There are no weddings and no music, just stubble and half-beards. The bookstores also display a huge selection of books on halacha, customs, talks and collections for the days of reckoning.
Yes, the days of counting the Omer have their own symbols. However, in recent years, a distinct symbol has been added to the days of counting – the vocal song.
You can't say there's no music. It's enough to turn on the radio, hear the song playing, filter through gritted teeth, "How is it possible that this radio is playing songs in the days of reckoning?", and only then hear the sound of the falling token – "Ah, this is vocal music!".
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So what is a vocal, what is it for, and does it have any other use in the world besides here, in the Jewish state, during the counting of the Omer?
The origin of vocal music
The name "vocal music" is derived from the English title VOCAL – which means: voice.
Vocal music is a musical style in which the center of gravity of the music rests on the voice of the singer, or cantor, and not on musical instruments. This music is performed by the human voice alone or in combination with the human voice along with instrumental accompaniment (a part of a song in which there is only a musical instrument). Despite the participation of the musical instrument, the music will be considered vocal as long as the human voice is the one that provides the main volume. It is worth emphasizing that vocal music with only the human voice and without musical instrument accompaniment is called a cappella.
This style is probably the oldest in the history of music because it requires nothing but the human voice. This is also the reason why this style is found in all cultures.
Vocal music is not an invention of music lovers who 'climbed walls during the days of the Omer'. The origin of this style comes, surprisingly, from Christianity. Due to the restrictions that existed in the Middle Ages on the use of musical instruments inside their houses of worship, Christians were forced to use the vocal genre to create different music.
Here too, it can be said that vocal music was introduced following - in contrast - the restriction on the days of counting the Omer, during which a number of mourning laws apply.
The disability of the human voice
Despite the existence of people with special and pleasant voices, the voice of a singer accompanied by musical instruments is still not the same as his voice alone without orchestral accompaniment. The difference lies in the fact that the human voice - as beautiful as it is - has limitations.
In order to overcome the limitations of the human voice, vocal music writers place people with different vocal pitches in one choir. In addition, they also Interns Writing music suitable for singers and soloists with different voice types.
If at first vocal music contained only the human voice, today - thanks to technological developments in the field of sound - it is possible to produce successful imitations of musical instruments using only the human voice.
Vocal music In the world
Vocal music exists in many different cultures around the world.
Vocal style has been and continues to be an important part of Turkish and Middle Eastern music. Such music has existed since before the 13th century, and probably even before 900. In addition, descendants of the Kong tribe and clans in South Africa utilize similar techniques in traditional music.
Mouth music is a Scottish technique based on imitating the sounds of bagpipes, fiddles, and other instruments, which were used in the traditional music of Scotland. Scottish immigrants to North America popularized this music and it has been incorporated into many forms of American music.
In Jewish music, as everyone knows from the Shabbat meal, Sheva Brachot, and even from "Melcha Dodi," a song without words is often used, in which sounds such as "bim-bam-boom," "ee-ee-ee," etc. are embedded, often accompanied by rhythmic clapping and drumming on the table.
Vocal in counting the Omer
Vocal music exists in Jewish worship well beyond the days of the Omer. Following the Sages' prohibition of using musical instruments on Shabbat and holy days: "Lest a singing instrument be used," all cantor pieces are performed in synagogues without the accompaniment of musical instruments on Shabbat and holidays.
One of the first polemics of Reform Judaism (the Temple Quarrel) revolved in part around the issue of bringing an organ into the synagogue. The "Temple Quarrel" is the name given to the dispute between modern Jewish (educated) institutions and Orthodox Judaism in its various forms. The dispute erupted in Jewish communities in Germany in the 19th century.
As is known, according to halacha, music may not be heard during times of mourning, not only private mourning, but also those established for the public, such as the days of counting the Omer and the three weeks between the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av.
Many albums of Hasidic vocal music have been released to allow listening to music on these days. Famous choirs such as the Miami Flowers and individual singers have released CDs dedicated to these days. Despite this, there is widespread controversy as to whether vocal music is permitted on such days of mourning or not.
Those in favor of the permission point out the fact that the prohibition is hearing a singer's voice, while this music does not include such instruments. On the other hand, some argue that the reason for the prohibition is because music rejoices the heart, and vocal music is no different in this respect from any other music. Apparently, most jurists tend to say that it is better not to listen to vocal music during days of mourning.
An interesting fact for fans of this style of music is that it is now even possible to obtain a bachelor's degree in vocal music. The curriculum includes subjects such as a colloquium, an opera workshop, Italian lessons, and more.
