Conditions for Appointing a Chazan
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Question
Hello Rabbi, In our community, we want to appoint a new chazan following the retirement of the previous one. We would like to know what conditions we should consider when selecting the chazan?
Answer
Shalom and blessings,
In general, it is important to remember that a chazan is not a singer or performer, but a person who serves as the community's emissary to elevate the prayers before Hashem. Therefore, the more righteous and pure the chazan is, the more favorably the prayers are received.
Additionally, it is mentioned in the poskim that it is good for the chazan to be over thirty years old and married. However, if there is one chazan who is a ben Torah and God-fearing but under thirty and unmarried, and another chazan over thirty, married but not as God-fearing as the first, it is preferable to choose the God-fearing person over other qualities.
This is all if both are suitable for the role, have a pleasant voice, and are acceptable to the community. But if the more suitable chazan in terms of qualities does not have a pleasant voice, there is no obligation to appoint him, because first and foremost, he must be a chazan...
Source
Rema, Siman 581, Seif 1