The Cantor

The cantor, hazzan, chazzan or khazn, is a central figure in all traditional religious Jewish Music. He's a jewish musician-synagogue official, trained in vocal arts and his duty includes but sometimes extends beyond leading the community in songful prayer.

This male singer is supposed to lead the congregation in its psalmody of the Torah, he was probably ``giving the tone'' by singing first the verse and his voice ought to be impressive in its beauty and eloquence.

However it is interesting to note that this tradition of a cantor has gone underground during several centuries following the diaspora. It only re-emerged in the late 19th. century in Germany and organized (or re-organized) in music schools and formal training.

I believe this is a (the?) reason for Dmitri Shostakovich choosing for his 13th. Symphony Babi Yar bass vocal solo and male choir.

Only Jewish males can have the role in Traditional Jewish law, other non-orthodox movements do allow women, over the age of 12 to be a ``hazzan''.Reform Judaism, Conservative Judaism, and Reconstructionist Judaism invest both men and women cantors as full clergy.

In the present day, a ``hazzan''s are more likely to have musical degrees, formal training in both music and religious matters. Yet in the more orthodox synagogues the prominent position of the ``hazzan'' seems to have gradually diminished.