#64: Listening to Kiddush Recited by Others (Part 2)
- We mentioned last week that one may fulfill the mitzvah of Kiddush by listening to someone else recite it, and that it is preferable for one person to recite Kiddush on behalf of everyone else at the table. One must listen carefully to the entire Kiddush and make sure to hear every word (the halacha concerning a case where some words were missed will be discussed in a future post) (Shulchan Aruch 213:3). The listener should also respond "Amen" at the conclusion of each berachah (Shulchan Aruch 215:2), though one who did not respond "Amen" to the Kiddush has still fulfilled the mitzvah (Shulchan Aruch 213:2).
- One may not speak in the middle of Kiddush, even if one knows that no words will be missed (Mishnah Berurah 167:45; The Radiance of Shabbos, p. 66). For example, if a husband reciting Kiddush pauses temporarily because children are making noise, the wife may not tell her children to be quiet during that pause. Rather, she should motion to them to be quiet, such as by putting her hands to her lips.
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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.
