Hamakom (feat. Esther Press) Hamakom (feat. Esther Press)

Hamakom by Franciska feat.Esther Press & Ariella Zeitlin “המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים” Seeing these words, it may sadden us; as it brings memories of people we’ve lost. But these words are supposed to do the opposite. They are supposed to comfort us. This song was composed by Franciska and performed by Esther Press and Franciska. The violin is played by Ariella Zeitlin. The words of המקום are combined with the words קוֹל שָשוֹן וְקוֹל שִמְחָה” קוֹל חָתָן וְקוֹל כָּלָה״ These psukim bring up the happiest feelings and remind us of so many beautiful weddings and smachot! You may be wondering, why are these psukim combined? Franciska and Esther wish to dedicate this song in memory of Elisheva Kaplan and Yisroel Levin who died in a horrific car crash during their engagement 2 years ago on Pessach Chol Hamoed. Their engagement leading to their wedding should have been the happiest of times for them and their family, but Hashem had other plans, though we may not understand, as He had Elisheva and Yisroel join Him in שמים. These supposed “happiest” times ended early and in extreme sadness. This tragedy stirred something in Franciska and she wrote this song the night it happened. The existence of extreme happiness and sadness that can coexist simultaneously was such a powerful and painful experience that was expressed through music. Right after Pesach in the year 2013, Esther was given the heart wrenching news that her beloved sister, Tamar, had been stricken with cancer. That led to an extremely tough two year battle and journey ; where Esther and her family had to suffer watching the cancer slowly take her life. Then in 2015, her oldest sister , Chava, died suddenly. Yes, a different sister. It broke Esther. She stopped singing. Esther stopped writing. And as if her world hadn’t been in pieces already- only 6 months later- Tamar, was overtaken by her cancer and also passed away. That year, Esther lost two of her sisters, whom she thought she would live with forever. It was like experiencing the destruction of the first and second בית המקדש. This is the first song Esther has recorded since her loss. In these trying times, we may have lost someone we know, or even someone close to us. And especially now that we are not able to be visited by friends or extended family after losing that loved one, it’s even more difficult to find that comfort. Now, the only one that can give us comfort, is Hashem. As a nation, we have been through the destruction of the the first and second Batei hamikdash and this long galut. And now, During these uncertain times, we can only look to Hashem for comfort and hope and pray to Hashem to bring the world the ultimate רפואה it needs- the גאולה- the final redemption, and the final בית המקדש that will forever stand! When Moshiach comes, we will always live in the happiest wedding-like times. When Hashem will finally reveal Himself to us. It will be like our “wedding day”. with Him and there will no longer be days of sadness again! We will be reunited with all our loved ones in which we lost. We will finally feel the comfort.