Re: Kol Nidre (A Dissent): P.S.

[Robert Cohen <rlcm17...>]

I agree with Eliott that Joe's ascription of (unique) meaning to "Kol Nidre" 
is quite unjustified--though there may be and probably is historical basis 
for it.  But that's not the point (at all):  "Kol Nidre" "means," today what 
a congregation hearing it (and shuckling to it, or chanting words along with 
it, or crying to it) invests in it.  And that should never be assumed to be 
either trivial or mundane.

Kol Nidre summons the people of Israel--as no other prayer (or, in this 
case, non-prayer) does--to assemble in, hopefully, contrite spirit but also 
ready to open up to the Creator and beseech Him from the deepest place in 
our hearts--knowing (in the end, paradoxically, *optimistically*--not in 
despair or depression) that if we approach the Gates of Heaven with pure 
hearts, they *must* and will open for us.  (Though that really happens at 
Neilah time, when I wish every Jew in the world, whatever their beliefs, 
would come to a synagogue.)

Eliott puts it very well--and I think *his* injunction to a potential ba'al 
or ba'alat tefilah is right on target.

--Robert Cohen



> >But accurate or not, we associate Kol Nidre, including the change of 
>wording from vows taken in the past to vows that might be taken in the 
>future, with our feelings about forced religious conversion.  If that's not 
>what we're thinking about when we're singing Kol Nidre, then maybe we 
>shouldn't sing it at all.
>
>Doesn't this seem like a bit of a personal statement made universal? I've 
>arranged Kol Nidre for string quartet and cantor; conducted this version 
>plus other  choral versions; and sung in accompanying choirs on several 
>High Holidays. I've never believed the text to be about forced conversion 
>nor have I heard any cantor mention this interpretation.
>
>I've always believed Kol Nidre to be more a state of mind--a very spiritual 
>and distinctly Jewish one on the holiest night of the year. Whatever a 
>cantor is "feeling," if he/she can't convey this spiritual essence, perhaps 
>then they shouldn't sing it at all.

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