Jewish music engages in dialogue with world cultures from the beginning of ancient Eastern culture
From King David to Bob Dylan – Musical Jews
“He was the father of all who hold a lyre and pipe”
– Genesis 4:21
Jewish music consists of both liturgical music as well as artistic and popular music that features diverse rhythms and sounds – testifying to the influence of different cultures for about 3,000 years. Jewish music conducts a dialog with various world cultures, including ancient Middle Eastern cultures, various diaspora cultures and contemporary ones.
The Bible teaches us that music was an important element of the Temple rituals practiced in Jerusalem. The Bible contains detailed lists of the instruments and the order in which the Levite musicians were scheduled to perform in the Temple. Recent archaeological finds have shed new light on the study of ancient music in the Land of Israel and indicate that musical pursuits were widespread in the Biblical period.