Yism’khu
Text: Jewish Sabbath liturgy
When I was serving Temple Israel of Omaha, Nebraska, I met a former Hassid named Yosef. He grew up as one of the Slonim Hassidim and eventually moved to Omaha to be closer to Robert Eisenberg, author of the book Boychicks in the Hood, a book which documents many of the world’s hassidic sects.
Yosef knew many of the Slonim niggunim and this Yism’khu was one of them. As Yosef related to me, the Slonim would say the words of Yism’khu quickly, and then sing this niggun without words. Yosef and I easily married the Yism’khu text with the niggun. The joyous text and the exuberant music are well-wed.
They shall rejoice in Your sovereignty, those who keep the Sabbath, and call it a delight. The people who sanctify the seventh day, they will be satisfied and enjoy Your goodness— You took pleasure in the seventh day and You sanctified it, You called it the most delightful of days, a reminder of the work of creation.
Teach My Lips a Blessing
the music of Erik Contzius
