The Chazzan Who Lost His Voice and the Chazzan Who Found It

The Imrei Chaim of Vizhnitz once heard a beautiful niggun from a chazzan, which prompted his telling the following story:

“Rav Mordechai once passed by a shul and out of the windows, wafted the most delightful and soulful melody. He remarked, ‘Master of the World – Ribono Shel Olam! If only I had such a voice--I would sing and praise You unceasingly with sweet melodies!”

His prayers were accepted on High and from then on, that chazzan lost his voice and Rav Mordechai became the famed Zaslover Chazzan with a remarkable voice, full of power and strength.”

The Imrei Chaim concluded: “If you can use such a sweet voice for avodas Hashem - isn’t that wonderful?”