This is what I have been screaming about for years, that the Gedoilim especially the Litvaks are totally disconnected from the rest of Klall Yisrael. Beyond the 4 walls of their Bais Ha'Medrish they are clueless about the rest of their brethren.
In Israel, what happened on October 7 has absolutely no "shaichis" to them, in fact I had a conversation with one of the signatories of the above letter, months after the tragedy, and this Rav looked bewildered when I mentioned to him that there were Hatzalah members that were murdered on Oct 7! He asked me in all earnest "Why would Hatzalah drive towards Gaza on Simchas Torah?"
Personally, I am not one of those that run to these type of Slichos, but I admit that I did go once to a Carlbach Slichos on the upper West Side and actually found it inspiring.
When I was a child and then a teenager I always davened in Chassidishe Shtiblich, but, I remember that I walked into Rav Gustman's Shul on Eastern Parkway on a Shabbos, and was astonished that they didn't sing Keil Adon, but just said it as if it was Ashrei! Of course years later, I davened in the MIR and Bais Hatalmid and their Shabbos davening was like the weekdays, there was absolutely no difference. They even had a 14 year old boy as the Shliach Tzibber who probably didn't know what the term "nusach" meant, and if I had to guess, I would venture to say that he never found out!
These "gedoilim" should thank G-d, that after 3,500 years, there are Jews going to Selichos and davening! We all are inspired by different things, and most of the Baalei Teshuva and Giyorim that I met, told me that they were inspired by the singing in the davening!
When I was growing up, people went to hear Chazzonim, now they can't stand chazzonim, and so, are now doing musical Selichos..... Kol Hakovod!
I'm pretty sure that the Avoda in the Bais Hamikdash were the Leviim singing and playing their instruments including Shabbos!
The letter was signed by leading senior rabbis, including Slabodka Rosh Yeshivos Rabbi Dov Landau and Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, and was issued under the evocative heading, “We Tremble and Shudder at the Day of Your Coming.”
The rabbis condemned what they described as an inappropriate trend that has spread in recent years: organizing large-scale “Selichot events” featuring live musical performances.
“Recently, an inappropriate phenomenon has begun in which ‘Selichot events’ are held with musical instruments,” the rabbis wrote. “These Selichot events contradict the very essence of the days of Selichot, which the Sages instituted as a time for repentance, remorse and soul-searching, to purify and sanctify oneself in preparation for the approaching Days of Judgment, and to merit being inscribed and sealed for a good and peaceful life.”
The rabbis cautioned against transforming the solemn religious observance into an entertainment event. “God forbid that a lofty and sacred concept instituted by our Sages should be turned into an event of recreation and a musical performance,” they wrote, adding that such gatherings can also involve “serious breaches of religious standards of holiness and modesty.”
The letter calls on members of the public not to attend such events and urges community leaders to take a clear stand. “We therefore join in strengthening the calls issued by leading rabbis, both those who have passed away and those who are still with us, that people should, God forbid, not participate in such events,” the letter states.
The rabbis also addressed municipal and political officials, calling on them not to provide financial or logistical support for the gatherings. “[There should be] no support or funding for these events by public authorities, in any form,” they wrote.
The letter further draws a distinction regarding the use of musical instruments in synagogues and study halls, which the rabbis say should remain places dedicated to prayer and Torah study. “Certainly, such events should not be held in the sanctuaries of God, the synagogues and houses of study,” they wrote. “Likewise, prayers and the recitation of Hallel should not be conducted with musical instruments.”
The rabbis concluded their letter with a prayer that the community would remain faithful to its religious traditions and the practices handed down by previous generations.
“May the Almighty raise us ever higher, so that we may cleave to the tradition of our fathers, and may He inscribe and seal us for a good life,” they wrote.
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