In the age of the Internet, entertainment often takes the place of education. However, when it comes to light-hearted musical parodies about the Jewish High Holidays, the two forces blend harmoniously. While videos of dancing and singing congregation members may seem irreverent or insensitive to the seriousness of this period, these celebrations of Jewish life and culture highlight the values of community, sharing, and introspection in entering a new year. Rosh Hashanah is a joyous holiday that marks a period of renewal and gratitude for life, and given that it’s followed by the more somber Yom Kippur, creating an uplifting space of ritual and reflection via music is even more important.
When it comes to Rosh Hashanah parodies, the Ein Prat Fountainheads’ 2011 hit “Dip Your Apple” hits the scriptural nail on the head and clearly to great success—the video has over six million views and 3,000 comments. If you have yet to dip into these three minutes of Jewish joy and expression based on Shakira’s “Waka Waka (This Time For Africa),” definitely take a few minutes to do so: Clips of smiling and dancing Jews of all ages coupled with a punchy score and lyrics certainly warrant countless viewings. The chorus does an excellent job highlighting the meaning of Rosh Hashanah and the emotions it entails: “Any wrong can be made right / Just forgive, you need not fight / Shana Tova Umetuka / It’s Rosh Hashanah.”
The song’s emphasis on forgiveness and repentance highlights the link between the Jewish New Year and the Day of Atonement ten days later. Yom Kippur, the day when one is meant to acknowledge their wrongdoings, is arguably the most serious Jewish holiday. It requires one to be humble and reflect on their year and core values, while celebrating human life and God’s forgiveness. This said, it is equally important to partake in the holiday spirit of the weeks that come before Yom Kippur.
In a conversation about the importance of parodying Jewish tradition, one cannot forgo Aish Jewish’s “Rosh Hashanah Rock Anthem,” based on LMFAO’s timeless “Party Rock Anthem.” In this whirlwind of a video, the Orthodox musical group chooses the medium of rap to get the message across. The song begins with a more observant Jew explaining the importance of the holiday to a seemingly ignorant Jew, professing, “It’s the holiest time of the year. A time for introspection, appreciation... you know what? Let me explain it to you a little bit differently.” And so the rap begins, using a more modern musical medium to appeal to perhaps a younger or more worldly generation of Jews.
The evident party spirit of this anthem effectively underscores the celebratory aspects of the Jewish New Year, bringing light to key traditions like charity, shofar blowing, wine drinking, and spending long hours at shul. Similarly to “Dip Your Apple,” the chorus of “Rosh Hashanah Rock Anthem” spells out the occasion simply: “Taking stock is what we do tonight / Shana Tova – it’s High Holiday time / Let’s all get written in the Book of Life.” Again, the emphasis is on securing a place in the new year by upholding Jewish values of community, prayer, and moral behaviour…but first, we party!
Rosh Hashanah parodies appeal to younger generations of Jews across the world in a way that a sermon might not, bridging Jewish scriptural tenets, contemporary musical traditions, and celebratory visuals. Thanks to the Internet, these videos connect Jews all across the diaspora, with reverence for tradition and enthusiasm for the holiday season. The new year offers new beginnings, and these new beginnings should start with a Youtube deep-dive into the wonders of Jewish discography!
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