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Saying Me'ein Sheba in a House

Rabbi Ya'aqob Menashe
Friday, January 20, 2012/Tebeth 25, 5772

The Shulhan Arukh states that the blessing of 'Me'ein Sheba'' in the Friday night prayer, is not recited in the house of a bridegroom or a mourner. The reason for instituting this prayer was so that it would give time to the late comers to the Synagogues in the fields to finish their prayer so they could return home together with the others and would not be in danger. Since this reason does not apply when a Minyan prays locally in someone's house, there is no purpose in reciting it.

According to the Mishnah Berurah, if the location where they are praying has an aspect of permanence to it, meaning that there is a Minyan there for a few days and a Sefer Torah is also present, then it has the same rule as a Synagogue and the blessing is recited. This is the prevalent custom among Ashkenzim.

In Ben Ish Hai, however, Hakham Yoseph Hayyim, 'a"h, states that the main reason for reciting 'Me'ein Sheba'' is not for the reason given in the Gemara of Shabbath, that we mentioned above. Rather, it is said because there is a great need for it according to the Qabbalah, and it is in place of the repetition of the 'Amidah. Therefore, even if the congregation prays in the house of a bridegroom or mourner, and there is no Sefer Torah present, the Hazzan must still recite the blessing. He adds that this became the custom in Jerusalem, from the time of the Rashash, to say it wherever there was a Minyan, even without a Sefer Torah. It would appear, therefore, that this is the appropriate custom for Sephardim.

(See Mas. Shabbath 24b. Shulhan 'Arukh O.H. 268:10. Mishnah Berurah ibid, 24. Ben Ish Hai, 2nd year, Parashath Wayyera, Oth 10)

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shulchan aruch orach chaim, me'ein sheva, leil erev shabbos shabbat, mishna brura, maseches shabbos, masechet shabbat, gemara of shabbos shabat, shul, ben ish chai, chacham hacham yoseph chaim, amidah shmonei esreh, chazan, shalich tzibur, yerushalayim, parshas vayera, parashat vayera

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