Questions tagged [shemoneh-esrei]
Literally "eighteen". Also called the "Amidah". The prayer consisting of 19 blessings, recited three times daily, and four times on Shabbat and Yom-Tov. It forms the backbone of all of the daily prayers.
149
questions
22
votes
9
answers
2k
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 ...
user1552
10
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Saying Ulichaporas Pasha in Musaf of Rosh Chodesh
During Musaf of Rosh Chodesh the words Ulichaporas Pasha is added on during a leap year. Why is this done? And what is the significance of it?
- 140k
16
votes
4
answers
779
views
When you're trapped by someone Davening behind you
There's a(n) Halachah (Berachos 27a, Shulchan Aruch 102:4) that you are not supposed to pass in front of someone in prayer. As a result, many people are strict and won't take their three steps back ...
- 41.6k
14
votes
2
answers
673
views
Must one pray with a minyan?
People wrote on this site that there is no requirement for a man to pray with a minyan as a general rule. I took this to mean that one need not attend a minyan he knows meets regularly, instead ...
- 73.7k
4
votes
3
answers
495
views
Why do we pray for G-d to smash down our fellow Jews?
My question refers to the twelfth blessing of the Amida, which seems to contravene the Biblical mitzva of ahavas yisroel*:
"And for the slanderers let there be no hope; and may all wickedness perish ...
- 19.8k
2
votes
2
answers
660
views
When asking for personal requests in Shemoneh Esrei, how should one phrase them?
The Shulchan Aruch (OC 119:1) rules that one may add to a middle Brachah (i.e. from Atah Chonein to Shema Koleinu, inclusive) of Shemoneh Esrei a personal request on the topic; for instance, if one ...
- 34.3k
14
votes
1
answer
419
views
Changing location mid-way during Shemoneh Esrei?
In one of these hopefully rare events, I’ve found myself needing to daven Shemoneh Esrei in a hotel lobby. I tried finding a quiet place, only to realise mid-way one of the workers telling me I was ...
- 511
6
votes
3
answers
2k
views
5
votes
3
answers
466
views
The Tur's word counts for Shemoneh Esreh
I have often seen the Tur cited as giving exact word counts for each blessing of the Shemoneh Esreh. The arguments I have seen for being careful to adhere to the word counts include that this would ...
- 7,231
5
votes
3
answers
758
views
Why is a prayer leader still removed for omitting V'lamalshinim?
TL;DR
The Ashkenazi nusach of V'lamalshinim omits explicit mention of heretics. Therefore, recitation or omission of this blessing by the prayer leader seems to no longer serve as a signal for whether ...
- 17k
19
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Silent Amidah when praying without a minyan
If one is davening b'yichidut (praying by oneself), without a minyan, do they need to say the amidah silently or can they say it out loud?
Phrased another way, what is the reason for praying the ...
- 908
19
votes
3
answers
488
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?
- 1,472
16
votes
3
answers
565
views
Humming during shmoneh esre
On shabbat for shacharit and mussaf, I am usually still davening shmoneh esre by the time the chazzan gets to kedusha. In this situation, can I hum to the tune of kedusha?
This essentially boils down ...
- 2,495
16
votes
4
answers
427
views
How to say go-al Yisroel before Shacharis Amida
When the leader gets to just before the Shacharis Amida, how should he say the blessing
go-al Yisroel: aloud or saying the word Yisroel so the end of it cannot be heard?
- 47.6k
15
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Why "Lach" not "Lecha" in "Modim Anachnu Lach"
Could someone please explain why the "Lach" in Modim Anachnu Lach is not "Lecha"... I guess this is some grammatical point rather than the use of the feminime "you"?
- 153
14
votes
9
answers
24k
views
When is the latest time you can daven minchah bedieved?
If you realized that you didn't yet daven minchah and it's past shekiyah, when is the latest that you can begin praying the Amidah? I'm looking for different people's cutoffs.
- 13.2k
10
votes
1
answer
304
views
Interrupting in the middle of Shmona esrei
Am I allowed to interrupt in the middle of Shmona esrei in order to pick up a Siddur (or any other holy book) that has fallen to the floor? Same question, if I have to make some steps in order to pick ...
- 6,044
8
votes
4
answers
3k
views
How do you do the 3 steps back (forward) before/after Amidah
I know the why, and I see that's been asked/answered here many times. But I was curious about the proper mechanics of the 3 steps back (forward) before/after Amidah.
I've always started with my feet ...
- 191
7
votes
5
answers
514
views
Answering Baruch Hu UVaruch Shemo and Amen while learning
If someone is giving Shiur in the same room as people Davening, do the people learning answer Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo and Amen to the Hazarat HaShatz?
- 16.6k
7
votes
3
answers
592
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 ...
- 140k
7
votes
2
answers
220
views
Shliach Tzibbur and Tashlumim for missed tefillah
The M"B in Siman 108 Sif-Katan 4 brings that someone who missed a tefillah and is now the shliach tzibbur may use the chazaras ha'shatz for his tashlumim.
(Makor in Radbaz Siman 361.)
The Radbaz ...
- 16k
7
votes
3
answers
485
views
Reaching kedusha during silent shemone esre
When the chazzan starts kedusha in chazarat hashatz while you're davening, are you supposed to answer the chant, continue in your tefilla, or just not say anything?
leon sada
4
votes
1
answer
183
views
Did Rav Hai Gaon pray maariv twice on Friday night when the tsibbur prayed before tseit hakokhavim?
According to most early decisors, the evening shema should be said after tseit hakokhavim (see mishna Berakhot 1:1 and its gemara), and the rishonim debate how to deal with a tsibbur that is praying ...
- 10k
2
votes
1
answer
159
views
Shaliach Tzibbur missed out one or more blessings in the repetition of the amidah. What to do later?
What should one do if the Shaliach Tzibbur missed out one or more blessings in the repetition of the amidah and it was only pointed out to him after he had finished?
Does he have to repeat the amidah ...
- 47.6k
12
votes
3
answers
873
views
Can you learn during chazarat hashatz?
Are you allowed to learn Torah silently during the chazzan's repetition of Shmonah Esrei?
(This is a case where you are davening with that minyan.)
- 671
11
votes
1
answer
512
views
Why have I never seen anyone “slicing the Shema”?
“Slicing the Shema”
A good summary is to be found here, on the Israel Koschitzky Virtual Beit Midrash website.
In short, “…. ten men who prayed alone can subsequently fulfill their obligations of ...
- 47.6k
11
votes
2
answers
302
views
Leaning on things during prayer?
It says in Shulchan Aruch that one may not lean on anything while reciting sh'mona esre. (OC 94:8) The Mishna B'rura defines "leaning" as placing one's weight on another object such that if the object ...
- 23.8k
9
votes
2
answers
471
views
What can be done to hush someone praying a loud amidah?
If someone is praying an amidah in a loud voice that disturbs the rest of the congregation are any of the following permitted:
by someone (a) praying his own amidah or (b) who has finished
to hush ...
- 47.6k
8
votes
4
answers
933
views
Shalom Rav / Sim Shalom - by Mincha according to Nusach Ashkenaz
Nusach Ashkenaz says Shalom Rav at Mincha most days. However, when there is Birchas Kohanim (such as a fast day), they say Sim Shalom. Is there a connection between Birchas Kohanim and Sim Shalom? If ...
- 140k
7
votes
3
answers
307
views
Explain apparent contradiction regarding "binah" in the bracha "Chonen Hada'at"
The Bracha Chonen Hada'at seems to have an apparent contradiction regarding "binah".
The beginning of the blessing separates "da'at" from "binah" by implying that "G-d gives man graciously da'at and ...
- 70.5k
6
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Posuk for name at end of Shemona Esrei
Many people say a Posuk at the end of Shemona Esrei that begins and ends with the same letters as their name. What does someone do if he can not find a Posuk that begins and ends with his name?
- 140k
5
votes
2
answers
437
views
Missed Maariv Motzai Shabbos - when to say Ata Chonantanu
Suppose one wakes up Sunday morning and realizes they never prayed Maariv Motzai Shabbos. As per "Ata Chonantanu after havdala", there is still a requirement to say Ata Chonantanu even if one heard ...
- 140k
5
votes
2
answers
237
views
What was the formulation of the Bracha about Yerushalayim in the times of the Temple?
In Shemona Esrei we pray that Hashem should return to Yerushalayim. Obviously while the Jews were in Yerushalayim during the time of the Bais Hamikdash this Bracha had to be different as it would not ...
- 140k
4
votes
1
answer
136
views
Steps after chazaras hashatz, if the chazan doesn't continue past Ashre
As user6591 notes, the Shulchan Aruch (OC 123:5) says that the prayer leader does not need to take three steps backward after his repetition of the amida, and the Mishna B'rura (:18) gives the reason: ...
- 73.7k
3
votes
3
answers
868
views
Do you do a Tashlumin (make-up) on a Shemoneh 'Esreh if you later realize that you forgot a critical insert?
If you forgot to add a critical insert in the 'Amidah (one of the special additions to Shemoneh 'Esreh at certain times of the year, eg., HaMelech HaKadosh, Ya'aleh VeYavo, etc.), and you realize at ...
- 41.6k
2
votes
1
answer
532
views
Not saying v'sain bracha
In Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim Siman 117 Sif 3 it says that if someone said "v'sain tal u'matir l'vracha" in the bracha of Bircas Hashanim during the summer months then he must pray again (this is ...
- 16k
23
votes
1
answer
525
views
a wheelchair user's taking "steps" before sh'mone esre
The Shulchan Aruch, OC 94:5, writes:
Suppose someone is sitting on a boat or wagon [and saying sh'mone esre (amida)]. If he can stand up when he reaches the point of bowing, he should stand, so as ...
- 73.7k
12
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Does one choose one or two pesukim for names?
What posuk does one choose at the end of shmonei esrei if one has two names? do you use two pesukim? or take the posuk that starts with the first initial of the first name and ends with the last ...
- 849
12
votes
4
answers
1k
views
"Jumping" at the end of Shemoneh Esrei
Some people are accustomed to performing a few little "jumps" at the end of Shemoneh Esrei (after taking the requisite three steps backward and forward) by lifting their heels a number of times. Is ...
- 21.1k
10
votes
2
answers
556
views
Why do we start minchah, mussaf, and neilah shemoneh esrei differently?
Before reciting the verse from Psalms 51:17 that precedes the silent prayer, many traditions add the sentence from Haazinu (Devarim 32:3) before the minchah, musaf and neilah:
כִּ֛י שֵׁ֥ם יְהוָ֖ה ...
user2110
10
votes
1
answer
339
views
Is the bracha of Retzei (avodah) a Bakasha?
In a standard shmoneh esrei, we have a middle section of bakashot. Because we do not make bakashot on Shabbat (as evidenced in this question), the middle 13 brachot are omitted. However, the final ...
- 38.3k
9
votes
4
answers
412
views
When do you say Hashem sefatai?
Before saying shemoneh esrei we say "Hashem, sefatai siftach u'fi yagid tehilasecha". Are you supposed to say those words
A) Before you take the 3 steps back to start your shemoneh esrei
B) One word ...
9
votes
2
answers
227
views
Properly focusing attention on Hashem
Recently I've been travelling to places, where I couldn't daven minchah in a synagogue, and in many cases I couldn't determine where mizrach was. In another question we saw that, based on Berakhot 30a,...
- 7,684
8
votes
3
answers
513
views
"Chaparat Pesha" just through Adar II
We know that the phrase ולכפרת פשע is added to the Musaf Amidah of Rosh Chodesh during a leap year. However, in most minyanim I've davened in, the custom seems to be that one only adds it from ...
8
votes
2
answers
215
views
Can one repeatedly say a prayer for a chronically sick person in Shmonei Esrei?
The ArtScroll Siddur and many others include a prayer for sick people in the blessing of refaeinu:
יְהִי רָצון מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה' אֱלהַי וֵאלהֵי אֲבותַי
שֶׁתִּשְׁלַח מְהֵרָה רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה מִן ...
- 51.8k
7
votes
1
answer
95
views
Praying directly before an aron
It is very common to have a pictorially adorned curtain on an aron kodesh (cabinet that hold the Torah scrolls in a synagogue).
It is also very common to have the shatz (prayer leader) stand before ...
- 73.7k
7
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Why do we say כן יהי רצון in response to each blessing of Birkat Kohanim?
In most congregations (as far as I know), when the chazzan recites Birkat Kohanim (Priest's blessing) as part of the repetition of Shmoneh Esreh, after each of the 3 blessings, the congregation ...
- 70.5k
7
votes
2
answers
280
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 ...
- 47.6k
7
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Bowing for oseh shalom
Why do we bow for oseh shalom in shmoneh esre and kaddish? There are two parts to this:
What is the relationship between bowing in general and oseh shalom?
What does each direction in which we bow ...
- 2,495
7
votes
1
answer
203
views
If repeating Shmoneh Esrei do you redo steps back/forward?
If someone has to restart Shmoneh Esrei (because of Yale Yeyavo, Mashiva Haruach, Melech Hakadosh, etc) and is still in the middle of it, do you take 3 steps back, then forward, then back and forward ...
- 5,159