Welcome to Nazarene Israel’s Beginning Ephraimite
Shabbat Siddur.
You can download the file in the PDF box in the upper right corner of your screen.
Our goal in writing this siddur is to help you learn the traditional songs of praise and worship that are sung in Hebrew synagogues all over the world. Singing is the easiest way to learn a foreign language, and we hope this Hebrew song book will help make your experience more fun and enjoyable. The more you enjoy yourself, the faster you will learn to speak and sing in Hebrew.
Please do not worry if it takes a while to begin speaking and singing in Hebrew. Hebrew is very different from English, and while some people pick Hebrew up right away, others take longer to become comfortable with it. If it takes you longer than expected, please just relax, and know that you are always in His perfect time. If you simply start, and begin singing along with the songs, sooner or later the Hebrew will start to make sense in a way that goes beyond academic learning.
Just begin, and before you know it you will be reading and singing in Hebrew.
Although the Hebrews are a highly traditional people, there is no one ‘right’ order in which Hebrew liturgical songs must be sung. The order, content and tempo is often changed from one synagogue to the next, and most of the songs can be sung to different tunes. It sometimes happens that a cantor will intentionally change the songs and the tempo from one week to the
next. Once you have memorized the lyrics, changing the tempo becomes very easy, simple, and natural. The main thing is to memorize the lyrics, and then to sing along with the group. Before long, the meanings of the words will start to come to you.
While Western music is typically sung in a ’major’ key (a bright, cheerful tone), Hebrew chanting is typically sung in a ’minor’ key. Hebrew chant is very heartfelt, and soulful. It is designed to bring one closer to one’s Creator at all times, whether in joy or distress. While musical instruments were used in the Temple, the songs are traditionally sung a-cappella (all vocal) in the
synagogues.
While minor-key music may at first seem strange to the western ear, the sound of these ancient, timeless songs of worship and praise quickly grow upon the heart. Over time, you may find that these praises even change the way you think, and the way you look at the world.
This is a beginner’s siddur, intended to help you read and sing the most common Hebrew liturgical chants. I have purposefully made the English translations more ‘literal’ than poetic,, as the purpose of this siddur is to help you learn to transition to reading and singing in Hebrew.
If you have suggestions about how to make this siddur a better vehicle for learning traditional Hebrew praise and worship, please email us with your suggestions and comments, servant@nazareneisrael.org.
Make a joyful noise unto YHWH!
Shalom.
Norman B. Willis
In the Dispersion
6008 (2008 CE)