Eitz Chayim Hi – Tanchum Portoy (Arr. Stephen Glass)

Featuring the Shaar Hashomayim Choir, the musical arrangement describes the following: It is a tree of life for those who grasp it, and its supporters are praiseworthy. Its ways are ways of pleasantness and all its paths are peace. Bring us back to You, Hashem, and we shall return, renew our days as of old. One of many compositions sung at Congregation Shaar Hashomayim for returning the Torah scrolls to the ark.

Descriptive transcript:

A video conference recording containing 13 boxes with Cantor Gideon Zelermyer in the centre, music director Conor O’Neil in the lower right and 11 choir members.  The men of the all male choir  are wearing  a kippah and prayer shawl, as is customary for this choir on Sabbath and holiday services. The cantor wears a traditional black cantor’s hat.

The choir is singing Eitz Chaim Hi in the Hebrew language. Due to Covid restrictions the Cantor and each choir member was filmed individually to create a compiled mosaic to engage the congregation in the music of Shabbat services during a time where the sanctuary was closed. Lyrics are sung in Hebrew.