Tag
Music
10 articles
Judaism and Music: Sacred Sound from Temple to Today
From the Levites singing in the ancient Temple to the debate over women's voices in prayer, music has been central to Jewish worship — and Jewish law has had much to say about when, how, and who should sing.
Hanukkah Songs: A Complete Guide to the Music of the Festival of Lights
From the ancient hymn Maoz Tzur to the children's favorite Dreidel Song — discover the melodies that make Hanukkah one of the most musical Jewish holidays.
Niggun: The Wordless Melodies of Hasidic Judaism
A niggun is a wordless melody — hummed, chanted, or sung — that lies at the heart of Hasidic spiritual practice. No lyrics, no instruments, just voices reaching for something words cannot touch.
Shabbat Playlist: 20 Essential Songs for Friday Night and Beyond
From the haunting melody of Lecha Dodi to the joyful table songs of Friday night dinner, these 20 essential Shabbat songs will carry you from candle-lighting to Havdalah — whether you've been singing them your whole life or are hearing them for the first time.
Vizhnitz and Belz: Two Great Hasidic Courts
Two of Hasidism's most influential dynasties: Vizhnitz, known for its joyful music and spiritual warmth, and Belz, which rebuilt from near-extinction after the Holocaust to construct Jerusalem's largest synagogue. Explore their distinct paths and shared resilience.
Paul Simon: Bridge Over Troubled Water and Worlds
From Simon & Garfunkel's folk harmonies to Graceland's world music revolution, Paul Simon has spent six decades proving that music can bridge cultures, continents, and generations.
Amy Winehouse: A Jewish Soul Singing the Blues
Amy Winehouse brought raw Jewish soul to jazz and R&B — a North London Jewish girl whose voice was as powerful as her demons, gone at twenty-seven.
Yehudi Menuhin: The Child Prodigy Who Became a Sage
Yehudi Menuhin stunned the world as a violin prodigy at seven, then spent a lifetime using music as a bridge between cultures, peoples, and faiths.
Daniel Barenboim: The Pianist Who Built a Bridge Between Enemies
Daniel Barenboim is one of the greatest pianists and conductors alive — and the founder of an orchestra where Israeli and Arab musicians play side by side.
Matisyahu: The Hasidic Reggae Star Who Broke Every Mold
Matisyahu combined Hasidic Judaism with reggae, hip-hop, and beatboxing to create a sound nobody had heard before — then shaved his beard and started over.