Prescribed words or phrases that are recited or chanted by the congregation during public worship in the synagogue and which "answer" portions of the service recited by the reader. In many Western synagogues, a number of these responses are also sung by the choir. Although customs vary between the different prayer rites (especially between Ashkenazi and Sephardi congregations), the major responses are common to all.
Most of these words and phrases can be traced to the Bible, and a few are direct quotations. Three in particular have been current since the era of the Temple; these responses, originally chanted by a choir of Levites, are: Amen, Barukh Shem Kevod Malkhuto Le-Olam Va-Ed, and Selah. Though retained in the liturgy, Hallelujah no longer serves its analogous function.
The Aramaic Kaddish prayer is a responsive doxology that has formed part of congregational worship since late rabbinic times. Great importance is attached to its central response, Yehi Shemeh rabba mevarakh le-olam u-le-olemeĢ olemayya ("May His great Name be praised forever and for all eternity"; Shab. 119b). The words Kudsha Berikh Hu ("The Holy One, blessed be He") occur in the second paragraph of the Kaddish; Ashkenazim repeat the last two words (Berikh Hu) as a formal response ("Blessed be He"); amen is said after the complete Divine Name in all other rites.
Closely related to the first Kaddish response is Yehi Shem Adonai mevorakh me-attah ve-ad olam ("Blessed be the Name of the Lord from now and for evermore"; Ps. 113:2). This phrase occurs in the Hallel psalms, but is used among Ashkenazim as a response to the invocation recited by one leading Grace After Meals. Similarly Barukh Adonai ha-Mevorakh le-olam va-ed ("Praised be the Lord Who is [to be] praised for all eternity") answers the Barekhu summons to public worship and the Barekhu invocation recited by a congregant summoned to the Reading of the Law. Ken yehi ratson ("May this be God's will"), sometimes used as an alternative to amen in the Priestly Blessing, often endorses a hope or wish.
Standard benedictions, normally answered by amen, commence with the three words Barukh Attah Adonai ("Blessed are You, O Lord ..."; Ps. 119:2). On many occasions, the prescribed response to the third word is Barukh Hu u-varukh Shemo ("Blessed be He and blessed be His Name"). A response made to the Gomel blessing pronounced after rescue from peril or safe return from a long journey is Mi she-gemalekha kol-tov Hu yigmolkha kol-tov, Selah ("May He who has been gracious to you continue to deal graciously with you for evermore").
Various semi-liturgical responses are also current among Sephardi communities, associated in particular with the Reading of the Law and the Priestly Blessing.
