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I have seen the person leading the prayers taking a drink of water (to lubricate his voice) during the weekday prayers.

Assuming he made a blessing (for the water, as usual before eating or drinking anything) before he started the prayers, is there any problem with doing this?

IMHO there seems to be a certain lack of respect to drink while addressing the Creator.

Are there any parts of the prayers where it is forbidden?

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  • Potentially stupid random thought after reading the 3rd sentence of this question--Isn't it more disrespectful to the Creator to address Him while letting your voice strain, crack, or weaken or die out completely due to lack of throat lubrication?? Gargling saltwater might be pushing it, but a sip of water that avoids such a situation seems ok to me, IMHO.
    – Gary
    Oct 25, 2018 at 21:32
  • @Gary Super thought. Oct 26, 2018 at 10:24

1 Answer 1

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R. Yitzchak Abadi has told me that it's no problem, at any point in the prayers.

There is also no need to make a shehakol if one is drinking the water for the sole purpose of lubricating one's throat. Shehakol is only recited on water when the drinking serves the purpose of quenching one's thirst (see Shulchan Aruch OC 204:7).

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  • Exact translation of חנקתיה אומצא? His throat is ...?
    – Seth J
    Feb 17, 2013 at 13:57
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    Something is stuck in his throat. Umtza is a raw piece of meat, something that was common to eat back then. So "the umtza is choking him." (Obviously this is a colloquial usage of the word choking; if someone were actually choking there is no doubt he is not obligated to recite a bracha before saving his life...)
    – Dov F
    Feb 17, 2013 at 15:39
  • What about if he also happens to be thirsty?
    – Michoel
    Feb 17, 2013 at 22:09
  • @Michoel well then he could make a Beracha anytime before Barechu and after Shemona Esreh. Feb 18, 2013 at 3:46
  • @HachamGabriel - There's a validity limit on the shehacol though. And he would have to make the shehacol and drink (no hefsek allowed) in case he might want to drink afterwards.
    – Epicentre
    Feb 18, 2013 at 5:58

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