Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim · Siman 65

Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim 65 — English translation

Translation: Sefaria Community Translation. Section numbers match the Hebrew text above.

1. 1[The Laws of] One Who Entered a Synagogue and Found the Congregation Reciting the Recitation of the Sh'ma or Who Interrupted at the Time of the Recitation, Containing 3 S'ifim One who recited it discontinuously, that is, that they began to recite and [then] paused, whether through silence or through speaking, and [then] returned and finished it, even if they tarried [the amount of time it would take] to complete all of it, they have fulfilled [their obligation], even if the pause is due to an unavoidable circumstance. Rem"a: And there are those who say that if one had an unavoidable circumstance and paused [the amount of time it would take] to complete all of it, they return to the beginning (Tosafot and the Rosh, chapter Mi She-meito(?) (Brakhot 3), and the Tur). And this is the custom. And we calculate the matter of tarrying (ie. the amount of time that he paused) according to the one reciting [the Sh'ma] and not according the majority of people. (Rashba, beginning of chapter Hayah Korei (B'rakhot 2) And thus it is [described] below in Siman 104.
2. 2If one recited the Recitation of the Sh'ma [on one's own] and entered the synagogue, and found the congregation reciting the Recitation of the Sh'ma, they need to recite the first verse along with them so it will not seem as if they do not want to accept the yoke of the Kingdom of Heaven with their fellows. And such is [also] the case if one is in the synagogue and saying words of supplication or [biblical] verses in a place (ie. in a section of the prayer services) where it is permitted to interrupt. But if one is in a place where it is not permitted to interrupt, for example, from Barukh She-amar and onwards, they should not interrupt; rather they should [continue to] say the words that they were saying at the time the congregation is saying the first verse using the melody of the congregation such that it will appear as if they are reciting along with them.
3. 3If one recited the Recitation of the Sh'ma [on one's own] and entered the synagogue and found the congregation reciting the Recitation of the Sh'ma, it is best that one should recite the entire Recitation of the Sh'ma along with them, and they will receive a reward like [when one] reads the Torah. Rem"a: But one is not obligated [to do so] except for the first verse, as was explained. [Beit Yosef]

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