10 Machzor Tips, Tricks, and Opportunities
I know I said I was going to take a break, but I was inspired by @ModernTalmud's tweet here, which was a joke (making fun of a particular Twitter aesthetic).
So I put together a list of 10 Machzor tricks, tips, and opportunities. (You can see my tweet thread here.)
Here we go:
For some context:
The Machzor is the prayer book we use on holidays, and there are separate ones for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and each of the three pilgrimage festivals. Each has various insertions for the holiday.
As a result, there will be additions that aren't seen more than once or twice a year, which is enough to throw anyone off balance.
So, if you're feeling lost or confused, recognize you're not alone.
And, I'd recommend seeing this as a long-term project rather than one you can cram for. You'll get what you can this year, and you'll add more to your understanding next year. Be patient with yourself.
Ok, let's get into it.
1. Take a look at it in advance.
If you have a machzor, take some time to skim it and see if anything jumps out at you. Flag it for yourself and sit with the language and how it makes you feel.
Priming yourself will make it easier when you're sitting in the room/watching.
You can find some on Sefaria, which are a good start, and you should use them.
2. Prayer services in Judaism are modular.
The cool thing with Jewish prayer is that it comes in units that plug in and out. So if you come to services regularly, you'll notice the changes.
These changes often add "majestic" language and themes.
3. Take your time during services.
There is this unspoken pressure to try and "keep up" with the praying happening. There are good reasons for this.
But, if something inspires you or you feel drawn to recite something slowly. DO THAT! It isn't a race, take your time.
4. Meditate and/or be present.
There is something to be said for just being present and letting the words and music wash over you.
I used to do that during the Haftarah growing up and I'd just let the melody and words draw my imagination.
5. Sit with a word that inspires you.
If you're reciting and a word stops you, makes you curious, surprises you, inspires you, or whatever, stop there.
Repeat it
Review it
Rage at it
Rejoice with it
Let that word drive the moment, then move on when you're ready.
6. If there is commentary, utilize it!
Many machzorim have extra commentary along the sides or the bottom. The commentaries are meant to be read.
Either before or during, let those words of explanation or inspiration guide the questions and ruminations you're having.
7. You don't have to do everything.
Like most Jewish prayer books, the Machzor is a collection of texts that accumulated over centuries. Some of it is "required" by Halakhah, but much of it is not.
Poems, hymns, piyyutim, and songs offer a lot and they are great to include in your prayers. But you might not be motivated by them at the moment or this year. That's ok, skip them.
8. Reciting the words without knowing each word's meaning is ok.
I am drawn to Judaism for its intellectualism. But, there is something to be said for just the reciting of the prayers on its own.
The rhythm, pattern, and context of reciting prayers and having your body, mouth, mind, eyes, and ears engaged even if you don't understand the words is still engagement with the experience.
9. King/Sovereign/Ruler language can have power.
Personally, this type of language never did it for me, it's part of a political context I didn't, and don't, really want to experience.
However, we retain it for a reason.
Even for a moment, imagining what it would be like if there was a powerful being who cared, managed, and administered justice and mercy on such a universal level can be powerful.
What if we allowed ourselves to imagine God in the best possible scenario instead of the worst?
What if God was all caring, all-powerful, and all good? What if I set aside my cynicism about the world for just a day?
I don't know the "truth" about God, but for a few days a year, I'm more than willing to imagine as my ancestors did. If nothing else, it connects me to them.
10. Bring a book to read.
This is like anti-machzor advice: Always bring a book.
I always choose something Jewish, personally, keeps me focused on the context.
There are many to choose from, I'll let others come up with lists.
In conclusion:
It is an intimidating book, especially if you haven't spent much time with it.
But there is great wisdom, inspiration, and meaning to be found within its pages if you put in the effort.
❗Nothing just happens, meaning is made.
TLDR:
Take a look at it in advance.
Prayer services in Judaism are modular.
Take your time during services.
Meditate and/or be present.
Sit with a word that inspires you.
If there is commentary, utilize it!
You don't have to do everything.
Reciting the words without knowing each word's meaning is ok.
King/Sovereign/Ruler language can have power.
Bring a book to read.
❗Nothing just happens, meaning is made.