1. Jewish Music in Antiquity Flashcards
What did the daughter of Paroh bring when marrying King Shlomo?
1,000 musical instruments
Define: Nevel
how many used in BHM”K?
Big harp with a stronger tone, 2-6b used in Beis Hamikdash
Define: Kinnor
string instrument, little lyre or harp
Define: Shofar
ram’s horn, produces a few tones; pitch depends of size and how it was hollowed out
Curved (male) ram’s horn; how was it used?
used with gold mouthpiece in Beis HaMikdash on Rosh Hashanah
e. Straight (female) mountain goat’s horn; how was it used?
with silver mouthpiece - used on fast days in Beis HaMikdash
What does the Rambam say about the Shofar?
the sound of the shofar has the ability to arouse people from their “sleep” in order to repent
Define: Chatzotzra
How many were used in BHM”K?
trumpet - silver wind instrument
120 were used in Beis Hamikdash. On Rosh Hashanah 1 was used and on fast days 2 were used.
what was the Chatzotzra used for?
used by Kohanim for signaling purposes
Define: Ugav
small pipe or flute made of fine reed, had a sweet tone, and had been played in the Temple/Mishkan since the time of Moshe Rabbeinu. Only used on special occasions, and as a solo instrument. Was preserved from the first Beis HaMikdash, but when it became defective, it could not be mended
called abuv in time of 2nd Beis HaMikdash
Define: Chalil
big pipe with a sharp, penetrating tone. It was used in Beis Hamikdash during Simchas Beis Hashoeva to increase joy and other happy occasions, such as the procession of bringing bikkurim. It was also used to express extreme sorrow.
2-12 used on Beis HaMikdash
Define: Almanos
when was it mentioned?
A double-flute.
Mentioned with nevel in Divrei HaYamim regarding First Beis HaMikdash
Define: Magrefah
skin-covered box with 10 reeds fastened inside each with 10 holes, each hole being able to produce 10 different notes, so as to be able to produce 1000 notes; used to call kohanim and levi’im to their work, strong sound
Define: Tof
when was it mentioned?
Little drum.
Mentioned in context of Dovid bringing the Aron back to Yerushalayim
Define: Metziltayim/ tziltzal
When/how was it used?
cymbal - made of copper - penetrating sound
Part of Beis HaMikdash orchestra; used by Asaf, a chief musician of David, indicating its importance. Ezra restored 128 cymbal players of the Asaf family to their original function
M’na’n’im, shalishim; when was it used?
used on dedication of Beis HaMikdash
What are the requirements of the Beis Hamikdash Choir?
- Minimum of 12 male adult Levi singers
- Age 30-50 years
- 5 years of training required, from age 25
- Levi young boys could join to add sweetness to the song
Musical ability:
people who had musical ability and sweet voices were exhorted to go to Jerusalem to use their talents for sacred songs, and if not, be doomed for punishment
when was dance used?
not used during religious services; only found in Simchas Beis HaShoeivah on Sukkos when the righteous men would dance, displaying artistic skill by throwing and catching burning torches
Jews who followed the Baal: use of music
Jews who followed the Baal cult in Biblical times were known for stimulating music which led to crazed dancing and self-mutilation. The tendency to restrict percussive, stirring and signal instruments, as well as dances and participation of women is evidence of striving to stay away from the ways of the pagans
Consequences of the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash
- The art of instrumental music done by the levi’im fell into oblivion
- Vocal music was preserved somewhat in the synagogue
Ancient forms of recitation
- leader pronounced the first half verse, repeated by congregation; then after the leader intoned each following half line, the congregation repeated the initial half-verse again
- leader sang a half line at a time and the congregation repeated what he had just sung
- the leader and congregation alternate lines; leader recites the first, the congregation recites the second, etc.;
