Smichas Geula L’tfillah Part IV

by Rabbi Nachum Scheiner, Night Kollel & Morning Kollel

I would like to wrap up the topic of not interrupting between the brocha of Ga’al Yisroel and shmoneh esrei.

Smichas Geula L’tfillah on Shabbos

The Rama writes that according to some opinions, on Shabbos, one does not need to be concerned about interruption between geula and t'fillah. The reason for this is because the requirement to connect geula and t'fillah is based on the juxtaposition of the words “Hashem tzuri v’goali” and the words “yaanchah Hashem b’yom tzara.” This teaches us that right after we proclaim that Hashem is our Redeemer, we must immediately continue by praying the shmoneh esrei, and ask that He save us from all our troubles. Since Shabbos is not a day of distress, the whole concept does not apply.

The Rama rules that it is better to be careful on Shabbos not to interrupt between geula and t'fillah, unless there is a special need to do so.

Smichas Geula L’tfillah on Yom Tov

The Rama adds that Yom Tov, in this regard, is equivalent to a weekday and one may not interrupt. He explains that although Shabbos is not a day of distress, Yom Tov is. This is because on each Yom Tov there is a judgment going on, as the Mishna tells us in Rosh Hashana. The Mishna Berura adds another reason why Yom Tov is different from Shabbos. The day of Shabbos is always free from distress. On the other hand, the day of the week that Yom Tov falls – Sunday, Monday etc. – is generally a day of distress. Since, generally speaking, it is a day of distress, we should treat it as such, even though it is yom tov, and be sure to connect geula to t'fillah.

The difference between these two reasons would be in a case that Yom Tov falls on Shabbos. According to the reason of the Rama – that Yom Tov is a day of distress – it is true even if Yom Tov falls on Shabbos, and one should not interrupt. However, according to the reason of the Mishna Berura – that the day of the week is usually a day of distress – since Shabbos is never a day of distress, one would be allowed to interrupt if there is a need.

Summing Up the Topic of Smichas Geula L’tfillah

• There are a number of reasons for smichas geula l’tfillah:
  1. Immediately after one declares the greatness of Hashem and is close to Hashem is an auspicious time to daven.
  2. By davening immediately, one shows that he is indeed Hashem’s true servant.
  3. If one davens immediately, he is proclaiming his full belief and reliance on Hashem.
• Hashkiveinu is an extension of geula and is not a hefsek.
• Hashem Sifasi is an extension of t'fillah and is not a hefsek.
• Some have the custom to recite “Baruch Hashem L’olam” or “V’shumru,” as an extension of the geula and it is not a hefsek. Others – including the Gra and the Baal Hatanya – rule that it should not be said.
• The Shulchan Aruch rules that the gabai can announce “yaaleh v’yavo” or the like at Maariv, but not at Shachris. Others hold that it is a hefsek. That is why in some places they just give a “klap,” and assume that the congregants will get the message.
• At Maariv, davening with the tzibur takes precedence over smichas geula l’tfillah, but not at Shachris.
• There is machlokes if one can answer amein after Ga’al Yisroel.
• Some allow interruptions between geula and t'fillah on Shabbos, but Yom Tov is the same as a weekday.

Rabbi Scheiner