The Spirit of the Song

It's that time of year, when we daven the beautiful tefillas of the Yomim Noraim through song, and somehow, some way, it takes us to higher places.   I reached out to Joey Newcomb to share with us his favorite musical moments of the Yomim Noraim.     Gmar Chasima Tova!     No Internet? No smartphone? No problem! Our free call-in-to listen feature is here:   USA: (712) 432-3489 UK: 0333-366-0154 IS...

Song: Mayim Rabim / אני לדודי ודודי לי  Composed by Jared Lazarus of Derech Achim   With Rosh Hashana just a few weeks away, I felt it appropriate to highlight a song that has slowly but surely gotten on to everyone's playlist. Composed and sung by the group Derech Achim from South Africa, the song Mayim Rabim/Ani l'dodi v'dodi li can get you ready for the Yomim Noraim by just listening to it. Add...

As Klal Yisroel continues with the theme of nechama in the haftorahs following Tisha b'Av, what greater consolement could there be than to realize the love that Hashem has for us, which in turn helps us love Him even more.     Composed by: Michoel Shapiro Sung by: R' Shlomo Katz   No Internet? No smartphone? No problem! Our free call-in-to listen feature is here: USA: (712) 432-3489 UK: 0333-366-0...

Special Shabbos Nachamu Edition! Mourning is difficult. Hardship and tragedy are tough to rise up from. But Hashem has promised His people that there will come a day when we will forget our pain and rise up from the floor and smile once again. Our new and free call-in-to listen feature is here: USA: (712) 432-3489 UK: 0333-366-0154 ISRAEL: 079-579-5088 Follow us for more content: TikTok - https://...

In this weeks special episode, R' Dani continues his music conversation with Aron Shapiro and Yaakov Brown.   They talk about the varying styles of Jewish songs and how they relate to us individually.   Our free call-in-to listen feature is here: USA: (712) 432-3489 UK: 0333-366-0154 ISRAEL: 079-579-5088 Follow us for more content: TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@livinglchaim Instagram - https://...

Composer: Rav Mordechai Twerski Singer: Lev Tahor Volume 2   What better way to get into the mood of the 3 weeks than to listen to this beautiful acapella version of Im Eshkacheich. Originally composed with completely different words, this song ultimately reached the hearts of Klal Yisroel in a way few songs do. May this song be the last Im Eshkacheich we listen to, and may Mashiach usher in a new...

For the three weeks we may not be able to delve into some of our favorite songs, but we can discuss where Jewish music is going and it's deep and spiritual roots. R' Dani sits down to talk music with Aron Shapiro from the famous musically talented Shapiro family and Yaakov Brown who is a well known curator has worked with Abie Rottenberg, Joey Newcomb, Mishpacha's music articles and more. Our free...

This song is a beautiful expression of what our avodas Hashem should be.  Collaborating with the well known Israeli singer/songwriter Yosef Karduner, Joey Newcomb tells the story behind this enchanting song.   Our new and free call-in-to listen feature is here: USA: (712) 432-3489 UK: 0333-366-0154 ISRAEL: 079-579-5088 Follow us for more content: TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@livinglchaim Insta...

How many times in our lives do we try to give chizzuk and inspire people and we are the ones who walk away inspired! This song is just that. Famed Rosh Yeshiva and songwriter, R' Shmuel Brazil shlita, went to give chizzuk and he walked away with the chizzuk.   Our new and free call-in-to listen feature is here: USA: (712) 432-3489 UK: 0333-366-0154 ISRAEL: 079-579-5088 Follow us for more content:...

This episode is being released on Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan, a conspicuous time to daven for the spiritual welfare of our children.  This tefilla that Baruch Levine so beautifully turned into a song, has in it all the yearning parents wish for their children.   May we all be zocheh to see  בָּנִים וּבְנֵי בָנִים, חֲכָמִים וּנְבוֹנִים, אוֹהַבֵי הַשֵם, יִראֵי אֶלֹקִים, אַנְשֵי אֶמֶת, זֶרַע קוֹדֶשׁ, בַ...

Check out Mordechai  Shapiro 's new album with the title track "Achas".   In this episode Mordechai  Shapiro takes us behind the scenes into this uniquely beautiful song and why it's so important to him.   Enjoy.   Our brand new and free call-in-to listen feature is here: USA: (712) 432-3489 UK: 0333-366-0154 ISRAEL: 079-579-5088 Follow us for more content: TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@livingl...

Music is a very sensitive topic, with so many opinions and tastes. This is why Dani sat down with his brother, Aryeh Kunstler, to create this special edition of The Spirit of the Song. In this episode we bring two styles, two mentalities, two opinions, and two brothers together to talk about Jewish music. Just because we can’t listen to music during sefira, doesn’t mean we can’t talk about music d...

Song: Pesach in the Ghetto Composer: Avi Kunstler Singer: Dani Kunstler   At this time of year, when the Jewish people prepare themselves for Pesach, there's an obligation upon each one of us to tap into the lesson of these days.   Throughout our history we have shown fight and resolve in the face of persecution. Yet the fight in us never quit and we are still here, growing stronger than ever.   W...

Composed by Aryeh K unstler Sung by Aryeh  Kunstler  & Yosef Karduner   Special for Purim, the ageless words of "Keli Keli lamah azavtani" by Dovid Hamelech, and echoed by Esther Hamalka as she entered the chamber of Achashveirosh.   Today, these words are a rallying cry for a Jew in a time of need. May the Tefillos of all of Klal Yisroel go directly to the Kisei Hakavod on the holy day of Purim....

Composed by: Baruch Levine Singers: Baruch Levine & Yaakov Shwekey   As believing Jews, we live our daily lives with the constant knowledge that we are here to serve Hashem in our own unique way. But what if our day had a deeper significance? What if each part of the day was parallel to something so much deeper and more spiritual? Listen to Baruch Levine as he gives us a deeper look into our lives...

Composed by Meir Levine, Waterbury Yeshiva Fitting the right words into a song can be a difficult feat, especially when you have powerful words like Gam Ki Eilech. But Meir Levine of Waterbury wrote a song at a time of fear that shines a light on how Hakadosh Baruch Hu is with us even in the darkest times.   The depth of this song actually comes from its simplicity. Take this song with you and lis...

Composed by Reb Aharon Karliner Insight by Rabbi Moshe Ginian One of the prettiest and most meaningful songs sung on Shabbos night, the depth that Rav Aharon Karliner injected into this zemer is so powerful and inspiring.   Rabbi Moshe Ginian helps us understand this depth and gives us the appropriate background and meaning to take with us when we sing it on Shabbos night.   Subscribe to our YouTu...

Song Writer: Binyamin Zwickler A”H Singers: Eli Levin & Eli Dachs Producer: Aryeh Kunstler   He battled Cancer for years but he didn’t let it stop him. The album ‘Carry On’ is a compilation of original songs composed by Binyamin Zwickler A”H. After he passed, his friends got a hold of original compositions that he wrote. They decided to produce this album Carry on. With the proceeds going to Madra...

Song: Listen to Your Neshama Singer: Yerachmiel Begun Yerachmiel Begun, one of my musical mentors as a child during my time in the Miami Boys Choir, was the perfect address to hear about the power of Jewish music. The main focus of this podcast is to give the listener a deeper, more meaningful, understanding of the songs we love to listen to. Yerachmiel's message in this song is exactly that, to t...

Song: Ribono  Singer: Simcha Leiner How does one daven? Listen to Simcha Leiner tell over a story about a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov to give us an idea of how to daven and what to daven for.  This story was the inspiration to his famous song Ribono. Simcha also shares who, or what, he has hakaras hatov to when it comes to putting out a song like this. Enjoy!   Visit LivingLchaim.com for more aw...

Song: Boruch Hu Singer: Eitan Katz Few songs give over the feeling that we are a Chosen People, that we are unique and different from the rest of the nations like Boruch Hu by Eitan Katz.  Inspired by someone who wished he and his family could have the life of a Torah Jew, Eitan Katz turned inspiration into song with this instant classic. Special thank you to R' Yoel Gold and Hashkifa Visit Living...

Composed by Yitzchak Rosenthal Story & Insight by Simcha Sussman of Shalsheles   Talk about the story behind a song! The story of this classic is definitely a must listen. Simcha Sussman, one of the leading members of the famous group Shalsheles, takes us behind the scenes into Summer camp, Color Wars, & grand sings to give over some amazing life lessons.   I think it's fair to say that this story...

Composed & Sung by Dovid Edell Produced by Aryeh Kunstler   Amongst all the beautiful and inspiring songs to come out of the Waterbury Yeshiva over the last two decades, Tatty My King may be the crown jewel. Speaking of a struggling Jew's conversation with Hashem, this song resonated with so many people.   In this episode, Dovid Edell talks about this gem of a song, as well as the producer, Aryeh...

Composer: Baruch Levine Artist: Shloime Gertner Song: Shabbos Hayom LaHashem (Chazeik Kiryasi)   If ever a song to get your Shabbos juices flowing, this is it.    Such a heartfelt niggun that connects the power of Shabbos with the future, when Iy"H the Beis Hamikdash will be rebuilt, and we will forever live in a Shabbos reality.    Take a listen as Baruch Levine delves into the words of this amaz...

As one of the greatest composers of Jewish music, Abie Rotenberg has a knack for writing songs that everyone connects with. Yedid Nefesh is definitely one of those songs, as it is sung in so many Jewish homes in the waning minutes of Shabbos. In this episode, Abie not only gives us an insight into the meaning of the song, he also shares with us how the tune can bring out the meaning of the words....