For donations Click Here

Non-Observant Shaliach Tzibbur

Are there any heterim that allow someone who is not Shomer Shabbos to daven for the amud? Let’s assume the person does believe in Hashem.

Answer:

I have not seen any heterim for allowing somebody who does not keep Shabbos (and desecrates Shabbos publicly) to be a shaliach tzibbur.

Somebody who violates Shabbos publicly is considered a mumar. Even if he is not considered a mumar, because of various considerations, he will not meet the criteria of a shaliach tzibbur.

In addition to the actual problem of having a shaliach tzibbur who is not careful in mitzvah observance, appointing him also gives a negative message to the congregation.

Best wishes.

Sources:

Concerning a shaliach tzibbur who does not believe in the fundamentals of faith (somebody who is non-observant might fit this category) see the Mishnah Berurah 126:2. Concerning Shabbos desecration, see Shut Be’er Sarim, Vol. 2, no. 22, sec. 5; Eshed Ha-Nechalim 2:31; Minchas Yitzchak 3:26 sec. 4; Yalkut Yosef 53:27.

I saw that Rav Yosef Henkin writes (Teshuvos Ibra, no. 8) that although according to the strict halachah it is certainly wrong to appoint somebody who violates Shabbos as the shaliach tzibbur, one still has to take into account the particular circumstances of each case, and there might be circumstances under which the appointment will be the lesser of two evils. This, however, will not apply in general.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *