Friends share, play, talk … and sing! At the very beginning of the Torah, it says “It’s not good for a person to be all alone.” In the poetic Book of Psalms, there’s a beautiful verse that describes what is good: “How good and pleasant it is when all of us—brothers, sisters, and friends—are together.”
In Hebrew, that biblical phrase has been turned into a well-known Jewish song:
“Hinei ma tov u’ma na’im shevet achim gam yachad.”
Every song in this playlist (except the last) is a different version of “Hinei Ma Tov,” celebrating that wonderful phrase.
Listen to the Full Playlist on Spotify
Explore Individual Tracks
Track 1 "Hine Ma Tov"
Madrigaia is a French-Canadian women’s singing group that performs world music.
This is a popular version of “Hinei Ma Tov” written as a round. Singers enter on the same musical phrase at different times, so it sounds like a circle, with no beginning or end. Sort of like a friendship circle!
- Listen for the round.
- Can you beat along with the drum?
- When other instruments are added, can you move to the music?
Tracks 2, 3, and 4 mix it up big-time, bringing the words of “Hinei Ma Tov” to very different styles of music (reggae, New Orleans-style jazz, and call-and-response).
Track 2 "Hinei Mah Tov (Eeoohh!)"
Track 2 is by Jewish rock artist Mikey Pauker.
- For Track 2, can you sing along on “eeoohh”?
- How do you move to the beat?
Track 3 "Hinei Mah Tov/How Good It Is"
Track 3 is by the Jewish songwriting trio The Shirettes.
- For Track 3, what silly movements can you make up?
Track 4 "Hinei Mah Tov"
Track 4 is performed by Rabbi Joe Black.
- For Track 4, let’s hear your voice in the call-and-response!
- Can your voice do all the things the singer’s voice does?
Track 5 "Hinei Ma Tov"
The Abayudaya Jewish congregation lives in the eastern part of Uganda in central Africa.
Abuyadaya means “people of Judah” in the local language of Luganda. In this African Jewish community, songs are sung in an African musical style and mix phrases from both Luganda and Hebrew. The album that features this version of “Hinei Ma Tov” was nominated for Best Traditional World Music Album at the Grammy Awards.
- Can you hear when the singers sing in Hebrew and when they sing in Luganda? Sometimes a short final syllable is added to the Hebrew (sheveti instead of shevet and yachadu instead of yachad).
- Can you sing along with the Hebrew?
Track 6 "Hine Ma Tov"
Written and performed by Yonina, a musical duo from Israel.
Track 6 is a contemporary Israeli song that says it’s hard to share your toys or share the swing at the playground—but it’s really important! Friendship begins with sharing.
- Can you hear these Hebrew words and phrases?
- chaverim (friends)
- mischakim (toys or games)
- nadneida (swing)
- kasheh levater (it’s hard to compromise)
- kama tov b’yachad (it’s good to be together)
Track 7 "Hinei"
Written and performed by Jewish rock musician Rick Recht.
This slow-rock version is sometimes sung at Jewish summer camps, either around the campfire or at Havdalah (the ceremony on Saturday evening marking the end of Shabbat).
- Try closing your eyes and gently swaying while you listen. Even better...hold someone’s hand while you sway!
Bonus: Track 8 "You’ve Got a Friend in Me"
Randy Newman wrote and performed this song for the Disney/Pixar film Toy Story.
Track 8 is... well, you might recognize it.
- Got any toys or stuffies you want to share this song with?
Read
This playlist complements these books:
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March 31, 2026