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Date: Sun, 10 Jan 1999 20:54:11 -0500 (EST)
From: Russell Hendel <  rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu>
Subject: Re: Hazarah

I have really been surprised on all the emails suggesting that if we can we
should eliminate Chazarath HaShatz because the reason for it does not apply.

Of course it applies. We say Chazarath HaShatz so that people who don't
know how to Daven can listen and answer Amen to the Shatz and thereby
fulfill their obligation.

This certainly applies today. Frequently guests come in to shule(e.g. to
say Kaddish) who don't know how to daven. Furthermore if you glance around
in Shule many of the even knowledgeable people do not daven by saying the
prayers with their mouths and hence should say Amen to fulfil their
obligation. Finally there are knowledgeable people who nevertheless are not
fluent in Hebrew and cannot utter every word--these people do daven but do
not say every word and hence need a chazarath hashatz.

Russell Jay Hendel; Phd ASA
RHendel @ mcs drexel edu

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