Hazzan

Cantor Meyer Kanewsky's 1919 performance of the last part of Parshat Haketoret, a passage often read after the morning service in Judaism.

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A hazzan (/ˈhɑːzən/;^[1] Hebrew: [χaˈzan], lit. Hazan) or chazzan (Hebrew: חַזָּן, romanized: ḥazzān, plural ḥazzānim; Yiddish: חזן, romanized: khazn; Ladino: חזן, romanized: hasan) is a Jewish musician or precentor trained in the vocal arts who leads the congregation in songful prayer.^[2] In English, this prayer leader is often referred to as a cantor, a term also used in Christianity.

The person who leads the congregation in a public prayer is called the sh'liaḥ tzibbur (Hebrew for 'emissary of the congregation'). Any person is called a sh'liach tzibbur while they are leading a prayer. However, the term hazzan more commonly refers to someone who has special training in leading prayers, or who is appointed to lead prayers on a regular basis in a particular synagogue.^[3]

^ "hazzan". Collins English Dictionary.
^ Bridger, D.; Wolk, S. (1976). The New Jewish Encyclopedia. Behrman House. ISBN 978-0-87441-120-1. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
^ "The Cantor". My Jewish Learning. Retrieved 2024-01-07.

[1] "hazzan". Collins English Dictionary.

[newEJ-2] Bridger, D.; Wolk, S. (1976). The New Jewish Encyclopedia. Behrman House. ISBN 978-0-87441-120-1. Retrieved 2023-08-22.

[myjewishlearning.com-3] "The Cantor". My Jewish Learning. Retrieved 2024-01-07.

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