Dear Rabbi Simon,
I have a question I’m sure you’ve been asked before:
If I arrive late for Mincha, what is the best approach…
- Start Amidah on my own, but say it fast so I can finish in time to respond to Kedusha with everyone else?
- Wait until the shaliach tzibur (aka ba’al tefillah or chazan) starts the repetition and say Amidah with him word for word? (Means I can’t respond Amen to the important berakhot of ha-El ha-Kadosh, Shomea Tefillah and Modim D’Rabbanan.)
- If I have time, simply wait until repetition, respond to kedushah and everything else, and then do my Amidah once chazan has finished his repetition.
I thought #2 was a good option as it ticked most boxes, but my PAL chavruta said he heard that 2) isn’t always a good option as one sacrifices most of his kavanah (intent or concentration) to keep up.
Many thanks,
Mendy
Dear Mendy
Thank you for your learned question.
If you know (or have a feeling) that you can begin and complete the Amida (say Ashrei only fromפותח את ידך until the end) before the ba’al tefillah reaches Kedusha, go with that. This may be the case if the minyan prays at a deliberate pace (not too many of those around) or you have missed the start by only a narrow margin.
If not, recite the Amidah together with the Baal Tefillah. You are not “missing” the Amen responses, since you are saying all those blessings together with him.
If he has already begun the Repetition, you should respond to Kedusha and then begin the Amidah, if you can finish in time to respond to Modim, or ideally Shome’a tefillah. Some are lenient in this regard. If you cannot reach these targets, eg the B”T is fast to the finish line, best to step outside to recite the Amidah. Or if you can afford the time, respond to the blessings of the Repetition and Kaddish which follows and then say the Amidah on your own.
Best options: Arrive on time, and find a minyan that prays at a moderate rather than a breakneck pace. (I realise I am only stating the obvious.)
If davening with the Shaliach Tzibur does not work well for you (in terms of speed and your ability to concentrate), you can also just begin when you arrive, and if you cannot respond to Kedushah out loud, so be it. This still “counts” as tefillah be-tzibur (praying with the congregation). You should just pause your tefillah and pay attention to Kedushah, then continue at your own pace.
I hope this is helpful.
Best wishes
Rabbi Rashi Simon