V'SHAMRU - Motet
by Michael Reid Winikoff
Choir (SATB or TTBB) a cappella
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DURATION: 2:40 Purchase
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mi) Listen/View Listen Only (faster load) -- for TTBB div (F# mi) Listen/View Listen Only (faster load) This text, a direct statement of Exodus 31:16-17, occurs in three important places during Shabbat: 1) it immediately precedes the Friday evening Amidah; 2) it occurs in the Shaharit (Morning) Amidah; and 3) it serves as the prelude to the Shabbat morning Kiddush (blessing of the wine). THE MUSIC - Some of the most beautiful and sublime works in the Jewish choral
repertoire happen to be renderings of this text (typically for Friday
night use), among them the classic versions by Dunajewski, E. Spivak and
Zilberts, all cast in the characteristic reflective minor. This
setting is called a motet because of its narrative quality, intended for
spiritual contemplation by the listener rather than as a participatory
congregational melody. |
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V’shamru v’nei Yisraeil Et ha-shabbat La-asot et ha-shabbat L’dorotam B’rit olam Beini Uvein b’nei Yisrael ot hi l’olam Ki sheishet yamim asah A-do-nay Et hashamayim v’et ha-aretz Uvayom hash’vi-i Shavat vayinafash |
And the children of Israel shall observe the Sabbath; they shall keep the Sabbath throughout their generations as an everlasting covenant. A sign between Me and the children of Israel shall it be forever, for in six days did the Lord create the heaven and the earth; and on the seventh day, He ceased from His labor and rested. |