By Limor Shiponi
While listening to the chanting of Selichot (forgiveness prayers) at the Western Wall the night before the Day of Atonement, I realized that this style of congregational chanting – called responsorium – reminds me of the reciprocal act in storytelling. Although the cantor could very well sing the entire Piyut (poem) by himself, the full potential of intention is released only through responsorium.
Notice the eastern style of the tune – just a reminder for the fact Judaism originates here and here is the land of Israel, in the Middle East.