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Q&A from the Bais HaVaad Halacha Hotline
Response Time
Rav Aryeh Finkel
October 31, 2024
Q While saying yihyu leratzon or Elokei Netzor at the end of Shmoneh Esrei, which tfilah responses may I say?
A During Shmoneh Esrei, one stands before Hashem as before a human king, so the restrictions on interruption are stricter than elsewhere in davening, and it is forbidden to interrupt for any purpose other than a life-threatening situation (O.C. 104:3). Interrupting for a davar shebikdushah, e.g., yehei Shmei raba, is also forbidden (ibid. 6). Instead of answering, one should stop and listen to the chazzan with intent to be yotzei (ibid.).
Technically, Shmoneh Esrei ends with Hamevareich es amo Yisrael bashalom, but since the tradition is to add Elokei Netzor, one is still standing before Hashem until it is completed, and certain limits on interruption still apply. The rules are similar to those of Birchos Krias Shma (O.C. ibid.), and the following responses are permitted (Ishei Yisrael 32:19):
- Amen yehei Shmei raba…
- The amens of da’amiran be’alma, HaKeil Hakadosh, Shomeia Tfilah, and Birkas Kohanim
- The Kedushah passages of “kadosh kadosh…” and “baruch kvod…”
- Barchu
- Vayechulu on Friday night
The Shulchan Aruch (O.C. 122:1) rules that if one’s custom is to recite yihyu leratzon before Elokei Netzor, the stringencies of Shmoneh Esrei remain in place through yihyu leratzon, as it is considered an extension of Shmoneh Esrei. Sphardim follow this view. Ashkenazim follow the Rama’s ruling that yihyu leratzon is positioned after Elokei Netzor and is therefore not an extension of Shmoneh Esrei. The interruption rules of Shmoneh Esrei, according to this, end at bashalom. Still, the Mishnah Brurah (ibid. 3) advises to also say yihyu leratzon before Elokei Netzor. Many people practice this.