Text of Unesanneh Tokef Prayer
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Wowie.
The Story Behind "Unesanneh Tokef"
Rabbi Amnon of Mainz is attributed with writing this beautiful prayer. Each of his limbs were cut off slice by slice by the Bishop of Mainz after refusing to convert to Christianity.
He was then brought into the synagogue, maimed and bloody, where he lay before the Ark and recited this prayer, Unesanneh Tokef. Then he died.
Later Rabbi Amnon appeared to Rabbi Kalonymus in a dream and taught him the text of the prayer, and requested it be recited every year by the High Holy Days.
The word was spread throughout the Jewish world and so the prayer was universally adopted in Europe.
Unesanneh what a beautiful song. Oy! May our King be happy to hear this prayer. Our King is awesome! My love grows every day. When shall we be with him ahain?
Thank you Simply gorgeous
Our Rich Heritage of Jewish Classical Music
Intensely moving and majestic, it literally pulls you up. This classical music sound is known as "Chazzanus." The organ enhances this Chazzan even more.
Prior to the Holocaust, Chazanim like this had a choir to accompany them on Rosh Hashanah, many even on Shabbos. Both the Chazan and choir members (the sopranos were boys) had rigorous, classical voice training. Organs were used by observant Jews, but only on weekdays for rehearsals, recordings, or concerts.
Years after traditonal Chazanus stopped being the norm, after centuries in the synagogue, it mostly sat in very old storage forms. Jews had become unaccustomed to it. The organ began to be associated with the church, as did classical voice training. We are fortunate to get to hear a few such prizes as this, today via the internet. Thank you Chabad
This was absolutely beautiful. I was moved beyond words. It was the last thing of my first day of Rosh Hashanah.
Divino Chazan
Unesannef Tokef How beautiful! How I wish I was present to taste the Presence of the Eternal G-d. In such a moment! Thank you for such a wonderful video. I really appreciate it.
why the organ! please omit the organ next time. otherwise it is beautiful .
Funny The Chazzan sings nice and with heart. Kol hakavod!
What synagogue is it? The singing is beautiful, but.. where is it happening? What synagogue is it? Did not I see a crab on the window?
Amein Truly blessed and touched by the melody and the words in this prayer.May this coming Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur be imbued with G-d's righteous presence.
music i love to hear some one sing like this but the organ music was out of place ,for me any way
Beautiful! Its so moving.
It would be great to also have available the pdf of the sheet music! Especially for those of us who are musicians and want to learn these pieces! Please consider posting these pdfs and make them downloadable. Many are in the public domain, if not copies at a nominal price.