Music to our ears

Jewish poetry in song

Biblical songs of praise and thanksgiving, or modern Yiddish poetry; medieval religious and erotic poems, or Hasidic melodies and Jewish folk songs; pioneering musical renditions of revived Hebrew poetry or Israeli Rock ‘N Roll - Jewish poetic forms from around the world were, and still are, constantly adorned by a variety of musical compositions.

Whether in synagogue or at home, serving as the voice of the community or singing a lullaby to a baby - biblical verses and secular poems are music to our ears - a cornerstone and reflection of Jewish cultural heritage.

In the catalog, you can search for poetry by language: Hebrew poetry, Yiddish poetry ; by time period: Poetry, Ancient , Poetry, Modern ; or a combination: Hebrew poetry, Biblical

You can search for songs by language in a similar (yet backwards) manner: Songs, Hebrew ; Songs, Ladino. You can also search by group of people and place Jews--United States--Music ; Sephardim--Music or by special topic Hanukkah--Songs and music.

Disc cover of Be-terem, Mi-shirav ha-yafim shel Yehudah Amichai

This exhibit illustrates trends and traditions of some of these melodic expressions. We've highlighted four different areas of creative expression: Biblical poetry, Piyutim, Yiddish poetry, and modern Hebrew poetry.

Biblical Poetry

The Bible has served as a rich source of inspiration for musicians from the earliest times. Its psalms indicate that musical instruments were used when chanted. Biblical verse has found musical expression in many areas of Jewish life & culture, from Sabbath liturgies to Jewish campfire sing-a-longs and Israeli folk-dancing. Many biblical verses have been incorporated into synagogue services, and biblical love poetry has enriched wedding celebrations throughout the world.

Cover of LeMoshe TefilaPiyyutim

Lyrical compositions intended to embellish an obligatory prayer or any other religious ceremony, communal or private. In a wider sense, piyyut is the totality of compositions composed in various genres of Hebrew liturgical poetry from the first centuries of the Common Era until the beginning of the Haskalah. In ancient times, the piyyutim were intended to replace most of the set versions of prayer and to serve as substitutes. They ensured variety of the obligatory prayers, mainly on Sabbaths and festivals. In a later period, when the prayers became fixed, sections of piyyut were interspersed in certain places within the set pattern of the prayers. Naturally, most of the very extensive piyyut literature is devoted to the adornment of the major holy days. However, during the early oriental (eastern) period of the history of the piyyut, liturgical compositions were also produced in great abundance for regular Sabbaths, for simple fast days, and even for weekdays. Obligatory prayers were also embellished with special sets of piyyutim for private occasions, such as weddings, circumcisions, and mourning. (Source: Encyclopedia Judaica)

Disc cover of Olde Yiddiesch songs of Mordechai Gebirtig

Yiddish Poetry

One does not speak Yiddish, goes the saying, rather – Yiddish speaks itself. The same may be said about Yiddish poetry and folk songs, lending themselves to musical interpretations for as long as Yiddish was spoken.
From Goldfaden’s musical theatre, to Itzik Manger’s Golden Peackock, from Melekh Ravitz’s poems, to the revival of Yiddish culture on campuses across the world – Yiddish still sings itself.


Israeli Poetry

The early poetry of the Land of Israel became a source of inspiration to pioneering musicians, as does modern Israeli poetry to punk, rock and hip-hop performers and composers of today. Words written by poets such as Bialik, Rachel, Zelda, Zach, Amichai, and many other Hebrew poets, have become the lyrics of popular songs that are played daily in Israel today.

Disc of Pegishah le-ein kets,

Links

Zemerl
http://www.zemerl.com/l
An interactive database of Jewish songs in Yiddish, Hebrew, and Judeo-Spanish

Hebrew Poetry in the New Millennium / by Amir Or
http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/go.asp?MFAH0ne40

Hebrew Psalms Radio
http://www.hebrewpsalms.org/

Hebrew Poetry
http://www.abu.nb.ca/ecm/topics/theme4.htm
Discussion of the structure and features of Biblical poetry. Includes some examples from the Christian Bible.

Helicon
http://www.eurozine.com/partner/helicon/selfdescription.html
Collection of articles on Hebrew poetry from the Helicon Society

Israeli music on the web
http://ger-rus-asian-1.infonet.tufts.edu/h_links/Music.html
Includes links to Israeli music resources including the homepages for many Israeli bands and performers.

Culture of Israel (from Wikipedial, a free web encyclopedia)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Israel#Poetry_and_Literature
Includes articles on Israeli poetry, literature, and various musical styles.

ShiReshet
http://www.snunit.k12.il/shireshet/
A mega-site of and about Israeli poetry. Includes links to specific poets’ sites, an audio site for recited poetry, a data base for teachers, etc. In Hebrew.

Hebrew Songs database
http://www.hebrewsongs.com/masterlist.htm
Searchable by author, title, keyword. Includes popular as well as classic poems and songs.

Songs set to music
http://members.tripod.com/~rongill/links5.html
A database containing hundreds of poems, mostly of modern Israeli poets and the music written to their work. In Hebrew. Audio links.

If you have any further questions about finding information on this, or any other topic, ask your local HUC-JIR librarian or email us using the form on the homepage.

 

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