Literally "eighteen". Also called the "Amidah". The prayer consisting of 19 blessings, recited three times daily, and four times on Shabbat and Yom-Tov. It forms the backbone of all of the daily prayers.
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2answers
142 views
Can you learn during chazarat hashatz?
Are you allowed to learn Torah silently during the chazzan's repetition of Shmonah Esrei?
(This is a case where you are davening with that minyan.)
8
votes
1answer
89 views
What constitutes an acceptable barrier so that another person can pass by someone saying the Amidah?
The Shulchan Aruch/Mishna Berurah 102 (4) [15] writes that one may not walk within four Amos in front of somebody praying the Amidah.
What constitutes an acceptable barrier in front of the person so ...
4
votes
2answers
122 views
Answering amen to a post-nightfall mincha
If I come to shul early for maariv and it is already past nightfall and there is a minyan that starts davening mincha am I allowed to answer amen to chazaras hashatz? Sources please.
6
votes
1answer
167 views
Bowing for oseh shalom
Why do we bow for oseh shalom in shmoneh esre and kaddish? There are two parts to this:
What is the relationship between bowing in general and oseh shalom?
What does each direction in which we bow ...
4
votes
1answer
59 views
Why do they replace one טל for another in shmoneh esre in Israel?
Why, in Israel, do they get rid of ותן טל ומתר in barech aleinu but then add מוריד הטל in ata gibor? If it's the end of the season for טל (which, maybe i'm wrong, but I don't think there an end to ...
2
votes
1answer
121 views
Why “Sim shalom” at mincha on Shabas?
Using an Israeli sidur (prayer book) nusach Ashk'naz recently, I saw that it had "Sim shalom" for mincha of Shabas (including Shabas yom tov, but not weekday yom tov), even though it had "Shalom rav" ...
4
votes
1answer
59 views
Tefillat Nedava on Yom Tov
In general, one can pray an extra shmoneh esrei beyond the regular shacharit-mincha-maariv if one wants to do so. This is called a tefillat nedava -- a voluntary prayer.
I know that one cannot do ...
2
votes
2answers
116 views
How to calculate 60 days from tekufat tishri for any given year?
I'm trying to pin down an algorithm for calculating when to start saying ותן טל ומטר in diaspora. (In Israel it begins 7 Cheshvan.) I've gotten that we need to know how many centuries passed since ...
4
votes
1answer
164 views
Repeating shmoneh esreh after forgetting an insertion
Why are you supposed to repeat shmoneh esreh on certain days if you forgot to say the special insertion pertaining to that day? If, for example, you realize at the end of shmoneh esre during aseret ...
14
votes
3answers
266 views
Humming during shmoneh esre
On shabbat for shacharit and mussaf, I am usually still davening shmoneh esre by the time the chazzan gets to kedusha. In this situation, can I hum to the tune of kedusha?
This essentially boils down ...
5
votes
1answer
48 views
What does בהם refer to in some texts of אַתָּה חונַנְתָּנוּ?
In Maariv after Shabbos we insert אַתָּה חונַנְתָּנוּ into the Amidah. In some siddurim the word בהם is introduced making it read
אַתָּה חונַנְתָּנוּ לְמַדַּע תּורָתֶךָ. וַתְּלַמְּדֵנוּ לַעֲשות בהם ...
4
votes
1answer
113 views
Modim DeRabanan - UThHonnenu or UThKayemeinu?
There is a very common poster that I've seen in virtually every Shul I've been in over the past 10-15 years. Unfortunately, I cannot find a photo at the moment. It is a (generally laminated,) white ...
5
votes
2answers
94 views
Why is 'misod chachomim unevonim' sometimes said and sometimes omitted in the repetition of the Amidah?
In Askenazi communities, the piece beginning 'misod chachomim unevonim' is said at the repetition of the Amidah at Shacharis when there are piyuttim (except Purim) and on Musaf on Yomim Noraim as well ...
8
votes
1answer
128 views
Interrupting in the middle of Shmona esrei
Am I allowed to interrupt in the middle of Shmona esrei in order to pick up a Siddur (or any other holy book) that has fallen to the floor? Same question, if I have to make some steps in order to pick ...
4
votes
1answer
83 views
Insertions in shma koleinu
The Artscroll siddur offers two insertions that one can add to the bracha of shma koleinu every day, one asking forgiveness for sin and the other asking for livelihood. What are the sources for these ...
6
votes
1answer
98 views
Why have I never seen “Prisoh al shema”?
“Prisoh al shema”
A good summary is to be found in a shiur from the The Israel Koschitzky Virtual Beit Midrash.
In short, “…. ten men who prayed alone can subsequently fulfill their obligations ...
5
votes
4answers
190 views
Answering Baruch Hu UVaruch Shemo and Amen while learning
If someone is giving Shiur in the same room as people Davening, do the people learning answer Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo and Amen to the Hazarat HaShatz?
6
votes
1answer
65 views
Are you required to say YiHyu LeRatzon before Elokai Netzor?
After Sim Shalom/Shalom Rav in Shemoneh 'Esreh, many Siddurim print YiHyu LeRatzon (Tehillim 19:15) before Elokai Netzor.
Not every Siddur prints this. I don't recall which editions I've seen without ...
4
votes
1answer
222 views
Mashiv HaRuach - V'Sain (veten) Tal Umatar
Why do we start saying Mashiv HaRuach on Shemini Atzeres yet we do not say V'Sain Tal Umatar until Dec 4 / Dec 5 (In Chutz L'Aretz)? Why should they not be on the same day when they are similar ...
5
votes
1answer
76 views
How does someone who needs a cane/walker/etc do the amidah — standing and leaning, or sitting?
According to this question, it is forbidden to lean on anything while praying the amidah, where leaning means the object bears some of your weight. What does somebody who can stand but only with the ...
10
votes
2answers
120 views
Can you respond to קדושה if you are not already done with your own ש''ע?
Can you respond to קדושה if you are not already done with your own ש''ע? I heard that you can if you are past a certain point after שים שלום/שלום רב. I just want to know if that's true and, if so, ...
6
votes
1answer
205 views
Silent Amidah when praying without a minyan
If one is davening b'yichidut (praying by oneself), without a minyan, do they need to say the amidah silently or can they say it out loud?
Phrased another way, what is the reason for praying the ...
6
votes
3answers
168 views
How to bow during Shemone Esre
During the Shemone Esre, we bend our knees and then bow. I have observed two ways of doing this. One is to bend the knees, then to straighten the knees, and then to bow at the waist. The other is ...
3
votes
2answers
130 views
2
votes
1answer
144 views
On days when Kohanim Duchan, why do the Kohanim only do it once and not in each Shemoneh Esrei?
On days when the Kohanim Duchan, why do the Kohanim only do it once (during Mussaf) and not in each Shemoneh Esrei?
[revised question]
7
votes
3answers
197 views
Shalom Rav / Sim Shalom - by Mincha according to Nusach Ashkenaz
Nusach Ashkenaz says Shalom Rav at Mincha most days. However, when there is Birchas Kohanim (such as a fast day), they say Sim Shalom. Is there a connection between Birchas Kohanim and Sim Shalom? If ...
11
votes
1answer
314 views
Does one choose one or two pesukim for names?
What posuk does one choose at the end of shmonei esrei if one has two names? do you use two pesukim? or take the posuk that starts with the first initial of the first name and ends with the last ...
14
votes
1answer
168 views
a wheelchair user's taking “steps” before sh'mone esre
The Shulchan Aruch, OC 94:5, writes:
Suppose someone is sitting on a boat or wagon [and saying sh'mone esre (amida)]. If he can stand up when he reaches the point of bowing, he should stand, so as ...
3
votes
0answers
61 views
Stepping back, forward and bouncing 3 times, after Shmoneh Esrei [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
"Jumping" at the end of Shemoneh Esrei
As a female davener, who is very slow, I have never seen what men do at the end of Shmone Esrei. But my husband assures ...
14
votes
4answers
164 views
How to say go-al Yisroel before Shacharis Amida
When the leader gets to just before the Shacharis Amida, how should he say the blessing
go-al Yisroel: aloud or saying the word Yisroel so the end of it cannot be heard?
3
votes
2answers
87 views
Should the Chazzan say the pesukim of Kedusho loud?
In the repetition of the Amida, it seems (see Teshuvos Igros Moshe 3 (9), OC 104 (7), OC 125 Biur Halocho d.h. "elo shoskin ..") that the Chazzan should say the pesukim of Kedusho loud enough so that ...
5
votes
3answers
103 views
The Tur's word counts for Shemoneh Esreh
I have often seen the Tur cited as giving exact word counts for each blessing of the Shemoneh Esreh. The arguments I have seen for being careful to adhere to the word counts include that this would ...
2
votes
2answers
80 views
Does the pause while standing still after t'fila need to be silent?
There is a rule that one should stand still after reciting sh'mone esre and taking three steps backwards, preferably until k'dusha, but at least for a few moments (the amount of time it takes to walk ...
6
votes
2answers
132 views
Sh'ma aloud but amida quietly
Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayim 61:4:
We are accustomed to reading the first verse [of "Sh'ma"] in a loud voice in order to arouse the direction [of our thoughts].
SA OC 101:2:
But he should not ...
3
votes
1answer
186 views
What purpose does the repetition of the Shemoneh Esrei (Amidah) serve?
Does the repetition serve to ensure that everyone present has fulfilled the mitzvah of tefila? If so, does saying "amen" to all of the blessings work in substitution of the silent Shemoneh Esrei, in a ...
5
votes
2answers
127 views
Us'shuva us'fila utz'daka maavirin… so what?
Why is so much emphasis given to the line "us'shuva us'fila utz'daka maavirin..." in the Rosh Hashana and Yom Kipur prayers? It seems to be the most emphasized line of all, with people shouting it and ...
5
votes
2answers
83 views
TOras chayim or ToRAS chayim in 19th b'racha?
In the final b'racha of sh'monah esrei the phrase "תורת חיים - (Toras chayim)" appears. In some sidurim [that denote that kind of thing] the accent is placed on the first syllable and in others on the ...
5
votes
3answers
185 views
Bending at “s'lach lanu”
I have seen many people bow slightly when striking their chests in recitation of the sixth b'racha of sh'moneh esrei. Is this a custom? Is there a source for it?
Anyone whom I've witnessed doing ...
10
votes
3answers
259 views
Moving from one's spot after Kedusha
After standing still for Kedusha, some people move after saying Yimloich, whereas others wait until after the Chazan says Hokail Hakodoish. What is the correct way?
4
votes
1answer
114 views
Bowing at Modim D'Rabbanan
When the chazan reaches "Modim" during his repetition, the congregation recites "Modim D'Rabbanan." Do members of the congregation bow here? If so, in what manner should they bow?
4
votes
2answers
166 views
sameach vs. samach
Nusach S'farad, in the amida ("sh'mone esre") of holidays and Shabas, has "וְשַׂמַּח נַפְשֵׁינוּ בִּישׁוּעָתֶךָ" ("v'samach..."), but in sheva b'rachos it has "שַׂמֵּחַ תְּשַׂמַּח" ("sameach...").
...
5
votes
3answers
127 views
Saying Mashiv HaRuach in the Southern Hemisphere
In the Southern Hemisphere (Brazil, Australia, South Africa, etc.) in October they are heading into the summer. Do they say Mashiv HaRuach at this time of the year or do they say it from Pesach to ...
5
votes
3answers
204 views
4
votes
2answers
398 views
Posuk for name at end of Shemona Esrei
Many people say a Posuk at the end of Shemona Esrei that begins and ends with the same letters as their name. What does someone do if he can not find a Posuk that begins and ends with his name?
7
votes
5answers
363 views
“Jumping” at the end of Shemoneh Esrei
Some people are accustomed to performing a few little "jumps" at the end of Shemoneh Esrei (after taking the requisite three steps backward and forward) by lifting their heels a number of times. Is ...
3
votes
1answer
160 views
Al Hannisim for Yom Ha'atzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim
Are there any special additions one can add to the shemoneh esrei on Yom Ha'atzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim?
Is there any problem with saying these additions? Do any major shuls in America say them?
5
votes
2answers
224 views
4
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2answers
165 views
Reaching kedusha during silent shemone esre
When the chazzan starts kedusha in chazarat hashatz while you're davening, are you supposed to answer the chant, or continue in your tefilla, or just not say anything?
8
votes
2answers
151 views
Leaning on things during prayer?
It says in Shulchan Aruch that one may not lean on anything while reciting sh'mona esre. (OC 94:8) The Mishna B'rura defines "leaning" as placing one's weight on another object such that if the object ...
