Uproar in Beit Shemesh: nuns sang to Haredi viewers the "Aveinו Av Harachaman"

The legendary composer R' Chaim Bennett could not believe that a chassidic song - composed more than 30 years ago, and which has become one of the songs which left their mark on the Hasidic music – will be sung on Christmas by French nuns in a Catholic church in Beit Shemesh.

It happened yesterday (Monday), when Christians around the world celebrated 'Christmas'. The nuns at the Church of Beit Jamal, Beit Shemesh gathered to conduct the usual ceremonies.


In the church main hall they sung, among other things, the song "Aveinu Av Harachaman," composed by Chaim Bennett.


A sharp ear could notice slight changes made to the original words of the song, which has been replaced - by the nuns with other words. At the view stand located above the church there were many Israelis who came to watch the ceremony.

Among the observers were also several yarmulkes, and religious people. One of them said to B'Chadrei Charedim, that the reason he came to such a place, despite the prohibition is "curiosity only".


Attempts to try to draw from him further explanations of the presence of an Orthodox man at a Church - have failed.

He said that whilst the holy song was played in the church, he felt bad. "When a song written by a G-d fearing man for sacred targets, and then after more than 30 years, is sung by nuns, you have this feeling that you want to yell at those moments: 'Quiet.' But you stop yourself because you know what the reaction of church will be."


Composer Chaim Bennett said in response to B'Chadrei Charedim: "I heard about it, I am very hurt and pained. While I composed this song, the goal was to sing it to the Seret Vizhnitz Rebbe and his disciples, and of course inspire and bring people close to Hashem."


As to whether he would have composed a song like that if he knew it would be sung by nuns in the church, after 30 years, he said: "You cannot know what will be in 30 years."

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!