Mariv/Arvit

From Halachipedia

Coming late to Maariv

  1. If one comes late to Maariv and one is able to catch up to the tzibbur by Shemona Esreh if one skips Baruch Hashem LeOlam one should do so and skip Baruch Hashem LeOlam in order to say Shemona Esreh with the Tzibbur. After Shemona Esreh one should say Baruch Hashem LeOlam without a conclusion of the Bracha. [1]
  2. However if one came too late to catch up just start Shemona Esreh with the Tzibbur and say Shema with the Brachot after the last Barchu after Shemona Esreh. This is all true in a case where one can’t get another minyan afterwards, because if one is able to do so one should do that. [2]

Waiting for someone to finish Arvit

  1. If there’s only one person left in shul Davening after Arvit/Maariv at night, one should wait around for that last person so that he isn’t rushed in Davening. [3]
  2. Some are strict to wait for the last person Davening even after Shacharit and Mincha. [4]
  3. In a shul that’s in the fields one must wait for the last person even after Shacharit and Mincha. [5]
  4. However, if the last person Davening is extending his prayers (adding more requests) one doesn’t have to wait for such a person. [6]
  5. If the last person Davening entered so late that he couldn’t finish in time to complete Davening with the tzibbur, one doesn’t have to wait for him. [7]

References

  1. S”A 236:3, Mishna Brurah 236:11
  2. S”A 236:3, Mishna Brurah 236:12, Halichot Shlomo 13:13
  3. S”A 90:15 based on Brachot 5b
  4. Rama 90:15
  5. S”A 90:15
  6. S”A 90:15 based on Talmedei Rabbenu Yonah (Brachot 3a D”H Shnayim).
  7. Talmedei Rabbenu Yonah (Brachot 3a D”H Shnayim) writes that one only has to wait for the person if he came in with enough time to finish with everyone else, however if when he entered he didn’t have time to complete his Davening with the tzibbur, he shows that he doesn’t mind leaving alone. Mishna Brurah 90:48 brings this as Halacha.