Growing up, I remember going to synagogue with my family and hearing the thunderous and beautiful tones of the organ. I was surprised to read today that music was initially regarded as –halakhically, wrong to play on the Sabbath day. “Restraint from music making on the Sabbath was part of the Sabbath avodah” (JCM, 229) I was relieved when I read that to members of the reformed movement, this particular law was not seen as a sanctification of the Sabbath, but rather a deprivation of human enjoyment. The sounds of the organ always struck deep into my soul, allowing me to connect with my religion at a young age. Although now I do not consider myself a deeply religious person, I consider myself quite connected with a higher power. I am glad that the reformers of the 19th century (I believe) decided not to compromise on this matter. What would temple be without song, dance, and chanting? For me, it wouldn’t be the same. Without these integral parts of the social, and communal dimensions of religion, Judaism would be missing something. I know I can always connect to people of any congregation through the commonly shared Jewish songs and daces. Perhaps it was the reverberations of the organ, which drove me to devote my scholastic career to the study of religion.
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