Tagged Questions

0
votes
1answer
39 views

How can we have better Kavanah in Tefilla? Specifically Tachnuneem?

How does one have better Kavanah in his Tachnuneem tefilla? Does he punch his chest harder? Maybe start bawling?
6
votes
1answer
78 views

Davening in front of a picture of 'Avodah Zarah

This afternoon I found myself Davening in a classroom. It must have been a comparative cultures type of class, judging by the items that were hanging on the walls - posters and artwork and such. As I ...
3
votes
4answers
86 views

What advice do the sages give for improving one's concentration in prayer?

Following up on Isaac's question seeking experience-based advice to improve his prayer:, I am seeking something a bit different. I remember reading some advice on the subject given (I think) by Rav ...
3
votes
0answers
114 views

If my kavanah is towards the Islamic idea of God, am I yotzei?

I have been reading through the various questions about Islam and its relationship to Judaism, and about the Rambam's view that Islam is a monotheistic religion and not idolatry and I am wondering: If ...
2
votes
3answers
92 views

“Think about love for fellow Jews before praying” - source?

At the risk of being a guessing-game, I thought I'd read that before starting prayers (the beginning? The Amida?), one should take a minute to think about love for fellow Jews. Any source for this?
0
votes
5answers
279 views

What makes prayer take so long?

I have noticed that some people take a lot longer to pray than others. I was wondering what exactly adds to this length? I do understand it's probably thinking of the meaning of the words etc. but ...
9
votes
4answers
267 views

Should I be shuckling?

I was told that shuckeling (sp?) is an indication of the love-fear relationship that we have with God. You move forward showing that you want to be close to God and then backward out of fear of his ...
2
votes
5answers
118 views

List of Kavanot for ANA BE-KHOACH

What are some of the things one should have in mind (kavanah) when saying Ana B'Khoach?
5
votes
0answers
113 views

How can I stop spacing out during davening? [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: How do you improve your Kavvanah [concentration]? Any suggestions for improving concentration or advice on how to avoid daydreaming during tefilah?
6
votes
3answers
110 views

Barchu or Kavana

If you are late to Maariv and miss barchu and you normally daven slowly should you... Daven faster, even if it means saying the words with little to no Kavana so that you can say Barchu at the end. ...
2
votes
3answers
115 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
3answers
118 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 ...
11
votes
1answer
149 views

How do I say vidui in Selichos in a meaningful way

We say vidui three times in selichos. Many words are uttered in a relatively short time. How can we do this in a meaningful way that is not "vidui peh"? I have heard tell of one of the gedolei Torah ...
7
votes
1answer
505 views

Keeping in mind the meaning of every word of prayer, vs. being mindful of general concepts

If I were to sit down with my prayer book, I could translate it. I know what the words mean, and I know what they are saying conceptually. However, when I'm praying, if I try to translate in my head ...
7
votes
1answer
119 views

What to think about during each shofar sound

There are all kinds of meanings traditionally associated with the shofar blowing, as well as with each of its individual sounds. During the Rosh Hashana service, we have many sets of repetitions of ...
7
votes
2answers
114 views

How to inspire tears in davening?

Rebbe Nachman said that it is especially powerful to allow tears to flow during the Amidah. How does one come to tears? What thoughts should one have while davening to allow tears to flow in order to ...
10
votes
11answers
279 views

How do you improve your Kavvanah [concentration]?

Building on my blog post here, I ask: How do you improve your concentration when davening?
9
votes
4answers
201 views

Finding the quiet section of the synagogue

When you enter an unfamiliar synagogue, how do you find a seat in a section that's likely to have the least talking?
9
votes
7answers
269 views

Experience-based advice for focusing and slowing down prayers?

I tend to daven (pray) without sufficient focus and very quickly. In particular, I find that most of the time that I'm praying, my mind is on things other than the words that I'm saying. And, not that ...