{"id":6270,"date":"2010-01-16T03:00:57","date_gmt":"2010-01-16T01:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ph.yhb.org.il\/en\/?p=6270"},"modified":"2018-05-24T11:40:20","modified_gmt":"2018-05-24T08:40:20","slug":"02-16-03","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ph.yhb.org.il\/en\/02-16-03\/","title":{"rendered":"03 – Barchu"},"content":{"rendered":"
After the Kaddish<\/i>, the chazan<\/i> says, \u201cBarchu et Hashem hamevorach<\/i>\u201d (\u201cBless Hashem Who is blessed\u201d). The congregation responds, \u201cBaruch Hashem hamevorach l\u2019olam va\u2019ed<\/i>\u201d (\u201cBlessed is Hashem, Who is blessed for all eternity\u201d), and the chazan<\/i> repeats the congregation\u2019s line, saying, \u201cBaruch Hashem hamevorach l\u2019olam va\u2019ed<\/i>\u201d (Shulchan Aruch<\/i> 57:1).<\/p>\n
The primary purpose of Barchu<\/i> is to introduce Birkot Keriat Shema<\/i>, for by declaring \u201cBarchu<\/i>,\u201d the chazan<\/i> invites the congregation to recite Birkot Keriat Shema<\/i>. Even though it can also be recited as praise in itself, like when Barchu<\/i> is recited at the conclusion of the prayer service, nevertheless, the essence of its establishment was to introduce Birkot Keriat Shema<\/i>. Therefore, every person must finish saying Pesukei d\u2019Zimrah<\/i> and Yishtabach<\/i> before Barchu<\/i> so that immediately after Barchu<\/i> he can begin Birkot Keriat Shema<\/i>. It is best to even skip Az Yashir<\/i> in order to start Birkot Keriat Shema<\/i> with the congregation. Still, whoever did not yet succeed in saying the berachah<\/i> of Yishtabach<\/i>, even if he already responded to Barchu<\/i>, must conclude Yishtabach<\/i> and only afterwards continue with Birkot Keriat Shema<\/i>.[2]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n There are varying customs with regard to standing when responding to Kaddish<\/i> and Barchu.<\/i> According to the minhag<\/i> of most Sephardim<\/i>, there is no need to stand up while answering matters of sanctity, but one who is already standing must remain that way for Kaddish<\/i> and Barchu<\/i> (Maharil<\/i>, Kaf HaChaim<\/i> 56:20; 146:20-21; Yechaveh Da\u2019at<\/i> 3:4). Most Ashkenazim<\/i> are accustomed to standing while responding to Kaddish<\/i> and Barchu<\/i> which are matters of sanctity (Mishnah Berurah<\/i> 54:7-8; 146:18). However, concerning Barchu<\/i> which requires a short answer, many Ashkenazim<\/i> have the custom that if they are already sitting, such as for Torah reading, or before Ma\u2019ariv<\/i>, they do not completely stand up, rather they only rise slightly from their chairs when responding. This is similar to the custom many people have when answering a zimun<\/i> with ten men.<\/p>\n When the chazan<\/i> says the word \u201cBarchu<\/i>\u201d he bows a bit, and when saying \u201cHashem\u201d he straightens himself. Regarding the congregation, there are different customs. There are those accustomed to bowing down completely, those who bow slightly, and those who don’t bow at all. Every person should follow his family\u2019s minhag<\/i>. When people with different minhagim<\/i> pray together, it is proper that everyone bows slightly (see further in this book chapter 17, note 3).<\/p>\n