Learn A Belz Nigun

 Joey Weisenberg teaches a beautiful Belzer nigun.

In addition to being sung for Shomrei Mitzvoseha, I've also heard this nigun used for Kedusha, Lecha Dodi, and Yedid Nefesh.

Ai, Yai Yai!

Passover Parodies under threat! 

A Thrilling Passover

with Six13. 

It's A Bird, It's A Plane...

It's a drone (and a viral hit). 

Peter Himmelman on Shabbos

 A Beautiful article by Peter Himmelman about Shabbos!

Oorah Answers the Burning Question...

What to do with a drunken bochur on Shushan Purim? 

"Send him to Prager's instead of Brisk".

Tatty, My King Cover

The Mennonite version. 

Shomer Emuni

 Tablet Magazine on "Pop Emuni"— the resurgence of faith in Israeli pop culture. This is part of a fascinating phenomenon that is, I believe, ultimately "good for the Jews".

The article includes this quote from an Odeya lyric: "I'm half-Hareidi and half-dressed".

Ban, Baby, Ban!

 The rabbis in Israel are banning separate seating concerts!

"The Committee's directives include a complete ban on mixed-gender performances, even those with full separation. Male singers are prohibited from performing in front of women in any setting. Exceptions will only be made for events within synagogues under strict supervision.

Simultaneously, singers and producers are required to sign a commitment to adhere to these rules. Anyone who refuses will be subject to a ban: the letter urges the public not to book, or honor them, and urges producers not to represent them."

The threat to ban singers who won't sign is particularly offensive. 

Via Hirhurim. (Yeah, I know he doesn't call it that anymore.)

Shkoyach, Eibishter!

 Thank you Hashem for "Real Yidden"!


Update: There's a rejoinder!

Hot for Kugel

 Sometimes a kugel is just a kugel...

Credit Where Credit Is Due

IDing the composer of Bim Bam/Shabbat Shalom. 

No Sukkos On Chanukah!

... because the Chareidi Roshei Yeshiva cancelled Shmulik Sukkot's concert too. 


IMO, this is a huge mistake on their part... one that will result in a huge decrease in respect for these rabbonim and a Torah lifestyle in general. If you take away the permissible events, some percentage just won't go, but anotther percentage will go elsewhere, where there are no self-imposed filters on content, no concern for modesty, etc. People need to have healthy normal outlets and music needs to be one of them. This is just sad.

Somewhere, A Chassidic Composer Cries...

... over what has been done to his nigun. 

Eli Schwebel - "Leah"

Leah... A broken heart can set you free.

Not Fayne Nayes

 More on the latest lunacy re: banning women's sections at concerts... over at Vos Iz Neias.

I Suppose This Was Inevitable

Vov Zayin 

Banning Women's Sections...

 In Israel, Naftali Kempeh issued refunds to all of the women who had purchased tickets to the separate seating women's section at his upcoming concert because the "Gedolim" have now banned women's sections. 

In his words:

הימים האחרונים עוברים עלי בכאב גדול, כאב אמיתי ועמוק. אינני חפץ להכנס לויכוחים ודיונים, איני מאן דאמר ואין לי רצון להיכנס לעצם העניין, למרות שנעשה פה עוול אמיתי ומכאן הכאב מוכפל, אבל כאמור, אינני חפץ להתעסק בכך.

"למעשה אני מבין שהמציאות בפועל גורמת כאב לציבור בני התורה ואינני רוצה להיות חלק מזה. בהתאם לכך החלטתי לבטל את האפשרות לנשים בהופעה ולהשאיר אותה רק לגברים. אני מתנצל בפני הנשים שרכשו כרטיסים וכמובן, תקבלו הודעה על זיכוי מלא.

"בתקווה שנזכה לקדש שם שמים ולא חלילה להפך. "והייתם נקיים מהשם ומישראל.

באהבה גדולה ובציפייה לישועה, נפתלי קמפה

Such a shame to see this. 

New(ly discovered) Carlebach song

New(ly discovered) Carlebach song 

Jewish Pride

Chaim Shlomo Mayesz is Proud! 

BD'E - Avi Piamenta Z"L

 Saddened to hear the news of flautist Avi Piamenta's passing over Shabbos. Avi and his brother Yossi on electric guitar, were foundational influences in modern Chassidic music and had a huge impact on generations of Jews worldwide, especially on musicians who followed in their footsteps.

 Moreso than for his music, though, I will remember him for his always cheerful affect. I can not recall a time when I saw him, live or on video, where he wasn't smiling and exuding joy. And what a musician!!! Yehei zichro baruch!

Update: COL has posted an obituary.

Comparing the National Anthem & Oz Yashir

Over at the Seforim blog... comparing the Star-Spangled banner and Oz Yashir. 

This Will Be Good For Business!

HaRav Yitzchak Yosef rules that Sefardim and Ashkenazim should make weddings during the Three Weeks this year! 

Ai, Ai, Ai

Shaul Shapira used Chat GPT to write "Rupture and Reconstruction" parodies of Abie Rotenberg's "Yeshivishe Reid". 

Lowering Standards

They're lowering standards in Lakewood.  This is likely to work out about as well as the other attempts.

Keep On Shlockining!

Times of Israel tells about a Lenny Solomon documentary 

Cyberfrumenism

 Over at Lehrhaus... a review of Jessica Roda's "For Women and Girls Only: Reshaping Jewish Orthodoxy through the Arts in the Digital Age".

Iced Out

Eyal Golan's hit song from 2017, Hatunat Hashana made into Eurovision via Iceland!

A Penimiyus Perspective on Bar Yochai

Rav Joey on understanding the song, "Bar Yochai".

A Chabad Song to President Donald Trump

This one is about stopping the war in Ukraine. 

Peter Himmelman Gets Results

Peter Himmelman's powerful Substack criticism of  Berklee's hiring of Nicholas Payton  went viral...

... and Berklee just fired Payton!