Oh, no! Have I missed Minyan?

A collection of relevant halachos regarding davening with the Tzibbur
from AskTheRav.com & Halacha2Go.com.

By Horav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, Mara D’asra and member of the Crown Heights Beis Din

The mitzvah tefillah b’tzibbur (communal prayer) consists of davening (praying) with a minyan (a quorum of at least ten men), with the minimum of six participants who are actively davening. To fulfill his obligation of tefillah b’tzibbur, each active participant should daven the essential part of tefillah — Shemoneh Esrei with all the others, beginning the first of the nineteen brachos of the Amidah with the congregation — or according to some opinions, while they are still reciting the first three brachos (which can be considered as one brachah).

In extenuating circumstances, there are more lenient poskim to rely on: Some maintain that as long as a participant begins the Amidah before the congregation has concluded it, he is considered to have davened with a minyan; still others consider participation sufficient at the time the shliach tzibbur (the prayer leader, the Chazan) begins his repetition of the Amidah, or even at any point in his recitation. Although these options aren’t considered tefillah with a minyan in the optimal sense, each contains some aspect of tefillah b’tzibbur. #830

Answering Chazaras Hashatz

Q. The Alter Rebbe writes in the Siddur “Lo yafe heim osim” about people that learn or say Tachanunim during Chazaras Hashatz, even if they listen to the end of each brachah and answer Amen. Assuming this logic, when someone is behind the Minyan and holding in a place where he could (must) answer Amen to Chazaras Hashatz (like in Pesukei D’zimra), would he have to pause and listen to the brachos to answer Amen? And why?

A. Since the individual is not part of the Minyan — as he didn’t daven Shemoneh Esrei with the Minyan — he isn’t obligated to pay attention to Chazaras Hashatz, unless there are no nine other people paying attention to the Chazan.

Nonetheless, he has an obligation to answer Amen to all the brachos, which requires paying attention to the end of each brachah. Practically, it’s very difficult to do so without full attention.

Also, as a side point, it’s important for everyone to hear Chazaras Hashatz, at some stage, whether in this Minyan or a later Minyan.

Even if they will be hearing Chazaras Hashatz at a later Minyan, they should avoid Davening during Chazaras Hashatz of a different Minyan if they are in the same room, as it disturbs other participants and can create a weakness in the decorum expected during this time.

* References and marei mekomos are available for this Halacha on the websites: www.Halacha2Go.com and www.AskTheRav.com

Please note that these halachos apply in general situations. In unique circumstances, a different halacha may apply. If you are unsure whether the halacha applies to your particular situation, please consult a Rov.

Short Q&A’s

Q. The Rebbe said that merely starting davening with the Tzibbur constituted Tefillah B’Tzibbur. What is the source for this?

 A. The Rebbe said it’s מעין תפלה בציבור (Igros Kodesh vol. 18, letter 6583). It is not considered תפלה בציבור in the literal sense.

This idea has parallels in many places. See also שו״ת בית יעקב סימן ע. This has been expounded upon in the התמים magazine of סיון תשס״א.

Q. We are making a Minyan in a prison for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. If we have a Minyan but not 6 people Davening the Amida can they still do Chazaras Hashatz since we are dealing with people that don’t know how to Daven?

A. [Generally,] in order to do Chazaras Hashatz, there need to be at least 6 people who davened Shemoneh Esrei. If there weren’t 6 people who davened, then the Chazan should daven his Shemoneh Esrei out loud so that all can answer Kedushah. Even if it is just for the Chazan (he is the only one who didn’t hear Kedushah) he can say Shemoneh Esrei out loud (but should finish [the parts] after HaKeil Hakadosh quietly. He should [as well] continue Elokai Netzor through Oseh Shalom).

However, on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur – with the exception of Minchah on Rosh Hashanah when there are no Piyutim – this is not an option, for there are Piyutim that are said during Chazaras Hashatz and that is considered a Hefsek (an interruption) during one’s davening. Therefore, the only choice is that they should first daven quietly and then the Chazan should do Chazaras Hashatz. If there are no six people who davened, Chazaras Hashatz can’t be recited, as mentioned. Therefore, they should advise the Mispalilim to say the Amidah in English (or the language they understand) and after they can do Chazaras Hashatz.

Q. I Daven Nusach Ari. The Minyan I go to davens Nusach Ashkenaz. Do I need to adjust Kedushah, Keser, Brich hu or Kein Yehi Ratzon according to the Minyan’s Nusach, since these are recited out loud?

A. Daven your Nusach quietly.

Q. If I daven on 12-13 Tammuz in a Minyan that says Tachanun and we don’t say Tachanun on these days, what should I do?

 A. Yes, you should skip Tachanun, but in a manner that doesn’t call attention to your behavior. #557*