This setting of the text of the Prayer for the New Month

has a number of interesting features:

• the optimism implicit in the harmonies as the Cantor

expresses his wish for the coming month, “hachodesh hazeh”;

• the lyrical melody sung first by the Cantor as he/she prays

for a long and peaceful life:

“v’titen lanu chayim aruchim, chayim shel shalom”

which is then taken over by the choir,

before the Cantor makes a surprising entry

at “chayim shel parnasa";

• the harmonic word painting as the Cantor sings of

“the fear of heaven and fear of sin”

– “yirat shamayim v’yirat cheit";

• the opening motifs of the song reappear at

“chayim shel osher v’chavod” – “a life of wealth and honor";

• the mood of anticipation and expectation at

“chayim sheyimal’u mishalot libeinu l’tovah”

– “a month in which our heartfelt desires

will be fulfilled for the good";

• a triumphal and optimistic “Amen, Selah”.