Question: I have been asked to blow shofar for people who are housebound.
Should I repeat the berachos each time even though I have already
fulfilled the mitzva?
Answer: The Gemara (Rosh Hashana 29a with Rashi; Shavuos 39a) teaches that
Jewish people are spiritually responsible for each other. As such, one person
can recite certain berachos for another even if they don’t need to
recite it themselves. The Magen Avraham (167:40) explains that because of this
responsibility (arvus), if one knows that another person hasn’t
performed a mitzva, it is almost as if they haven’t performed the mitzva
themselves. Therefore, one who has already fulfilled their obligation for kiddush
can recite kiddush for another person who has not.
There is a machlokes as to
whether one can recite a beracha on a mitzva that one is not
commanded to perform. The Shulchan Aruch (OC 589:6) writes that as women are
not obligated to hear the shofar, they do not recite the beracha as
they cannot say vetzivanu, that ‘we are commanded’. Accordingly, a man
blowing for women could not recite the beracha on their behalf.
R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer OC 1:39-42;
4:50; 5:43) writes that this is the practice for sefardim, and women should
not recite the beracha of shehecheyanu either. However, ashkenazim follow the
Rema who writes that women can recite the beracha as the Jewish people
were commanded collectively. Other sefardim follow the Ben Ish Chai (Rav
Poalim OC 1 Sod Yesharim 12) and Kaf Hachaim (OC 589:23) who write that women
may recite the berachos.
Nonetheless, the Rema writes that a man
may not recite the beracha if blowing shofar for women if he has
already heard shofar. The Rema (Darkei Moshe OC 589:2) quotes the
Maharil who writes that a man may recite the beracha for a woman who cannot do so. Yet, the Rema
disagrees, writing that while women may say the beracha if they want to,
it remains optional, and so a man shouldn’t do so on their behalf.
The Mishna Berura (585:5) writes that even
when blowing for other men, it is ideal for the ones listening to recite the berachos,
rather than the one blowing shofar
to repeat them.
In conclusion, one blowing shofar after
they have already fulfilled the mitzva should ask one of those listening to
recite the berachos. He may recite the berachos on behalf of
other men if necessary.
Sunday, 13 September 2020
Blowing Shofar for Another
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