Lovers of Peace
Ohav Shalom v’rodef Shalom 2x
Lovers of peace and pursuers of peace 2x
Oseh Shalom bim ro’mav
Hu ya’aseh Shalom aleinu
May the One who makes peace, make peace upon us. 2x
Ohav Shalom R’odef Shalom 2x.
Shalom, Shalom, Shalom
In Pirkei Avot 1:12 (The Ethics of our Sages), according to Rami Shapiro’s commentary:
“We should discipline ourselves in the way of Aharon,
loving peace and pursuing peace;
loving people and bringing them to Torah.”
“It is said that Aaron, the Cohen Gadol (brother of Moses), is described by God: “He walked with Me in peace and impartiality, and turned many from folly.” (Malachi 2:6)
To walk the way of Aaron is to take refuge in peace (shalom,) wholeness (shalem) and non duality (shlemut). Rooted in these teachings we are to reject nothing and no one, seeing all things and everyone as part of God.”
This chant was inspired by this teaching and the prayer of
Oseh shalom b’mromav hu ya’seh shalom aleinu vl’al kol yisrael.
May the One who makes peace in the heavens make peace here upon us.
It is up to each one of us to bring peace upon ourselves as peace is up in heaven, according to this prayer. We are to love peace and pursue it by doing everything we can to bring peace and wholeness into our lives and others’ lives as well. When we have a choice to make between making peace or not, may our love peace enable us to choose peace and follow in Aaron’s footsteps.
To download the audio file, right-click (or Control-click) the following link and choose the option to save/download the file: Download Link »
I have included 2 versions of this chant. The original one, available above, was with a jumbe drum. When I offered this chant in a chant circle with a hand drum, one of the participants urged me to record with the hand drum as she felt the pulse and beat of the rhythm that allowed her to connect more deeply with the words and melody.
To download the audio file, right-click (or Control-click) the following link and choose the option to save/download the file: Download Link »