Question: May Anim Z’mirot be recited without a minyan?
Response: The Sefer Likutai MaHariach (Vol. 3, p. 68) briefly notes the custom to stand for Anim Z’mirot. He cites the Levush (siman 132) who contends that the custom to stand is due to the beautiful praise of Hashem in Anim Z’mirot’s stanzas. He then cites the Taz (Yoreh Deah 242:13) who states that the general practice to stand whenever the Aron Kodesh is open is a form of kavod; it is not obligatory.
The Aruch HaShulchan (Yoreh Deah 242:49) also cites the Taz, adding that “the custom on the yamim noraim to stand whenever the aron is open even though no Sefer Torah is removed is not a chiyuv mi’dina; rather, the custom is due to kevod shamayim.”
The fact that there is no obligation to stand during Anim Z’mirot suggests that it is not a davar she’bikedushah for if it were, standing would probably be mandated as is the case with Barechu, Kaddish, and Kedushah. Since it’s not a davar she’bikedushah, Anim Z’mirot may be recited without a minyan.
(To be continued)
Rabbi Cohen is the recipient of the Jerusalem Prize and author of several sefarim on Jewish Law. His latest, “Shabbat the Right Way” (Urim Publications), is available in Judaica stores and at Amazon.com.
