May the Angels Carry You

I recently published a CD called “May the Angels Carry You: Jewish Songs of Comfort for Death, Burial and Mourning," designed as a companion to my husband Simcha Raphael’s book of deathbed prayers, “May the Angels Carry You: Jewish Prayers and Meditations for the Deathbed.” 

The Wexner community might want to know about this collection of traditional and newly created end-of-life prayer resources.  Here is an example of the title song, designed as a deathbed vidui (confession):

MAY THE ANGELS CARRY YOU 

At this time of transition, going to the light 
At this time of transition, going home is right 
Let go of the struggle, let go of your fear
All will be forgiven, your slate to be cleared. 

CHORUS: May the angels carry you (2x) 

Your work is done, it is time to rest
The fruit of your hands and your soul be blessed 
Joining your ancestors, finding a new way 
Crossing the threshold, wrapped in God’s embrace.
CHORUS 

Surrounded by love, angels take your hand 
Guiding you on, its part of the plan 
Shechinah welcomes you opening her wings 
Hearing the chorus, join the angels singing.
CHORUS

Other songs are written for Shiva, Kaddish and the partial selection below, for Yahrzeit:

DI NESHOME ZOL HOBN AN ALIYE
 
May your soul rise higher and higher 
Through the stages of illumination; 
May your soul rise to the highest rung 
In the holy realms of Gan Eden.
CHORUS: Di neshome zol hobn an aliye. [2x] 
Your memory is a blessing
To all of us you left behind.
You’ll be wrapped in a garment of light 
As your soul continues to climb.

May your journey be gentle
Through the seven realms up above. 
We’ll do good deeds in your name
We remember you with love.
CHORUS

Rayzel Raphael, WGF Alum (Class 2), is an outreach rabbi performing weddings, baby-naming ceremonies and providing counseling for Jewish and interfaith families in the Greater Philadelphia area.  She is an “unorthodox rabbi” and loves teaching about "the Jewish Mysteries" (angels, dreams, ritual, the soul, magic and Kabbalah.)  She has served as a chaplain, worked for Hillel doing outreach to students and served as spiritual leader at several congregations.  She was ordained at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and studied Religion at Indiana and Brandeis Universities.  Rayzel is an award-winning songwriter/liturgist, having recorded six albums.  The book and CD mentioned in this story are available through Amazon.com or through the Da'at Institute.  Rayzel can be reached at rrayzel@shechinah.com.