Notes from Cantor Avima

     Shabbat Shirah is the favorite shabbat for many Cantors. The Sabbath of Song gets its name from the "Song at the Sea" which is a central feature of the torah portion, B'Shalach. This is the climactic torah portion when the Israelites miraculously cross the Sea of Reeds and escape from slavery. Upon crossing the sea, Moses and then Miriam lead the Israelites in joyous song. For decades, Cantors have seized upon this theme to prepare musical services. 

     The passage of the song of the sea is chanted in a combination of regular torah trope and a special chant melody. There is a tradition that the reader chants certain key phrases and the congregation repeats them. Alternatively, there is a tradition where the reader chants the first part of the verse and the congregation responds with the next phrase which is repeated by the torah reader. Here is a YouTube demonstrating the special melody. Chanting of the Song at the Sea from the Torah

     We are starting our Shabbat Shirah celebration on Friday evening with our musical shabbat service featuring the Ben Wisch Trio. As a special treat, Cantor Brian Kalver will also be joining me on the bimah. This should be a very exciting evening. If you haven't registered yet, please do so.And, then come to hear the torah reading and the special song at the sea. One more sweet tradition is to feed birds on shabbat shirah as gratitude for the beautiful songs they provide for us.    

     Meanwhile, enjoy this well known song by Debbie Friedman describing the scene of the crossing of the sea  as she imagined it. Miriam's Song Debbie Friedman.