Sheila Ferber - The Magician

It's hard to believe that this song was written by Chava Alberstein 20 years ago and yet it's still so relevant today. I wasn't able to find the original online (it was never played on the radio) and this version is part of a tribute album from 2014. Sheila Ferber does a brilliant job capturing the tension of the show when entertainment becomes something much darker.

So much has been written about Netanyahu and how these elections are basically a referendum on him. This clip is from last October but it gives some very interesting insight into what Israelis think of Netanyahu and how we discuss politics. Since the question "who are you voting for?" comes up all the time, from the dog park to the taxicab, I'll share my opinion here as well: I debated a bit between Meretz and Kachol Lavan but I'll never forgive myself if Meretz doesn't pass the threshold. Gantz won't be able to form a coalition without Meretz, though even with Meretz the numbers probably won't add up. I feel that no matter the result it's necessary that the voice of Meretz will be heard and I guess that also says something about Netanyahu's tight grip on power.

The hall is packed and no one breathes a word
In a minute the crowd will start buzzing about
They'll see the man, the dream will come true
The man who is simply called-the magician

He builds the show with a lot of thought
The opening is predictable and very simple
Rabbits from the hat, flowers from a stick
A dove takes off towards the delighted audience
A white dove with a red ribbon
The ribbon says Peace Dove
And without any preparation the picture changes
There's no trace and no sign of the dove

Sometimes he invites his wife to the stage
For a dangerous and breathtaking trick
He ties his eyes with a black handkerchief
And starts throwing knives at her
She trusts him, the crowd is excited
She'll follow him through the storm and the fire
It's a sign that the man is strong and reliable
Women understand, women have intuition
He shouts to the audience-what time is it? And smiles
He knows that no watch is going to leave
He stops the time from now all day
The time will stay in the same place

When the magic fails he scolds the audience
And shouts that the air in the hall is poisoned
How can you continue a performance
Without mutual trust, without cooperation
In the frightened audience there are whispers among each other
Let's hope that tonight he won't try
The trick that's considered the most daring of them all
That's the one where the audience disappears

Close your eyes count to two
And here we are in the Middle Ages
Close your eyes count to two
And here we are leaving Egypt
Close your eyes count to two
And the Spirit of God is hovering over the water

The hall empties the audience is dizzy
There's no doubt they'll return here tomorrow
What a man, he has no fear and he has no limit
He must have a thousand more magic tricks up his sleeve