The Book of Numbers—Bamidbar in Hebrew—tells us to "Take the Levites from among the children of Israel, and purify them" (Numbers 8:6). But hidden within that instruction, our sages saw a whole world of musical meaning. Bamidbar Rabbah, a rich collection of rabbinic interpretations of Numbers, asks a fascinating question: how many strings were actually on the lute the Levites played?
Rabbi Yehuda has an answer, and it's a bit of a word puzzle! He suggests there were seven strings. How does he arrive at that? He points to the verse, "Abundant [sova] joy in Your presence, [eternal] pleasure" (Psalms 16:11). But, Rabbi Yehuda tells us, don't read it as "abundant" (sova). Instead, understand it as "seven" (sheva) joys. Seven strings, seven joys, a fitting harmony for the Temple service.
David himself seems to agree with this number. He sings, "Seven times a day do I praise You for Your righteous ordinances" (Psalms 119:164). Seven times!
But the story doesn't end there. It gets even more interesting when we look to the future. According to this Midrash, in the messianic era, the lute will gain another string, becoming an eight-stringed instrument. David hints at this when he writes, "For the conductor: With instrumental music on the eight-stringed lute" (Psalms 6:1). Think about that: a subtle shift in the music reflecting a profound shift in the world.
And it doesn't stop there, either! Looking even further ahead, the Midrash imagines a time when the lute will have ten strings! As it is written, "God, I will sing a new song to You on a ten-stringed harp" (Psalms 144:9). Talk about an upgrade! What will that music sound like?
So, who was responsible for establishing this musical tradition? The Midrash tells us it was Samuel and David. We find this in I Chronicles 9:22: "It was they who were established, by David and Samuel the seer, in their entrusted task [be’emunatam]." The rabbis cleverly expound on the word be’emunatam, interpreting it as beomanutam, "their music." They didn't just establish the musicians; they established the music itself, setting the divisions for song.
Think about it: The Levites stood on the platform, singing before the very One who spoke the world into existence. What an honor!
The text emphasizes the special relationship between God and the Levites. God says to Moses, "The Levites are greatly beloved before Me. Take them for a position of authority in My name." This directive, "Take the Levites," underscores their unique role and divine favor. The Holy One, blessed be He, chose them.
What's the takeaway here? It's not just about the number of strings on a lute. It's about the evolution of our relationship with the Divine, expressed through music. It's about the love God has for those who dedicate themselves to His service. And maybe, just maybe, it’s a reminder that even in the most ancient traditions, there’s always room for growth, for more strings, for a richer, fuller song.