Watch: Tri-Generational Holiday Hit Celebrates the World’s “Cornerstone”

Gad, Benny, and Binyamin Elbaz (Image credit: YouTube screenshot 03:28)

Right before the Sukkot holiday, when Jews will recite the Hallel prayer extoling G-d’s praise, Israeli music star Gad Elbaz has released an upbeat new take on the Psalms – and in the process, proved that his family’s extraordinary talents have been passed down to the next generation.

In the newly released song Even Ma’asu Habonim (“The Stone Spurned by the Builders”), which is produced and directed by Sparks Next, Gad is joined by his father Benny who is a famed singer in his own right, as well as his young son Binyamin who astounds with his vocal control and range.

The three melodiously serenade listeners with words taken from Psalm 118:22-24 that are sung during Hallel: “The stone spurned by the builders became a cornerstone; This is from the Lord, it is wondrous in our eyes; This is the day that the Lord has made, we shall rejoice and be glad in it.” The song also includes a moving rendition of Psalm 147:12: “Extol your G-d, O Zion.”

In the passage from Psalm 118, the commentators explain that the Jewish people are likened to a stone that the builders of the world (in other words, the non-Jewish nations) spurn and detest.

However, the Psalmist foretells that in the latter portion of history the Jewish people and their divine mission will be recognized as being the cornerstone of the world, which will be realized on the “day that the Lord has made” when the final redemption will come.

It is appropriate, therefore, that the song is set to captivating choreography featuring dancers representing members of the Jewish people from various backgrounds in the Galut (Exile), who are seen skillfully moving to the hypnotic beat before vistas of the Big Apple and the Holy City of Jerusalem.