He was very clear: “If you’re not comfortable, don’t do it.” So I listened

Kumzitz singer NAFTALI KEMPEH

Go with Your Gut

On my second album, Ana Elech, I chose to sing some songs in Lashon Hakodesh and some with a modern Hebrew pronunciation. But the dividing line is not always clear cut. When it came to the song “Ana Elech,” the title track, which is a pasuk from Tehillim, I wasn’t sure which would fit better. The Ivrit pronunciation feels less formal and more personal, but because the words are a pasuk, I didn’t feel so comfortable with that, as the norm for me is to read pesukim in Ashkenazic Lashon Hakodesh. I happened to be appearing with Mordechai Ben David as I was thinking this over, so I decided to ask his experienced opinion. He was very clear: “If you’re not comfortable, don’t do it.” So I listened.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 825)