TOPIC: everyone tells me music affects my neshama?? what?

Everyone in school is forever telling me how music effect s my neshama. Physical doesnt affect spiritual, i dont understand? how does it affect me

Hey basmelech! Welcome to the site!

First of all, music is not physical. Physical is something you can touch. Like an instrument. An instrument though it only a tool which music flows through. Music flows through many things, instruments, computer, your words....

Music is sound. A sound that resides in your heart and your soul. If you have an instrument but no music you cannot play. If you have lips but no song you cannot sing. Get it?

Sound isn't physical. Nor is taste or smell. It's a SENSE.
Your body can SENSE the music. So can your neshomah.

We don't taste certain things, smell certain things. So we also don't hear certain things-cuz it goes to the neshomah.
Dirty things you watch, see, hear-they all affect your neshomah. They are senses. Just like words affect you spiritually. Someone can give you chizuk or bring you down- so do other things.

They say music is the language of the soul. It is. Music-real music comes from the depths of the soul. You can FEEL it. You want to listen to someone's soul that is tainted, disgusting, twisted? Or someone that is pure, loves Hashem, wants to serve him?

Subconsciously through music the singer or player's heart, soul, thoughts, moods, and desires go through it to us.
Another point-music affects teens like you and me much more than others since we are at a sensitive age....

Last thought- everything in ruchniyus is you going higher or lower. Ther is NO middle. SOOOOOO if a song doesn't take you higher and feel closer to G-d....

Ok, i get it thanks a mill,
But what about some stunning deep classic song, i suppose thats fine if it has meaning? and it makes me connect...

So, it's awfully confusing. There are Jewish songs nowadays that aren't good, but goyish songs that are. Jewish words to goyish music. Lyrics written by a goy, but classic music, slow, and has nothing to do with the disgusting stuff broadcasted nowadays. Or just a tune.

And no, you cannot just call up your rav for every single song, there are millions of them! So how do you know?

I have learned 3 tips.
1) Be honest with yourself! Does it make you feel good and ruchniyustic inside or...not.
2) What would ________ (insert rebiztin or teacher's name here) say about it?
3) If you had to daven mincha, 5 minutes after hearing this song would your mincha be better or worse? (Remember, there's NO middle!!!)

Any more questions?
Maybe try getting your teacher to talk about this stuff. Ask her if you can have a class discussion on it.

Like for example I try not to listen to matisyahu but I'll listen to "one day you will" (Google it-the first song on the list)

Ok, i get the picture.. thanks a mill for explaining it to me!

You are welcome. I still suggest you speak to your mechaneches because a lot of girls prob in your class have the same questions too. Itwould be beneficial if teachers would speak about it more and explain how it works!

Hatzlacha!

i dont feel the affect so how can it be? there\'s got to be an answer. i know its not the best thing but like seriously, does the torah even say anything against it?

It\'s a good question!
I do believe that music has SOME sort of effect- even if it\'s not so obvious.
It can be a really powerful tool to life someone up, or even bring people down.
It\'s all about how you use it.
Listening to rap music filled with swear words can\'t be doing anything good for ya- agree?
But motivational music that makes you want to conquer the world- that affects me, in a good way!