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During the repetition of the amidah, during the hoda'ah (modim) the congregation recites a different text while the shaliach tzibbur recites the text we all did during the silent amidah. (1) Why do we recite a different (related) text instead of listening to the sha"tz, and (2) why only here?

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There is an explanation of this by R' Soloveitchik quoted in Machzor Mesoras Harav. If no one gets there first, I'll b"n look it up tonight and post it. Note that according to R' Soloveitchik, the sha"tz is actually supposed to wait long enough for the congregation to complete Modim Derabanan before starting Modim himself. – Isaac Moses Nov 1 '12 at 14:02
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@IsaacMoses, are you sure about that last point? My understanding is that he is not supposed to wait. – Seth J Nov 1 '12 at 14:10
@SethJ, I'm pretty sure it's in the "Hanhagos Harav" section of the aforementioned Machzor. I've also seen this done in the Rav's name by YU alumni (not proof by itself, I know, but reinforces what I've seen on paper). This could well be a Brisker Da'as Yachid situation, where everyone else indeed says not to wait. – Isaac Moses Nov 1 '12 at 14:15
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@IsaacMoses I understood the Rav's concern to be that everyone hear what the Chazzan says, which is usually hard while everyone is mumbling. – Double AA♦ Nov 1 '12 at 15:14
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...however, the time for the congregation to say Modim is not after the bracha of Avoda; it's when the Chazzan is saying Modim. So either the congregation should say their Modim in a 'silent' undertone, or the Chazzan should pause after the first few words to let everyone finish. If the Chazzan delays starting his Modim, I would delay starting mine. – Double AA♦ Nov 1 '12 at 15:47
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1 Answer

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Abudraham, in "Seder Shacharit shel Chol u-Ferushah", says( here, right column, lines 29-38):

וכשיגיע ש"ץ ל'מודים' וכורע, כל העם שוחין ואומרין הודאה קטנה המתחלת כמו כן ב'מודים', שאין דרך העבד להודות לרבו ולומר לו 'אדוני אחה' על ידי שליח, אלא כל אדם צריך לקבל בפיו עול מלכות שמים, ואם יקבל על ידי שליח, אינה קבלה גמורה, שיוכל להכחיש ולומר לא שלחתיו. אכל בשאר התפלה, שהיא בקשה, יכול לתבוע צרכיו על ידי שליח, שכל אדם חפץ בטובתו ולא יכחיש ויאמר 'לא שלחתיו', וזהו שאמר דוד 'אמרתי לה׳ ה׳ אתה', אני בעצמי אמרתי לו ולא על ידי שליח

In my translation:

And when the Shali'ach Tzibur reaches Modim and bows, all the people bow slightly and say a small Hoda'a which also starts with Modim, as it isn't the [proper] way for a servant to thank his master and say to him 'you are my master' through a messenger, but every man has to accept the Yoke of Heavenly Kingdom with his mouth, and if he accepts through a messenger, it isn't a complete acceptance, for he can deny [it] and say 'I did not send him', and this is what [is meant by what] David said 'I said to ha-Shem ha-Shem you are', I myself said to Him and not by messenger.

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