The Jewish month of Elul, which leads up to the High Holy Days, is a time of reflection. This year, the Milken Archive of Jewish Music is thinking about you.

The Archive is a proud sponsor of Jewels of Elul. This project, which is spearheaded by musician Craig Taubman and benefits the addiction recovery center Beit T’Shuvah, offers a daily email inspiration from the likes of musicians such as Mary J. Blige to Cantor Nancy Abramson and Rabbi Richard Jacobs during the 29 days of Elul.

THIS WEEK'S FREE DOWNLOAD: JOSHUA LIND'S EL MELEKH YOSHEV
El melekh yoshev is one of the principal supplications of the s’liḥot, or penitential, liturgy. It is recited daily during the s’liḥot period preceding Rosh Hashana and leading up to Yom Kippur. The text belongs to the oldest portion of s’liḥot liturgy, thought to date to the Babylonian and Talmudic periods (and perhaps known then in Palestine as well). It imagines God as the omnipotent King who sits on a “throne fashioned out of mercy”—and who, by His very nature and essence, pardons His people according to the “thirteen attributes of God’s mercy.” Joshua Lind (1880–1973) was a prominent cantor and composer of traditional synagogue music, as well as an influential teacher. Lind was an integral part of Chicago's Jewish musical life, and passed his legacy on to his three sons, all of whom became cantors.

Register to receive your daily inspirational email at JewelsofElul.com and check their website each Friday of Elul to download a free track of High Holy Days music provided by the Milken Archive.

PREVIOUS FREE DOWNLOADS

Un'tanne tokef included in the First S'liḥot CD.

Yossele Rosenblatt's Shomer Yisra'el, included in the Orthodox First S'liḥot service.

Ein keloheinu, sung by Cantor Ira Rhode, from the Jewish Voices in the New World CD.

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