#1-Due to the coronovirus, many people have had to
forfeit their zechus and obligation to daven with
a Minyan. Boruch Hashem, we have returned to
the Shuls and can now daven with a minyan, but
some people got accustomed to davening at
home and it is hard for them to return to the Shul.
Even out of those who returned, many people
unfortunately do not know the detailed halachos
of davening with a minyan. There is an obligation
to pray with a Tzibur!
Advantages of Tefilah Betzibur

2. Does not come back emptyhanded. The Medrash
   :says” וא ני תפלתי לך ה’ עת רצון” ,Posuk the on
   “Because Dovid was davening alone, he required
   ‘רצון עת]’a favorable time]. However, the Tefilah
   of a Tzibur does not come back emptyhanded. An
   individual’s Tefilah needs the help of the
   Malachim, but a Tzibur’s does not need them, as
   the Rashi states [Sota 33a] Hashem does not
   detest public Tefilah.
3. Other advantages. An individual’s Tefilah is
   examined to see if there is any reason to
   disqualify it, but a public Tefilah is not examined.
   An individual’s Tefilah needs extra concentration
   with awe, fear, and self-surrender, but a Tefilah
   with a minyan is accepted. It is also a segulah to
   make a livelihood, as the Verse states: ” ולעבדו
   לבבכם בכל] “Avodah of the heart is Tefilah, and

“לבבכם “is plural, signifying public Tefilah] is
followed by, “בעתו ארצכם מטר ונתתי “.One will not
lose out financially by davening with a minyan.

4. Sinner’s Tefilah. Even a sinner’s Tefilah is heard
   when it is with a minyan [Rambam Tefilah 8:1].
   An allegory: People were making a crown for the
   king and a certain poor person made his own
   contribution. Will the king say, “I will not accept
   the crown because of the poor person”? He
   immediately took it and put it on his head.
   Similarly, if ten tzaddikim are standing in Tefilah
   and a Rasha stands among them, will Hashem
   say, “I will not accept your prayer because of the
   rasha”? [Midrash Eicha 3:8]. It has been said that
   the word “tzibbur” is an acronym for tzaddikim,
   beinonim, u’reshaim.
   Obligation to Daven with a Minyan
5. Every person should make every possible effort to
   daven all Tefilos with a minyan [S”A 90:9], as
   Tefilah Betzibur is desired and accepted by
   Hashem [MB 52:3]. Some Poskim hold that it is a
   full-fledged obligation as part of the Mitzvah of
   Tefilah, not just something to strive for [Igeros
   Moshe vol. 2 Siman 7]. Some say that when the
   Shulchan Aruch wrote that a person should
   “strive,” he meant one should strive to daven
   specifically in a shul as opposed to at home, but
   Tefilah Betzibur is an absolute obligation

[Minchas Yitschak vol. 7 Siman 6].
Answering Devarim Shebikdushah

6. Apart from the obligation of praying with a
   Minyan, davening with ten men also enables a
   person to answer Devarim Shebikdushah,
   thereby fulfilling the obligation of sanctifying
   Hashem as stated: [Brachos 21b] ” בתוך ונקדשתי
   .בני ישראל
   Tefilah in a Shul
7. There is also special importance attached to
   davening in a shul. Thus, even if a person for some
   reason must daven alone, it is preferable to daven
   in a shul. Nevertheless, praying with a minyan at
   home is preferable to praying alone in a shul [MB
   90:128].
   What Is Considered Tefilah Betzibbur?
8. Praying with a Minyan is accomplished only if
   davening together Shmoneh Esrei with ten adults
   [MB 90:128]. It is then possible to go tu Shul daily
   and not being considered praying with a Minyan,
   if one goes constantly late and does not daven
   Shmoneh Esrei together with the Minyan.
9. Starting together. The best possible fulfillment of
   Tefilah betzibur is praying Shmoneh Esrei
   together with the shliach tzibbur, [MB 66:35].
   Being a few seconds early or late is not a problem
   [Ibid].
10. First brochoh. Some poskim hold that starting
    Shmoneh Esrei while the tzibbur is in the middle
    of the first brochoh of Shmoneh Esrei is also
    considered the ideal Tefilah betzibur [Grashaz
    Halichos Shlomo 8:7].
11. First three brochos. Some Poskim say it is still
    considered praying with a Minyan if one starts
    while the Tzibur is within the first three Brochos.
12. Still in Shmoneh Esrei. Some poskim hold that if
    one starts while the tzibbur is still praying
    Shmoneh Esrei, regardless where they hold, one
    is fulfilling the Mitzva of praying with a Minyan,
    [Igeros Moshe Vol. 3 Siman 4].
13. Together with the shliach tzibbur. Most poskim
    hold that davening word for word along with the
    shliach tzibur is not considered Tefilah betzibur
    [Pri Megadim A”A 52:1];

By Rabbi Shimon Fridmann * [email protected] * 305.985.3461

Have A Question? Ask The Rabbi and he will Answer

990 NE 171 Street | North Miami Beach, Florida 33162 | (786) 405-9692 | www.badatzmiami.com