Finding Sanctuary in Music and Rituals

 I’ve been practicing playing the recorder, you know, the flute-like instrument you remember from elementary school. They’re actually beautiful instruments. Concert-quality recorders are works of art in their construction. If you ever find yourself in a museum with some, check out the wooden carved ones from the 19th century, and some of the ivory ones which graced the French royal courts.

That said, I have a $10 one from Amazon, worthy of elementary school.

As I found myself in my mid-30s, reminiscing about the joys of my youth, I recalled the years I played the viola. I might not have been particularly skilled, but I loved playing it. Later, I discovered that I had lost the ability to even tune my old instrument. Despite my inability to play the viola, my desire to make music remained strong, so I decided to try the recorder. Unlike string instruments, where tuning is crucial, playing the recorder out of tune is entirely up to the musician’s skill.


Transitioning from strings to woodwinds proved to be quite a challenge. Strings offer the freedom to choose any pitch, while woodwinds, though versatile, are designed to be played in specific keys. Over the next decade, as I continued to age and practice, I even added a clarinet to my collection. Although I initially focused on music written specifically for the recorder, I managed to “hack out” a few tunes on my own. One piece that I particularly enjoyed was “Birchot Havdalah” by Debbie Friedman.


This simple tune, designed to be hummed, sung, and strummed, feels a bit like a campfire song, and after a bit, I could get a decent rendition of it on the recorder. The lyrics come from the Havdalah, the ritual at the end of Shabbat.

The last paragraph of this ritual begins with: (myjewishlearning.com translation) “Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the universe, Who distinguishes between the sacred and the profane.”

And, oh gosh, do I need to separate the profane today. As I lazily practice this tune, I think back to this, and I look at the source of this music and ritual. I know the profane will slosh over the world, and I need to find sanctuary from this. I will find it in music, and I will find it in the rituals. I will find it in Shabbat and the other holidays.

שלום