Word and Music in Hebrews’ Culture and Aesthetics

Abstract

Besides explaining the different conception of nature, word, verb and temporality in Western and Hebrew culture, the thesis of this article is, first, that music in times of the Temple was essential in all aspects, sacred and profane, to Hebrew life. Second, after the Babylonian exile and during the Middle Ages, music was reserved only for singing the Bible at the synagogue. Third, this synagogue music, according to the nature of the Hebrew word, is essential to the correct understanding of the Holy Scripture, because in the Hebrew culture word and music are inseparable from one another, unlike the Western conception, according to which music is only an external accompaniment or adornment of the text. Fourth, with regard to the legality of profane music, in this period of exile, opinions are divided between rigorist and permissive rabbis.