Q. It is quoted in the name of Rav Chaim Kaniefsky Shlita (Sefer Ishay Yisrael) that when one comes late to shacharis, skipping parts of pesukei dzimra is only an option if it is somewhat a rare occurrence, but someone who consistently comes a couple minutes late may not skip. I have not noticed that this is the minhag. What is Rav Miller opinion on the matter?
A. Since P’sukei D’zimra is comprised of various different sections, some of greater importance than others, Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 52: 1) rules that one may selectively shorten, or even skip them all together, for the sake of reciting Shemoneh Esrei with the tzibbur.
However, Mishna Berura (ibid.1) quotes that the Maggid warned the Beis Yosef against changing or omitting them, since those who change the order of the tefilos, are “rerouting the pipes” (mehapech ha-tzinoros) of effective and successful prayer. They also cause great wrongs for themselves and all by restricting the blessings and heavenly boon conveyed to this world (Maggid Meishorim – Behar)
BeisYosef (O. H.51) cites the Orchos Chayim, who criticizes those who rush through P’sukei D’zimra in order to pray with the tzibbur. “Is it appropriate to shorten the praises of G-d in order to ask for one’s needs?” he asks. “Is there a King that would be happy with that?”
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar to the Ishei Yisroel and others, that although we rule like the Shulchan Aruch that in need one may skip P’sukei D’zimra, one should make every effort to be in time to recite the P’sukei D’zimra and daven the tefilos in their proper order.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
Important Numbers
