Questions about Jewish prayer (the fixed order of typically-thrice-daily prayers, or prayer generally). For questions about specific parts of the prayers see shemona-esrei, tachanun, torah-service, and perhaps others. For questions about b'rachos ("blessings") see bracha-blessing; for questions ...
3
votes
1answer
15 views
Why is There No Tachanun on Tu b'Shvat?
Or, more specifically, what is/are the reason(s) for not saying tachanun on various occasions and how does Tu b'Shvat fit in.
(I'm looking for classic reasons, not 'it's got to be somebody's birthday ...
10
votes
1answer
196 views
Meaning of “bidi-bidi-bum”
In Fiddler on the Roof, in Tevye's song "If I Were a Rich Man," there is a line "all day long I'd bidi-bidi-bum." According to Wikipedia this is a reference to prayer.
A repeated phrase ...
6
votes
2answers
40 views
Bowing during Barechu
Many Sepharadim have a custom to take a slight bow when saying Barechu both during Shacharit and Arvit. Others insist on standing. Is there any source for such a minhag in the sifrei Halacha (or ...
1
vote
1answer
45 views
Aramaic sections of davening in Hebrew
From the answers I received to this question, the reason we still say some sections of davening (prayer) in Aramaic seems to be that it is historically a Jewish language, and using it unifies all ...
3
votes
1answer
23 views
Insertions in shma koleinu
The artscroll siddur offers two insertions that one can add to the bracha of shma koleinu every day. what are the sources for these insertions and why are they not found in the Koren, Metzudah, or ...
4
votes
1answer
50 views
And let who say Amen?
In light of this answer, why do we say V'imru amen and V'nomar amen at various points in bentching and davening when saying that passage alone? (eg. bentching by yourself, or oseh shalom at the end of ...
4
votes
1answer
57 views
Falling behind during davening
If you daven more slowly than the chazzan, should you skip what someone who came late to davening would skip so that you can reach barchu with the tzibbur?
12
votes
3answers
139 views
Why do we still say sections of davening in aramaic?
I am pretty sure the aramaic sections of davening were written in aramaic because it was considered necessary for people to understand what they were saying. If this is true, why don't we say those ...
7
votes
1answer
125 views
Who didn't recite Kabbalas Shabbos?
In this article, R. Michael Broyde writes that:
Indeed, there have been prominent halachic authorities of the last generation who did not recite Kabbalat Shabbat.
Can anyone provide examples of such ...
8
votes
1answer
42 views
How come Sepharadim say “Boreh peri haGEFen” but “Shelo Asani AVed”
I think Hacham Ovadia has a footnote in Hazon Ovadia on Pesach (and probably elsewhere) in which he discusses why we don't use the pausal form of gafen instead of gefen. He writes (if i remember ...
5
votes
0answers
29 views
Greetings during Prayer
In light of YDK's answer here, Halacha permits one to greet and sometimes return greetings to other people at different times during prayer when other interruptions would otherwise be prohibited. (See ...
15
votes
3answers
156 views
Female praying in masculine language
When women daven (pray), even by ourselves, it is convention to daven with male-gendered words ("modeh" vs "moda" as one of many examples). Why is this; are there sources that say we should be doing ...
3
votes
0answers
44 views
When is the earliest time one can pray in the morning? [closed]
Possible Duplicate:
Davening Shacharis?
When is the earliest time one can pray (the Shemone Esre) in the morning?
Reciting Keriath Shema' has its own rules, and I understand you may need ...
7
votes
1answer
65 views
Does praying at the wrong time count for anything?
(This question might be a prerequisite to be able to answer this question.)
Does praying at the wrong time count for anything? What does it accomplish? Sources, please.
2
votes
0answers
51 views
Variant: Is it better to Daven (pray) too early with a Minyan (quorum) or to Daven alone at the right time?
In many communities there is a regular weekday morning Minyan and the "working-person's" Minyan, which technically Davens too early according to most opinions, but which is better than nothing, ...
7
votes
1answer
78 views
Can the chazzan use the vernacular quietly?
When saying a private portion of the service, such as pesukei de-zimra, may the shaliach tzibur (aka chazzan, or the person leading services) use English, and switch to Hebrew for the portions said ...
5
votes
1answer
51 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 ...
2
votes
0answers
47 views
Can't pray to Gd during spontaneous prayer?
Inspired by this question:
Even if it is not Tefilat Nedava, davenning is not a simple thing.
Various kavonnos are needed. I will mention HaShem’s names many times.
Since women are not ...
8
votes
2answers
60 views
Women are not obliged to daven maariv. Should they daven if they wish to?
This source says that women are not obliged to daven maariv but may do if they wish.
Although the Shulchan Aruch (108:7) allows one to recite a Tefilat Nedava in a certain case, Halacha Berura (22nd ...
4
votes
2answers
38 views
Tal UMatar - for whom?
According to the build-up in this question the point of Tal UMatar is to pray for good rains in one's local area. The same seems to be assumed in other questions and especially a couple of different ...
2
votes
3answers
62 views
No real kavanah?
There is an interesting principle and ruling established by the Smak, the Tur, and the Rama:
One who davens and did not focus on his prayer, if he knows that he can pray again and focus, he should ...
4
votes
2answers
46 views
In Nishmas, what is “and sustained us in plenty” doing amongst times of trouble?
In Nishmas said on Shabbos and Yom Tov mornings we say, “you redeemed us from Egypt and delivered us from the house of bondage; you fed us in famine” (all describing times of trouble) “and sustained ...
2
votes
1answer
48 views
Mincha started before sheki'a, extended beyond it. What about davenning maariv straight after mincha?
A minyan starts to daven mincha before sheki’a with the intention to daven maariv after sheki’a. In the event, mincha extends beyond shki’a.
There are IMHO three possible cases:
They start but do ...
10
votes
1answer
98 views
Safek (doubt) in Halachah - How unsure does one have to be?
If someone is unsure if he recited Tal UMatar, one has to repeat the Shemoneh 'Esreh (it's slightly more complicated, but let's keep it simple).
If one is unsure if he remembered to Bentch (recite ...
3
votes
3answers
55 views
Pesukim/Sayings/Thoughts for Hizuk
I have a new philosophy (of course Beli Neder): never Daven before you have Hizuk. Now, sometimes I like to sing a Niggun (Shifchi by Reb Shlomo) or say some Bakashot (specifically Agadelcha by Iben ...
5
votes
1answer
43 views
To sing or not to sing - Piyutim on Shabbath
Some Piyutim recited on Shabbath are widely (in the Ashkenazi world) sung by the congregation (usually in unison, but in some rare instances in the Ashkenazi world they are sung responsively). Among ...
3
votes
0answers
46 views
Prayer in a chapel (bes midrash room) vs. in the main synagogue
Some synagogues have a room for prayers that's used on a regular basis: weekdays, Shabasos, holidays. If there are two simultaneous minyanim, then one will be elsewhere, of course, but otherwise the ...
0
votes
0answers
35 views
Why is the atonement for פשע limited to leap years in the Amida for Musaf Rosh Chodesh? [closed]
Possible Duplicate:
Saying Ulichaporas Pasha in Musaf of Rosh Chodesh
This question is a slightly different take on this one. I have posted a comment there and await to see if it needs to ...
3
votes
2answers
90 views
Bameh Madlikin grammar
In congregations that daven with Nusach Ashkenaz, the Friday night Maariv is preceded with a recitation of Mishnayos beginning with the words: Bameh madlikin u'vamoh ain madlikin...
I always wondered ...
4
votes
1answer
29 views
Why are the words כהיום הזה mentioned in Al Hanisim for Chanukah and nowhere for Purim and Pesach?
Why are the words כהיום הזה mentioned in Al Hanisim for Chanukah and not in Al Hanisim for Purim or at another appropriate place (in say the brocho of אשר גאלנו) for Pesach?
Credit to Alex for ...
10
votes
2answers
123 views
Who is the composer of Haneiros Halolu?
When we light the Menora we say Haneiros Halolu. Who composed these words?
2
votes
3answers
74 views
What is the meaning of the words כהיום הזה in the prayer על הניסים ?
What is the meaning of the words כהיום הזה in the prayer על הניסים ? Are there options other than the Artscroll interpretation, "unquestionable clarity"?
3
votes
1answer
28 views
Are you required to say YiHyu LeRatzon before Elokai Netzor?
After Sim Shalom/Shalom Rav in Shemoneh 'Esreh, many Siddurim print YiHyu LeRatzon before Elokai Netzor.
Not every Siddur prints this. I don't recall which editions I've seen without it, but I am ...
3
votes
2answers
56 views
Marriv before/after lighting the Menorah
Does one need to Daven Marriv before lighting the Chanukah Menorah or can you light before davening? Why?
4
votes
2answers
89 views
If it's your minhag to daven Hanetz, do you do so even without a minyan?
A friend once told me that if one's minhag is to daven with Hanetz (i.e., starting the Amida prayer at sunrise), and if there's no Hanetz minyan nearby, you should still daven Hanetz, even without a ...
2
votes
0answers
35 views
בימי מתתיהו בן יוחנן כהן גדול - who was the Kohain Gadol? [closed]
Possible Duplicate:
Bmei Matisyahu ben Yochnan Kohen Godol
בימי מתתיהו בן יוחנן כהן גדול - In the days of Matisyahu ben Yochanan Kohain Gadol
--"Al Hanisim" prayer said on Chanuka
Who ...
3
votes
2answers
48 views
Importance of Minyan
How far must I go out of my way to pray with a minyan (quorum)? Does it matter if it's longer one direction than the other (ie I have ride back but not there or vice-versa)?
5
votes
2answers
74 views
Is it permitted to have a boy under barmitzvah age sing Anim Zemiros?
Is it permitted to have a boy under barmitzvah age sing the Shir Hakavod (or Anim Zemiros)? Why is it not like any other part of davenning where we use someone over barmitzvah?
4
votes
1answer
52 views
Mashiv HaRuach - V'Sain 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 ...
9
votes
1answer
204 views
Praying for rain in the Diaspora
Why on this year (and on other years that precede civil leap years) do we start praying for rain at maariv of December 5 and not maariv of December 4 like most years?
6
votes
2answers
90 views
What is a woman's obligation when it comes to T'fillah?
In Orthodox practice it is commonly thought that women are not obligated in T'fillah (parts of it anyway) due to its time-bound nature. However, what is a woman's obligation? Which prayers must she ...
5
votes
2answers
29 views
Shirei zimra in Yishtabach
At the end of Yishtabach, Hashem is referred to as הבוחר בשירי זמרה. This is usually translated as "who chooses songs of praise." However, as far as I am aware zimra means song, not praise. So how can ...
7
votes
1answer
115 views
Why “new-mother bat her-father” for a woman who gives birth?
When we pray for the healing (refuah) of a woman or girl, we refer to her as "(patient's name) bat (patient's mother's name)", for example "Shoshana bat Michal" or "Rivka bat Shifra Aviva". This is ...
5
votes
1answer
71 views
When is “vesain tal umotor” said in Australia?
When is "vesain tal umotor" said in the Southern Hemisphere eg Australia?
3
votes
1answer
41 views
Which tefilot you say when your minhag differs from that of the shoul your praying in?
Here is the case: This past Sabbath, at an ashkanazi synagogue, a sephardi comes to pray. This is the synagogue that he normally attends (there are about 20 within 1 sq mile).
He prays with the ...
2
votes
2answers
59 views
Responding to kaddish in pesukei dezimro
If I am saying pesukei dezimro, I can only make some responses to kaddish (Tefillo Kehilchoso, 10 (50)).
OC 51 (4) [8] and Biur Halocho d.h. tzorich refer to this but do not specify the permitted ...
5
votes
1answer
51 views
Why is Amen exclusive to the Chazzan during Tefillah?
Normally, if I hear my good friend Shimon say a bracha, I answer Amen. Nonetheless, if it's during davening, and I hear him finish a bracha, it appears to be common practice to not say Amen.
In other ...
4
votes
1answer
63 views
Why is Hashkiveinu different?
Normally, if me and my good friend Shimon complete (finish) a Bracha at the same time, I may not say Amen after his bracha.
However, if I recall correctly, an exception to this is made by the bracha ...
6
votes
1answer
75 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 ...
8
votes
3answers
113 views
Can I omit ברוך השם לעולם אמן ואמן to catch up in Maariv?
If the Shaliach Tzibbur for maariv (outside of Israel) goes too quickly for me to start the Amidah with him, is there a source which would allow me to omit the section
ברוך השם לעולם אמן ואמן?
This ...
