questions about Jewish prayer
8
votes
1answer
88 views
Why are Isaac and Rivka in Shochen Ad
Many siddurim capitalize the Yitzchak in Shochen Ad. Some draw attention to the Rivka. But why are either of them there? If you wanted to throw Yitzchak somewhere, why not minchah, which we ...
1
vote
0answers
23 views
How to pray for a Gentile? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Davening for a non-Jew
When praying for someone who isn't Jewish, what is the proper method? Is there a special formulation for their name, if any?
7
votes
1answer
208 views
Are there any ill-effects for mis-directed prayers?
Inspired by the end of this answer:
Just remember that all non-Jews don't follow the Sheva Mitzvot and could [even] be in Avodah Zarah and then would...a blessing [of theirs] matter? It might even ...
3
votes
2answers
88 views
What if there's a Minyan of Aveilim?
It is my understanding that when one is in the year of mourning following the death of certain relatives, he is not allowed to lead ["daven from the amud"] certain prayers (such as those on Shabbos, ...
5
votes
0answers
114 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?
4
votes
1answer
80 views
Shemona Esrei - why do we not Daven anywhere for our children?
In Shemona Esrei we Daven for Da'as - understanding, Teshuva, Geula - redemption, Refua - health, Parnassa - livelihood, etc. Yet nowhere to my knowledge do we Daven for our children. Is there perhaps ...
2
votes
1answer
137 views
Where in Tanach is Shavuot associated with Matan Torah?
There is nowhere I can see in the tanach that associates Shavuot with Matan Torah.
However, we say in the prayers on Shavuot: "Z'man Matan Toratainu" (the time of the giving of the Torah).
Whenever ...
2
votes
0answers
48 views
The father's or mother's name in the “Ribbono Shel Olam” (Yom Tov)
In the "Ribonno Shel Olam" prayer which we say on Yom Tov prior to taking out the Torah, there seems to be a major difference of opinion between certain siddurim (prayer books). Some have the ...
7
votes
2answers
174 views
How to learn Amidah, Shma and others?
I live 3000km from shul and take conversion classes remotely. I am learning from Koren Siddur. Because I do not ever hear how the words should be spoken, I sometimes wonder if it is a waste of time. I ...
8
votes
1answer
364 views
What is the origin of hazak u'baruch?
Hazak u'barukh is a phrase commonly said after one does something in the synagogue (e.g., after an aliyah). What is its origin?
8
votes
2answers
142 views
Can you learn during chazarat hashatz?
Are you allowed to learn Torah silently during the chazzan's repetition of Shmonah Esrei?
(This is a case where you are davening with that minyan.)
9
votes
2answers
130 views
How sick does someone have to be to be put on “the cholim list”?
By putting someone on a cholim list you are asking the tzibur to daven/ say tehillim on their behalf. How sick does someone need to be for it to be appropriate to put them on such a list?
6
votes
1answer
68 views
Final Nun vs. Final Mem in “Madlikin”
In the Hanerot Halalu that we recite when lighting the Hanukkah candles, it says "anachnu madlikin." Why madlikin and not madlikim? Why is a final nun used and not a final mem? I have searched ...
2
votes
1answer
87 views
What does “rov am hadrat melech” mean?
I was under the impression that from the literal word for word interpretation, that רוב עם הדרת מלך meant literally most of nation respects the king. Does this mean that it applies when only three ...
12
votes
2answers
615 views
What are “universal minimum” standards of tznius for halachic purposes?
What are the minimum standards of tznius for halachic purposes? By "halachic purposes" I mean Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 75, which forbids praying in the presence of ervah. I am raising the question ...
5
votes
1answer
97 views
Women and Tefillah - per the Rav
I remember a long time ago hearing that the Rav (Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik (1903–1993)) held that women should pray three times a day.
Can anyone verify this, and what is the reason/source ...
5
votes
1answer
56 views
Merit and Ein Mazal L'Yisrael
The Gemara (Shabbos 156b) tells a story with Shmuel and a non-Jewish astrologer named Avlait. They observed people entering a swamp. Avlait said that a certain man would not emerge from the swamp ...
8
votes
1answer
89 views
What constitutes an acceptable barrier so that another person can pass by someone saying the Amidah?
The Shulchan Aruch/Mishna Berurah 102 (4) [15] writes that one may not walk within four Amos in front of somebody praying the Amidah.
What constitutes an acceptable barrier in front of the person so ...
5
votes
3answers
200 views
Davening with an Egalitarian Minyan
I will be participating on a summer program this summer with egalitarian davening, including women leading, laining, having aliyot, etc. Can I respond amen to their brachot? Can I respond to their ...
5
votes
2answers
105 views
Correct Niqqud for ואטהר in Sefira Nusach
Context: In the Ashkenaz / Sefard (and possibly others) Nuschaos of Sefira, there is a prayer starting with the words "Ribbono Shel Olam [רבונו של עולם]" that is said. Towards the end of this prayer ...
8
votes
2answers
137 views
When there are four aveilim (mourners), Is it better to have one minyan of 40 people or 4 minyonim of ten each?
Today I was in a shul where there were four parallel mincha services because four mourners wanted to lead the services. I thought there was a principle of ברב עם הדרת מלך?
What sources are there that ...
2
votes
2answers
240 views
If borchu of maariv is before plag hamincha and the amida after plag, is this “tartei desasrei” – two contradictory acts?
A minyan starts to daven mincha before plag hamincha with the intention to daven maariv after plag hamincha. In the event, mincha is too fast and the borchu of maariv is before plag hamincha while the ...
4
votes
1answer
47 views
Can we say the “Adir bamarom” prayer after the prayer which we say instead of “Birkat Kohanim”?
Extracted from here:
The prevailing custom in the Diaspora to relegate the Birkat Kohanim to the major holidays.
After Birkat Kohanim, the congregation silently recites the short Adir bamarom prayer.
...
4
votes
2answers
149 views
Birkat Kohanim at a late Musaf
Generally speaking, Birkat Kohanim can/is done at any daytime prayer. We do not do so at mincha because in the afternoon people have already eaten and the kohanim may have drunk some alcohol which ...
4
votes
5answers
169 views
Why isn't Half Hallel called “85 percent hallel”?
When we say hallel on days like Rosh chodesh, we don't say parts of two prakim of tehillim. This is often called "chatzi" hallel, or half hallel. In fact, according to ...
5
votes
2answers
81 views
What is the source of the additions before תתקבל צלותהון, יהא שלמא, עושה שלום in Kaddish Tiskabel?
In Kaddish Tiskabel, there are parts to be said (see page 131) by the congregation just before the three phrases that begin: תתקבל צלותהון, יהא שלמא, עושה שלום.
These do not appear in all siddurim ...
3
votes
3answers
103 views
Seeking sources about the necessity for finding a מנין
I am looking for sources about the necessity for finding a מנין. More specifically, whether or not one has to always be in close range of a מנין, or if he can intentionally put himself in a position ...
1
vote
1answer
46 views
Why do we say באהבה twice in the sentence beginning ותתן לנו ה' אלקנו in Musaf for Yom Tov?
In Musaf for Yom Tov, we say ותתן לנו ה' אלקנו באהבה [שבתות למנוחה ו] מועדים לשמחה את יום החג הזה זמן .... [באהבה] מקרא קדש וכי (additions for Shabbos in square brackets and italics.) Why do we need ...
4
votes
1answer
54 views
What is the purpose of the doubled lines at the end of hallel?
I recall the Gemara discussing which ones to double, but I'm wondering what the purpose of this is. (Sources please)
4
votes
1answer
59 views
Why do they replace one טל for another in shmoneh esre in Israel?
Why, in Israel, do they get rid of ותן טל ומתר in barech aleinu but then add מוריד הטל in ata gibor? If it's the end of the season for טל (which, maybe i'm wrong, but I don't think there an end to ...
6
votes
1answer
73 views
Why does the 5th verse of “Yigdal”, not mention prayer as does the 5th principle of faith of the Rambam?
The piyyut, “Yigdal”, seems to put the 13 principles of faith of the Rambam in poetic form.
With number 5, the author of Yigdal seems to have made a slightly different point to the Rambam by leaving ...
4
votes
1answer
60 views
Tefillat Nedava on Yom Tov
In general, one can pray an extra shmoneh esrei beyond the regular shacharit-mincha-maariv if one wants to do so. This is called a tefillat nedava -- a voluntary prayer.
I know that one cannot do ...
8
votes
2answers
138 views
Why don't some people say Vihi Noam Motzei Shabbos of Shabbos Hagadol 5772?
Regarding saying Vihi Noam on Motzei Shabbos Shabbos Hagadol which falls out a week before Pesach (The first night of Pesach is on Friday Night) Luach Kollel Chabad writes:
On Saturday night, we ...
6
votes
2answers
263 views
Tehilim HaChida - in the order of the Aleph Bais
I recently came across the Tehilim HaChida which is the entire Tehilim with the Pesukim rearranged in the order of the Aleph Bais by first letter. From the introduction it seems like it is a special ...
14
votes
2answers
280 views
How do you pray for a sick baby who has not yet been named?
Is it possible to say a Mi SheBerach for a sick baby who has not yet been named? If so, how is it done?
And if one cannot say a Mi SheBerach, is there another prayer that can be said?
What if there ...
5
votes
1answer
77 views
What authority is there for the text of Kaddish Derabonon regarding the words וארעא, טובים, and ברחמיו?
There are variations of the text in Kaddish Derabonon. My questions are how they have arisen and whether there is any authority for each form.
1) The use or non-use of the word וארעא in the phrase
...
7
votes
3answers
125 views
Can you pray something that isn't true or (at least) that the petitioner doesn't believe to be true?
In the Aruch HaShulchan OH 581:4, he writes regarding the selichos we recite before Rosh HaShanah:
האחת: דאלו שאינם מתענים, ובהסליחה מוזכר לשון "תענית" או "צום" – לא יאמרו זה, דלא ליהוי כדובר שקרים. ...
1
vote
1answer
94 views
What is the vowel associated with the letter “dalet” in the name “Aleph-Dalet-Nun-Yud”?
What is the vowel associated with the letter “dalet” in the name “Aleph-Dalet-Nun-Yud”? I always assumed it was a “cholam” (see here for example) but someone who is (otherwise) careful in his ...
4
votes
1answer
164 views
Repeating shmoneh esreh after forgetting an insertion
Why are you supposed to repeat shmoneh esreh on certain days if you forgot to say the special insertion pertaining to that day? If, for example, you realize at the end of shmoneh esre during aseret ...
5
votes
1answer
58 views
Uvah Letzion schedule on Shabbos
Why don't we say Uvah Letzion on Shabbos by Shacharis and say it by Mincha?
Moreover, we then commence to repeat it by Maariv. Why do we do that?
4
votes
1answer
69 views
Why do we say “Ve'Atah Kadosh”?
Why do we say "Ve'atah Kadosh" on
Motzei Shabbos (after Shabbos).
After reading the Megilla.
After reading Eicha?
What is so special about these days?
EDIT
And what connection does this have to ...
14
votes
3answers
267 views
Humming during shmoneh esre
On shabbat for shacharit and mussaf, I am usually still davening shmoneh esre by the time the chazzan gets to kedusha. In this situation, can I hum to the tune of kedusha?
This essentially boils down ...
4
votes
1answer
113 views
Modim DeRabanan - UThHonnenu or UThKayemeinu?
There is a very common poster that I've seen in virtually every Shul I've been in over the past 10-15 years. Unfortunately, I cannot find a photo at the moment. It is a (generally laminated,) white ...
5
votes
1answer
80 views
Why do Ashkenazim respond בְּרִיךְ הוּא in kaddish?
Is קֻדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא a translation of הקדוש ברוך הוא? At any rate both expressions are one phrase.
Why then in kaddish do we reply with בריך הוא when someone says שְׁמֵהּ דְּקֻדְשָׁא, בְּרִיךְ ...
5
votes
0answers
39 views
Why is the prayer for dreams repeated in Birchas Kohanim? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Who says the Ribbono shel Olam's in Birkas Kohanim?
At Birchas Kohanim outside Israel, where it is only said on Yom Tov (Ashkenazim), we say twice a prayer for bad ...
10
votes
3answers
247 views
Why do Jewish people sway while praying?
Is there a reason that people sway back and forth while praying?
I saw a lot of people pray like this, but I'm too shy to ask them why do they do this.
3
votes
2answers
120 views
Hearing Megillat Esther in a mixed minyan
If the only available minyan to hear Megillat Esther is a mixed minyan with no mechitza, can one attend the minyan or is it better to not hear megilla at all? Would it matter if the baal megilla was a ...
6
votes
1answer
65 views
Forgiveness on Rosh Chodesh
If Rosh Chodesh is a "Zeman Kapara" (time of atonement) as we say in the Mussaf prayers, why does it contain no selichot and no tachanunim? Why doesn't it (the day of Rosh Chodesh itself) resemble Yom ...
3
votes
1answer
93 views
Tehilim for an illness
What are the Chapters of Tehilim (Psalms) said for an ill person and what is the source in seforim and the reason for these particular chapters being chosen?
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 ...
