Hallel by Sam Tygiel

The Ketem Paz* likens the interweaving of voices in prayer to the binding of a rope that stretches into heaven. He then says that it is by means of this rope that God will draw us out of exile. When I began compiling this set of melodies for Hallel, my dream was to create a prayer experience that would bring this teaching to life. These melodies offer a container to guide a community on a journey of spiritual catharsis, where each voice, in its wonderful, unique specificity, finds its place in a tightly bound cord of connection between upper and lower worlds. By means of this co-created channel, we open ourselves up to the possibility of a radical alignment and healing that was not possible on our own. This recording is just one vision of what it can look like to blend voices, instruments and souls together through these melodies and I hope anyone who listens to it can find a small piece of holy healing through what we have created.

This album is dedicated to the memory of my aunt Martha Tygiel z''l, who loved Jewish music and was surprised and delighted about my turn towards Judaism and the rabbinate. This album was made possible by money she left for me from her career as musician. While I wish she could hear this music in the land of the living, I know she listens from the other side every time I lead prayer. Sometimes I think she even convinces my father and their brother to come to shul with her.

*a lesser known Hasidic thinker from Tiberius

Sam Tygiel is a musician, prayer leader, myth-weaver and aspiring rabbi who draws on the rich narrative and musical traditions of Judaism to create emotional openings for people to discover connection, curiosity and healing.