The תפילה of אתה בחרתנו is not only one of the most well-known Tefilos resulting from its appearance in every Shemonei Esrai of all the Yomim Tovim, but it serves as a Zemiros sung at the Seudois as well. An interesting curiosity that I developed over time is that every time I encounter the Tefila and think of its meaning I would stop for a moment and wonder… “Ato Vechartonu Mikol HoAmim, you chose us from among all the nations!” Who was the next choice, the runner-up, the other nation that almost made it? Were there even any other choices? Well, we all know the answer to that…

A little while ago I saw a precious comment by Harav Hatzaddik R’ Dov Kook שליט”א who spoke of Ato Vechartonu saying: Imagine this… בחרת You chose us; אהבת You loved us; רצית You desired us; רוממת You elevated us; קדשת You sanctified us; קרבת You brought us close… and to top it all off שמך הגדול והקדוש עלינו קראת You gave us Your great and Holy name!!! A song written with great Liebschaft for the Munkatcher Rov שליט”א before מתן תורה this year.

Credits:

by Yossi Green
Performed by Yossi Green & Yiddish Nachas
Arranged & Mixed by; Eli Klein & Yitzi Berry
YG Vocals by: Yossi Tyberg
YN Vocals by: Moishi Kraus
Cover Design by: Eli Kaufman