Questions tagged [tzibur-community]
about the community and the individual in the community
61
questions
16
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5
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Keeping up with fast davening
My local shul in Johannesburg, South Africa is traditional with very few Yeshivah-background or even Shabbat-keeping members. They daven so fast I simply cannot keep up. Even if I skip most of Pesukei ...
11
votes
1
answer
557
views
Group coordination for a siyum
My understanding is that a siyum should be made on the last bit of the text being studied. Thus, if the entire Mishna (all six "orders") is studied for someone's yahrzeit, the last mishna (individual ...
2
votes
1
answer
549
views
Following minhagim when praying in a different community?
Say you go to a minyan of a different community than your own, how should you behave?
When being hazan do you use their pronunciation or yours?
Do you pray your nusach or theirs?
Do you put on talit ...
16
votes
4
answers
776
views
When you're trapped by someone Davening behind you
There's a(n) Halachah (Berachos 27a, Shulchan Aruch 102:4) that you are not supposed to pass in front of someone in prayer. As a result, many people are strict and won't take their three steps back ...
11
votes
1
answer
419
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Why are Ashre and Alenu considered communal prayers?
Shulchan Aruch (OC 65) says to say "Sh'ma" with the congregation when they say it, and Mishna B'rura 9 there says the same is true of other things recited as a congregation such as "Ashre" and "Alenu"....
8
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3
answers
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Being Shaliach Tzibbur in a Congregation with a different Nusach
In Yalkut Yosef OC 101:10 rules that a Sephardi who is davening in an Ashkenazi minyan should not daven Nusach Ashkenaz as shaliach tzibbur. He can only be shaliach tzibbur if the minyan agrees to let ...
15
votes
1
answer
370
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And let who say Amen?
In light of this answer, why do we say V'imru amen and V'nomar amen at various points in bentching and davening when saying that passage alone? (eg. bentching by yourself, or oseh shalom at the end of ...
12
votes
3
answers
400
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When there are four aveilim (mourners), Is it better to have one minyan of 40 people or 4 minyonim of ten each?
Today I was in a shul where there were four parallel mincha services because four mourners wanted to lead the services. I thought there was a principle of ברב עם הדרת מלך?
What sources are there that ...
9
votes
3
answers
531
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Falling behind during davening
If you daven more slowly than the chazzan, should you skip what someone who came late to davening would skip so that you can reach barchu with the tzibbur?
9
votes
2
answers
464
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Games (on Shabas) that involve writing: whose writing?
I don't have good sources handy, but apparently some forbid the Shabas playing of games in which one usually writes, even if playing without writing: Scrabble, in which one writes scores, is sometimes ...
8
votes
1
answer
869
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Organized prayer in the synagogue with less than 10 people - community or not?
Inspired by this question.
There are parts of prayer that are not said when praying alone.
Some examples (please add any I missed):
Friday Night: Birchat Me-in Sheva
Shabbos Day before Mussaf: ...
7
votes
5
answers
513
views
Answering Baruch Hu UVaruch Shemo and Amen while learning
If someone is giving Shiur in the same room as people Davening, do the people learning answer Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo and Amen to the Hazarat HaShatz?
7
votes
2
answers
2k
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Can a convert become a synagogue president? Why or why not?
I understand that the National Council of Young Israel has a rule that women and converts may not be elected president of a Young Israel synagogue. I think I saw a gemara -- or a comment to a gemara -...
7
votes
3
answers
478
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Reaching kedusha during silent shemone esre
When the chazzan starts kedusha in chazarat hashatz while you're davening, are you supposed to answer the chant, continue in your tefilla, or just not say anything?
31
votes
8
answers
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How can we get people to stop talking (much, loudly) during minyan?
I know that lots of minyanim have the talking problem; has anybody solved it?
I daven with a weekday shacharit minyan that has a noise problem. A couple of people are the main sources of the problem ...
12
votes
1
answer
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What are the parameters of Tircha D'Tzibbur
I often hear people throw around the term tircha d'tzibbur, that something being done is incorrect because it is a burden to the public or congregation. Usually I hear it being used for whatever ...
11
votes
1
answer
492
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Why have I never seen anyone “slicing the Shema”?
“Slicing the Shema”
A good summary is to be found here, on the Israel Koschitzky Virtual Beit Midrash website.
In short, “…. ten men who prayed alone can subsequently fulfill their obligations of ...
7
votes
1
answer
302
views
When the entire Minyan is saying Kaddish
In most Synagogues all those that are required to say Kaddish say it together. If the entire Minyan has to say Kaddish and there is no one who can say Amein what should be done? Should some not say ...
7
votes
2
answers
861
views
Missing Barchu at Maariv
If one misses Barchu at the beginning of Maariv, should one say it at the end of Maariv (as is commonly done)? If so when should it be done and who should do it?
4
votes
1
answer
159
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How to start שחרית at the עמוד if one's already said ישתבח
Seemingly, if one is ahead of the congregation and reaches "Yishtabach", he should recite it. Now, suppose he does so, and then the fellow in charge of getting people to lead the services comes over ...
4
votes
3
answers
655
views
Kissing the hand to catch a cold?
There is a popular custom in Israel to shake a person's hand and then kiss your own. In every single Sephardic and Mizrachi synagogue I've ever been to in the country this is the standard way of ...
2
votes
2
answers
389
views
Nusach for silent Amida when chazzan in an other-nusach congregation
My understanding (based, if I recall correctly, on R' Moshe Feinstein) is that when I pray in a congregation that uses a different version of the prayers (nusach) from the one I usually use, I should ...
16
votes
1
answer
635
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Do not separate yourself from the community: what exactly is the community?
Hillel teaches in Pirke Avot (2:4): do not separate yourself from the community. I'm not a historian, but I have the impression that at the time he was writing, towns tended to have one (Jewish) ...
13
votes
2
answers
372
views
In a city with many shuls, how much loyalty do I owe to the shul of which I am a member?
In a city with many shuls, in what way should we think about the individual shuls?
a) They are “service” (no pun intended) providers and I will take the services as they suit me best. Even if I take ...
11
votes
2
answers
436
views
Does Kabbalas Shabbos require a minyan?
Inspired by an answer here:
Does the recitation of Kabbalas Shabbos require a minyan?
I was always under the impression that we do it together by convention rather than necessity, but one could ...
6
votes
1
answer
374
views
Davening Mincha with their Mariv
If one needs to daven mincha and the only minyan that is close by is davening an early maariv can one daven their mincha shmoneh esri with their maariv shmoneh esri and then daven maariv with a ...
6
votes
1
answer
796
views
Can one be counted in a minyan if one has already davened?
Can one be counted in a minyan if one is present for Minchah/Ma’ariv but has already davened Minchah?
Related question: Should I alter my schedule to daven Minchah with a minyan?
6
votes
2
answers
370
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Saying korbonos
Do you have to say korbonos? If so, why is it not said with the shaliach tzibbur?
3
votes
2
answers
172
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Should the Chazzan say the pesukim of Kedusho loud?
In the repetition of the Amida, it seems (see Teshuvos Igros Moshe 3 (9), OC 104 (7), OC 125 Biur Halocho d.h. "elo shoskin ..") that the Chazzan should say the pesukim of Kedusho loud enough so that ...
2
votes
1
answer
170
views
Parameters for brov am?
What are they parameters of brov am hadras melech? is it a requirement or a hiddur? does it apply equally to men, women and children? why does it not seem to apply to zimun (preferable to split into ...
1
vote
0
answers
121
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Can I say the Amidah out loud if it helps my kavanah? [duplicate]
If I am davening at home and it would not be disruptive to others, is there any reason I might be permitted to say the Amidah out loud--for example, if it helped me with my concentration or ...
19
votes
2
answers
426
views
School closing - At what point must the parents be told?
Yeshiva A or Bais Yaakov A has serious financial problems. They are doing all they can to stay viable, however unless a big donor steps forward they will be forced to close. If the school tells the ...
17
votes
4
answers
308
views
Who is "us" in sh'mone esre?
Most of the amida requests are said in the plural: "forgive us… heal us…". Who's "us"? I'd think it's Jews generally — but in the final benediction we ask for beneficence for "us and ...
17
votes
2
answers
1k
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Why are challenges to respected rabbis not treated seriously?
Say someone disagrees with the Chazon Ish or has a problem with the Aruch HaShulchan in a particular halachic area. Sure, they're no gadol, and they might have not even learned an extensive volume of ...
16
votes
3
answers
229
views
Falling behind during selichos
Related to, but not duplicating Falling behind during davening, how should you attempt to keep up with overly-quick recitation of selichos?
I would assume that you interrupt the piyut you’re reciting ...
15
votes
4
answers
390
views
Can I omit ברוך השם לעולם אמן ואמן to catch up in Maariv?
If the Shaliach Tzibbur for maariv (outside of Israel) goes too quickly for me to start the Amidah with him, is there a source which would allow me to omit the section
ברוך השם לעולם אמן ואמן?
This ...
14
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Can I do the Hoashanas service if praying alone?
If one is not able to make it to a minyan one day during sukkos, can he still say or do any of the day's Hoshanas services? Would it be different on Hoshanah Rabbah because of the additions?
14
votes
4
answers
6k
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Does a Jewish grandmother (mother's side) really get one accepted as a Jew? [duplicate]
My grandmother (mother's side) is 100% Jewish and even living in Israel. As far as I know, that makes, me a Jew, too. But it feels a little bit strange to say that I am Jewish just because my ...
13
votes
4
answers
624
views
"Is the market-based distribution of income fair or unfair?"
This post, by a leading economist, lists the main differences on economic policy between the right and left-leaning economists. On many economic issues, Judaism does not necessarily take a clear ...
11
votes
2
answers
381
views
How important is it for everyone to revolve the bima 7 times on Simchas Torah?
I recall hearing from Rabbi Hershel Shachter that for Hoshanos, you're really supposed to go around the bima (and seven times on Hoshana Rabba); he said if you were davening at home, you should in ...
10
votes
1
answer
371
views
On what authority do Lubavitchers not skip when late to shacharis?
The Rav's Shulchan Aruch, OC 52, clearly states that, because saying amida (sh'mone esre) with a congregation is so important, one who arrives late to a congregational shacharis service should skip ...
8
votes
1
answer
2k
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When praying alone, can one say Ma'ariv/Arvit before shkia (sunset)?
I have heard in the past that one praying alone may not say Ma'ariv/Arvit until shkia/sunset but that one praying with a minyan can start Ma'ariv as early as Plag HaMincha. Could someone provide me a ...
7
votes
2
answers
146
views
Do you add in the "for all the Jews in this town" clause to Eruv Tavshilin?
In the Eruv Tavshilin we say when there's holiday followed by Sabbath, the proclamation is:
This eruv ("merging") shall allow us to cook, bake, insulate, and kindle on the holiday in preparation ...
7
votes
1
answer
192
views
Can the chazzan use the vernacular quietly?
When saying a private portion of the service, such as pesukei de-zimra, may the shaliach tzibur (aka chazzan, or the person leading services) use English, and switch to Hebrew for the portions said ...
7
votes
1
answer
318
views
who says "baruch hu uvaruch sh'mo" before birkas hamazon
Ashk'nazi prayer books generally include the line
ברוך הוא וברוך שמו
after the zimun (invitation to say birkas hamazon and before the actual birkas hamazon. It generally (in my experience) is ...
5
votes
1
answer
253
views
Davening Chazaras Hashatz after minyan
I have seen people daven chazaras hashatz after a minyan has just ended out loud,and they expect everyone to answer their kedusha and then they continue the rest of their shmoneh esri quietly. Is ...
5
votes
3
answers
252
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When should one change one's Minhag with one's Makom (and when should one not)?
I know there are conflicting views on certain issues relating to following a local custom vs. one's family custom. However, what are the general concepts that are applied in determining the Halachah?
...
5
votes
2
answers
212
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Saying Yekum Purkan after the Minyan is already up to Av HaRachamim or Ashrei
The Halacha is that a individual not Davening with a Minyan does not say Yekum Purkan. Suppose you are in Shul and for some reason the Chazan finished Yekum Purkan and is already up to Av HaRachamim ...
5
votes
1
answer
157
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Shnayim Mikre during Krias HaTorah
May one read "Shnayim Mikre V'Echad Targum" during the leining of Krias HaTorah on Shabbos morning?
5
votes
3
answers
699
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Can women participate in learning for a group siyum?
When somebody is organizing learning for a coordinated siyum (e.g. for a yahrzeit), I'm never sure whether as a woman I can sign up to help (assuming I can meet the expected level of learning). Are ...