Rabbi Adler Communications during Coronavirus pandemic

Chaveireinu Hayikarim

I hope everyone is well and the trend to opening up can be sustained. I would just like clarify 2 issues with back yard minyanim.  A mask must be worn by everyone attending. The chazzan and Baal Koreh should attempt to wear one as well unless he feels it is too difficult to project his voice with a mask. If that occurs, he should make sure he is in the front of the yard ahead of anyone seated to enable to project in a direction not occupied by people attending that minyan.

The second item is concerning that which listed as “Heicha Kedusha “. In Medinat Yisrael they identify as קול רם. I am not going to occupy your time by trying to explain why the popular practice of this is wrong . I will share with you what is the right way and the explanation why. For Schacharit after you recite the bracha גאל ישראל  and for Mincha after Kaddish, the chazzan will begin his shmoneh esrai aloud. You should join him in starting shmoneh esrai as well until reaches חיה המתים . At that time, you recite Kedusha with the Chazzan taking the lead as usual. Upon completion of Kedusha, you should say לדור ודר with the Chazzan. After he reaches  האל הקדוש , you and the Chazzan should complete the balance of the shmoneh esrai silently with Tachanun following shmoneh esrai for both Shacharit and Mincha .

I think that was long enough and will give you the explanation on some other occasion.
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Rabbi Yosef Adler