Introduction
The Soul of the Jewish Guitar
What makes music Chasidic or Jewish?
As a performer and teacher I have had repeated requests to write
an on-line web page teaching at least the basics of Jewish or Chasidic
guitar playing. My first task is to define the terms in connection with at
or music. From my own experience if any art form or music is based on or
composed of material connected with Torah, the Holiness of Israel, or Jewish
lifestyle that covers the spectrum, whether the subject is in story, paint,
food or music it can be defined as Jewish.
Chasidic?
I think this label as flattering as it may be to the Chasidic
Movement is incorrect. I once heard an tourist
explaining to a friend on a bus going through a religious neighborhood in
Jerusalem, ". and those men with beards and black suits are Chasidic
Rabbis."
Perhaps some of them were, but not all of them. The same is true about what
is called Chasidic music. Some of the most Beautiful melodies and finest
singer performers in the world have come from Chasidim. That doesn't mean
all or even most. Nevertheless most Jewish music has been tagged Chasidic.
What makes it different?
Besides the subject matter mentioned earlier, there is a
certain intention in the music and the words to help the singer and the
listener come closer to "The Creator". This can only be really understood by
one who experiences it correctly. In the right environment some people can
feel it right away. Others need specific orientations of knowledge or
experience to even be moved a little bit by the spiritual uplifting power
Chasidic music sends to us.
I used to work in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of
Jerusalem. Every day people would walk into my shop and tell me, after they
saw the Kotel ( Western Wall ) sometimes in tears, "I was never so
spiritually moved as today when I stood and prayed at the Kotel." On some
rare occasions someone would say, "I don't know what the big deal is. I don'
t feel anything special." In defense of these people I ask, "How could
they feel anything?" It surprises me that so many people do feel something. Perhaps it's
a certain natural readiness to appreciate spirituality either inborn or
learned.
Appreciation of Chasidic music is similar. In order to appreciate
and enjoy it properly one must really know what it is. It is even possible
to be drawn into its beauty without even understanding a word. In fact there
are songs without words, called nigunim which as chasidic tradition says go
straight into the heart.
There are many melodies that can be specifically labeled as
Jewish. Families and synagogue worshippers have passed down some of these
tunes for many generations. Every Jewish holiday has specific melodies that
enhance and motivate the mood of the occasion. High Holiday prayers have
certain built in songs that move the cantor along with the congregation to
pray together with the right intention. Besides the festive songs of
Chanukah, the actual blessings said over the candles are well known
throughout the religious and secular Jewish world. The cheerful songs of
Purim and even more so the melodies of the Passover Seder are probably
better known than any other holiday songs.
Possibly more than Passover the Sabbath songs and melodies sung on
a weekly basis give families a common ground for young and old to eat and
sing together. Though some different backgrounds gave way to changes in
melodies and traditional rhythm, the intention is universally mutual.
The most festive occasion, which brings the children of Israel
together in song, is the Wedding. There are so many songs of bringing joy to
the Bride and Groom. Surprisingly enough some of the songs, based on
traditional sources, seem to be not even about the wedding, but about peace
and the rebuilding of the Holy Temple.
What about songs sung today?
There are many fine artists whose songs have blessed current
Jewish and Chasidic music but none who are as successful as is Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach
of blessed memory. He wrote and performed hundreds of popular songs for
all occasions accepted by so many tastes. Each one so simple and yet deep
reaching at the same time, both in choice of words from religious sources to
his melodies. Many of his melodies will be included in our effort to teach
the Internet about our subject.
Blessings of success to all!
Yehuda Konigsberg
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