Kitzur Yomi #70 | Siman 8, Seif 5 | Greeting Someone Before Shacharis

May you greet someone or say "Good morning" before Shacharis?In this episode of Kitzur Yomi, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch teaches that beginning at daybreak, one should not deliberately go to meet a friend before praying in order to greet him—even with Shalom, "good morning," or a silent handshake. The same principle applies to leaving one's seat in the synagogue specifically to greet someone.The Kitzur explains the underlying principle through the verse, "Withdraw yourselves from man whose breath is still in his nostrils; because for what is he to be esteemed?" We should not make a point of honoring another person before first honoring Hashem through prayer.If you happen to encounter someone, however, the strict law permits saying Shalom. Nevertheless, it is preferable to change your normal manner of greeting as a reminder that you have not yet davened. And if someone greets you first, you may always respond.Beginning at daybreak, do not deliberately approach someone to greet him before Shacharis.This includes saying Shalom, "good morning," or even offering a silent handshake.Do not leave your place in shul specifically to greet someone.If you encounter someone by chance, greeting him is permitted according to the strict law.It is preferable to modify your usual greeting as a reminder that you have not yet prayed.You may always respond when someone greets you.The message is not that we should be unfriendly in the morning. It is about who receives our attention first. Before deliberately seeking out another person to acknowledge and honor him, the Kitzur teaches us to first acknowledge Hashem through prayer. Once again, the laws of Shacharis establish the priority with which we begin our day: Hashem first, and then everything else.Key TakeawaysPractical Lesson