Tuesday, November 10, 2009

MA'ARIV PAINS

Tonight I went to shul for ma'ariv. It started out slow and then kept dragging on and on. I normally don't want a long ma'ariv but I wont complain about it either, but that's usually, tonight was different. From the beginning of Ve'hu rachum till the end of Aleinu was pure agony.

I usually take a little bit longer than the chazan when it comes to saying shema as so with most of the prayers, I always wonder does the chazan say every word? or does he mumbles through it. Tonight, like I said, was different not only did I finish before the chazan but I was waiting for the chazan to say hashem aleikechem emes. I had this big urge to whistle real loud (the one with your fingers in your mouth, not that I can do it) and shout "get moving already", I held myself back. Oh I didn't tell you the chazan was finished and I had no clue what he was waiting for, the messiah? maybe. In the end I made it through and I was okay.

I find it interesting that there could be shuls which stress the slow ma'ariv, and yet in the morning they have what I call "speedy ganshachris (gonzalez) minyanim" or Matzah Minyans (because they have to end in 18 minutes). I like my shuls consistent, either they have long everything (not that i'd go to this shul) or fast everything, you have to choose.

6 people gave their 2 cents:

NonymousG said...

im not fussy about long or short. im only fussy when the chazan does a long one but has a terrible voice, and sings off key so the kehilla cant even join in. its pure agony.

Mikeinmidwood said...

N

Singing on a weekday during ma'ariv, where do you daven? we only have singing friday night and sometimes rodh chodesh if you get a good chazan.

NonymousG said...

i was referring to friday night/shabbos, it's a nightmare when they start belting out a high pitched lecha dodi...

Ookamikun said...

Do not, ever, go to Landau's Friday night. We were going to our friends who live nearby and I decided it would be faster to go to Landau's instead of walking back and forth to my shul. Big mistake. On shabbos they turn hassidish. Half the time I had no idea what they were saying and it took an hour and a half, if not more!

Anonymous said...

I cannot stand long minyanim. I leave if it is taking too long. Shul ADD.

Mikeinmidwood said...

N

understood

Moshe

I hate going to landaus at anytime.

Honeslty frum

I've seen people with shul ADHD, cant sit down, continous talking, and whatever else goes with it.