Hazzan

A hazzan [χaˈzan] or chazzan (Hebrew: חַזָּן‎‎ ħazzān, Yiddish khazn Ladino hassan) is a Jewish musician, or precentor, trained in the vocal arts who helps lead the congregation in songful prayer. In English, this prayer-leader is often referred to as cantor, a term also used in Christianity.

The person leading the congregation in public prayers is called the shaliach tzibbur (Hebrew for " of the congregation"), a ħazzān or cantor. Jewish law restricts the role to adult Jews. See also: Cantor in Reform Judaism. In theory, any lay person can be a sheliach tzibbur; most synagogue-attending Jews will serve in this role every now and again. One who cannot or doesn't pronounce his words properly, including merging pharyngeals with glottals or uvulars, shouldn't be appointed unless no one else better is available. In practice, those with the best voice and the most knowledge of the prayers serve much more often. Ashkenazic hazzanim (Hebrew plural of hazzan) are known to repeat words during prayer (although it's more proper to not repeat words); Yemenite sh'luchei tzibbur, on the other hand, will never repeat words.

There are many rules relating to how a cantor should lead services, but the idea of a cantor as a paid professional does not exist in classical rabbinic sources. Jewish prayer services are collected in a prayerbook known as the siddur.

The office of the hazzan increased in importance with the centuries. As public worship was developed in the Geonic period, and as the knowledge of the Hebrew language declined, singing gradually superseded the didactic and hortatory element in the worship in the synagogue.

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