The sages taught that one should teach each student in the manner that speaks best to him or her as an individual. What is clear to one person may be totally obscure to another. People have long recognized the power of music as a pedagogical vehicle as well as a stimulus for spiritual and physical inspiration. The Talmud records that the oral law used to be taught by singing the words, thereby making it easier for the students to memorize the texts. The Bible records that when King Saul was in a foul mood, and no one could get through to him, his advisors hired a music therapist, the shepherd David son of Jesse, who played such entrancing harp music that the king snapped out of his depression.
Modern therapists are quite familiar with the multifaceted power of music.
Many children who are autistic can communicate with melodies but not with speech. People who stutter when speaking never stumble when singing those very same words. A recent study showed that expectant mothers who used music as a relaxation cue required less medication during labor and delivery and went through an average two hours less labor than the control group. College students who listened to Mozart saw a significant jump in their IQ scores. Every January Zamir performs a special concert in which we shamelessly exploit the musical art for the sake of getting children excited about their Jewish heritage.