Maya Bliztman and Ehud Banai Explore 900 Years of Akedah Poetry
Cellist Maya Bliztman describes her role in the new musical production "The Binding of Isaac," set to premiere Sunday at Beit HaHayal in Tel Aviv. As part of the "Slichot Tour" project, Bliztman and musician Ehud Banai will collaborate with the Jerusalem Piyyut Ensemble for a 900-year musical journey. The performance will traverse piyyutim (liturgical poems) on the Akedah (the biblical binding of Isaac) from Ashkenazi and Moroccan Jewish traditions, alongside a protest song by Leonard Cohen. Kobi Meidan will host, providing historical context for the pieces.
The evening's centerpiece is a musical and textual interpretation of the Akedah story and its evolution. The journey begins with the piyyut "Im Efes Rozeh HaKen" by Ephraim of Regensburg, written during the Second Crusade after his community's destruction. This poem portrays Abraham and Isaac as exemplars of sacrifice amidst the forced conversions faced by German Jews. Contrasting this is "Oked VeNe'ekad VeHaMizbe'ach" by Judah ben Abbas, a judge in Fes, written after his only son converted to Islam. This version depicts Abraham and Isaac approaching the binding with mixed emotions, with angels attempting to avert the decree and Sarah, absent in the biblical account, also joining the narrative.
The musical exploration extends to Leonard Cohen's "Story of Isaac," a protest against the Vietnam War that gives voice to the son destined for sacrifice. Bliztman views Cohen, a former cantor, as a modern continuation of ancient piyyutim, integrating his Jewish heritage into his work. She aims to express the tension between faith and obedience versus fear and protest through improvisation, allowing her cello to convey deep emotion while her voice offers a gentler touch. Bliztman, who previously worked with Banai for seven years, highlights their deep musical connection and mutual listening on stage.
The musical arrangements were composed by Eliyahu Dagan and Yair Harel, with textual adaptations by Harel and Mishael Vaknin. The second part of the program will feature Slichot piyyutim such as "Ve'etena Tokef," "Adon HaSlichot," "Achot K'tana," and "El Norah Alilah." The Jerusalem Piyyut Ensemble, active for two decades with members aged 28 to 87, was recognized this year with the Landau Prize for Culture.
