The Tzitz Eliezer (Shu”t Vol 14:24) shows that the recital of “Vayechulu” out loud with ten is a fulfilment of:ונקדשתי בתוך בני ישראל - “Sanctify my name amongst Klal Yisroel”, the mitzvah of kiddush Hashem, as is clear from the Pri Megodim (268, Mishbetzois Zahav s.k. 5). Therefore, just like one can answer kedusha out loud with the tzibbur even if he is in the middle of his silent shemonah esrei, similarly one can say “Vayechulu” (this is also the ruling of the Devar Yehoshua pg. 13 ois 7 and the Shu”t Neharois Eison Vol. 2, siman 17).
The Tzitz Elizer adds: Although the Chazon Ish argues on the Pri Megodim, that’s only regarding the second recital of “Vayechulu” after shemonah esrei, however, here he will agree that one should say it out loud together with the tzibbur. His main argument is that one has already fulfilled his obligation in the silent shemonah esrei, and repeating it is just a hiddur, in our case, however, one hasn’t even said it once.
R Shlomah Zalman (Halichos Shlomah - Hilchos Tefillah 14:5) also takes on with simplicity that one should say “Vayechulu” together with the tzibbur, however, he says that it should be said quietly. He adds: Even if one already said “Vayechulu” in his silent shemonah esrei, and as soon as he finished the tzibbur starts to say it, he may repeat it again, as it’s like doubling over part of a berachah which is allowed.
Saying “Vayechulu” Together with Someone on the Other Side of the Street
During the period of Corona, many people davened at home, alone. However, there were people who lived opposite each other on opposite sides of the street, and they wanted to say “Vayechulu” together on Friday night. However, they weren’t sure if according to the Mishnah Berurah who learns that the recital of “Vayechulu” is proper eidus if they could join together, being as there was a street between them.
R' Zilberstein (Chasukei Chemed, Makkos 6b) discusses a similar shailah and he writes: The idea behind saying “Vayechulu” as two is because we are given eidus that Hashem created the world, therefore, even if there is reshus harabbim in the way, as long as they can see each other it is good enough. If two people give eidus in Beis Din, and one says eidus from this place, and the second says from another place they join together, therefore, here as well it is ok.
Although, there is room to differentiate, as the Magen Avraham (268:10) asks why the Tur writes that “’Vayechulu’ needs to be recited together”, as by eidus we don’t find that witnesses need to testify together, in fact, they give eidus one after the other? The Chazon Ish (38 s.k. 10) explains that the reason it should be said together is: דבזה איכא היכרא ופרסומא מלתא טפי – “This way it is more distinct and more public”. And if two people are standing on opposite sides of the street, perhaps it’s not considered enough of a pirsum [publication]. He concludes with tzorich iyun.
Is It Ok to Recite “Vayechulu” With a Ba’al Aveirah?
We saw above that saying “Vayechulu” according to the Mishnah Berurah has a din of eidus and that one should say it together with another person. What is the halachah if one davened shemonah esrei slowly, and by the time he finished the only person available to say “Vayechulu” with is someone who is a ba’al aveirah and disqualified from giving eidus?
R’ Zilberstein was asked this question and he cites the Gemara in Shabbos we mentioned above which says: כל המתפלל בערב ש בת ואומר ויכולו שני מלאכי השרת המלוין לו לאדם מניחין ידיהם על ראשו ואומרים לו וסר עוונך וחטאתך תכופר – “Anyone who davens on Shabbos evening (Friday night) and recites “Vayechulu”, the two ministering angels who accompany the person at all times place their hands on his head and say to him: “And your iniquity has passed, and your sin has been atoned”. We see that one who recites “Vayechulu” is forgiven for his sins, therefore, “Vayechulu” may be said together with someone who is a ba’al aveirah, as now he is atoned.
Believe it or not, we have just scratched the surface of what there is to discuss about the recital of “Vayechulu” on Friday night, and we will iy’H continue this topic next week.