[HANASHIR:16217] Re: need songs for healing service

[Sue Esterman <estermanz...>]

MessageBut we really need that gadfly.
I have sometimes been confused by references on the list to "The
Mishabeirach" since I assumed that like us, everyone uses it for aliyot to
the Torah, but I see now that US liberal practice may well be very different
from downunder.
I agree that music in many forms provides healing, or can do, and it is
indeed a very individual matter.
For example, we had the first ever "healing service" here with a young rabbi
who was with us for a short time. She chose reflective music, and included
things sung in English which is not the norm for our minhag. Some people
found it good, others found it probably the opposite of what was intended.
I thank you, Adrian, for the points you raise, and for the opportunity to
discuss.
Chag Sameach to everyone - we'll be first at the Chanukah lights down here
in NZ!
Sue Esterman
Temple Sinai
Wellington, NZ
  -----Original Message-----
  From: owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org [mailto:owner-hanashir (at) 
shamash(dot)org]On
Behalf Of Adrian Durlester
  Sent: Thursday, 18 December 2003 4:50 p.m.
  To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
  Subject: [HANASHIR:16215] Re: need songs for healing service


  OK. I'm going to stir up the hornet's nest here.

  What exactly makes a song a "healing" song? What makes a service a
"healing" service? And what makes a song appropriate or not appropriate for
a "healing" service?

  I'm just uncomfortable with the label. Music and prayer can bring the
power of healing in many forms, in many situations. And the basic Jewish
worship service already has within it the essential elements of healing
prayer.

  Perhaps what will provide healing to someone is to hear the song "Moving
to Montana" by Frank Zappa, or "I Love Trash" from Sesame Street. I think it
is presumptuous of us to assume certain songs and certain musical styles are
more conducive to healing than others. And I think we sell short the healing
power of music when we do so.

  I also hear the "Mi Shebeirach" bandied about so casually as being a
"healing song" and a healing prayer. Sadly, because a traditional Mi
Shebeirach is rarely offered for one who has just completed a Torah aliyah
in many liberal congregations, people don't realize that the Mi Shebeirach
exists in more than one form.The Mi Shebeirach is Judaism's utility prayer.
It exists in many versions, each for specific situations.It can be used for
healing, for celebration, or to invoke blessing upon a community. A special
Mi Shebeirach for Refuah Shleima is the basis for the songs that have been
mentioned on this list. More and more, it is becoming common usage to use
just "the Mi Shebeirach" when referring to the refuah shleima version, and
even on many Jewish web sites, it is cited as "the Jewish healing prayer." I
think it important that we recognize that this prayer exists in multiple
forms. Labels do matter.

  Always the gadfly.

  Adrian

  Adrian A. Durlester, MTS
  E-mail: adrian (at) durlester(dot)com  www.durlester.com
  Director of Education & Congregational Life, Bethesda Jewish Congregation,
Bethesda, MD
  www.bethesdajewish.com
  Co-Director, Hazamir/JTAI Choir of Greater DC
  Past Conf Chair, CAJE 27, August 4-8, 2002, Trinity University, San
Antonio, TX
  List Owner, hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org; Jewish Songleaders/Performers List
www.ehavanashira.org
  Co-Owner, l-torah (at) shamash(dot)org; Liberal Torah Discussion List


    -----Original Message-----
    From: owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org [mailto:owner-hanashir (at) 
shamash(dot)org] On
Behalf Of Marsha Fensin
    Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2003 4:15 PM
    To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
    Subject: [HANASHIR:16214] Re: need songs for healing service


    Oops, got the Lisas confused--I meant Lisa Levine's Mi Shebeirach--was
particularly a nice one.
    Marsha

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