This morning (Wednesday, Nov. 21), Israel Army radio, as part of a break in their regular news-talk programming, played a haunting version "Ana of B'coah," an ancient kabbalistic plea for God's might to intervene on behalf of the Jewish people, sung at the onset of the Sabbath.
But in a wrenching, heartrendingly chilling note, from 2:16 until the end, the song is punctuated over and over by an announcer breaking into the broadcast to read off incoming rocket alerts, as Gaza terrorists fire into Grad and Kassam projectiles into cities, towns and homes across southern Israel, again and again.
If that wasn't enough, this took place about three hours before the Hamas bus bombing in Tel Aviv, that wounded close to 30 passengers.
Devastating.
Lyrics in English and Hebrew below.
"WE BEG THEE"
We beg thee with the strength and greatness of thy right arm- Untangle our knotted fate. Accept your people's song, elevate and purify us (x2)
Please, heroic one, those who pursue your uniqueness- guard them as the pupil of an eye.
Bless them, purify them, pity them, may your righteousness always reward them. Powerful and Holy One, in goodness lead your flock.
Unique and proud one, to your people turn, who remember your holiness.
Accept our cries, and hear our screams, oh knower of mysteries.
(Blessed is the name of his noble kingdom forever and ever.)
Ana becho'ach, g'dulat yemincha, tatir tz'rura Kabel rinat amcha sagveinu, tahareinu nora (x2)
Na gibor dorshei yichudcha, k'vavat shamrem
Barchem taharem, rachamei tzidkatcha Tamid gamlem, chasin kadosh
Berov tuvcha, nahel adatecha
Yachid ge'eh le'amcha p'neh, zochrei k'dushatecha
Shavateinu kabel ushma tza'akateinu, yode'a ta'alumot
(Baruch shem k'vod malchuto le'olam va'ed)
