Question: I noticed that barechu is recited at the end of shacharis and maariv in Eretz Yisrael, but not in my shul. If someone arrives late and misses barechu, is it appropriate to recite it afterward?
Answer: The Beis Yosef (OC
133) quotes the Rivash (334), who notes that some objected to the practice of
reciting barechu at the conclusion of davening. Barechu
serves as an introduction to the berachos before Shema, much like a zimmun
serves as an introduction to bentching. He observes that Rambam does not mention this practise.
However, the Rema (OC 133:1; Darchei Moshe 69)
justifies the practice, explaining that it is recited at the end of davening
for the benefit of latecomers who may have missed the earlier recitation. On
Shabbos and Yom Tov, however, this repetition is generally omitted, as it is
presumed that everyone arrived on time for barechu (see Mishna Berura
133:2).
The Ben Ish Chai (Rav Poalim OC 4:8) and Kaf
Hachaim (OC 133:1) maintain that barechu should always be repeated, even
on Shabbos and Yom Tov, for kabbalistic reasons.
The Magen Avraham
(69:1, quoting the Rema Mipano 84), Shulchan Aruch Harav (OC 69:4) and Mishna
Berura (69:intro) write that barechu should only be repeated if someone
in the tzibbur arrived late and missed it, unless omitting it would
cause a machlokes.
The Mahari Abuhav (cited by the Beis Yosef OC
69:1) argues that barechu should not be repeated unless it is followed
by actual berachos, as this avoids the appearance of heresy, where one
invites others to bless Hashem but no berachos are recited. Nonetheless, the Rema (Darchei Moshe OC 69:1)
disputes this concern, reasoning that the tzibbur’s response, “Baruch
Hashem ha’mevorach le’olam va’ed,” fulfils this requirement (see Magen
Avraham 69:1; Ohr Letzion 2:5:15).
In conclusion, the practice of repeating barechu at the end of davening varies significantly between communities. In many kehillos, particularly sefardi ones and those in Eretz Yisrael, barechu is recited at the conclusion of shacharis and maariv daily, while some repeat it only during the week. In some cases, only individuals who arrived late are expected to recite barechu after davening, while other kehillos avoid repeating it altogether.
