Pop Music

From King David’s lilting harp to the rapturous music of the Biblical Prophets, from the joyous singing and instrumentals of the Levites in the holy Temple to the ecstatic Hassidic “nigunim” (melodies) – music has always been at the forefront of Jewish living.

But what of todays “popular music?” Can Jews listen and enjoy such music? Why not, I hear you ask? To be sure, there are many people who derive much pleasure and satisfaction from listening to popular music and it must be said that if this provides some form of relaxation value it may be sanctioned in certain circumstances.

But for the thinking contemporary Jew it is not always enough to ask if one CAN do something– it may also be appropriate to ask: “is this WISE to do, even if I am permitted to do so?” – is this the thing I really want to do? When it comes to this topic, it is advisable to appreciate the deeper implications of listening to popular music.

Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi once said: “If words are the pen of the heart, then music/song is the pen of the soul.” In essence, when a person listens to music, he is connecting himself with the soul of the person who has composed that music. When we sing the songs and tunes composed by inspired spiritual beings, we connect to the essence of that person and hence (hopefully) absorb some of that inspired energy into our own souls.

Now, if we are even a little honest with ourselves we will acknowledge that although the souls of some of the people writing popular music could be quite elevated and even exalted, the vast majority of the souls of those composing today’s contemporary mix of R & B, Hip Hop or even just regular Rock would not perhaps inspire one to a sense of spiritual elation. Neither would the lifestyles of such people act as role models for our children.

Let’s face it, for the past 30-40 years many, if not most of the songs and lyrics of popular music tend to overtly stress intimate physical relationships and quite a few even glorify violence and behaviour that is, shall we say, not so family orientated.

There is also the problem with men listening to women singing (interestingly enough not the other way around). This is due to the fact that this can often arouse men in a way that may not be very productive, especially when the style of singing has become so commercialised and focused on the physical dimension of the song.

It is true that some authorities hold that listening to women sing over an amplification system is not halachically equivalent to hearing them sing ‘live’ as it were. However, it must be said many authorities hold that nowadays no distinction is made between recorded and live music.

The mechanics of music are quite complex. We need to appreciate that while words carry light downwards from the Primal Consciousness to the minds of sages and the lips of prophets to inscribe them upon human hearts, song carries the soul upwards to be absorbed within the Infinite Light.

That is why wordless tunes and melodies – nigunim – generally have no words. Words limit and define, but the nigun tears the soul beyond all bounds. Beyond words.

That is why each note and nuance of a nigun must be precise. As the words of a sacred text, they must be learnt and repeated in perfect form, because the soul and mind of the tzaddik (righteous and inspired person) is encapsulated held within them.

Ah! music to my ears!