[HANASHIR:2125] RE: Sim Shalom canon

[BEBWH <BEBWH...>]

In regard to use of secular melodies or other religious melodies used in
worship it may be interesting to note that in some synagogues the same melody
for S'hu noten shamayim as well as many other popular melodies is altered to
not allow repeating of words or phrases. Also the Lubavitcher Rebbe taught a
new nigun every year which was song at gatherings. One year he introduced a
Harachamon using the melody of the French National Anthem. There were many
visitors present at the time from France and it took off.  Yom Kippur, in 770,
the Rebbes Shul,  does not spiral down as the day goes on, but rather builds
to a spiritual cresendo up until and through Ne'ila, and concludes with the
upbeat singing to the tune of Nepoleans March. The Rebbe spoke about the use
of secular music and the concept of elevating the music through it's use for a
holy purpose. This is consistant with his message about  technology we find in
our lives today. Evidence is the number of wedsites Chabad has today on the
internet and further proof is the use of email for the dialog we are having
now. A nice example for anyone who wants to teach such lessons to their
students, choir members etc. is the example of a cow. We benefit from the same
animal in two distinct ways; we get material to make a coat which can keep us
warm in the cold. This is a material benefit from the animal. The second way
is that from the same animal we get the material to write a Sefer Torah. This
is a holy thing from which we benefit in a totally different manner. OK, as
somebody else said this is goingon too long and I don't mean to take us off
the subject. Thanks