For now, let us focus on what has been happening in the last day, no, less than 24 hours.... it is now after dark on Satuday evening, so the shift from sacred to ordinary time has already taken place.
This morning, in the back seat, headphones provided access to a shabbat morning experience while watching the Yorkshire hills and strangely desert-like undulations roll by outside...
Hearing "Nishmat Kol Chai" first in my head, then performed by an othodox man in a room of swesting other men (while women and girls occasionally peeped around the door) then by a five- or six-piece ensemble, brought me closer... but even more so when able to see the words the words the words scroll past, in English and Hebrew, straight text and G-d protected text, to feel the words' meanings reverberate.
Footnote:
These first three words come from this prayer: The soul of every living being shall bless Your Name, Lord our God, the spirit of all flesh shall always glorify and exalt Your remembrance, our King. From this world to the World to Come, You are God, and other than You we have no king, redeemer, or saviour. He who liberates, rescues and sustains, answers and is merciful in every time of distress and anguish, we have no king, helper or supporter but You!" excerpt
Nishmat is one of the most beautiful poetic adorations in all of liturgical literature, recited as part of the Shacharit (morning) service on Sabbaths and festivals immediately following Shirat Ha-Yam ("Song at the Sea"). It is also said at the Passover Seder.
