[Avodah] Ashkenazi-Sefardi Pronunciation

[Prof. L. Levine]

From
https://aish.com/ashkenazi-sefardi-pronunciation/#:~:text=The%20Aish%20Rabbi%20Replies%20Today%20there%20are%20two,unpointed%20tav%20and%20the%20kamatz%20pronounced%20as%20%22o.%22

I've noticed that Ashkenazi synagogues pronounce some words differently than Sefardi synagogues. What is the halachic status of these two variants? Do Ashkenazim who speak "Israeli" on a daily basis act consistently if they use a different pronunciation only for prayers?

The Aish Rabbi Replies

Today there are two forms of Hebrew pronunciation. One is "Israeli/Sefardi" pronunciation which is characterized by all tavs said as "t" and the kamatz vowel pronounced as "a." The second is "Ashkenazi," typified by the "s" sound of the unpointed tav and the kamatz pronounced as "o." A typical example is whether to say Shabbat or Shabbos.


<Snip>


The halachic issue is that some Ashkenazi Jews switched over to this pronunciation for prayers as well. This is very difficult to support. Many authorities maintain that an Ashkenazi who pronounces the name of God (Aleph, Daled, Nun and Yud) in the "Israeli" way has not fulfilled his obligation. This applies when saying blessings, praying, or a public Torah reading. For example, when saying the Shema twice daily, the halacha demands one to pronounce every letter of the Shema perfectly. Switching to Sefardi pronunciation would be problematic in this regard. (Mishnah Berurah 68:4<https://www.sefaria.org/Mishnah_Berurah.68.4?lang=he-en&utm_source=aish.com&utm_medium=sefaria_linker>; Shu"t Minchat Yitzhak 3:9)

See the above URL for more.

YL




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