Davvening music

[HEBASS <HEBASS...>]

I went to Brazil and came back and this discussion is still going, but 
dying a bit.  I would like to, just for the sake of it, question one of 
the principles in which we are basing this discussion.

I thought we were discussing the spiritual and emotional content of the 
music the Shaliach Tsibur uses in his/her davvening.  As it turns out, we 
are sending hot messages about each person's own belief system.

Let me say that that I disagree with one of the premises of this 
discussion.  It appears to me that the words participation and kavanah 
have been largely misused.  And leading prayers was contrasted to them.
Let me share with you my definition of these terms.

Participation in a regular prayer service has little to do with what 
people say or do.  It has all to do with what people feel.  Singing along 
is not the sole way people can participate.  Listening along is not the 
only way either.  But there are built in ways (and very effective ways) 
in the prayers for participation.  The congregation is supposed to pray 
before the Shaliach Tsibur and respond to his/her rendition of the 
prayers.  That is active participation in a Jewish mynian.  And that does 
not preclude singing along, but enhances listening along a great deal.

Kavanah is not the feeling that one gets when the entire synagogue is 
joining in chant.  It means direction, the intention of the praying 
soul.  One does not reach Kavanah by singing along solely, nor by 
listening along only.  One applies Kavanah to one's prayer.  And that 
should be done in a number of ways.

Leading services is not the automatic opposite of Participation and 
Kavanah.  And leading services is not a synonym to davvening.  You do 
davvening from your seat.  You lead services from the Amud.  In order to 
be able to lead services one has to study and prepare.  Study the ways to 
do it;  prepare the tunes which will help the praying individuals in the 
congregation to participate in an active and passive way, and to help 
them find direction in their prayer, Kavvanah.

Of the several attributes of the Shaliach Tsibur listed in the Shulchan 
Aruch I believe I am lacking most.  The particular one I am striving for 
right now is the one that says "Zaken ve ragil", to be experienced in the 
act of praying and to be versed in the prayers and the prayer modes.  My 
goal is to teach a congregation that they should be able to find their 
own way of "Participating" in services, but not throw away old concepts 
just because they are old.  Find meaning in the Amen's we have to say and 
then say them.  Find meaning in the Psalms we have to recite and then 
mumble them.  Find meaning in the silence as well as in the words, and 
then recite it.  

I am not against communal singing.  I believe it is part of the service.  
I believe there are other ways to participate in services as well.  I 
strongly believe that mine is not the only way.  But I would appreciate 
if the connotations of the words 'participation', 'kavanah', and 'leading 
services' would give way to their dennotation.

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Henrique Ozur Bass                      Jewish Theological Seminary of America
Cantorial Student                       21 Pilgrim Lane
hebass (at) JTSA(dot)EDU                        Westbury, NY 11
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 2;4;8;9;15c