TORAH
LYRICS
BE LIKE A TREE
© Music and Lyrics by Mrs. Dina Storch
See how its leaves sway with the breeze
Casting a ray with its shadows
Petals so thin, blossoms within
Waiting to welcome tomorrow
Watch every branch gallantly dance
The bark growing thicker each day
Tell me, it isn’t a wonder …
WATER has made it this way
Oh, water so soft, water so pure
Water so gentle and blue
Drawn through its roots – way past the trunk
And finally blossoming through
"והיה כעץ שתול על פלגי מים"
Be like a tree, replanted in streams
That will nourish and nurture it strong
Keep striving – draw all your strength
From the wells of Torah
Draw all you need – it will help you along
See how he speaks, see how he seeks
See how the young boy has grow
Setting his goal, enriching his soul
The goodness and truth he has shown
Watch every task completed at last
The man growing stronger each day
Tell me it isn’t a wonder –
TORAH has made him this way
Oh, Torah so sweet, Torah so pure
Torah so holy and rue
Drawn to his heart – deep in his mind
And finally blossoming through
"והיה כעץ שתול על פלגי מים"
Be like a tree, replanted in streams
That will nourish and nurture it strong
Keep striving – draw all your strength
From the wells of Torah
Draw all you need – it will help you along
HER TEARDROPS ON THE FLOOR
© Lyrics by Dina Storch adapted from “The Dollar Bill” by Moshe Yess
One day a tiny germ was floating through the air
It flew into a synagogue while people gathered there
It landed on a person and it tried to go to sleep
But from the Aron Kodesh, a voice began to speak…..
“Who is in my synagogue?” The tiny germ said “I -
I start off very little, but I quickly multiply
That’s why people run from me - now tell me, who are you?”
“My name is the Torah - everything I say is true”…..
The germ began to tickle and the man began to sneeze
He landed near the bimah on another person’s sleeve
When services were over and the worshippers shook hands
A hundred germs danced joyously - sprouting through the land….
The people started running home - frightened by the spread
They didn’t dare to go outside and prayed alone instead
The Rabbis sent encouragement to keep them safe and sane
But the people missed their Torah - their hearts were filled with pain…..
(interlude)
The Torah, too, was saddened, that her people were so far
She also knew that human life she valued even more
And so, she waited sadly for the germ to disappear
When suddenly the germ spoke up - to question her he dared….
“Tell me, tell me, Torah - why do you seem so sad
You live in this nice synagogue - I think you should be glad”
“Ever since you’ve landed,” the Torah did reply
My people aren’t coming here, and I know exactly why”….
“Every life is precious, for each other they all care
And so my people stay at home because you linger here
Until you’re gone they’ll heed my words, and no one will come by
For I’ve taught them how to value ‘life’, “ a tear dropped from her eye….
The tiny germ was laughing as it flew into the air
But all the streets were empty and he found nobody there
He withered as he fell apart - not having where to land
We hope his friends will also fall and wither in the sand….
And somewhere in a synagogue - each Torah beams with pride
Her people are obedient - so close, though far and wide
Alone she rests, alone she waits to hear the creaking door
And if you look real close - you can see- her teardrops on the floor!
HILLEL
©Translated from Yom Tov Ehrlich Yiddish by: Dina Storch
The night was a cold one and frosty
Winter had taken its toll
The wind blew and whistled so fiercely
Out on the streets, not a soul
And somewhere a beautiful shul stood
They came there from near and from far
For Shemaya and Avtalyon were speaking
“Tzadikim”- Gedolei Hador
And there at the door stood the Shammos
Insisting that each pay his share
“Tonight there will be no exceptions-
It’s a privilege to learn Torah here!”
Up front the Chachomim sat waiting
So eager to learn something new
The warmth and excitement was growing
The cold wind so bitterly blew
The poor stood outside and kept pleading
But “none” said the Shammos “comes free.
Each of the men had to pay me
And you, too, must pay equally”
“You don’t want to learn our Torah
You just want a place for your head
This is a place of Kedusha
So go somewhere else instead”
His teeth, from the cold, chattered loudly
His bones showed a poor, hungry man
He cried, ”Have pity, believe me
I’ll pay you as soon as I can”
“Whatever I earn is divided
Half for the shul-half for my home
I’ve always been able to help you-
Tonight there is nothing I own
Today there was nobody buying
It’s been an unfortunate day
My wife and the children are starving
There’s nothing with which I can pay”
The tears from the poor man keep rolling
I just want to learn some Torah tonight
But tears don’t impress the old Shammos
He locks up and waves him good-night
The old man, discouraged and broken
Presses his ear to the wall
But voices through stone could not reach him
And no one would hear if he’d call
The shul seemed to be so inviting
Yet, somehow he’s left there outside
He walks towards the back of the building
Perhaps there’s a door on its sides
The doors were all locked, but he found it
And climbed to the top of its stairs
He smiles as he peeks through the skylight
And sweet words of Torah he hears
He presses his nose to the window
It all seems too good to be true
There’s nothing from in there he’s missing
The warmth from within shines right through
They lift up their heads to the window
And there lies a form of a man
It’s Shabbos but all have decided
“Let’s run up as fast as we can”
They race up the stairs to the rooftop
Climbing through inches of snow
They bring down the poor man and warm him
His body is quivering so
They wrapped him in warm heavy blankets
And slowly he started to wake
Mumbling the words of the Drasha
Exactly- without one mistake
Shemaya was getting excited
Avtalyon was awed by his words
His name is “Hillel” he told them
And thanked them for all he had heard
I had not a cent in my pocket
And I wasn’t able to pay
The others just went home and left it
But from Torah I won’t go away
I’m grateful for all that you’ve taught me
The poor man kept thanking the two
They both shrugged their shoulder exclaiming
“There is so much that we’ve learned
from you!”
You’re stronger and, oh, so much better
Yes-Hillel- we’ll never forget
Your Torah is value forever
Because it was harder to get
And Hillel kept growing in Torah
The poor man became the Nasee Hador
Teaching so many Talmidim
His greatness grew more and more!
KEEPERS OF THE WATER
© Music and Lyrics by Mrs. Dina Storch
A beautiful valley
Laid peaceful, untouched
The night as calm as the day
As if stuck by magic, the air stood still
And no one but nobody ever took ill
This secret is one I will share
It was the waters the people drank there
The valley was blessed with a beautiful stream
From one end to another it flowed
Its waters were golden; its waters were pure
They healed every sickness; they brought every cure
Just one little sip from this stream
Brought more than the happiest dream
Chorus:
Oh give me this water
Oh give me a taste
A remedy so precious
Too noble to waste
I’ll fill my flask and seal it
I’ll drink every drop
And when I’m through I’ll refill
I never will stop
The King had a mission
And sent off his men
To live among the people of the world
To settle with them; to teach to live
Be an example show them how to give
So they left with their children and wives
And the water would change other’s lives
Wherever they settled
Wherever they went
They were better and smarter by far
They drank up the waters
They kept it their own
As the Keepers of the Water they soon became known
But the hatred and envy set in
From a world that just couldn’t give in
Chorus:
Oh give me some water …
Forbidding the water
They took it away
And the greatest of men put to shame
And slowly these waters were memories of past
And the Keepers of the Water had mingled at last
And misery took over again
They were truly the greatest of men
Somewhere in hiding
Where no one can see
A bottle of water is kept
They share not their secret
They don’t tell a soul
For their lives are too precious
And so is their goal
And their secret lives on still today
No they won’t give their treasure away
Chorus:
Oh give me some water …
IN THE TINY HOUSE
© Music and Lyrics by Mrs. Dina Storch
In the tiny house it is cozy
The fire’s burning low
As the Rebbe teaches little children- א קמץ א –
“Please remember – my dear children
Every word is pure
Say it once again and over once again - א קמץ א –
One day very soon, you’ll be older
Understanding why
And you’ll see that deep within these letters
Many teardrops lie
Also our pain, also our tears
Join the millions there
Oh, how beautiful to learn the Torah
Even through the tears
LEIBELE
© Music and Lyrics by Mrs. Dina Storch
Featured on album “There’s A Place In My Mind”
It was time, it was time for Leibele
That special day had come
He’d be learning Gemorah for the very first time
That special day had come
Father walked into the seforim closet
A Judaic store it was not
Three of four shelves and a mocher seforim
One of each volume of seforim in print
Father asked, “Do you have a Gemorah?
A gemorah – Bava metziah
My Leibele will be starting
I’m proud as can be
If you have what I need
Please sell it to me.”
Father asked, “Do you have a Gemorah?
A gemorah – Bava metziah
My Leibele will be starting
I’m proud as can be
If you have what I need
Please sell it to me.”
“The Gemorah was sold to a woman
She came by just minutes ago”
Father’s face fell, but then he heard him tell
“That woman was someone you know very well”
She asked me, “Do you have a Gemorah?
A gemorah – Bava metziah
My Leibele will be starting
I’m proud as can be
If you have what I need
Please sell it to me”
She asked me, “Do you have a Gemorah?
A gemorah – Bava metziah
My Leibele will be starting
I’m proud as can be
If you have what I need
Please sell it to me”
Father raced through the streets and caught up with her
A gemorah she proudly held
Mother smiled and beamed as she showed him her find
Yes – he knew this ‘aishes chayil’ well
“How is it that you slipped out, my dear,
And how, pray tell did you pay?
‘The cupboards are empty’ you complained just yesterday
You paid for this gemorah – what did you give away?”
“I gave away the pin I’ve always worn
The one you bought when Leibele was born
I know that this Gemorah will bring me much joy
As I watch my Leibele – my Gemorahkup, my boy!”
“And how is it that you slipped out, my dear
And how pray tell would you pay
‘My pockets are empty,’ you answered just yesterday
You came to buy this Gemorah – what did you sell today?”
“I sold the watch, the choson watch I’ve saved
The one you bought when we were both engaged
I know that this Gemorah will bring me much joy
As I watch my Leibele – my Gemorahkup, my boy”
Mother asked, “Do you have a Gemorah”
Father asked, “a Bava metziah”
“Our Leibele will be starting
We’re proud as can be
If you have what we need
Sell it to us, please!”
“I want to pay – the mitzvah is mine
lhbck o,bbau – we say it all the time”
“I’ve already paid – the z’chus is mine
ihfz htnc ohab – it’s a mitzvah of mine”
“I suggest you each pay ó the price
A compromise would be rather nice”
And so it was they split the bill and with tears in their eyes
They both held the gemorah – they carried their prize
They arrived at the door – a gemorah in their hands
Oh, the joy as the boy kissed it and began to dance
What a z’chus that they shared this young couple – a special pair
What a nachas to the Aibishter when Torah is so dear!!!!
Mother asked, “Do you have a Gemorah”
Father asked, “a Bava metziah
“Our Leibele will be starting
We’re proud as can be
If you have what we need
Sell it to us, please!”
Mother asked, “Do you have a Gemorah”
Father asked, “a Bava metziah
“Our Leibele will be starting
We’re proud as can be
If you have what we need
Sell it to us, please!”
TORAH, TORAH, TORAH
RABI AKIVA
© Music and Lyrics by Mrs. Dina Storch
In the pasture, in the green fields
With the sheep under his care
Sits Akiva, the handsome shepherd
And a tfila whispers there
Tattered clothing, few posessions
Not a Hebrew word he knows
From the distance comes the daughter
Of his very wealthy boss
And the daughter is impressed
yes, to her, this shepherd is best
But her father won’t consider
Tried to stop her foolishness
Yet Hashem, His blessing sends
And they marry without consent
No supporter to his daughter
Father gives not even a cent
It is winter - it is snowing
And they sleep on beds of straw
Wile her father’s warm in his villa
Gold and silver grace his walls
Their first child - what a Bracha
But the bitter wind still blows
And Akive needs parnassa
Off to work he sadly goes
Says his wife, “Akive, no!
This is not a life for you - go!
I will stay here with the children
To Yeshiva you must go”
A stone lies near a well - the water drip, drip, drips upon it
Akiva notes each day that soon a hole is broken through it
If water soft can pierce right through the hardest rock or stone
I’ll take this lesson home with me to be my very own
My heart is soft, of flesh and blood - my rachel’s right - I can!
The torah can seep into me and make me understand
It’s not too late, it never is, to make the torah mine
I’ll start with simple alef Bais - yes - one step at a time
And Akiva traveled far
Learning torah from the start
First the osyos, soon the parshios
He became the gadol hador
12 long years Akiva learned
Soon the title ‘Rebbi’ he earned
Teaching torah to his talmidim
Now he felt a need to return
He sets out on the journey home, arriving at his door
He peeks and sees his family - how awful, oh - how poor!
A neighbor chides his wife so frail “this is no way to live
Your husband left for 12 long years - is that the way to give?”
He stands in shock and hears his wife “i’m glad that he is learning
If he’d come back this very day - I’d hope he’ll be returning”
Akiva turned and set right back towards his yeshiva doors
And 12 more years he taught talmidim - thousands - 24!
Now it’s time - he’s returning
His talmidim at his side
The tanaaim and iluyim
Walking near him - filled with pride
And behind him - alongside him
A woman quietly walks
And she eyes him as they lead him
Words of wisdom he does talk
Thin and frail, with shaking hands
Edging closer, seeking her chance
Her desire - to inquire
Where he husband maybe stands
She throws herself before the Rav beholding his sweet smile
She trembles uncontrollably - they think she has gone wild
A ‘shammosh’ tries to block her and to send her away
The tana calms the nervous crowd and loudly he proclaims
We all can thank this woman for the torah that is ours
Sheli veshelochem sheoh Imagine her great ‘schar’
She sacrificed on our behalf for 24 long years
I thank you, Father, up above for a wife so very dear
Kalba Savua heard a tana had arrived in town
He sadly told the rebbi how his daughter let him down
The rosh yeshiva took his hand and whispered, “It is I”
Your daighter is much smarter - she’s got more than meets the eye”
The two embraced and reconciled - they heaved a happy sigh
Now Rachel’s father was appeased - he wiped his teary eye
Akiva turned before the crowd and to his wife he told
My greatest wish to give to you - Yerushalayim in gold”
He placed a cown of gold upon her head - “please take this gift from me
Yerushalayim shel Zahav engraved for all to see
“We all can thank you, Rachel, for the torah that is ours
Yes, your Mesiras nefesh has surpassed us all by far
Sheli veshelochem sheloh - his wife had helped him grow
And no more did they mock her - how the neighbors praised her so
Sheli veshelochem sheloh - we’ve heard this - me and you
And could it be that we can be like her - a princess true!?!
REB LEIZER
©Translated from Yiddish original by Mrs. Dina Storch
Reb Laizer was a businessman
He always had plenty
Now he is a water carrier
His pockets, they are empty
His back is bent, his smile went
Each day he earns a quarter
Trudging through the muddy streets
He holds his pails of water
His wife, at home, cries bitterly
Her face is growing thinner
The food is dry … she gives a ‘sigh’
“What will we have for dinner?”
“My dearest wife, you talk so foolish
Little do you know
We have bread and potatoes
Hashem has blessed us so
We must keep living and surviving
On with life we go”
His daughter will be twenty years
The sweetest in the city
Now her dress is getting small
She’ll never again be pretty
Reb Laizer’s angry at his daughter
Although he’s very kind
“Such a time! In such bad times –
A dress is on your mind!”
“My daughter, dear, you talk so foolish
Little do you know
We have bread and potatoes
Hashem has blessed us so
We must keep living and surviving
On with life we go”
And then he meets his Dovid’ll
They sent him home from Cheder
Tuition, there was none to pay
His father had promised ‘later’
Now Reb Laizer’s head is lowered
And tears come to his eyes
He opens up his wrinkled handkerchief
Where his last coin lies
“Oh, don’t cry, Dovid’ll, my dearest child
Your heart it should not break
We’ll have bread … without potatoes …
All FOR TORAH’S SAKE!
For we must keep learning –
THAT’S SURVIVING
ALL FOR TORAH’S SAKE!