‘Miracles’ cheers great events, then and now

Purim was a miracle — but it was just one of many.

Popular Israeli-Canadian singer and composer Naftali Kalfa is bringing everyday relevance to the stories of Purim, Chanukah and more, with his newly released single “Miracles.”

Written by Kalfa, and recorded with well-known Israeli singer Gad Elbaz and Jewish reggae singer-songwriter Ari Lesser, “Miracles” is a high-energy tribute to G-d for saving the Jewish people in ancient Persia who were slated for annihilation at the hands of King Ahasuerus’s second in command, Haman the Agagite. The miraculous salvation of Persian Jewry is recorded in the book of Esther that will be read by Jews worldwide on Purim, the 14th of Adar (Saturday night and Sunday, March 15 and 16).

Kalfa explains that the song—with sections in both Hebrew and English—focuses on Purim and other miracles throughout Jewish history detailed in the Bible, and seeks to “inspire us to think about the small miracles that happen in this world every single day.”

“How many people wake up in the morning and mean it when they recite the ‘Modeh Ani’ prayer, thanking G-d for returning our souls back to us?” Kalfa asks.

The lyrics of Kalfa’s song express his strong sentiment that Jews shouldn’t take “small miracles” for granted, whether it’s waking up in the morning, having a properly functioning body, or being able to earn a livelihood. He says that these everyday activities and others all warrant an expression of thanks to G-d.

“Give thanks and praise to G-d always for the miracles done in ancient days,” Kalfa chants, as well as the incredible events of our everyday lives. “She’asita l’avotaynu bayamim hahem bazman hazeh.”

The new single comes on the heels of the release of Kalfa’s latest album, a double CD titled “The Naftali Kalfa Project,” featuring 28 original compositions and orchestrated songs alongside some of the most established and well-known names in the world of Jewish music today.

Musical collaborations feature artists including Shlomo Katz, Yossi Piamenta, Yehuda Glantz, Gad Elbaz, Yosef Chaim Shwekey, Lenny Solomon, Benny Elbaz, Yehuda Solomon, Shyne, and many others.