[HANASHIR:2550] Re: Adonai S'fatai

[Chazzzan <Chazzzan...>]

In Orthodox shuls it is always said silently.  As most of you know, in
Orthodox and most Conservative liturgy, the Amidah (standing section) is said
silently, ending with the above-named prayer.  At that point, the individual
stands for a short time, silently, then relaxes or sits, waiting for the
leader/chazzan/cantor to begin the repetition of the Amidah, which is said
aloud.  The repetition goes all the way through the prayers which had been
done silently, ending with the Reader's Kaddish.    

The above-named prayer is not part of the reader's repetition of the Amidah.

Therefore, in these services, there is no opportunity for the above-named
prayer to be said or sung aloud.

I have been to a few Reform services that DO include this prayer out loud.

And, of course, we all heard Donny Moseng's awesome version of this prayer at
the last Hava Nashira!

What I don't understand  - and somebody please clue me in on this -- since
this is primarily a Reform discussion group, and Hava Nashira is sponsored by
OSRUI, a Reform organization, then why are we frequently agonizing here over
what is appropriate and what is not?  Please correct me, but my exposure to
Reform services and prayer over the past 6 years, and talking to people from
Reform congregations all over the country, has led me to believe that ANYTHING
GOES in Reform services.  Nobody demands that you follow Gates of Prayer or
any prescribed liturgy.  It is up to the local congregation/rabbi to decide
what is acceptable and what is not.  I am assuming that people in this group
are asking others for their opinion because they would like to introduce NON-
traditional elements to their service.  Is that correct? 

For example, I attended one service in New Jersey, where the service was
composed almost entirely of the New American Nusach, a la Taubman, Klepper,
Silver, Friedman.  The service was very moving and fulfilling, but had no
connection at all with any traditional or even Reform siddur.  

Anyway, that is my two cents.

Brian in Boca

------------------------ hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org -----------------------+
Hosted by Shamash: The Jewish Internet Consortium  http://shamash.org
------------------------ hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org -----------------------=