Music and Jewish Religious Experience offers six studies on specific aspects and functions of Jewish sacred music, both social and theological. Rather than following a single theme or building on a sustained thesis, this book covers a variety of subjects, ranging from music and prophecy to social uses of synagogue song. Each chapter can be read on its own, and is intended to stimulate thought-and hopefully further research-on its particular topic. Taken as a whole, these independent studies reveal the complexity and diversity of types, contexts, and uses of Jewish sacred music. The central...

This book offers a representative collection of insightful essays about devotional music from nineteenth-century scholars and practitioners. Addressing the social and theological import of church music, this text also explores the divine quality of the human voice, the spiritual efficacy of congregational singing, and a host of topics pertinent to church life. Those interested in the relationship of music and religion will find value in the descriptions, opinions, and analyses.

Throughout history, music has remained a fixture of Jewish religious life. Musical references appear in biblical accounts of the Red Sea crossing and King Solomon's coronation, and music continues to play a central role in virtually every Jewish occasion. Through 100 brief, self-contained chapters, this volume considers the theoretical approaches to the study of Jewish sacred music and explores the central functions and properties of Jewish prayer song. Major topics include the diversity of Jewish music, the interaction of music and identity, the emotional and spiritual impact of worship...

Social Functions of Synagogue Song: A Durkheimian Approach by Jonathan L. Friedmann paints a detailed picture of the important role sacred music plays in Jewish religious communities. This study explores one possible way to approach the subject of music's intimate connection with public worship: applying sociologist Emile Durkeim's understanding of ceremonial ritual to synagogue music. Durkheim observed that religious ceremonies serve disciplinary, cohesive, revitalizing, and euphoric functions within religious communities. Drawing upon musical examples from different composers, regions,...

Emotions in Jewish Music is an insiders view of musics impact on Jewish devotion and identity. Written by cantors who have devoted themselves to the study and execution of Jewish music, the books six chapters explore a wide range of musical contexts and encounters.

Music was integral to the daily life of ancient Israel. It accompanied activities as diverse as manual labor and royal processionals. At key junctures and in core institutions, musical tones were used to deliver messages, convey emotions, strengthen communal bonds and establish human-divine contact. This book explores the intricate and multifaceted nature of biblical music through a detailed look into four major episodes and genres: the Song of the Sea (Exod. 15), King Saul and David's harp (1 Sam. 16), the use of music in prophecy, and the Book of Psalms. This investigation demonstrates how...

Investigates musical citations in the Hebrew Bible and their relevance for our times. Most biblical musical references are addressed, either alone or as a grouping, and each is considered from a modern perspective.

We are in something of a golden age of music research. Technological advances have merged with philosophical interests to produce an array of distinct yet converging studies illuminating the musical nature of our species. Virtually every day, a new brick is added to the wall of interdisciplinary information, drawn from psychology, neuroscience, evolutionary biology, ethology, anthropology, ethnomusicology and more. This book develops, supports, challenges, and diverges from this enormity of material, which is flourishing at such rapid speed that it is nearly impossible to keep up. It adds a...