For the source text click/tap here: Nedarim 37
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Earlier we saw that one is not allowed to take money for teaching Torah. We also saw that when this teaching is for singing the notes of the Torah, as it is sung in the synagogue, or simply for watching the kids so that they don't run out during lessons, then getting paid for this is acceptable.
But which of these two reasons is the real one? Some say that the singing notes were actually given to Moses together with the rest of the Torah: when Ezra read Torah for the people, he made them "understand the reading" - which is achieved with proper notes; thus, no money can be earned for teaching that.
We explore the history and science behind cantillation and its relation to the masoretic text.