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Ernest Bloch’s Avodath Ha-Kodesh: A Synopsis and Detailed Program Note

to the Union Prayer Book of its day, but most Sabbath followed by Malchutcha “Your Kingdom,” providing an
Morning services throughout Judaism follow more or interpretive framework preparing the worshipper for
less the same format. the second verse quoted from this context: Adonay Yim-
loch “The Lord shall reign for ever” (Ex. 15:18). Part I
“ of the work ends with the traditional Tzur Yisrael, “Rock

of Israel” mentioned above, ending with traditional
Bloch departed from the prior
practice of most composers of blessing formula “Blessed art Thou O Lord” (with the
Synagogue music, who wrote Choir singing baruch hu u-varuch shemo “Blessed be He
settings of individual prayers and Blessed be His name”), “who has redeemed Israel.
or sections of the service. In In a congregational service using the Union Prayer
contrast, the Sacred Service Book, the texts in Part I of the Sacred Service would be
is an entire service. followed by the first two paragraphs of the Amida in
Hebrew and/or English.

Part II
Part I Part II is titled Kedusha “Sanctification,” which, in
Bloch called Part I the “exposition.” It takes us from the traditional service, is the highlight of the Cantor’s
an introductory text composed largely from the Psalms, repetition of the Amida. The Kedushah represents
to the call to prayer, the declaration of faith and God’s Israel joining in angelic singing as noted in its intro-
unity, Man’s love for God, and God’s mighty acts in duction, Nekadesh: “We will sanctify your Name in the
history. Its conclusion is “the Lord shall reign forever,” world just as it is sanctified in the highest heavens.”
which Bloch calls a “chorus of exaltation.” But rath- These praises take the form of two verses describ-
er than end on a note of exaltation, its conclusion is ing the angelic praises of God: Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh
a passage which, to Bloch, speaks of “the misery of “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts” (Isaiah 6:3) and
humanity,” and, when it is reprised in Part V, is called Baruch “Blessed is the Presence of the Lord, from His
“a lamentation” and “cry for help.” The introductory Place” (Ezekiel 3:12).
meditation is Mah Tovu, “How Goodly are Thy Tents,” Bloch compares this section with the Sanctus of the
consisting of Num. 24:5, and Ps. 5:8, 26:8, 95:6, 69:14. Mass, which indeed uses Sanctus “Holy,” Isaiah 6:3,
This is followed by the Barechu, the Call to Prayer and a Benedictus “Blessed,” albeit a different verse, Ps.
“Praise ye the Lord to whom all praise is due.” Nine 138:26. Adir Adirenu (mostly from Psalms 8:10) follows,
orchestral measures follow. Next is the Shema, Israel’s sung by the Cantor. Then, Ehad hu Elohenu “One is our
declaration of faith “Hear O Israel, the Lord is Our God” turns toward a future revelation and redemption,
God the Lord is One” (Deut. 6:4), followed by the non- highlighting God as “our Father, our King, our Re-
biblical response Baruch “Blessed be the name of his deemer and He [God] will cause us to hear (yashmi‘enu)
glorious kingdom for ever” and Veahavta (continuing in His mercy, again, in the sight of all living beings.” In
with Deut. 6:5-9) “And you shall love the Lord your the traditional Kedusha, this is followed by what all will
God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all hear: “I am the Lord thy God” (Num. 16:41)” but here
your might….” This alternation of biblical verse, non- the Hebrew yashmi’enu is re-translated as “answer us”
biblical line, and related biblical verse is very typical of and the line from Numbers is omitted. Unlike typical
the Jewish liturgy. synagogue practice, this line is sung once by the cantor
The next section of the Sacred Service follows the same responsively with the choir, then the entire line sung
pattern of scripture—non-scriptural line—related again by the choir, with alto and soprano soloists high-
scripture, based in this case on the Song of the Sea (Ex. lighting moshi’enu “Our Redeemer.”
15), recited by the Israelites who had escaped Pharaoh. Having asserted the certainty of Divine response,
Mi Chamocha “Who is like unto Thee” (Ex. 15:11), is Bloch concludes the Kedusha with a stirring choral

CHORAL JOURNAL October 2023 Volume 64 Number 3 41