Daniel Mizrahi: Songs That Elevate the Soul

"Ascending from the sea shore / Watching the coming waves / Watching the sunset and saying: How great / Walking along the sea shore / Watching the coming waves / Watching the sunset and saying: How great / How great are Your works, Hashem / With wisdom You have all made / Looking into the depths of the sea / Seeing unusual things / And then I open my mouth and say: How great." (Lyrics: Daniel Mizrahi, from his upcoming fifth album)

When singer and cantor Yechiel Lichtiger (30) approached Daniel Mizrahi, someone with cerebral palsy who doesn't let his physical limitations hinder his true self, it was no random occurrence.

To listen to the song 'How Great' click on the following link

The stories of Mizrahi's burning faith, as well as his blessed musical talent, which have produced four albums composed by leading singers, have spread far and wide, reaching even to Lichtiger. "When I first heard Daniel in one of the songs he wrote, a song composed by Mendy Jerufi, I must admit I was in complete shock. I had difficulty believing that behind words filled with so much faith stood a paralyzed man who actually communicates using a stick attached to his head. I was intrigued to find out who was behind these songs with such lofty words about simple faith in the Creator of the universe".

The connection with Daniel was made after Lichtiger heard that despite his physical limitations, he leads major projects and runs them effortlessly. "I wanted someone like him by my side for organizing my events, and that's what I offered him – to be my manager. Yet, even in our extensive correspondences, I still found it hard to believe I was dealing with someone with any limitation. Before me was an entirely normal person – wise, talented, someone who knows how to express himself well. One might say many things about him – but certainly not that he's limited".

From their very first conversation, Mizrahi offered Lichtiger to compose the song 'How Great' which he had written three years earlier, on the shores of the Kinneret. "I wrote this song when I visited one of the enchanting beaches of the Kinneret. I remember looking at the beauty of creation, the magical landscape around me, and being truly moved," Mizrahi recalls.

Composed the song in ten minutes. Mizrahi and Lichtiger

The music and songs he writes bring Mizrahi great delight and 'elevate the soul', as he puts it. The enchanting and faith-filled song 'How Great' was penned by Mizrahi in just ten minutes – a fact that tells us a thing or two about the strong faith that burns within him, but also why the song remained hidden until now. "I had a dream to release the song around the time of the Festival of Redemption, namely the 19th of Kislev," he says, "so the conversation with Yechiel, which happened about a month and a half prior, gave me the courage to pursue this direction," Mizrahi concludes with a smile.

Yechiel, what did you discover in your meeting with Daniel?

"I discovered that he is exactly what I thought he was – a remarkably talented individual, simply trapped within a borrowed body. Not only did I recognize in Daniel a person with a positive and humorous approach to life – who knows how to take life lightly, I also learned a significant lesson in faith. We, the 'ordinary' people, often complain about trivialities. But he, who experiences enormous physical difficulty in expressing himself, sees the providence in every step and is grateful for what's in his life. That's unparalleled greatness".

How did you react when Daniel offered you to sing his song?

"Initially, I was a bit scared, for the simple reason that even with a person without disabilities, it's clear not everyone knows how to write. But when Daniel played me a song he wrote, composed by Mendy Jerufi, I understood that Daniel's words are indeed acceptable, because they are written at a level suitable for every person of faith".

Lichtiger paid with his own money for the 'Gal Kol' studios, hired the services of keyboardist Tuvia Grodka, and worked tirelessly on the song's composition. Today, with the wonderful single released, he says: "This is my way to salute Daniel for his personality, for the song lyrics he writes, and for the wonderful path he walks in life".

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