A Cantor

Q: What are the origins of a cantor?

A:  The Hebrew word for cantor is hazzan, which is taken from the Aramaic, meaning officer. Originally the hazzan had charge of the premises. Every Shabbat he gave the signal for the community to cease its working when the appropriate time came. He brought the Torah into public places for reading and sometimes led the prayers.

Time, as he was most familiar with the liturgy and music and prayers of the community to go for the sole function of leading services.

The correct term for a leader of prayers is shaliah tzibbur, or emissary of the congregation.  The ancient religious Codes state that person must be experienced, have a pleasant voice, and be agreeable and modest along with learned.

In Ashkenazic custom, the hazzan is a prayer leader.   He chants the first and last words of each section, thus regulating the speed of the service.  In Sephardic liturgy, the hazzan recites almost every word of the entire service alone.  This latter custom arose when prayer books were not usually available.

Shmini Atzeret

Q: Why do we recite the prayer for rain on the last day of Sukkot?

A:  The last service is actually called by different name, Shmini Atzeret, when we include a special prayer for rain. The following words are inserted into the daily until Passover, “Who causes the wind to blow and the rain to fall.”

Rain is vital to our survival. Without it we die. The Talmud states that Shmini Atzeret is the world’s Yom Kippur.  Just on the Day of Atonement, God declares “who will live and will die,” so too a declaration is made regarding the world on this day. If a positive judgment is decreed we will have rain, life. If not, the world will with.er and die.

Shmini Atzeret is an agricultural holiday. It is called the Eighth day of Assembly in English. Interestingly, it falls around the autumnal equinox. A change happens then. Rain does, with God’s blessing, begin to fall and the earth is renewed and continues

Hanukkah

Q: Is it true that Hanukkah is a minor holiday??

A:  Truth be told, Hanukkah is a minor holiday and not in the category of festival. In Judaism, a festival, Hebrew chag, is reserved for the three festivals Sukkoth, Pesach and Shavuot. Only on those three occasions to be greet each other with the words Chag Sameach, a happy Jewish holiday. During Hanukkah you simply say Hanukkah Sameach for the word chag does not apply.

On the festivals we do not put on tefillin and we abstain from work. There are no such prohibitions. Observances for this holiday are few, we light candles for eight days, we enjoy fried potato pancakes (latkes) and donuts and add a special paragraph to the daily prayers, the Amidah.

Many modern families have adopted the custom giving gelt or presents to the children. The practice of gift giving is undoubtedly compensation for the children missing out on what their Christian friends are getting.  Of course, the act of giving presents serves to enhance the holiday and add further feeling of joy the season.

The creation of the state of Israel has added a new dimension to the holiday. The heroic deeds of the Maccabees are an inspiration to the pioneers and defenders of the Jewish state. For Israelis, the kindling of the flames as it did reminder of the downloadable spirit of the Jewish people.  Its flames call attention to the light which will never be extinguished.