Thank you for taking the time to react to an esoteric music (though beautiful) like the one from Israel. This song resonates so deeply for many of us so it’s great to get a reaction like yours! Thank you
"The Whole Soul" (also known as "Kol Haneshama" or "Elo Hi") is a song by the iconic Israeli singer Ofra Haza. The song was composed by Ofra Haza herself and Goran Bregovic in 1993²⁵. The lyrics of "The Whole Soul" are in Hebrew. The song begins with the lines: "My God... my God... the whole soul that you have given me... my God..."¹¹¹. This repeated chant sets a spiritual tone for the song. The lyrics explore themes of spirituality, the human soul, and a plea to God for strength¹¹. The song seems to express a deep sense of gratitude and acknowledgment of the divine¹¹. Ofra Haza has performed "The Whole Soul" live, including a notable performance in 1995¹. Her performances of the song have been well-received, showcasing her unique blend of traditional Yemeni and Jewish folk elements with contemporary pop music trends¹. While specific reviews of "The Whole Soul" are not readily available, Ofra Haza's music, in general, has been highly praised for its fusion of traditional Middle Eastern and commercial singing styles⁵. Source: (1) Ofra Haza - The Whole Soul (Kol Haneshama, Elo Hi) - TH-cam. th-cam.com/video/uNORpY9uxPw/w-d-xo.html. (2) Ofra Haza - Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ofra_Haza. (3) Ofra Haza - 'The Whole Soul' & 'Love Song' (Live Performance 1995). th-cam.com/video/jWF4mhCRMX0/w-d-xo.html. (4) Ofra Haza - כל הנשמה (Kol HaNeshama) lyrics + English translation. lyricstranslate.com/en/Kol-Hneshama-whole-soul.html. (5) Ofra Haza - The Whole Soul (Kol Haneshama, Elo Hi) - TH-cam. th-cam.com/video/uNORpY9uxPw/w-d-xo.html. (6) Ofra Haza - כל הנשמה (Kol HaNeshama) lyrics + English translation. lyricstranslate.com/en/Kol-Hneshama-whole-soul.html. (7) Ofra Haza - Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ofra_Haza. (8) Ofra Haza - 'The Whole Soul' & 'Love Song' (Live Performance 1995). th-cam.com/video/jWF4mhCRMX0/w-d-xo.html. (9) Ofra Haza - 'The Whole Soul' & 'Love Song' (Live Performance 1995). www.bilibili.com/video/BV1dU4y137BT/?uid=425631645534793133374254. (10) Ofra Haza The 'Israeli Madonna': 11 Songs You Need To Know - Culture Trip. theculturetrip.com/middle-east/israel/articles/the-iconic-ofra-haza-11-songs-you-need-to-know. (11) Ofra Haza - Whole Soul (1994, CD) - Discogs. www.discogs.com/release/7058296-Ofra-Haza-Whole-Soul. (12) Famous Female Israeli Singers - Ofra Haza The Whole Soul (Elo Hi Live) - Vocal Coach Reacts. th-cam.com/video/821T9KvjoNU/w-d-xo.html. (13) Ofra Haza - Ofra Haza | Album | AllMusic. www.allmusic.com/album/ofra-haza-mw0000531285. (14) Ofra Haza = עפרה חזה - My Soul = כל הנשמה (1994, CD) - Discogs. www.discogs.com/release/2148792-Ofra-Haza-עפרה-חזה-My-Soul-כל-הנשמה. (15) Ofra Haza - The Whole Soul (Kol Aneshama. Elo Hi).wmv. th-cam.com/video/4fQIW69BMSo/w-d-xo.html. (16) The Meaning Behind The Song: Deliver Us by Ofra Haza & Eden Riegel. oldtimemusic.com/w3/the-meaning-behind-the-song-deliver-us-by-ofra-haza-eden-riegel/. (17) The Meaning Behind The Song: You by Ofra Haza - Old-time music. oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-you-by-ofra-haza/. (18) The Meaning Behind The Song: Give Me a Sign by Ofra Haza. oldtimemusic.com/w3/the-meaning-behind-the-song-give-me-a-sign-by-ofra-haza/. (19) Ofra Haza - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia. alchetron.com/Ofra-Haza. (20) undefined. shironet.mako.co.il/artist?type=lyrics&lang=1&prfid=820&wrkid=1706. (21) undefined. www.patreon.com/HofTheStage.
Ofra Haza was a deeply spiritual person, and her music often reflected her personal beliefs and experiences. "The Whole Soul" (Kol Haneshama) is no exception. While specific details about why she decided to make this song are not readily available, we can infer from her body of work and interviews that her songs were often deeply personal and connected to her life experiences. The lyrics of "The Whole Soul" are a testament to Haza's deep spirituality. The song begins with the lines: "My God... my God... the whole soul that you have given me... my God..."⁵. This repeated chant sets a spiritual tone for the song, which seems to express a deep sense of gratitude and acknowledgment of the divine⁵. Haza's music was a fusion of traditional Middle Eastern and commercial singing styles, combining elements of Eastern and Western instrumentation, orchestration, and dance-beat, as well as lyrics from Mizrahi and Jewish folk tales and poetry¹¹. "The Whole Soul" is a reflection of this fusion, and it's possible that creating this song was a way for Haza to connect with and express her cultural heritage⁴. Haza's music often reflected her personal experiences. For instance, one of her albums was conceived as a thank you to her family - an album of devotional poems and secular street songs passed down from her Yemeni forebears[^10^]. While it's not explicitly stated that "The Whole Soul" was inspired by specific events in Haza's life, it's likely that her personal experiences influenced the creation of this song. Source: (1) Ofra Haza Today Show Feature Story - TH-cam. th-cam.com/video/CZTElrXv_dI/w-d-xo.html. (2) Ofra Haza ABC News Feature Story - TH-cam. th-cam.com/video/m4f5x7f9zEc/w-d-xo.html. (3) OFRA HAZA (Nov. 19, 1957 - Feb. 23, 2000) - including 1993 interview in .... electricearl.com/ofrahaza.html. (4) Ofra Haza - כל הנשמה (Kol HaNeshama) lyrics + English translation. lyricstranslate.com/en/Kol-Hneshama-whole-soul.html. (5) Ofra Haza | Life, Songs, Albums, & Cause of Death | Britannica. www.britannica.com/biography/Ofra-Haza. (6) Ofra Haza The 'Israeli Madonna': 11 Songs You Need To Know - Culture Trip. theculturetrip.com/middle-east/israel/articles/the-iconic-ofra-haza-11-songs-you-need-to-know. (7) Ofra Haza: Madonna of the dark soul | Music | The Guardian. www.theguardian.com/music/2010/dec/09/ofra-haza-madonna-of-the-dark-soul. (8) Ofra Haza Today Show Feature Story - TH-cam. th-cam.com/video/CZTElrXv_dI/w-d-xo.html. (9) Ofra Haza ABC News Feature Story - TH-cam. th-cam.com/video/m4f5x7f9zEc/w-d-xo.html. (10) Ofra Haza interviews, articles and reviews from Rock's Backpages. www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Artist/ofra-haza. (11) OFRA HAZA (Nov. 19, 1957 - Feb. 23, 2000) - including 1993 interview in .... electricearl.com/ofrahaza.html. (12) Ofra Haza - כל הנשמה (Kol HaNeshama) lyrics + English translation. lyricstranslate.com/en/Kol-Hneshama-whole-soul.html. (13) Ofra Haza The 'Israeli Madonna': 11 Songs You Need To Know - Culture Trip. theculturetrip.com/middle-east/israel/articles/the-iconic-ofra-haza-11-songs-you-need-to-know. (14) Ofra Haza: Madonna of the dark soul | Music | The Guardian. www.theguardian.com/music/2010/dec/09/ofra-haza-madonna-of-the-dark-soul. (15) Ofra Haza | Life, Songs, Albums, & Cause of Death | Britannica. www.britannica.com/biography/Ofra-Haza. (16) Ofra Haza - The Whole Soul (Kol Haneshama, Elo Hi). th-cam.com/video/uNORpY9uxPw/w-d-xo.html. (17) Ofra Haza - 'The Whole Soul' & 'Love Song' (Live Performance 1995 .... th-cam.com/video/jWF4mhCRMX0/w-d-xo.html. (18) Elo Hi - Ofra Haza, Goran Bregović (The Entire Soul). th-cam.com/video/CVHIfTC6AXw/w-d-xo.html. (19) The Meaning Behind The Song: Deliver Us by Ofra Haza & Eden Riegel. oldtimemusic.com/w3/the-meaning-behind-the-song-deliver-us-by-ofra-haza-eden-riegel/. (20) The Meaning Behind The Song: Khay - חי by Ofra Haza. oldtimemusic.com/w3/the-meaning-behind-the-song-khay-%d7%97%d7%99-by-ofra-haza/. (21) Ofra Haza - Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ofra_Haza. (22) Ofra Haza - The Whole Soul (Kol Aneshama. Elo Hi).wmv. th-cam.com/video/4fQIW69BMSo/w-d-xo.html. (23) New Israeli TV series explores life of pop star Ofra Haza. www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/new-israeli-tv-series-explores-life-of-pop-star-ofra-haza-638591. (24) undefined. shironet.mako.co.il/artist?type=lyrics&lang=1&prfid=820&wrkid=1706.
You should check more of her stuff out. Look at a song called 'Latet' if you want. She was AMAZING. If you have watched the movie Prince of Egypt, you will know she is the golden voice behind the song 'Deliver Us'
![กี่หมื่นฟ้า | Your Sky Series EP.1 [1/4]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/vLGjxFL6U_I/mqdefault.jpg)
Anyone watching this should check out her performance of Leorech Hayam at the memorial concert for Itzhak Rabin.
Thank you for taking the time to react to an esoteric music (though beautiful) like the one from Israel. This song resonates so deeply for many of us so it’s great to get a reaction like yours! Thank you
Wow
"The Whole Soul" (also known as "Kol Haneshama" or "Elo Hi") is a song by the iconic Israeli singer Ofra Haza. The song was composed by Ofra Haza herself and Goran Bregovic in 1993²⁵.
The lyrics of "The Whole Soul" are in Hebrew. The song begins with the lines: "My God... my God... the whole soul that you have given me... my God..."¹¹¹. This repeated chant sets a spiritual tone for the song. The lyrics explore themes of spirituality, the human soul, and a plea to God for strength¹¹. The song seems to express a deep sense of gratitude and acknowledgment of the divine¹¹. Ofra Haza has performed "The Whole Soul" live, including a notable performance in 1995¹. Her performances of the song have been well-received, showcasing her unique blend of traditional Yemeni and Jewish folk elements with contemporary pop music trends¹. While specific reviews of "The Whole Soul" are not readily available, Ofra Haza's music, in general, has been highly praised for its fusion of traditional Middle Eastern and commercial singing styles⁵.
Source:
(1) Ofra Haza - The Whole Soul (Kol Haneshama, Elo Hi) - TH-cam. th-cam.com/video/uNORpY9uxPw/w-d-xo.html.
(2) Ofra Haza - Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ofra_Haza.
(3) Ofra Haza - 'The Whole Soul' & 'Love Song' (Live Performance 1995). th-cam.com/video/jWF4mhCRMX0/w-d-xo.html.
(4) Ofra Haza - כל הנשמה (Kol HaNeshama) lyrics + English translation. lyricstranslate.com/en/Kol-Hneshama-whole-soul.html.
(5) Ofra Haza - The Whole Soul (Kol Haneshama, Elo Hi) - TH-cam. th-cam.com/video/uNORpY9uxPw/w-d-xo.html.
(6) Ofra Haza - כל הנשמה (Kol HaNeshama) lyrics + English translation. lyricstranslate.com/en/Kol-Hneshama-whole-soul.html.
(7) Ofra Haza - Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ofra_Haza.
(8) Ofra Haza - 'The Whole Soul' & 'Love Song' (Live Performance 1995). th-cam.com/video/jWF4mhCRMX0/w-d-xo.html.
(9) Ofra Haza - 'The Whole Soul' & 'Love Song' (Live Performance 1995). www.bilibili.com/video/BV1dU4y137BT/?uid=425631645534793133374254.
(10) Ofra Haza The 'Israeli Madonna': 11 Songs You Need To Know - Culture Trip. theculturetrip.com/middle-east/israel/articles/the-iconic-ofra-haza-11-songs-you-need-to-know.
(11) Ofra Haza - Whole Soul (1994, CD) - Discogs. www.discogs.com/release/7058296-Ofra-Haza-Whole-Soul.
(12) Famous Female Israeli Singers - Ofra Haza The Whole Soul (Elo Hi Live) - Vocal Coach Reacts. th-cam.com/video/821T9KvjoNU/w-d-xo.html.
(13) Ofra Haza - Ofra Haza | Album | AllMusic. www.allmusic.com/album/ofra-haza-mw0000531285.
(14) Ofra Haza = עפרה חזה - My Soul = כל הנשמה (1994, CD) - Discogs. www.discogs.com/release/2148792-Ofra-Haza-עפרה-חזה-My-Soul-כל-הנשמה.
(15) Ofra Haza - The Whole Soul (Kol Aneshama. Elo Hi).wmv. th-cam.com/video/4fQIW69BMSo/w-d-xo.html.
(16) The Meaning Behind The Song: Deliver Us by Ofra Haza & Eden Riegel. oldtimemusic.com/w3/the-meaning-behind-the-song-deliver-us-by-ofra-haza-eden-riegel/.
(17) The Meaning Behind The Song: You by Ofra Haza - Old-time music. oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-you-by-ofra-haza/.
(18) The Meaning Behind The Song: Give Me a Sign by Ofra Haza. oldtimemusic.com/w3/the-meaning-behind-the-song-give-me-a-sign-by-ofra-haza/.
(19) Ofra Haza - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia. alchetron.com/Ofra-Haza.
(20) undefined. shironet.mako.co.il/artist?type=lyrics&lang=1&prfid=820&wrkid=1706.
(21) undefined. www.patreon.com/HofTheStage.
Ofra Haza was a deeply spiritual person, and her music often reflected her personal beliefs and experiences. "The Whole Soul" (Kol Haneshama) is no exception. While specific details about why she decided to make this song are not readily available, we can infer from her body of work and interviews that her songs were often deeply personal and connected to her life experiences. The lyrics of "The Whole Soul" are a testament to Haza's deep spirituality. The song begins with the lines: "My God... my God... the whole soul that you have given me... my God..."⁵. This repeated chant sets a spiritual tone for the song, which seems to express a deep sense of gratitude and acknowledgment of the divine⁵. Haza's music was a fusion of traditional Middle Eastern and commercial singing styles, combining elements of Eastern and Western instrumentation, orchestration, and dance-beat, as well as lyrics from Mizrahi and Jewish folk tales and poetry¹¹. "The Whole Soul" is a reflection of this fusion, and it's possible that creating this song was a way for Haza to connect with and express her cultural heritage⁴. Haza's music often reflected her personal experiences. For instance, one of her albums was conceived as a thank you to her family - an album of devotional poems and secular street songs passed down from her Yemeni forebears[^10^]. While it's not explicitly stated that "The Whole Soul" was inspired by specific events in Haza's life, it's likely that her personal experiences influenced the creation of this song.
Source:
(1) Ofra Haza Today Show Feature Story - TH-cam. th-cam.com/video/CZTElrXv_dI/w-d-xo.html.
(2) Ofra Haza ABC News Feature Story - TH-cam. th-cam.com/video/m4f5x7f9zEc/w-d-xo.html.
(3) OFRA HAZA (Nov. 19, 1957 - Feb. 23, 2000) - including 1993 interview in .... electricearl.com/ofrahaza.html.
(4) Ofra Haza - כל הנשמה (Kol HaNeshama) lyrics + English translation. lyricstranslate.com/en/Kol-Hneshama-whole-soul.html.
(5) Ofra Haza | Life, Songs, Albums, & Cause of Death | Britannica. www.britannica.com/biography/Ofra-Haza.
(6) Ofra Haza The 'Israeli Madonna': 11 Songs You Need To Know - Culture Trip. theculturetrip.com/middle-east/israel/articles/the-iconic-ofra-haza-11-songs-you-need-to-know.
(7) Ofra Haza: Madonna of the dark soul | Music | The Guardian. www.theguardian.com/music/2010/dec/09/ofra-haza-madonna-of-the-dark-soul.
(8) Ofra Haza Today Show Feature Story - TH-cam. th-cam.com/video/CZTElrXv_dI/w-d-xo.html.
(9) Ofra Haza ABC News Feature Story - TH-cam. th-cam.com/video/m4f5x7f9zEc/w-d-xo.html.
(10) Ofra Haza interviews, articles and reviews from Rock's Backpages. www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Artist/ofra-haza.
(11) OFRA HAZA (Nov. 19, 1957 - Feb. 23, 2000) - including 1993 interview in .... electricearl.com/ofrahaza.html.
(12) Ofra Haza - כל הנשמה (Kol HaNeshama) lyrics + English translation. lyricstranslate.com/en/Kol-Hneshama-whole-soul.html.
(13) Ofra Haza The 'Israeli Madonna': 11 Songs You Need To Know - Culture Trip. theculturetrip.com/middle-east/israel/articles/the-iconic-ofra-haza-11-songs-you-need-to-know.
(14) Ofra Haza: Madonna of the dark soul | Music | The Guardian. www.theguardian.com/music/2010/dec/09/ofra-haza-madonna-of-the-dark-soul.
(15) Ofra Haza | Life, Songs, Albums, & Cause of Death | Britannica. www.britannica.com/biography/Ofra-Haza.
(16) Ofra Haza - The Whole Soul (Kol Haneshama, Elo Hi). th-cam.com/video/uNORpY9uxPw/w-d-xo.html.
(17) Ofra Haza - 'The Whole Soul' & 'Love Song' (Live Performance 1995 .... th-cam.com/video/jWF4mhCRMX0/w-d-xo.html.
(18) Elo Hi - Ofra Haza, Goran Bregović (The Entire Soul). th-cam.com/video/CVHIfTC6AXw/w-d-xo.html.
(19) The Meaning Behind The Song: Deliver Us by Ofra Haza & Eden Riegel. oldtimemusic.com/w3/the-meaning-behind-the-song-deliver-us-by-ofra-haza-eden-riegel/.
(20) The Meaning Behind The Song: Khay - חי by Ofra Haza. oldtimemusic.com/w3/the-meaning-behind-the-song-khay-%d7%97%d7%99-by-ofra-haza/.
(21) Ofra Haza - Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ofra_Haza.
(22) Ofra Haza - The Whole Soul (Kol Aneshama. Elo Hi).wmv. th-cam.com/video/4fQIW69BMSo/w-d-xo.html.
(23) New Israeli TV series explores life of pop star Ofra Haza. www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/new-israeli-tv-series-explores-life-of-pop-star-ofra-haza-638591.
(24) undefined. shironet.mako.co.il/artist?type=lyrics&lang=1&prfid=820&wrkid=1706.
I know this song for decades, it makes me cry every time I hear it.
Wow!
@@claudioagmfilho Show Me, Shaday, Innocent, You, Elo Hi, Horashoot, Trains of no return, Don't forsake me, etc etc etc
You should check more of her stuff out. Look at a song called 'Latet' if you want. She was AMAZING. If you have watched the movie Prince of Egypt, you will know she is the golden voice behind the song 'Deliver Us'
Wow!
React to Yerushalayim shel zahav - Ofra Haza.
Thanks!