by Rabbi Nachum Scheiner, Night Kollel & Morning Kollel
Announcements at Maariv Before Shmoneh Esrei
Although it is clear that one should not talk between geula and tefillah – even during Maariv – the Shulchan Aruch (O”C 236:2) quotes the Rashba that announcing “Yaaleh V’yavo” is something needed for the davening and is not a hefsek. The Mishna Berura adds that not only Rosh Chodesh – which is Min Hatorah – or Tal Umatar – which if forgotten would require one to daven over – is allowed. Even announcing to recite “Al Hanisim” is also something needed for the davening and does not constitute a hefsek.
The Mateh Moshe quotes his rebbi, the Maharshal, who takes issue with this ruling, and does not allow making any announcements. He writes that it would be preferable to have the gabai start davening earlier and say the words “yaaleh v’yavo” out loud. This is also the opinion of the Be’er Heitev (422:1). The poskim point out that this is only something that we allow the gabai to do; for others to “make announcements” in the middle of shmoneh esrei would be a lack of respect for the davening.
Announcing Al Hanisim on Chanuka
This question takes an interesting twist in regards to the yom tov of Chanuka. Should the gabai announce “Al Hanisim” on Chanuka? The Likutei Mahariach writes that on the nights of Chanuka, the minhag is not to make an announcement. Since the menorah is lit in front of the shul, everyone is well aware that it is Chanuka, and no reminders are necessary.
The Difference Between Maariv and Shachris
Until now we discussed the rules of Maariv, which has certain leniencies, since davening Maariv is considered less of a requirement. When it comes to Shachris however, the Mishna Berura (Shaar Hatziun 236:4) writes, there are no announcements allowed.
Similarly, he writes (Shaar Hatziun 236:6) in regards to skipping shma and its brochos to recite shmoneh esrei with the tzibur. When it comes to Maariv the halacha is that one who walks in late to the shul and they are about to start shmoneh esrei of Maariv, he davens along with them and recites shma afterwards, in order to have tefillah b’tzibur. (This is only true if there are no other minyanim readily available.) This is because at Maariv, the importance of tefillah b’tzibur takes precedence over connecting geulah and tefillah. However, at Shachris, one cannot skip shma and its brochos, in order to have tefillah b’tzibur, because the importance of connecting geulah and tefillah at Shachris is greater than davening with a minyan.
Answering Amein After Go’al Yisroel
The Mechaber in Shulchan Aruch (66:7, 111:1) writes that one who is about to start shmoneh esrei at Shachris is not allowed to answer amein after the chazzan recites the brocha of Go’al Yisroel, since it would be a hefsek. The Rama disagrees with this ruling and writes that it is not a hefsek. What is the right thing to do?
The Mishna Berura offers a way out of the dilemma, and suggests that one should finish the brocha along with the chazzan, and then all agree that one does not answer amein. In some places the chazzan finishes off the brocha quietly. Some poskim like this idea, and others do not.
In Summary
- The Shulchan Aruch rules that the gabai can announce “yaaleh v’yavo” or the like at Maariv, but not at Shachris. Others maintain that it is a hefsek.
- At Maariv, davening with the tzibur takes precedence over smichas geula l’tfilah, but not at Shachris.
- There is machlokes if one can answer amein after Go’al Yisroel.
Rabbi Scheiner
