Towards Better Davening and Torah Reading

Towards Better Davening and Torah Reading
More TTreader Feedback on MISPLACED PAUSES
YL writes...
After avidly reading the discussion on Ha-Melekh HaYoshev..., I find that there is something missing from the Ed. note.
There are obviously two well-sup- ported opinions about the meaning of the words, "HaMelekh HaYoshev 'Al Kisse Ram ve-Nissa".
Either one is viable and obviously equally valid, but the suggestion, "Maybe one should read this phrase without any pause, in order to leave the meaning ambiguous" is really bad. Leaving the meaning ambiguous does not mean leaving both meanings intact, but rather destroying both. One cannot mean both of these at the same time (Shamor v'Zachor was something G-d could do, not us Jews).
It is infinitely better to decide which of the two meanings we wish to express at any particular prayer session and to pause accordingly.

DK contributed a few more misplaced pauses in davening. Take the phrase in ANIM Z'MIROT:
CHAVASH KOVA YESHU'A B'ROSHO
The proper place to pause is between Y'SHU'A and B'ROSHO. In this case, what puts the pause in the wrong place is the melody. Sing it to yourself and listen to the way it "naturally" comes out. To fit the melody and pause properly is no small trick. This leads to the general question as to whether we can sacrifice proper phrasing for melody. It would seem that we should not. But it will require some practice to refit the melody.
The same applies to incorrect accents and probably to some mispronouncing, as well.

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