David Melech Yisrael

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David Melech Yisrael (Hebrew: דוד מלך ישראל‎; literally, David is the King of Israel) is a Jewish song about David, an important king of ancient Israel. . Its lyrics are simple and consist of only five words which are repeated many times. These lyrics can be translated into English as saying "David, king of Israel, lives and endures." (Hebrew: דוד מלך ישראל, חי, חי וקיים‎),[1] transliterated to: David Melech Yisrael; Chai, Chai, Vekayam.

The text comes from the Talmud, where Rabbi Judah the Prince instructs Reb Chiyah to use the phrase as a watchword indicating that the new moon has appeared. [2] The Talmudic Rabbis often used the image of the waxing and waning moon as a metaphor for the power of the Davidic line, which would renew itself with the coming of the Messiah. [3] Hence the song is an enthusiastic reflection of hope for the Messiah's coming.

Jewish children are often taught this song at a young age, as it is fairly easy to memorize. Common traditions involve singing it with added arm and hand movements, or singing it as fast as possible while trying to keep up with the arm and hand movements.

References

  1. ↑ http://translate.google.com/#en/iw/David%2C%20king%20of%20Israel%2C%20lives%20and%20endures
  2. ↑ Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Rosh Hashana 25a (http://halakhah.com/pdf/moed/Rosh_HaShanah.pdf)
  3. ↑ Rashi on Rosh Hashana 25a

External links


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