It was Friday night on the Shabbos before Tisha B’Av and the congregation was in a somber mood. The Chazan (prayer leader) had a beautiful voice; however, the congregation was not able to appreciate it. They were too anxious and scared for their brothers and sisters in Israel. Iran had threatened to attack Israel as revenge for Israel’s assassination of the political head of Hamas on Iranian soil.
The mood continued through Kabalas Shabbos (prayers said on Friday night to greet the Shabbos) and through most of the Lechah Dodi prayer until the following happened. Towards the end of Lechah Dodi, the Chazan decided to change the tune that he was singing the prayer to and with that, he changed the congregation’s mood. The tune that the Chazan now used was the same tune commonly used when singing the verse:
“Utzu Aitzah Vesufar; Dabru Davar Velo Yaku; Ki Imanu Kel -- Hatch a plot, it shall be foiled; Agree on action, it shall not succeed; for Hashem is with us!” (Isaiah 8:10)
Sensing the connection to the tune now used by the Chazan and the meaning of the above verse to which it is traditionally sung, the congregants became inspired and their mood brightened. At the conclusion of the davening, the Rabbi approached the Chazan and commended him for switching tunes. “Infusing the Lecha Dodi with the thought that Iran and other enemies plan our demise, but Hashem will save us, was a brilliant act!” remarked the Rabbi.
Instead of taking credit for something he did not do nor have in mind, the Chazan responded honestly in a simple act of “Everyday Emes”. He admitted, “In full disclosure, I did not have this intention in mind, nor did I know that this tune was generally associated with the uplifting words that you mentioned. I just thought that it was a beautiful niggun (tune).”
