Chazzan Saying Kedusha Aloud

Question: When the chazzan recites kedusha during chazaras hashatz, should he say the pesukim together with the tzibbur, or only after they have finished?

Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 104:7) rules that one who is still davening shemoneh esrei when the chazzan reaches kedusha should pause and listen quietly, fulfilling their obligation through shomea ke’oneh. The Mishna Berura (104:27) likewise emphasises that someone davening must remain silent during kaddish so that they can hear the chazzan say yehei shemei rabba.

The Taz (OC 125:2) and R’ Akiva Eiger (OC 125:1) write that the tzibbur should recite the pesukim together with the chazzan, who says them aloud. However, if the chazzan begins after the tzibbur, those relying on shomea ke’oneh may simply not hear him. The Mishna Berura (Biur Halacha 125:2) notes that the chazzan should not recite a davar shebikedusha entirely on his own, and therefore raises the possibility of beginning slightly later than the tzibbur. R’ Shmuel Wosner (Shevet Halevi 9:276:2) points out that the Mishna Berura does not issue a firm conclusion on the matter, and therefore later poskim discussed the correct practice.

R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 3:4) argues that the chazzan should not say the pesukim together with the tzibbur; rather, he should wait until they complete the pesukim and then recite them aloud on his own. Similarly, R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer OC 6:16:2) writes that if the chazzan is able to project his voice above the tzibbur so that he is heard distinctly, he may say the pesukim together with them; otherwise, he should wait until the tzibbur has finished and only then recite them aloud.

In conclusion, if the chazzan can project his voice so that his words are heard even as the tzibbur recites the pesukim, he should say them together with the congregation. If his voice will be lost within the tzibbur, he should wait for the tzibbur to finish and then recite the pesukim himself.

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