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My Teacher, My Friend (Meir's Song)

from They Tried To Get Us, We Won, Let's Rock! by Jay Rapoport

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about

NOTE FOR DISCUSSION: This song is based on various quotations from Chapter 1 of Pirkei Avot - the wisdom of our ancestors, including:

Joshua the son of Perachia would say: "Find yourself a teacher, and acquire yourself a friend." (Pirkei Avot 1:6)

Shimon the son of Shotach would say: "Be careful with your words, lest they learn from them how to lie." (Pirkei Avot 1:9)

Hillel would say: "Be of the disciples of Aaron--a lover of peace, a pursuer of peace, one who loves the creatures and draws them close to Torah." (Pirkei Avot 1:12)

Shammai would say: "Make your Torah study a permanent fixture of your life. Say little and do much. And receive everyone with a pleasant countenance." (Pirkei Avot 1:15)

Rabban Gamliel would say: "Assume for yourself a master; stay away from doubt." (Pirkei Avot 1:16)

CONVERSATION STARTERS:
Which of the above quotations do you like the most? Why?
Which do you think is the most important?
If you were going to give a piece of wisdom to the next generation, what would you say?

lyrics

"MY TEACHER, MY FRIEND" (by Jay Rapoport)

Inspired by Meir Rotem & Pirkei Avot (the wisdom of our ancestors)

Find yourself a teacher, and get yourself a friend
Make time for the Torah, build for it a fence
Let your heart be open, be cautious with your words
Always work for justice, pursue peace for the world

Every time I see you
I learn something new

CHORUS
Baruch Hashem, Baruch Hashem
Thank God for you
My teacher, my friend

Provide yourself a teacher, and remove yourself from doubt
Stand up for others, and of yourself be proud
Share your smile freely, try to get along
Appreciate your blessings, sing another song

Every day you tell me
Things I never knew

CHORUS

You inspire us with your stories
Your spirit and your journey
Thank you for your wisdom
I have been so blessed

Every time I see you
I learn something new

CHORUS

credits

from They Tried To Get Us, We Won, Let's Rock!, released December 2, 2014
Written & composed by Jay Rapoport,
copyright 2014 Maxfun Music (ASCAP), all rights reserved
www.ruachrock.com

Lead vocals & Rhodes: Jay Rapoport duet with Naomi Less
Drums & percussion: Steve Purcell
Bass guitar: Shawn Setaro
Acoustic guitar: Toby Singer

Produced, arranged & recorded by Toby Singer
Drums & Rhodes recorded by Drew Guido at Let 'Em In Studios in Brooklyn, NYC
Mixed by Toby Singer at Atlas Hugged in Brooklyn, NYC
Mastered by Jonathan Jetter at Right Angle Recording in Manhattan, NYC

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Jay Rapoport Chicago, Illinois

Jay Rapoport, RJE takes Jewish values and texts and transforms them into “Ruach Rock”, a catchy piano-pounding style influenced by Ben Folds and Billy Joel. Jay has appeared on the Disney Holiday Singalong and received a Covenant Foundation grant to compose the theme song for the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland’s “La-bri’ut” curriculum. Jay is Director of URJ 6 Points Creative Arts Academy. ... more

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