‘And another song will rise:’ Brightening the miracle of Chanukah through music

CANTOR SETH ETTINGER

Isn’t music miraculous? Think about it. When you hear a song, how many of you are instantly transported back to a memory from childhood long forgotten or prompted to call a friend or family member whom you haven’t spoken to in ages? Music can make us happy when nothing else seems to be working. Music enables us to heal and gain a stronger sense of self. It is what the late Debbie Friedman refers to in her song, “Not by Might,” when she says, “the children sing; though their tears may fall you will hear them call and another song will rise.” For me, music helps me maintain patience in tackling the struggles that come with living. It should come as no surprise then that we, the Jewish people, have a long history (5783 years to be exact) of utilizing the miraculous powers of music in our Jewish tradition to keep our connection with God and maintain our spirituality along with filling our hearts with hope and courage, especially on the darkest of nights. As the psalmist wrote, “come into the service of God singing joyously.” (Psalm 100:2). Forget about latkes, dreidel and jelly donuts; in my opinion, when it comes to celebrating Chanukah and lighting up the night, nothing ignites the spark more than singing the Chanukah songbook.