Chazarat HaShatz

From Halachipedia

Chazal instituted that after a minyan prays Shemona Esreh the Shaliach Tzibbur should repeat Shemona Esreh aloud. [1]Although the reason Chazal instituted this practice was in order to fulfill the obligation of those who didn't know how to say Shemona Esreh on their own, this practice is still an obligation for a minyan of people who are all capable of saying Shemona Esreh themselves.[2]

Practices during Chazarat HaShatz

  1. When the Shaliach Tzibbur is saying Chazarat HaShatz, the congregation should listen and answer Amen. If there's not a minyan of people answering Amen it is like the Brachot that the Shaliach Tzibbur is saying are Brachot Levatala.[3]
  2. Some say that the congregation should stand during the Chazarat HaShatz. Some have the practice to sit.[4]
  3. According to the Sepharadic custom, at the beginning of the Chazarat HaShatz, the Shaliach Tzibur should say the pasuk "Hashem Sefatay Tiftach ..." aloud. According to the Ashkenazic custom, at the beginning of the Chazarat HaShatz, the Shaliach Tzibur should say the pasuk "Hashem Sefatay Tiftach ..." softly. [5]
  4. If the Shalich Tzibur mistakenly forgot to say kedusha in the Chazarat HaShatz, as long as he remembered before finishing the Beracha of "Ata Kadosh" he may go back, recite kedusha, and continue again with "Ata Kadosh." [6]
  5. If the Shaliach Tzibur made a mistake during his silent Amida which would entail repeating his Amida, such as, forgetting to say "Yaale VeYavo ..." on Rosh Chodesh, he should not go back and repeat his silent Amida. Rather, he should continue with the Chazarat HaShatz, and when he comes to the point where he made a mistake, he should have in mind to fulfill his obligation. [7]

When to start Chazarat HaShatz

  1. Some say that if the Shaliach Tzibbur is ready to start the Chazarat HaShatz and there's someone praying behind him, it's permitted to take the three steps back before beginning Chazarat HaShatz. [8]However, some say that one should say Aseh HaShalom without taking the three steps back until after Chazarat HaShatz. [9]
  2. If there's minyan of ten people and one person is praying a lengthy silent Shemona Esheh, it's preferable to wait for him, however, if there are needs such as if the minyan will separate or if it's a bother to congregation to wait, they may begin Chazarat HaShatz even though one is still saying Shemona Esreh.[10]

References

  1. S"A 124:1
  2. S"A 124:3, Yalkut Yosef 124:1
  3. S"A 124:4
  4. Rama 124:4 writes that some say one should stand during Chazarat HaShatz. See Mishna Brurah 124:20 who writes that the earlier practice was to listen to Chazarat HaShatz standing so that it was like one is actually praying through Shomea KeOneh, however, because of our sins in our days people do whatever they like and some sit.
  5. Yalkut Yosef, Siman 124, Seif 1.
  6. Yalkut Yosef 124:10
  7. Yalkut Yosef, Siman 124, Seif 8.
  8. Avnei Yishpeh 5:15
  9. Halichot Shlomo (Tefillah pg 289)
  10. Tzitz Eliezer 12:9