Shir Hamaalot

As an Israeli who immigrated to America I especially love the holiday of Thanksgiving.
Why? Because it's about giving thanks to all the blessings in our lives, it has agriculture roots as the harvest holiday, and then, of course, it's all about food...
These sentiments in relation to my upbringing in Israel, are beautifully described in Shir HaMa'alot (Psalm 126).
According to Jewish Ashkenazi custom, this song is sung before birkat hamazon (the blessing after the meal) on Shabbat and holidays. The text images are taken from the world of agriculture in the land of Israel - sowing and harvesting - and express a yearning to return to Zion. The composer's identity is uncertain. The work won publicity thanks to its rendition by Yossele Rosenblatt (1882-1933), who was a relative of Pinchas Minkowsky (1859-1924) of Odessa. In a film produced in 1933 during Rosenblatt's visit to Israel, he is seen performing the song with great pathos on a boat sailing the Jordan River. Although Rosenblatt recorded the song, he had never mentioned the name of its composer. As a result, the song was linked with his name. Some of Minkowsky's acquaintances insisted that Minkowsky, who was known for his nationalist ideas, is the true composer, and that the melody did not match Rosenblatt's style. Whatever the case may be, the song, with its music of longing, became a symbol of the modern return to Zion. The Zionist movement embraced it warmly, and even proposed using it as the anthem of the Jewish national movement.
Here is a new arrangement of this song by Raymond Goldstein, recorded live in Israel.
Happy Thanksgiving!
When the LORD brought back those that returned to Zion, we were like unto them
that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing;
then said they among the nations: 'The LORD hath done great things with these.'
The LORD hath done great things with us; we are rejoiced. Turn our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the dry land. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
Though he goeth on his way weeping that beareth the measure of seed, he shall come
home with joy, bearing his sheaves. (Ps. 126)
Credits:
Cantor Azi Schwartz (Park Avenue Synagogue, New York)
The Chamber Choir of the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance
Conductor: Stanley Sperber
Piano and organ: Raymond Goldstein
Idea and production:
Dr. Anat Rubinstein, Professor Eliyahu Schleifer and Professor Edwin Seroussi
Sunday, 25 March 2018
Wise Auditorium, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram
www.azischwartz.com

[@ElviraLöwenstein]

Immer wieder unter die Haut gehend...❤👍👏🫶🇮🇱🎁🇮🇱🙌Dear Azi Schwartz;many thanks and greetings from Saxony to you and your family. God bless and keep the jewish people.Your people is my people and your God is my God.❤🇮🇱🎁 AM YISRAEL CHAI!!

[@אהרוןכהן-ס3ש]

המילים המיוחדות והנצחיות של דוד המלך, הלחן האלמותי והביצוע הווקאלי הפנומנלי פשוט ממיסים הלב, 'שירת מלאכים' כפשוטו

[@MsBettyRubble]

His voice is such a gift. Thanks for sharing this.

[@pamelapieris]

Azi, God has chosen you, blessed you, and you praise Him in the way you sing and inspire us all, to spread peace and love!

[@carmen-ef2fv]

Amazing his voice

[@josephstahl8933]

A truly blessed voice.

[@cantorevan]

Beautifully sung by you and the choir, with another stunning arrangement by Raymond!

[@Nooticus]

Raymond is truly the GOAT 🧡

[@marionunez9639]

Gracias Azi por la hermosa canción la cual es un manantial que nos sustenta.

[@seldevilaine2722]

BRAVO; Merci

[@samsungclient4707]

Слышу трели соловьины....Это русская сторонка ,это РОДИНА моя!!!Аминь прямо бальзам по сердцу .,прекрасная русская песня!

[@زهراایزدی-ظ6د]

Dreamical

[@serhataltuntas3123]

gut shabbes sei gesunt kontor

[@Dave-kj4vr]

Ruined by a post modern coral arrangement

[@MrMawnster]

You can't even fucking spell bro. It's "choral". Should probably fix that first AND not parrot silly ideologue phrases if you want to be taken seriously. I'd ask you to elaborate but I don't think I'd understand because of spelling issues etc