questions about Jewish prayer
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 ...
4
votes
1answer
66 views
Why dictate Birchas Kohanim, but not the Bracha before?
In Birchas Kohanim, the Chazzan says each word of the actual Birchas Kohanim and the Kohanim repeat after him. On the other hand, when it comes to the bracha that's said before Birchas Kohanim, the ...
4
votes
1answer
43 views
“Bizchus Avrohom ovinu”. Why is it said as a response to “bircas kohanim”?
Why do some answer the bircas kohanim pesukim with “kein yehi rotzon bizchus Avrohom ovinu” etc. How does the “bizchus” phrase help?
4
votes
1answer
64 views
When & whether to say El Maleh or Kaddish
I wish to honor the memory of family members (names & relationships unknown) who died when all the Jews were killed in the town from which my parents came. The date this year comes out on 8/26. ...
4
votes
1answer
114 views
Bowing at Modim D'Rabbanan
When the chazan reaches "Modim" during his repetition, the congregation recites "Modim D'Rabbanan." Do members of the congregation bow here? If so, in what manner should they bow?
4
votes
3answers
231 views
Davening on an airplane
Often times on flights to/from Eretz Yisroel there are people who put together a Minyan at the back of the plane. I for one always Daven at my seat as I feel it can easily come to a Chillul Hashem. Is ...
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 ...
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
1answer
162 views
Why daven ke-vasikin on Hoshana Rabbah?
I know that some people specifically daven ke-vasikin on Hoshana Rabbah. Is this only because they stayed awake all night and thus want to daven as early as possible, or is there a more direct and ...
4
votes
1answer
49 views
Why say tachanun in selichos but not in davenning when say a sandek is in Shul?
If someone (eg sandek, mohel) is in Shul (the synagogue) whose presence stops the kehillo (congregation) saying tachanun, why is it that we do say tachanun in Selichos but not in davenning (the prayer ...
4
votes
2answers
72 views
Men davening in the women's section while they catch up
A seemingly knowledgeable guy who davens with me early each morning is sometimes found in the women's section (which is usually empty during that service). He says that he learned that from a ...
4
votes
1answer
128 views
Song while dressing the Torah
As we dress the Torah in my congregation and many congregations I've been to, we sing (from the siddur's liturgy on putting away the Torah):
Mishlei 3:18,3:17
עֵץ חַיִּים הִיא לַמַּחֲזִיקִים ...
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 ...
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 ...
4
votes
1answer
65 views
Why are the words כהיום הזה mentioned in Al Hanisim for Chanukah and nowhere for Purim and Pesach?
Why are the words כהיום הזה mentioned in Al Hanisim for Chanukah and not in Al Hanisim for Purim or at another appropriate place (in say the brocho of אשר גאלנו) for Pesach?
Credit to Alex for ...
4
votes
1answer
106 views
(Av Harachaman,) sh'ma kolenu
Is there a nusach hat'fila in which the 16th b'racha of the amida begins with "אב הרחמן" at shacharis only and skips those words at other t'filos?
I heard recently that this is in fact printed in ...
4
votes
0answers
73 views
What should I do if my synagogue faces away from Jerusalem?
Due to an major oversight in its design the synagogue in my home town (London) is built with the Aron facing north west instead of east. A while ago I asked someone about this and they said that it ...
4
votes
0answers
160 views
How do people daven so quickly, and what's the support for it?
I learned that one must clearly enunciate every word of tefila. At the least this would include Shemoneh Esreh and Shema, but one might presume it includes all of davening. This question can easily ...
4
votes
0answers
74 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 ...
4
votes
0answers
106 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 ...
4
votes
0answers
78 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 ...
4
votes
0answers
76 views
Prayer in a chapel (bes midrash room) vs. in the main synagogue
Some synagogues have a room for prayers that's used on a regular basis: weekdays, Shabasos, holidays. If there are two simultaneous minyanim, then one will be elsewhere, of course, but otherwise the ...
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
3
votes
2answers
115 views
What is the proper pronunciation of ומפז?
Tehilim 19 which is said Shabbos morning at Shacharis has the following Posuk הנחמדים מזהב ומפז רב. I have seen Artscroll Sedurim with a Patach under the Pei of UmiPaz and I have seen Artscroll ...
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, ...
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 ...
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 ...
3
votes
3answers
126 views
Does anyone have the preceding declaration before Tikkun HaKlali?
I know the specific Tehillim to recite for Tikkun HaKlali, but I'm looking for the Hebrew text (with nikkudos) of the declaration before and Reb Noson's prayer that follows the Tehillim. Is this ...
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 ...
3
votes
2answers
83 views
Tefillas HaDerech in populated areas
If one is traveling on a highway that runs through populated areas for the entire span of the trip, is Tefillas HaDerech recited? If so, at what point during the journey is it recited?
3
votes
2answers
141 views
Is it inappropriate to be overdressed for prayer (davening)?
I know that for prayer (davening), you're supposed to be dressed "appropriately", e.g. not in your pajamas; the rule of thumb I'd heard was "as you normally would when seen in public." (Rabbi Enkin ...
3
votes
2answers
665 views
How to pray in public places?
If you're stuck in a public place (e.g. airport, mall) and need to daven (pray) -- usually it's Mincha, right before sunset: what's the best way to do it?
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 ...
3
votes
2answers
89 views
Marriv before/after lighting the Menorah
Does one need to Daven Marriv before lighting the Chanukah Menorah or can you light before davening? Why?
3
votes
2answers
111 views
Kohen as Chazzan During Birchas Kohanim
Can a kohen serve as chazzan for mussaf on days when there is birchas kohanim? If so, what is the proper procedure for him to follow?
3
votes
2answers
163 views
Seeking “Netiv Binah”
Can anyone find the full 5 volumes of Netiv Binah (a Sefer on Tefillah) online?
3
votes
1answer
107 views
Grandpa and Grandson together again [closed]
What are the names of TWO distinct grandfathers and their grandsons are mentioned in the weekday Shemoneh Esrei ?
3
votes
1answer
90 views
Al Hanisim or V'Al Hanisim
There seems to be different Nuschaos regarding Al Hanisim. Some say Al and some say V'Al. What is the difference and what do most Halachic authorities recommend.
3
votes
2answers
69 views
L'chayim vs. Lachayim
During the עשרת ימי תשובה we make insertions into the שמונה עשרה, each of which contains the word לחיים, meaning "for life."
What is the source for insisting on pronouncing it "zachrenu l'chayim," ...
3
votes
3answers
106 views
Sign Language During Davening
Would one be allowed to use fingerspelling to communicate during pesukei d'zimrah (or other parts of davening where one is not allowed to talk)?
Would it make any difference if one was ...
3
votes
4answers
86 views
What advice do the sages give for improving one's concentration in prayer?
Following up on Isaac's question seeking experience-based advice to improve his prayer:, I am seeking something a bit different. I remember reading some advice on the subject given (I think) by Rav ...
3
votes
3answers
67 views
When do you interrupt to answer Kaddish?
Often I find myself in the middle of some part of davening when the chazzan starts saying kaddish. Should I interrupt to answer or does it depend on which part of davening I am holding?
3
votes
1answer
162 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
48 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
2answers
105 views
Interrupting birkas hamazon
For what prayer responses (e.g. amen, baruch Hu uvaruch Sh'mo, y'he Sh'me...) may one interrupt his own recital of birkas hamazon?
3
votes
1answer
148 views
Why does shacharit repeat kaddish yatom?
So-called nussach Ashk'naz ends the weekday shacharit service with kaddish yatom, the psalm for the day, (seasonal insertions if applicable), and kaddish yatom again. Elbogen is silent on it. Why is ...
3
votes
2answers
126 views
whoever leads s'lichos should lead the rest of the day's prayers: why s'lichos?
Rama 581:1 says whoever leads s'lichos should lead the rest of the day's prayers, and Magen Avraham, followed by others including Mishna B'rura, says this is due to "hamaschil b'mitzva om'rim lo ...
3
votes
2answers
219 views
Who says the Ribbono shel Olam in Birkas Kohanim?
I've "seen" many Talmidei Chachamim not saying the Ribbono shel Olams following each bracha of Birkas Kohanim. At least, I hear them chanting with the Kohanim from start to finish. Are these tefilos ...
3
votes
2answers
347 views
Is Muslim prayer rooted in Jewish prayer? [closed]
Is there any evidence that the practices required by Muslim prayer spring from similar practices in Jewish prayer?
E.g. happening 5 times daily, involving bowing
3
votes
3answers
113 views
Do you do a hataras nidui (rescinding of excommunication) before Rosh HaShanah?
When I was in yeshiva, we'd get together ten guys and then one person would approach and say:
אם נתחייבתי בנידוי, הרי אני מבקש התרה ממעלתכם
If I have been liable of excommunication, I hereby ...
