We sing them, we hear them, but sometimes the real magic lies just beneath the surface. to Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Psalms. Specifically, we're going to explore Psalm 81, which begins with the uplifting call: "Raise a song and strike the tambourine!" But what follows is a fascinating exploration of musical instruments, their symbolism, and their connection to different eras.
Rabbi Hiyya bar Abba offers a rather stark image, suggesting that the nevel—the harp—is like a corpse, or naveil in Hebrew. Why such a comparison? It's a jarring image, isn’t it? Perhaps it speaks to the idea that even something beautiful, like a musical instrument, can be associated with mortality and decay.
Then, Rabbi Shimon chimes in, differentiating between the nevel and the kinor (lyre). He notes that they are distinct, separate entities, held together by "pegs and nails." Now, Rav Huna, quoting Rabbi Assi, elaborates on this image, highlighting that the instruments are held together "through the leather that is not worked and through the pegs and nails." So, what’s the significance of these seemingly mundane details? Perhaps they symbolize the binding forces that hold things together – the raw, untamed elements alongside the crafted and refined.
But wait, there’s more! The passage delves into the very name of the nevel, asking why it’s called that. The answer? "Because it makes all kinds of music decay." It’s a curious statement, isn’t it? It suggests a cyclical view of music, where even the most beautiful melodies eventually fade. Or perhaps it's hinting at a deeper, more complex understanding of music's power and limitations.
Rabbi Yehuda bar Rabbi Elai then takes us on a journey through time, connecting the number of pegs in the kinor to different eras. In this world, he says, the kinor has seven pegs, mirroring the verse "Seven times a day I praise You" (Psalms 119:164). – seven pegs, seven praises. A beautiful connection!
But the story doesn't end there. Rabbi Yehuda continues, predicting that "in the days of the Messiah," there will be eight pegs, referencing Psalm 12:1, "For the conductor, on the eighth." And finally, "in the future to come," there will be ten pegs, as alluded to in Psalms 92:4, "On me is a decade and a nevel."
So, what's the takeaway? This passage from Midrash Tehillim isn’t just about musical instruments. It’s about time, change, and the evolving relationship between humanity and the Divine. It’s about the cyclical nature of things, the binding forces that hold us together, and the promise of a future filled with ever-increasing praise. : From the seven pegs of our present reality, to the eight of the Messianic era, to the ten of the world to come… it’s a musical journey through time, a symphony of hope and transformation. And all it takes is a closer look at the Psalms to hear the music.