The Parsha Discussion: BeShalach — The Sound of Music

Introduction

Shabbat this week is known around the Jewish world as Shabbat Shira – the Shabbat of Song. It is given this name because our Torah reading contains Shirat Hayam – the Song of the Sea – sung by the Children of Israel after the waters of the Red Sea miraculously parted.

So let’s take this opportunity to talk about music and song.

  • Why do we sing?
  • What does music do for us?
  • Can you define how music interfaces with your emotions? Music can soothe and relax, inspire and energize, give voice to our feelings, activate our emotions. How does music affect you?
  • Does music play a role in your religious life?

Click here to read more from Rabbi Alex Israel in this week’s Parsha Discussion: Beshalach — The Sound of Music.

Alex Israel

Rabbi Alex Israel teaches Bible at Pardes. Born and raised in London, he holds degrees from London School of Economics, the Institute of Education London and Bar-Ilan University. Alex studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion under Rav Aharon Lichtenstein and Rav Yehudah Amital, and gained Rabbinic ordination from the Israeli Rabbinate.

Alex has taught for twenty years in many top Jerusalem Yeshivot and Midrashot. He is also a volunteer for Tzohar, a group that seeks to bridge the gaps between religious and secular communities In Israel. Alex lives with his wife and 4 children in Gush Etzion.