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The Ba’al Shem Tov, founder of the Chassidic movement in 17th century, teaches that there are three dimensions of reality: The physical dimension which he calls “Worlds”, the human spiritual dimension he named “Souls,” and the divine dimension or “Divinity”. Each expresses its inherent wisdom in a special way that mankind can relate to.
The pure wisdom of “Worlds”–the material reality that we live in–is mathematics. Everything that is made of particles of matter and energy in the physical world can be expressed by measurable quantities, numbers and mathematical relationships. These organized patterns are also expressed in human speech, where words represent elaborate mathematical bits of information that are processed in one brain and then delivered to another in the form of sound symbols (words), only to be reprocessed to their original mathematical form.
The pure wisdom of the human spiritual existence or the expression of “Souls” is music. When we use math and organized patterns of speech we can communicate and understand ideas about the material world. But in order to be in tune with the wisdom of the human spirit we need something beyond words something that can communicate a higher level of understanding. When music corresponds with the way our brain is “wired”, it is in harmony with our “construction” and it causes us pleasure. We experience displeasure when it is “out of sync”.
Classical music like Mozart, Bach or Vivaldi express this kind of wisdom. This music relates directly to the soul itself. It is indeed based on the mathematical foundation of the material world, but expresses it intuitively. By doing so it bypasses the need to logically process the speech or the math that lies beneath it.
To illustrate this concept we could look at the way one computer communicates with another in a complicated mathematical language, faster than the human brain can comprehend. However, to communicate with humans computers use a language made of graphical symbols (icons) that translate their mathematics to something we can capture intuitively. By using these symbols it becomes unnecessary to resort to the logical and analytical mind, which could make the communication between computers and people extremely difficult. (Remember the DOS days ...?)
The wisdom of Divinity, the reality of God, is expressed in the Hebrew text of the Torah. Tradition tells us that the entire text of the Torah (in one long string of letters) can be seen as “one long name of God”, or the “formula for the entire creation” of the world. This kind of divine wisdom is clearly beyond our comprehension. Connecting with it requires a higher form of communication that can express not only the mathematical order of the physical world, but also the divine spheres that are reflected in the Hebrew text of the Bible.
This special form of communication is music that is based on the frequency and sequence of the Hebrew letters as they appear in the text of the Bible. This type of translation enables the brain to follow these pre-determined divine patterns without the need to use the analytical or logical powers of the brain. This is the level of pure experience that is beyond description or words.
On the material level, human music offers a universal language, allowing communication between people of different linguistic experience. On a higher level, music that reflects the organized patterns found in the Hebrew text of the Bible tunes us into the divine sphere.
The Music from God project is dedicated to the translation of the Hebrew text of the Bible, letter by letter, into its corresponding frequency or musical note. By doing so, and by keeping the exact sequence of the text intact, a new music is discovered: music that is a reflection of wisdom and patterns beyond the mathematics of matter and energy, maybe beyond our understanding altogether.
How should we expect this new “music” to affect us? Will it be healing to our bodies and calming to our spirits as the Psalms of David are believed to be? Will it sharpen our thoughts? Develop our minds? Open the gates of our spiritual understanding, or simply draw more people to seek the wisdom emanating from the pages of the Bible?
Maybe it is too early to give a definitive answer to these questions. More work and research is needed in order to uncover the mystery. We are now just beginning to hear the music and experience the effects. For most of us, this experience is truly beyond words!
What does a close reading of something so familiar as the two stories of creation in Genesis do? Perhaps it can show you how hard it is to read what is written and not what we think is there. Read Genesis 1-4, close your Bible, then take this little quiz.
1. From what does God create man and woman in Genesis 1?
2. Which day of creation lacks God declaring “it was good?”
3. How long did it take God to make “heaven and earth?”
4. What did God do on the 7th day?
5. What fruit did God command Adam and Eve not to eat?
6. What are the curses God pronounces in the Garden of Eden?
1. Gen. 1 does not say how or from what Adam (male and female) were created. (Gen 1:26-27)
2. Day two, when he divided the waters. (Gen 1:6-8)
3. One. In Hebrew it says “be yom ‘asot YHWH Elohim shamayim v’artez” - ‘in the day’ God made them. (Gen. 2:4) It then took six ‘days’ to fill them up.
4. No! He didn’t REST. The Hebrew says he stopped the work he was doing. He sanctified the day and made it holy.
5. None: only to refrain from eating ‘from’ the tree, and he never commanded Eve at all. (Gen 2:16-17).
6. Only two: the snake who will crawl on his belly and eat dust (3:14); and the ground, with thorns and thistles (3:17).
All Classes are held at
the Center for Biblical Hebrew
10850 North 32nd St. Phoenix, Arizona
602-48-BIBLE
info@musicfromgod.com
Reading the Bible in Hebrew Mondays at 7:00 p.m.
This reading class is an informal, friendly group environment where those who have had some instruction in Biblical or conversational Hebrew can practice their skills. Following the prescribed annual Torah reading cycle, Uri uses the Biblical text as a basis for reading and listening practice, grammar and vocabulary studies and lively discussions on the subject matter.
Beginning Hebrew I (classes forming - call or email for information)
Learning to Read Hebrew (classes forming - call or email for information)
Beginning Hebrew II - (classes forming - call or email for information)
Intro to Biblical Hebrew - (classes forming - call or email for information)
If you know the Alef-Bet you will be right at home in this beginning class. Using the text of Genesis I, you will learn how to read and understand the Bible in its original form. NO OTHER KNOWLEDGE OF HEBREW IS NEEDED. (If you have not yet learned the alef-bet, you can sign up for the workshop described below).
Hebrew Form Conversation Class
Did you live in Israel, or have an Ulpan experience awhile back? Want to develop your ability to speak and understand Hebrew? Immerse yourself in Hebrew. Practice conversation, reading, news and current events, Hebrew poetry and literature reading, singing Biblical and Hebrew songs. This is a fun group that meets for the sole purpose of practicing and improving Hebrew skills.
Community Outreach Thursday evenings.
CBH offers lectures, classes and seminars to organizations or groups interested in learning Hebrew on different levels, as well as learning about Hebrew. Introduction to Biblical Hebrew from a linguistic / historical perspective. Most fascinating information that is of interest regardless of religious affiliation.
Secrets of the Hebrew Bible (Call for next Workshop date 602-48-BIBLE)
Everything you wanted to know about Hebrew and the Hebrew Bible. What is so important about the Hebrew language? Why was the original document of the Bible written in Hebrew? How did Hebrew impact all other languages, including English? How can the understanding of ancient Biblical Hebrew help you discover the principals and secrets of spiritual prosperity? This seminar is one of the most fascinating and beneficial classes you can find. It is designed specifically for beginners with no prior knowledge of Hebrew. $45/person; $30 more to add spouse.
The Hebrew Alef-Bet (Call for next Workshop date 602-48-BIBLE)
Learn the Hebrew Alef-Bet and discover how easy it is to read the Bible in Hebrew. A three-session workshop where you will have the opportunity to learn the basics of reading and writing in Hebrew from a native speaker. Explore the letters of the Alef-Bet and their spiritual significance. FUN and educational. This workshop will prepare you for our Beginning Hebrew I classes. $30
The Bible: History or Mystery? (Call for next Workshop date 602-48-BIBLE)
A short but fascinating journey into the history and make-up of our modern-day Bible. Where did it come from? Who decided what would be in it? Why are there so many different translations? How can we know for sure what it really says? This workshop explores all these questions and more. Spend a fascinating afternoon in a hands-on adventure through the history and mystery of the Bible. $5.00/person.
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