Shemini: Zemer of The Week - The Ramaz School
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Archived: 2026-04-23 17:13
Shemini: Zemer of The Week - The Ramaz School
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Shemini: Zemer of The Week
“עִבְרִי אָנֹכִי” – Ivri Anochi
Fun version by Benny Friedman (30 million views):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aii3fDdZnrM
עִבְרִי אָנֹכִי וְאֶת ה' אֱלֹקֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם אֲנִי יָרֵא עִבְרִי אָנֹכִי וְאֶת ה' אֱלֹקֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם אֲנִי יָרֵא
I am a Hebrew, and it is Hashem, the God of Heaven, whom I fear. I am a Hebrew, and it is Hashem, the God of Heaven, whom I fear.
(Words from Yonah 1:9.)
Parshat Shemini
ends the laws of
kashrut
with the word
“לְהַבְדִּיל” – to distinguish
.
Kashrut
is not just about food; it is about identity.
When Yonah is asked who he is, he answers: “Ivri Anochi – I am a Hebrew.” He defines himself by who he is, not by where he is.
That is the message of
kashrut
. The question is not only what we eat at home, but who we are wherever we go. Our identity travels with us.
If you want a traditional
zemer
:
The
zemer
for this week: יום זה מכובד
Yaakov Shwekey version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVnY3x567NU
This
zemer
was written by someone named Yisrael (the acrostic formed by the first letters of its first five stanzas).
Artscroll Zemiros
suggests that the sixth stanza may hold another clue to his identity: the first letters of its first three lines form “הגר” (the convert). The
zemer
urges us to observe Shabbat because Hashem will provide those who do with everything needed to enjoy the day: wine for Kiddush, two loaves of challah, meat and fish, beautiful clothes, etc. It is probably based on the Gemara’s assurance (in Beitza 15b) that Hashem will reimburse us for all of our Shabbat expenses.
Central elements of this parsha include קדושה / sanctification, the death of Aharon’s two sons, and extensive description of which animals, birds, and other creatures are kosher (or not).
Some of the connections to the
parsha
:
3rd line of 2nd stanza: “ביינו קדשי” (“With his wine he will be mekadesh”) – The concept of קדושה – both Hashem’s and
Bnei Yisrael
’s – appears multiple times in the
parsha
. For example:
After the death of Aharon’s sons, Moshe tells Aharon (quoting Hashem): “בקרובי קדשא”: “I will be sanctified through those near to Me.” (Vayikra 10:3).
Hashem exhorts Bnei Yisrael: “ והתקדשתם והייתם קדושים, כי קדש אני” (“You shall sanctify yourselves and be holy, because I am holy” – Vayikra 11:44).
Also regarding “ביינו יקדש” (“With his wine he will be mekadesh”): After the death of Aharon’s sons, Hashem’s first commandment – given directly to Aharon – was to avoid drinking wine before coming into the Ohel Moed (Vayikra 10:9).
1st and last lines of 3rd stanza: “אכול משמנים... בשר ודגים וכל מטעמים” (“Eat rich foods … meat and fish and all delicacies”) – The
parsha
details the characteristics of the animals and fish that are kosher to eat (Vayikra 11).
Skip To Main Content
my
Login
Shemini: Zemer of The Week
“עִבְרִי אָנֹכִי” – Ivri Anochi
Fun version by Benny Friedman (30 million views):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aii3fDdZnrM
עִבְרִי אָנֹכִי וְאֶת ה' אֱלֹקֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם אֲנִי יָרֵא עִבְרִי אָנֹכִי וְאֶת ה' אֱלֹקֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם אֲנִי יָרֵא
I am a Hebrew, and it is Hashem, the God of Heaven, whom I fear. I am a Hebrew, and it is Hashem, the God of Heaven, whom I fear.
(Words from Yonah 1:9.)
Parshat Shemini
ends the laws of
kashrut
with the word
“לְהַבְדִּיל” – to distinguish
.
Kashrut
is not just about food; it is about identity.
When Yonah is asked who he is, he answers: “Ivri Anochi – I am a Hebrew.” He defines himself by who he is, not by where he is.
That is the message of
kashrut
. The question is not only what we eat at home, but who we are wherever we go. Our identity travels with us.
If you want a traditional
zemer
:
The
zemer
for this week: יום זה מכובד
Yaakov Shwekey version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVnY3x567NU
This
zemer
was written by someone named Yisrael (the acrostic formed by the first letters of its first five stanzas).
Artscroll Zemiros
suggests that the sixth stanza may hold another clue to his identity: the first letters of its first three lines form “הגר” (the convert). The
zemer
urges us to observe Shabbat because Hashem will provide those who do with everything needed to enjoy the day: wine for Kiddush, two loaves of challah, meat and fish, beautiful clothes, etc. It is probably based on the Gemara’s assurance (in Beitza 15b) that Hashem will reimburse us for all of our Shabbat expenses.
Central elements of this parsha include קדושה / sanctification, the death of Aharon’s two sons, and extensive description of which animals, birds, and other creatures are kosher (or not).
Some of the connections to the
parsha
:
3rd line of 2nd stanza: “ביינו קדשי” (“With his wine he will be mekadesh”) – The concept of קדושה – both Hashem’s and
Bnei Yisrael
’s – appears multiple times in the
parsha
. For example:
After the death of Aharon’s sons, Moshe tells Aharon (quoting Hashem): “בקרובי קדשא”: “I will be sanctified through those near to Me.” (Vayikra 10:3).
Hashem exhorts Bnei Yisrael: “ והתקדשתם והייתם קדושים, כי קדש אני” (“You shall sanctify yourselves and be holy, because I am holy” – Vayikra 11:44).
Also regarding “ביינו יקדש” (“With his wine he will be mekadesh”): After the death of Aharon’s sons, Hashem’s first commandment – given directly to Aharon – was to avoid drinking wine before coming into the Ohel Moed (Vayikra 10:9).
1st and last lines of 3rd stanza: “אכול משמנים... בשר ודגים וכל מטעמים” (“Eat rich foods … meat and fish and all delicacies”) – The
parsha
details the characteristics of the animals and fish that are kosher to eat (Vayikra 11).