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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 use the congregation's nusach whenever it's readily apparent to people around me which nusach I'm using (e.g. parts which are said aloud), but I may use my own nusach when I can do so unobtrusively (e.g. the silent Amida).

What if I'm leading the prayers? Clearly, for nearly everything, I'd use the congregation's nusach, but what about for the silent Amida, which is, of course, purely silent and presumably private? Is the rule different for prayers that include a repetition of the Amida (morning and afternoon) and for prayers that don't (night)?

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Rav Moshe in the teshuvah you cite says

"And if on is the Sheliach Tzibur one must say according to the Nusach of the congregation even in his silent prayer since he is to order his prayers. " Igros Moshe O.C. Vol. 4, 33

I will try to supplement, since I believe there are those (such as the Divrei Yechezkel) who disagree.

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  • You beat me by two minutes!
    – Yahu
    Jun 10, 2010 at 4:30
  • Does that apply to Ma'ariv, as well?
    – Isaac Moses
    Jun 11, 2010 at 2:06
  • I don't think l'maaseh we treat ma'ariv differently than other t'fillos? Rav Moshe, it would seem, doesn't draw any distinctions.
    – Yirmeyahu
    Jun 11, 2010 at 4:38
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    R' Moshe's reason is because the purpose of the ST's silent Amidah is to get it in order for his loud repetition. This reasoning does not apply to Maariv. (As heard directly from Rav Ephraim Greenblatt.)
    – Yahu
    Jun 14, 2010 at 22:44
  • The Kitzur says "the sh"tz should use the silent Amida to practice for the repetition." I believe he's referring specifically to this case. So, add one more Acharon agreeing with this opinion.
    – Jeffiekins
    Feb 9, 2016 at 19:01
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According to Reb Moshe Feinstein, (I'll track down the exact Teshuvah when I get back from my trip) if one is the Shaliah Tzibbur, since the purpose of his silent Amidah is to prepare for the loud Hazarah, the S"T should use only the Nusah of the congregation even for his silent Amidah. Rav Elyashiv argues.

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    Whoops! Yirmiyahu beat me by two minutes!
    – Yahu
    Jun 10, 2010 at 4:30

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