Sunday, February 27, 2011

Praise, even on a van roof

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For these joyous photos I selected the "happier" verses of Psalm 9, as a contribution to Robert's Psalm Challenge.
The entire psalm can be enjoyed, in both English and Hebrew, at Mechon Mamre in a more classic translation than the one used below.



2. I acclaim You, LORD with all my heart; I tell all Your wonders.
3. I rejoice and exult in You, singing a hymn to Your name, O Most High.
. . .
11. Those who know Your name trust You, for You do not abandon those who seek You, O LORD,
12. Sing a hymn to the LORD, who stays in Zion; declare His deeds among the peoples.
. . .
14. Have mercy on me, O LORD . . .
15. so that in the gates of the Daughter of Zion I might tell all Your praise, I might exult in Your deliverance.
. . .
The minute I came out of the big blue Binyaney HaUma convention center (site of the Book Fair), I heard "spiritual" techno music blaring over on a major Jerusalem road.
Emerging from the pedestrian tunnel under the road, I was delighted to find two young Na Nachs!
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One was on the van roof trancing to trance music ("a type of electronic dance music with repetitive rhythms, aiming at a hypnotic effect").
The other was dancing around a table with Na Nach items: their signature tasseled white kipot, bracelets and amulets, stickers, books.
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This newest of the Hasidic sects, a subgroup of Breslover Hasidim colloquially known as the Na Nachs, believes in praising God with joy and making Judaism happy and fun.
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The mantra that you see on the van is written or stuck on every public place imaginable. See my collection and explanation of their graffiti at my post The Ubiquitous Nachman of Uman.
More at my label "Nachman."
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Wikipedia talks about Na Nach here and in more depth here.
France 24 gives photos and info in "Na Nach Jews: religion, tradition, and techno music."
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Shalom and a happy Sunday to all!
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14 comments:

  1. That is great: Religion should be high-spirited and you took de best part from psalm 9, whereas I am still under the influence of Calvinisme, which I don't want actually.

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  2. Finally! Although I remember some jewish hippy communities in HaGalil, looooong time ago, which were striving to the same goal. Old history.

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  3. Music and religion a match made in heaven.

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  4. Wonderful photos of praise to this psalm Dina!
    Wish you a blessed week:-)

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  5. The Jewish equivalent of my post from last Sunday! You DO have those mobile, full-vehicle bumper stickers in Jerusalem.

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  6. When language stops, music takes over and beyond.

    What a happy mean to transmit faith, mood and trust. Thank you very much for your participation !

    Please have a wonderful start into the new week you all.

    daily athens

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  7. Celebrate Ha Shem!




    L'Chaim, from Honolulu,


    Comfort Spiral

    ><}}(°>

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  8. They make boring movies, so what is wrong with some religious fun?

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  9. Fine with me. I liked seeing the Na Nachs. Can you believe it was my first time to see them in action?

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  10. Hi, Dina,
    I have something to ask you:
    a friend of mine has a beautyful blog about doors in Prague. She recently discovered a gorgeous door, with something written in hebrew on it; Would you mind to go and see if you could translate the words for her?
    THANK YOU VERY MUCH for the time you'll use for that.
    The address is:
    http://thedoorhunter.blogspot.com/
    I'm sure you will enjoy this door too! :)

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  11. Shalom Malyss. Cat found a beautiful door but I find no Hebrew on it. I wrote to blogger Abe Lincoln, asking him about those old gold letters. He knows a lot about scribal things.

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  12. How wonderful, but I hope he's safe up there and doesn't fall.

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  13. So nice to see happy people praising God!

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