Im Nin'Alu

I've stumbled across a reference site that I have come to enjoy ... www.imninalu.net. Curious as to the strange site name (strange to my eyes), I went digging, and came across this poem/song that is a nice tie-in to the overarching theme of my own site. So I've created this post to collect this particular curio.

Always trust the Creator, even if all the other doors are closed on you, the Creator's door always open for you.

This song was written in the 17th century by Jewish poet and Torah commentator Rabbi Shalom Shabbazi and is based on Ezekiel's Vision of the Angels around the Creator's throne. It is performed mainly at weddings, Original version contain few lines in Hebrew and few lines in Arabic. 

אם ננעלו, אם ננעלו

אם ננעלו דלתי נדיבים

דלתי מרום לא ננעלו

 

אל חי מרומם, אל חי מרומם

אל חי מרומם על כרובים

כולם ברוחו יעלו

 

אל חי

 

כי הם אלי, כי הם אלי

כי הם אלי כיסאו קרובים

יודו שמו ויהללו

 

חיות שהם, חיות שהם

חיות שהם רצוא ושבים

מיום בריאה נכללו

 

גלגל ואופן רועשים

מודים שמו ומקדשים

מזיו כבודו לובשים

 

אל חי

 

ובשש כנפיים סביבים

עפים בעת יתגלגלו

יענו בקול שירים ערבים

יחד באותות נדגלו

 

אם ננעלו, אם ננעלו

אם ננעלו דלתי נדיבים

דלתי מרום לא ננעלו

 


1988 Video Lyrics


Im Nin'Alu (If The Doors Are Locked) - Ofra Haza.



Im nin'alu daltei nedivim

Daltei marom lo nin'alu

Im nin'alu 

Im nin'alu


El chai

El chai

Im nin'alu

Im nin'alu

El chai


You know I love you like no other

Like no other in my prayer

Chayot shehem ratzu vashavim

Miyom bri'ah nichlelu


Im nin'alu 

Im nin'alu

El chai

Im nin'alu


Take me away I need your help

Somebody cries within the herd

Oh my God I need your help

Uveshesh k'nafaim s'vivim

Afim be'et yitgalgelu


El chai

El chai

Im nin'alu

Im nin'alu

El chai


Im nin'alu daltei nedivim

Daltei marom lo nin'alu

Im nin'alu

Im nin'alu


Translation 1


If (the Doors) are shut


(Even) If the doors of the righteous will shut

The Doors of Heaven will still be open

The Living God will exalt them by Cherubs

All will raise by his Spirit

Living God

 

Since they are close to his Throne

They will thank His Name and praise

The sacred animals (holly beasts) will run around

From the Day of Creation they were included (at God's Throne)

Wheels and cycles are in uproar

Thanking His Name and blessing

Surrounded by the glamour of His glory

Living God

 

By the power of their six wings

They are flying around and swirling

They will answer by a pleasant voice of their songs

And together, by miracles ensigned

 

(Even) If the doors of the righteous will shut

The Doors of Heaven will still be open

Living God


Translation 2


If the doors are locked


If the doors, if the doors,

if the doors of the wealthy are locked

the doors of Heaven will never be locked.

 

The Creator reigns supreme, 

the Creator reigns supreme

the Creator reigns supreme, and is higher than the angels.

The Creator.

 

By His nearness, by His nearness,

His life-giving breath

flows through them.

 

And they glory, and they glory

And they glory in His name

From the moment of genesis,

 

The wheel in his circle thunders

Acclaiming His Holy name

Clothed in the glory of His radiance,

 

The Creator.

 

The six-winged cherubs surround Him,

Whirling in His honor

And with their free wings sweetly sing,

Together, in unison

 

If the doors, if the doors,

if the doors of the wealthy are locked

the doors of Heaven will never be locked.

 

The Creator.




 Ofra Haza 1978

Ofra Haza 1988




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