Following the enthusiastic response to the musical examples from Cantor Zelermyer's Shabbat Shirah sermon posted online recently,we are beginning a regular music section. This week, we feature the prayer Mi She'asa Nissim.

Each month, on the Shabbat immediately preceding the new moon, we recite Birkat Hachodesh, the Blessing for the New Month.

There are four parts to the blessing for the new month. The Y'hi Ratzon paragraph, where our wishes for the new month are expressed; the Mi She'asa Nissim paragraph featured below; the announcement of the new month and the day(s) on which it will be celebrated -- often chanted using a melody from a holiday that is about to be celebrated in the new month ahead; the Y'chad'sheihu, where we pray for life and peace, joy and gladness, salvation and consolation.

Mi She'asa Nissim
May He who performed miracles for our ancestors and redeemed them from slavery to freedom, redeem us soon and gather in our dispersed people from the four quarters of the earth, so that all Israel may be united in friendship, and let us say: Amen

Stephen Glass writes:
This musical setting, which we sing at Shaar Hashomayim, is by Louis Freeman, who was a Choir Director at the Dalston Road Synagogue in London, England around 1890. It seems that he also conducted choirs on various special occasions at other synagogues, including the laying of the foundation stone at Hampstead Synagogue, London, in 1892. His composition for Mi She'asa Nissim has a number of interesting moments. After a lyrical opening, there is a noticeable shift in mood at the words "v'ga'al otam mei'avdut l'cheirut" (redemption from slavery to freedom). This is followed by the sound of a patriotic march clearly depicting the image of Jews coming to Israel from around the world, leading to a final declamatory ending.