Our Gemara on Amud Aleph reports a supernatural belief that silence is helpful in the wine production process, while speaking is productive when grinding spices.

While there are mystical explanations offered (for example, see Sefas Emes, Shemos, Purim 16), I will offer a psychological explanation. Grinding is a repetitive physical process. Across the world, people find comfort in songs, rhythms, and rhymes when they participate in repetitive physical labor. Harvesters in the field would sing. These are recognized as work songs or field hollers, which serve essential social, functional, and psychological purposes, particularly during repetitive manual labor. The Gemara (Kerisos 6b) reports that when one would grind the incense in the Temple, he would chant: “Crush well, well crush.”

On the other hand, the production of wine requires concentration, patience, and technical expertise. This is not repetitive or boring labor, but rather something that requires focus. In that case, silence is more useful because the activity itself is engaging enough and does not require rhythm or song to sustain involvement.

This has implications for learning and productivity. Activities that are repetitive and rote are better reinforced through song and rhythm, while activities that require creativity, focus, and concentration can be interrupted or disrupted by music or song.

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Translations Courtesy of Sefaria, except when, sometimes, I disagree with the translation

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Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, LCSW-R, LMFT, DHL is a psychotherapist who works with high conflict couples and families. He can be reached via email at simchafeuerman@gmail.com