A Chazan Sings: Unesanneh Tokef

High Holiday Cantorial Classics

Autoplay Next

Unesanneh Tokef: High Holiday Cantorial Classics

Chazan Aryeh Leib Hurwitz presents an awe-inspiring cantorial rendition of the iconic High Holidays prayer of Unesanneh Tokef, in which we describe the awesome Day of Judgment wherein the fate of all of creation is judged—“written on Rosh Hashanah and sealed on Yom Kippur.”

Audio:	Listen to Audio \| Download this MP3
Topics:	Machzor, High Holidays

Text of Unesanneh Tokef Prayer

« Previous

Hineni

Kol Nidrei

By Aryeh Leib Hurwitz

Join the Discussion

Sort By:

NewestOldest

15 Comments

Sonia Harden Concord, CA March 18, 2019

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. Reply

T.L Allgood SNACKTOWN September 18, 2018

Wowie. Reply

Ezra September 5, 2017

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. Reply

Anonymous Mesa, AZ September 21, 2015

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? Reply

Anonymous September 20, 2015

Thank you Simply gorgeous Reply

Vivian G September 13, 2015

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 Reply

J.H. Reynlds UK September 24, 2014

This was absolutely beautiful. I was moved beyond words. It was the last thing of my first day of Rosh Hashanah. Reply

antonio adriano blanc nascimento Brazil September 24, 2014

Divino Chazan Reply

rut USA September 22, 2014

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. Reply

malka weber bonita springs fl September 22, 2014

why the organ! please omit the organ next time. otherwise it is beautiful . Reply

Anonymous South America September 22, 2014

Funny The Chazzan sings nice and with heart. Kol hakavod! Reply

Lena (Hannah) MS September 18, 2014

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? Reply

Peninah Mogotu September 18, 2014

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. Reply

bettie dowty okla September 18, 2014

music i love to hear some one sing like this but the organ music was out of place ,for me any way Reply

cmb balt md September 17, 2014

Beautiful! Its so moving. Reply