Cantor Sarra Spierer, daughter of Temple Israel members Mel and Rachel Spierer, has been invited back to Temple Israel this year to lead the Selichot services along with the Temple’s spiritual leader, Rabbi Edward Friedman, on Saturday evening, September 20th at 10:00 p.m. The Selichot prayers of forgiveness open the High Holiday season leading into Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah, which begins this year on the evening of September 29th, marks the beginning of the Jewish year of 5769. Cantor Spierer will also teach the congregation about the music of the High Holidays during a reception just prior to that service at 9:00 p.m. The congregation invites the entire community to join them for this special program and service.
Cantor Spierer, who grew up at Temple Israel, is a 2007 graduate of the unique Cantor/Educator program of Hebrew College in Newton Center, MA. In addition to her ordination as a Cantor, she completed her Master’s degree in Jewish Education at the same time. Her primary position is as Cantor/Pastoral Associate at Congregation Beth Elohim in Acton, MA. Temple Israel, however, has arranged for her to be guest cantor for the Manchester congregation for several special services throughout the year in addition to this Selichot service.
There are varying traditions in Judaism regarding the recitation of the prayers of forgiveness known as “selichot.” Among the Sephardic Jews, those of North Africa and the Middle East, these prayers are recited daily before the morning service throughout the month of Elul which precedes the New Year on the Jewish calendar. Those who follow the Ashkenazic, or Central and Eastern European, tradition do not begin these prayers until the week before Rosh Hashanah. Customarily the recitation for the first day begins in the middle of the night, after midnight, on the Saturday/Sunday before the Jewish New Year. In recent years many congregations like Temple Israel have chosen to start an hour or two before midnight which still may be considered part of the “middle of the night,” but is more convenient for people to attend. Subsequent Selichot services are traditionally held not late at night but early in the morning just prior to the synagogue’s morning worship services during this holiday season.
When Rosh Hashanah begins on Sunday or Monday night, as is the case this year, the tradition is to start the daily recitation of Selichot a week earlier to allow a minimum of four days of preparation for Rosh Hashanah. The Jewish New Year is also known as the Day of Judgment, a day on which all people are judged by God and therefore should reflect upon their sins and determine to seek forgiveness from the Lord. Forgiveness in ancient days often required the presentation of a sacrifice upon the altar. Four days were required for the inspection of animals that were to be offered before God to be sure they were free from all blemish and fit for sacrifice. Since the destruction of the Temple in the year 70, animal sacrifices are no longer offered, instead prayers are offered, what the prophet called “the bullocks of our lips” and, in a sense, we offer ourselves as true offerings before the Lord. Thus it is suggested that as Jews prepare to commune with their God at this season and offer their prayers for forgiveness, at least four days of preparation and reflection should be taken as was the case with the animal sacrifices. Thus developed the tradition of a four day minimum period for these Selichot prayers.
During the Selichot service one hears the distinctive melodies that will be repeated on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, ten days later, the day which culminates this period of prayer, repentance, and righteous deeds. Many of the same prayers repeated throughout the Day of Atonement are included in the liturgy of Selichot night and awaken us to the approach of that most solemn day of prayer and fasting.
One might guess from this description that the coming days are very solemn and mournful occasions for the Jewish community. However, on the contrary, Jews celebrate the New Year and the Day of Atonement as major festival with family gatherings and holiday feasting in joyful recognition of a merciful God who has assured us that when we come before Him with sincere prayer and good intentions, He will forgive us our sins and grant us a year of sweetness and blessing.
Those who may wish to join with the congregation of Temple Israel for the High Holiday services should contact the synagogue office at 622-6171 for a detailed schedule of services and to arrange for holiday seating.