Following in the footsteps of the Soul Doctor — Torah and the song of the Soul — Different Events in Jerusalem
This blog will highlight the growing influence of the use of music to connect people to their souls.
We will showcase three events, This phenomenon was started and inspired by the Dancing Rabbi – Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. However, as we will explain later Reb Shlomo as he was known to followers was more than just a singing or dancing Rabbi. To take a phrase out the Broadway show the Soul Doctor depicting his life story and message. He was a soul doctor. On reflection, this name soul doctor is much deeper than just the dancing Rabbi. Reb Shlomo was a fixer of souls. He used music as a way to inspire and connect people with their souls.
This Thursday Evening event is the 2nd Event in a series where one of our current soul doctors will talk about their Torah, their Spiritual heroes and how Music is a spiritual aid for the soul. This week features Yehuda Katz, who had the privilege of going to Russia behind the Irion Curtain with Reb Shlomo to help save the souls of the Russian Jews.
This new program is being initiated by the Kotler brothers — Chaim Ori & Avial Kotler of the Carlebach Minyan in Kiryat Moshe. The Kotler brothers themselves are talented musicians who lead many Carlebach Tefilat and they themselves are connected to deep Torah study in Yeshivat Beit El.
Another Event is at Beit Harav Kook this Wednesday evening featuring Violinist Eyal Shiloach and Chizki Sofer – a leading 2nd generation soul doctor in the spirit of Reb Shlomo,
Lastly, The Broadway Show the Soul Doctor is coming to Jerusalem from 7th of June. The Soul Doctor takes us on an odyssey through the triumphs of a cultural phenomenon, – Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. His music inspired millions of people around the world.
So what was unique about Reb Shlomo Carlebach? Reb Shlomo was a Gate Opener.
Gates – Shlomo opened many gates, and even now his music, Torahs, teachings and stories are still opening many gates. Some obvious examples: bringing in Shabbat with joy, Love of Israel and Jerusalem, love of the Jewish people – the list goes on. Another is the use of guitars in Jewish services and events which are used across the spectrum of Jewish observance to inspire Jews worldwide.
Music – Shlomo’s music is so much part of mainstream Jewish music that is impossible to identify it. In fact, when enquiries we made about collecting royalties, his melodies were identified as National Music, as a National Treasure. From Am Yisrael Chai to Holocaust Memorials, from Weddings to Kumsitz – communal singing.
Jewish Education & inspiration – Shlomo opened e new spiritual path that combines Judaism with its spiritual and creative side. As a result, we have three generations of teachers leading this. These soul doctors include environmentalists, artists, and musicians combining their talents with Torah & Jewish mysticism. Other examples include Yeshivat Simchat Shlomo in Jerusalem, The House of Love and Prayer in Safed, or the numerous Carlebach Friday night services which are havens for those seeking a closer connection to God through Judaism.
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For further Inspiration, weekly Parsha Blog and more about the contributions of Reb Shlomo – see www.shlomofriends.com