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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3
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1answer
51 views

Must one pray with a minyan?

People wrote on this site that there is no requirement for a man to pray with a minyan as a general rule. I took this to mean that one need not attend a minyan heknows meets regularly, instead praying ...
2
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0answers
17 views

Not speaking between Shemoneh Esrei and Hallel

On a day when Hallel is recited (for example Rosh Chodesh) I've heard that one should not (lichatchila) speak between Shemoneh Esrei and Hallel. Rather, as soon as the chazzon finishes chazaras ...
3
votes
1answer
47 views

Is the bracha of Retzei (avodah) a Bakasha?

In a standard shmoneh esrei, we have a middle section of bakashot. Because we do not make bakashot on Shabbat (as evidenced in this question), the middle 13 brachot are omitted. However, the final ...
0
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1answer
120 views

V'Sain Tal U'Matar for someone from Eretz Yisrael in Chutz L'Aretz (and vice versa)

In Eretz Yisrael we start saying V'Sain Tal U'Matar on the 7th of Cheshvan. If someone from Eretz Yisrael will be in America on the 7th of Cheshvan and will be flying back to Eretz Yisrael a few days ...
0
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0answers
30 views

When do we switch from Morid Hatal to Morid Hageshem and vice versa?

According to Shulchan Aruch, (please cite Saeef and Siman so I can read further): When do we switch from Morid Hatal to Morid Hageshem and vice versa? What about Barechenu and Barech Alenu? What ...
7
votes
2answers
72 views

If you must stop shmoneh esrai, should you take 3 steps back?

If you are davenning shmoneh esrai and you must stop (for example there is filth, something untznius, pictures, a dangerous animal, etc), should you take 3 steps back? I'm asking both about taking 3 ...
2
votes
1answer
31 views

Hamracheim or Hammerachim?

In Modim in the Shmoneh Esre we say המרחם כי לא תמו חסדך the question is whether the מ in המרחם should have a daggesh or not, and thus what sort of Shva should be under said מ?
2
votes
2answers
325 views

How do Karaites pray?

How do Karaites pray? If the text of the Amidah originated in the mishnaic period, do Karaites recognize it? If not, what do they daven?
3
votes
0answers
25 views

Shliach Tzibbur and Tashlumim for missed tefillah

The M"B in Siman 108 Sif-Katan 4 brings that someone who missed a tefillah and is now the shliach tzibbur may use the chazaras ha'shatz for his tashlumim. (Makor in Radbaz Siman 361.) The Radbaz ...
2
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0answers
45 views

What to do after sh'mone esre before Sh'ma

Shulchan Aruch, OC 236:3: If someone discovered a group that had already read [the evening] "Sh'ma" and is about to say amida [of maariv], then he should say amida with them and then say "Sh'ma" ...
3
votes
2answers
58 views

Why doesn't everyone say 'Al HaNisim for both days of Purim?

No matter where you live, walled city or not, there is no Tahanun or LaMenatzeah on either day, you aren't allowed to fast on either day, and you can even fulfill Matanoth LaEvyonim on either day ...
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0answers
31 views

What is the difference between the blessing of Ga'al Yisrael preceding Shemoneh Esrei and the blessing of Go'el Yisrael?

Before we begin the Shemoneh Esreh each morning, we say the blessing, "Blessed are You, Hashem, Who redeemed Israel (Ga'al Yisrael)." Then within the Shemoneh Esrei itself, in the "Re'eh va'ahneynu" ...
3
votes
1answer
60 views

Can I sit for “Kabbolas Shabbos” within 4 amos of someone saying the mincha Amidah?

Tefillo Kehilchoso (ch. 11, fn. 284) and Shulchan Oruch (102:1) quote Tosephos Brochos 31b to say that one may sit beside someone praying the amidah if one is involved in prayer activity. He asserts ...
3
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0answers
68 views

Strike chest in “S'lach lanu” on Shabas?

Suppose someone is praying maariv, shacharis, or mincha on Shabas, starts the weekday amida's blessings, and then realizes, amid those weekday blessings, that he should be saying the amida of Shabas. ...
3
votes
1answer
45 views

Are there any nuschaos which drop one of the closing phrases when עננו is said in שמע קולנו?

We add in the special prayer עננו on fast days. It is added in two different locations. (1) as a separate brocho between גואל and רופא and (2) as an addition into the brocho of שמע קולנו. In (1) the ...
14
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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?
2
votes
1answer
57 views

Seeking explanation/reason for versions of “R'faenu”

I've seen the following versions (and slight variants thereof) of a portion of the eighth b'racha of the weekday sh'mone esre: וְהַעֲלֵה אֲרוּכָה וּמַרְפֵּא לְכָל תַּחֲלוּאֵינוּ וּלְכָל ...
2
votes
0answers
36 views

Mistake in Asher Yatzer and Rafa'ainu of Shemoneh Esrei

What would be the halacha in the following 2 cases: A person davening Shemoneh Esrei instead of ending off the bracha of Rafa'ainu "rofeh cholei amo yisrael" (in his nusach) they ended of "rofeh col ...
5
votes
1answer
108 views

What is the origin of “deah, binah, v'haskel”?

There are two nusachos with the fourth brocha in Shemoneh Esreh of which I am aware. One, extant today in nusach Ashkenaz, certain nusach Sefard, and Teman Baladi, and present in very old siddurim, ...
8
votes
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.)
4
votes
1answer
132 views

Reciting a Posuk representing your name at end of Shemona Esrei - source?

Many Sidurim mention in the name of the Shela that one should say a Posuk at the end of Shemona Esrei that begins and ends with the same letter as ones name. Does anyone know where in the Shela this ...
5
votes
1answer
40 views

Order of words (Oizer U'Moshia) in Shemona Esrei

In Shemona Esrei in the first Bracha it ends with Melech Oizer U'Moshia U'Magen מלך עוזר ומושיע ומגן, however towards the end of the Bracha of Modim it says HaKail Yeshuasainu V'Ezrasainu Selah האל ...
4
votes
1answer
77 views

why do we start mincha shmoneh esrai differently?

Before reciting the amidah for mincha many nuschot add the sentence כִּי שֵׁם ה' אֶקְרָא, הָבוּ גדֶל לֵאלהֵינוּ before אֲדנָי שפָתַי תִּפְתָּח וּפִי יַגִּיד תְּהִלָּתֶךָ. Why is that sentenced added ...
0
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0answers
32 views

picking something up during shmoneh esrei [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Interrupting in the middle of Shmona esrei If (chalilah) a mitzvah item such as a siddur, mezzuzah, tefillin or sefer torah falls on the floor during shmoneh esrei ...
8
votes
1answer
73 views

Why does the congregation recite something different during the repetition of the hoda'ah — but nowhere else?

During the repetition of the amidah, during the hoda'ah (modim) the congregation recites a different text while the shaliach tzibbur recites the text we all did during the silent amidah. (1) Why do ...
1
vote
1answer
62 views

What does ותמלך אתה הוא ה׳ א׳ מהרה על כל מעשיך coordinate with?

The amida on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kipur reads, in part: ובכן צדיקים יראו וישמחו… כי תעביר ממשלת זדון מן הארץ ותמלך אתה הוא ה׳ א׳ מהרה על כל מעשיך…‏ The most natural way to translate this, to ...
2
votes
3answers
104 views

Do you do a Tashlumin (make-up) on a Shemoneh 'Esreh if you later realize that you forgot a critical insert?

If you forgot to add a critical insert in the 'Amidah (one of the special additions to Shemoneh 'Esreh at certain times of the year, eg., HaMelech HaKadosh, Ya'aleh VeYavo, etc.), and you realize at ...
5
votes
3answers
204 views

Morid HaGeshem or Morid HaGoshem

What is the correct pronunciation HaGeshem or HaGoshem?
2
votes
1answer
79 views

Saying HaKel HaKodesh (when must say “HaMelech”) and not going back to beginning of tefillah

When a person says "HaKel HaKodesh" instead of "HaMelech HaKodesh" during Eseres Yamei Teshuva the halacha is they must go back to the beginning of the tefillah and start over again. What would be ...
5
votes
1answer
68 views

If repeating Shmoneh Esrei do you redo steps back/forward?

If someone has to restart Shmoneh Esrei (because of Yale Yeyavo, Mashiva Haruach, Melech Hakadosh, etc) and is still in the middle of it, do you take 3 steps back, then forward, then back and forward ...
2
votes
2answers
84 views

Shliach Tzibbur that says “HaKel HaKodesh” instead of “HaMelech”

What should be done in a case where the shliach tzibbur when davening chazaras ha'shatz makes a mistake and instead of saying "HaMelech HaKodesh" during Eseres Yamei Teshuva he says "HaKel HaKodesh". ...
5
votes
2answers
44 views

Why by “Ut'shuva, Utefila UItzedaka” does it say “Zom, Kol, Mamon”?

On top of the words ut'shuvah utefila utzedakah1 in most machzorim it also says Zom, Kol, Mamon2. Why zom on teshuvah if the Rambam's formula for teshuva (Hl. Teshuva 2) no mention of fasting; why ...
5
votes
1answer
77 views

Useshuva Usefillah Utzedakah maavirin es roah hagezeira, where is this from?

Does anyone know the history of how "Useshuvah Usefillah Utzedakah maavirin es roah hagezeirah" was put into our Tefillah and/or who wrote it? (It's in the chazaras hashatz for musaf on Rosh Hashana ...
2
votes
1answer
42 views

Blessing for the rain; blessing for the dew

I have a question that, in light of my general unfamiliarity with variance between nuschaot (and my profound unfamiliarity with meteorology and the way that seasons actually work), may not be much of ...
3
votes
0answers
22 views

Shemonei Esrei regarding the seasons in Divine Might

Every time I pray the Amidah, I get very hesitant regarding what season is appropriate for me to pray. I live in the southern hemisphere in a tropical climate. Therefore, we have one season dry and ...
4
votes
1answer
95 views

Making mistakes in shemone esri

I would assume at some point, too many uncorrected mistakes during the shemone esri (not talking about the things that would make it avodah zara here) would make it invalid/useless as it simply loses ...
9
votes
2answers
150 views

When you're trapped by someone Davening behind you

There's a(n) Halachah (citation help, anyone?) that you are not supposed to pass in front of someone in prayer. As a result, many people are strict and won't take their three steps back when ...
4
votes
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?
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 ...
4
votes
0answers
74 views

Ose shalom post shemona esre

Basic Background: Following the shemona esre prayer, the sages instituted concluding the prayer with the verse "yihyu leratzon" followed by "petira"- symbolically exiting from before G-d through ...
6
votes
2answers
90 views

Bracha of V'Lamalshinim

Brachos 28b Shmuel Hakattan coined the Bracha of V'Lamalshinim. Brachos 10a mentions a story where Rabbi Meir was being bothered by people and prayed for their demise. His wife Bruria tells him do ...
3
votes
2answers
67 views

ורב להושיע instead of רב להושיע in אתה גבור

Siddur Tefila Yeshara (the Berdichever Siddur) has, in the second blessing of the Shemoneh Esreh, ורב להושיע - "v'rav l'hoshea", "and abundant in deliverance". Literally every other siddur I've ever ...
7
votes
2answers
165 views

What can be done to hush someone praying a loud amidah?

If someone is praying an amidah in a loud voice that disturbs the rest of the congregation are any of the following permitted: by someone (a) praying his own amidah or (b) who has finished to hush ...
2
votes
0answers
35 views

What does it mean to make up for prayers unavoidably missed - Tashlumin?

The laws of Tashlumin (making up for prayers unavoidably missed) are delineated in Halachipedia “If one forgot to say Shacharit one should say Mincha twice, the first for Mincha and the second ...
5
votes
0answers
73 views

When was the bending of the knees in bowing introduced?

The Gemara in Berachos 12a says that we bow at Baruch and we straighten at Hashem. Nowadays the familiar practice is to bend the knee at Baruch, to bow at Atah, and to straighten at Hashem, as stated ...
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 ...
14
votes
3answers
267 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
288 views

Transliteración de la Amidá en Español - Transliteration of the Amidah into Spanish

Estoy buscando una transliteración del rezo Shemoné-Esré en la lengua español. ¿Puede usted, por favor, ayudarme? Yo también quiero los rezos y cánticos para el Shabat. I'm looking for a ...
6
votes
1answer
66 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
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 ...

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