Three steps back for the chazan?

Hi,

Normally, one concludes the amidah by taking three steps backward. A chazan does not do this after concluding the repetition of the amidah, though; the chazan's three steps backward at the end of the kaddish shalem [whole kaddish] count for him.

If the minyan switches chazanim before the kaddish shalem, then the chazan who recited the amidah should take three steps backward.

(Rivivot Ephraim 1:96)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Birchat Kohanim without a minyan

Hi,

If a minyan is davening, and after the chazan began the repetition of the amidah one of them left the room, the chazan completes the repetition, but they should not perform birchat kohanim. Birchat kohanim is actually a separate ritual, which is embedded in the amidah.

(Rivivot Ephraim 1:92)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The fast chazan

Hi,

One may not answer with Amen to a blessing in chazarat hashatz (the repetition of the amidah) once the chazan has begun the next blessing. Therefore, the chazan is required to wait for the minyan to respond Amen before beginning the next blessing.

(Rivivot Ephraim 1:88:1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Picking up as chazan

Hi,

One who comes into the synagogue while the community is reciting the silent amidah should not serve as the chazan to repeat the amidah aloud unless he first recites the silent amidah as well. However, this rule may be waived where no one else can serve as the chazan.

(Rivivot Ephraim 1:86)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

I davened already

Hi,

One who is in a room with a minyan may not speak when the chazan is repeating the amidah (chazarat hashatz), even if he is not davening with that minyan.

(Rivivot Ephraim 1:83)

חג כשר ושמח,
Mordechai

While waiting to repeat the amidah

Hi,

The chazan should not speak between completion of his silent amidah and the start of the repetition of the amidah. Even learning Torah during that time is inappropriate; he should use the time to prepare himself to lead the davening.

(Rivivot Ephraim 1:50:16)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Speaking during chazarat hashatz (the repetition of the amidah)

Hi,

One must conduct himself during the repetition of the amidah (shemoneh esreih) as though he was fulfilling his personal obligation to pray with the chazan's recitation. Therefore, one may not speak even when the chazan is silent.

One also may not speak during recitation of added piyutim (poems), inlcuding those recited by everyone and those recited exclusively by the chazan.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 5:20:9)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Learning during chazarat hashatz (the repetition of the amidah)

Hi,

One should not learn Torah during the repetition of the amidah. There are a few concerns:

1. At least 10 men must pay attention to every word of the amidah;

2. All of those who are present are obligated to pay attention to the end of each berachah and answer Amen;

3. Even if there are ten who pay attention to every word, and even if the one who is learning is careful to pay attention sufficiently to answer Amen, others may misunderstand and assume that all learning is permitted.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:19)

Have a great day,
Mordechai