| A. Shulchan Aruch (OC 268:10) writes that when davening at a temporary minyan on Friday night, the bracha of Mei'ein Sheva is omitted. An example of this would be a minyan that was formed in the home of a family that is celebrating Sheva Berachos. As explained in the previous Halacha Yomis, Mei'ein Sheva was instituted to prolong the davening for latecomers so that they do not remain alone Friday night in the shuls that were outside the city. Although today the situation has changed and it is safe to remain alone in a shul, because the synagogues are in cities and not in the fields, nevertheless we have no authority to cancel a Rabbinic decree, even when the original purpose for the mitzvah is no longer applicable. However, even in the times of the Mishnah, the bracha was only instituted in shuls where there was a danger and not in home minyanim, and we follow the same practice as well. The Magen Avrohom (268:14) notes that some follow a custom that is contrary to the Shulchan Aruch and recite Mei'ein Sheva even at a minyan that is not in shul. Rav Moshe Feinstein explains (Igeros Moshe, OC 4:69) that according to this view, Chazal instituted a mitzvah to recite mei'ein sheva at all minyanim, even when at home where there is no danger. (We often find that Chazal instituted universal requirements without differentiation of circumstances. This is known as lo plug – there are no exceptions to the rule.) Furthermore, Rav Moshe notes that the Yerushalmi (Berachos 8:1), offers a completely different reason for reciting this bracha that has nothing to do with danger. (We quoted the Yerushalmi in the previous Halacha Yomis: Mei'ein Sheva was instituted as a replacement for Kiddush where wine was not available.) Perhaps those who have the custom to recite Mei'ein Shalosh when davening at a temporary minyan are following the Yerushalmi. |
No comments:
Post a Comment