bottom


Elliot Rothpearl July 7, 2004
     Rabbi Dan
I have just read ths month's issue and wish to write to you about rabbi Dan's column. It's really quite informative but there are two answers to which I would really like to respond. You may publish them if you wish. First about the challah: As a rabbi, (and I just assume that most rabbis are also rebbes or learned men), he should know that the answer is not buy one of each but buy or make a braided-round challah! This would be in keeping with the tradition of telling both parties in any dispute that they're both right, and when the rabbis wife asks "how can they both be right?", he answers with "you're also right"! Secondly and very, very close to home is the question of music in the shabbot services, (both erev and the shabbot). It clearly says in Psalm 33:2-3, "Praise the Lord with harp; sing unto Him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto Him a new song; play skilfully and with glad shouts." (The Holy Scriptures, Hebrew publishing company, © 1951) Now clearly King David and the whole book of Psalms predate even the first temple which was designed by David but built by Solomon. I remember the flack I caught from the rabbi and board of directors at the Community Center of Israel, (in the Bronx), when I wrote and performed a rock and roll Bar-Mitzvah service for my kid brother's Bar-Mitzvah, (1970???). But even then I knew I was right. As most of your readers know my grandfather was a world renowned chazan, and I was alto soloist for several choirs on the high holidays. If singing is not music, what is? I now play with a worship team at my synagogue on erev shabbot and shabbot services. Many people say we are working and that's forbidden on the Sabbath. But in fact we are not working because a true musician never works. You see, truck drivers work, doctors practice but musicians play. And we always take Pslam 100 as our ending prayer before the service... "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!"
Editor->
    Previous letter
Our most recent letter

send a letter to the Editor

top Advertisement