After the destruction of the second Temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD all music with instruments was forbidden in worship. What remained was traditional chanting of the prayers and cantillation of the scriptures according to certain ancient modes. We know very little about Jewish music before this time. Most of the pieces selected come from the Western or Ashkenazi tradition within which there are many different forms. We have selected mostly from the chassidic, modern and synagogue traditions. The Chassidic selections are nigunim, that is songs without words. Different chassidic groups have their own nigunim, often composed by their Rebbe or leader. Chasidim gather around holidays to sing in groups. The Baal Shem Tov, founder of Hasidism, started the tradition.

The first sample is by Rabbi David Zeller Ruach means spirit or breath. The second piece is the Kol Nidre sung at Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. God's Angels is also by Rabbi David Zeller.