Tuesday 12 October 2010

Wrestling with an Angel

I'm absolutely crazy about this song/video right now! I saw it on our Canadian Bravo TV channel last weekend and it just knocked my socks off!

In ancient times, when Jacob wrestled with the angel and wrung a blessing from him (as well as a new name -- Israel), did he really get a good deal? The Flying Bulgars of Toronto give this story some thoughtful reconsideration in light of a few thousand years of subsequent Jewish experience . . . .



I love contemporary music with a deeper spiritual sensibility. Not to mention that wonderful klezmer influence! This video was directed by Bruce McDonald, one of Canada's best film/TV directors. I think he did a terrific job.

And ooooo, that black angel's long false eyelashes! Sexy!

14 comments:

BugginWord said...

Klezmer is a fun word. Klezmer. Klezzzz. Merrrr.

Laura said...

Beautiful Debra....I will share this with my favorite Klezmorim (You know my man's the piano player for the Raymond Street Klezmer Band-best Klez in NH-right?)

not sure I agree with the lyrics completely though...yea, we've had it tough this wandering, antisemitism for freakin' ever, practically annihilated many times over as a tribe...but that's the whole point of the blessing-the name change from Jacob to Israel...Yisrael means struggle with God...God meaning All that is (I'm not a guy up in a throne kinda believer or even a gendered Source believer...I only anthropomorphize when my limited humanness needs someone/thing to talk to...cause, it works for me...and sometimes I just need to talk and pray and believe I'm somehow being heard...cause I'm a puny limited human, and that's the best I can do somedays )...and the struggle...well that's really about growth, learning, teaching, healing (IMHO)...so yes, of course it's hard, really insanely hard especially at some times in history, at some places in the world to be Jewish...but still, I believe that to be Yisrael is a blessing. Thank you for sharing this beautiful song with us...it does cause us to ponder, what is it we as individuals are wrestling with...what are we running from? to? how is this struggle a place from which growth is unfolding....how is this wrestling, question asking, seeking, opening us to other possibilities, ways of seeing, listening, helping, teaching....and it applies to all people (again imho...not just people of one particular tribe) These are questions for HUMANITY.

gentle steps dear one

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Hi Laura -- It's so cool that your hubz plays klezmer, didn't know that! Yes, I know the lyrics question the traditional interpretation of the blessing -- they're still wrestling, aren't they? Hmmm, the Eternal Wrestling Match!

Caroline said...

Wow...very cool! Loved the video!

yellowdoggranny said...

wow..that's fantastic...

mxtodis123 said...

What a great video!!! I loved it.
Mary

Chris 'Frog Queen' Davis said...

Thanks for sharing such a cool video and an engaging song. I love it.

Cheers!

Ricky Shambles said...

Wasn't there wrestling in Islam too? Wait, forgot that's more of a belief system, not a religion.

I'm not Jewish, but I have done Fiddler on the Roof 3 separate runs.

Honestly, f'ing beautiful with poignant message and driving music (traditionally-tinged) that reminds me of Baz Luhrmann directing a Fiddler remake. Or maybe that's too stereotypical. If so, I'm sorry.

turquoisemoon said...

Great video...thanks for sharing.
Awesome........

Beatnheart said...

I’m Klezmerized! Don’t know much about it but thanks to you and the rest of your followers adding this to my memory bank...a new thing..Klezmer...cool.
Thank you Debra for your Kind words on my blog and your continuting love and support ..you are an angel.

Jim said...

What a great way to end the day....something very haunting about this....in a good way. Reminded me of some of the music in 'Moulin Rouge'.
Jim

Little Messy Missy said...

LOVE it... I will take two tickets to see that match!! ;0)

Wendy said...

Great song, and very cool video. I agree about the eyelashes--I need some like that!

Blueberry said...

Love the way the klezmer is used here. Very nice song and video too.