Rahel m’vaca (Rachel Weeps)

In response to the ongoing conflict with Israel/Hamas/Gaza, I turn to composing. A text from Jeremiah 31:15 calls out: A voice is heard in Ramah, wailing, bitter weeping–Rachel weeps inconsolably for her children because they are no more. 

For me, this music serves as a witness to the tragedies unfolding: so much suffering on both sides of this troubled border. The mezzo soloist represents Rachel, the Biblical matriarch who is said to weep for her children as they pass by her grave into exile. Here, she becomes the voice of bereft parents, siblings, friends in Israel and in Gaza, crying out for their missing, wounded, and deceased loved ones. As we watch and read, refusing to avert our gaze, we may serve as a compassionate witness. The chorus represents this witness, calling forth from one side to another, nishma, nishma—it is heard, you are heard, we hear you. We are with you.

–Meira Warshauer, 2024

The video above from an initial  live performance at Beth Shalom Synagogue, Columbia, SC

Text and translation:

Jeremiah 31:15:
Ko    amar                                 
Thus says

Havaya:  
the Source of Compassion:

 Kol       b’Ramah  nishma
A voice in Ramah is heard

n’hi
wailing
(a high-pitched pre-sobbing, the Hebrew word imitates a horse’s neigh or whinny.)

b’chi tamrurim.
bitter weeping.

Raḥel m’vacah al baneha.
Rachel weeps for her children.

me’anah        l’hinaḥem                         
She refuses to be comforted

al baneha
for her children

ki   eynenu.
For they are not (or they are no longer).

Pronunciation guide:
Vowels as in Italian. ch is guttural, as in Bach. (as in b’chi, here.)
ḥ (h with dot under it) is also guttural, represents a different Hebrew letter, chet, and can be placed slightly more towards the back of the throat, if practical. They are in bold in the transliteration above, in Raḥel and l’hinaḥem.