A note from the composer: "My Sabbath Eve Service... was first conceived on a Sabbath morning in Talpioth, near Jerusalem, hence the title 'Shabbat Ba'aretz' (Sabbath in the Holy Land). Looking at the young workers' settlement nearby, one could but exclaim: 'How goodly are you tents, o Jacob!'" Themes from this complete service have been inspird by the land of Israel and the composer's experiences there.