Let it Be in Hebrew is Shetehe - and now for a Song Parody of the Controversy

At the Live Aid concert in Wembley in 1985 Paul McCartney got criticized for choosing to sing "Let it Be". According to reports, some people thought it was not upbeat and positive enough for the Live Aid theme and that is was too passive for an activist movement.

Well we have had our "Let it Be" controversy in our synagogues for decades - connected to the use of the word "Shetehe" [=Hebrew for Let it Be] in the prayer for the State of Israel. Some people think it is too weak as an expression of the  redemptive significance of the modern State of Israel.

I described an episode of a synagogue brouhaha in a Blog that I originally posted 10/30/05: Shouting in Shul About the Prayer for the State of Israel.

And this for some reason this prayer issue resurfaced in the past few weeks in May 2022 after an article was published by a local rabbi about the past episodes. 

Here is the current links to the Prayer for Israel Shetehe controversy 2022 timeline:

Article: The Great Reishit Tzemichat Geulatenu Debate - Rabbi Chaim Jachter 5/6/22

Letter 1: The Prayer for the State of Israel - Rabbi Zahavy 5/13/22

Letter 2: The Importance of Our Prayers - Respondent 1 5/20/22

Letter 3: Setting the Record Straight on Tehei - Respondent 2 5/20/22

As a reminder, here is a version of the prayer in a little book that I just published.

And so now for something completely different, here is my parody rewrite of the lyrics of the McCartney song:

[For "Mother Mary" use "Brother Gabbai" (a gabbai is a prayer coordinator in a shul) and for "Let it be" use "Shetehe"]

When I find myself in times of trouble

Brother Gabbai comes to me speaking words of wisdom

Shetehe

And in my hour of darkness he is standing right in front of me

Speaking words of wisdom

Let it be

Shetehe

Let it be

Shetehe

Let it be

Whisper words of wisdom

Shetehe

When all the broken-hearted people

Living in the world agree, there will be an answer

Let it be

Although they may be parted

There is still a chance that they will see

There will be an answer

Shetehe

Let it be

Shetehe

Let it be, yeah

Let it be

There will be an answer

Shetehe

Oh, let it be

Shetehe

Let it be

Shetehe

Whisper words of wisdom

Let it be

Shetehe

Let it be

Let it be, yeah

Let it be

There will be an answer

Shetehe

And when the night is cloudy

There is still a light that shines on me

Shine until tomorrow

Let it be

I wake up to the sound of music

Brother Gabbai comes to me

There will be no sorrow

Let it be

Shetehe

Let it be

Shetehe

Let it be

There will be no sorrow

Let it be

Shetehe

Let it be

Yeah, Let it be

Yeah, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom

Shetehe

Yes...

And for those who don't know the song by heart, here are the original lyrics. 

Songwriters: Paul Mccartney / John Lennon   Let It Be lyrics © Sony/atv Tunes Llc

When I find myself in times of trouble

Mother Mary comes to me speaking words of wisdom

Let it be

And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me

Speaking words of wisdom

Let it be

Let it be

Let it be

Let it be

Let it be

Whisper words of wisdom

Let it be

When all the broken-hearted people

Living in the world agree, there will be an answer

Let it be

Although they may be parted

There is still a chance that they will see

There will be an answer

Let it be

Let it be

Let it be

Let it be, yeah

Let it be

There will be an answer

Let it be

Oh, let it be

Let it be

Let it be

Let it be

Whisper words of wisdom

Let it be

Let it be

Let it be

Let it be, yeah

Let it be

There will be an answer

Let it be

And when the night is cloudy

There is still a light that shines on me

Shine until tomorrow

Let it be

I wake up to the sound of music

Mother Mary comes to me

There will be no sorrow

Let it be

Let it be

Let it be

Let it be

Let it be

There will be no sorrow

Let it be

Let it be

Let it be

Yeah, Let it be

Yeah, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom

Let it be

Yes...

Source: Musixmatch

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