Should the tzibur say Yisborach?

Shulchon Aruch rules that when responding with Y’hei Shmei Rabba, one must also say the word yisborach. Some hold that the response should continue until the end of the paragraph, through the words da’amiran b’alma. Other Achronim disagree with the Shulchon Aruch and hold that Y’hei Shmei Rabba should not be connected to the word yisborach. Instead, one should simply listen to the chazan’s rendition of yisborach. According to this opinion, if a person did not hear the chazan continue with yisborach, he should say it himself and then catch up to the chazan.

סימן נו ס"ק טו ביאורים ומוספים דרשו 24

Should the tzibur answer Amen when the chazan says Borchu?

Just before Birchos Kriyas Shema, the chazan says Borchu. The tzibur responds with boruch Hashem hamevoroch l’olam va’ed, which is then repeated by the chazan. Some congregations have a custom to answer Amen at that point, just as they would upon hearing a brocha. Others say that this is not necessary, since they already made that declaration themselves. One may choose to respond with Amen as long as he is not at a part of davening where it is forbidden to speak. A person who did not answer when the chazan said Borchu should say Amen when he hears the chazan say Boruch Hashem. All agree that the chazan himself should not say Amen after answering Boruch Hashem.

סימן נז ס"ק ד

Which direction should one face when bowing during Borchu?

Although the tzibur should stand when responding to Borchu, they do not need to remain standing when the chazan says Boruch Hashem. Some have a custom to keep their feet together. Many are careful to bow when saying Borchu. Some poskim say that one should bow towards the east, while others are not particular about which direction a person faces when bowing in response to Borchu.

סימן נז ביאורים ומוספים דרשו 3

• Answering Amen Y’hei Shmei Rabba is greater than responding to Modim and Kedusha. Therefore, if one hears multiple minyanim at various points in davening, he should answer Amen Yhei Shemei Rabba before responding to anything else.

• Rema rules that a person should stand when he responds to Kaddish. Others hold that it is only necessary to continue standing if one was already standing. If one was previously sitting, he may continue to sit. It is proper to be stringent.

• A person should answer Y’hei Shmei Rabba out loud. Responding audibly assists one in having the proper intent. However, one should not answer out loud in a way that seems strange or in a louder voice than the person who is reciting Kaddish.

• How early can davening start?

• Defining zman Kriyas Shema

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