about the community and the individual in the community
20
votes
5answers
354 views
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
3answers
94 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 ...
11
votes
4answers
223 views
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
3answers
197 views
How did Mordechai get *all* the Jews of Shushan to agree to fast for three days?
My question is a bit long-winded so I'll summarize first:
How did Mordechai rouse the will of all the Jews of Shushan to agree to fast for three days? And further, why did Esther limit her request ...
11
votes
1answer
95 views
Is God swayed by popular appeal?
When we pray for someone to be healed, we pray this individually in the Amidah but we also often have a community misheberach list. I assume that there is a theological reason for the public prayer, ...
11
votes
1answer
142 views
What are valid reasons for establishing a new Minyan?
What are the criteria required for establishing a new Minyan?
Some considerations (not an exhaustive list) for why people might want a new Minyan:
Different נוסח (perhaps very few people in the ...
10
votes
3answers
185 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 ...
10
votes
3answers
136 views
Is Torah reading an individual or communal obligation?
Is the obligation to read the Torah (or hear it read) an individual or communal obligation?
A possible nafka mina might be if one missed the Torah reading -- does he need to assemble a minyan to ...
10
votes
4answers
313 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 ...
10
votes
1answer
131 views
Ana B'choach - Private prayer or Sing-Along song?
Many people have the custom to recite the prayer "Ana B'choach" after the initial six chapters of Tehillim said in Kabbalas Shabbos and before "Lecha Dodi". Based on the fact that it references ...
9
votes
2answers
150 views
When you're trapped by someone Davening behind you
There's a(n) Halachah (citation help, anyone?) 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 when ...
9
votes
2answers
230 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 ...
8
votes
2answers
137 views
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 ...
8
votes
3answers
201 views
Can one say Vayechulu Friday Night alone?
If one Davened an extra-long Shemoneh Esrei, and missed saying ויכולו... with the congregation, can he say it by himself? Or must he say it with someone else?
8
votes
1answer
108 views
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 ...
8
votes
3answers
170 views
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?
8
votes
1answer
105 views
Early AND Late Shabbos Minyanim
The basic halachah is that when the congregation/community starts Shabbos (Sabbath) early an individual is forbidden to perform melachah (labor) even though Shabbos has not technically begun.
What is ...
8
votes
3answers
170 views
How to respond to excessive talking in a synagogue
If there is a lot of talking (or other halakhic impropriety) in a synagogue, what are some of the considerations that go into the decision regarding what to do about it?
Here are some ideas of what ...
8
votes
2answers
102 views
Haftara reading customs
There seems to be a wide range of customs with regard to reading the haftara. In some shuls (mostly Chassidic) the one who is called up recites the berachah, and everyone then says the haftara quietly ...
8
votes
2answers
116 views
Obligation of community to support those who study Torah?
Is the community obligated to support financially those who study Torah all day long? Is one allowed to request such support from the community based on his choice to study full-day and not make a ...
8
votes
1answer
172 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 ...
7
votes
1answer
76 views
Agudath Israel not in the Conference of Presidents
Does anyone know why Agudath Israel of America is not a member of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations?
7
votes
3answers
364 views
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 ...
7
votes
1answer
101 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
2answers
93 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
1answer
176 views
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
1answer
271 views
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
1answer
93 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 ...
7
votes
0answers
86 views
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) ...
7
votes
0answers
83 views
If one says “Kiddush Levana” alone, does one say “Sholom Aleichem”? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Shalom Aleichem in Kiddush Levanah
If one says "Kiddush Levana" alone, does one say "Sholom Aleichem"? Since there is no-one to answer, it does not seem to make sense. ...
7
votes
2answers
133 views
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 ...
6
votes
1answer
181 views
How to increase the demand for kosher food?
I live in the Hartford Connecticut area and while the population of people who practice the Jewish faith is increasing, the ability to find Kosher food is on the decline. Even the local Kosher grocery ...
6
votes
2answers
179 views
6
votes
1answer
97 views
Why have I never seen “Prisoh al shema”?
“Prisoh al shema”
A good summary is to be found in a shiur from the The Israel Koschitzky Virtual Beit Midrash.
In short, “…. ten men who prayed alone can subsequently fulfill their obligations ...
6
votes
1answer
116 views
What opportunities do Orthodox women have to learn and participate in their communities outside the home?
I've visited several Orthodox communities but never been part of one. One of the things that has always been a stumbling-block for me is the role of women. Here are two things I've observed about ...
6
votes
1answer
111 views
Supporting new charities
There are myriad charities out there.
If a community has multiple Shuls, schools, Mikvaoth, food pantries, and גמ"חs, and new entities open up fulfilling the same role(s), and the new entities' ...
5
votes
3answers
235 views
Missing Barchu by 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?
5
votes
4answers
190 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?
5
votes
2answers
118 views
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
1answer
100 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
2answers
190 views
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 ...
5
votes
1answer
130 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
1answer
144 views
Should the Shliach Tzibur say end-verses quietly to himself before saying them out loud?
The Shliach Tzibur reads most prayers quietly until (about) the last verse, and then reads the last verse out loud (either for the congregation to follow along, or for them to answer Amen). Should the ...
5
votes
0answers
46 views
Can a synagogue appropriate the contents of charity boxes not removed before a specified time?
There are lots of charity boxes from different organisations put out on a table in the foyer of our synagogue on Purim.
The wardens have attached a note that says that boxes not taken away by the end ...
4
votes
2answers
165 views
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, or continue in your tefilla, or just not say anything?
4
votes
1answer
68 views
Must a publicly owned building be cleaned for Passover?
Is the community responsible to have publicly owned buildings (such as synagogues, batei midrashot and libraries) cleaned for pesach? Does it matter if it will be used or not over the holiday?
If ...
4
votes
2answers
62 views
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?
...
4
votes
2answers
71 views
Men davening in the women's section while they catch up
A seemingly knowledgeable guy who davens with me early each morning is sometimes found in the women's section (which is usually empty during that service). He says that he learned that from a ...
4
votes
0answers
46 views
Should the leaders of Jewish organisations be elected or appointed?
Organisations, including synagogues, are set up by people with common interests or concerns.
As such organisations develop, they need to provide for their future leadership.
Are there sources that ...
3
votes
1answer
143 views
How do we meet Jews without the religious worship?
How can people of Jewish heritage meet others of like mind when they are new to a city? That is, without the trappings of organized RELIGIOUS worship, etc.
We are an adult married couple, with adult ...
