Ask the Rav: Your Questions - Our Answers
A global inbox meets timeless wisdom. Ask the Rav is a series built entirely on authentic questions sent from Jews around the world — from Brooklyn to Be’er Sheva, Melbourne to Manchester. Each question is a real-life dilemma, curiosity, or challenge answered with thoughtful and grounded halachic guidance.
Q&A
Answer
Since you daven Nusach Sefarad or Nusach Ari (Chabad), you should not make them up until after Chazaras HaShatz. However, one who Davens Nusach Ashkenaz, may recite them immediately after finishing Baruch She’amar, at any point before starting the blessing of Yishtabach—even if you have already begun Pesukei Dezimra after Baruch She’amar.
Answer
The individual was incorrect in what he stated, and was incorrect in pressuring you to transgress the halacha and take three steps back up prior to the Chazan reaching Kedusha.
Explanation:
While it is true that there is a custom among some people to not allow others to pass within the three-step space of someone who has not yet stepped forward after completing Shemoneh Esrei, nonetheless, this custom is not a binding halachic requirement and is only practiced by some. Furthermore, it is not based on the Shechinah remaining there, as in truth the Divine Presence departs once the prayer concludes. Rather, it is based on an idea that one is supposed to take a total of six steps, three back and three forward, at the conclusion of Shemoneh Esrei, and some individuals do not wish there to be an interval between these six steps and hence prevent others from passing within it. However, even this custom is only followed by a select few and according to the letter of the law, others may walk within that space. Accordingly, one who is not personally particular about this custom does not need to impose it on others as the custom applies primarily to the individual who finished Shemoneh Esrei, not to those around them. Thus, there is no room for one to hurry a person to take three steps back up when that person is not particular in this matter.
Furthermore, the Poskim explicitly negate this practice of people taking the three steps back up right away in order so another individual doesn’t walk within their three-step space, if doing so will compromise on the amount of time that they are meant to wait prior to taking three steps back up. When praying with the minyan, one is meant to wait until the Chazan reaches Kedusha, and hence pressuring someone to take the three steps back up before hand would be violating halacha for the sake of a nonbinding custom.
As a personal note I would like to mention that in contrast to the above stringency of not passing within a person’s three-step space, it is a clear halachic prohibition to walk in front of someone who is still in the middle of Shemoneh Esrei, as ruled explicitly in the Talmud and Shulchan Aruch. Likewise, one may not take three steps back if another person is still praying behind them within four cubits. It is thus surprising to me that some of the people who are meticulous about the former (which is not required) matter of not walking with the three-step space of a person who is after Shemoneh Esrei, neglect the latter and walk in front of people who are in middle of Shemoneh Esrei, which is an explicit halachic prohibition.
All this comes to emphasize the need for continuous study and review of halacha so one not come to make a mistake and override a prohibition due to a personal stringency.
Sources: See Admur 123:4; M”A 123:6; Lechem Chamudos Brachos 73; Ketzos Hashulchan 20:25; Kaf Hachaim 123:14; Piskeiy Teshuvos 123:3
Other Articles
From The Rav’s Desk: What to Do If a Kosher Knife Was Used on Non-Kosher Cold Food (Wednesday, 3rd Shevat)
Post Views: 21 What to Do If a Kosher Knife Was Used on Non-Kosher Cold Food Question I was staying with family members (who are not all religious) in an Airbnb when I accidentally used my kosher knife (which I brought with me) to cut a cold food item from
From the Rav’s Desk: A Yachid who Davened Mincha and Maariv within Plag Hamincha (Tuesday, 2nd Shevat)
Post Views: 19 Question: If I davened Mincha on Erev Shabbos about an hour before shkiah and then immediately davened Maariv afterwards—both within the time frame of plag hamincha—in order to begin my Friday night meal early, and I did so without a minyan. Am I required to repeat Maariv
From the Rav’s Desk: Halachic Responsibility for a Boarder’s Conduct in Your Home (Sunday, 29th Teves)
Post Views: 41 Question I have a teenage boarder living in my home who attends the local Frum high school and participates in activities such as listening to non-Jewish music and watching movies that their parents—and I personally—would not approve of and do not approve of for my own children.
From the Rav’s Desk: My Mezuzah fell off the door, should I replace it with a Bracha? (Monday, 23rd Teves)
Post Views: 57 My Mezuzah fell off the door, should I replace it with a Bracha? Question: My Mezuzah fell off the door, should I replace it with a Bracha? Answer: This matter is under debate in the Poskim. Practically, if the Mezuzah fell off the doorpost the blessing
From the Rav’s Desk: What to do if the Kesuba tore (Sunday, 22nd Teves)
Post Views: 40 What to do if the Kesuba tore Question: I was going through a number of old important files and came across my kesuba, which I intended to keep together with them. As I was sorting through my important documents—organizing bills, contracts, and certificates at my desk—I placed
From the Rav’s Desk: Maaser and Yard Sales: Do You Need to Separate Maaser When Selling Used Items?
Post Views: 56 Question: If I’m having a yard sale and selling many products, do I have to give maaser (tithe) from the income I make from the sales? Answer: You only need to separate maaser from sold items if you made a profit. This means that if the items
