"An idea that’s coming straight from your heart, it will be reflected in the song"
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ometimes you find words that are meaningful to you, and you go to a composer for a tune. At other times you find a tune first and then set words to it,” says singer Shloime Gertner. “Regarding the song ‘Rachamim’ from my recent album Yehalali, I was learning with my chavrusa when I came across a beautiful explanation of the pasuk Yaakov says to his sons when they are compelled to take Binyamin along to Egypt with them. He blesses them ‘Vekeil Shakai yitein lachem rachamim’ — that ‘G-d should give you mercy.’ The Sfas Emes asks why it says “yitein lachem,” why Hashem should give you mercy. Yaakov was the one for whom parting was difficult — surely he needed the mercy himself. The answer given is that Yaakov, personally, had the strength to withstand this test. But his blessing was prophetic — he blessed the tribes with extra mercy to withstand the difficulties of all future generations. When you learn something powerful like that, and go to the composer with an idea that’s coming straight from your heart, it will be reflected in the song — and that’s why I think ‘Rachamim’ has touched so many people.”
