As always, Dan, beautiful and deeply moving. I grew up in an assimilated/reform congregation, and it wasn’t until a few years ago that I heard a “real” cantor. Someone who sang with the voice of the angels. I was transported, changed.
Thank you for reminding me of the power of spiritual music.
"holy trivial pursuit”—so true. this post captures much of how i felt learning about the bible this year: academically stimulating, but much deeper and more important. really well written.
of course, you’ve really put your finger on it, dan. (or, should i say “yad”?)
cantor brown was a font of spirituality, and on top of that he was a very talented musician. his baritone, so deep and moving, has really ruined all other cantors for me. nothing ever sounds “right” to me anymore. here at our little synagogue, we have a rent-a-cantor; a woman who accompanies herself on the guitar. it’s just not the same.
btw...i also loved those moments you mentioned: the end of havdalah and the beginning of pesach. beautiful.
Such a gift, the one given to you and the one you share with us. Thank you.
I can’t believe that you don’t get tired of me coming in with sort little comments that start out with the word excellent or awesome. I need to find a new word to express my feelings about your writing. Outstanding, exemplary, skillful, incomparable. Nah, I’ll just stick with excellent!
Your writing is as always deeply touching and this entry itself sounds like a distant chanting. Very well done. It moved me a lot and it gave me for a minute the regret of not having received a religious education.
i loved this. i’m not going to try to find the 6 perfect adjectives to describe how i feel after reading this post, because (like jeff a.) i suspect the words will fall flat in the wake of what you’ve given us. and this post is a gift.
that “mine, and more than mine” line about the spirit - that’s how i feel when my choir sings the cantique de jean racine or o viva caro or the bach o salutaris or de séverac’s tantum ergo : something solemn and smoky, unifying and individual, has just passed through us each and all together. there’s a stillness beyond silence when the last chord fades, and a flicker of light.
again, thank you for this.
You were so lucky. As a child I was terrified of God. We’ve made friends since.