Preparing for Pesach in 2022, I stumbled upon the Wikipedia entry for adir hu, a prayer-poem traditionally sung at the seder, extolling g?d’s many nicknames, dimensions, and attributes, all leading to a repeated imploration for g?d to rebuild g?d’s house, speedily and in our days. At the bottom of the entry, I was directed to a feminine g?d-language version of adir hu by Rabbi Kohenet Hill Hammer called orah hi, “She is Light.” What luck! What joy! Where has this been all my life? I read the beautiful words and this melody poured out. I am so grateful to Rabbi Hammer for bringing this beauty into the world, for inspiring us to use all the colors in the g?d-language crayon box, for giving us permission to bring her words to life. Speedily and in our days, may we recognize the whole universe as a Holy House, and each being on earth as worthy of this sacred home.
p.s. It was important for all members of the ensemble to be a part of calling and responding in this track. Any and all genders can benefit from Divine feminine leadership!
she is light, she is light.
may she build her house
soon, soon,
speedily and in our days.
g?d, build your house soon-
close to us in time and space.
she is wisdom, she is joy, she is tears.
she is splendor, she is a rose, she is a flowing stream.
she is renewal, she is the center, she is oneness.
she is the full moon, she is birth, she is the fountain-source
she is comfort, she is forgiveness, she is strength.
she is redemption, she is righteousness, she is holiness.
she is a beloved companion, she is always changing, she is complete and perfect.
Text by Rabbi Jill Hammer, inspired by the Haggadah
credits
from ORAH HI,
released August 31, 2023
Sponsored by Bet Shira Congregation in Miami, FL. Thank you!
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