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34 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE M usic filled the halls of Shaare Torah. It was Purim Katan (14 Adar I, February 20, 2008), a day when our Rabbis tell us we have the chance to grow closer to Hashem, and we were privileged to a visit by Yaakov Shwekey, a singer known for his moving and inspiring songs. Rabbi Katzenstein introduced Yaakov as “a man who sings from his heart.” The famous vocalist began by contrasting Jewish and secular music. Most Jewish songs come from the holy words of Tanach – secular music is quite the opposite in its message. Yaakov then sang a series of slow, moving songs, accompanied with inspiring stories that touch the soul. The true story behind his first song, “Shema Yisrael,” took place over half a century ago. During the Holocaust, Jewish parents hid their children within Christian monasteries so that they might survive. When the war ended, Rabbi Eliezer Silver from Cincinnati traveled to Europe to take on “the sacred task” of trying “to bring the scattered Jewish children home.” But unfortunately, even after lengthy conversa- tions with Rabbi Silver, the children still could not remember their Jewish roots. Finally, the Rabbi turned up to heaven and repeat- edly chanted, “ Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokenu Hashem Ehad .” Incredibly, those words somehow had an effect. Slowly but surely, child after child returned to him, recalling those words that their mothers had recited with them each night before they went to sleep. Yaakov then took out a letter he received from an Israeli obste- trician, illustrating the power of Jewish music. This doctor had an innovative approach for correcting the position of the baby, based on playing music during pregnancy. However, in spite of his best efforts, he had a sub-par success rate. In the letter, the obstetrician describes how one day a friend of his walked in with a Jewish music CD – an album of Yaakov Shwekey songs – and suggested that the change from secular music to Jewish music might help in his procedure. The doctor agreed to try. Miraculously, his percent- ages hit a peak – he was now successful with over 90 percent of his patients! Still doubting that the change in music contributed to his success, the doctor reverted to his regular (secular) music and, just as quickly, found that his treatments became unsuccessful again. He switched back to Jewish music and found success in treating the same woman whom he could not help earlier. The doctor then sent the letter to Yaakov telling this story and thanking him for the effect that Jewish music has had on his life. Yaakov’s next song, “Rahem,” was prefaced with another beauti- ful story. A young girl from a religious family decided one day that a religious lifestyle wasn’t for her. She left her family to live alone, abandoning the morals she had been raised with. One day she happened to overhear the song “Rahem.” After asking a friend for the translation, she learned that these passages (which are recited in Birkat Hamazon ) are a plea to Hashem to have mercy on the Jews, Jerusalem and the Bet Hamikdash . These words penetrated the woman’s heart, bringing her back to Judaism. This woman also sent a letter to Yaakov thanking him for the effect his songs had on her life. Through these stories we saw the power of music; and how this power, to change a person’s life for the better, is only found in Jewish music. Together, we all then poured our hearts out to Hashem, asking for rahamim (mercy), while singing “Rahem.” And following that, Yaakov sang “Im Eshkahech” – the words recited at each wedding reminding us how we cannot forget Jerusalem. Then, the gears shifted to dance mode. The chairs were cleared and Yaakov began his upbeat songs. The students danced with their Rabbis, culminating a most uplifting and moving Purim Katan. On behalf of the Shaare Torah Boys High School: Thank you Yaakov! Moses Hidary The music industry is probably one of the largest in the world. Everyone loves music – because music has a way to one’s heart. Jewish music, with the lyrics of  from  or other  from  can deeply inspire a person to the lofty concepts contained in those words. Secular music, on the other hand, can take a powerful tool and use it to instill into our hearts inappropriate concepts. The beloved principal of Shaare Torah Boys High School, Rabbi Dovid Katzenstein, requested from a good friend of his, illustrious singer Yaakov Shwekey, to come to our Yeshiva and speak of the positive effects of Jewish music and the negative consequences of secular music. Below is an account of the event, written by a 12 th -grade student. Rabbi Hillel Haber Rosh HaYeshiva Yeshivat Shaare Torah Music Shwekey Inspires With The Power Of