questions about Jewish prayer
5
votes
1answer
114 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 ...
6
votes
0answers
39 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 ...
7
votes
3answers
176 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
52 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 ...
4
votes
3answers
111 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 ...
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? ...
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
80 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 ...
5
votes
3answers
136 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, ...
0
votes
5answers
123 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 ...
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?
14
votes
1answer
117 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)?
9
votes
2answers
153 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 ...
6
votes
3answers
233 views
spitting in aleinu leshabeach
Does anyone know the origin of the custom to spit in Aleinu after the words
Shehem mishtachvim lahevel vlarik
Where did it start? and in which sforim it is mentioned?
I have seen the sefer Hayom ...
4
votes
0answers
75 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
83 views
Who says the Tefillah of ר' נחוניה בן הקנה?
The Mishnah at the top of Ber. 28b says that ר' נחוניה בן הקנה used to say a short prayer before learning that he not cause harm in his learning, and afterwards to give thanks for the opportunity to ...
7
votes
2answers
98 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 ...
8
votes
1answer
172 views
Can one say amen to a blessing invoked by a Christian?
I was watching the blessings recited by clergy of various religions at the currently ongoing Republican National Convention to see if the blessings were made generally to G-d, or if the one giving the ...
2
votes
2answers
90 views
What can a Gabbai do if no one wants to Daven for the Amud?
As a Gabbai Sheni I have noticed that often the Gabbai has a difficult time getting someone to daven for the Amud. Some Shuls have paid Chazonim, yet others can not afford that. What can a Gabbai do ...
7
votes
2answers
207 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 ...
2
votes
0answers
37 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 ...
4
votes
0answers
110 views
Why do most of the shuls in Manhattan face the wrong direction?
As a first time visitor to Manhattan, I was very surprised to see that most shuls (with a few notable exceptions) are facing roughly south-south-west. This is nowhere near the direction to face ...
5
votes
2answers
257 views
Can one pray in front of a mirror?
Can it be considered avodah zarah if one prays while looking at themselves in the mirror? I mean, if you're looking at yourself, is it wrong for someone to think that you're praying to that person? ...
2
votes
0answers
139 views
Aneni prayer for pregnancy best practice
What is best practice with regards to saying the Aneni prayer by a husband whose wife is in her 3rd month of pregnancy?
Should the prayer be said only once, or daily?
If daily, then is this only for ...
6
votes
2answers
115 views
When do we start reciting Psalm 27?
Yesterday being the 30th of Av (and Rosh Chodesh Elul), prompted a question at shul: exactly when do we start saying Psalm 27—on the first day of Elul or the first day of Rosh Chodesh Elul? Most ...
1
vote
1answer
59 views
The “Shir Hamaalos” etc before Maariv: is it said before nightfall?
The German nusach contains the following explanation of the “Shir Hamaalos” etc said before Maariv.
When ערבית is recited after nightfall, it is preceded by the following
פסוקים, which speak of ...
9
votes
1answer
102 views
Why are some bakashot made on Shabbat?
As I understand it, we don't make prayers of request (bakashot) on Shabbat (cf Rambam Shabbat 30:12).
For that reason, we omit so many liturgical requests because of shabbos - e.g., Avinu Malkeinu, ...
0
votes
5answers
281 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 ...
8
votes
1answer
168 views
Why do we mention dreams during *Birchas Kohanim*?
I don't know how many sects actually do this, but some people have the custom to say a tehfillah which is all about dreams. In it we ask Hashem to make all our good dreams come true whether "...I have ...
4
votes
0answers
79 views
Why would a siddur choose תתברֵך instead of תתברַך?
My siddur of choice is the סדור תפילת השלם but I am wondering about one bit of vocalization used therein.
In the davening of shacharit for both weekdays and shabbat, there is a sentence before shma ...
1
vote
1answer
44 views
How can Birchoth Keriath Shema' substitute for Birchoth HaTorah?
Birchoth Keriath Shema' are able to substitute for Birchoth HaTorah in case one cannot remember if he said the latter, or in case one did not sleep and is in doubt whether or not he should say them.
...
3
votes
1answer
174 views
Should a woman wear a gartel?
My understanding of the halachic need for a gartel is very limited; is there any reason a woman should or should not wear one during prayer?
3
votes
1answer
63 views
Three reasons not to enter ruins (Berachoth 3a)
In Berachoth (3a) a Beraitha states that there are 3 reasons not to enter ruins - that it is unseemly, that walls might collapse, and that unsavory characters might lie in wait and harm the person. ...
6
votes
2answers
116 views
Why are different kaddishes said by different people?
The "Mourners' Kaddish" and the "Rabbis' Kaddish" are said by mourners: either all instances are said by all mourners in the synagogue simultaneously, or each mourner gets a turn at one kaddish, or ...
7
votes
1answer
80 views
Why do we strike ourselves during prayer?
Why do we strike ourselves when confessing sin either during shmoneah esrei or viduy?
7
votes
2answers
287 views
Davening late rather than never?
If for some reason I am held up doing something until after the time that mincha must be done by and I have not davened mincha, is it better to daven mincha after the time it is supposed to be done by ...
3
votes
1answer
312 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 ...
8
votes
0answers
78 views
“Oyoyoy” a hefsek? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Humming during shmoneh esre
Is saying "oyoyoy" in places where you're not allowed to speak (e.g. Shemoneh Esreh) a hefsek (interruption)? Does it make a difference that ...
5
votes
3answers
154 views
multiple versions for Baruch She'amar
Being that Baruch She'amar fell from the sky (as said in the Baeir Heiteiv Orach Chaim 51:1), how is it that the Rambam (seder tefilos kal hashna) has a different version than what we have in our ...
5
votes
1answer
70 views
What is the meaning of the first beracha of shema?
In shacharit we say:
לְאֵל בָּרוּךְ נְעִימוֹת יִתֵּנוּ. לְמֶלֶךְ אֵל חַי וְקַיָּם זְמִירוֹת יֹאמֵרוּ וְתִשְׁבָּחוֹת יַשְׁמִיעוּ. כִּי הוּא לְבַדּוֹ פּוֹעֵל גְּבוּרוֹת. עוֹשֶׂה חֲדָשׁוֹת. בַּעַל ...
3
votes
1answer
49 views
Splitting up Shacharis between two Chiyuvim
I have Davened in a few Shuls where they have split up Shacharis between two Chiyuvim. (One Davens until Ashrei after Tachanun / One davens from Ashrei until the end.) What is the source for doing so?
...
3
votes
1answer
46 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
70 views
Where does the comma go in the Birkas Kohanim, and why?
In which of the positions (1) or (2) does the comma go in the introduction to Birkas Kohanim,
ברכנו בברכה המשלשת (1) בתורה (2) הכתובה על ידי משה עבדך
Bless us with the blessing which is ...
2
votes
0answers
43 views
Reasons for the laws of the prayers in Aramaic
Parts of the davenning are in Aramaic. I understood that the Malochim (Angels) do not understand Aramaic. Since HKB”H does not “attend” prayers with less than a Minyan, one does not say the Aramaic ...
5
votes
3answers
107 views
Does attending a regular shiur take precedence over leading the prayers on a Yahrzeit?
It is a widespread custom to lead the prayers (daven from the amud) on the anniversary of a parent’s death (yahrzeit).
Suppose that if I do this for a service on the yahrzeit of a parent it will ...
9
votes
4answers
268 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
2answers
104 views
Nusach of Tefilas Geshem
In Tefilas Geshem we say "Al HaSela Hach Vayeitzu Mayim"
translated by Artscroll as:
Remember the one [Moses] drawn forth in a bulrush basket from the
water. They said, 'He drew water and ...
