Prayer for the State of Israel / התפילה לשלום המדינה IDF Chief Cantor Ltc. Shai Abramson accompanied by the S.F.Y. Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir, Conducted by Dr. Mordechai Sobol. Composer: Sol Zim, Child Soloist: Micha Schachat, Arrangement & Music Production: Ofir Sobol, Engineering & Mix: Zohar Zaltz . Recorded at Eshel Studios - Tel Aviv - June 2011 Composer Sol Zim on his composition, “Avinu Shebashamayim” A Prayer for the State of Israel: June 4, 2012 When I first started visiting Israel, years ago, I would attend Shabbat services at Heichal Shlomo, the Great Synagogue in Jerusalem. I would hear the prayer for the State of Israel read aloud in an oratorical voice. It would also include the Prayer for the Tzhalal (the Israeli Army). I had never heard Avinu Shebashamayim done musically. About 24 years ago, I decided to compose a melody for this prayer in celebration of Israel’s 40th Anniversary. In my wildest dreams, I never imagined that this melody would become such a powerful force within the Jewish community, transcending all denominations and all ages, throughout the entire Jewish world. When we recite this prayer on Shabbat morning, we pray to HaShem that the leaders of our Jewish State should have the courage and strength to protect our homeland and to keep it secure and free of war. Every time we hear the news about a terrorist act and possibility of a neighboring enemy on the verge, I’m sure we all sigh and say to ourselves, I pray to God that Israel stays safe. When I wrote this piece, I sat at the piano, as I always do, trying to really feel the meaning of the words. I wanted to bring the words to life. I wanted to create an all-encompassing spiritual and meaningful experience for the worshipper. Astonishingly, more than two decades later, I get hundreds of emails (I am not exaggerating … hundreds!) from people all over the world, sending me links to the never-ending videos and recordings of performances of my Avinu Shebashamayim at celebratory events: memorials, family parties, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, concerts, Israeli government events, etc. I have also been sent YouTube links to performances by college a cappella groups, church choirs, cantors, Jewish choirs, entertainers, and even rabbis (Rabbi Wise … we can do a duet). One of the most unique YouTube videos I saw was of the Moscow Jewish Choir (a fantastic group). A dear friend of mine recently called me and said, “You must be raking it in on royalties $$$.” My dear friends, I must share with you … the only royalty I get is through MITZVOT (good deeds) and I kvel from one ear to the other. That’s royalty enough for me. A very special video of my Avinu Shebashamayim has gone viral on YouTube and is spreading like wildfire on the Internet, throughout the world. It is of the Chief Cantor of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces), Ltc Shai Abramson, an extremely talented and wonderful young cantor that I had the pleasure of being in concert with last year in Tel Aviv. It is an amazing video that makes you feel so much. My Avinu was recently performed by the Yuval Choir and Symphony at the Knesset for Yom Hazikaron. I was recently asked to write a new melody for an “American Idol” type of Cantorial Contest that took place in Israel a short time ago. I wrote a new melody for “SIM SHALOM.” Who knows … maybe 20 years from now I will be getting hundreds of emails with videos that have gone viral for recordings of this melody too. I would be just as proud and I would kvel. I am truly touched, honored, and extremely proud that my music is spiritually enriching the Jewish world! See you in Shul. Cantorially always, Cantor Sol Zim https://youtube/watch?v=1E5gs1W0g38
Posted on: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 10:17:33 +0000
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