Judaism and Music

To me, these two terms almost go entirely hand-in-hand. I've been engaged in Jewish Music since an extremely young age. Back when i was in hebrew school, and my mom was the music teacher, we used to put on a chanukah shpiel every year. My mom would take different songs from pop culture, change the lyrics, and then create a storyline based on the songs that were created. Some of the new "hits" that my mother created included: "Crazy Little Thing Called Gelt," "Spin that dreidel One more time," and "Lets go to the Shul." As students in the Hebrew School, i think it was one of the few things that we actually looked forward to every year, and the one time when we didn't complain about going to shul on a sunday morning. It was something that we all connected to, and it made us proud of being Jewish, in an area that was about 99% Christian.

Part of the reason that i ended up ultimately affiliating with the Reform Movement was because of the way that the movement held music so highly, and the way that it was integrated into almost everything that we did. When i first attended a Reform Summer Camp in the summer of '99 (Camp Harlam - Kunkletown, PA), the use of music was one of the first things that grabbed me about the experience, and is a memory that i will never forget.

Since i've reached college, i've tried to experience the more traditional forms of Jewish music, through Shabbat Evening Tisch's, and other various experiences. One of the most interesting things i notice, is how both the traditional and progressive movements of Judaism have a tendency to "share" music. Examples:

• Shlomo Carlbach melodies used in many Reform Services
• Lo Alecha, originally composed by Cantor Jeff Klepper & Rabbi Daniel Freelander. Both Canter Klepper & Rabbi Freelander were invested/ordained through the Reform Movement, and Rabbi Freelander is now the Vice President of the Union for Reform Judaism
• The Havdallah Niggun, sung by all three of the main denominations of Judaism, was written by Debbie Friedman, an openly Lesbian Reform Jew

I choose to listen to two of the CDs which i was unfamiliar with - "Lev Tahor" & "Abudaya" The concept of an "orthodox boy band" (as it was described in class), intrigued me, because i almost feel that it's impossible for those two terms to be aligned side-by-side. (of course, Matissyahu broke down that stereotype, with the chabadnik Reggae), but i still wanted to hear it.

Musically i was very impressed. But lyrically i was a little disapointed. I wasn't surprised by the material of the lyrics, but it seemed to be almost a "listen to this music to become more religious," as opposed to something that should be enjoyed. The first song in particular threw me for a loop.

"I am Living with Levan, and I am guarding the 613 Mitzvos. Let us Exult & Rejoice with this Torah, for it is our strength & light."

and then the italics below stated,

"Levan represents the Goyim & their negative influences, the only way for Klal Yisrael to survive, is to guard the torah for it is our strength and light."

What exactly is the point of singing a song that explicitly looks down upon non-Jews? What's the definition of a Goyim? I was very confused and bewildered at the idea of having this type of ideal in your music, let alone the first song on the album.

Another interesting point to note regarding "Lev Tahor" - on the back cover the copyright read...."...unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable Law & Halacha."

The second CD I listened to was "Abudaya." I really enjoyed the music on this CD, and really find it fascinating how that group came to exist. While i was listening to the CD, i perused through the CD Jacket, and found it to be incredibly informative, and the music to be quite good. It's apparent that the Jewish Culture of the Abudaya is deeply rooted in music, and their music shapes who they are as part of the Jewish People, and that is something that as an observant Reform Jew, can definitely relate to.