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Suppose I say mincha. Later the same day, forgetting I'd prayed already, I say mincha again. This second prayer said is after the earliest time one can possibly say maariv, possibly even after sunset. Suppose I realize my error after finishing the amida (sh'mone esre). Does the amida count for maariv?

(Assume this isn't Shabas into motzae Shabas, or any other day where the mincha and subsequent maariv differ substantially.)

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  • Just for fun, note that (accd to some Achronim) you can ask a parallel question for Maariv going into Shacharit which would have a different answer.
    – Double AA
    Jul 1, 2015 at 21:19

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The Shulchan Aruch and Mishne Berurah (107:3) write that if one is davening and remembers that he already davened he must immediately stop because tefilos correspond to the korban tamid and by davening twice it id's equivalent to bringing two korbanos which is forbidden. Clearly, the berachos of tefilah in such a case are all in error and sadly are berachos levatala.

If after completing the tefilah he became aware that he had already davened, his berachos were also levatalah for the same reason i.e. you may not bring two korbon tamid.

Since the tefilah was invalid it cannot count for any tefilah. It is evident from 108:1 and MB 7 that the intent at the time of davening for a particular tefilah is fixed and can't be changed after davening.

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  • I'll have to see the references in your last paragraph (not right this second), and I thank you. But the evidence your first two paragraphs seems less than compelling, as praying mincha during a time valid for maariv may conceivably be an exception.
    – msh210
    Jun 2, 2014 at 5:04
  • @msh210 it can be an exception only if the tefilah's purpose is changeable after it is completed which the last reference demonstrates, I believe ,is not possible. I liked your question...
    – Yoni
    Jun 2, 2014 at 5:11
  • This assumes Mincha Gedola and Mincha Ketana are the same prayer. Arguably, since he intended the second one to be Mincha Ketana he can continue since he hasn't prayed that yet, even if he wasn't obligated to since he already prayed Mincha Gedola.
    – Double AA
    Oct 8, 2021 at 1:23

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