1. Jewish Music in Antiquity

Question 1

What did the daughter of Paroh bring when marrying King Shlomo?

Answer 1

1,000 musical instruments

Question 2

Define: Nevel

how many used in BHM”K?

Answer 2

Big harp with a stronger tone, 2-6b used in Beis Hamikdash

Question 3

Define: Kinnor

Answer 3

string instrument, little lyre or harp

Question 4

Define: Shofar

Answer 4

ram’s horn, produces a few tones; pitch depends of size and how it was hollowed out

Question 5

Curved (male) ram’s horn; how was it used?

Answer 5

used with gold mouthpiece in Beis HaMikdash on Rosh Hashanah

Question 6

e. Straight (female) mountain goat’s horn; how was it used?

Answer 6

with silver mouthpiece - used on fast days in Beis HaMikdash

Question 7

What does the Rambam say about the Shofar?

Answer 7

the sound of the shofar has the ability to arouse people from their “sleep” in order to repent

Question 8

Define: Chatzotzra

How many were used in BHM”K?

Answer 8

trumpet - silver wind instrument

120 were used in Beis Hamikdash. On Rosh Hashanah 1 was used and on fast days 2 were used.

Question 9

what was the Chatzotzra used for?

Answer 9

used by Kohanim for signaling purposes

Question 10

Define: Ugav

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Define: Chalil

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Define: Almanos

when was it mentioned?

Answer 12

A double-flute.

Mentioned with nevel in Divrei HaYamim regarding First Beis HaMikdash

Question 13

Define: Magrefah

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Define: Tof

when was it mentioned?

Answer 14

Little drum.

Mentioned in context of Dovid bringing the Aron back to Yerushalayim

Question 15

Define: Metziltayim/ tziltzal

When/how was it used?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

M’na’n’im, shalishim; when was it used?

Answer 16

used on dedication of Beis HaMikdash

Question 17

What are the requirements of the Beis Hamikdash Choir?

Answer 17

1. Minimum of 12 male adult Levi singers
2. Age 30-50 years
3. 5 years of training required, from age 25
4. Levi young boys could join to add sweetness to the song

Question 18

Musical ability:

Answer 18

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

Question 19

when was dance used?

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Jews who followed the Baal: use of music

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Consequences of the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash

Answer 21

1. The art of instrumental music done by the levi’im fell into oblivion
2. Vocal music was preserved somewhat in the synagogue

Question 22

Ancient forms of recitation

Answer 22

1. 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
2. leader sang a half line at a time and the congregation repeated what he had just sung
3. the leader and congregation alternate lines; leader recites the first, the congregation recites the second, etc.;