Missed the Start of Shemoneh Esrei with the Congregation

Halacha Moment
May 28
3 min read

The Daily Halacha Moment - Missed the Start of Shemoneh Esrei with the Congregation

״כל השונה הלכות בכל יום - מובטח לו שהוא בן העולם הבא״ (נידה עג ע״א, מגילה כח:)

“Anyone who studies Halachot every day is guaranteed that he is destined for the world-to-come” (Megilla 28b, Niddah 73a)

Question:

What Is Considered Tefillah B’Tzibbur If I Miss the Start of Shemoneh Esrei with the Congregation?

Answer:

There is a discussion among the poskim regarding what qualifies as Tefillah B’tzibbur (prayer with the congregation). Some authorities hold that even if the congregation is already in the middle of their Shemoneh Esrei, as long as one begins their own silent Amidah at that time, it is still considered Tefillah B’tzibbur [1]. Others specify that if one begins while the congregation is still in the first beracha of Shemoneh Esrei, that is also enough to be considered part of the communal prayer [2]. However, if the tzibbur is already well into Shemoneh Esrei, some opinions hold that starting at that point no longer qualifies as Tefillah B’tzibbur [3].

Ideally, one should begin exactly when the congregation begins their Shemoneh Esrei. Even if one finishes later for example, if the congregation reaches Kedusha before the individual does, it is still considered Tefillah B’tzibbur because the start was synchronized [4]. Additionally, many poskim hold that beginning one's Amidah alongside the Chazzan’s Chazarat HaShatz is also considered Tefillah B’tzibbur, especially in a situation where one missed starting with the rest of the tzibbur [5].

Sources:

[1]. Igrot Moshe OC 3:4. Yalkut Yosef 90:9:17 quotes the dispute between Igrot Moshe and Pri Megadim 109:2.

[2]. Betzel Chachma 4:3.

[3]. The Pri Megadim (Eshel Avraham 109:2) raises a thoughtful question: If someone arrives late to shul and the congregation has already begun their Shemoneh Esrei, why shouldn’t he begin his Amidah immediately, even if he knows he won't finish before the tzibbur reaches Kedusha or Modim? After all, isn't Tefillah B’tzibbur considered a greater value than just being able to answer Kedusha or Modim (as implied in Brachot 21)?

The Pri Megadim answers that once the congregation has already begun their Amidah, the individual has missed the window for true Tefillah B’tzibbur. Since the opportunity is already lost, there's no advantage to rushing into Shemoneh Esrei just to catch up.

However, other opinions disagree. The Pri Tevuah (siman 68, cited in Yabia Omer 2:7:4) holds that even if a person starts during Chazarat HaShatz, as long as it’s immediately after Modim, it is still considered Tefillah B’tzibbur. According to this view, waiting does not jeopardize the opportunity for Tefillah B’tzibbur at all.

On the other hand, Amudei Esh (3:7, also cited in Yabia Omer) sides with the Pri Megadim, maintaining that the moment the tzibbur begins their silent Amidah, the opportunity for true Tefillah B’tzibbur has passed.

[4]. Mishna Halachot 13:12, Betzel Chachma 4:3. Mishna Halachot explains that tefillah btzibbur is judged by the beginning of one's shemona esrei and references Tosfot Brachot 7a s.v. ilmaleh.

[5]. Betzel Chachma (4:3), along with Yabia Omer (2:7:4) citing Eshel Avraham Butchach (52:1), Kaf HaChaim (90:63), and Yalkut Yosef (90:9:16), rules that joining the Amidah during Chazarat HaShatz can still be considered Tefillah B’tzibbur. Betzel Chachma also quotes the Chazon Ish (O.C. 19:7), Chatam Sofer (Likutim 3), and Shulchan HaTahor (109:1) who agree. However, he also cites Rav Chaim Zonnenfeld (Salmat Chaim 1:30), who expresses doubt whether this situation fully qualifies as true Tefillah B’tzibbur.

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