questions about Jewish prayer
5
votes
2answers
118 views
Saying Yekum Purkan after the Minyan is already up to Av HaRachamim or Ashrei
The Halacha is that a individual not Davening with a Minyan does not say Yekum Purkan. Suppose you are in Shul and for some reason the Chazan finished Yekum Purkan and is already up to Av HaRachamim ...
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?
5
votes
2answers
120 views
Which tefilot you say when your minhag differs from that of the shoul your praying in?
Here is the case: This past Sabbath, at an ashkanazi synagogue, a sephardi comes to pray. This is the synagogue that he normally attends (there are about 20 within 1 sq mile).
He prays with the ...
5
votes
2answers
186 views
Saying Baruch HaShem L'Olam without a minyan
Should one say Baruch HaShem L'Olam when davening without a minyan? What if one is davening not in a synagogue but in a home? What if one is davening alone?
Practically speaking, the prayer was ...
5
votes
3answers
81 views
How a couple lines in Alenu fit the pattern
It has been pointed out to me that the two halves of the "Alenu" prayer follow a pretty strict pattern. Each contains eight parallel couplets, followed by a Biblical quote. I broke it all down myself, ...
5
votes
3answers
208 views
Boruch Sheomar - kissing the Tzitzis
The Mishna Berura Siman 51 :1 says that you should kiss the 2 front Tzitzis when you finish saying Boruch Sheomar.
http://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14170&st=&pgnum=155
1 - Why do we ...
5
votes
1answer
267 views
Rules for Selichot when the minyan isn't complete at start time
If the shul doesn't have a full minyan at the time when Selichot is supposed to start, and waiting for a minyan to gather before starting is not an option, what are the rules for what you say or don't ...
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?
5
votes
3answers
153 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
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
...
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 ...
5
votes
1answer
110 views
Why is Hashkiveinu different?
Normally, if me and my good friend Shimon complete (finish) a Bracha at the same time, I may not say Amen after his bracha.
However, if I recall correctly, an exception to this is made by the bracha ...
5
votes
1answer
93 views
Why do we Daven for יראת שמים / fear of Heaven?
The Gemara in Nidah 16: mentions the following in the name of Rabbi Chanina:
דאמר רבי חנינא הכל בידי שמים חוץ מיראת שמים
שנאמר (דברים י) ועתה ישראל מה ה' אלהיך שואל מעמך כי אם ליראה וגו'. - ...
5
votes
2answers
234 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?
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 ...
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 ...
5
votes
1answer
55 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 ...
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 ...
5
votes
2answers
93 views
Why is 'misod chachomim unevonim' sometimes said and sometimes omitted in the repetition of the Amidah?
In Askenazi communities, the piece beginning 'misod chachomim unevonim' is said at the repetition of the Amidah at Shacharis when there are piyuttim (except Purim) and on Musaf on Yomim Noraim as well ...
5
votes
3answers
125 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
1answer
420 views
When do we say Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo?
I'm somewhat confused on when Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo (ברוך הוא וברוך שמו) should be said after Hashem's name in a B'racha (I'm taking for granted that it is only said in the context of a bracha, but ...
5
votes
1answer
65 views
Allowed Footwear in prayer
Is there a problem with wearing sandals or Crocs during Davening instead of regular footwear? What is the source for this issue and what is the reason for this issue?
5
votes
1answer
52 views
Does an unnecessary brocho pesucha on Hallel necessitate a brocho siyuma?
We had an interesting question arise in our Shul this past Yom Yerushalayim. Our shul has a minhag of saying Hallel without a brocho in Shacharis. At one of the minyanim, the chazzan said a brocho at ...
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.
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 ...
5
votes
3answers
199 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
1answer
57 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?
5
votes
2answers
100 views
Shirei zimra in Yishtabach
At the end of Yishtabach, Hashem is referred to as הבוחר בשירי זמרה. This is usually translated as "who chooses songs of praise." However, as far as I am aware zimra means song, not praise. So how can ...
5
votes
3answers
127 views
Saying Mashiv HaRuach in the Southern Hemisphere
In the Southern Hemisphere (Brazil, Australia, South Africa, etc.) in October they are heading into the summer. Do they say Mashiv HaRuach at this time of the year or do they say it from Pesach to ...
5
votes
1answer
150 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 ...
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 ...
5
votes
1answer
59 views
“For Zion's sake” - Where in the liturgy?
Is Isaiah 62:1 found anywhere in the liturgy? I seem to remember a reference or two in Selichot, but I can't find it there now, nor can I find it anywhere else.
5
votes
2answers
91 views
Order of names in a meshabarach after an aliyah
Is there any specific order in the list of names in a meshabarach after an aliyah? For instance, does my wife get listed first,or my parents? Do Grandkids get listed after their parents or only after ...
5
votes
2answers
114 views
What does cantillation do to prayer's status?
I recall seeing recommendations, in multiple Halachic discussions, that someone who's reciting a Scripturally-derived prayer alone that normally requires a minyan, e.g. the 13 Attributes of Mercy, one ...
5
votes
1answer
112 views
The origins of davening
So according to the Rambam (I believe that it is only him, but would be more than interested in other people that also hold the same view), it is a mitzvah de'oraita daven every day (I believe its one ...
5
votes
3answers
132 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, ...
5
votes
1answer
69 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 ...
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 ...
5
votes
1answer
82 views
What does it mean to pray for the speedy reconstruction (תובב״א) of a city other than Jerusalem?
I'm used to seeing the acronym תובב״א ("may it be rebuilt & reestablished speedily in our days, Amen") after Jerusalem, which I presume is a prayer for the building of the Third Temple.
But ...
5
votes
2answers
81 views
Fixing incorrectly-said word in davening
When one has incorrectly uttered a word or syllable of davening and immediately realizes it, how far back does one go in order to correct it?
Does one need to return to the beginning of the pasuk or ...
5
votes
1answer
107 views
What is the origin of “deah, binah, v'haskel”?
There are two nusachos with the fourth brocha in Shemoneh Esreh of which I am aware. One, extant today in nusach Ashkenaz, certain nusach Sefard, and Teman Baladi, and present in very old siddurim, ...
5
votes
2answers
216 views
Wearing a hat on Shabas
Many men will wear hats for mincha and for maariv (also for other prayers if not wearing a talis). Many will not. And then I've seen a few who wear hats for mincha and maariv on Shabas but not on ...
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
1answer
56 views
Tefillas Haderech in Shacharis
I once heard of a concept of saying tefillas Haderech in שמע קולינו during shemonah esrei by Shacharis of that day. Has anyone here heard of it, and if so, what's it about?
5
votes
0answers
61 views
Any good sources for Ashkenazi prayer modes and melodies for the whole year?
Anyone know of any good sources for Ashkenazi prayer modes and melodies for the whole year? I'm looking for traditional Ashkenazi nusach, but perhaps not embellished like concert chazzanut. A good ...
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?
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 ...
5
votes
0answers
79 views
Why are the kinos about Jeremiah's appeal to the avos out of order?
The kina (elegy, said on the ninth of Av) about Jeremiah's going to ask the avos to pray (kina 21 in at least some versions) is said before the one about Tziyon's telling him to do so (22). Why this ...
4
votes
3answers
118 views
Pesukim/Sayings/Thoughts for Hizuk
I have a new philosophy (of course Beli Neder): never Daven before you have Hizuk. Now, sometimes I like to sing a Niggun (Shifchi by Reb Shlomo) or say some Bakashot (specifically Agadelcha by Iben ...
4
votes
6answers
290 views
Stepping Back Before Amidah
Why do people step back three steps before the Amidah (as mentioned here in Mishnah Berurah, S'if Katan Gimmel) if the Gemarah only mentions stepping three steps forward? Is there a kabbalistic source ...
