Hazanim are individuals who lead prayers in Jewish communities around the world. Being an integral part of worship, they are known for their expertise in religious music and liturgical poetry. There are different synonyms for this word, with each one having its unique origin and significance.
One synonym for "hazanim" is "shelich tzibur," which means "messenger of the community" in Hebrew. It reflects the hazan's role as a representative of the congregation and their duty to lead the communal prayer.
Another synonym is "cantor," which comes from the Latin word "cantāre," meaning "to sing." It emphasizes the importance of music in prayer and highlights the hazan's skill as a singer.
"Chazzan" is another synonym for "hazan" and comes from the Hebrew word חַזָּן which means "visionary" or "seer".