Music was integral to the daily life of ancient Israel. It accompanied activities as diverse as manual labor and royal processionals. At key junctures and in core institutions, musical tones were used to deliver messages, convey emotions, strengthen communal bonds and establish human-divine contact. This book explores the intricate and multifaceted nature of biblical music through a detailed look into four major episodes and genres: the Song of the Sea (Exod. 15), King Saul and David's harp (1 Sam. 16), the use of music in prophecy, and the Book of Psalms. This investigation demonstrates how music helped shape and define the self-identity of ancient Israel.

A magnificent historical tribute to the city of Jerusalem that encompasses the five turbulent millennia of its history, this book contains numerous photographs that illuminate every facet of the amazing city as documented by Jill and Leon Uris.

A unique Israeli national culture—indeed, the very nature of "Israeliness"—remains a matter of debate, a struggle to blend vying memories and backgrounds, ideologies and wills. Identifying popular music as an important site in this wider cultural endeavor, this book focuses on the three major popular music cultures that are proving instrumental in attempts to invent Israeliness: the invented folk song repertoire known as Shirei Eretz Israel; the contemporary, global-cosmopolitan Israeli rock; and the ethnic-oriental musica mizrahit. The result is the first ever comprehensive study of popular music in Israel. Motti Regev, a sociologist, and Edwin Seroussi, an ethnomusicologist, approach their subject from alternative perspectives, producing a truly interdisciplinary, sociocultural account of music as a feature and a force in the shaping of Israeliness. A major ethnographic undertaking, describing and analyzing the particular history, characteristics, and practices of each music culture, Popular Music and National Culture in Israel maps not only the complex field of Israeli popular music but also Israeli culture in general.

Introduction to the Psalms: A Song from Ancient Israel seeks to provide the reader with a solid introduction to the Hebrew Psalter, one that is informed by an interest in its shape and shaping. The author, Nancy deClaiss�-Walford, provides an up-to-date study on the poetic style of the psalms in the Psalter, their Gatt�ngen or genres, the broad shape of the book, and the history of its shaping. She introduces each of the five books of the Psalter, providing a detailed examination of those individual psalms that are either key to the shaping of the Psalter or interesting studies in poetic style. In the final chapter, deClaiss�-Walford draws conclusions about the shape of the Psalter and about its story and message. She proposes a way to read the Psalms as a unified whole and in relationship to one another rather than as individual pieces, giving an inclusive, all-encompassing shape to the Psalter. Included are two appendices that provide a listing of the superscriptions and Gatt�ngen of the psalms in the Hebrew Psalter and an explanation of many of the technical terms found in their superscriptions.

This annotated bilingual edition presents to readers for the first time a key Hebrew book of Jewish Enlightenment. Printed in Berlin in 1791, Joel Bril’s Hebrew introductions to Psalms constitute the earliest interpretation of Moses Mendelssohn’s language philosophy, translation theory, and aesthetics. In these introductions, Mendelssohn emerges as a critic of Maimonides who located eternal felicity not in union with the Active Intellect but in the aesthetic experience of the divine through sacred poetry. Bril’s theoretical insights, the broad range of his myriad textual sources, and his linguistic innovations make the Book of the Songs of Israel a touchstone of modern Hebrew literary theory and Jewish thought.

In this landmark of musical scholarship, the leading 20th-century authority on Jewish music describes and analyzes its elements and characteristics, and chronicles its development from the earliest appearance of Semitic song 2000 years ago to the early 20th century. Liberally illustrating every type of music discussed, the book examines the music as a tonal expression of Judaism, Jewish life and the spiritual aspects of Jewish culture.

Celebrating the unique cultural heritage of Israel, this boardbook is designed to soothe children before bedtime while instilling an early appreciation for the country’s natural and cultural wonders. Rhythmic language guides children through Israel during the passage of both a single day and the four seasons of the year while visiting iconic places across the country, including the Western Wall, the Israeli Museum, the Dead Sea, the Red Sea, and Masada. Many holidays and traditions that are unique to the Jewish community are also covered, such as making hamantaschen for Purim.

There are songs embedded in the Torah, not just the Song of Moses or the Song of the Sea, but prophetic songs that most readers are not trained to see. 144,000 Harps brings focus to John's Revelation using the lens of those songs in the weekly Torah portions, such as the "Songs in the Night," "The Song of the Frogs in the Oven," and the "New Song." For the student of the Word who wants to study these Torah songs, 144,000 Harps give a simple overview. For the musician who wants to explore the ancient Words and even the definition of song, 144,000 Harps reveals the mysteries and models. Reading the weekly Torah portion, called the parasha, is beneficial to the whole family. For children, it is the essential history of faith through stories. For young people, it is inspiration and modeling of faith. For adults, it decodes the apocalyptic prophecies of the rest of the Bible. Every song prophesies of Messiah, and Jesus' (Yeshua's) words in the Gospels reflect these songs, even the Song of Creation.

A beautiful song comes to life in this story set in Hawaii The day the baby boy was born, on a beautiful Hawaiian island, the world sang him a lullaby. What a good song. But what is the good song? The boy listens for it and finds it in his heart and shares it with the world. Inspired by the medley of the classic songs “Over the Rainbow” and “What a Wonderful World” sung by Hawaiian singer Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole, the good song is aloha—love.

(Integrity). This songbook features 220 pages of music from the prophetic new album that features Israel Houghton and his band, New Breed, as they join Pastor Michael Pitts and his multi-ethnic congregation with guest psalmist Keith Staten. A celebration of diversity, it combines rock, reggae, gospel and salsa into a new sound of praise, as energetic and passionate as its message. Includes 14 songs from the album plus 6 bonus tunes: Come Holy Spirit Medley * Friend of God * I Exalt Thee * Now Unto Us Medley * Sing * Suddenly * There's a Liftin' of the Hands * Trading My Sorrows * and more.