5/22/22

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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