How to tell if it is an amei ha'aretz shul

This Shabbos Parshas Shekalim , most shuls will say Piyut (Yotzros) during or after chazoras

hashatz. The Piyut said during chazaras hashatz  is called Kerovos *1 or Kerovotz *2.

Adding Piyutim to the tefilos started in the times of the Gaonim .

When the minhag started ,there was strong opposition from some of the Gaonim.

The  reason for opposition was    1) Meshane Mimatbea  Shetovu Chachomim (changing

the nusach hatefillah that the Anshei Kneses Hagedolo established.  2) Hefsek in middle

of the tefillos.

The Otzar Hageonim ( Brochos 178-180) quotes R. Nachshan Gaon “ In the Mesifta and

wherever there are Rabanan they don’t change the tefillos from the way the Rabanan

established. They also don’t bring in to the Bais Hakneses a chazzan that knows piyut.

A  Bais Hakneses where Piyut is said, testifies on themselves that they

aren’t  Talmidei Chachamim.”

          *1 see Abudraham 2 reasons why it’s called Kerovos

              *2 Tosfos calls it Kerovotz (Brochos34a A.Z. 8a)