Monday 29 July 2013
Kashrus of Scotch
Sunday 21 July 2013
Repeating Words in Davening
Question: I davened in a shul and the chazan repeated a number of words in chazaras hashatz. Should I have said something to him?
Answer: The Mishna (Berachos 33b) teaches that we must
silence one who repeats modim. The Gemara explains that one who does so,
appears like they are praying to two authorities, G-d forbid. Likewise, one
must not repeat shema (see Shulchan Aruch OC 121:2; 68:9).
The Maharam Schick (OC
31) writes that this prohibition extends to other parts of davening too,
giving five reasons for why one must not repeat words, including the
transgression of bal tosif, adding onto mitzvos. Adding words can
be both lying and a hefsek, an interruption. He adds that the Tur often
explains the significance to the number of words in various tefillos
(see Tur OC 51; 113; 114; 582).
R’ Moshe Feinstein
(Igros Moshe OC 2:22) stresses that a chazan must not repeat words
during chazaras hashatz even when
one is not distorting the meaning of the words (see Shemesh Marpei OC 4).
The Aruch Hashulchan (OC
338:8) notes that this issue is an old one and it is difficult to change old
habits. Nonetheless, we should be careful not to condemn widespread Jewish
practices.
In
conclusion, one should avoid repeating words, particularly in berachos
and pesukim. Nonetheless, while it may be appropriate for the Rabbi of
the shul to speak to the chazan, others should not criticize him.