Social Functions of Synagogue Song

Download or read book Social Functions of Synagogue Song written by Jonathan L. Friedmann and published by Lexington Books. This book was released on 2012-04-26 with total page 199 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Social Functions of Synagogue Song: A Durkheimian Approach by Jonathan L. Friedmann paints a detailed picture of the important role sacred music plays in Jewish religious communities. This study explores one possible way to approach the subject of music’s intimate connection with public worship: applying sociologist Émile Durkeim’s understanding of ceremonial ritual to synagogue music. Durkheim observed that religious ceremonies serve disciplinary, cohesive, revitalizing, and euphoric functions within religious communities. Drawing upon musical examples from different composers, regions, periods, rites, and services, Friedmann demonstrates how Jewish sacred music performs these functions.