Rav Hersh of Rimanov zy”a would recite Nishmas during Shacharis on Shabbos every week before the amud in a loud voice. He said the words with much enthusiasm and with a sweet tune. Sefer Beeros Hamayim relates that he once asked a question. What is the meaning of the words “nishmas kol chai sevarech” (the souls of every living being shall bless). Of course the souls should bless Hashem! Who would do it if not living souls? He answered that until this point, the soul and body blessed Hashem together. One we reach this part of the tefillah, however, one ascends beyond the physical aspects of his body, and his neshama blesses Hashem on its own.
My ancestor, the Yitav Lev of Sighet zy”a, was a student of Rav Hersh of Rimanov. However, his custom was only to recite out loud the end of Nishmas – beginning with the words “ad heina azarunu rachamecha”. He would say, “I don’t feel that I am on the level to say the entire Nishmas out loud. But when I get to ‘ad heina’, I can’t hold myself back from raising my voice.”
