Halachic Highlights

Question: If the father of the baby is returning from a business trip overseas on the eighth day, can others perform the bris milah without the father, or must they wait for him to arrive?

Question: May a chazan take three steps back and begin Chazaras HaShatz where other people are still davening Sh’moneh Esrei directly behind him and to his sides?

Question: May a father who is capable of performing a bris milah on his son (i.e., he is a doctor) hire a mohel to perform the milah?

Question: May a chazan start Chazaras HaShatz immediately after finishing his silent Sh’moneh Esrei?

 Short Answer: While some poskim rule that a chazan must pause for a few seconds before starting Chazaras HaShatz, many poskim rule that this is only a custom and not imperative. The chazan can likely rely on the lenient opinion where other factors, such as the embarrassment of the Rabbi (who has already finished his silent Sh’moneh Esrei), are in play.

Question: Should a chazan daven a long private Sh’moneh Esrei or stretch out his davening through extensive singing?

Question: Should the chazan end Chazaras HaShatz with the words “es amo va’shalom” or should he add the pasuk of “Yih’yu l’ratzon imrei fi...”?