As Rosh Hashanah arrives we scramble to do all we can to be signed up for a blessed year and annul any ill-fated decrees. We are told by Chazal that an integral quotient in the equation off teshuva is the act of tzedaka.Teshuva, tefila utzedaka ma’avirin es ro’ah hagizeira”.


Why are tzedaka, and all types of gemilus chasodim, empowered to tear up an undesirable decree?


In the sefer, Leket Yosher, an incredible explanation is offered. The posuk in Mishlei says, “Malveh Hashem chonen dal”- “One who benefits a poor person becomes Hashem’s creditor”. The Gemorah in Mesechta Bava Basra asserts that a debtor is enslaved to his creditor. Rav Yochanon comments that this is, in fact, affirming that Hashem, kiviyachol, is enslaved to one who benefits a needy person.


In what sense is a borrower considered a slave to his lender? Rav Yochonon explains that a lender is always in the driver’s seat. He has priority choice of which bais din handles his claims pertaining to the loan and the borrower may not contest his choice.


When one issues a loan to Hashem by means of doing chesed to a fellow Jew, he then becomes Hashem’s lender, and correspondingly, Hashem plays the role of the borrower. Consequently, the ba’al tzedaka now maintains the rights to choose the bais din of his liking. Understandably, the premier choice of bais din would be the midas hachesed and midas harachamim, rather than the bais din of midas hadin.


In concert with the aforementioned posuk in Mishlei, Hashem is compelled to adjudicate the ba’al tzedaka’s din with mercy.


Engaging in acts of tzedaka is not limited to doling out money to the poor. Gemilas chesed is even a higher level than tzedaka, as tzedaka is limited to the destitute; chesed may be performed with anybody, rich or poor. Chesed may be accomplished at no cost. A kind word, a smile or simply a listening ear can accomplish more than one imagines.  


Remember! Mere pleasantries can circumvent a harsh decree and engender the Eibershter’s unlimited rachmanus!




Can a chazan prolong the davening

A chazan may only lengthen the davening by showcasing his voice if his intentions are pure. If he is happy that he can use his talents to offer praise to Hakodosh Boruch Hu with a beautiful voice and he does so with a seriousness and sense of awe, that is a pure intention. If, however, the purpose is to show off his voice, it is degrading. If the chazan plans to sing, he must be certain not to lengthen the davening to the extent that it would be cumbersome for the tzibur. He must also be sure not to distort the words to fit the tune.


סעיף יא וס"ק לו; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 44

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Can an Ashkenazi be the chazan in a Sephardi minyan?




A chazan must be able to properly pronounce the words that he recites. The poskim disagree about whether a chazan must change his pronunciation if he is leading a congregation that pronounces the words in a different way than he is accustomed to. Even those who say that he should adjust to the tzibur’s custom hold that if he will become confused and end up mispronouncing things, he should stick to his familiar pronunciation. According to the opinions that he must stick with his own pronunciation, it is best for him not to be appointed chazan so that he will not diverge from the tzibur.


ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 45

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Can a person who is hard of hearing serve as chazan?




A person who is blind may serve as chazan. The poskim disagree if it is appropriate for him to serve during the Yamim Noraim. He may not be the ba’al korei, since the ba’al korei must read from inside the Torah. According to the Rema, he may be called for an aliyah. Lechatchilah, a person who cannot hear should not be the chazan or ba’al korei. A person who is hard of hearing, though, may serve in these positions.


סעיף יד, ס"ק מא ו־מב, ושעה"צ ס"ק לח; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 49 ו־5

  • A bar mitzvah boy who is not yet mature enough to grow a full beard may not be appointed to serve as shaliach tzibur on a steady basis. Appointing such a young-looking person is viewed as degrading to the tzibur.


  • A boy who is bar mitzvah may occasionally serve as chazan. If he is an avel, he may be chazan for Ma’ariv daily.


  • A boy becomes bar mitzvah on the night of his thirteenth birthday, even if the birth took place later in the day. If his bar mitzvah falls on Shabbos, he may not serve as chazan during Ma’ariv if the tzibur will be making early Shabbos



  • Can a person appoint himself to be chazan?






  • What is the system of appointments for public positions?






  • Can a ger serve as chazan?
PLEASE NOTE:  The information in this email is for learning purposes only. Please review the Mishna Berura and Biurim U'Musafim before making a halachic decision. Hebrew words are occasionally transliterated to enable a smoother reading of the text. Common Ashkenazi pronunciation is generally used in these cases.
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