What are zemirot? Rather, how do young people in their mid twenties, who are products of high school youth programs with conservative to orthodox Jewish slants, that have either voluntarily or otherwise experienced an emotional high or low at a conclave during their formative years- perceive zemirot today?
Some minds immediately jump to imagery of a religious sing-along experience at, or about, 15 years of age. On a Saturday night, beginning at one hour after sundown and continuing until 3 hours after sundown; which included a charismatic bearded man, a microphone cord wound around his arm, standing on a chair at the front of a room, and intermittently hammering phrases- like ‘growth’ or ‘spirituality’ -between a chorus of several hundred people- belting thunderous, yet somewhat surprisingly melodic music, through the use of rented drums and Casio synthesizer.
Others might ponder on a less effervescent experience. Picture lunch around a Shabbat table of a young religious family in their thirties with the guests at the meal being the 15 year old, an orthodox man who’s wife was out of town for the weekend, and a male student studying in graduate school in this community, but who went to Ramaz (and Seneca for 6 summers). The tone of the zemirot at this gathering might be more traditional, consisting of several aih yai yai’s in each refrain, with tempered fist pounding on the table at the climax of each song.
However you were first influenced by zemirot, and at some point might have been drawn in to variations of them, is now irrelevant. Like it or not, Zemirot are now sung by everyone. Religious, observant, modern, haredi, conservadox, Carlebach, tie-died, etc. Shabbat, weekdays, high school choirs, and Sunday afternoon mid-winter intra-mural acapella festivals at prestigious institutions of higher education in the northeast, are all now venues for which people of varying backgrounds are expressing their brand of zemirot. If one were to conduct a quick analysis of the trend in demographics of those singing zemirot in the New York area, the results would be as follows:
Zemirot sung on Shabbat by individuals at meals would rank as the most prevalent with the acapella; with ad hoc ensembles- treading a close second at least in popularity, if not participation, as this went to print.
Now that we know who is singing and have some explanation of how it all got started, this column faces another question…why are so many people involved in singing? And, moreover, why are so many clusters singing at meals and on weekends? In other words, why are our people giving up precious time that might have been formerly allotted to an activity as mundane as socializing and replacing that time with song? Fasten your seatbelts as the path to answer these difficult queries might feel like gusty winds or moderate chop.
First, let’s take a look at the proponents of zemirot. Who begins zemirot at Shabbat meals? Who are the leaders of our acapella groups? At this writer’s discretion and for the sake of academic argument, let’s consider Shabbat-meal-zemirot-instigators and acapella gurus one and the same. How much socializing are these people really attuned to? To them, how important is socializing? The answer probably lies somewhere in the low to negative digits. Let’s all agree that music in this world is of extreme importance and a world without music would be like a beach without the ocean. However, too much ocean and not enough beach would not provision enough space for all of the well built, scantily dressed, impeccably tanned, and favorable looking sun-bathers. The same might be true with zemirot. Might we have reached a point in some situations where zemirot are replacing the satanic behavior we crave in social settings? Is it possible the impromptu "break out" in to song at apartment parties, while at first appearing creative and unique, but at second glance, just be a facade? By this point you might be asking what are those singing trying to cover up? One idea on the matter is that singing has now become a front for those not interested or capable in furthering the art of pure socializing. Bottom line – zemirot are a substitute for raw unadulterated mingling.
Let’s all understand the plight of the prototyped individual painted at the introduction of this column. The necessity and priority for socializing is undoubtedly of utmost critical and essential elements in our Upper West Side environment. Those who seek to detract from maintaining a high level of socializing, via introducing zemirot at Shabbat meals for a duration of extended length or by ad hocking at a party and monopolizing it, are being detrimental to the vital needs of the vast majority. As mentioned before, music is important. The message of this column is for promoters of zemirot to follow the golden mean – the middle road – moderation.
Before this thesis can be concluded one must scrutinize a theory from all angles. Aside from protecting those who wish to maximize their level of socializing, what if there is a silent majority out there who really prefer zemirot over socializing? What if they feel fulfilled no longer by socializing, but by socializing’s attempted replacement – zemirot. One might contemplate and think this hypothesis might not be so far from fact. More and more individuals and groups are involving themselves in various forms of zemirot. Not only on Shabbat; but entire weekends are taken up by groups travelling to remote locations just to sing several songs. Maybe society has elevated itself to a higher level and considers socializing no longer the prime element to sustained happiness.
While some of the statements in the previous paragraph might seem tempting to believe, don’t believe them. Socializing is by far the most widespread activity in which we are engaged. Look how many people come to a synagogue- not to go in to pray, but to meet the crowd afterward for chaotic socializing. In other words, observant Jews through their actions week after week lend more credibility to socializing as opposed to formal prayer.
To the advocates and instigators of zemirot – we ask that you not take away what so many enjoy and constantly seek. Most people lead extremely busy lives with minimal time during the week for socializing with those outside of work and school. Shabbat and weekends are the time we seek to capitalize on the social settings with those that we are trying to forge deep and lasting relationships. Don’t let song destroy this.
Lon.
-Lon is a bangitout travel correspondent and is very tall too. He lives in Boca Raton, with his wife and daughter