Lyrics

5. Noach Begot Three Sons
© All rights reserved by Issachar Tal van Kekem

Noach begot three sons
Very different one from the other:
First there was Shem, who was virtuous;
Second there was Cham, who was evil;
And third there was Yaphet, who was somewhere in between.
Yaphet was neither here nor there:
Yaphet, simply, did not care.
As indifferent and worthless he was seen…

Chorus:
(ascending tones) Shem walked with God,
(descending tones) Cham fell with Satan
(floating on waves) Yaphet levitated…

Noach, out of his divine potency, generated three groups of Spirits roaming
Neshamàh – this is Soul, and Breath
Ruach, ruach – this is Spirit, and Wind
Nefesh – this is Being, this is being alive!

Chorus:

Three worlds, three worlds exist:
First there is the Upper World – the World of Creation, that contains the Throne of God
Then there is the Middle World – the World of Formation, that contains the Angels
And then there is the Lower World – the World of Action, that contains this universe

Who… looks without seeing?
Who… listens without hearing?
Who… knows without thinking?
The unworthy ones,
May their names be erased from the Book of Life!
May they NOT be inscribed among the righteous!
When they leave this world, may they be handed over to Dumah,
The Ruler of Hell,
To be burned in blazing fire, except for on Shabbat…
Let the wicked be thrown into the lowest abode:
May they get lost, for eternity, in Avadon!

Chorus:

The path of the righteous is like glowing light,
Shining ever so bright,
And brighter still, yes: until… full day…