Column #42. Contents of this weekly column are (mostly) based on the sefer: EIM LAMIKRA HASHALEIM, by R' Nissan Sharoni, Ashdod, a guide to correct pronunciation of Hebrew, specifically in davening and Torah reading. As we approach Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur, with Sukkot and Simchat Torah right after them, I would like to bring up an oft-presented topic, one that I’m quite fixated on. The topic gets a mention in the Sefer upon which this column is based, but more than that is the title and goal of the column - Towards better Davening. In my opinion, this issue, if handled correctly, will enhance our davening. I refer to the AMEN CHATUFA. There are two meanings to this term in our sources. The first is not to say AMEN with the vowel of the ALEF chopped and shortened. Certainly, not to say MEIN, but also not ‘MEIN, with a barely audible, feeble half-vowel, as if the ALEF had a CHATAF-KAMATZ under it. The words are obviously related, CHATAF and CHATUFA. One’s AMEN should be fully pronounced. There are two syllables; say them both. The other definition of AMEN CHATUFA is the one that is very trampled upon, especially with the style of davening on the Yamim Nora’im and all the other Holidays. It can be best translated as a Premature AMEN, one answered before the bracha to which it is supposed to be attached, is completed. CHAZAN on Rosh HaShana is repeating the AMIDA and concludes the first bracha with a flour- ish which draws out the ending: MAGEIN AV...RA...HAAAAAAAAAM. The congregation doesn’t mean to be impatient; many people probably think it’s a nice, emlodious thing to do. But it comes out as MAGEIN AVRA-MEIN. Several problems rolled into one. First of all, halacha says
that when one answers AMEN, he should not say an AMEN CHATUFA. It is simply
improper to say AMEN to a BRACHA until the BRACHA is finished. Completely.
Doesn’t matter how long the Shali’ach Tzibur takes to finish it, we MUST
wait until the BRACHA is finished before saying AMEN. Worse still. The CHAZAN’s bracha must be prop- erly answered by at least nine men, in order to justify his repetition of the AMIDA. If nine others do not answer him, his brachot MIGHT very well be L’VATALA, a serious offense at the best of times. Somewhat ironic in a negative way, on Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur. This bad habit is so ingrained in many of us by years of experience and reinforcement, that it is extremely hard to break. If you are reading these words, and if you are nodding in agreement to what is written here, then please join the forces of BASH, Break Anti-halachic Shul Habits. The thing to do, is listen to the CHAZAN carefully, even if it means moving closer to him, waiting for him to finish, and then say a rousing, loud AMEN that will remind the other people in shul that they should have waited with their AMEN. Keep doing this, and you will win “converts” over to your side, and more and more people will wait that “silly millimeter longer” before they say AMEN. Eventually, the problem might even be solved. It will be a hard fight. Be careful not to violate any BEIN ADAM L’CHAVEIRO (interpersonal com- mands) while campaigning against the AMEN CHATUFA. There are BAALEI T’FILA who end their brachot with a surprising abruptness, which catches early AMEN sayers off guard. That’s good too, but it should not be necessary. <mtc> [The Nitzavim-Vayeilech Homepage]
|
