Reply To: Cantorial Music

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cantoresq
Member

cherrybim, you asked me my view on the fitness of rabbis who transgress the Torah. I provided some source material based on which I would be guided in forming my views. You now want me to extrapolate that information to cantors who might transgress the Torah, despite my unequivocal statement that I believe cantors should be Torah observant. What exactly is your point? I’ve stated in the past that my understanding of the relevant Halacha is the “merutzeh l’kehal” overrides all other considerations. I’ve provided both history to that statement as well as a personal anecdote. I also recognize that the standard can go the other way. Communities are free to set standards of religious conduct they will not accept in a cantor. One who violates those standards is by definition not merutze l’kehal. I was once denied the amud in the Desewffy ut. schul in Budapest the shabbos I had yahrzeit for my father because I shaved during the three weeks. Upset though I was, there was nothing for me to do about it, (except to daven in the Vasvari Pal ut. schul, where they were a bit more appreciative of my cantorial arts and forgiving of my shave.)If you do not want to listen to a cantor who falls short of your religious standards, feel free not to. But do not conflate your religious practices into a basis to dismiss a musical heritage that is nearly 2000 years old.