Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" and "Anthem"
I am a great admirer of the late Leonard Cohen. His haunting melodies and deeply metaphysical lyrics capture, for me at least, the essence of spirituality.
In his perhaps most powerful song, Hallelujah, Cohen teaches us that the word Hallelujah itself is joyous and is uttered from a place of faith--and this place of faith can be "cold and broken". He elevates this metaphysical idea to an even higher realm:
"There's a blaze of light in every word.
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah"
Listen to K.D. Lang's amazing interpretation of Leonard Cohen's powerful song. This is the same "light" Cohen sings about in "Anthem".
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
That's how the light gets in.
That's how the light gets in.
What do you think Cohen meant when he says: "That's how the light gets in."?
UJUC--The Union of Jewish Univeralist Communities
You may be a member of any Jewish Denomination and be a part of Jewish Universalism. “JU” espouses SEVEN key doctrines:
- JU is founded on the core statement “Hear oh Israel (and Humankind), the Lord is G-d, the Lord is One.”
- JU believes the Torah is divinely inspired and is Holy.
- JU believes all paths to the divine are equally Holy and that one’s religion is not the sole and exclusive source of truth.
- JU believes Judaism is a constantly evolving spiritual practice.
- JU asserts that all people who follow the dictate to love your neighbor as yourself are “chosen.”
- JU embraces Interfaith Families and unconditionally welcomes all people to participate in our Jewish worship and rituals.
- JU honors our Jewish rituals, traditions, teachings and texts and seeks to repair the world, Tikkun Olam, through acts of loving kindness, G’milut Hasadim.
Our Rabbis subscribe to our doctrines. They welcome everyone to join their communities, and learn about and participate in our Jewish worship and rituals.
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