What is "Shabbat Shira"?
On Feb. 11, we celebrate a very special moment in the Torah, a very musical moment in Jewish biblical history. This is called Shabbat Shirah. It is the Sabbath of Singing. Many congregations highlight this Shabbat by creating services brimming with extraordinary music to celebrate Moses and Miriam leading the Israelites across the Sea of Reeds (The Red Sea) and out of Egypt.
This Shabbat we read Parashat B'shalach from the book of Exodus. This section is important for several reasons. It is visually, liturgically and musically important. Shabbat Shirah gets its name from part of the sedra (weekly Torah reading) known as Shirat HaYam (song of the sea). Visually, this song/poem is laid out very differently from the rest of the Torah so it is very obvious to the reader and to the congregation during Hagbah (the lifting of the Torah after it is read) that something special is happening. It is known as 'brick on brick.'
This is the part of the Torah from which the Rabbis selected
Mi Chamocha to become part of our worship. The prayer is taken from Exodus Chapter 15:
"Mi chamocha ba-ei-lim Adonai, mi ka-mocha ne-e-dar ba-kodesh, no-rah t'hi-lot o-seh feleh. Adonai yim-loch l'o-lam va-ed." "Who is like You, O God, among the gods that are worshipped? Who is like You, O God, majestic in holiness, awesome in splendor, working wonders? Adonai will reign forever and ever!"
Musically, Shabbat Shirah lend itself to be a service throughout which one is totally immersed in amazing music led by the Cantor. This year, our 1st and 2nd graders will be singing during the service, as will our new Children's Choir. Some new tunes will also be introduced and "tried out".
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