Answering Minyan one isn’t part of

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Must one answer Amen, and answer to Kaddish and Kedusha of a Minyan that he is not participating in?

Not in same room as Minyan: If one is not in the same room as the Minyan and hears Kaddish or Kedusha, some Poskim[1] rule that although he is allowed to answer to the Minyan, nevertheless he is not obligated to do so. Other Poskim[2] however rule that he is obligated to answer, even if he is in another room and is not participating in the Minyan. If however one is in the middle of a Mitzvah, such as Davening or learning Torah, he is not obligated to answer.[3]

In same room as Minyan: If one is in the same room as the Minyan then [according to all] he is obligated to answer together with them for Kaddish and Kedusha, and answer Amen to their Bracha.[4] If however one is in the middle of a Mitzvah, such as Davening or learning Torah, he is not obligated to answer.[5] However even in such a case one should answer for Kedusha and Modim, in order so he not explicitly exclude himself from the congregation.[6] However if a public Shiur is taking place in the room, then the participants of the Shiur are not to answer to any matter, even if they are in the same room.[7]

 

[1][1] Implication of wording of Admur and Michaber 55/22shay who write “he is allowed to answer” and not “he is obligated to answer”; See Halichos Shlomo 9 footnote 8; Ishei Yisrael 24 footnote 2; Tzitz Eliezer 11/3; Rivivos Efraim 1/89; Piskeiy Teshuvos 55/29

[2] Kaneh Bosem 3/4; Ishei Yisrael ibid in name of Chazon Ish; See also Igros Kodesh 15/185 regarding answering Kaddish and Kedusha between the Sel Yad and Shel Rosh that the wording of “permitted” used by Admur in the Siddur implies that one is obligated to answer

[3] Toras Chaim Sofer 66/8 that one who is involved in a Mitzvah is exempt from a Mitzvah; Ashel Avraham Butchach 215; Orchos Chaim 124/6; Salmas Chaim 62; Kinyan Torah 2/36; 4/9; Pischa Zuta 5; Shevet Halevi 9/43; Tzitz Eliezer 11/3; Teshuvos Vehanhagos 2/73-74; Yabia Omer 9/3; Piskeiy Teshuvos 51/11 and 55/29; Vetzaruch Iyun from Igros Kodesh ibid that one is obligated to answer in-between the Shel Yad and Shel Rosh even though one is in the midst of a Mitzvah.

[4] Admur 215/1 regarding answering Amen to a blessing; Shevet Halevi 9/43 regarding Amen for Birchas Hashachar; See Toras Chaim Sofer ibid “He is obligated to answer [Kaddish and Kedusha] in order so he does not appear like one who denies what the congregation is saying”

[5] Toras Chaim Sofer 66/8 that one who is involved in a Mitzvah is exempt from a Mitzvah; Shevet Halevi 9/43; Tzitz Eliezer 11/3; Salmas Chaim 62; Kinyan Torah 2/36; 4/9; Pischa Zuta 5; Teshuvos Vehanhagos 2/73-74; Yabia Omer 9/3; Shearim Hametzuyanim Behalacha 20/3; Piskeiy Teshuvos 51/11 and 55/29 and 124/8; See also Ashel Avraham Butchach 215; Orchos Chaim 124/6; Vetzaruch Iyun from Igros Kodesh ibid that one is obligated to answer in-between the Shel Yad and Shel Rosh even though one is in the midst of a Mitzvah.

[6] Halichos Shlomo 9/6; Piskeiy Teshuvos 51 footnote 95 and 124 footnote 83 and 215/4 based on Poskim in previous footnote

[7] Emek Hateshuvah 1/1; Shearim Hametzuyanim Behalacha 20/3; Piskeiy Teshuvos 215/4

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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