The lion roars, so be afraid!

In our current conflict with Iran, our part in it has been named "Operation Roaring Lion". This name is taken from a prophecy by Amos which, as it just so happens, also inspired our musical member Max Stern to compose a piece, more than nine minutes in duration, that captures the ferocity and intensity of the prophet's words "The Lion hath roared, who will not fear?" 

Max composed "Aryeh Shaag" back in 2011 for chorus, shofars and strings. You can listen to it by clicking this link.

By way of a bonus, here are Max's program notes:

The hope of a solution to the age-old historical wandering of the Jewish people, whose presence in the ancient homeland has yet to prove a cure for the perpetual recurrence of persecution throughout Jewish history, today takes on a new guise in the form of exaggerated criticism of the State of Israel.

Generations ago, in a call to faithfulness, the prophet Amos looked into his people's origins and destiny: “You only have I known of all the families of the earth; Therefore, I will visit upon you all your iniquities” (Amos 3:2).

Aryeh Shaag was commissioned for the conference, "Messianism and Madness," premiered at the Ariel University Center of Samaria (this being the locale of the biblical kingdom of Israel, where Amos once prophesied). This recording is performed by a choral and instrumental ensemble under the direction of the composer.

Here, drawn from Amos 3:1-2, 6-8, is the text:

Hear this word that the Lord hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up out of the land of Egypt, saying: You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will visit upon you all your iniquities. Shall the horn be blown in the city, and the people not tremble? Shall evil befall a city, and the Lord hath not done it? The Lion hath roared, who will not fear? The Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?

When the lion roars, we question our values

 Here, thanks to our member Max Stern, is a cantata which he composed for his students at Ariel University and which is based on the haftarah that accompanies this week's parashah, Vayeshev. 

This haftarah, explains Max, features extracts from a prophecy by Amos that condemns the value system that led to our exile -- the same scale of values that led to Joseph's brothers selling him to the Ishamelites for "a pair of shoes". 

Below you will find a link to a performance of this cantata by Max and his students. The first four minutes make for tough listening, before it transitions to a more lyrical theme with a subtly hypnotic effect. 

The text is based on Amos 3:1-2 and 3:6-8.

For the link to the cantata click here.

For an explanation of this haftarah on My Jewish Learning click here.