Rabbi Yishai Natan - Q: Does the hazzan have to wait until nine people have finished Shemoneh Esreh before starting Hazarat HaShatz, or can he may begin once six have finished and the other four are still praying? A: Maran writes in Shulhan Aruch (O.H. 124:4) that if there are not nine people paying attention to the blessings of the hazzan, his blessings are “close to … [Read more...]
Lech Lecha – Saying Korbanot
Rabbi Yishai Natan - 1. Why Do We Say Korbanot? Gemara (Ta'anit 27b): In this week's parasha, Lech Lecha, Hashem promises Avraham Avinu that his descendants will inherit Eretz Yisrael. Avraham asks (Bereshit 15:8): במה אדע כי אירשנה — How will I know that I will inherit it? The Gemara explains that Avraham was concerned that the Jewish people might sin and be … [Read more...]
Hotel Minibar Swap
Rabbi Yishai Natan - I recently stayed at a Jewish-owned hotel. The refrigerator in my room was fully stocked with different drinks, but the prices were extremely high. I wanted a cold soda, but I saw that the hotel was charging $8 for a can that I could buy for about $1 from a vending machine down the street. I felt that charging $8 for a simple can of soda was not … [Read more...]
Car Service Broke Down Halfway
Rabbi Yishai Natan - I hired a car service to take me from Lakewood to JFK Airport. The car service told me that the trip should take about two hours and would cost $200. Halfway through the ride, the car developed mechanical problems. The driver pulled over because it was dangerous to continue. I had a flight to catch and could not wait around for him to fix the car, so I … [Read more...]
Barechu Bowing
Rabbi Yishai Natan - Q: Is a hazzan supposed to bow when saying Barechu et Hashem? Should the rest of the kehillah bow when answering Baruch Hashem Hamevorach? A: HaRav Tzelah, Av Bet Din of Tehman (Tachliel Etz Haim 78), writes that the minhag is for the hazzan to bow when he says Barechu, as is stated in the Kol Bo (siman 8). He also brings a Midrash in which Rebbi … [Read more...]