DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 558 KB)
How To Properly Bow During Kaddish

The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 56:4; listen to audio for direct citation) lists four points during the Kaddish recitation at which the Chazan (one who leads the services) must bow. They are: when reciting "Yitgadal," which is the first word of Kaddish; then when reciting the word "Rabba" in the phrase "Yehei Shemei Rabba"; then when reciting "Berich Hu"; and lastly when reciting "Amen" in the phrase "Da'amrian Be'alma Ve'imru Amen."

Additionally, The Kaf Ha'chayim (by Rabbi Chayim Palachi, Rabbi of Izmir, Turkey, 19th century) cites from a number of Poskim that one should also bow when reciting the word "Yitbarach." Rabbi Mazuz, in his responsa "Ish Matzliach," codifies this ruling of the Kaf Ha'chayim, and this is indeed the procedure written in many of our Siddurim.

Thus, there are five points during the Kaddish recitation when one must bow:

1) The opening word "Yitgadal."
2) The word "Rabba" in the phrase "Yehei Shemei Rabba."
3) The word "Yitbarach."
4) The words "Berich Hu."
5) The word "Amen" in the phrase, "Da'amiran Be'alma Ve'imru Amen."

At times Chazanim are preoccupied as they recite Kaddish thinking about maintaining the proper speed or singing a melody, and as a result they forget to bow at these points in the Kaddish. One who serves as Chazan must therefore keep in mind this requirement as he recites the Kaddish.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
The Beracha Over Cooked Fruits and Vegetables
If People Recited the First Three Words of Birkat Ha’mazon Without a Zimun, and Then Realized Their Mistake
May One Use a Microphone for a Zimun?
The Beracha on Coffee
What Beracha Does One Recite on “Mebushal” Wine?
Does One Recite a Beracha on Unhealthy Foods?
The Beracha Over Chocolate
The Beracha Over Green Tomatoes; the Beracha Over Seeds
The Beracha on Crushed Fruits or Grains – Cornflakes, Apple Sauce, Mashed Potatoes, Amardeen, Peanut Butter, Falafel Balls, Popcorn, Humus and Tehina
Which Beracha Does One Recite When Drinking Straight From a Fruit?
Birkat Ha’ore’ah – The Guest’s Blessing for His Host
Zimun When One Member of the Group Finished Eating Before the Others
Insights on “Reseh Ve’hahalisenu”
The Rule of “Tadir” in Birkat Ha’mazon and the Amida
Answering to a Zimun if One Did Not Eat
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found