The twentieth chapter contains the most important message of the entire book; a critical message for our times. "What I need to explain now is the 'weighing' of Hasidus. This is a very, very fundamental issue..." Unfortunately, it doesn't get much press.
There is no need to rewrite it here. The Ramchal is a far better writer than I and chapter twenty cannot be improved upon. I just want to share an application of this chapter that appears in the Mishnah Berurah in Hilchos Rosh Hashanah.
The Ramchal writes, "...For example, it is obviously appropriate for every person to go ahead, run to do a mitzvah and strive to be among those who are involved. However, sometimes this can cause a fight that will be more of a disgrace to the mitzvah and a desecration of Hashem's Name than bring honor. In such situations, certainly the Hasid is obligated to abandon the mitzvah..."
Here is the Halacha:
"If one sees there is a fight over [who should lead the Rosh Hashanah] davening, don't be the Hazzan. Even if this will result in a Hazzan who is unqualified" (Mishnah Berurah 581:11 citing Hayei Adam). Keep in mind that this Halacha appears immediately after this frightening statement by the Elyah Rabba: "[If someone] unqualified, inappropriate or lacking in proficiency [takes the Amud on the Days of Awe], [Hashem] does not delay as [He does] by other punishments, but rather exacts punishment immediately!"
What does unqualified mean? A known sinner? Someone who will leave the entire congregation uninspired (or covering their ears)? Someone without a beard?
ReplyDeleteIn certain places I am sure a qualified chazzan stepping down in way of someone unqualified will cause more strife, not less.
Rabbi Gordon: Thank you for another valuable insight. I urge you to collect your posts and make the collection available to the wider public as a guide to the Mesilas Yesharim.
ReplyDeleteLiron: A known sinner can be a Hazzan after he does Teshuvah (M.B. ad loc.). I haven't seen anything about about quality of voice or beard, but Rama does say ideally the Hazzan should be thirty years old and married. The Rama adds that anyone is technically kosher to be Hazzan as long as the congregation wants him to lead.
ReplyDeleteNoG: "I urge you to... make the collection available to the wider public..."
ReplyDeleteWider than the World Wide Web?
The positive feedback is greatly appreciated.
Maybe I should have said the deeper public. You know, the ones who read material aimed at folks with attention spans.
ReplyDelete