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.

Shaliah tzibbur: the role of the hazzan

The person leading the congregation in public prayers is called the shaliach tzibbur (Hebrew for "emissary 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. 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; 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.