ev'tach (havdalah) - marni loffman

As shabbat comes to a close, stars in the night sky, 25 hours of relating to time differently, of honoring the uniqueness of having a day apart from the regular bustle of labor, productivity and task orientation behind us, we pause to sing. We watch a dancing flame, breathe in the smell of spices, taste the sweetness of wine or grape juice, and listen to the sound of our voices. This ritual is called “havdalah.”

Havdalah is a Jewish transition ritual which marks the shift from shabbat to the "sheshet yemei hama'aseh," the “six days of doing”. As we transition from the sanctuary of shabbat to the six days of the week, this shift may usher various changes in each individual and community. Maybe we are moving from rest to work, from connection to separation, from stillness to movement, from spaciousness to business, from patience to urgency, and much more.

Of course, shabbat is not the only time in which we experience holiness, in which we practice different ways of existing, elevate meaning, connection, rest, patience and presence. We can bring the "kodesh" (sacred) into the "chol" (mundane) and of course there is "chol" in the "kodesh." And yet, any time we find ourselves in a unique cocoon of time, when we intentionally rest, find meaning, pray, sing, eat and dream, going back to the world of maintenance, upkeep and goal-orientedness can be jarring and challenging. Thankfully, there is this ritual to guide us through.

Ev'tach is the opening song to the havdalah ritual. Classically named after its opening words "hinei el yeshua'ti" (behold, divine source of my redemption), I have decided to name this setting after the fourth word of the prayer "ev'tach," meaning "I will trust.” Change is vulnerable, transitions full of many emotions. During these times, it can be hard to trust these processes of change. The Jewish tradition offers this prayer, this incantation, the self-affirmation that we are not alone during these changes. The test helps us remember, that although it feels nearly impossible to trust, it is precisely that act of surrender to being with the One, letting ourselves trust Process, Divine, Sacred, Multiverse or whatever name you have for this “Thing” in which we are all enveloped, that will carry us through our changes.

Havdalah is a transformative ritual for changes, distinctions, and transition. May this song provide comfort and a reminder that you are not alone. Through trusting your voice, the Great Mystery, the joy and connection or community, you will find strength and peace in the process.

Stream:
Bandcamp: https://marniloffman.bandcamp.com/tra...
All Streaming Platforms: https://songwhip.com/marniloffman/evtach

Credits:
Vocals: marni loffman, Rachel Chang, Madeline Rabin. Syd Bakal
Piano: Aly Halpert
Guitar: Rachel Chang
Bass: Jeff Weisz
Percussion: Elliot Beck
Flute: Ryah Lichtenstein
Violin: Ezra Sipe

Videography: Shmuel Lowenstein
Assistant Video Direction: marni loffman

Sound Engineer: Don Godwin, Tonal Park
Mixing: Don Godwin, Tonal Park
Mastering: Randy LeRoy, Tonal Park

Recording Support Staff: Syd Rainer, Fatima Abbasi

Lyrics:
הִנֵּה אֵל יְשׁוּעָתִי, אֶבְטַח וְלֹא אֶפְחָד,
כִּי עָזִּי וְזִמְרָת יָהּ יְיָ, וַיְהִי לִי לִישׁוּעָה.
וּשְׁאַבְתֶּם מַֽיִם בְּשָׂשׂוֹן, מִמַּעַיְנֵי הַיְשׁוּעָה.
לַייָ הַיְשׁוּעָה, עַל עַמְּךָ בִרְכָתֶֽךָ סֶּֽלָה.

יְיָ צְבָאוֹת עִמָּֽנוּ, מִשְׂגָּב לָנוּ אֱלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב סֶֽלָה.
יְיָ צְבָאוֹת, אַשְרֵי אָדָם בֹּטֵֽחַ בָּךְ. יְיָ הוֹשִֽׁיעָה, הַמֶּֽלֶךְ יַעֲנֵֽנוּ בְיוֹם קָרְאֵֽנוּ.
לַיְּהוּדִים הָיְתָה אוֹרָה וְשִׂמְחָה וְשָׂשׂוֹן וִיקָר.

כֵּן תִּהְיֶה לָּֽנוּ. כֵּן תִּהְיֶה לָּֽנוּ. כּוֹס יְשׁוּעוֹת אֶשָּׂא, וּבְשֵׁם יְיָ אֶקְרָא.

Transliteration:
Hinei el y'shuati,
ev'tach v'lo ef'chad,
ki ozi v'zimrat Yah,
Adonai vay'hi li li'shua
Ushav'tem mayim b'sason, mima'anei ha-y'shua.
L'Adonai ha-y'shua,
al am'cha birchatecha selah.

Adonai tz'va'ot, imanu, misgav lanu, Elohei Ya'akov Selah.
Adonai tz'va'ot, ashrei adam boteach bach.
Adonai hoshiah, haMelech ya'aneinu v'yom koreinu.
LaY'hudim, hay'tah orah, v'simcha v'sason,
vikar

Ken tih'yeh lanu. Ken tih'yeh lanu.
Kos Y'shu'ot esah, uv'sheim Adonai ekra.

Translation:

Behold! God is my deliveran​​​​ce, I trust in God, Mystery, Interconnection, the Multiverse, the One, and I am not afraid.
God is my strength and song, God will be my deliveran​​​​ce.
You shall draw water in joy from the waters of deliveran​​​​ce. Deliveran​ce is God's, for His nation that is his praise, Selah.

The Lord of Hosts is with us, Oneness is our support, the Keeper of Jacob, Selah.
The Lord of Hosts, praisewor​thy is the one who trusts in the One. The Lord will save, the King will answer on the day that we call.
There was light, joy, gladness and honor for the Jews -

So may there be for us. So may there be for us.
I will raise up the cup of deliveran​​​​ce, and call in the name the Lord.

from the long short path, released August 17, 2023
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