Angels on Sistine ceiling drawn Above our earthly ego’s brawn So why are our angels fighting wars? Our children dying by scores Truly now we all must turn Ecclesiastes, times a changing New Age old thought re-arranging Children Gothic Churches burn Parents wonder what makes them yearn The lies and wars Church has wrought It really doesn’t take much good thought I say parents and teachers or other sorts Should organize and change laws and courts Ask not if children learn They’ve learned so well angel’s swords From your actions…. Not your words!

Hold on. We're both right, I believe. Here's how I reconcile difference, and my earnest appeal to all who create Jewish music. The most important thing is to ask, "To be or not to be?" That is question.

Every song has a purpose, a message. It can be joy, faith, pensiveness, determination, anything. The message is in melody and rhythm, which create atmosphere. It's in text, which gives articulation to message. And it's in performance, which makes message personal between performer and listener. If message is congruent, if music and lyrics are a perfect union that inspires performer, then you have a great piece of music. If message is mixed, if there's a battle going on between rhythm and words, then we are troubled. That was why that "kumee oy'ree" was so absolutely awful. It was a mixed message of licentious music with holy texts.

We love to set verses from liturgy to music, and that's wonderful. Composers have a special responsibility to make sure that music conveys message and colors words with deeper meanings. Do that, and I'm fascinated, I'm inspired, even if it's a contemporary style.

But be very, very careful with verses. We tend to ask, "Do you think Adon Olam goes to this?", when we would do better to ask, "What is this melody saying?". If it says Adon Olam, good. If it does not, then WRITE YOUR OWN WORDS. To keep with idea of message, if you have a great tune that can say something worthwhile (something human and real, not negative or immodest), say it your way. That satisfies.

The foundation of Jewish music has always been expressing what's in our hearts as a prayer to God. That expression must be congruent, pure, sincere. There is room in Jewish music world for great innovation, if it comes from our hearts, not from charts.