Vehi Sheamda Composed by Yonatan Razel Sung by: Yaakov Shwekey Insights & Inspiration by: Yaakov Shwekey As we prepare for Pesach amidst so much turmoil in the world, and specifically the danger in which Klal Yisroel faces from so many of its enemies, we can't help but thank Hashem for all the chessed He has done for us recently. Time and time agai…

Thank You Hashem Sung By: Joey Newcomb It's Purim season! A very special time to recognize all the good Hashem does in our life and all the miracles we need to be grateful for. In this episode, Joey takes us behind the scenes where the song originated and how the title of the song is really the essence of who the Jewish People are. No Internet? No …

Riboin Composed by: Yossi Muller Sung by: Beri Weber Tapping into the great kindness Hashem does for us on a daily basis, composer Yossi Muller gives a beautiful insight into the popular song Ribon. With Beri Weber's angelic voice and stunning performance on this song, the message takes on a completely different meaning. No Internet? No smartphone?…

Amcha Yisroel-One Heart Composed by: Yitzchok Rosenthal Sung by: Shalsheles Junior Intertwining the theme of Chanukah with the situation in Israel, Yitzchok Rosenthal captures the mood of the moment in this newly released song, Amcha Yisroel - One Heart. May we all merit to see open miracles today as we experienced back then. Watch full song here: …

Song: Chanukah is Here Composed by: Elimelech Blumstein Sung by: Zusha We're living in dark times. With what's going on in Eretz Yisroel and the spread of anti semitism around the world, the Yom Tov of Chanukah brings a much needed light to the Jewish world. Baruch Hashem, over the last few months we have witnessed communities and individuals from …

Recording this episode just one week after the tragic events in Eretz Yisroel on Simchas Torah, I tried to find the right song that could express the feelings of all Klal Yisroel at this moment. Yaakov Shwekey's "Cry No More" fit the feeling, expressing our sole desire to reunite with Hakadosh Baruch Hu in a world with no more pain and no more tear…

As the holiest days of the year approach us, we decided to do something very different and help your understand the meaning behind the words of davening and the inspiration for some of the most popular niggunim. No Internet? No smartphone? No problem! Our free call-in-to listen feature is here: USA: (712) 432-3489 UK: 0333-366-0154 ISRAEL: 079-579-…

With Elul just around the corner, it's a great time to start focusing on the King, Hakadosh Boruch Hu. I reached out to Zusha to give some insight into their powerful song "King", and was treated to an amazing background story. Thank you to Zusha, Shlomo Gaisin and Zachary Goldschmiedt. No Internet? No smartphone? No problem! Our free call-in-to li…

With just a few days away till Shavuos, EItan Katz's Ki Karov serves as a perfect reminder to all of us that we are so close to being great in Torah and Avodas Hashem. One should never think he's not capable. Hashem tells us "Ki Karov", it's in your heart. All we need to do is dig a little and we'll find greatness. Wishing everyone a beautiful Yom …

As we count the days leading up to Kabalas HaTorah, the words of vehoer einienu that we say in davening everyday have extra meaning and significance as we try to build ourselves up in our connection to learning Torah and Avodas Hashem. Listen here as Pesach Woznika tells the background and inspiration behind this classic song that first appeared on…

Afikoman by Eli Levin As we head into Pesach, many of us remember the tragic passing of Yisroel Levin and Elisheva Kaplan on Chol Hamoed a few years ago. But something that people will never forget was how Yisroel's father was able to put his own pain and grief on the side and think of the rest of Klal Yisroel, as he requested 10,000 shidduchim for…

IT'S ADAR TIME! Composed by Joey Newcomb Sung by: Joey Newcomb & Benny Friedman There's no better musician in the Jewish world today that brings simcha to Klal Yisroel quite like Joey Newcomb. Listen in how Joey wrote this fun, yet powerful, niggun. From the darkest times of our history comes a shining light of a song. ENJOY! No Internet? No smartp…

Yismichu-Shabbos Kodesh Composed by Shlomo Katz Everyone knows that slow, meaningful songs are the trademark of so many inspirational Shabbos tables around the globe. But when Shlomo Katz introduced the world to this Shabbos Kodesh niggun it brought an added electricity to the Shabbos tisch. Listen here how Shlomo Katz came up with the inspiration …

Composed by Rav Shmuel Brazil. A timeless classic, sung throughout the world over the eight days of Chanukah, has so much depth in the words. Rav Shmuel Brazil, the composer of this classic, gives us a deeper meaning into the words, that could help us get out of our rote ways of serving Hashem and bring us into a higher and more meaningful level. N…

A song of unity. A song of inspiration. Yitzchok Rosenthal, the founder and composer behind Shalsheles, takes us behind the scenes into this beautiful song that is still sung at kumzitzes around the world. No Internet? No smartphone? No problem! Our free call-in-to listen feature is here: USA: (712) 432-3489 UK: 0333-366-0154 ISRAEL: 079-579-5088 F…

The 11th of Cheshvan is Rachel Imeinu's Yahrtzeit, and as the Jewish people flock to her burial place to daven for salvation, she is still looking down and davening for all of us. May the tears shed at Kever Rachel, along with the tears of all of Klal Yisroel bring this galus to an end, bimheira biyameinu amen. Beautifully composed by Simcha Leiner…

The Piaseczna Niggun was composed by the South African brother in law duo Derech Achim. The song tells the fascinating story of the great Piaseczna Rebbe (whose Yahrzeit is today-the 5th of Cheshvan), his background, his influence, and the rejuvenation of his works after the Holocaust. The background to the writing of this song is just as fascinati…

It's that time of year, when we daven the beautiful tefillas of the Yomim Noraim through song, and somehow, some way, it takes us to higher places. I reached out to Joey Newcomb to share with us his favorite musical moments of the Yomim Noraim. Gmar Chasima Tova! No Internet? No smartphone? No problem! Our free call-in-to listen feature is here: US…

Song: Mayim Rabim / אני לדודי ודודי לי Composed by Jared Lazarus of Derech Achim With Rosh Hashana just a few weeks away, I felt it appropriate to highlight a song that has slowly but surely gotten on to everyone's playlist. Composed and sung by the group Derech Achim from South Africa, the song Mayim Rabim/Ani l'dodi v'dodi li can get you ready fo…

As Klal Yisroel continues with the theme of nechama in the haftorahs following Tisha b'Av, what greater consolement could there be than to realize the love that Hashem has for us, which in turn helps us love Him even more. Composed by: Michoel Shapiro Sung by: R' Shlomo Katz No Internet? No smartphone? No problem! Our free call-in-to listen feature…

Special Shabbos Nachamu Edition! Mourning is difficult. Hardship and tragedy are tough to rise up from. But Hashem has promised His people that there will come a day when we will forget our pain and rise up from the floor and smile once again. Our new and free call-in-to listen feature is here: USA: (712) 432-3489 UK: 0333-366-0154 ISRAEL: 079-579-…

In this weeks special episode, R' Dani continues his music conversation with Aron Shapiro and Yaakov Brown. They talk about the varying styles of Jewish songs and how they relate to us individually. Our free call-in-to listen feature is here: USA: (712) 432-3489 UK: 0333-366-0154 ISRAEL: 079-579-5088 Follow us for more content: TikTok - https://www…

Composer: Rav Mordechai Twerski Singer: Lev Tahor Volume 2 What better way to get into the mood of the 3 weeks than to listen to this beautiful acapella version of Im Eshkacheich. Originally composed with completely different words, this song ultimately reached the hearts of Klal Yisroel in a way few songs do. May this song be the last Im Eshkachei…

For the three weeks we may not be able to delve into some of our favorite songs, but we can discuss where Jewish music is going and it's deep and spiritual roots. R' Dani sits down to talk music with Aron Shapiro from the famous musically talented Shapiro family and Yaakov Brown who is a well known curator has worked with Abie Rottenberg, Joey Newc…

This song is a beautiful expression of what our avodas Hashem should be. Collaborating with the well known Israeli singer/songwriter Yosef Karduner, Joey Newcomb tells the story behind this enchanting song. Our new and free call-in-to listen feature is here: USA: (712) 432-3489 UK: 0333-366-0154 ISRAEL: 079-579-5088 Follow us for more content: TikT…

How many times in our lives do we try to give chizzuk and inspire people and we are the ones who walk away inspired! This song is just that. Famed Rosh Yeshiva and songwriter, R' Shmuel Brazil shlita, went to give chizzuk and he walked away with the chizzuk. Our new and free call-in-to listen feature is here: USA: (712) 432-3489 UK: 0333-366-0154 I…

This episode is being released on Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan, a conspicuous time to daven for the spiritual welfare of our children. This tefilla that Baruch Levine so beautifully turned into a song, has in it all the yearning parents wish for their children. May we all be zocheh to see בָּנִים וּבְנֵי בָנִים, חֲכָמִים וּנְבוֹנִים, אוֹהַבֵי הַשֵם, יִר…

Check out Mordechai Shapiro's new album with the title track "Achas". In this episode Mordechai Shapiro takes us behind the scenes into this uniquely beautiful song and why it's so important to him. Enjoy. Our brand new and free call-in-to listen feature is here: USA: (712) 432-3489 UK: 0333-366-0154 ISRAEL: 079-579-5088 Follow us for more content:…

Music is a very sensitive topic, with so many opinions and tastes. This is why Dani sat down with his brother, Aryeh Kunstler, to create this special edition of The Spirit of the Song. In this episode we bring two styles, two mentalities, two opinions, and two brothers together to talk about Jewish music. Just because we can’t listen to music durin…

Song: Pesach in the Ghetto Composer: Avi Kunstler Singer: Dani Kunstler At this time of year, when the Jewish people prepare themselves for Pesach, there's an obligation upon each one of us to tap into the lesson of these days. Throughout our history we have shown fight and resolve in the face of persecution. Yet the fight in us never quit and we a…

Composed by Aryeh Kunstler Sung by Aryeh Kunstler & Yosef Karduner Special for Purim, the ageless words of "Keli Keli lamah azavtani" by Dovid Hamelech, and echoed by Esther Hamalka as she entered the chamber of Achashveirosh. Today, these words are a rallying cry for a Jew in a time of need. May the Tefillos of all of Klal Yisroel go directly to t…

Composed over 50 years ago, this timeless classic has graced many Shabbos tables and kumzitzes over the years. Tapping into the rebuilding of Yerushalayim as the ultimate consolation for the destruction, famous artist Yonah Weinrib takes us into the depth of this beautiful niggun. More content here: https://www.livinglchaim.com/ Follow us on social…

Composed by: Baruch Levine Singers: Baruch Levine & Yaakov Shwekey As believing Jews, we live our daily lives with the constant knowledge that we are here to serve Hashem in our own unique way. But what if our day had a deeper significance? What if each part of the day was parallel to something so much deeper and more spiritual? Listen to Baruch Le…

Composed by Meir Levine, Waterbury Yeshiva Fitting the right words into a song can be a difficult feat, especially when you have powerful words like Gam Ki Eilech. But Meir Levine of Waterbury wrote a song at a time of fear that shines a light on how Hakadosh Baruch Hu is with us even in the darkest times. The depth of this song actually comes from…

Composed by Reb Aharon Karliner Insight by Rabbi Moshe Ginian One of the prettiest and most meaningful songs sung on Shabbos night, the depth that Rav Aharon Karliner injected into this zemer is so powerful and inspiring. Rabbi Moshe Ginian helps us understand this depth and gives us the appropriate background and meaning to take with us when we si…

Song Writer: Binyamin Zwickler A”H Singers: Eli Levin & Eli Dachs Producer: Aryeh Kunstler He battled Cancer for years but he didn’t let it stop him. The album ‘Carry On’ is a compilation of original songs composed by Binyamin Zwickler A”H. After he passed, his friends got a hold of original compositions that he wrote. They decided to produce this …

Song: Listen to Your Neshama Singer: Yerachmiel Begun Yerachmiel Begun, one of my musical mentors as a child during my time in the Miami Boys Choir, was the perfect address to hear about the power of Jewish music. The main focus of this podcast is to give the listener a deeper, more meaningful, understanding of the songs we love to listen to. Yerac…

Song: Ribono Singer: Simcha Leiner How does one daven? Listen to Simcha Leiner tell over a story about a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov to give us an idea of how to daven and what to daven for. This story was the inspiration to his famous song Ribono. Simcha also shares who, or what, he has hakaras hatov to when it comes to putting out a song like t…

Song: Chasof Composer: Baruch Levine Singer: Yaakov Shwekey Sung in so many homes, and so many Yeshivas after Chanukah lecht, Chasof has become the ultimate Chanukah song. And although not fast like its' Chanukah song counterparts, the depth and emotion of this beautiful song easily make it a must listen and sing during these holy nights of Chanuka…

Song: Boruch Hu Singer: Eitan Katz Few songs give over the feeling that we are a Chosen People, that we are unique and different from the rest of the nations like Boruch Hu by Eitan Katz. Inspired by someone who wished he and his family could have the life of a Torah Jew, Eitan Katz turned inspiration into song with this instant classic. Special th…

Composed by Yitzchak Rosenthal Story & Insight by Simcha Sussman of Shalsheles Talk about the story behind a song! The story of this classic is definitely a must listen. Simcha Sussman, one of the leading members of the famous group Shalsheles, takes us behind the scenes into Summer camp, Color Wars, & grand sings to give over some amazing life les…

Composed & Sung by Dovid Edell Produced by Aryeh Kunstler Amongst all the beautiful and inspiring songs to come out of the Waterbury Yeshiva over the last two decades, Tatty My King may be the crown jewel. Speaking of a struggling Jew's conversation with Hashem, this song resonated with so many people. In this episode, Dovid Edell talks about this …

Composer: Baruch Levine Artist: Shloime Gertner Song: Shabbos Hayom LaHashem (Chazeik Kiryasi) If ever a song to get your Shabbos juices flowing, this is it. Such a heartfelt niggun that connects the power of Shabbos with the future, when Iy"H the Beis Hamikdash will be rebuilt, and we will forever live in a Shabbos reality. Take a listen as Baruch…

As one of the greatest composers of Jewish music, Abie Rotenberg has a knack for writing songs that everyone connects with. Yedid Nefesh is definitely one of those songs, as it is sung in so many Jewish homes in the waning minutes of Shabbos. In this episode, Abie not only gives us an insight into the meaning of the song, he also shares with us how…

Mizmor Shir Le'Yom Ha'Shabbos. In honor of the 27th Yahrtzeit of Shlomo Carlebach, I decided to reach out to R' Shlomo Katz, who knew & was inspired by Shlomo Carlebach personally. He tells over the story behind this ageless song in a way only he can. Episode sponsored by KolPlay Orchestra One of the best wedding bands on the market today. Check th…

The song, originally written by the great Reb Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, is heartwarming and definitely strikes a chord in anyone who hears it. To see more podcasts brought to you by Living Lchaim visit LivingLchaim.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJHk7NZyFnyphA_jfdK5rvA…

Delve into some of Jewish music's most popular & holy songs. In each episode, Dani Kunstler brings on the singer or composer to explain the inspiration behind the music. Whether it's at Shabbos zmiros, a kumzits, a wedding, concert or in your car - be prepared to connect more with your favorite songs. See more on LivingLchaim.com…