Yaval’s brother’s name was Yuval; he was the forerunner of all those who play the harp and flute.
Gen. 4:21
Music has the power to transform us. It can create an environment, put us in a mood or take us out of one, uplift us, deject us, refineus, or profane us. It is one of the quickest ways for us to lose our self-awareness as we become absorbed in the experience. This loss of self can temporarily wipe out our ego, thereby opening us up to new insight.
Music is therefore an integral part of the sublime rites of the holy Temple in Jerusalem, as well as of Jewish prayer, both communal and individual. By way of contrast, music also figures prominently in non-Jewish spiritual paths and pursuits, whether religious or secular.
It is therefore essential that we become musical connoisseurs, developing a finely-honed sensitivity to what types of music enhance our Divine consciousness and what types are detrimental to it. Harnessing the power of music can be an effective tool in promoting spiritual growth.
—From Daily Wisdom 3