On Singing Out with Joy: a Thought for Parashat Beshallach

The synagogue where I worship nowadays, Kehillat Netzach Yisrael in Ashqelon, is Masorti, meaning 'traditional,' which is called Conservative in North America.  The service in a Masorti shul is a bit longer than that in a Reform shul, where the service has undergone more editing over time both for brevity and to reflect an evolving ideology.  One inclusion in the service, that Reform liturgy cut a long time ago, is the recitation of Exodus 15:1-19 in the preliminaries to the Shacharit, or morning prayer.  This chapter is often referred to as 'The Song at the Sea.'  All Jews in the world will be reciting, or hearing this chapter in shul this week, because it is part of this week's portion Beshallach.  But even those who only hear the whole thing this once per year, sre familiar with several of its key verses which are strung together in the prayer known as Mi Chamocha which follows the recitation of the Shema in every evening and morning service, in every 'flavor' of Judaism.

In a traditional service, there are parts that are prayed individually, usually at a very fast speed, which the prayer-leader starts and finishes aloud to let everybody know of the congregation's progress.  There are also parts where the congregation automatically starts to sing in unison, with a great amount of feeling.

Of course, finding joy in singing out is not unique to Jewish worship.  I have attended many Christian services, of many flavors, over the years; the congregations with the most singing, and the most feeling expressed during the singing, tend to be the churches most full on their weekly day of worship.

In my current shul, The Song at the Sea is one of those places where the pace slows and everybody sings out together.  Following a number of pages that are prayed at Quick Time, everybody seems happy to slow down and savor both the melody and the words.

I don't especially care for the Quick Time portions; I would like to see most - or even all - of the service sung/chanted in unison by the congregation.  Since it is clear that everybody enjoys the parts sung together - as witnessed by the joy in the voices and on the faces when we do sing - why not just sing the entire service?  Yes, it will make the service last a bit longer, maybe an extra quarter-to-half hour.

I've actually tried it on occasion, but the congregations didn't respond especially well.  I would chant even the parts of the service done in English.  But few in the congregation would be willing to make the leap to chanting in English; my guess is that it felt too 'churchy' to them.  But the experience notwithstanding, I dream of being able to worship in a congregation where the servie is sung from start to finish.  I actually know of a handful of such congregations - a couple in New York and at least one here in Israel - but I've never been close enough to be able to attend any of them.

I am lucky to be married to a woman who is wont to break out in song, spontaneously, without warning at almost any time of the day.  It reminds me that our lives should be a song of praise and joy.

Jews, why not allow yourselves to succumb more readily to the joy of singing out?  This week for sure, but any week, any day of the year as well!  Stop being so self-conscious and express your joy!  Shabbat shalom.