To The Editor:
Rabbi Plaut's article (4 Oct.) on the life of Jews in the
smaller Jewish communities in Germany before the war was a
welcome reminder of the world of simple, if not particularly
learned, piety of which most readers were probably completely
unaware. As he writes their "loyalty to Jewish tradition was
very deep-rooted."
It expressed itself in the meticulous preservation of its
minhogim, especially the traditional niggunim
for the different seasons of the year which added so much
color to the davening. Such familiar tunes evoked a
deep echo in the souls of these simple folk, something not
appreciated by those not familiar with their traditions.
It is not surprising that the Rema (Hil. Yom HaKippurim,
O.H. 619.1) writes that it is forbidden to change such
local customs even the niggunim, recognizing how
important they were to keep the unlearned close to
Yiddishkeit (see also the Magen Avrohom s.k. 7
who points out how such changes confuse the congregation).
This ruling is based on the Sefer Maharil (Machon
Yerushalayim edition pp. 339-340) which recorded how once,
when the Maharil made some — to him justifiable —
minor change in the custom of Regensburg he was punished, as
he himself recognized, by the death of his daughter.
Unfortunately it has been fashionable in certain circles to
look down on the so-called Yekkes and their minhogim,
so much so that many of their descendants have become
alienated from that ancient tradition.
Just as the very different arba minim are bound
together for the mitzvah and if one of them is missing the
whole bundle is useless, so if one of the ancient traditions
of our people is destroyed there is a spiritual
incompleteness in the whole of Klal Yisroel which can
only act to delay, Rachmono litzlan, the perfection of
the world with the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu bimheiroh
veyomeinu.
Yours faithfully,
Martin D. Stern
Manchester
