questions about Jewish prayer
8
votes
0answers
133 views
Inhaling prayers?
Elsewhere I ask whether it's sufficient to pray in a whisper. See there, please, for a description of whispering and how it differs from speaking quietly.
Answers to that question indicate that ...
3
votes
1answer
86 views
Can one resume praying if interrupted when not in a minyan
Are there any sources that comment on what to do if one is interrupted in the middle of the process of Shacharit, mincha or ma'ariv prayers without a minyan? Is it necessary to resume praying from the ...
6
votes
1answer
122 views
How to find if a particular pasuk is used in davening
My father is trying to find out if a pasuk is ever quoted in any davening and I don't know of a specific resource which would help in a search. Other than using ctrl-f after downloading each ...
4
votes
2answers
195 views
My hands are cold in synagogue. May I put them in my pockets? May I wear gloves?
If my hands are cold when praying in synagogue:
1) may I put them in my pockets? Is it just disrespectful, as I was brought up to think, or are there more important issues?
2) may I wear gloves? ...
11
votes
1answer
146 views
Rockets from Gaza while praying
I live in Beer Sheva, Israel where there are presently ongoing rockets fired at us from Gaza. We are warned of an impending rocket by a loud siren that gives us less than a minute to run to a bomb ...
0
votes
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 ...
3
votes
2answers
93 views
When does one recite the verses preceding and following the recitation of Tehillim
In most printed Tehillim I've seen there are several verses included that one should say before (Tehillim 95:1–3) and after (Tehillim 14:7 and 37:39–40) completing the recitation of the Tehillim.
Are ...
1
vote
1answer
84 views
Responding “Amen” to fanciful blessings and wishes
This is related to this question, but I'm curious about a slightly different angle.
Suppose someone makes a fanciful blessing. I'm not talking about, "May we be Zocheh to a Geulah Sheleimah ...
0
votes
1answer
34 views
Is הפעולה בשמות or “theurgy” similar to prayer in the Ramchal’s Derekh HaShem?
Ramchal in Derekh HaShem III 2 (7) speaks about using the names of G-d to achieve effects not achievable using physical agencies. He says,
א׳ הוא הזכרת שמו ית׳ כמי שקורא אותו שיענהו, וימשיך על ידי ...
7
votes
2answers
205 views
Refusing to Daven from the Amud
According to Bruchos 34a, one should initially refuse to Daven for the Amud, so as to feel unworthy of the duty and to not look too eager to do it. The first time one is asked he should refuse, the ...
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
75 views
Speaking in the middle of Kaddish
In Shulchan Orach Siman 124 Sif 7 the machaber speaks about how bad it is to speak during Chazaras HaShatz (when the Shliach Tzibbur is repeating Shomeneh Esrei out loud.) The Shulchan Aruch HaRav ...
1
vote
2answers
117 views
Where is a mediator between God and man forbidden
I don't believe that there should be mediators (like Christians believe Jesus is a mediator between God and man whom they pray to and/or pray through) between us and God, but is there anywhere in the ...
5
votes
1answer
212 views
Can a non-Jew recite the Shema?
Can a non-Jew recite the Shema and other Jewish prayers? Is there any one which is off limits to non-Jews?
Thanks.
4
votes
1answer
95 views
Kadish / Tachanun errors - How should you proceed?
Suppose the Chazan starts saying Kaddish in error instead of saying Tachanun - should the Chazan just stop saying Kaddish? Is there a break off point that up to there you stop saying Kaddish and ...
13
votes
3answers
298 views
Why doesn't Tefilat Geshem have a verse referring to Miriam?
The "Tefilat Geshem" ("Prayer for Rain") recited on Shemini 'Atzeret contains six verses. Each verse refers to a different person (except the last, which refers to a nation) and makes various ...
10
votes
3answers
150 views
וינוחו בה\בו\בם ישראל in Shabbat shemoneh esrei — why the change?
I've noticed that the Friday night shemoneh esrei (nusach Ashkenaz) uses the line "בה", shacharit and musaf use "בו", and mincha uses "בם" in the phrase "וינוחו _ ישראל מקדשי שמך..."
What is the ...
5
votes
3answers
204 views
1
vote
2answers
113 views
Anim Zemiros is highly anthropomorphic; how come we sing it in public?
Shir HaKovod - Anim Zemiros. This is amazingly anthropomorphic and all that without even once the word כביכול (= as if such a thing could be true). Admittedly the references come from texts such as ...
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?
3
votes
4answers
183 views
Since G-d is Omnipotent Why Does He Need Our Prayers?
What are some good answers to the Question if God is all powerfull what does he need our Prayers for? I would appreciate as many answers as possibile
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?
2
votes
3answers
69 views
Why does it say (negatively) in אום נצורה “She sits and waits for Shabbos to go out"?
The Hoshano for Shabbos which starts אום נצורה contains the phrase
יושבת וממתנת עד כלות שבת
Which I translate as “She (Khilas Yisroel) sits and waits for Shabbos to go out.”
I don’t find this very ...
4
votes
2answers
94 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 ...
8
votes
1answer
90 views
Why is Ein Kelokeinu not said on Yom Kippur?
Ein Kelokeinu isn't in my Yom Kippur Machzor, and as far as I can recall, it is not said in Shul after Musaf [or any time, for that matter]. Why is this so?
4
votes
1answer
71 views
Siddur with lots of white space for notes
I'm interested in making extensive notes on a siddur - for my own use, inspired partially by this recommendation. Are there any editions of the Siddur out there that include a great deal of white ...
5
votes
1answer
113 views
Davening from an electronic device?
I have been davening from my ipad using a pdf copy of a siddur I downloaded. However, I wanted to know if this is a suitable alternative for those times when the use of electronic devices is ...
3
votes
1answer
74 views
Request to see HaShem's vengeance
In אבינו מלכנו, among other places, we ask HaShem, "נקום לעינינו נקמת דם עבדיך השפוך", which roughly translates to, "let us see You avenge the spilled blood of Your servants."
1) Why do we have a ...
11
votes
2answers
211 views
Is there tashlumin for n'ila?
Can one make up n'ila at the next prayer or the previous one at n'ila?
4
votes
1answer
73 views
Order of punishments/responsibilities in viduy
In the viduy (confession) of Yom Kipur, we confess, and beg for forgiveness for, sins for which we're liable for
a sacrificial offering:
ola,
chatas,
ole v'yored, and
asham;
lashes prescribed by ...
6
votes
0answers
38 views
Division of Al Cheit
Al Cheit has a chorus line ועל כולם, אלוה סליחות, סלח לנו, מחל לנו, כפר לנו after the first 20 Al Cheits, then after the next 12, then after the next 12. Who made this division? Why was it not divided ...
5
votes
3answers
200 views
Status of feet while making a bracha or davening
In todays day and age where we no longer have homes with dirt floors:
do you still need to cover your feet when making a bracha or davening?
If so are socks enough?
does it depend on the custom of ...
11
votes
1answer
280 views
Why don't we bow “correctly” during tefillah anymore?
According to the Gemara (Megillah 22b), and according to the RaMBa"M (Hil. Tefillah 5:13) (and apparently R' Avraham ben HaRaMBa"M was adamant), when we pray we are supposed to bow down ON our knees ...
7
votes
3answers
174 views
What's so moving about Kol Nidrei
Wikipedia describes Kol Nidrei:
Though not a prayer, this dry legal formula and its ceremonial
accompaniment have been charged with emotional undertones since the
medieval period, creating a ...
0
votes
0answers
49 views
Davening by a Tzaddik on Rosh HaShanah
Where does the inyan of davening with a Tzaddik on Rosh HaShanah come from? Where did it start? Was there ever such a minhag before chassidus come along? (Assuming it started with the Chassidim -- my ...
4
votes
1answer
39 views
Saying slichos at any time but “ashmores haboker”, should we take out references to the early morning time so we are not “lying”?
Many of the Slichos refer to the early morning time: "Ashmores Haboker", which is clearly not applicable to those who say late slichos (say at 8 AM) or who say it early at night (say at 10 PM, let's ...
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 ...
4
votes
3answers
110 views
The dagesh in “elo-ha” means what?
I'm not so clear on the use of the dagesh as a point of definition -- I understand some fo the pronunciation issues but not all of them either so I would appreciate any help here.
I recall learning ...
1
vote
4answers
53 views
Anyone know of an online prayer calendar?
I'm looking for an online calendar that gives daily basic prayer information. This calendar would be geared towards someone who needs to know when the prayers are out of the ordinary, or letting them ...
5
votes
2answers
55 views
In Kaddish — what consolation can we offer G-d?
In the Kaddish, we say that may G-d be praised "beyond any blessing, hymn, praise, and consolation said in this world."
I understand how we can bless or praise G-d -- but how exactly (or even ...
1
vote
0answers
32 views
How to conjugate “their resting place(s)” in Kel Malei Rachamim?
The memorial prayer Kel Malei Rachamim concludes "may they rest in peace in their resting place[s], and let us say Amen."
Okay, how to say "resting place[s]." Mishkavam? Mishkaveihem? Mishkevoseihem? ...
12
votes
1answer
243 views
Avinu Malkeinu - middle verses said out loud by Chazan
Why do we repeat out loud the verses of Avinu Malkeinu - from Hachzireinu B'Teshuva until Kosveinu B'Sefer Slicha U'Mechila? Why only these verses? Why not others?
5
votes
3answers
127 views
In an average shul, how long before sunset does a combined weekday Mincha/Maariv service start?
Many shuls worldwide run combined weekday Mincha/Maariv services. How long before sunset do these services tend to start? Please specify a range, measured in "number of minutes". Also, please cite ...
5
votes
3answers
133 views
Can you fulfill the obligation to pray if you can't hear the leader?
The gemorah in Sukkah daf 51b explains that, in the enormous shul in Alexandria, in order for everyone to know when to answer Amen when the shliach tzibbur (prayer leader, aka sha"tz) was davening, ...
1
vote
5answers
119 views
What is the benefit to praying with a Minyan?
What is the benefit(s) of Praying with a Minyan? Besides for all the additional things you can now do with a Minyan (Kaddish, Kriah etc). By prayer, I mean the Shmoneh Esreh. What is different in ...
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 ...
1
vote
0answers
78 views
Saying Misod and Reshut (introduction) for piyutim, then skipping them
I have seen that many yeshivos (and recently, even some shuls) often say just Misod and the Reshus on RH and YK, and then skip the actual piyutim they are meant to introduce!
This is even more evident ...
14
votes
1answer
115 views
Why do we open the ark for important prayers?
What is the origin of the custom of opening the ark for important prayers (not connected with the need to take out the Torah scroll)?
4
votes
1answer
47 views
A meshabarach prior to going on aliyah
My family and I will be making Aliyah in a couple of weeks. Is there a customary meshabarach for a person who is about to make Aliyah?
3
votes
2answers
56 views
Torah versus Chukei Ritzonecha
In Al Hannisim we say:
לְהַשְׁכִּיחָם תּורָתֶךָ וּלְהַעֲבִירָם מֵחֻקֵּי רְצונֶךָ
"To make them forget Your Torah and violate the decrees of Your will"
In this context what is the meaning of ...
