Rahel: Music

This 3-disc CD comes complete with an accompanying booklet in which you will find the complete Hebrew, English and transliterated lyrics.

The essential art of the musician is to build melodies from pleasing positive vibrations that will dispel any vibrations of negativity. (Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum)

We are created in the image of G-d. As such, our reason for existence is to reflect G-d's Light. Creation began with G-d; void, emptiness, a thought, a breath, chaos changing into form. As we have been created, so we create. Creativity springs forth from within as G-d works through us. G-d is pleased with us when we reflect back The Light.

Sefer Tehillim (The Book of Psalms) is a collection of 150 songs and meditations reflecting a stirring of the heart from the depths of the soul. It is a wellspring of creative expression that is available to everyone. Talmudic sages have taught that the Hebrew letters, when spoken aloud as in song or prayer, will inspire profound inner healing; and that the original Hebrew text of the Psalms contains profound hidden wisdom. Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (1772-1810) taught that there are ten psalms that, when recited as a whole, will bring about a complete spiritual healing. He called these ten the Tikkun HaKlali (The Complete Remedy).

Sefer Tehillim represents a complete musical system of which we know very little.

The Ten Psalms comprising the Tikkun HaKlali are: 16, 32, 41, 42, 59, 77, 90, 105, 137, 150

The Tikkun HaKlali had crossed my path many times over the years, but I paid little attention. I, like so many others, was asleep. In 1995, in the midst of a personal life transition, it found me again, yet only for a moment. The Sages taught that the Psalms have the power to bring out the hidden good that exists in the varied moments of our lives, providing inspiration and spiritual healing, and promoting health. That brief moment in 1995 was enough to calm, inspire, heal, and compel me to compose twenty-seven melodies based on verses from the Psalms, specifically the ten psalms that comprise the Tikkun HaKlali.

Rahel sings, composes, performs, and serves the ill, dying and all those who can benefit by providing live music as a service to create a healing environment and to enhance the healing process. It is the year 2004 and the Tikkun HaKlali has become central in Rahel's life.

I am awake. I am listening.

Tree of Life
c 1994 Rahel (Ann Rachel Silverman-Limor)
She is the Tree of Life.
With branches and roots, sturdy and strong.
Specks of glistening gold; fragrant incense.
All the colors of the rainbow to heavens rise; to heavens high.
Sparkling radiant eyes; glorious glowing eyes.
She is the Tree of Life!

HaShem Ekhad
c 2001 Rahel (Ann Rachel Silverman-Limor)
Hear o Israel! The L-rd, our G-d is One!
HaShem Ekhad - Shma Yisrael HaShem Ekhad

Shamraynee (Psalm 16:1,5)
1. Watch over me, L-rd, for I seek refuge in You. 5. The L-rd is my Portion, which is mine by right, my Cup. You nurture my destiny.

Simkhu Va'Adoshem (Psalm 32:11)
Rejoice in Adoshem! Exult, righteous ones! Shout for joy, all who are upright in heart!

Ashray Maskeel (Psalm 41:2)
Happy is the one who tends to the needy; on an evil day, Adoshem will rescue her.

Va'anee B'tumee (Psalm 41: 13, 14)
13. You will support me because of my integrity, You will let me abide in Your presence forever.
14. Blessed is Adonai, God of Israel, from eternity to eternity. Amen and Amen!

Barukh Adoshem (Psalm 41:14)
Blessed is Adonai, God of Israel, from eternity to eternity. Amen and Amen!

Tsamah Nafshee (Psalm 42: 3, 5)
3. My soul thirsts for G-d, for the living El / Almighty; O, when will I come to appear before G-d?
5. This I remember, and pour out my soul within me, how I used to walk with the crowd, moving with them, festive throng, up to the House of G-d, with joyous shouts of praise to G-d a multitude celebrating the festival!

T'home-el-t'home (Psalm 42: 8)
Deep cries out to deep, the sounds of the opened slices of heaven? all Your breakers and Your billows have swept over me.

Yomam (Psalm 42: 9)
By day, Adonai will command His Khessed / Loving-kindness, and at night, His resting place will be with me; This is my prayer to the Almighty, God of my life.

Elokay Khasdee (Psalm 59:11)
G-d, my Khessed / Faithful One, You will go before me; G-d will let me gaze upon watchful foes.

Uzee Elekha Azamera (Psalm 59:18)
My Strength, to You I will sing praises, for G-d is my Tower of Strength, G-d of my Khessed / Lovingkindness.

Kolee (Psalm 77: 2)
I lift my voice to G-d and cry out; I life my voice to G-d and He turns His ears to hear.

Kee Elef Shanim (Psalm 90: 4, 12)
4. For a thousand years are in Your eyes like yesterday, which has just passed, like a watch in the night.
12. To count every day teach us, so we will acquire a heart of wisdom.

B?terem Harim Yuladu (Psalm 90; 2)
Before the mountains were born. Before you set forth the earth and the inhabited world.
From world to world You are HaShem

Hu Adoshem Elokaynu (Psalm 105:7,8)
7. He is Adonai, our G-d; the whole earth is governed by His laws.
8. He remembered His eternal covenant, the word which He commanded to a thousand generations.

Shiru Lo (Psalm 105: 2,3,5)
2. Sing to Him, compose songs, play instruments for Him; Tell all about His wondrous acts!
3. Take pride in His Holy Name; the heart of those who seek Him rejoices!
5. Remember the wonders He has performed, His miracles, and the laws from His mouth.

Al Naharote Bavel (Psalm 137; 1,2,4)
1. By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and we wept as we remembered Zion.
2. Upon the willows on its banks we hung up our harps.
4. But how shall we sing the song of our L-rd on foreign soil?

Shiru Lanu (Psalm 137: 3,5)
3. Sing to us from the songs of Zion!
4. If I ever forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its cunning.

Sing to us, sing to us, Sing to us the songs of Zion
Sing to us, sing to us, Sing to us Zion!
If I forget You Jerusalem, May my right hand forget her cunning
If I forget Yerushalayim, May my right hand forget her cunning

Halleluka (Psalm 150: 1-6)
1. Halleluka / Praise G-d! Praise G-d in His Sanctuary; Praise Him in the vast expanse of Heaven!
2. Praise Him for mighty deeds; Praise Him according to His abundant greatness!
3. Praise Him with the blowing of the shofar; Praise Him with the lyre and the harp!
4. Praise Him with drum and dance; Praise Him with string instruments and flute!
5. Priase Him with resounding cymbals!
6. Let every breath of life praise G-d! Halleluka / Praise G-d!