questions about Jewish prayer
11
votes
4answers
223 views
Keeping up with fast davening
My local shul in Johannesburg, South Africa is traditional with very few Yeshivah-background or even Shabbat-keeping members. They daven so fast I simply cannot keep up. Even if I skip most of Pesukei ...
2
votes
2answers
102 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 ...
8
votes
3answers
170 views
Falling behind during davening
If you daven more slowly than the chazzan, should you skip what someone who came late to davening would skip so that you can reach barchu with the tzibbur?
1
vote
1answer
72 views
Kedushah vs. Simḥah
As pointed out here, and noted in the comments, there is no Taḥanun recited the entire month of Nisan. According to MB 429:2(7) it's because of Kedushah.
I was wondering if someone can weigh in on ...
2
votes
0answers
32 views
Doing “Hoiche Kedushah” for Shacharit [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Hechi Kedushah anytime?
Do any posekim say that even in shacharit, one can do the "hoiche kedushah" if the minyan-goers really need to go to work, or are in a rush for ...
10
votes
3answers
256 views
Are there required “ritual/daily” prayers in Judaism?
I have a question about the daily prayers of Judaism. I noticed on my trip to Jerusalem that a lot of those practicing Judaism got up at a certain time in the morning on the plane and faced a wall and ...
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, ...
9
votes
3answers
358 views
Asking non-Jews to pray for someone
Is it appropriate to ask non-Jews to pray on behalf of someone in dire straits (sick, wrongfully imprisoned, trapped, etc.)?
Edit: If it's appropriate, would it be inappropriate if the person being ...
5
votes
3answers
446 views
8
votes
1answer
223 views
A Lubavitch custom of reciting zecher and zeicher in “Ashrei”?
My cousin, a Lubavitcher, says both zecher and zeicher (that is, both זֶכֶר with a segol and זֵכֶר with a tzeire) in "Ashrei". I noticed this when I visited him a good few years ago, and assumed it ...
11
votes
1answer
95 views
Is God swayed by popular appeal?
When we pray for someone to be healed, we pray this individually in the Amidah but we also often have a community misheberach list. I assume that there is a theological reason for the public prayer, ...
7
votes
3answers
184 views
Bimei Matisyahu ben Yochanan Kohen Godol
In "Al Hanisim" we say "Bimei Matisyahu ben Yochanan Kohen Godol", "in the days of Matisyahu the son of Yochanan the Kohen Gadol (=high priest)".
Who was the Kohen Godol: Matisyahu or Yochnan?
7
votes
2answers
113 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 ...
-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
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?
6
votes
2answers
108 views
Pirkei Avos on shabbos during mincha?
It seems clear from the Rama, MB, and other sources (as well as from most printed siddurim) that Pirkei Avos is said in the synagogue at Shabbos Mincha as part of the tefillah in the summer months, ...
2
votes
1answer
89 views
Blessing underneath bathroom
Is there any problem with reciting a b'racha (or other devarim shebikedusha) underneath a second-floor bathroom?
4
votes
2answers
176 views
Which Yochanan Kohen Godol is in Al Hanissim?
In Al Hanissim we mention a Yochanan Kohen Gadol. Since there were several kohanim gedolim named Yochanan which one is this, historically?
6
votes
1answer
134 views
Does G-d only hear one language?
I'm a little confused by Rambam Hil. Tefilla 1:4.
Consequently, when someone would pray, he would be limited in his ability to request his needs or to praise the Holy One, blessed be He, in ...
2
votes
0answers
168 views
Can't use the name of Gd during spontaneous prayer?
What is the rationale in suggesting that a person who wishes to pray to Hashem outside the context of formal communal prayer, that they may not use Gd's name in doing so?
This seems to me to go ...
4
votes
2answers
83 views
Bird droppings invalidating location for prayer?
One may not pray near feces or other sources of biological waste and decay that give a foul odor (see the article for several opinions on when/how it applies). Does this include bird droppings?
...
4
votes
3answers
134 views
History of Birkas haMinim
What is the history behind the bracha of v'lamalshim?
Was there a specific ideology or
group that the baracha was targeting?
Why would someone davening to Hashem
and saying the rest of the barachos
...
3
votes
1answer
112 views
What Should One Do If He Forgot to Say “VeYiten Lekha” on Saturday Night
According to those who observe the custom of reciting the passage of VeYiten Lekha on Motzaei Shabbat before or after Havdalah, what should one do if s/he forgot to recite it? I have never seen ...
5
votes
2answers
174 views
Hechi Kedushah anytime?
May a Ḥazzan decide on his own to do a Hechi Kedushah, or are there rules for when it is appropriate/mandated?
13
votes
5answers
268 views
Why do we still do chazarat hashatz?
This question assumes that the purpose of chazarat hashatz is to allow for those who were unable to say their own shmoneah esrei (assumedly due to Hebrew illiteracy) to fulfill their obligation to ...
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 ...
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?
13
votes
2answers
168 views
When to say Tefillas Haderech on an airplane?
When is the proper time to recite Tefillas Haderech when travelling in an airplane?
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?
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?
3
votes
1answer
169 views
Why aren't all Ten Commandments referenced in Shema in Sephardic siddurs?
I was looking at a Sephardic Siddur called "Yosef Chaim", based on the teachings of Yosef Chaim Mizrachi (is that the Ben Ish Chai)?
On various phrases in the Shema (I think the first 2 paragraphs), ...
4
votes
1answer
79 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 ...
10
votes
3answers
259 views
Moving from one's spot after Kedusha
After standing still for Kedusha, some people move after saying Yimloich, whereas others wait until after the Chazan says Hokail Hakodoish. What is the correct way?
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)?
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
438 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?
7
votes
2answers
171 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 ...
9
votes
3answers
775 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?
12
votes
2answers
605 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
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 ...
10
votes
2answers
152 views
saying “יתברך” when the שליח צבור says “ברכו”
The Artscroll סדורים (prayer books) — "Ashkenaz" and "Sefard" editions, Hebrew-English and Hebrew-only editions, at the morning and evening prayers for holidays, Saturdays, and weekdays — indicate ...
4
votes
2answers
181 views
Shachris in the Dark
When do people who live in places where it is dark for days Daven Shachris and put on Tefillin?
Please provide a source (Mareh Makom).
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 ...
6
votes
1answer
67 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 ...
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
1answer
96 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 ...
10
votes
2answers
203 views
What is a woman's obligation when it comes to T'fillah?
In Orthodox practice it is commonly thought that women are not obligated in T'fillah (parts of it anyway) due to its time-bound nature. However, what is a woman's obligation? Which prayers must she ...
10
votes
3answers
138 views
Who instituted the Musaf prayer?
According to the Gemara in Brachot, there are two views about Shacharit, Mincha, and Maariv: one is that the Avot instituted them, and one is that they correspond to the daily tmidin and the burning ...
4
votes
1answer
83 views
Insertions in shma koleinu
The Artscroll siddur offers two insertions that one can add to the bracha of shma koleinu every day, one asking forgiveness for sin and the other asking for livelihood. What are the sources for these ...
