Notes from Cantor Avima

     The prayer Al Hanisim "For the miracles" is recited as part of the Amidah on Chanukkah, Purim and on Yom Hatzmaut. There are actually three versions of the prayer. They all begin the same: "We thank you for the triumphs, and for the miraculous deliverance of our ancestors, in other days and in our time."  This introductory statement is followed by a summary of each holiday, highlighting God's role leading to the miraculous victory being celebrated. 

     Because it is a liturgical text, you can certainly find a share of cantorial masterpieces by doing a simple YouTube search. Here is a "traditional" melody in a choral arrangement by Western Wind. Al Hanisim Western Wind

     However, in 1974 a "new" melody hit the airwaves via the Chassidic Song Festival. This "Al Hanisim" was written by Dov Frimer. He was actually a musically talented law student who first wrote the song for a song contest at Yeshiva University in 1972. He then moved to Israel and entered his song into the Chassidic Song Festival in 1974 and the rest is Chanukkah music history. It was sung and first recorded by Yizhar Cohen, and only in 1975 was it recorded by Dov Frimer. Here is the recording from the Chasidic Song Festival in 1974: Al Hanisim Chassidic Song Festival 1974

     This song has become such a Chanukkah and Purim staple that many think of it as "traditional". Of course it has been arranged for choir. And here it is sung by the Zamir Chorale of Boston: Al Hanisim Zamir Chorale Boston 

     And... I can't resist sharing one more.really fun one by KippaLive, an Israeli acapella group: Al Hanisim Kippalive

     Enjoy - and let's keep praying  for some modern day miracles!