“Im Nin’alu” (אם ננעלו) is a Hebrew poem by 17th-century Rabbi Shalom Shabazi. It has been set to music and sung by Israeli singer Ofra Haza and others. The poem opens with the words
אם ננעלו דלתי נדיבים דלתי מרום לא ננעלו
Im nin’alu daltei n’divim daltei marom lo nin’alu
Even if the gates of the rich are closed, the gates of heaven will never be closed.
Ofra Haza first performed this song with the Shechunat Hatikva Workshop Theatre, appearing on television on IBA’s General Television in 1978. She went on to become famous in Europe with the song in 1987, when a remixed version of the song, produced by Izhar Ashdot, reached the Top Ten in various countries and number one in several of these, most notably in West Germany where it topped the charts for nine weeks in the summer of 1988.
In the UK the track was a Top 20 hit, peaking at #15 and in the U.S. it reached #15 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart and #18 on Hot Modern Rock Tracks. British duo Coldcut produced a remix of Eric B. & Rakim’s “Paid In Full” which heavily sampled “Im Nin’alu”. The single reportedly sold some three million copies worldwide, making it one of the first world music recordings to cross over to mainstream pop chart success. Even though Haza’s version of the song shows her own interpretation, and its presentation was modern and popular, it still fits in with the Yemenite tradition that she represented.
The original version was included on the 1984 album Yemenite Songs, also known as Fifty Gates of Wisdom. The remixed version was part of her international debut Shaday of 1988. A version recorded in 1978 along with the Sadnat Te’atron Shechunat Hatikva (Hatikva Neighborhood Workshop Theatre) is available on YouTube.
In 1997 Haza re-recorded the track for her eponymous album Ofra Haza, produced by Frank Peterson of Enigma and Gregorian. The German promo 12″ for the album’s lead single “Show Me” also featured two remixes of “Im Nin’Alu”.
In 2008 two new remixes were included on the greatest hits compilation Forever Ofra Haza – Her Greatest Songs Remixed.
The international follow-up single to “Im Nin’Alu (Played In Full)” in 1988 was a remix of the track “Galbi”, also originally from the Yemenite Songs album.
Im Nin’alu
Im nin’alu daltei n’divim
Daltei marom lo nin’alu
El Chai, mareimawm al kawruvim
Kulawm b’rucho ya’alu
El Chai
Ki hem elai kis’o kawruvim
Yodu sh’mei weihal’lu
Chayet shehem rotzeh washawvim
Miyom b’ri’aw nichlawlu
El Chai
Uv’shesh kanufayim s’vivim
Awfim b’eit yitjaljelu
Im nin’alu daltei n’divim
Daltei marom lo nin’alu
El Chai, mareimawm al kawruvim
Kulawm b’rucho ya’alu
El Chai
Jaljal wa’ofen ru’ashim
Medim sh’mei u’m’gadeshim
Miziv k’veido loveshim
Uv’shesh kanufayim s’vivim
Awfim b’eit yitjaljelu
Ya’anu b’gel shirim areivim
Yachad b’etet nidjalu
Jaljal wa’ofen ru’ashim
Medim sh’mei u’m’gadeshim
Miziv k’veido loveshim
El Chai
If (the Doors) Are Closed
(Even) If the doors of the righteous will shut
The Doors of Heaven will still be open
The Living God will exalt them by Cherubs
All will raise by his Spirit
Living God
Since they are close to his Throne
They will thank His Name and praise
The sacred animals (holly beasts) will run around
From the Day of Creation they were included (at God’s Throne)
Wheels and cycles are in uproar
Thanking His Name and blessing
Surrounded by the glamour of His glory
Living God
By the power of their six wings
They are flying around and swirling
They will answer by a pleasant voice of their songs
And together, by miracles ensigned
(Even) If the doors of the righteous will shut
The Doors of Heaven will still be open
Living God
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