Harps in the World-to-Come
I wish to share with you a curious ancient discussion about the inner workings of the temple that once stood in Jerusalem that I came across. Apart from the slaughter of the animals and the smoke that carried the flavor of sacrifices to the heavens, the Jerusalem Temple was a place of musical worship. At certain times, the Levites would come out to the steps of the temple, play musical instruments, sing verses from the sacred books, and loudly proclaim various biblical passages. In this passage from the Babylonian Talmud (c. 5th century CE), the rabbis recall the harps that were originally played in the temple. But then, anticipating the days of Messiah (mashiach, משיח) and the World-to-Come (olam haba, עולם הבא), they share a tradition that in those days, the music will change!
Rabbi Yehuda says: The harp used in the Temple was an instrument of seven strings, as it is stated: “In your presence is fullness [sova] of joy” (Ps 16:11). Do not read “fullness [sova]” but as seven [sheva]. And (the harp) in the days of the Messiah will have eight strings, as it is stated: “For the Leader, on the eighth” (Ps 12:1)… the eighth string will be added to the harp. And the harp played in the world-to-come will have ten strings, as it is stated: “With an instrument of ten strings and with the lyre, with a solemn sound upon the harp” (Ps 92:1-4). And another verse states: “Give thanks unto the Lord with the harp; sing praises unto Him with the lyre of ten strings. Sing unto Him a new song” (Ps 33:2-3)… Gemara: You may even say that in the World-to-Come, since the strings of the harp will be increased, its sound will be increased like that of the lyre, and therefore he calls the harp a lyre. (Babylonian Talmud, Arachin 13b, Sefaria translation)
