell!)

וַיִּזְכֹּר אֱלֹקִים אֶת־אַבְרָהָם — (remembered!)

הַשֵּׁם remembered him, and sent לוֹט out safe!

Chorus

וַיָּרָץ לִקְרָאתָם —

(he ran!) he ran out to greet them!

מִפֶּתַח הָאֹהֶל —

right from the door of the tent! (he ran!)

Verse 4

וַהַשֵּׁם פָּקַד אֶת־שָׂרָה — (He remembered!)

הַשֵּׁם remembered her, just as He said!

בֵּן לִזְקֻנָיו — (a baby!)

a son for his old age!

צְחֹק עָשָׂה לִי אֱלֹקִים — (laughter!)

הַשֵּׁם has given me laughter!

כָּל־הַשֹּׁמֵעַ יִצְחַק־לִי — (laugh with me!)

everyone who hears will laugh with me!

Chorus

וַיָּרָץ לִקְרָאתָם —

(he ran!) he ran out to greet them!

מִפֶּתַח הָאֹהֶל —

right from the door of the tent! (he ran!)

Verse 5

In the desert the water ran out, (ran out!)

אֶל־קוֹל הַנַּעַר — (He heard!)

הַשֵּׁם heard the voice of the boy,

וַתֵּרֶא בְּאֵר מָיִם — (a well!)

and she saw a well of water!

A treaty, seven sheep, a well, (seven!)

he planted a tree where they swore,

וַיִּקְרָא־שָׁם בְּשֵׁם הַשֵּׁם — (he called!)

and he called out there in the Name of הַשֵּׁם!

Chorus

וַיָּרָץ לִקְרָאתָם —

(he ran!) he ran out to greet them!

מִפֶּתַח הָאֹהֶל —

right from the door of the tent! (he ran!)

Verse 6

Then came the test, (the test!)

קַח־נָא אֶת־בִּנְךָ — (your son!)

take your son, up the mountain, wood and fire,

אַל־תִּשְׁלַח יָדְךָ אֶל־הַנַּעַר — (don't!)

do not touch the boy, the angel cried!

וְהִנֵּה־אַיִל — (a ram!)

a ram caught by its horns instead!

וְהִתְבָּרֲכוּ בְזַרְעֲךָ — (blessed!)

through your children, every nation blessed!

Chorus

וַיָּרָץ לִקְרָאתָם —

(he ran!) he ran out to greet them!

מִפֶּתַח הָאֹהֶל —

right from the door of the tent! (he ran!)

Outro

וַיָּרָץ לִקְרָאתָם —

he ran! Hey!

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת וַיֵּרָא — the door is open, the guests are coming, let's go!

Chorus

וַיָּרָץ לִקְרָאתָם —

(he ran!) he ran out to greet them!

מִפֶּתַח הָאֹהֶל —

right from the door of the tent! (he ran!)

Verse 1

וְהִנֵּה שְׁלֹשָׁה אֲנָשִׁים — (three men!)

three guests are standing by the tent!

יֻקַּח־נָא מְעַט־מַיִם — (some water!)

a little water for your feet,

וְאֶקְחָה פַת־לֶחֶם — (some bread!)

and I will bring you bread!

מַהֲרִי שְׁלֹשׁ סְאִים — (hurry!)

hurry, bake the cakes, the finest flour!

Chorus

וַיָּרָץ לִקְרָאתָם —

(he ran!) he ran out to greet them!

מִפֶּתַח הָאֹהֶל —

right from the door of the tent! (he ran!)

Verse 2

וְהִנֵּה־בֵן לְשָׂרָה אִשְׁתֶּךָ — (a son!)

next year your wife will have a son!

וַתִּצְחַק שָׂרָה בְּקִרְבָּהּ — (she laughed!)

she laughed inside, so old, so old,

הֲיִפָּלֵא מֵהַשֵּׁם דָּבָר — (nothing!)

is anything too hard for הַשֵּׁם?

Chorus

וַיָּרָץ לִקְרָאתָם —

(he ran!) he ran out to greet them!

מִפֶּתַח הָאֹהֶל —

right from the door of the tent! (he ran!)

Verse 3

The wicked cities, and he stood to pray, (he prayed!)

הֲשֹׁפֵט כָּל־הָאָרֶץ — (the Judge!)

the Judge of all the earth will do what's right!

וְאָנֹכִי עָפָר וָאֵפֶר — (dust and ash!)

I am only dust and ash, he said,

fifty, forty, thirty, twenty, ten!

The wicked cities fell, (they fell!)

וַיִּזְכֹּר אֱלֹקִים אֶת־אַבְרָהָם — (remembered!)

הַשֵּׁם remembered him, and sent לוֹט out safe!

Chorus

וַיָּרָץ לִקְרָאתָם —

(he ran!) he ran out to greet them!

מִפֶּתַח הָאֹהֶל —

right from the door of the tent! (he ran!)

Verse 4

וַהַשֵּׁם פָּקַד אֶת־שָׂרָה — (He remembered!)

הַשֵּׁם remembered her, just as He said!

בֵּן לִזְקֻנָיו — (a baby!)

a son for his old age!

צְחֹק עָשָׂה לִי אֱלֹקִים — (laughter!)

הַשֵּׁם has given me laughter!

כָּל־הַשֹּׁמֵעַ יִצְחַק־לִי — (laugh with me!)

everyone who hears will laugh with me!

Chorus

וַיָּרָץ לִקְרָאתָם —

(he ran!) he ran out to greet them!

מִפֶּתַח הָאֹהֶל —

right from the door of the tent! (he ran!)

Verse 5

In the desert the water ran out, (ran out!)

אֶל־קוֹל הַנַּעַר — (He heard!)

הַשֵּׁם heard the voice of the boy,

וַתֵּרֶא בְּאֵר מָיִם — (a well!)

and she saw a well of water!

A treaty, seven sheep, a well, (seven!)

he planted a tree where they swore,

וַיִּקְרָא־שָׁם בְּשֵׁם הַשֵּׁם — (he called!)

and he called out there in the Name of הַשֵּׁם!

Chorus

וַיָּרָץ לִקְרָאתָם —

(he ran!) he ran out to greet them!

מִפֶּתַח הָאֹהֶל —

right from the door of the tent! (he ran!)

Verse 6

Then came the test, (the test!)

קַח־נָא אֶת־בִּנְךָ — (your son!)

take your son, up the mountain, wood and fire,

אַל־תִּשְׁלַח יָדְךָ אֶל־הַנַּעַר — (don't!)

do not touch the boy, the angel cried!

וְהִנֵּה־אַיִל — (a ram!)

a ram caught by its horns instead!

וְהִתְבָּרֲכוּ בְזַרְעֲךָ — (blessed!)

through your children, every nation blessed!

Chorus

וַיָּרָץ לִקְרָאתָם —

(he ran!) he ran out to greet them!

מִפֶּתַח הָאֹהֶל —

right from the door of the tent! (he ran!)

Outro

וַיָּרָץ לִקְרָאתָם —

he ran! Hey!

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת וַיֵּרָא — come sit by the tent door. Guests are coming, and a promise that sounds too good to be true.

Chorus

הֲיִפָּלֵא מֵהַשֵּׁם דָּבָר —

is anything too hard for הַשֵּׁם?

nothing is too hard for הַשֵּׁם.

Spoken Word 1

וַיֵּרָא אֵלָיו הַשֵּׁם — הַשֵּׁם appeared to אַבְרָהָם as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. Rashi says He came to visit the sick, on the third day. Rashi says he sat by the door to see if anyone passed, to invite them in. וְהִנֵּה שְׁלֹשָׁה אֲנָשִׁים — three men stood there. וַיָּרָץ לִקְרָאתָם — he ran to greet them, Sforno says, right from the door.

Cakes of fine flour, a tender calf, and Rashi says he gave it to the young man to prepare, to train him in doing a מִצְוָה.

Chorus

הֲיִפָּלֵא מֵהַשֵּׁם דָּבָר —

is anything too hard for הַשֵּׁם?

nothing is too hard for הַשֵּׁם.

Spoken Word 2

Next year, said the guest, שָׂרָה will have a son. וַתִּצְחַק שָׂרָה בְּקִרְבָּהּ — she laughed inside, for they were both old. And הַשֵּׁם asked: why did she laugh? Is anything too hard for Me?

The guests looked out toward the wicked cities. יְצַוֶּה אֶת־בָּנָיו — אַבְרָהָם will teach his children, לַעֲשׂוֹת צְדָקָה וּמִשְׁפָּט — to do what is right and just, and Sforno says, to walk in the ways of הַשֵּׁם. So אַבְרָהָם prayed. הֲשֹׁפֵט כָּל־הָאָרֶץ — shall the Judge of all the earth not do justice? Fifty good people, down to ten. וְאָנֹכִי עָפָר וָאֵפֶר — I am only dust and ashes, he said, and each time הַשֵּׁם said yes.

Chorus

הֲיִפָּלֵא מֵהַשֵּׁם דָּבָר —

is anything too hard for הַשֵּׁם?

nothing is too hard for הַשֵּׁם.

Spoken Word 3

Two angels came to the city in the evening, and לוֹט took them home and fed them. The men of the city surrounded the house, and the angels struck them blind. At dawn לוֹט lingered, so they took him by the hand, with his wife and two daughters, בְּחֶמְלַת הַשֵּׁם עָלָיו — because הַשֵּׁם had pity on him. Fire came down on the wicked cities, and the wife of לוֹט looked back and became a pillar of salt. וַיִּזְכֹּר אֱלֹקִים אֶת־אַבְרָהָם — הַשֵּׁם remembered אַבְרָהָם, and לוֹט was saved. Later a king took שָׂרָה, and a dream made him give her back.

Chorus

הֲיִפָּלֵא מֵהַשֵּׁם דָּבָר —

is anything too hard for הַשֵּׁם?

nothing is too hard for הַשֵּׁם.

Spoken Word 4

וַהַשֵּׁם פָּקַד אֶת־שָׂרָה כַּאֲשֶׁר אָמָר — הַשֵּׁם remembered שָׂרָה, just as He said. A son, when אַבְרָהָם was a hundred years old, and his name was יִצְחָק. צְחֹק עָשָׂה לִי אֱלֹקִים — הַשֵּׁם has given me laughter, said שָׂרָה.

When הָגָר and her son were sent away, the water ran out in the מִדְבָּר, and she wept. אֶל־קוֹל הַנַּעַר בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם — הַשֵּׁם heard the voice of the boy, right where he was, and Rashi says a sick person's own prayer is heard more than any other. וַתֵּרֶא בְּאֵר מָיִם — and she saw a well of water. And אַבְרָהָם planted a tree and called out in the Name of הַשֵּׁם.

Chorus

הֲיִפָּלֵא מֵהַשֵּׁם דָּבָר —

is anything too hard for הַשֵּׁם?

nothing is too hard for הַשֵּׁם.

Spoken Word 5

וְהָאֱלֹקִים נִסָּה אֶת־אַבְרָהָם — then הַשֵּׁם tested אַבְרָהָם. הִנֵּנִי — here I am, he answered, and Rashi says, meek and ready. Take your son, your only one, whom you love, up a mountain I will show you. Where is the lamb, asked יִצְחָק. אֱלֹקִים יִרְאֶה־לּוֹ הַשֶּׂה — הַשֵּׁם will show the lamb, my son. And the two walked on together, Rashi says, with the same ready heart.

He built the מִזְבֵּחַ and bound his son, and an angel called: אַל־תִּשְׁלַח יָדְךָ אֶל־הַנַּעַר — do not touch the boy. וְהִנֵּה־אַיִל — there was a ram, caught by its horns, and he offered it instead. עֵקֶב אֲשֶׁר שָׁמַעְתָּ בְּקֹלִי — because you listened to My voice, all the nations will be blessed through your children.

Chorus

הֲיִפָּלֵא מֵהַשֵּׁם דָּבָר —

is anything too hard for הַשֵּׁם?

nothing is too hard for הַשֵּׁם.

Outro

הֲיִפָּלֵא מֵהַשֵּׁם דָּבָר —

nothing is too hard,

nothing at all.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת וַיֵּרָא — come sit by the tent door. Guests are coming, and a promise that sounds too good to be true.

Chorus

הֲיִפָּלֵא מֵהַשֵּׁם דָּבָר —

is anything too hard for הַשֵּׁם?

nothing is too hard for הַשֵּׁם.

Spoken Word 1

וַיֵּרָא אֵלָיו הַשֵּׁם — הַשֵּׁם appeared to אַבְרָהָם as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. Rashi says He came to visit the sick, on the third day. Rashi says he sat by the door to see if anyone passed, to invite them in. וְהִנֵּה שְׁלֹשָׁה אֲנָשִׁים — three men stood there. וַיָּרָץ לִקְרָאתָם — he ran to greet them, Sforno says, right from the door.

Cakes of fine flour, a tender calf, and Rashi says he gave it to the young man to prepare, to train him in doing a מִצְוָה.

Chorus

הֲיִפָּלֵא מֵהַשֵּׁם דָּבָר —

is anything too hard for הַשֵּׁם?

nothing is too hard for הַשֵּׁם.

Spoken Word 2

Next year, said the guest, שָׂרָה will have a son. וַתִּצְחַק שָׂרָה בְּקִרְבָּהּ — she laughed inside, for they were both old. And הַשֵּׁם asked: why did she laugh? Is anything too hard for Me?

The guests looked out toward the wicked cities. יְצַוֶּה אֶת־בָּנָיו — אַבְרָהָם will teach his children, לַעֲשׂוֹת צְדָקָה וּמִשְׁפָּט — to do what is right and just, and Sforno says, to walk in the ways of הַשֵּׁם. So אַבְרָהָם prayed. הֲשֹׁפֵט כָּל־הָאָרֶץ — shall the Judge of all the earth not do justice? Fifty good people, down to ten. וְאָנֹכִי עָפָר וָאֵפֶר — I am only dust and ashes, he said, and each time הַשֵּׁם said yes.

Chorus

הֲיִפָּלֵא מֵהַשֵּׁם דָּבָר —

is anything too hard for הַשֵּׁם?

nothing is too hard for הַשֵּׁם.

Spoken Word 3

Two angels came to the city in the evening, and לוֹט took them home and fed them. The men of the city surrounded the house, and the angels struck them blind. At dawn לוֹט lingered, so they took him by the hand, with his wife and two daughters, בְּחֶמְלַת הַשֵּׁם עָלָיו — because הַשֵּׁם had pity on him. Fire came down on the wicked cities, and the wife of לוֹט looked back and became a pillar of salt. וַיִּזְכֹּר אֱלֹקִים אֶת־אַבְרָהָם — הַשֵּׁם remembered אַבְרָהָם, and לוֹט was saved. Later a king took שָׂרָה, and a dream made him give her back.

Chorus

הֲיִפָּלֵא מֵהַשֵּׁם דָּבָר —

is anything too hard for הַשֵּׁם?

nothing is too hard for הַשֵּׁם.

Spoken Word 4

וַהַשֵּׁם פָּקַד אֶת־שָׂרָה כַּאֲשֶׁר אָמָר — הַשֵּׁם remembered שָׂרָה, just as He said. A son, when אַבְרָהָם was a hundred years old, and his name was יִצְחָק. צְחֹק עָשָׂה לִי אֱלֹקִים — הַשֵּׁם has given me laughter, said שָׂרָה.

When הָגָר and her son were sent away, the water ran out in the מִדְבָּר, and she wept. אֶל־קוֹל הַנַּעַר בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא־שָׁם — הַשֵּׁם heard the voice of the boy, right where he was, and Rashi says a sick person's own prayer is heard more than any other. וַתֵּרֶא בְּאֵר מָיִם — and she saw a well of water. And אַבְרָהָם planted a tree and called out in the Name of הַשֵּׁם.

Chorus

הֲיִפָּלֵא מֵהַשֵּׁם דָּבָר —

is anything too hard for הַשֵּׁם?

nothing is too hard for הַשֵּׁם.

Spoken Word 5

וְהָאֱלֹקִים נִסָּה אֶת־אַבְרָהָם — then הַשֵּׁם tested אַבְרָהָם. הִנֵּנִי — here I am, he answered, and Rashi says, meek and ready. Take your son, your only one, whom you love, up a mountain I will show you. Where is the lamb, asked יִצְחָק. אֱלֹקִים יִרְאֶה־לּוֹ הַשֶּׂה — הַשֵּׁם will show the lamb, my son. And the two walked on together, Rashi says, with the same ready heart.

He built the מִזְבֵּחַ and bound his son, and an angel called: אַל־תִּשְׁלַח יָדְךָ אֶל־הַנַּעַר — do not touch the boy. וְהִנֵּה־אַיִל — there was a ram, caught by its horns, and he offered it instead. עֵקֶב אֲשֶׁר שָׁמַעְתָּ בְּקֹלִי — because you listened to My voice, all the nations will be blessed through your children.

Chorus

הֲיִפָּלֵא מֵהַשֵּׁם דָּבָר —

is anything too hard for הַשֵּׁם?

nothing is too hard for הַשֵּׁם.

Outro

הֲיִפָּלֵא מֵהַשֵּׁם דָּבָר —

nothing is too hard,

nothing at all.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת וַיֵּרָא — one name called, one answer given.

Verse 1

In the heat of the day, at the door,

וַיִּשָּׂא עֵינָיו —

he lifted up his eyes,

וַיָּרָץ לִקְרָאתָם —

and he ran to meet them,

Sforno says, from the very door.

Pre-Chorus

Every guest and every road,

every call that comes to you —

Chorus

הִנֵּנִי —

here I am!

הִנֵּנִי —

here I am!

Meek and ready, meek and ready,

here I am, here I am!

Verse 2

Before the wicked cities fell,

he stood and prayed for them,

הֲשֹׁפֵט כָּל־הָאָרֶץ —

the Judge of all the earth,

וְאָנֹכִי עָפָר וָאֵפֶר —

and I am only dust and ash.

Pre-Chorus

Rashi says that's how the pious answer,

every call that comes to you —

Chorus

הִנֵּנִי —

here I am!

הִנֵּנִי —

here I am!

Meek and ready, meek and ready,

here I am, here I am!

Bridge

Up the mountain, wood and fire,

אֱלֹקִים יִרְאֶה־לּוֹ הַשֶּׂה —

הַשֵּׁם will show the lamb,

וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו —

and the two walked on together.

אַל־תִּשְׁלַח יָדְךָ אֶל־הַנַּעַר —

do not touch the boy!

בְּהַר הַשֵּׁם יֵרָאֶה —

on the mountain of הַשֵּׁם, He will be seen!

Chorus

הִנֵּנִי —

here I am!

הִנֵּנִי —

here I am!

Meek and ready, meek and ready,

here I am, here I am!

Chorus

הִנֵּנִי —

here I am!

הִנֵּנִי —

here I am!

Meek and ready, meek and ready,

here I am, here I am!

Outro

עֵקֶב אֲשֶׁר שָׁמַעְתָּ בְּקֹלִי —

because you listened to My voice.

הִנֵּנִי —

here I am.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת וַיֵּרָא — one name called, one answer given.

Verse 1

In the heat of the day, at the door,

וַיִּשָּׂא עֵינָיו —

he lifted up his eyes,

וַיָּרָץ לִקְרָאתָם —

and he ran to meet them,

Sforno says, from the very door.

Pre-Chorus

Every guest and every road,

every call that comes to you —

Chorus

הִנֵּנִי —

here I am!

הִנֵּנִי —

here I am!

Meek and ready, meek and ready,

here I am, here I am!

Verse 2

Before the wicked cities fell,

he stood and prayed for them,

הֲשֹׁפֵט כָּל־הָאָרֶץ —

the Judge of all the earth,

וְאָנֹכִי עָפָר וָאֵפֶר —

and I am only dust and ash.

Pre-Chorus

Rashi says that's how the pious answer,

every call that comes to you —

Chorus

הִנֵּנִי —

here I am!

הִנֵּנִי —

here I am!

Meek and ready, meek and ready,

here I am, here I am!

Bridge

Up the mountain, wood and fire,

אֱלֹקִים יִרְאֶה־לּוֹ הַשֶּׂה —

הַשֵּׁם will show the lamb,

וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו —

and the two walked on together.

אַל־תִּשְׁלַח יָדְךָ אֶל־הַנַּעַר —

do not touch the boy!

בְּהַר הַשֵּׁם יֵרָאֶה —

on the mountain of הַשֵּׁם, He will be seen!

Chorus

הִנֵּנִי —

here I am!

הִנֵּנִי —

here I am!

Meek and ready, meek and ready,

here I am, here I am!

Chorus

הִנֵּנִי —

here I am!

הִנֵּנִי —

here I am!

Meek and ready, meek and ready,

here I am, here I am!

Outro

עֵקֶב אֲשֶׁר שָׁמַעְתָּ בְּקֹלִי —

because you listened to My voice.

הִנֵּנִי —

here I am.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת וַיֵּרָא — a father and a son, walking up a mountain.

Verse 1

בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁי —

on the third day,

he lifted up his eyes,

וַיַּרְא אֶת־הַמָּקוֹם מֵרָחֹק —

and he saw the place from far away.

He laid the wood upon his son,

the fire and the knife in his own hand,

וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו —

and the two of them walked together.

Verse 2

Then the boy spoke softly,

אָבִי —

my father.

הִנֶּנִּי בְנִי —

here I am, my son.

הִנֵּה הָאֵשׁ וְהָעֵצִים —

here is the fire, here is the wood,

וְאַיֵּה הַשֶּׂה לְעֹלָה —

but where is the lamb?

Pre-Chorus

And the father looked at his son,

and gently he said —

Chorus

אֱלֹקִים יִרְאֶה־לּוֹ הַשֶּׂה —

הַשֵּׁם will show the lamb,

הַשֵּׁם will show the lamb, my son.

וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו —

and the two walked on together.

Verse 3

Up the mountain, step by step,

no more questions on the road,

Rashi says they walked on

with the same ready heart.

וַיָּבֹאוּ אֶל־הַמָּקוֹם —

and they came to the place.

Chorus

אֱלֹקִים יִרְאֶה־לּוֹ הַשֶּׂה —

הַשֵּׁם will show the lamb,

הַשֵּׁם will show the lamb, my son.

וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו —

and the two walked on together.

Bridge

He built the מִזְבֵּחַ there,

he bound his son and laid him on the wood.

Then a voice called out from heaven,

אַבְרָהָם, אַבְרָהָם —

calling him by name, twice.

אַל־תִּשְׁלַח יָדְךָ אֶל־הַנַּעַר —

do not touch the boy.

וְהִנֵּה־אַיִל —

and there, a ram,

caught by its horns in the thicket,

and he brought it up instead of his son.

Chorus

אֱלֹקִים יִרְאֶה־לּוֹ הַשֶּׂה —

הַשֵּׁם will show the lamb,

הַשֵּׁם will show the lamb, my son.

וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו —

and the two walked on together.

Outro

בְּהַר הַשֵּׁם יֵרָאֶה —

on the mountain of הַשֵּׁם, He will be seen.

He will show the lamb, my son.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת וַיֵּרָא — a father and a son, walking up a mountain.

Verse 1

בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁי —

on the third day,

he lifted up his eyes,

וַיַּרְא אֶת־הַמָּקוֹם מֵרָחֹק —

and he saw the place from far away.

He laid the wood upon his son,

the fire and the knife in his own hand,

וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו —

and the two of them walked together.

Verse 2

Then the boy spoke softly,

אָבִי —

my father.

הִנֶּנִּי בְנִי —

here I am, my son.

הִנֵּה הָאֵשׁ וְהָעֵצִים —

here is the fire, here is the wood,

וְאַיֵּה הַשֶּׂה לְעֹלָה —

but where is the lamb?

Pre-Chorus

And the father looked at his son,

and gently he said —

Chorus

אֱלֹקִים יִרְאֶה־לּוֹ הַשֶּׂה —

הַשֵּׁם will show the lamb,

הַשֵּׁם will show the lamb, my son.

וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו —

and the two walked on together.

Verse 3

Up the mountain, step by step,

no more questions on the road,

Rashi says they walked on

with the same ready heart.

וַיָּבֹאוּ אֶל־הַמָּקוֹם —

and they came to the place.

Chorus

אֱלֹקִים יִרְאֶה־לּוֹ הַשֶּׂה —

הַשֵּׁם will show the lamb,

הַשֵּׁם will show the lamb, my son.

וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו —

and the two walked on together.

Bridge

He built the מִזְבֵּחַ there,

he bound his son and laid him on the wood.

Then a voice called out from heaven,

אַבְרָהָם, אַבְרָהָם —

calling him by name, twice.

אַל־תִּשְׁלַח יָדְךָ אֶל־הַנַּעַר —

do not touch the boy.

וְהִנֵּה־אַיִל —

and there, a ram,

caught by its horns in the thicket,

and he brought it up instead of his son.

Chorus

אֱלֹקִים יִרְאֶה־לּוֹ הַשֶּׂה —

הַשֵּׁם will show the lamb,

הַשֵּׁם will show the lamb, my son.

וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו —

and the two walked on together.

Outro

בְּהַר הַשֵּׁם יֵרָאֶה —

on the mountain of הַשֵּׁם, He will be seen.

He will show the lamb, my son.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת כִּי־תָבוֹא — the parsha that keeps saying one word: הַיּוֹם. Today.

Chorus

הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה — this very day,

נִהְיֵיתָ לְעָם — you became His nation today.

And Rashi says: every single day,

let the בְּרִית be new as though it started today.

Verse 1

וְלָקַחְתָּ מֵרֵאשִׁית כָּל־פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה —

the first fruit of the land goes in the basket,

up to the place הַשֵּׁם will choose to rest His name,

וְעָנִיתָ וְאָמַרְתָּ — and he says it out loud.

And Rashi brings from Sotah: what is וְעָנִיתָ?

A voice that is not shy and does not hide —

he tells it loud: אֲרַמִּי אֹבֵד אָבִי —

and הַשֵּׁם brought us out with a strong hand.

Chorus

הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה — this very day,

נִהְיֵיתָ לְעָם — you became His nation today.

And Rashi says: every single day,

let the בְּרִית be new as though it started today.

Verse 2

And when the basket stands before the מִזְבֵּחַ,

a בַּת קוֹל answers, so the Midrash says —

you brought your בִּכּוּרִים today — you brought them,

and you will merit to bring them next year again.

בִּעַרְתִּי הַקֹּדֶשׁ מִן־הַבַּיִת —

I cleared the holy portions from my home,

and gave them to the לֵוִי and the orphan,

then הַשְׁקִיפָה מִמְּעוֹן קָדְשְׁךָ —

look down from Your holy place, and bless.

Chorus

הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה — this very day,

נִהְיֵיתָ לְעָם — you became His nation today.

And Rashi says: every single day,

let the בְּרִית be new as though it started today.

Verse 3

On great stones coated white the תּוֹרָה is written,

on הַר גְּרִזִים and עֵיבָל we stand,

six שְׁבָטִים here, six שְׁבָטִים facing,

and every answer — אָמֵן — across the land.

The בְּרָכוֹת and the warning both were spoken,

תַּחַת אֲשֶׁר לֹא־עָבַדְתָּ אֶת־הַשֵּׁם אֱלֹקֶיךָ בְּשִׂמְחָה —

it all comes down to serving Him with gladness,

when everything was good and in your hand.

Chorus

הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה — this very day,

נִהְיֵיתָ לְעָם — you became His nation today.

And Rashi says: every single day,

let the בְּרִית be new as though it started today.

Verse 4

וָאוֹלֵךְ אֶתְכֶם אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה — I led you forty years,

and your cloak never wore thin upon your frame,

וְלֹא־נָתַן הַשֵּׁם לָכֶם לֵב לָדַעַת —

and Rashi says: a heart to know His name,

to recognize the חֶסֶד of the מָקוֹם,

and to hold Him fast.

עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה — until this very day, He says it,

and every day the בְּרִית is new as the last.

Chorus

הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה — this very day,

נִהְיֵיתָ לְעָם — you became His nation today.

And Rashi says: every single day,

let the בְּרִית be new as though it started today.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת כִּי־תָבוֹא — the parsha that keeps saying one word: הַיּוֹם. Today.

Chorus

הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה — this very day,

נִהְיֵיתָ לְעָם — you became His nation today.

And Rashi says: every single day,

let the בְּרִית be new as though it started today.

Verse 1

וְלָקַחְתָּ מֵרֵאשִׁית כָּל־פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה —

the first fruit of the land goes in the basket,

up to the place הַשֵּׁם will choose to rest His name,

וְעָנִיתָ וְאָמַרְתָּ — and he says it out loud.

And Rashi brings from Sotah: what is וְעָנִיתָ?

A voice that is not shy and does not hide —

he tells it loud: אֲרַמִּי אֹבֵד אָבִי —

and הַשֵּׁם brought us out with a strong hand.

Chorus

הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה — this very day,

נִהְיֵיתָ לְעָם — you became His nation today.

And Rashi says: every single day,

let the בְּרִית be new as though it started today.

Verse 2

And when the basket stands before the מִזְבֵּחַ,

a בַּת קוֹל answers, so the Midrash says —

you brought your בִּכּוּרִים today — you brought them,

and you will merit to bring them next year again.

בִּעַרְתִּי הַקֹּדֶשׁ מִן־הַבַּיִת —

I cleared the holy portions from my home,

and gave them to the לֵוִי and the orphan,

then הַשְׁקִיפָה מִמְּעוֹן קָדְשְׁךָ —

look down from Your holy place, and bless.

Chorus

הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה — this very day,

נִהְיֵיתָ לְעָם — you became His nation today.

And Rashi says: every single day,

let the בְּרִית be new as though it started today.

Verse 3

On great stones coated white the תּוֹרָה is written,

on הַר גְּרִזִים and עֵיבָל we stand,

six שְׁבָטִים here, six שְׁבָטִים facing,

and every answer — אָמֵן — across the land.

The בְּרָכוֹת and the warning both were spoken,

תַּחַת אֲשֶׁר לֹא־עָבַדְתָּ אֶת־הַשֵּׁם אֱלֹקֶיךָ בְּשִׂמְחָה —

it all comes down to serving Him with gladness,

when everything was good and in your hand.

Chorus

הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה — this very day,

נִהְיֵיתָ לְעָם — you became His nation today.

And Rashi says: every single day,

let the בְּרִית be new as though it started today.

Verse 4

וָאוֹלֵךְ אֶתְכֶם אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה — I led you forty years,

and your cloak never wore thin upon your frame,

וְלֹא־נָתַן הַשֵּׁם לָכֶם לֵב לָדַעַת —

and Rashi says: a heart to know His name,

to recognize the חֶסֶד of the מָקוֹם,

and to hold Him fast.

עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה — until this very day, He says it,

and every day the בְּרִית is new as the last.

Chorus

הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה — this very day,

נִהְיֵיתָ לְעָם — you became His nation today.

And Rashi says: every single day,

let the בְּרִית be new as though it started today.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת כִּי־תָבוֹא! When you come into the land — and the first fruits ripen.

Chorus

וְשָׂמַחְתָּ בְכָל־הַטּוֹב —

rejoice in all the good!

אֲשֶׁר נָתַן־לְךָ —

all the good He gave to you!

Verse 1

The first fig ripens on the tree — into the basket!

Up to the place הַשֵּׁם will choose — carry the basket!

וְלָקַחְתָּ מֵרֵאשִׁית כָּל־פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה —

the first of all the fruit of the ground,

the כֹּהֵן takes it from your hand — set down the basket!

Chorus

וְשָׂמַחְתָּ בְכָל־הַטּוֹב —

rejoice in all the good!

אֲשֶׁר נָתַן־לְךָ —

all the good He gave to you!

Verse 2

Say it out loud: אֲרַמִּי אֹבֵד אָבִי —

my father was nearly lost, we were slaves in מִצְרַיִם,

but הַשֵּׁם took us out — בְּיָד חֲזָקָה וּבִזְרֹעַ נְטוּיָה —

with a strong and mighty hand,

to a land of milk and honey — so set the basket down!

Chorus

וְשָׂמַחְתָּ בְכָל־הַטּוֹב —

rejoice in all the good!

אֲשֶׁר נָתַן־לְךָ —

all the good He gave to you!

Verse 3

הַיּוֹם! הַיּוֹם! This very day —

אֶת־הַשֵּׁם הֶאֱמַרְתָּ הַיּוֹם —

you declared הַשֵּׁם your God today!

And He declared you His treasure —

לְעַם סְגֻלָּה — His treasured nation, today!

Chorus

וְשָׂמַחְתָּ בְכָל־הַטּוֹב —

rejoice in all the good!

אֲשֶׁר נָתַן־לְךָ —

all the good He gave to you!

Verse 4

On great white stones the תּוֹרָה stands,

גְּרִזִים and עֵיבָל across the land,

six and six and the answer — אָמֵן! —

וְשָׂמַחְתָּ — rejoice with all you have in hand!

Chorus

וְשָׂמַחְתָּ בְכָל־הַטּוֹב —

rejoice in all the good!

אֲשֶׁר נָתַן־לְךָ —

all the good He gave to you!

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת כִּי־תָבוֹא! When you come into the land — and the first fruits ripen.

Chorus

וְשָׂמַחְתָּ בְכָל־הַטּוֹב —

rejoice in all the good!

אֲשֶׁר נָתַן־לְךָ —

all the good He gave to you!

Verse 1

The first fig ripens on the tree — into the basket!

Up to the place הַשֵּׁם will choose — carry the basket!

וְלָקַחְתָּ מֵרֵאשִׁית כָּל־פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה —

the first of all the fruit of the ground,

the כֹּהֵן takes it from your hand — set down the basket!

Chorus

וְשָׂמַחְתָּ בְכָל־הַטּוֹב —

rejoice in all the good!

אֲשֶׁר נָתַן־לְךָ —

all the good He gave to you!

Verse 2

Say it out loud: אֲרַמִּי אֹבֵד אָבִי —

my father was nearly lost, we were slaves in מִצְרַיִם,

but הַשֵּׁם took us out — בְּיָד חֲזָקָה וּבִזְרֹעַ נְטוּיָה —

with a strong and mighty hand,

to a land of milk and honey — so set the basket down!

Chorus

וְשָׂמַחְתָּ בְכָל־הַטּוֹב —

rejoice in all the good!

אֲשֶׁר נָתַן־לְךָ —

all the good He gave to you!

Verse 3

הַיּוֹם! הַיּוֹם! This very day —

אֶת־הַשֵּׁם הֶאֱמַרְתָּ הַיּוֹם —

you declared הַשֵּׁם your God today!

And He declared you His treasure —

לְעַם סְגֻלָּה — His treasured nation, today!

Chorus

וְשָׂמַחְתָּ בְכָל־הַטּוֹב —

rejoice in all the good!

אֲשֶׁר נָתַן־לְךָ —

all the good He gave to you!

Verse 4

On great white stones the תּוֹרָה stands,

גְּרִזִים and עֵיבָל across the land,

six and six and the answer — אָמֵן! —

וְשָׂמַחְתָּ — rejoice with all you have in hand!

Chorus

וְשָׂמַחְתָּ בְכָל־הַטּוֹב —

rejoice in all the good!

אֲשֶׁר נָתַן־לְךָ —

all the good He gave to you!

Spoken Word

This week's parsha — פָּרָשַׁת כִּי־תָבוֹא. When you come into the land. Listen to what happens.

Chorus

כִּי־תָבוֹא אֶל־הָאָרֶץ —

when you come into the land,

אֲשֶׁר הַשֵּׁם אֱלֹקֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ —

that הַשֵּׁם places in your hand.

Spoken Word

Picture a farmer, early in the morning, walking the rows of his orchard. And there it is — the first fig of the season. The Mishnah in Bikkurim describes it: he ties a reed-rope around it and says — הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ בִּכּוּרִים. — let these be בִּכּוּרִים. When it ripens he lays it in a basket and goes up — up to the place הַשֵּׁם has chosen. The כֹּהֵן takes the basket, sets it before the מִזְבֵּחַ, and now the farmer must speak. Out loud — וְעָנִיתָ וְאָמַרְתָּ — and Rashi brings from Sotah that it means a raised voice. And what does he say? A whole history in five פְּסוּקִים: אֲרַמִּי אֹבֵד אָבִי. My father was almost destroyed. We went down to מִצְרַיִם few in number. They worked us, they broke us, we cried out — and הַשֵּׁם heard, and took us out — בְּיָד חֲזָקָה וּבִזְרֹעַ נְטוּיָה — with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, and brought us here, to a land flowing with milk and honey. And now — הִנֵּה הֵבֵאתִי — see, I have brought the first of the fruit of the land that You gave me.

Chorus

כִּי־תָבוֹא אֶל־הָאָרֶץ —

when you come into the land,

אֲשֶׁר הַשֵּׁם אֱלֹקֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ —

that הַשֵּׁם places in your hand.

Spoken Word

In the third year, the house gets cleared. Every tithe goes where it belongs — the לֵוִי, the גֵּר, the orphan, the widow — and then a man stands and makes an accounting out loud: בִּעַרְתִּי הַקֹּדֶשׁ מִן־הַבַּיִת — I have cleared the holy portions out of my house, it all went where it belongs. I did not eat it in mourning, I did not forget. And then he turns the accounting into a תְּפִלָּה: הַשְׁקִיפָה מִמְּעוֹן קָדְשְׁךָ — look down from Your holy dwelling, and bless Your people. And then the parsha says a word it will not stop saying: הַיּוֹם. Today. This very day הַשֵּׁם commands you. Today — you declared Him your God. Today — He declared you His treasure, לְעַם סְגֻלָּה. And Rashi says: every single day it should be in your eyes like the day you entered the בְּרִית.

Chorus

כִּי־תָבוֹא אֶל־הָאָרֶץ —

when you come into the land,

אֲשֶׁר הַשֵּׁם אֱלֹקֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ —

that הַשֵּׁם places in your hand.

Spoken Word

Now מֹשֶׁה looks across the יַרְדֵּן. When you cross, he says, raise up great stones and coat them with plaster, and write on them all the words of this תּוֹרָה. Build a מִזְבֵּחַ of whole stones — no iron has touched them — and rejoice. And then, the scene the parsha is famous for: six שְׁבָטִים standing on הַר גְּרִזִים, six on הַר עֵיבָל, the לְוִיִּם in the valley between. A voice calls out across the valley — and the whole nation, every man, answers: אָמֵן. The בְּרָכוֹת are read. And then the תּוֹכָחָה — long, and hard, and honest. And in the middle of it, one pasuk explains everything: תַּחַת אֲשֶׁר לֹא־עָבַדְתָּ אֶת־הַשֵּׁם אֱלֹקֶיךָ בְּשִׂמְחָה — because you did not serve הַשֵּׁם with joy, when you had everything.

Chorus

כִּי־תָבוֹא אֶל־הָאָרֶץ —

when you come into the land,

אֲשֶׁר הַשֵּׁם אֱלֹקֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ —

that הַשֵּׁם places in your hand.

Spoken Word

And at the end, מֹשֶׁה gathers them and points backwards. You saw it yourselves, he says. The wonders in מִצְרַיִם. Forty years in the מִדְבָּר — וָאוֹלֵךְ אֶתְכֶם אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה — and your clothes never wore out, and the shoe never wore off your foot. And Rashi says on וְלֹא־נָתַן הַשֵּׁם לָכֶם לֵב לָדַעַת — a heart to know — that it means to recognize the חֶסֶד of the מָקוֹם, and to hold fast to Him. Keep the words of this בְּרִית, מֹשֶׁה finishes — so that you succeed in everything you do.

Chorus

כִּי־תָבוֹא אֶל־הָאָרֶץ —

when you come into the land,

אֲשֶׁר הַשֵּׁם אֱלֹקֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ —

that הַשֵּׁם places in your hand.

Spoken Word

This week's parsha — פָּרָשַׁת כִּי־תָבוֹא. When you come into the land. Listen to what happens.

Chorus

כִּי־תָבוֹא אֶל־הָאָרֶץ —

when you come into the land,

אֲשֶׁר הַשֵּׁם אֱלֹקֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ —

that הַשֵּׁם places in your hand.

Spoken Word

Picture a farmer, early in the morning, walking the rows of his orchard. And there it is — the first fig of the season. The Mishnah in Bikkurim describes it: he ties a reed-rope around it and says — הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ בִּכּוּרִים. — let these be בִּכּוּרִים. When it ripens he lays it in a basket and goes up — up to the place הַשֵּׁם has chosen. The כֹּהֵן takes the basket, sets it before the מִזְבֵּחַ, and now the farmer must speak. Out loud — וְעָנִיתָ וְאָמַרְתָּ — and Rashi brings from Sotah that it means a raised voice. And what does he say? A whole history in five פְּסוּקִים: אֲרַמִּי אֹבֵד אָבִי. My father was almost destroyed. We went down to מִצְרַיִם few in number. They worked us, they broke us, we cried out — and הַשֵּׁם heard, and took us out — בְּיָד חֲזָקָה וּבִזְרֹעַ נְטוּיָה — with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, and brought us here, to a land flowing with milk and honey. And now — הִנֵּה הֵבֵאתִי — see, I have brought the first of the fruit of the land that You gave me.

Chorus

כִּי־תָבוֹא אֶל־הָאָרֶץ —

when you come into the land,

אֲשֶׁר הַשֵּׁם אֱלֹקֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ —

that הַשֵּׁם places in your hand.

Spoken Word

In the third year, the house gets cleared. Every tithe goes where it belongs — the לֵוִי, the גֵּר, the orphan, the widow — and then a man stands and makes an accounting out loud: בִּעַרְתִּי הַקֹּדֶשׁ מִן־הַבַּיִת — I have cleared the holy portions out of my house, it all went where it belongs. I did not eat it in mourning, I did not forget. And then he turns the accounting into a תְּפִלָּה: הַשְׁקִיפָה מִמְּעוֹן קָדְשְׁךָ — look down from Your holy dwelling, and bless Your people. And then the parsha says a word it will not stop saying: הַיּוֹם. Today. This very day הַשֵּׁם commands you. Today — you declared Him your God. Today — He declared you His treasure, לְעַם סְגֻלָּה. And Rashi says: every single day it should be in your eyes like the day you entered the בְּרִית.

Chorus

כִּי־תָבוֹא אֶל־הָאָרֶץ —

when you come into the land,

אֲשֶׁר הַשֵּׁם אֱלֹקֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ —

that הַשֵּׁם places in your hand.

Spoken Word

Now מֹשֶׁה looks across the יַרְדֵּן. When you cross, he says, raise up great stones and coat them with plaster, and write on them all the words of this תּוֹרָה. Build a מִזְבֵּחַ of whole stones — no iron has touched them — and rejoice. And then, the scene the parsha is famous for: six שְׁבָטִים standing on הַר גְּרִזִים, six on הַר עֵיבָל, the לְוִיִּם in the valley between. A voice calls out across the valley — and the whole nation, every man, answers: אָמֵן. The בְּרָכוֹת are read. And then the תּוֹכָחָה — long, and hard, and honest. And in the middle of it, one pasuk explains everything: תַּחַת אֲשֶׁר לֹא־עָבַדְתָּ אֶת־הַשֵּׁם אֱלֹקֶיךָ בְּשִׂמְחָה — because you did not serve הַשֵּׁם with joy, when you had everything.

Chorus

כִּי־תָבוֹא אֶל־הָאָרֶץ —

when you come into the land,

אֲשֶׁר הַשֵּׁם אֱלֹקֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ —

that הַשֵּׁם places in your hand.

Spoken Word

And at the end, מֹשֶׁה gathers them and points backwards. You saw it yourselves, he says. The wonders in מִצְרַיִם. Forty years in the מִדְבָּר — וָאוֹלֵךְ אֶתְכֶם אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה — and your clothes never wore out, and the shoe never wore off your foot. And Rashi says on וְלֹא־נָתַן הַשֵּׁם לָכֶם לֵב לָדַעַת — a heart to know — that it means to recognize the חֶסֶד of the מָקוֹם, and to hold fast to Him. Keep the words of this בְּרִית, מֹשֶׁה finishes — so that you succeed in everything you do.

Chorus

כִּי־תָבוֹא אֶל־הָאָרֶץ —

when you come into the land,

אֲשֶׁר הַשֵּׁם אֱלֹקֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ —

that הַשֵּׁם places in your hand.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת כִּי־תָבוֹא. When you come into the land — this is what you say.

Verse 1

I walked out to my orchard

and the first fruit caught the sun.

The Mishnah says you tie a reed around it —

this one, הַשֵּׁם, this one is Yours.

I laid it in a basket,

I carried it up the road,

and standing in the place You chose,

I said it loud, the story that we know:

Chorus

אֲרַמִּי אֹבֵד אָבִי —

they tried to wipe my father out!

But You heard us and You brought us out —

בְּיָד חֲזָקָה וּבִזְרֹעַ נְטוּיָה —

with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm!

הִנֵּה הֵבֵאתִי — here, I have brought

the very first of everything You gave —

it all came from Your hand!

Verse 2

הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה — this very day,

You called us Yours and we called You ours.

Not yesterday, not far away —

today, today, today.

Chorus

אֲרַמִּי אֹבֵד אָבִי —

they tried to wipe my father out!

But You heard us and You brought us out —

בְּיָד חֲזָקָה וּבִזְרֹעַ נְטוּיָה —

with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm!

הִנֵּה הֵבֵאתִי — here, I have brought

the very first of everything You gave —

it all came from Your hand!

Bridge

And when the blessings and the warnings both were spoken,

one line held the reason it all stands or it all breaks:

did you serve Him with joy —

בְּשִׂמְחָה וּבְטוּב לֵבָב —

with joy and a good heart, when you had it all?

Final Chorus

וְשָׂמַחְתָּ בְכָל־הַטּוֹב —

so rejoice in all the good!

Rejoice in all the good He gave you —

it all came from His hand!

It all came from Your hand!

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת כִּי־תָבוֹא. When you come into the land — this is what you say.

Verse 1

I walked out to my orchard

and the first fruit caught the sun.

The Mishnah says you tie a reed around it —

this one, הַשֵּׁם, this one is Yours.

I laid it in a basket,

I carried it up the road,

and standing in the place You chose,

I said it loud, the story that we know:

Chorus

אֲרַמִּי אֹבֵד אָבִי —

they tried to wipe my father out!

But You heard us and You brought us out —

בְּיָד חֲזָקָה וּבִזְרֹעַ נְטוּיָה —

with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm!

הִנֵּה הֵבֵאתִי — here, I have brought

the very first of everything You gave —

it all came from Your hand!

Verse 2

הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה — this very day,

You called us Yours and we called You ours.

Not yesterday, not far away —

today, today, today.

Chorus

אֲרַמִּי אֹבֵד אָבִי —

they tried to wipe my father out!

But You heard us and You brought us out —

בְּיָד חֲזָקָה וּבִזְרֹעַ נְטוּיָה —

with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm!

הִנֵּה הֵבֵאתִי — here, I have brought

the very first of everything You gave —

it all came from Your hand!

Bridge

And when the blessings and the warnings both were spoken,

one line held the reason it all stands or it all breaks:

did you serve Him with joy —

בְּשִׂמְחָה וּבְטוּב לֵבָב —

with joy and a good heart, when you had it all?

Final Chorus

וְשָׂמַחְתָּ בְכָל־הַטּוֹב —

so rejoice in all the good!

Rejoice in all the good He gave you —

it all came from His hand!

It all came from Your hand!

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת כִּי־תָבוֹא —

one farmer, one basket, one voice.

Verse 1

He walks down into his field,

and sees the first fig ripe.

The מִשְׁנָה says he ties a reed around it,

and he says these words —

הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ בִּכּוּרִים —

these are my first fruits.

וְשַׂמְתָּ בַטֶּנֶא —

he lays them in a basket,

and walks the long road up

to the place הַשֵּׁם has chosen.

Verse 2

וְלָקַח הַכֹּהֵן הַטֶּנֶא מִיָּדֶךָ —

the כֹּהֵן takes the basket from his hand,

and sets it down before the מִזְבֵּחַ,

and now the farmer has to speak.

אֲרַמִּי אֹבֵד אָבִי —

my father was nearly lost.

וַיֵּרֶד מִצְרַיְמָה —

he went down to מִצְרַיִם,

just a few of us, so small.

וַיָּרֵעוּ אֹתָנוּ הַמִּצְרִים —

they were hard on us, the work was heavy,

וַנִּצְעַק —

and we cried out.

Chorus

וַיִּשְׁמַע הַשֵּׁם אֶת־קֹלֵנוּ —

and He heard our voice.

We cried out to Him,

and He heard our voice.

וַיִּשְׁמַע הַשֵּׁם אֶת־קֹלֵנוּ —

He heard, He heard our voice.

Verse 3

וַיּוֹצִאֵנוּ הַשֵּׁם מִמִּצְרַיִם —

He took us out of מִצְרַיִם,

וַיְבִאֵנוּ אֶל־הַמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה —

and brought us to this place.

The basket at the מִזְבֵּחַ,

the farmer speaks again —

וְעַתָּה הִנֵּה הֵבֵאתִי —

and now, look, I have brought

the first fruit of the land,

אֲשֶׁר־נָתַתָּה לִּי —

that You have given me.

Chorus

וַיִּשְׁמַע הַשֵּׁם אֶת־קֹלֵנוּ —

and He heard our voice.

We cried out to Him,

and He heard our voice.

וַיִּשְׁמַע הַשֵּׁם אֶת־קֹלֵנוּ —

He heard, He heard our voice.

Bridge

And Rashi says a voice from heaven,

a בַּת קוֹל, blesses him —

הֵבֵאתָ בִכּוּרִים הַיּוֹם —

you brought your first fruits today,

תִּזְכֶּה לְשָׁנָה הַבָּאָה —

you will bring them next year too.

Final Chorus

וַיִּשְׁמַע הַשֵּׁם אֶת־קֹלֵנוּ —

and He heard our voice.

We cried out to Him,

and He heard our voice.

וַיִּשְׁמַע הַשֵּׁם אֶת־קֹלֵנוּ —

He heard, He heard our voice.

Outro

וַיִּשְׁמַע הַשֵּׁם אֶת־קֹלֵנוּ —

and He heard our voice.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת כִּי־תָבוֹא —

one farmer, one basket, one voice.

Verse 1

He walks down into his field,

and sees the first fig ripe.

The מִשְׁנָה says he ties a reed around it,

and he says these words —

הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ בִּכּוּרִים —

these are my first fruits.

וְשַׂמְתָּ בַטֶּנֶא —

he lays them in a basket,

and walks the long road up

to the place הַשֵּׁם has chosen.

Verse 2

וְלָקַח הַכֹּהֵן הַטֶּנֶא מִיָּדֶךָ —

the כֹּהֵן takes the basket from his hand,

and sets it down before the מִזְבֵּחַ,

and now the farmer has to speak.

אֲרַמִּי אֹבֵד אָבִי —

my father was nearly lost.

וַיֵּרֶד מִצְרַיְמָה —

he went down to מִצְרַיִם,

just a few of us, so small.

וַיָּרֵעוּ אֹתָנוּ הַמִּצְרִים —

they were hard on us, the work was heavy,

וַנִּצְעַק —

and we cried out.

Chorus

וַיִּשְׁמַע הַשֵּׁם אֶת־קֹלֵנוּ —

and He heard our voice.

We cried out to Him,

and He heard our voice.

וַיִּשְׁמַע הַשֵּׁם אֶת־קֹלֵנוּ —

He heard, He heard our voice.

Verse 3

וַיּוֹצִאֵנוּ הַשֵּׁם מִמִּצְרַיִם —

He took us out of מִצְרַיִם,

וַיְבִאֵנוּ אֶל־הַמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה —

and brought us to this place.

The basket at the מִזְבֵּחַ,

the farmer speaks again —

וְעַתָּה הִנֵּה הֵבֵאתִי —

and now, look, I have brought

the first fruit of the land,

אֲשֶׁר־נָתַתָּה לִּי —

that You have given me.

Chorus

וַיִּשְׁמַע הַשֵּׁם אֶת־קֹלֵנוּ —

and He heard our voice.

We cried out to Him,

and He heard our voice.

וַיִּשְׁמַע הַשֵּׁם אֶת־קֹלֵנוּ —

He heard, He heard our voice.

Bridge

And Rashi says a voice from heaven,

a בַּת קוֹל, blesses him —

הֵבֵאתָ בִכּוּרִים הַיּוֹם —

you brought your first fruits today,

תִּזְכֶּה לְשָׁנָה הַבָּאָה —

you will bring them next year too.

Final Chorus

וַיִּשְׁמַע הַשֵּׁם אֶת־קֹלֵנוּ —

and He heard our voice.

We cried out to Him,

and He heard our voice.

וַיִּשְׁמַע הַשֵּׁם אֶת־קֹלֵנוּ —

He heard, He heard our voice.

Outro

וַיִּשְׁמַע הַשֵּׁם אֶת־קֹלֵנוּ —

and He heard our voice.

Intro

פָּרָשַׁת נִצָּבִים־וַיֵּלֶךְ — the whole nation standing together, on the last day of the life of מֹשֶׁה.

Chorus

כִּי־קָרוֹב אֵלֶיךָ הַדָּבָר מְאֹד —

so close to you, so very close,

בְּפִיךָ וּבִלְבָבְךָ לַעֲשֹׂתוֹ —

in your mouth and in your heart, to do.

Verse 1

אַתֶּם נִצָּבִים הַיּוֹם כֻּלְּכֶם —

you are standing here today, all of you,

the leaders and the choppers of the wood,

the children and the drawers of the water,

on one day, in one covenant, we stood.

And Rashi says: on the day that he would leave us,

מֹשֶׁה gathered every soul before הַשֵּׁם,

to stand us in the בְּרִית — all of us as one,

and even those not there stood there with them.

Chorus

כִּי־קָרוֹב אֵלֶיךָ הַדָּבָר מְאֹד —

so close to you, so very close,

בְּפִיךָ וּבִלְבָבְךָ לַעֲשֹׂתוֹ —

in your mouth and in your heart, to do.

Verse 2

וְשָׁב הַשֵּׁם אֱלֹקֶיךָ אֶת־שְׁבוּתְךָ —

הַשֵּׁם returns you, and returns with you,

and Rashi learns the words are saying more:

He does not send us back — He comes back with us,

the שְׁכִינָה dwells in גָּלוּת where we are.

From the far edge of the heavens He will take us,

and circumcise the heart to love His name,

לְאַהֲבָה אֶת־הַשֵּׁם אֱלֹקֶיךָ —

to love Him with your whole heart and soul,

Chorus

כִּי־קָרוֹב אֵלֶיךָ הַדָּבָר מְאֹד —

so close to you, so very close,

בְּפִיךָ וּבִלְבָבְךָ לַעֲשֹׂתוֹ —

in your mouth and in your heart, to do.