Arriving Late for Mincha Prayer

Shemoneh Esreh

This question and answer were automatically translated using our trained AI and have not yet been reviewed by a qualified rabbi. Please treat this translation with caution.

Go to original →

Question

What should one do if they arrive late for the Mincha prayer? Should they wait until the chazan begins the repetition of the Amidah or start the Shemoneh Esrei immediately on their own? (And if starting with the chazan, how should it be done?) Thank you, Barash

Answer

Shalom Rav

One should aim to reach the recitation of Kedusha with the congregation.

Therefore, if under the circumstances one can start immediately and finish before the recitation of Kedusha, they may start immediately.

If they will not finish before the congregation reaches Kedusha, they should wait and begin praying with the chazan during the repetition of the prayer, and this is also considered praying with the congregation.

Source

Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, Laws of Prayer, Siman 109, סעיף א
One who enters the synagogue and finds the congregation praying, if he can start and finish before the chazan reaches Kedusha or Kaddish, he should pray. Similarly, Amen after "The Holy God" and "Who hears prayer" are considered like Kaddish and Kedusha (Tosafot, Rosh, and Mordechai, chapter "One who died", and Terumat HaDeshen, Siman 11). If not, he should not pray.

Comments

Have an additional question on this topic or need clarification? Leave your comment below. (Please note that the comment will not be published but will be sent directly to the answering Rabbi for review and a private response)

Please sign up or log in to submit your comment

Become our patrners in supporting and spreading the Torah

Help us answer more questions faster and better

Join the mission