Book I

Introduction

Many years ago a woman sent me an email with a link to her site called Words of Wisdom.  In it she had a list of various Reggae artists including myself and Biblical quotes directly related to their lyrics. I was very surprised how she connected many of my songs to various verses in the Torah and Tanach. Most of these verses I was not aware of.  Maybe a few might have passed through my mind on a Shabbat years ago when I wrote some of my songs, for example ‘Bribes Blinds the Eyes of the Wise’ from Parsha Mishpatim.  Most of the quotes however, I was not familiar with.

I realized that I don’t really recall how and when I wrote many of my songs. As Rosh Hoshanna 2014 approached I thought it would be an interesting project to actually think about the Parsha and try and encapsulate some of the ideas in song.  Although many of my songs have been inspired by ideas from the Torah they are generally personal in nature. I never thought to connect any songs directly to the Parsha or catalogue those that were related in any way.

They say that every Rosh Hoshanna is a good time to add something new, turn a new leaf, or begin a new project. With this in mind I began this project on Rosh Hoshanna 2014.  The idea was to find the connections in my songs to relevant ideas in the Parsha as well as think of new songs inspired by various concepts found in the weekly Parsha. The gift of a writer is to say the most with the least amount of words; to encapsulate larger ideas into a few phrases that can be put into a song. I have a long way to go to make my songs shorter and sweeter and more poetic however life is a work in progress and there is no better place to start than today.

Each weekly section is part of a unified whole and every passage and letter is related one to the other. Just as the cells in the body work together so does the living Torah. It can be pondered and examined in sections but is part of a whole that we experience even though it is beyond our understanding.

As a musician I have always been attracted to what is called ‘roots’ music, whether we are speaking about reggae, ska, blues, or many other forms.  The more advanced musicians appreciate the simplicity of music; they listen well and leave space for others to enter. They are gentlemen with little ego, leaving room for the music to enter and play them, rather than be played. The Torah among many other things teaches this simplicity and balance between a healthy amount of ego and the nothingness that allows great things to flow through.

Much of my perspective on the Torah comes from my viewpoint here in Israel where one sees the recurring themes and variations of the Torah climax in an ever changing reality. This unfolding prophecy began before my time and will continue long after it.

Many years ago in Toronto I spoke about this topic with Rabbi Shmuel Spero and Yehoshua Sharfe at the Minsker shul. Yehoshua remarked that the prophecies the Rabbi has studied for years he now sees unfolding before his eyes.  We however who are baal teshuvas are on an even higher level.  Why is that asked the Rav?  Because we ‘are’ the prophecy.  He answered. I added ‘that’s a great idea for a song’ and the song and ‘We Are The Prophecy’ was born.

Indeed the G-d of Israel, the people of Israel, the Land of Israel and the Torah of Israel are all part of one thing. If you feel connected to any one of the above it will be well for you.  If you feel connected to all of the above, then your experience will be all the more enriched and vibrant.  Some of these songs were created long before I arrived at these ancient shores and even long before I was connected to my spiritual roots. In addition there are many new songs inspired by the Land and the accumulation of thoughts over the years that have aged like wine.

With Hashems help, there will be many revisions in the future as each weekly question opens a new door to another question. One of the nice things about this book and b’h the four books to come is that not only can you read the book but you can also play it as a CD or playlist.  If you own one of these books the playlist will be improved, refined and embellished each year so that your original copy will continue to grow. In fact it is such a huge undertaking that many of the songs here are not produced at the level I would like for lack of time and money.  I hope to rectify some of these shortcomings in future editions. I hope you enjoy this compilation as much as I am enjoying putting it together. As my friend Rav Spero often says, ‘The best is yet to come’. I hope you enjoy the music and Shana Tova.

In The Beginning

Bereshit

God made a Garden of Eden and placed man

inside and told him one simple thing –

Do not eat of the fruit of this tree or

you will be thrown out of the Garden.

So what did man do? He built his own garden

and threw God out.

(Avraham Heshel) 

______

The building of Israel is the re-building

of the Garden of Eden.  To the extent that

one supports or protests that building is

the extent to which Gods glory is accepted

in the world.  

______

“God blessed the seventh day and sanctified

it because on it He abstained from all

His work which God created to make.”

(Bereshit 2:3)

And on the seventh day – Yom HasShvii - 

It was the day of rest and meditation

(Shabbat Shalom)

______

“So Hashem God banished him from the Garden

of Eden, to work the soil from which he

wastaken. And having driven out the man,

He stationed at the east of the Garden of

Eden the Cherubim and the flame of the

ever-turning sword, to guard the way to

the Tree of Life.”

(Bereshit 2:3)

First there was the Word

And then there was the light

And then He placed this darkness

here between us. 

(The Word)

Shabbat Shalom

On the first day– Yom HaRishon

It was the day of the dawning of creation.

And on the second day – Yom HaSheni

It was the birth

of strife and tribulation                     

Shabbat Shalom

And on the third day– Yom HaShlishi          

It was the day of the earth’s revelation

On the fourth day day – Yom RiVii

There was the sun

the moon and constellations

Shabbat Shalom

And on the fifth day – Yom Chamishi

It was the day of the dawning of redemption

And on the sixth day – Yom HasShishi

It was the day

He completed his creation

Shabbat Shalom

The Word

Who put this wall between us

In the place where the Garden used to grow 

We saw the world from the beginning

And it still glows

Please don’t let it go 

Oh, first there was the Word

And then there was the light

And then He placed this darkness

here between us

Oh baby, I don’t want you to say goodbye  

I can still see the light in your eyes

Even through this darkness

Can you still see mine?

Over and over and over again

Over the letters that we wrote

I know I’m never going to find this again

All of the words that we spoke    

I’m never going to touch this fire

I’ll never taste this smoke 

Oh you touched a place I never knew before  

Like an ocean deep inside   

You knew it too we sailed together   

Like you were my bride 

And I think you knew it inside  

Oh first there was the Word

And then there was the light

And then He placed this darkness

here between us

Oh baby, I don’t want you to say goodbye  

I can still see the light in your eyes

Even through this darkness

Can you still see mine?

Oh there are moments

That are forgotten                                     

There are moments that slip away

Oh but sometimes there are moments

Even if you tried you couldn’t run away

I never really had this feeling

Watching each shadow disappear

No borders could ever divide us

Sometimes some moments seem so clear

And you know it too 

Yes you know it’s true

Oh first there was the Word

And then there was the light

And then He placed this darkness

here between us

Oh baby I don’t want you to say goodbye

Even through this darkness

I can still see your eyes

Yes tell me - Can you still see mine?

Gates of Eden

I’m standing at the edge of night

Where everything returns to light

I try to see beyond my site

But nothing can pass through

The Gates of Eden

And every dawn must meet the dusk

And all that lives must turn to dust

Even you and me and all of us

And nothing can pass through

The Gates of Eden

And lovers try but love gets lost

And all the saints get double crossed

While dreamers sail their ships get tossed

And buried underneath - the Gates of Eden

And visions fade and heroes fall

And I wonder in the end

If even any one of them

Has seen beyond this wall

And birds will sing but not for long

A wind will come and they'll be gone

And every paradise become a Babylon

And nothing can reach beyond

The Gates of Eden

And all the promises we made

The cornerstones that we both laid

Are twisted now and then renamed

But nothing can replace

The Gates of Eden

First in Thought

There is a time for before Creation

And there's a time to create

There's a time before inception

And there's a time to propagate

A time of dedication

A time of preparation

A time to build

And a time

To carry the weight

There's a time to remember

And a time to forget

A time when you feel

Your just waiting

And you haven't go the answer yet

A time for revolution

A time to be content

A time where love seems eternal

A time you wonder

Where it all went

First in thought last in deed

From the sweetest flower

To every weed

Everything that grows

From every seed

First in thought last in deed

In the end the abandoned

Will be sought

And they'll be crowned

While tyrants will be no more

And men of violence

Will no longer be found

There's a time of imperfect

From where all

Great things are born

A time where fugitives

Become kings

A time when kingdoms

Are no more

A time to enjoy your garden

A time to stand

Outside the gate

A time to receive

And a time to pass on

A time to return

Even though

The hours late

First in thought

Last in deed

From the sweetest flower

To the lowest weed

Everything that grows

From every seed

First in thought

Last in deed

Noach

“All you children will be students of Hashem, and abundant will be your children’s peace”

(Yeshyahu 54:13)

And the houses are filled with learning.

And the six million souls are returning.

(The Final Revolution)  

______

“Noah was a righteous man, perfect in his generations; Noah walked with God.”

(Bereshit 6:9)

They say Noah could have been a better man;

well I’m doing the best I can.

(Traveling on that Line)

______

“Noah, with his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives with him, went into the Ark because of the waters of the Flood.”

(Bereshit 7:7)

For the final flood already began

To give a last chance to those who take a stand

And to save only those who ever lent a hand

(Dear World)

Noah was a survivor. Like a survivor of the Shoa today he may have asked how God could have destroyed a whole world. He may have wondered whether he could have done more.  And like the survivors of today who see a new flood approaching, he may have wondered how people could make the same mistakes all over again. The UN of his day The Tower of Babel tried to solve these issues and like today ended up in a confusion of languages. 

The Final Revolution

Oh the far off flashes of lightning

Serve to warn of the doom that's approaching

And the prophets return to inform them

But they blame and defame

and they scorn them

And the winds of destruction are blowing

But the candles resist them by glowing

And as the cloaks of deception are lifted

And the pearls in the sands are sifted

And the houses are filled with learning

And the six million souls are returning

And it's the final revolution

And it's the oldest one of all

And it's the final evolution

Between the mighty and the small

And the battle will not

be fought with flowers

Nor by those who dwell in ivory towers

But in the desert

where the heat grows hotter

And the should reach out for water

Between the hearts and

the mind that it opposes

Between the law of the land

and the law of Moses

Between Goliath and the sons of David

Between what's sordid and what is sacred

Between the seekers of truth

and the heartless

The holy sparks against

a multitude of darkness

(Chorus)

And when the fire submits to the candle

And the pot is as great as it's handle

And when pride is not cherished as a virtue

And when modesty is not seen as a curfew

And when the rich are known as the faithful

And the poor are seen as the ungrateful

And the phantom refugees of falsehood

Who demand their imaginary statehood

From the soul of it's rightful ruler

Who would have sold

his birthright much sooner

Had it not been for

the fighters of the ghetto

And for the oil that

still burns in the temple

But it's better to be divided in the battle

Than to be slaughtered together like cattle

And the victims who

despise their own religion

And who plead with

the torturer to inflict them

They will be lost in the

battle to resist them

And indifference is the

gateway to extinction

For they are starving in a land of plenty

With foreign gods they feast

and still their empty

But the children of a lost generation

Have returned to rebuild the Holy Nation

(Chorus)

Traveling on this Line

We’ve been through fire and refined

We been lost so that now we can find.

There are roads that are straight

and that wind

And it’s no mistake that we

travelled on this line.

They say that Noah could have been

a better man

Well I try to do the best that I can

Maybe I’d play it differently next time.

But its no mistake that were

traveling this line.

Well baby can’t you see

This is the place we were meant to be.

Don’t look back where the sun don’t shine. 

Ain’t no mistake that were

traveling this line. 

You might have thought

it could be done differently.

You might have wondered where we might be.

Well there ain’t no use sitting and crying. 

Ain’t no mistake that were

traveling this line.

Well we could have gone many other ways.

Could have taken years or maybe days    

We could have hurried it or arrived on time.

But it’s no mistake that

were traveling this line.

Said baby can’t you see

the beautiful scenery. 

Don’t look back where the sun don’t shine.      

Its no mistake that were

traveling this line. 

No it aint no mistake

That were traveling this line.    

Ah come on. Baby look ahead.                  

If you don’t see from here.        

Maybe you’ll see further up the line. 

Get on board, come on now.      

Traveling on this line

Dear World

Dear World ever since we knew you

You placed on us such harsh decrees

Seems we bothered all your fathers before you

So we said lets leave

We built a new home and did grow

And now you tell us to freeze

Tell me why are you so hard to please,

Dear World

Well thank you for your inquisitions

And the gates you locked when we did flee

I know it bothers you that we've been blessed

And even more now that were free

But before you count us for the slaughter

See the writing up above

Were not sheep anymore were shepherds

And its you who are being judged

Well you can chase us just like Pharaoh

But if you were wise than you would see

The time isn't ticking for me but for you,

Dear World

Well thank you for your sympathy

For the six million souls that were destroyed

You don't have to pretend anymore

You can attack us again with joy

You can condemn us up on the campus

And in the theater and the State

You can bring all the United Nations

To seal our fate

But if your boycotts were really sincere

You should stop using our

Inventions and our cures

And return all the good that we have given

You Over these years, Dear World

Oh thank you for your crucifixion

And the many expressions of your love

How you've inspired us to build G-ds Kingdom

with our blood

And now that we've reached the final stage

Your so bothered that your flying into a rage

Every tiny little house that we build

Is on your front page

Just like the past it starts with lies

Then our existence you delegitimize

Then who would resist the solution

That you finalize

Well were not the same people

You once knew

We know your plan in fact were

Waiting for you

We'll split the ocean again and you can

Chase us part way through

We'll all be drowned and you'll claim victory

But if you were wise then you would see

The time isn't ticking for me, but for you,

Dear World

Dear World you stood by in silence

As we were slaughtered in your lands

And you would stand by again today

And even lend a helping hand

I know it bothers you when we hit back

When we succeed despite each attack

Well maybe you bothered us too

Did you ever think of that?

I for one couldn't care less

If you choose to be cursed or to be blessed

You can sail on Noah’s ship

Or you can go down in your protest

For the final flood already began

To give a last chance to those who

Take a stand

And to save only those who ever lent a hand

For the kingdom will surely be built

And the devil will get his due

And all the angry bothered people

Let them come on through

Were finally doomed and all the fools agree

But if you were wise then you would see

The time isn't ticking for me, but for you

Dear World

Lech Lecha

“Hashem said to Abram, “Go for yourself

from your land, from your relatives, and

from your father’s house to the land that

I will show you.  And I will make you

a great nation; I will bless you, and

make your name great, and you shall be a

blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, 

and him who curse you I will curse;

and all the families of the earth

shall bless themselves by you”.”

(Bereshit 12:1)

And the judge says

The house that you built

Is no longer your own

Well it’s Time to Come Home

(It’s Time to Come Home)

______

Abraham searched the stars and planted them in the ground.  He had the ability to re-direct the demons that Adam let out of the Garden. He understood the purpose of Creation was for that Garden to eventually be re-built. His task would be a lonely one and his followers would be considered strangers in this world.  In the end the Garden will flourish and choose the gardener who tends to it and makes it blossom, each in its own way.

Time to Come Home

When the sleeping volcano starts grumbling

And your kingdom is shattered by a stone

And the criminal who killed Robert Kennedy

He's standing outside your window

and my how he's grown

And the judge says the house that you built

Is no longer your own

Well its time - It's time to come home

When the guests that you thought

would be grateful

Condemn you for all of the

gifts that you give

And you plead with them to accept

your own suicide

If only they would allow you just to live

They say no we don't want your loan

We want everything you own

Well its time - It's time to come home

Do you ever wonder why it is

that your so understanding

But the more you try the more

you find yourself standing all alone

When this fantasy that you thought

was going to last forever

Turns into a nightmare of fear

that you've never known

Well its time - It's time to come home

When you broke down

the barriers between you

Just to discover that

your really not the same

Still desperately

you must seek acceptance

So they accept you

to be the one to blame

And they hate you

for the seeds that you've sown

And for thinking that

this land is your own

Well its time - It's time to come home

When the mistress that

you thought you could marry

Says first your children you must disown

And the dog that you thought was so loyal

Bears his teeth

every time you throw him a bone

They say no we don't want your loan

We want everything you own

And its time - It's time to come home

Vayera

______

And Sarah laughed at herself, saying, “After

I have withered shall I again have delicate

skin? And my husband is old!”

(Bereshit 18:12)

And ol’ Sarah is laughing

At the news the prophets proclaim

Before her eyes her body is changing

But she swears everything is just the same

(Before the Flood)

_______

_____

Only him that shall come forth

From within you shall inherit you…

And he trusted in Hashem

And He reckoned it

To him as righteousness

(Bereshit 15:4-6)

And it’s long past the time

The ships are sailing out and

I’m Waiting for a Miracle to Happen

(Waiting for a Miracle)

______

The final revolution is the original revolution. The world will be overturned but not from outside; but from within the soul of man.  One must ask himself of every revolutionary what type of person is he. Is he a kind hearted and charitable person?  Would he invite you for dinner? Or is he a man filled with hate that will bring a new order more oppressive than the last?

Before the Flood

Its getting dark down in the alley

Everybody knows it’s time to leave

I’m walking down the road of the faithful

But even the faithful don’t believe

You need more than your religion

More courage than you found in the war

Baby you don’t have any vision

You don’t even know what you are praying for

Oh Momma

See the storm clouds up above

Better hurry on home baby

Better hurry home before the flood

Oh Momma

Oh Momma

Don’t get stuck down in the mud

Better hurry home baby

Better hurry home before the flood

And the war is getting closer

Than it’s ever been before

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Just moved in next door 

And ol’ Sarah she’s laughing

At the Prophets proclaim

Before her eyes her body starts changing

But she swears everything is just the same

(Chorus)                   

Well the President up on the hill

He’s complaining to his slave

Said why don’t you 

Free the criminals

He said I tried but they just won’t behave 

Sometimes I just want to leave

But where else can I be free

If this is the way He wants it 

Well I guess it’s the way it’s going to be 

When you got nothing to lean on

Maybe you’ll see where you stand

If the ground hasn’t fallen beneath you

And turned into sand

(Chorus)

Waiting for a Miracle

City sphinx of brick and bone
It's cold lights watching you alone
You stand under the starless night
But angels won't come out tonight
To greet you

The monuments of those who died
To build these graveyards to the sky
Are sinking and you wonder why
The ground you stand upon
Is still beneath you

Chorus:
And it's long past the time
The ships are sailing out and I'm
Waiting for some miracle to happen

The cities eyes that have no soul
And all that glitters takes it's toll
When once you were a messenger
Now nothing can get through
To even reach you

Attached to things you cannot have
Sweet perfumes that will go bad
Each one better than the last you had
And you think your sword of love
Will not defeat you

(Chorus)

Dvar Torah – Vayera (2005)

In the Parsha Vaerya Avraham is visited by three men, who looked like idol worshipers, but were really angels. They tell him Sarah will give birth a year later (at age 90), and Sarah laughs, even though she sees with her eyes an open miracle. Rashi explains that at the moment they arrived her body became young again like a 20-year old woman. Still after witnessing this open miracle she says to herself how can an old man like Avraham give birth to a son, and who are these men, that I should believe them? Later Sarah is reprimanded by Hashem and by her husband for laughing out of disbelief. Ramban comments that Sarah should have disregarded the looks of these men and said ‘may it be so’. I have heard many rabbis discuss this episode and conclude with the moral lesson that we should never scoff at the bearer of blessings but rather we should say ‘amen’. This may be a nice drasha, but do these events really mean?

As I sat on a bus on the way to Yerushalayim, I thought about these mysterious verses and tried to unravel the mystery hidden inside. Then it came to me, as I looked at the countryside unfolding before my eyes. As I gazed upon the skyline, and the cities, and the farms and the orchards that are once again fertile and full of life I was looking at an open miracle; like a 90 year old woman becoming 20 again. Now I understood the reprimand to Sarah. And I saw within it a reprimand to the secular Jews as well as the religious Jews.

How could a Jew witness the rebirth of Israel and see with his own eyes the in-gathering of the exiles, the building up of the land, the protection of the clouds of glory, and yet not believe that there is a G-d and prophecy and Moshiach. How is it possible to see such open miracles and at the same time see the religion as old, outdated and disconnected from this?

On the other hand, how could religious Jews scoff at angels? The Zionists were considered idol worshipers just like our story and Sarah laughed. She scoffed at these idol worshipers and didn’t really believe in her heart what she saw with her own eyes. She believed in the promise that Hashem had made to Avraham, but could not see what was happening in front of her.

If Hashem decided to bring the return to Zion from secular Zionists who demonstrated a love of the land, the religious world should have said ‘may it be so’ and gave them a blessing instead of scoffing. They could have had much more influence in the forming of the nation and could have saved many lives had they also encouraged Aliyah long before the war. To this day there are those who scoff at the Zionists while living in glatt kosher America waiting for a prophecy that is unfolding without them. It is this lack of faith within the heart of the faithful, and the lack of wonder from those who see open miracles that is laughable.

And so the birth of Isaac, whose name means ‘laughter’, is the product of this scoffing. Itzchak who is the ‘sacrifice’ and we who scoff at one side of a two sided story and wonder why we always suffer?

Chayei Sarah

The secret of the whole Torah lies in the weeks

Parsha. There is one simple word that is repeated

many times throughout this chapter.  It is a word

that defines our goal in life that is always being

challenged and renewed. That word is ‘the servant’.

So the servant placed his hand

Under the thigh of Avraham his master…

And he said Hashem, God of my master Avraham,

May you so arrange it for me this day that You

Do kindness with my master Avraham.’

(Bereshit 24:9-12)

___

Then he said ‘A servant of Abraham am I. Hashem has

greatly blessed my master and he has prospered. 

(Bereshit 24: 34)

In this world they praise pirates who pillage

And hunters who capture shepherds

And their flocks

But it’s better to be the tail of lion

Than to be the head of a fox

(Tail of a Lion)                

___

Tail of a Lion

They say a messenger has no name

Only his mission

They say a servant is like a king

Well I’ve searched among the shadows of giants

I’ve been carried under eagles wings

In this world they praise pirates who pillage

And hunters who capture shepherds

And their flocks

But it’s better to be the tail of lion

Than to be the head of a fox

They say the wall that remains from the builders

Is the one attached to the cornerstone

Only the deeds of a man are his fortune

That he takes with him to the great unknown

In this world they praise wealth and power

That buys beauty with her long curly locks 

But it’s better to be the tail of a lion 

Than to be the head of a fox  

Well the servant is like a king

For he knows the important things

All that glitters to him is not gold

He can’t be bought or sold

In this world truth lies buried and hidden 

While thieves give motivational talks 

But it’s better to be the tail of a lion 

Than to be the head of a fox

Oh the measure of a man is dedication

To place the banner upon the hill

To struggle bringing light from darkness

To further his father’s will

In this world the winner reaps the glory

And the loser he walks

But it’s better to be the tail of a lion

Than to be the head of a fox

Nothingness

From far and wide they come

To conquer her heart and beat their drum

And to dedicate their empires to her

And they see her smile

But who can receive it

Even the sun comes out

To see it shine – from her

And what could I whisper to you in the dark

What secret words

Could unlock your heart and release you

And what can I give you that no other man can

What can I place in your delicate hand

That can please you

Absolutely nothing

That’s what I can give to you

But it took me so many years to be nothing

And I will give all my nothingness to you

The sons of kings arrive

With ships of gold that they place by your side

And who am I to even see you

But if Heaven could be seen below

It must look something like the glow

That shines from your eyes

(Chorus)

Oh you know there is a ladder that I found

Ah and you can climb on it sometime

High above there’s a crown of many jewels

And I’ve seen your name written on it to

And oh I’ve never really seen that light before

Till tonight when I saw you standing by the door

And who am I and what can I give

When even kings they place their bids

To be the ones to jump in fire for you

I’ll give you not a thing and if you’ll receive it

I’ll show you a light  

I once had and I hid it there –In your eye

Tolodot

Many years ago in Toronto I had a weekly Torah class with Mr. Zimmershpitz who was a survivor of Aushwitz.  He told me a number of things that I will always remember.  One story he told me was that inside the camp there was a German who took a liking to him and one day he asked him.  Why do we hate you so much? Mr. Zimmershpitz answered in one word. ‘Jealousy.’

Jacob said, “Sell, as this day, your birthright to me.” And Esav said, “Look, I am going to die, so of what use to me is a birthright?”

(Bereshit 25:31, 32)

When the kingdom was in your hands it was meaningless to you.  You let it rot, it sat there in despair.  Now that it’s been redeemed suddenly you scream.  With a loud and bitter cry as if you cared.

(Jealousy)

Jealousy

When the kingdom was in your hands

It was meaningless to you.

You let it rot, it sat there in despair

But now it’s been redeemed suddenly you scream

With a loud and bitter cry

As if you cared

When the kingdom was in your hands

It was meaningless to you

You sold it for a bowl of soup

With all your friends there

And now it’s been returned

And suddenly you scream

And your eyes burn with a loud and bitter cry

As if you cared    

Jealousy is the root of it all

Though your high and mighty

Oh surely your going to fall

Because when the kingdom was in your hands

It was meaningless to you

And still it means nothing to you at all

Oh your father was blind

And what was meaningless to him

Was the weapons of your craft

By which you live

He thought that you would protect

The son who sat inside his tent

Now he cries when he sees

Just what you did                              

Now the kingdom is in the hands

Of the one to whom it belongs

Still there are loud and bitter cries

From the mother who understand

And strengthens her sons hands

If only he would open up his eyes.

Jealousy is the root of it all

Though your high and mighty

Oh surely your going to fall

Because when the kingdom was in your hands

It was meaningless to you

And still it means nothing to you at all        

Vayeitze

I gave you a king in My anger

And took him away in My wrath.

(Hoshea 13:11) Haftorah

And in His anger he sent a King

And in His wrath He took him away

Because we didn't want to listen to the words

He had to say

(Nothing New Under the Sun)

___

He took from the stones of the place

Which he arranged around his head.

(Bereshit 28:11)

When the stones come alive

And are gathered to one place

From where they were scattered once before.

(Heaven’s Door)

___

And it was when Yacov saw Rachel…

Then Yacov kissed Rachel; and he 

Raised his voice and wept

(Bereshit 29:10-11)

Sweet Angel with your kisses like prayers

And your coat of many colors

And your beauty beyond compare

(Sweet Angel)

_____

Increasing Wisdom Increases Pain

You can talk about fighting for your rights

I don't care much for rights

I'd rather have obligations

You can say you've been sold

And you want back all your gold

But you and I know

You’re just a slave of your own temptations

You can't lie to me about

His-story and Her-story

Or My-story Cause you know - I'm a witness

Long ago I held the law and you saw

And you said

You'd rather pursue your own interests

You can say you’re a dove - a terrorist of love

But funny how you always

Expect me to protect you

Instead of gratitude I get an attitude

You say I’m cruel

And I'm a bigger fool - Cause I even let you

And there's nothing new under the sun

It's all the same

Increasing wisdom - Increases pain

Well you can talk about unity and you and me

And one nation of brotherhood

Well that's good but what exactly is

The meaning of your mission

You say you want to right all the wrongs

You learned your protest songs

But was it really he or she or them or it

Who put you under these conditions

You talk about the new world order

You want to remove all the borders

Definitions and religions and then

Maybe you'll be satisfied

You want to give rights to everybody

Even those who don't give rights to others

You call them your brothers but the truth is

They've really got you terrified

Well the people of the book become

The people of the checkbook

Blaming all their problems on the only one

Who really could have saved them

The tragedy my friend

Is what happens now happened then

Even so you don't want to know

You'd rather make the same mistakes

And pay for them

The ones who once revealed the invisible

Sadly become practitioners of ritual

Blaming the stick instead of seeing

The hand that shakes it

Terrified of what the nations say

Instead of fearing the one to whom they pray

Blaming Him for the promise He keeps

While they continually break it

And in His anger he sent a King

And in His wrath He took him away

To the words he had to say

So now were being sentenced

But Divine glory must be revealed

Upon our flesh it will be sealed

Even among those who have not yet

Grasped the meaning of repentance

A Nation commanded to dwell alone

How good it is to be free

To study the meaning of the burden that I carry

The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the L-rd

He ain't no Santa Clause

He carries a sword and brother it's scary

You know the missiles will continue to fall

If we don't heed the call

And return to learn about

The beauty of the Kingdom - that we are heir to

But some would rather die

Under this foreign sun than to be

What they were born to become

To give of themselves

They say no we don't really care to

Heaven’s Door

When the stones come alive

And are gathered to one place

From where they were scattered once before

Then the dreamers in the night

Will build a city made of light

And we will walk hand in hand

Through heaven’s door

When the stones come alive

And are gathered to one place

And a ladder to the sky

Is seen once more

And angels will descend

And we’ll climb on it again

And we will walk hand in hand

Through heaven’s door

Yes we’ll walk hand in hand

From every distant land

Returning what was lost with so much more

And Heaven will descend

And we’ll be counted once again

When we walk hand in hand

Through Heavens door

When every heart of stone

Becomes a heart of flesh

And we look back at the weight

That we once bore

And we see the road we laid

And the stairway that we made

As we walk hand in hand

Through Heavens door

Sweet Angel

Sweet Angel you rescued me in the night
I saw you from a distance

You drew me into your light
It was you who gave me shelter

And led me to the place
Where the fountain springs eternal

And beauty has no face
Sweet angel you renewed me with your breath
You reached into my inner being

And saved me from my death

And though the mountains crumble beneath my feet
I will not tremble no I will not weep
For what you have given me today I can't forget
No, I'm forever in your debt

Sweet Angel with your kisses like prayers
And your coat of many colors

And your beauty beyond compare
How did you find me how did this come to be
I didn't even know I was looking for you
Or you were looking for me
Sweet Angel you put our the raging fire
That blinded me and separated me

From my true desire

Sweet Angel with the rope braids in your hair
And the beams of light a shining

From the silver star you wear
How can I repay you for the riches you bestow
I have nothing here of value

Compared to the jewels you hold
Sweet Angel you unlocked the heavenly gate
My soul flies up into your arms where

The angels congregate

Vayishlach

He said, “No longer will it be said that your name

is Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with

the Divine and with man and have overcome.”

(Bereshit 32:29)

The oppressor is not impressed

By those who sigh and beat their breast

But only with those who wrestle with angels

And will not let them leave

Until they’ve been blessed

(The Voice of the Timid)

__

Esav ran toward him, embraced him,

fell upon his neck, and kissed him; then they wept.

(Bereshit 33:4)

And I said Oh you better beware

When the bears come to hug you

You know they don’t really love you

(When the bears come to hug you)

___

When the Bears Come to Hug You

Oh the enemy comes

Under the sign of salvation

But the people don't recognize him

Nor his evil intention

And they say - why should we fear

When they say we love you

Well I say - Oh you better beware

When the bears come to hug you

You know they don't really love you

Oh the inquisitor arrives

With his new world religion

He's got the pope and the terrorist  

Together on his mission

Oh the suicide ball 

Going to be a big celebration

The executioner smiles

When he receives his invitation

When the bears come to hug you

You know they don’t really love you

(When the bears come to hug you)

Eternal Voice of the Timid

The eternal voice of the timid

Who so dislikes the bold

For the latter points out their frailties

And his soul cannot be sold

The eternal voice of trembling

Against the lion hearted wail

Tell me who are you afraid of

Who's been banned and who's in jail

We have presided over the death of our people

Our hearts are fattened and our ears

Have been stuffed

We are not doing all that we can

And what we do is never enough

The eternal voice of weeping

Against the cry of victory

There are some who say there is no escape

While other walk right through a raging sea.

There are giants that suddenly appear

And challenge the awesome powers that be

They are born to suffer for there's is the vision

To see what others cannot or will not see

Oh but the builders who tirelessly

Keep on building

Will build hope where despair once had been

And the dreamers who defy the impossible

Who's love of goodness is labeled extreme

The eternal voice of the timid

Who so dislikes the bold

Whose heart is forever bleeding,

When in truth his heart is cold

There are comets that suddenly streak through the sky

And change the face of history

They are imprisoned for being ahead of their time

And it's too late when we finally see

Oh the measure of a man’s love is not

How he tries to act so nice

How cheap it is to proclaim one's love

How difficult to sacrifice

The oppressor is not impressed by

Those who sigh and beat their breast

But only with those who wrestle with angels

And will not let them leave

Until they've been blessed

Vayeishev

Then they took him, and cast him into the

pit; the pit was empty, no water was in it.

They sat to eat food. 

(Bereshit 37:24,25)

And if were wrong well someone will pay

But its ok it’s only my brother

And I won’t grieve why doesn’t he just leave

If someone must pay its ok

its only my brother

(Only my brother)

___

And they said to one another, “Look! That

dreamer is coming! So now, come and let us

kill him, and throw him into one of the pits.

(Bereshit 37:19)

You say pluck out his eyes, heed not his

warning. Bring his blood stained coat to the

cats as an offering.

(Mause)

___

One of the main themes in this Parsha can be summed up in one word ‘Recognition’. ‘Ha Kerna’ ‘Do you recognize?’ This phrase is used in two places. The brothers do not recognize that Yoseph is a Tzadik, and in their jealousy conspire to assassinate him, and opt instead to sell him.  They bring his blood stained coat to their father and Yehuda says ‘Do you recognize this?’  This phrase later comes back to Yehuda when in his righteous wrath he is about to burn yet another Tzadikes Tamar who responds ‘Do you recognize these items?’ Yehuda then realizes his terrible mistakes.

Only My Brother

They’re setting sail on the ship Titanic

They raise a toast to peace at last

And as the ship sails off into the blood red sunset

They say cast off those who warn us of the past

And if we’re wrong someone will pay

But it’s ok – It’s Only my Brother

I feel secure - It’s his own fault I’m sure

If someone must pay its ok It’s Only My Brother 

They say the devil ain’t really so evil

Let’s give him a chance come on let’s make him king

After all good always seems to go unrewarded

And he promises us so many things

And if we’re wrong well someone must pay

But it’s ok - Its Only My Brother

I’m ok for now It will work out I’m sure somehow

If it don’t it’s ok someone will pay

Its Only My Brother

There are prophets who prophesize

Only sweet things

And there are fools who follow and increase

And while the puppets of the king perform

The cities are on fire

But it’s the price the prophets say for peace

And if were wrong well someone will pay

But its ok it’s only my brother

And I won’t grieve why doesn’t he just leave

If someone must pay its ok its only my brother

Breach In Your Heart

My Father - How they hurt you

You who loved them enough - to chastise

Look how they beat you and imprisoned you

You who only wanted to save their lives

My Teacher - How they tortured you

You who loved them enough to expect more of them

Look how they chained you and defamed you

You who only wanted to restore them

My King - Look how they bloodied you

You who wanted them to stop feeling sorry

Look how they martyred you  

Look how they murdered you

You who only wanted to reveal their glory

Here is the mystery - Listen to me

The picture must develop in the dark

Bear this spark in your soul - until it is born

Until it breaks through the breach - in your heart

Come singers, Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen,

Bob Zimmerman

This is the one to whom you owe your praise

You who were leaders, what now do you follow

Can't you see these are the true protest days

My eyes - Look how they've blinded me

Took them away - Left me groping in the dark

There will never be another one like you

Who picked us up and carried us through

But I'll not lose faith

I'll continue to carry the weight you bore

My Cherished One - Look how they buried you

You who only wanted to bring out their virtue

Look how they felt no pain

And still they feel no shame

You who brought them life - Even as they buried you

My Anointed One - Look how they struck you

How they killed you with words

And the penalty that now they've incurred

Look how they ran when they saw you come

Look how they hid behind the trigger of the gun

Look how even now they don't realize

Just who you were

This is the Holocaust

I was tending my garden

I was plucking out the weeds

Wanted a basket of fruit

To take with me when I leave

Never thought I'd be wiped out

By an early winter frost

You know, I thought this was the redemption but I was wrong - this is the Holocaust

I was following a road that was dangerous they said

But I knew the L-rd would protect me

At least that's what He said

Sure enough He came and then I was double-crossed

I said, I thought this was the redemption He said no

This is the Holocaust

I was directing the travelers

Who had strayed far from home

Preparing them for the King

Who soon would sit on the throne

Never thought I'd have to tell them

Children I’m sorry but I’m lost

I thought this was the redemption but I was wrong

This is the Holocaust

But children don't you worry - it's not the very end

After the storm will fall

We'll rebuild our home again

It's written all hope must be lost

Before the king finally returns

This must be the hardest lesson I believe I've ever learned

Thought things would be different

The sea would part and we would cross

I really thought this was the redemption but I was wrong This is the Holocaust

Well there was one who came to warn us

To prepare us for the storm

But you slandered him and said

You wish he never had been born

Well now you'll see the tidal wave you made

Into it you'll be tossed

Though you could have brought redemption

You gave birth to the Holocaust

Well it's a sin to deceive someone

But a crime to deceive yourself

There ain't no rosy picture now

No one to guard your wealth

The one you thought that you could buy

Well now he's going to be your boss

Though you could have brought redemption

Instead you brought the Holocaust

It's written all hope must be lost

Before the king finally returns

This must be the hardest lesson

I believe I've ever learned

Thought things would be different

The sea would part and we would cross

I really thought this was the redemption but I was wrong

This is the Holocaust

But children don't you worry - it's not the very end

After the storm will fall

We'll rebuild our home again

Heart of Stone

What master do you serve

That stains your hands with blood

How does a child become cruel

To those that he once loved

Are you proud of your new position

And the dirty work you had to do

Or were you just following orders

Like others used to do?

Oh brother of mine

Please don't break down my door

I don't want to say

That your not my brother - anymore

Who are you afraid of?

What happened to your pride?

Who could have convinced you

To commit this crime?

What virus has infected you

And put shock-waves in your brain

How could the glorious hero

Have no decency and shame?

How does the son of glory

Steal from widows already robbed?

Are gangsters your new family now

Is money your only God?

Are these the brave soldiers

That face danger every day

Is this the enemy that you've conquered

Your little children that you betray?

What idol made of stone
Stole your heart away?
Did they give you a metal
Tell me what price did they pay?
I often wonder
How a people could comply
To place their brothers in the oven
Wouldn't you rather die?

The Wisdom of Your Ways

Do you desire to prepare me for the dust of death

Do you want your words to cease

Do you not like those who are jealous for your love

When so many turn from you in retreat

Do you have so many suitors

Did you ever have such a one as this

One who was as beautiful in deed as appearance

One who's arrow never missed

What is the wisdom of your ways?

Do you desire to fade away

And leave your children all alone
Why did you send your shepherd just to take him
When he was leading your flock home
Was the crystal meant to be broken
Was the perfect piece never meant to fit
Some are taken in their time

Some are taken right in the midst of it
What is the wisdom of your ways

Is this what you desire
To punish those who warned of your punishment
To steal from those who brought thieves to justice
To satisfy the bat with the light of the sun
What is the wisdom of your ways

Do you desire to be a widow

Veiled in black and hidden from sight

There was one who brought you sweet flowers

And sang praises to you each night

What is the wisdom of your ways

Is this what you desire

To silence the voice that swore

We would never be silent again

To cut down the tree who stood

Against the wind and would not bend

To destroy the destroyer of your enemies

What is the wisdom of your ways

Did your nightingale sing to sweetly

Was it not meant to be so clear

Was the song she sang too simple

Too simple for them to hear

Do you want to be denied again

Who will stand up for your cause

We have no hands to grasp

We have only claws

What is the wisdom of your ways

Is this what you desire

To cut short the life

Of one who gave his life over to you

To remove a rose among thorns

When you know there are so few

To slaughter the bull that pulled your yoke

What is the wisdom of your

Mause

You read your history books

But you understand nothing

You still act like a mouse and the cat's got your tail

You think maybe you'll save your skin

By ratting on your brother

Or maybe you'll spring another cat out of jail

But the cat's are on the loose

And they're looting your house

You say, don't you know who I am remember me

They say yes, yes, yes

There's a mouse, there's a mouse, there's a mouse

and a mouse and another mouse

You see the watchman at the gate

But you refuse to listen

You say he's the one to hate

For the storm that he brings

You say pluck out his eyes, heed not his warning

Bring his blood stained coat

To the cats as an offering    

But the cat's are on the loose

And they're looting your house

You say, don't you know who I am remember me

They say yes, yes, yes

There's a mouse, there's a mouse, there's a mouse

and a mouse and another mouse

Miketz

Then they said to each other, “Indeed we are guilty concerning our brother inasmuch as we saw his heartfelt anguish when he pleaded with us and we paid no heed; that is why this anguish has come upon us.” (Bereshit 42:21)

And when the rock they all despise

Becomes the cornerstone

The Voice of Freedom is the voice of Judgment

The Voice of Freedom is the voice of the Law

(Voice of Freedom)    

___

Yoseph saw his brothers and he recognized them, but he acted like a stranger…Yoseph recalled the dreams that he dreamed about them (Bereshit 42:7-9)

And in the end

All the dreams that I dreamed will come true

But not the way I thought

And even you will see it too – In the end

(In the End)                                      

___

The Voice of Freedom

The Voice of Freedom is the voice of judgment

The voice of Freedom is the voice of the law

Don’t say you are not guilty

Don’t say you have not strayed

Don’t blame all your misfortunes

On someone else’s name

Don’t look at what you have not

But learn what you can be

Don’t say you have no choices

Don’t say that you’re not free

The Voice of Freedom is the voice of Judgment

The Voice of Freedom is the voice of the Law 

And when the rock they all despise

Becomes the cornerstone

And when the children all come home

And the King sits on his throne

And the truth is finally known

The voice of Freedom is the voice of judgment

The voice of freedom is the voice of the law.

Before you blame the system

Before you make demands

Before you blame the devil

See the blood on your own hands

Don’t say you don’t need fences

Don’t say you don’t need rules

The voice of mother nature is the wisdom of fools

But the voice of freedom is the voice of judgment

The voice of freedom is the voice of the law

And when the rock they all despise

Becomes the corners stone

And when the children all come home

And the King sits on his thrown

And the truth is finally known

The voice of freedom is the Voice of Judgment

The Voice of Freedom is the voice of the law

And those who seek correction –

Blessed will they be

And those who seek instruction will find eternity

The voice of freedom is the voice of judgment

The voice of freedom is the voice of the law.

Woo freedom

Don’t blame your misfortune

On someone else’s name   

Don’t look for somebody, somebody to blame

Oh  Freedom Is the voice of the Law

Got to learn the law.

In The End

Even though I said I’ll never sing again

After all these thing maybe its clearer

Even though its dark in the places that I’ve been

Maybe now the light’s a little bit nearer

And even though I said you’ll always be a slave

Just because you think you are the master

After all these things when you’ve lost everything

When someone cries maybe next time you’ll answer

And in the end

All the dreams that I dreamed will come true

But not the way I thought

And even you will see it too – In the end

And even though I said I might as well be dead

How can I replaced what has been shattered

But after all these things

Though we still don’t know anything

I suppose were left with what really matters

And even though I said all the riches in my hand

Are buried in the sand forever

But after all these things

You recalled the song I did sing

And suddenly were singing it together

And in the end

All the dreams that I dreamed will come true

But not the way I thought

And even you will see it too – In the end  

Vayigash

We said, ‘We cannot go down; only if our youngest brother is with us..

(Bereshit44:26)

Yehuda V’shomron, We’ll return you to whom you belong

(Yehuda V’Shomron)

___

And Yoseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Yoseph.  Is my father still alive?’

(Bereshit 45:3)

The fathers will returned to the son
Who can't be silenced by your assassins gun
Take a look at his bitter smile

And welcome home - My Abandoned Child

(Abandoned Child)

__

Yehuda V’Shomron

Yehuda Vshomron

Will rise up like the dawn

And praise the One on high

And tell the world we’ll never die

Yehuda V’shomron

The weak will triumph against the strong

For our hand

Is the hand of the one on high

Who tells the world we’ll never die

Yehuda V’shomron

We’ll return you to whom you belong

Though they believe we’ll be crushed like a fly

In the end they will say we’ll never die

Oh the doves who come with all their claws

To tear apart the book of all these laws

In the end they too will learn to fly

And tell the world well never die

There will be no peace with the cruel and no trust

We’ll fight for the peace of the just

Though we be few do they know who they defy

The one who said that we’ll never die

Yehuda V’shomron

Your light in our heart has never gone

Even the angel of death must sigh and tell the world

We’ll never die

Yehuda Vshomron

Will rise up like the dawn

And praise Hashem on high

And tell the world we’ll never die

Abandoned Child

You can cry if you want to of the suffering of the past

But what did you do to prevent it

How did you let it come to pass

I don't want any of your memorials

And all your distorted facts

Cause I won't let it happen again

That's why I've come back

This the hand you couldn't kill

The arm that's moving still

The one denied a trial

Left to be killed

Left to be defiled

What can you say

But welcome home

My Abandoned Child

You can celebrate your victory

You can celebrate your decay

You can receive all your medals

While others are 'put away'.

You can keep your handshake

And your contaminated wine

Your time is over

And I've come back to claim what's mine

This is the arm you couldn’t twist

The hand turned to a fist

The one you left to be slain

For the price of your peace

While you drank Champagne

The fathers will returned to the son

Who can't be silenced by your assassin’s gun

Take a look at his bitter smile

And welcome home

My Abandoned Child

(please forgive me, I didn't realize, don't you remember me, I'm your father and your my Abandoned Child, lets forgive and forget, my hands were tied, it's not my fault, I'm your father and after all, your my..Abandoned Child)

Vayechi

_

Then Israel saw Yosephs sons and said, ‘Who are these?’

(Bereshit48:8)

But where they go I cannot see.

I hope that they are finally free.

(Words of a Song)

Then Yacov called for his sons and said, Assemble yourselves and I will tell you what will befall you in the End of Days.

(Bereshit 49:1)

This is the generation of one Nation under the sun

Made up of many tribes joined together as one

(Tribes)

_

In the entire Torah scroll, Vayechi is unique in that there is no extra space between it and the preceding Parasha. This Parasha is called a ‘closed’ Parsha.  In Hebrew the word closed ‘Stuma’ is similar to ‘Stima’ which means infection. But where they go I cannot see I hope that they are finally free

The exile closes us off and we are not healthy as we should be; our eyes don’t see properly and we don’t take the proper lessons from events that occur. Another reason that the Parasha is closed is that Yacov’s prophetic vision was ‘closed’.  He was prevented from telling his children when the exile would end.

Sometimes freedom is imprisonment and imprisonment is freedom

When Napoleon marched through Europe and Russia to many it was considered a movement of liberation. To the Bnei Torah world it was a curse, an illusion of freedom that would lead to destruction. 

One who sees a temporary opening for him to escape Hashems reality may feel liberated and free but because he does not see the past and the future only the present there is no connection and he slips into exile without a break, without understanding what he is doing. He is like one who reaches into a thorn bush, only when he pulls his hand out does he get cut with the thorns. All exiles are free to enter but we pay when we leave.

Many years later in Russia Jews went to prison for the crime of keeping the Torah that had been outlawed in Communist Russia.  Those individuals were actually free, even as they sat in prison because they understood the true meaning of their existence.

Although the brothers were now united in the exile, Yacov understood that it was imperative to make sure Yoseph buried him in Israel. In this way the family would not forget their past which is their future.

I chose a selection of songs that may be slightly related to some of these themes; the words of a song that we are left with, even though we may not understand it; alone again, without our loved ones; the last goodbye, building the future, brick by brick, through the many tribes of our Nation.

Words of a Song

One by One they climb the wall

And they disappear

Leave behind the factory and the things they fear

But where they go I cannot see

I hope that they are finally free

And as for me my friend

I will not reach the end

But when I’m gone I hope that you will carry on

And I will leave you with the words of a song

One by One the new ones come to fulfill their task

And they give them factory clothes

And a faceless mask

But where they go I cannot see

I only hope that they are finally free

And as for me my friend I will never reach the end

But if I’m gone I hope that you will carry on

And I will leave you with the words of a song

Alone Again

After all is said and done

Were alone again – all alone again

The dreams we built and burned them all down

Alone again - Alone again

But darling you will find another man

And one day we will both understand

And now we sit up nights that seem so long

Alone again -  Alone again

Its times like these they say that make one strong

Alone again -  Alone again

But one day all the wrongs will be made right

So darling don’t  you cry don’t you cry tonight

After all is said and done

Alone again -  Alone again

And is there anyone who don’t find himself

Alone again -  Alone again

One day all the wrongs will be made right

So darling don’t  you cry don’t you cry tonight

Brick By Brick

Can a light - Be put out

Can such a light - Be put out

Is that all there is - It's not possible

Such a light

Going to keep your light burning - going to keep it lit

Going to build your dream - brick by brick

Going to do what I can to carry on

To bring your children back to where they belong

I'm going to keep your light burning

Till every light is lit

I'm going to build your dream brick by brick

I’m going to keep your light burning

Till every light is lit

I'm going to build your dream brick by brick

The Last Goodbye

I tried to call but you weren’t at home

I left my message by your gate

I tried to inform you

I tried to warn you

Now you see but it’s too late

It’s too late to cry

It’s too late to turn the tide

I guess this is the last goodbye

And it’s too late to ask why

There’s nothing that I didn’t try

I guess this is the last goodbye

Oh tried to wake you

I tried to shake you

But you were like a puppet on a string

Thought you were so free

Thought you always would always have me

But you were wrong

And it’s too late now that you finally see

(Chorus)

Why must it be that the righteous must fall

Before we can see that they were right after all

And why must it be after such a terrible cost

We finally see what we had and what we lost

(Chorus)

Tribes

Talking 'bout Tribes - The Tribes of my Nation

Yehuda the Lion - He's conquering the Land

Menashe, Ephraim, Binyamin and Gad

Reuvain, Shimon, Asher and Dan

Talking 'bout Tribes - The Tribes of my Nation

This is the generation of one Nation under the sun

Made up of many tribes joined together as one

Coming from the east, coming from the west

Coming with nothing and coming with the best

Coming in ships, coming in planes

You ask them why, they can't explain

Tribes - The Tribes of my Nation

From the valley of Megiddo where they first died

I see them coming alive, one by one, before my eyes

Tribes - The Tribes of my Nation

As it was in the past, in the ancient days

Nothing really much has changed today

Maybe its part of the masters plan

That only He can understand

All I can do is the best I can

And build my section of my tribal Land

Tribes - The Tribes of my Nation

And even though they look like this

And they look like that

From the tattooed ones to the furry hats

No matter where you go

You’re always going to come back

Cause you can't run away from the place your at

Tribes - The Tribes of my Nation

In The Beginning Play CD

In The Beginning Play Ebook

For live shows and more info write to:

info@ronwiseman.com

Album Notes and Credits

Shabbat Shalom

Guitar: Neil Gertler

Drums: Michael Paoli

Sax: Richard Howse (akaIsaacs)

Clarinet: Bob Stevenson

Gates of Eden

Guitar: Yehuda Ziv

Kichon/Vocals: Michal Katzir

Bass: Or Dayan

Guitar: Arie Yariv Gzanda

Drums: Amos Maroz

First in Thought

Guitar: Yehuda Ziv

Vocals: Shachar Dawn

Traveling on this Line

Guitar/Dobro: Yair Fine

Vocals: Shachar Dawn

Dear World

Guitar: Barak

Before The Flood

Guitar: Yehuda Zis

Time To Come Home

Guitar: Noah Zacharin

Oud : Joshua Benchetrit

Time To Come Home

Guitar: Noah Zacharin

Oud : Joshua Benchetrit

Waiting For A Miracle

Guitar Rhythm: Neil Gertler
Percussion: Kofi Ackah
Guitar Solo: Gerry Markman
Backup Vocals: Marcia Douglas
Backup Vocals: Lorraine Douglas
Drums: Michael Goodridge

(Marshmellow Records)

Tail of a Lion

Harmonica/Guitar: Bar

Vocals : Shachar Dawn

Nothingness
Guitar: Bar

Jealousy
Guitar: Yehuda Ziv

Increasing Wisdom
Guitar: Noah Zacharin

Oud/Vocals : Joshua Benchetrit

Heavens Door
Guitar: Barak Zakar

Guitar: Arie Yariv Gzanda

Voice of the Timid

Guitar: Noah Zacharin

Oud : Joshua Benchetrit

Bears

Guitar: Neil Gertler

Breach In Your Heart

Guitar: Noah Zacharin

Oud : Joshua Benchetrit

This is the Holocaust

Guitar: Noah Zacharin

Heart of Stone

Drums: Erez

Bass: Alon

Wisdom of Your Ways

Guitar: Noah Zacharin

Mause

Guitar: Neil Gertler

Drums: Neil Gertler

Yehuda V’Shomron

Guitar: Barak

Brick By Brick

Guitar: Noah Zacharin

Oud/Guitar/Vocals : Joshua Benchetrit

Alone Again

Band: JFK and the Conspirators

Tail of a Lion - Live

Guitar: Yehuda Ziv

Kichon/Vocals: Michal Katzir

Bass: Or Dayan

All other instruments played by Ron Wiseman including drum tracks that were either recorded on electronic drums or edited Studio Drum Tracks.

(Completed Bereshit 2015)