Many of the Selihoth (Penitential prayers) have beautiful haunting melodies. (Hear some at http://www.midrash.org/video/selihoth ). This assists one who concentrates on their meaning, to open his heart to G-d and feel the pain over his transgressions during the year.
Unfortunately, there are those who come for the enjoyment of the beautiful melodies and sing at the tops of their voices, paying no attention to the words emanating from their mouths. Apparently, this is not a new phenomenon. Rabbenu the Hid"a, 'a"h, writes the following:
When reading the Selihoth one must not shout loudly like one who stands in the street. A fool will not understand what he is saying, because it is through joyful singing that one shouts loudly. Had they been wise they would have acted with understanding. Because, Heaven forbid, they will lose on two counts. Firstly, they force themselves to get out of bed early to go to the Synagogue and, secondly, once in the Synagogue they will have achieved nothing except their shouting.
Rab Hid"a continues: The name of the prayer is Selihoth and not Se'aqoth (supplication and not screaming). These few words are sufficient to one who has a heart.
(Morei Be'esba' ch. 8, Oth 244)
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