Rabbi Yehoshua Shapira and Yair Cohen Release New Song for High Holidays

Rabbi Yehoshua Shapira and Yair Cohen have released a new musical rendition of the piyyut (liturgical poem) "Eim HaMelech Bimseibo," featuring lyrics by Rabbi Yehuda Halevi and a melody from the Zutchka Rebbe. The song aims to express the longing and yearning for unity with God during the High Holy Days of Elul and Tishrei.

The lyrics are drawn from Rabbi Halevi's "Yish'aluni Re'ayonai," specifically focusing on the lines, "Until the servant is pleased with his pleas to his master, and the worshipper is united with the King in his feast." According to the yeshiva, Rabbi Kook greatly admired this piyyut and would sing it during the Simchat Beit Hashoeva celebrations on Hoshana Rabbah, particularly emphasizing the line about being united with the King.

The melody is based on tunes by the Zutchka Rebbe, originally set to the words "And behold, the Lord stood over him." The added introductory line, "Until the servant is pleased with his pleas to his master," signifies the two stages of repentance: first, the servant seeking favor from his master, followed by the ultimate union with God.

The performance features an ensemble including Shmuel Ben Shahar on piano, Ariel Buskila on guitars, Chilik Frank on clarinet, Yitzchak Elchanan Drory on violin, Noam Spier on kamancheh, and Natan Azulai on drums. Jeff Horvitz handled the mixing, Assaf Stern designed the cover art, and Yitzchak Elchanan Drory managed the production.