Yihyu l'Ratson - North American Reform, as sung in Netzer

from Friday Night with the Cambridge Egalitarian Minyan by Gal Chadash (the Cambridge Egalitarian Minyan)

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Of the various texts that bring the 'Amida section of the service to a close, we usually choose to sing at least one of them altogether. For instance, Shalom Rav (setting by Jeff Klepper and Rabbi Dan Freelander, as sung in RSY/LJY), Yihyu l'Ratson, or 'Oseh Shalom (next track).

Nobody knows who composed this song; musically it sits within the major-key, American folk-pop sound-world that developed in the American Reform Movement in the late 20th century, exemplified by the late great Debbie Friedman.

Having come to us from the Netzer youth movements in the UK, it became our signature tune, like an anthem for the Cambridge Egalitarian Minyan. We love the potential for rich harmonies and a somewhat gospel interpretation.

The text closes the paragraph of personal supplication starting 'Elohai N'tsor', which is phrased in first person singular - unlike the 'Amida prayer, which is first person plural. The paragraph is recited by custom at the conclusion of the 'Amida, following the practice of Mar, the son of Rabina, according to Talmud Berakhot 17a.

It might seem odd to sing this private meditation altogether. But it makes sense to us... After a long build-up of intensity culminating in the Standing prayer, with its charged sense of occasion and each of us in a quiet personal space for individual recitation (which can include 'Elohai N'tsor'), a sense of calm has settled in the room, and we fold the congregation gradually back into a warm musical embrace, turning to face each other, humming softly as different people finish their prayer in their own time, and emerging 'downstairs' into an echo of those personal supplications in communal harmony to express a loving spirit of belonging and acceptance. Ultimately we're all in the same boat.

lyrics

Psalms (Tehilllim) 19, verse 15

credits

from Friday Night with the Cambridge Egalitarian Minyan, released April 1, 2010

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Gal Chadash Cambridge, UK

EgalMin is an inclusive, informal and active community which is famous for its alternative, egalitarian Kabbalat Shabbat services. Being a part of EgalMin means being part of a community which takes great joy in prayer and challenges itself to engage in learning, whilst also providing a social hub for its members and continuing to be an active part of the wider JSoc community. ... more