Hine Ma Tov

Hine (or Hinay or Hinei) Mah Tov is a Jewish hymn traditionally sung at Shabbat feasts.

Origins

Its lyrics are from the first verse of Psalm 133, which is translated by the JPS Tanakh as "How good and how pleasant it is that brothers dwell together." [1]

Lyrics and transliteration

The lyrics, in Hebrew, read:

הִנֵּה מַה טוֹב וּמַה נָּעִים שֶׁבֶת אָחִים גַּם יַחַד

In Romanized Hebrew:

Hinneh mah tov umah na'im

Shevet achim gam yachad

Translated:

Behold how good and how pleasing / for brothers (people) to sit together in unity.

(In Hebrew, as in English and Spanish, the masculine includes the feminine when a mixed group of people are concerned.)

Popularity

Hine Ma Tov continues to be a popular hymn for several Israeli folk dances and is a common song sung by school children and Jewish and Israeli scouting groups. It has been recorded by artists as diverse as Joshua Aaron, Theodore Bikel, The Weavers, Dalida, Meir Finkelstein, Ishtar, the Miami Boys Choir, the Abayudaya of Uganda and the dub group Adonai and I. Harry Belafonte recorded a version on his 1960 album, Belafonte Returns to Carnegie Hall. '60s rock band Spirit recorded an original adaptation for their second studio album, The Family That Plays Together, simply titled "Jewish."

The lyrics of Hine Ma Tov, when translated into English, form the basis for several songs in contemporary Christian music, as well as in various hymnals.[2][3]

Version by the Miami Boys Choir

The album Stand Up, released in 1999 by the Miami Boys Choir, featured a version of Hine Ma Tov which became known for its use in flash mobs worldwide.[4] The music, by Moshe Jacobson, was then arranged by Yerachmiel Begun, the director of the Miami Boys Choir. Silvio Berlfein choreographed the dance that was used by the MBC and by subsequent flash mobs.[5]

In the 1977 television film Raid on Entebbe, Yonathan Netanyahu and Sammy Berg lead the Israeli commandos in singing the refrain while the commandos' plane is en route to rescue the hostages. It is also played during the closing credits. The song also features in the 1990 film Europa Europa where the lyrics are translated as How sweet it is to be sitting, surrounded by all of your brothers.[6]

References
  1. Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures, Jewish Publication Society of America, 1985, JPS.org and at Sefaria.org http://www.sefaria.org/Psalms.133?ven=Tanakh:_The_Holy_Scriptures,_published_by_JPS
  2. Schieve, Catherine (2 January 2019). "Trekking with Hine Ma Tov". Exploring Liturgy. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
  3. Watts, Isaac (1851). Melancthon Worcestor, Samuel (ed.). The Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs of the Rev. Isaac Watts: To which are added, select hymns, from other authors; and directions for musical expression. Crocker & Brewster. p. 260.
  4. Jacobson, William A. (19 April 2015). "Who's up for a Vietnamese Flash Mob singing Hine Mah Tov?". Legal Insurrection. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
  5. Tucker, Loui; Uggla, Joyce (2008). "Hineh Ma Tov" (PDF). Folk Dance Federation of California, Inc. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
  6. "Raid on Entebbe - Full Movie HQ (1977)". youtube.com. 13 October 2019.
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