#62: Listening to Kiddush Recited by Others (Part 1)
- One can fulfill the mitzvah of Kiddush by hearing it from others, due to the principle of shome’a k’oneh (listening is equivalent to answering), provided that the one reciting it has in mind to fulfill the mitzvah for the others and that the others have in mind to fulfill the mitzvah through the one reciting it. It is preferable for one person to recite Kiddush on behalf of everyone at the meal, even if a number of different families are present (Shulchan Aruch, O.C. 167:11).
- One fulfills the mitzvah even when the one reciting Kiddush uses a different pronunciation, such as an Ashkenazi reciting Kiddush for a Sephardi (Yesodei Yeshurun, Vol. 1). Some poskim hold that one cannot fulfill Kiddush by hearing it from someone who publicly desecrates Shabbat (Responsa Ohr L’tzion 2:20:5). Others argue that the very fact a person chooses to recite Kiddush demonstrates respect for Shabbat, and one can fulfill the mitzvah through them (Responsa Binyan Tzion 23; R. Eliezer Melamed, www.yeshiva.org.il/midrash/14717). This would be relevant in the case of a ba’al teshuvah (one who is newly observant) in the home of his or her parents, if they do not observe Shabbat but do recite Kiddush.
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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.
