The text for May the Lord Bless You, (Y’varechecha in Hebrew), for chorus and orchestra is also known as the Priestly Blessing or Aaronic Blessing from the Torah. The work begins with the French horn issuing a rhythmic declamation of the Hebrew prayer, “Shehecheyanu” (Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the Universe, for granting us life, for sustaining us and for helping us to reach this day.). After the introduction, a figure of ascending thirds becomes the underscore for a setting of the “Y’varechecha” prayer, sung in both Hebrew and English. This builds to a final iteration of the full liturgical text before returning to the music of the introduction, ending with the chorus’ summation, “Kein y’hi ratzon” (May it be so). May the Lord Bless You (Y’varechecha) received its world premiere on April 28, 2024, with the composer conducting the Bangor Symphony Orchestra.
Text:
Yevarechecha Adonai, V’Yishmerecha – May the Lord bless you and keep you.
Ya’er Adonai Panav Eleicha, Vichuneka – May the Lord shine his face toward you and be gracious unto you.
Yisa Adonai Panav Eleicha – May the Lord lift his countenance upon you,
V’Yasem Lecha Shalom – And give you peace.
Kein y’hi ratzon – May it be so
Amen
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Choral Score PDF
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