7. Ashkenazic Synagogue Presentation in the Rishonim Period

Question 1

What are the 7 tunes traced back to these times that are known as “scarbova”-“Missinai tunes”?

Answer 1

1. Aleinu
2. HaMelech - special introduction to shachris of yamim noraim
3. Avos - the first blessing of Shemoneh Esrei
4. Kaddish - several musical settings - varying for Shabbos, Yom Tov, Yamim noraim/Prayer for Rain Dew, different for the kadish after Torah reading or last kadish of the service
5. “V’hakohanim” - in the chazzan’s recital of Shemoneh Esrei on Yamim noraim
6. Kol Nidre -
7. Kiddush of shalosh regalim

Question 2

in the 16th century, how did the chazzanim chose to officiate?

Answer 2

chazzanim choose to officiate only during musaf because that gave them the most opportunity to display their art

Question 3

What was the view of the Maharil

Answer 3

strong opponent of changing tunes; considered the death of his daughter as a punishment for not using the local tune when leading Yamim Noraim in Regensburg (which had different customs than he was used to)

Question 4

What was intstumental music used for in times of Maharil?

Answer 4

For the wedding precession

Question 5

Why would Chazzanim wander from town to town to give concerts?

Answer 5

Partly due to persecution and expulsions of Jews from various German towns which led to unsettled community life - leading to negative habits

Question 6

What did Rav Moshe Mintz write?

Answer 6

wrote detailed regulations for chazzan: how he should behave and what he should wear while officiating, how he should conduct himself with others, and to be always concerned about the dignity of his sacred office

Question 7

What did the more established communities stress for chazzanim?

Answer 7

stressed the dignity of the service and quality of chazzanim - to have learned chazzanim of high ethical standard, not sing for the desires of the uneducated masses - the minhagim of these communities became the standards for other communities that were decimated by persecution