Hearing Zachor in a Sefardi Shul

Question: I daven nusach Ashkenaz though occasionally daven in a Sefardi shul on Shabbos morning. Is it permissible for me to hear Parshas Zachor there?

Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 685:7) states that there is a mitzva mideoraisa to listen to Parshas Zachor.

R’ Zvi Pesach Frank (Har Zvi OC 1:4), R’ Yitzchak Yaakov Weiss (Minchas Yitzchak 3:9; 4:47:3) and R’ Moshe Sternbuch (Teshuvos Vehanhagos 1:154) write that as there are advantages to the Ashkenazi pronunciation, one who usually davens with an Ashkenazi pronunciation should not switch to a Sefardi one.

Conversely, R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer OC 6:11) explains that as there are advantages to the Sefardi pronunciation, those who daven with a Sefardi pronunciation should not change to Ashkenazi pronunciation. He notes that he often advises Sefardi bachurim studying in Ashkenazi yeshivos to attend a Sefardi shul specifically to hear Parshas Zachor.

R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 3:5; 4:65) explains that during the time of the first Beis Hamikdash, everyone spoke with a similar pronunciation. Variations arose only after the exile. He emphasises that while individuals should maintain their nusach, all legitimate pronunciations are valid.

R’ Zvi Pesach Frank (Mikraei Kodesh, Arba Parshiyos 1:n7) writes that those who usually daven with an Ashkenazi pronunciation should make a point to hear Parshas Zachor read in the Ashkenazi pronunciation when possible (see Rivevos Ephraim 5:584:4; Piskei Teshuvos 685:10).

Nevertheless, R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichos Shlomo, Purim 18:1) rules that one fulfils the mitzva bedieved, regardless of the nusach in which Parshas Zachor is heard (see Yalkut Yosef 685:13).

In conclusion, ideally one should make every effort to hear Parshas Zachor in one’s own nusach. However, if circumstances dictate otherwise, one fulfils the obligation regardless of the nusach observed in the shul they attend.

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