This year, we will study the symbols and music that make up the system for accurately chanting the text of the Torah. The symbols are attached to the entire text of the TaNaKH and the names stay consistent no matter in which part of the TaNaKH you find them. However, the music for the way they are sung changes from section to section and, sometimes, from book to book. Texts from the Prophets (נביאים) are chanted to Haftarah trope, which is different than Torah trope. The 5 megillot have three different tropes. Megilat Esther has its own, Megillat Eikha has its own (a very sad one!) and Megillot Shir HaShirim (for Pesah), Rut (for Shavu'ot), and Kohelet (for Sukkot) have their own system. So, trope can get complicated, but once you learn the notes and what they sound like for Torah, it is MUCH easier to learn the other systems!
I look forward to singing and studying Torah in this way with you this year!
Resources:
The packet that we will be using to study Torah trope is poster here. We will use it on the laptops in class and you can access it from home.
The link in the box to the right is a shared Google doc for an activity for the first day of class in this unit. Click it and log into your VTT Google Apps account when directed to do so in class.
Recording of correct pronunciation of Hebrew of first aliyah
Recording of correct pronunciation of Hebrew of second aliyah:
Recording of the correct pronunciation of Hebrew of third aliyah:
Recording of the correct pronunciation of Hebrew of fourth aliyah:
What is Torah Trope -- טעמי המקרא?
Torah trope is the system of symbols that you find above and below the text of the Torah and other readings from the Bible (Haftarot, Megillot...etc.) in a humash. They are the indicators to the Torah reader, or other person chanting from the Bible, how to properly chant/sing the text of the TaNaKH.
Trope is, however, much more than musical notes. Its primary purpose is actually to PUNCTUATE the biblical text. There are two major types of punctuation in the trope system: MAJOR pauses and MINOR pauses. Different trope symbols serve as major and minor pauses.
MAJOR Pauses
MINOR Pauses
אתנחתא
סילוק/סוף פסוק
The rest of the phrase ending notes, of which there are too many to list.
The chart below contains audio files for each of the trope groupings so that you can hear the notes again and practice singing them at any time, from any computer. The trick with using these MP3 files is that when you click on them to listen to them, they open in the same internet window that you were just in. So, if you would like to be able to look at the booklet while you listen to the MP3's, you need a second internet window open with the PDF of the booklet while the MP3 of the trope plays. To do this:
1) Click on FILE
2) Select NEW WINDOW (NOT New Tab)
3) Go to our class wiki and open the PDF of the Torah Trope booklet
4) Click on the MP3 link to turn on the sound of the trope and then follow along in the new window with the PDF booklet.
Alternatively, you could take your binder home from school, but if you do, remember to bring it back to school for class.
טעמי המקרא - The System Of Torah Cantillation
This year, we will study the symbols and music that make up the system for accurately chanting the text of the Torah. The symbols are attached to the entire text of the TaNaKH and the names stay consistent no matter in which part of the TaNaKH you find them. However, the music for the way they are sung changes from section to section and, sometimes, from book to book. Texts from the Prophets (נביאים) are chanted to Haftarah trope, which is different than Torah trope. The 5 megillot have three different tropes. Megilat Esther has its own, Megillat Eikha has its own (a very sad one!) and Megillot Shir HaShirim (for Pesah), Rut (for Shavu'ot), and Kohelet (for Sukkot) have their own system. So, trope can get complicated, but once you learn the notes and what they sound like for Torah, it is MUCH easier to learn the other systems!
I look forward to singing and studying Torah in this way with you this year!
Resources:
והיה אם שמע doc
5AC: קריאת התורה לראש חדש
Practice Page with what it looks like in the Torah:
Recording of correct pronunciation of Hebrew of second aliyah:
Recording of the correct pronunciation of Hebrew of third aliyah:
Recording of the correct pronunciation of Hebrew of fourth aliyah:
What is Torah Trope -- טעמי המקרא?
Torah trope is the system of symbols that you find above and below the text of the Torah and other readings from the Bible (Haftarot, Megillot...etc.) in a humash. They are the indicators to the Torah reader, or other person chanting from the Bible, how to properly chant/sing the text of the TaNaKH.
Trope is, however, much more than musical notes. Its primary purpose is actually to PUNCTUATE the biblical text. There are two major types of punctuation in the trope system: MAJOR pauses and MINOR pauses. Different trope symbols serve as major and minor pauses.
MAJOR Pauses
MINOR Pauses
אתנחתא
סילוק/סוף פסוק
The rest of the phrase ending notes, of which there are too many to list.
The Masoretes
WHO WERE THEY?
WHEN AND WHERE DID THEY LIVE?
WHAT DID THEY DO?
Audio Practice Files:
The chart below contains audio files for each of the trope groupings so that you can hear the notes again and practice singing them at any time, from any computer. The trick with using these MP3 files is that when you click on them to listen to them, they open in the same internet window that you were just in. So, if you would like to be able to look at the booklet while you listen to the MP3's, you need a second internet window open with the PDF of the booklet while the MP3 of the trope plays. To do this:1) Click on FILE
2) Select NEW WINDOW (NOT New Tab)
3) Go to our class wiki and open the PDF of the Torah Trope booklet
4) Click on the MP3 link to turn on the sound of the trope and then follow along in the new window with the PDF booklet.
Alternatively, you could take your binder home from school, but if you do, remember to bring it back to school for class.
Trope Grouping
Clickable Audio File
Hand Motions - Pictures & Videos
Complete Phrase Videos
Group 1: Etnahta