This Sunday we will observe Tisha b'Av, recalling historic tragedies from over two millenniums. This song, “Al Tira, Avdi Ya’akov” (Jacob, My servant, do not fear) based on a poem by the 6th-century poet Yanai, creates a fabric of statements, promises, and words of comfort, all drawn from biblical sources dealing with promises of salvation and strength. We hope this rendition, featuring Cantor Azi Schwartz and Israeli singer-songwriter Shuli Natan, brings you strength and comfort.
אָמַר ה' לְיַעֲקֹב אַל תִּירָא עַבְדִּי יַעֲקֹב
בָּחַר ה' בְּיַעֲקֹב אַל תִּירָא עַבְדִּי יַעֲקֹב
גָּאַל ה' אֶת יַעֲקֹב אַל תִּירָא עַבְדִּי יַעֲקֹב
דָּרַךְ כּוֹכָב מִיַּעֲקֹב אַל תִּירָא עַבְדִּי יַעֲקֹב
הַבָּאִים יַשְׁרֵשׁ יַעֲקֹב אַל תִּירָא עַבְדִּי יַעֲקֹב
וְיֵרְדְּ מִיַּעֲקֹב אַל תִּירָא עַבְדִּי יַעֲקֹב
זְכֹר זֹאת לְיַעֲקֹב אַל תִּירָא עַבְדִּי יַעֲקֹב
חֶדְוַת יְשׁוּעוֹת לְיַעֲקֹב אַל תִּירָא עַבְדִּי יַעֲקֹב
Amar ha-shem le-Ya·akov: Al tira avdi Ya·akov
Bahar ha-shem b’Ya·akov: Al tira avdi Ya·akov
Ga·al ha-shem et Ya·akov : Al tira avdi Ya·akov
Darakh kokhav mi-Ya·akov: Al tira avdi Ya·akov
Haba·im yashresh Ya·akov: Al tira avdi Ya·akov
Va-yerd mi-Ya·akov: Al tira avdi Ya·akov
Z’khor eleh l’Ya·akov: Al tira avdi Ya·akov
Hedvat y’shu·ot l’Ya·akov: Al tira avdi Ya·akov
ADONAI said to Jacob: Jacob, My servant, do not fear.
ADONAI chose Jacob: Jacob, My servant, do not fear.
ADONAI shall redeem Jacob: Jacob, My servant, do not fear.
A star shall rise from Jacob: Jacob, My servant, do not fear.
In days to come, Jacob shall take root: Jacob, My servant, do not fear.
A leader shall emerge from Jacob: Jacob, My servant, do not fear.
Remember this, Jacob: Jacob, My servant, do not fear.
Delight shall come with the redemption of Jacob: Jacob, My servant, do not fear.