Fwd: Halacha Yomis - Davening Outside, Accommodating 19 Men

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From: OU Kosher <noreply@ounetwork.org>
Date: Fri, Jun 19, 2020, 7:00 AM
Subject: Halacha Yomis - Davening Outside, Accommodating 19 Men
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Can a single person be part of two minyanim simultaneously?     The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis This column is dedicated in memory of: Rav Chaim Yisroel ben Reb Dov HaLevi Belsky, zt'l Senior OU Kosher Halachic Consultant from 1987-2016 Q. We try to limit the size of our minyan. If we get a large crowd, we split into two groups. Nineteen men came to daven Mincha. Can we split into two groups of nine and have one man stand in the middle and be part of both minyanim? A. The Minchas Yitzchak (2:45) was asked this question, and he ruled that this may not be done. First, there is a practical issue. Each member of the minyan must listen to the chazaras ha'shatz of his Shliach Tzibur and answer 'Amen' and Kedusha. One person cannot simultaneously listen to two Chazanim and participate properly in both minyanim. If this would be the only concern, then bedieved it should be acceptable, since Shulchan Aruch (OC 55:6) rules that even if someone is asleep he may still be counted towards the minyan, even though he does not participate at all. However, there is a more fundamental issue. Minchas Yitzchak proves that a person cannot be mitzuraf (joined) to two minyanim. Once he is part of one minyan, he can no longer join up with the second. In this case, one suggestion would be to form a minyan of ten, and then after the minyan finishes, one of the ten can remain and be part of the next minyan. More about this program and to subscribe visit https://oukosher.org/halacha-yomis-email/ View archive on https://oukosher.org/halacha-yomis/ Subscriber comments and questions related to this mailing can be sent to GerstenE@ou.org. These questions and their answers may be selected to become one of the Q and A's on OU Kosher Halacha Yomis. Dedicated by Gerald and Karin Feldhamer in memory of their parents R' Moshe ben R' Elyokim Getzel Feldhamer and Pesha bas Reb Mordechai R' Avrohom Abba ben R' Chaim Finkelstein and Taube bas R' Yissocher Dov HaKohen In memory of R' Kalman ben R' Moshe Feldhamer   **NEW from OU Press** Halacha Yomis: A Daily Halachic Companion Halacha Yomis is now available as a highly readable compendium of practical laws and customs   Forward     Unsubscribe Please do not 'reply' to this message. The inbox of noreply@ounetwork.org is not monitored.