The Rambam writes, “When saying the first blessing of Shema without a minyan, Kedusha should be skipped.” However, the Rambam’s son later testified that his father retracted his ruling and agreed that Kedusha during the blessing before Shema may be said even when praying alone (Teshuvos of the Rambam 213). Which opinion should we follow in practice?

The Shulchan Aruch cites both opinions of the Rambam, reconciling them by ruling that an individual should read Kedusha with a melodious tune, as though he were reading from the Torah. When reading Kedusha with such a tune, all opinions agree that a minyan is not required. Many authorities side with this ruling and advise reading Kedusha tunefully, as if one was reading the Torah (Mishna Berura 59,12).

Even according to the opinions that a minyan is required to respond to the Kedusha before Shema, it is not necessary for everyone to recite Kedusha together. According to all opinions, as long as there are nine other men present, an individual may say Kedusha in his own time (Mishna Berura 59,11).

Text Copyright © 2008 by Rabbi Daniel Travis and Torah.org