"A priori, the chazan during the Days of Awe and the weeks when Selichot are recited must be the most reputable, learned person, and the most blessed with good deeds that one can find? He must also be acceptable to the community. Through his prayers he has to help everyone to meet their obligation. If he hates someone and intentionally does not pray on his behalf, then even his friends do not meet their obligation through his prayers." (Orach Chaim 581)
The Mishnah Berurah elaborates: "It is best that the chazanim should be heads of the community acquainted with the suffering of the generation. That is, they must be steadfast defenders of the generation, and acceptable to the people? Anyone who aids and abets disreputable chazanim is considered to have stolen from the community."
Today, we must learn a lesson from the synagogue chazan regarding our nation's leaders. Three characteristics are required of each: a) that he be reputable; b) that he be talented; and c) that the people love him.
He must be reputable:
He must be an idealist free of vested interests in his social, economic and political decision-making. Only the good of the nation and the country must be before his eyes.
He must be talented:
He must possess the wisdom and understanding to run the country and to unite the nation despite the differing opinions and streams amongst the people.
The people must love him:
Through his loving the people, they will love him in return. Such is the best leader, and we must pray to have such leaders as these. "The king's heart is in the hand of the L-rd." (Proverbs 21:1; Berachot 55a)
Especially during these days, the month of Elul and the High Holy Days, we must pray and seek mercy for the Jewish people. We must hope that the emissaries of our people will seek through their deeds and prayers to achieve what is best for the whole generation, and to defend us.
Regarding the words, "Say of the righteous that it shall be well with them. They shall eat the fruit of their deeds," (Isaiah 3:10) Mesillat Yesharim (Ch. 19) comments that the entire generation benefits from the fruit of the deeds of the righteous.
With blessings for a good and a sweet year.
The Mishnah Berurah elaborates: "It is best that the chazanim should be heads of the community acquainted with the suffering of the generation. That is, they must be steadfast defenders of the generation, and acceptable to the people? Anyone who aids and abets disreputable chazanim is considered to have stolen from the community."
Today, we must learn a lesson from the synagogue chazan regarding our nation's leaders. Three characteristics are required of each: a) that he be reputable; b) that he be talented; and c) that the people love him.
He must be reputable:
He must be an idealist free of vested interests in his social, economic and political decision-making. Only the good of the nation and the country must be before his eyes.
He must be talented:
He must possess the wisdom and understanding to run the country and to unite the nation despite the differing opinions and streams amongst the people.
The people must love him:
Through his loving the people, they will love him in return. Such is the best leader, and we must pray to have such leaders as these. "The king's heart is in the hand of the L-rd." (Proverbs 21:1; Berachot 55a)
Especially during these days, the month of Elul and the High Holy Days, we must pray and seek mercy for the Jewish people. We must hope that the emissaries of our people will seek through their deeds and prayers to achieve what is best for the whole generation, and to defend us.
Regarding the words, "Say of the righteous that it shall be well with them. They shall eat the fruit of their deeds," (Isaiah 3:10) Mesillat Yesharim (Ch. 19) comments that the entire generation benefits from the fruit of the deeds of the righteous.
With blessings for a good and a sweet year.