Friday, July 24, 2015

To correct, or not to correct

I have had a number of people point me to a recent article discussing a פסק that declared that one should not correct בעלי קריאה because the embarrassment caused is more grave (דאורייתא) than an incorrect laining (דרבנן). Here is a reference the article. The original essay was written for the Techumin publication of the Tzomet Institute is only available for ₪ 15.

My thoughts are as follows: It is an interesting פסק in a "general sense." But it shouldn't apply in most situations. The בעלי קריאה in our shul, for instance, want to be corrected. And I dare say any decent בעל קריאה should. 

As for extra sensitive individuals such as Bar Mitzvah boys, I have already seen discussion along those lines suggesting that it is best to "lower the bar" for such situations to avoid embarrassment.

It also should be noted that the calculation involved here is not so simple. True, the heckling of corrections might cause some embarrassment on the spot. But if mistakes are allowed to go uncorrected, what will ensue after the fact in the way of murmurings, slander or any other type of undesirable behaviour?

Another point made to me by a reader: Where does this end? Suppose a ש"צ skipped יעלה ויבא. What then? I'd certainly like ot get my hands on the original text.
 

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