Presented in person at Kol Rinah by Rabbi James Stone Goodman and Will Soll.

 

Nigunim were an important part of Hasidism from the beginning.  They had their own aesthetic and spiritual purpose, undergirded by the Hasidic worldview.  Today, nigunim have found their way into the broader American synagogue, owing to the influence of Shlomo Carlebach and others, who introduced Hasidic-based songs in Jewish contexts with little or no relation to Hasidism  This migration also involved a transformation.  

 

Carlebach employed instrumental accompaniment, chiefly the guitar, which in turn affected the rhythmic and harmonic nature of the tunes. Their Hasidic roots can still be seen, but now they sound more like American folk music. For good or ill, Carlebach democratized Jewish music. Reflection on the origins and purpose of this kind of singing can help us be more discerning and appreciative when it comes to its use in synagogue services.