MD: A musical message of praise and triumph sung around the world on a holiday where candles burn bright. And the well-known interpretation of the ancient Hebrew poem about victory over religious oppression came in the late 1800s by way of a collaboration including the Philadelphia-based Jastrow, a prominent rabbi and scholar.ĭG: When you’re hearing it today, almost every time you’re going to hear it, it’s going to be that Jastrow translation. MD: The tune is thought to be borrowed from a German folk song or hymn. “Maoz Tsur” doesn’t exactly translates into "Rock of Ages.” It really translates into “rock of strength.” Fortress and rock of my salvation, A stubborn and tough stronghold. Somewhere in the heart of the night, tense and still. Maoz tzur y’shuati l’cha naeh l’shabeach. Ill come through tunnels and fortresses and caves. It has been shortened and translated into the version that we know, “Rock of Ages,” by a man named Marcus Jastrow, and that’s where the phrase “rock of ages” comes from. Rock of Ages let our songPraise thy saving powerThou amidst the raging foesWas our sheltering tower.Furious, they assailed us,But thine armour veiled us.And thy word broke their swordWhen our own strength failed us.And thy word broke their swordWhen our own strength failed us. For others, like Rabbi David Gerber of Congregation Beth Or in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, those images have deepened.ĭG: “Maoz Tsur” was originally written around the 1300s. MD: For some, the song evokes memories of childhood menorahs. If there's one song associated with Hanukkah, it's this one.
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