Question: Should the chazan end Chazaras HaShatz with the words “es amo va’shalom” or should he add the pasuk of “Yih’yu l’ratzon imrei fi...”?
Short Answer: Although the Rama rules that the pasuk of “Yih’yu l’ratzon imrei fi...” need not (and thus should not) be added by the chazan, most poskim disagree and rule that it should be recited.
Explanation:
I. To Say or Not to Say?
The Sefer Ohel Moed (cited in the Beis Yosef, Orach Chayim 123) rules that a chazan should not add the pasuk of “Yih’yu l’ratzon imrei fi...” to the end of his repetition. However, the Beis Yosef (ibid) argues and suggests that since the chazan is starting the repetition of Sh’moneh Esrei with the words “Hashem s’fasai tiftach,” he should end with the pasuk of “Yih’yu l’ratzon imrei fi...”
The Shulchan Aruch (ibid) only mentions that the chazan should start the repetition with the words “Hashem s’fasai tiftach,” but does not rule on the pasuk of “Yih’yu l’ratzon imrei fi...” The Rama (ibid), on the other hand, rules that the chazan should not end with the pasuk of “Yih’yu l’ratzon imrei fi...”
II. The Reasoning
The Magen Avraham (ibid, 14) explains the Rama that the chazan does not recite the pasuk of “Yih’yu l’ratzon imrei fi...” because he will anyway be ending his Sh’moneh Esrei and asking Hashem to accept his prayers through the pasuk of “Tiskabal Tz’los’hon” in Kaddish after Ashrei/U’va L’Tzion. Accordingly, the Aderes (T’filah LaDerech, p. 49) rules that a shul should not switch the chazan after Chazaras HaShatz, but rather before Ashrei/U’va L’Tzion.
Nevertheless, the Sh’lah (cited in the Magen Avraham) and the Vilna Gaon rule that the pasuk of “Yih’yu l’ratzon imrei fi...” should be recited by the chazan. The Mishnah B’rurah (ibid, 21) cites both opinions but appears to follow the Vilna Gaon and the Sh’lah. Similarly, the Aruch HaShulchan (ibid, 8) notes that the custom is to recite the pasuk of “Yih’yu l’ratzon imrei fi...”
The T’shuvos V’Hanhagos (2:295) explains that clearly the Vilna Gaon understands that the Sh’moneh Esrei ends after the 19 b’rachos, and the rest of t’filah is not a part of the Sh’moneh Esrei.
Moreover, the Be’er Sarim (2:47) cites the Shulchan HaTohar who notes that any chazan who does not recite the pasuk of “Yih’yu l’ratzon imrei fi...” is violating the words of the Chachamim. Indeed, the Birur Halachah (p. 305) concludes that even though we cannot ignore the words of the Rama who rules that the chazan should not recite the pasuk of “Yih’yu l’ratzon imrei fi...,” nevertheless, the majority opinion is that the chazan should recite “Yih’yu l’ratzon imrei fi...”
III. The Exceptions
An exception to the ruling of the Rama is where a new chazan will be substituted before Ashrei/U’va L’Tzion. The Leket HaKemach (cited in Ishei Yisrael, 24:53) notes that in such a case, “Yih’yu l’ratzon imrei fi...” should be recited after the repetition, as this chazan will not be reciting the pasuk of “Tiskabal Tz’los’hon” in Kaddish after Ashrei/U’va L’Tzion.
Additionally, the Riv’vos Ephraim (3:168:21) notes another exception to the ruling of the Rama. As mentioned above, the whole reason why the Rama rules that the chazan should not recite the pasuk of “Yih’yu l’ratzon imrei fi...” is because he will anyway be ending his Sh’moneh Esrei and asking Hashem to accept his prayers through the pasuk of “Tiskabal Tz’los’hon” in Kaddish after Ashrei/U’va L’Tzion. Thus, on Tish’ah B’Av, where the chazan does not recite the pasuk of “Tiskabal Tz’los’hon” in Kaddish, the chazan should recite “Yih’yu l’ratzon imrei fi...” after the repetition.
IV. Out Loud or Softly?
The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (20:7) rules that the chazan should recite the pasuk of “Yih’yu l’ratzon imrei fi...” softly and not out loud.
On the other hand, the Kaf HaChayim (cited in Piskei T’shuvos 123:7) cites the Ari HaKadosh who says that it should be recited out loud. The T’shuvos V’Hanhagos (3:40) suggests that, according to the Vilna Gaon, this phrase ends the repetition, so it should also be recited out loud.
Next Week’s Topic: May a chazan start Chazaras HaShatz immediately after finishing his silent Sh’moneh Esrei?
Rabbi Ephraim Glatt, Esq. is Assistant to the Rabbi at the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills and a practicing litigation attorney. Questions? Comments? Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
