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And we all love singing Dror Yikra on Shabbos to the tune of The Kingston Trio’s Sloop John B, but what is the problem?
Would you rather hear only authentic Jewish music or do you just want the musician to cite the original music in the album?
By Phil on 2007 06 12
I heard Shlomo Carlebach say in an interview that he did not listen to secular music. He said that even during the Beatle’s heyday in the 60’s, he make a conscious effort NOT to listen to them. He did not want any of his musical compositions tainted by secularism. Almost all of his songs are masterpieces, sung by all segments of Jews, from Chassidic to Secular. His music is definitely authentic Jewish music!
By Dov on 2007 06 20
Dear Phil,
I remember when I was in Warsaw leading Shabbos zmiros we had a group of Swedish Jews at the table. When we started the Dror Yikra ala Sloop - they burst out laughing! Apparently, it is an old Scandanavian melody too!
Major kudos to you Rabbi Burton for starting to shed the light on this issue.
What is Jewish music?
The tendency to put down music that is not sung by Frum Jews as “goyish” is small minded provincialism, bordering on bigotry.
As eloquently stated in this piece, Jewish music is a amalgam of melodies and influences and always has been.
Keep up the great blog and the Simple, True and Absolute!
By Rabbi Yonah on 2007 06 21
Fantastic. That’s why I can never stomach the salmon!