Israel Portnoy’s “Geshem”: A Prayer in Melody, A Longing in Rain

There’s a delicate reverence woven into Israel Portnoy’s “Geshem”, a song that feels less like a performance and more like an intimate act of devotion. Meaning “rain” in Hebrew, Geshem is more than a song; it’s a meditation, a longing, and a deeply personal reflection on faith, family, and the spiritual droughts we endure.

Portnoy, known for his ability to bridge the sacred and the contemporary, gently cradles this song in alt-folk tenderness. The track opens with the pure, unadorned voice of a child—an invocation of innocence and sincerity—before blossoming into a rich acoustic arrangement. His guitar work is warm and patient, each note carrying the weight of a whispered prayer. His vocals, clear and evocative, ride the melody like a drifting ember, glowing with both yearning and gratitude.

Inspired by his visit to Metzoke Dragot, an awe-inspiring cliffside overlooking the Dead Sea, “Geshem” becomes a sonic landscape mirroring that vast expanse—stillness that hums with unseen movement, a dry horizon aching for rain. In Jewish tradition, rain is a symbol of divine blessing, of sustenance, and in this moment of global uncertainty, Portnoy’s voice calls out with quiet insistence: We need blessings. We need rain.

Lush backing harmonies wrap around his lead vocal like mist on parched ground, enhancing the song’s hushed but powerful emotional pull. There’s no rush here, no urgency—just the steady, organic unfolding of a melody that feels like it was always meant to exist.

Following the success of his previous single, “Seed of Abraham”, Portnoy continues to carve out a space where music and prayer become one. “Geshem” is a prelude to his upcoming album, Poetry in Prayer, an exploration of faith through song. If this track is any indication, the album will be a masterful blend of spiritual resonance and contemporary artistry.

“Geshem” doesn’t just ask for rain—it asks for renewal, for understanding, for a moment of stillness in a restless world. And for those willing to listen, it answers in kind.

Watch the official music video for “Geshem” here.

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