Torah Tidbits
Towards Better Davening and Torah Reading
For Parashat B'reishit
Two of the oldest topics to appear in this column are AMEIN CHATUFA and the correct pronunciation of the name of G-d that ends in a PATACHed MAPIK HEI (eLO-ak, not eLO-ka).
The AMEIN CHATUFA is the answer of AMEIN before the chazan (or whoever is saying a bracha) finishes. Throughout the years, we have warned about waiting until the end of the bracha NO MATTER HOW stretched out a chazan makes it. The style of davening on RH & YK as well as Yom Tov often “invites” the kahal to begin their AMEIN while the chazan finishes his bracha, rather than waiting until the bracha is actually completed. A premature AMEIN is no AMEIN, leaving the bracha unanswered and possibly L’VATALA in the case of the repetition of the Amida.
We are pleased to report a significant improvement over the years in the kahal’s waiting and in the chazan’s help towards a proper AMEIN by ending the bracha abruptly before the careless members of the congregation start their AMEIN.
Similarly, we have seem an increased awareness concerning the MAPIK HEI with a PATACH under it (at the end of a word. Said letter/vowel combination is pronounced exactly as the CHET with a PATACH at the end of a word. Apple is ta-PU-ach, not ta-PU-cha. This we all know. High is ga-VO-ahhh, not ga-VO-ha. And G-d’s name is eLO-ahhh (not eLO-ha).
- Other Towards Better Davening and Torah Reading
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- Towards Better Megila Reading
- SH'VAs are not all the same (more)
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In This Issue of Torah Tidbits
- Lead Tidbit
- Guest Article
- Candle A Day
- Jewish Law
- Aliya-by-Aliya Sedra Summary
- Sedra Stats
- Vebbe Rebbe
- Portion of the Portion
- Parsha Points to Ponder
- Person In The Parsha
- Ethical Teachings of the Torah
- Chizuk and Idud
- Towards Better Davening and Torah Reading
- Divrei Menachem
- "From Machon Puah"
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