V’sham’ru
Text: Exodus 31:16-17
When preparing for Shabbat worship on a given week, I’ll go through my repertoire to find just the right musical setting for the right text and discover that I don’t have the music for the mood I’m in. And when going through my music library, if I don’t find what I’m looking for, I wind up writing something new. That was the case with this strophic setting of V’sham’ru. I originally wrote it over a summer and presented it at the synagogue in New Rochelle. I eventually arranged it for a volunteer choir. This piece is dedicated to Cantor Ross Wolman in honor of his entrance to the Hebrew Union College.
The people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath in every generation as a covenant for all time. Between Me and the people of Israel it shall be a sign forever. For in six days the Eternal God made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day God rested and was refreshed.
Teach My Lips a Blessing
the music of Erik Contzius
