e-TiM: A History of Jewish Song in Prayer and Beyond

Judaism has a rich musical tradition both inside and outside of the synagogue walls—from the chants of the High Holidays to the pop tunes of Avraham Fried. But the origins of Jewish music are mysterious: where, for example, does the way the prayers are chanted—the nusach ha-tefillah—come from? Music has also been controversial. The Sages practically forbade it after the destruction of the Temple because it brings too much joy. And various figures have long criticized the excesses of chazzanut. Hovering over everything is the question of what it means for music to be Jewish—the overlap between Jewish and non-Jewish musical styles has caused consternation in nearly every generation. This four-part series will explore these and other issues from a historical and halakhic perspective.