questions about Jewish prayer
3
votes
2answers
83 views
Tefillas HaDerech in populated areas
If one is traveling on a highway that runs through populated areas for the entire span of the trip, is Tefillas HaDerech recited? If so, at what point during the journey is it recited?
6
votes
3answers
180 views
רָקִיאַע or רָקִיַע
The מנחת שי at the beginning of בראשית (on "יהי רקיע") cites a מחלוקת whether the word 'רָקִיעַ' (and likewise for other words with a פתח גנובה) is pronounced as רָקִיאַע or as רָקִיַע, that is, with ...
2
votes
2answers
92 views
Is Shabbat prayer more special than Shabbat or prayer individually?
Is there any basis in Jewish law or practice for dressing nicer for Shabbat prayer/synagogue than one does for either Shabbat or for prayer/synagogue?
For example, I'm not generally particular about ...
3
votes
1answer
40 views
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 ...
2
votes
1answer
125 views
Praying for a Sick Convert
If when we pray for a person we pray for Ploni ben Plonis (e.g. Judah son of Leah or Dina daughter of Leah), what name do we use when praying for a ger (convert)?
11
votes
4answers
267 views
Prayer for Illness - Why use the mothers name?
Why when someone is sick do we say his mothers name not his father's?
5
votes
1answer
151 views
Can a man fulfill his obligation by listening to a woman's Birchos HaShachar?
Can a man fulfill his obligation by listening to a woman's Birchos HaShachar (morning blessings)? What about vice-versa?
I suppose my question breaks down into three parts:
Do women have a lesser ...
2
votes
2answers
78 views
What does “responsive recitation” mean for Selichos?
There are a bunch of Selichos that are supposed to be "recited responsively." I think for many of them, I've seen the format:
Chazan: line 1
Kehila: line 1
Kehila: line 2
Chazan: line 2
Kehila: ...
10
votes
3answers
97 views
How “with” the congregation do you have to be to avoid saying “Kel Melech Ne'eman” before Shema?
As I understand it, when reciting the Shema by yourself, you add the words "Kel Melech Ne'eman" beforehand; but when praying with a minyan, you don't.
How "with the minyan" do you have to be? What ...
6
votes
3answers
331 views
Cutting Tefillin Retzuos
As we know, the outside of the tefillin's retzuos (phylacteries' straps) must be black. Lately, I've noticed that the very end of the retzuah of my shel yad (tefillin of the arm) is cracking and ...
0
votes
1answer
86 views
8
votes
3answers
187 views
Why do we say Eishes Chayil on Friday nights?
Eishes Chayil is indeed a beautiful song. But why do we say it specifically Friday nights (before Kiddush)?
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?
2
votes
1answer
43 views
Why repeat if forget?
Many times in Halacha we find that one should repeat if forgetting something. For example, on Rosh Chodesh (by Shacharis or Mincha), one must repeat Shemonah Esrei if s/he forgot Yaaleh Veyovo. On ...
5
votes
2answers
95 views
Tachanun with No Seats
Many times I'm in Shul and don't have a place to sit for Tachanun. What's proper procedure in such cases?
2
votes
2answers
125 views
Nusach for silent Amida when chazzan in an other-nusach congregation
My understanding (based, if I recall correctly, on R' Moshe Feinstein) is that when I pray in a congregation that uses a different version of the prayers (nusach) from the one I usually use, I should ...
3
votes
1answer
198 views
Who wrote the 1950s-era super-patriotic Prayer for the United States of America?
In the "Tikun Meir" siddur from about 50 years ago, there's a very unique prayer for the United States of America. Something to the effect of:
Humble were its beginnings, but by
Your kindness, ...
3
votes
1answer
298 views
Kel (Melech) Chanun V'Rachum — do you say Melech?
Some siddurs have the phrase "Ki Kel Melech Chanun V'Rachum Ata" at the conclusion of Ya'aleh v'Yavo. Some have Melech in parentheses; some don't have it at all. Can anyone tell me something about ...
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?
7
votes
3answers
119 views
Staying up all night on Shavu'ot
Every year, when I stay up learning Torah through the first night of Shavu'ot, I invariably fall asleep during the subsequent morning prayers. Last year, I tried something new: Learn all night, but ...
8
votes
2answers
131 views
Davening for someone to end a painful life
Are you allowed to daven for a person to die because he is in a lot of pain?
5
votes
2answers
224 views
5
votes
2answers
235 views
Davening not in Hebrew
Isn't it better to daven in your first language rather than davening in Hebrew and only knowing part of what you're sayig?
3
votes
3answers
106 views
Sign Language During Davening
Would one be allowed to use fingerspelling to communicate during pesukei d'zimrah (or other parts of davening where one is not allowed to talk)?
Would it make any difference if one was ...
1
vote
3answers
146 views
davening (coming in during shema)
where are supposed to start at when you come into shachrit during shema on a regular week day?
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?
-2
votes
2answers
81 views
having a relationship with god [closed]
can some one answer this whats the best way to have a consistent relationship with god
4
votes
5answers
157 views
Will money fall from the sky if you pray for it?
If you daven for a parnasah and then just sit back will money come to you?
5
votes
2answers
135 views
Baal Habayis in Bentching
When bentching (saying the prayer after meals), one is to insert a blessing for one's host. I have four scenarios, in which I wonder about whether it is appropriate to say the blessing for the host or ...
9
votes
3answers
780 views
Author of Nishmat kol chai
Who is the author of the prayer "Nishmat kol chai" which is said on Shabbat, Yom Tov, and during the great Hallel at the Seder?
4
votes
2answers
343 views
Starting Shabbat early during the summer
Is there an earliest time one may begin Shabbat during the summer months?
We were traveling south and stopped at a Jewish community for Shabbat. The Shul there davened Mincha friday at 6:10, then ...
4
votes
2answers
238 views
Praying after the time to say Shema
If you sleep past Sof Zemin Kerias Shema (the latest time to say Shema in the morning) and you are davening by yourself, do you need to make any change to your prayers?
4
votes
2answers
104 views
Are you supposed to do the responsive parts of Hallel at the Seder?
At a Pesach Seder, when you get to the parts of Hallel that are done responsively in a congregation, are you supposed to do them responsively? Does the answer depend on how many people are at the ...
3
votes
2answers
141 views
Is it inappropriate to be overdressed for prayer (davening)?
I know that for prayer (davening), you're supposed to be dressed "appropriately", e.g. not in your pajamas; the rule of thumb I'd heard was "as you normally would when seen in public." (Rabbi Enkin ...
11
votes
3answers
1k views
Putting on tefillin late
For whatever reason, I was unable to put on tefillin while davening shacharit this morning. However, I have access to tefillin now, and the sun has not yet set. After I put on the tefillin, what ...
3
votes
2answers
665 views
How to pray in public places?
If you're stuck in a public place (e.g. airport, mall) and need to daven (pray) -- usually it's Mincha, right before sunset: what's the best way to do it?
12
votes
4answers
531 views
Why do people frequently change tunes toward the end of Lecha Dodi?
Frequently, perhaps even most of the time, I've noticed that the chazan (prayer leader) for Kabalat Shabbat switches tunes for the last four verses of Lecha Dodi. Is there any reason for this, or are ...
5
votes
3answers
272 views
Best practices for praying in public with talit and tefilin
I just learned that a flight out of New York was diverted because a flight attendant saw a passenger putting on tefilin and freaked out, thinking that he was strapping on bombs.
So, do you have any ...
2
votes
1answer
232 views
Are women exempt from Tachanun and discouraged from saying it?
My brother heard from someone that she heard that women are exempt from saying Tachanun and therefore discouraged from saying it. Is this so? If so, why? Do you know sources for this?
UPDATE: I ...
5
votes
4answers
141 views
Why do we stand when we do toward the end of Tachanun?
In the Tachanun prayer, it's traditional to sit for most of the core of Tachanun, but then to stand three words into the last paragraph, between "Va-anachnu lo neida'" and "ma na'aseh" ("And we won't ...
6
votes
1answer
479 views
Different traditions in Hebrew pronunciation
The theme of Hebrew pronunciation is one that facinates me and, as such, I want to get some feedback on some issues I've been thinking about for years. I have already discussed some of these issues ...
9
votes
7answers
271 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 ...
5
votes
3answers
449 views
4
votes
4answers
154 views
How do we know what the Chazzan should say aloud?
In many siddurim, the text indicates a position, toward the end of each normal paragraph of prayer, where the Chazzan is supposed to start reading aloud, so that everyone knows when it's time to go on ...
7
votes
2answers
439 views
Mixed Minyan in a Shiva House
What to do when helping make a minyan for mourners in a shiva house when at prayer time they insist on davening conservative style, men and women sitting together?
5
votes
4answers
203 views
Priority of Davening with a Minyan
Is it better to Daven [pray] with a earlier large minyan or better to wait to daven later with a much smaller minyan where i will be needed as the tenth?
