We pray as a community, and we leave as a community

Hi,

"The Sages enacted a special additional blessing (Magen Avot) to be recited at the end of the Friday night Maariv service...

"Why did they do this? Because many people come to pray, and there might be someone who arrived late and won't be done when everyone else finishes, and he might remain alone in the synagogue and be endangered [upon leaving by himself].

"Therefore the Chazan recites this additional blessing, in order that the entire congregation should remain until the late one finishes. They will then all exit together."

(Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Laws of Prayer 9:10-11)

Have a great day,
Mordechai