Ata Kadosh (You are Holy)

“A breath of fresh air,” is how Menachem Herman describes Yosef Daniel’s new song Ata Kadosh from his new album El Rey (Spanish for “The King”).  “Ata Kadosh” is directly taken from the opening words of the third blessing in the Shemonah Esrei.   

 
Nothing and no one is higher than HaKadosh Baruch Hu, including the challenging times we  are enduring.  During this Corona pandemic year, we’ve been in and out of quarantine,  and we’re glued to the daily news and world media.  As the intense battle between Kedusha (holiness) and Tuma (spiritual impurity) in this world continues, our biggest challenge is to maintain our focus. 

Our Rabbanim have always directed us towards teshuva, tefillot, and mitzvot during trying times.  David HaMelech is known for his personal relationship with HaShem, as  a  singer,  and  eventually as a warrior in battle representing HaShem.   Before, during, and after  his  coronation,  and all through his reign and its wars, David HaMelech’s focus was on Tzidkut (righteousness) and on Kedusha (holiness). 

As a result, David HaMelech found the site for the Beis HaMikdash, drew up the blueprint and instructed his son Shlomo  HaMelech  about  its construction on Har HaMoriah.  That drive to recreate the Kedusha and to return the Avodat HaShem (service of Hashem)  to  the  Levi’im and the Kohanim is, and will always be, Am Yisroel’s ultimate  national  goal. 

Yosef Daniel sings about his allegiance to that specific cause, declaring  HaShem’s  Kedusha  into his personal life as well as to the entire world.