נְגִינָה

Through holy music, one raises and elevates the kingdom of holiness and merits exaltation. Conversely, cantors and musicians of the Other Side blemish the kingdom of holiness, prolong the exile, and cause people to stumble and be trapped like birds caught in a snare. Therefore, one must be very careful not to listen to music from a musician of the Other Side, whose intention in their music is not for the sake of Heaven at all, but for money, honor, and self-glorification, for listening to their music harms the service of the Blessed Creator. Conversely, listening to the music of a kosher and proper musician is good for the service of the Blessed Creator (3). The rectification to prevent harm from the sound of music of the Other Side is through studying Gemara at night (ibid.).

Through holy music, one can merit the aspect of prophecy, for the primary attachment to the Blessed Name is through music, as will be explained further below (ibid.).

When one rectifies the sound of music, they merit the aspect of kingdom and dominion, and then they can rule over whatever they wish, able to cause death to one and life to another.

But they must be careful to judge every person favorably so as not to destroy the world, for the Blessed Name desires kindness and wants the world’s existence (ibid.). Through rectifying the covenant, one merits that their voice of song is purified, and then, through merely hearing their voice of song and music, the Blessed Name sees who afflicts us, which nation from the seventy languages afflicts us, and saves us from the trouble.

Therefore, when there is, G-d forbid, a decree or trouble for Israel from a nation, it is good to play the music of that nation that afflicts them, G-d forbid, for through song and music for the sake of Heaven, one can arouse His compassion, Blessed be He, to see our troubles from that nation and save us from them (27). From a person’s voice, one can know the aspect of their kingdom, for each person has an aspect of kingdom, and it is recognized in their voice (30, at the end). Through music, judgments are sweetened, and one who sings the letters of prayer with a voice of music that is pure and greatly radiant clothes the Shechinah in radiant garments, and through this, judgments are sweetened (42).

Hearing the sound of music on a musical instrument from a kosher musician for the sake of Heaven is a great thing, for through this, one subdues and clarifies the imagination, repels the spirit of sadness, and merits joy.

Through this, memory is preserved, meaning to remember the World to Come and understand the hints that the Blessed Name hints to them daily to draw close to Him. Through this, one can also attain the aspect of the spirit of prophecy, the holy spirit (54).

Through the music of the great, true tzaddik, he raises the souls that fell into heresy, for which there is no repentance (64). The melodies of wailing and sadness that the wicked usually sing are very harmful to the world, for the way of the world is to be drawn after them through this. When tzaddikim sing them on Shabbat, they elevate and rectify them (226). Music and musical instruments have great power to draw a person to the Blessed Name.

Through the music of the great, true tzaddik, he raises the souls that fell into heresy, for which there is no repentance (64).

Therefore, it is good for a person to accustom themselves to revive themselves each time through some music, to gladden their soul and attach themselves to the Blessed Name through this, especially on Shabbat, festivals, and mitzvah weddings (273).

From a person’s voice, one can know the aspect of their kingdom, for each person has an aspect of kingdom, and it is recognized in their voice (30, at the end). Music and musical instruments have great power to draw a person to the Blessed Name. Therefore, it is good for a person to accustom themselves to revive themselves each time through some music, to gladden their soul and attach themselves to the Blessed Name through this, especially on Shabbat, festivals, and mitzvah weddings (273). When a person knows that all their experiences are for their benefit, this aspect is a semblance of the World to Come. This is merited through confessing words before a Torah scholar. Then, they will merit to know that everything that happens to them all the days of their life is for their benefit, because it is all due to the love that the Holy One, Blessed be He, has for them. This is the primary perfection of a person’s understanding, that they do not rebel or become confused by the events that befall them, but believe that everything is for their eternal benefit (4:1, 3, 4).