Questions tagged [tefilla]
Questions about Jewish prayer (the fixed order of typically-thrice-daily prayers, or prayer generally).
156 questions from the last 365 days
2
votes
1
answer
70
views
If a woman arrives late, should she skip pesukei d’zimra to daven shemoneh esrei b’tzibbur?
There is a well-established practice for men to skip parts of pesukei d’zimrah to finish in time to daven shemoneh esrei with the tzibur. Should a woman also do this?
- 817
5
votes
1
answer
92
views
זֵכר or זֶכר in אשרי? [duplicate]
All my life I've said זֵכר. But recently I noticed in the artscroll siddur and tehillim, זֶכר. I checked a bunch of other siddurim, they all had it as זֵכר. (Unlike parshat Zachor, no sidur mentions ...
- 1,014
2
votes
0
answers
66
views
Halachic source for R' Yitzchok Meir Morgenstern praying late [duplicate]
As we all know there are halachic times to pray. I recently discovered that R' Yitzchok is known (to some level) for praying late among other things.
I know he's a Mekubal and that's why he's one of ...
1
vote
2
answers
169
views
Is it all Leah's doing?
As we know from the commentaries and midrashim, Leah's eyes were weak from praying to Hashem to not have to marry Esav. If she had, her job would have been to cause him to turn into a "good guy&...
- 14.7k
3
votes
1
answer
111
views
Who established the tefilas Mussaf? [duplicate]
Many people know the aggadeta in gemara Berakhos 26b regarding the origin of daily tefilos:
The Gemara comments: It was taught in a baraita in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi ...
- 5,006
2
votes
0
answers
122
views
Is there a gemara that explains why our forefathers' prayers were answered right away?
I think I remember a gemara that says the reason why our fathers were answered right away as opposed to us is because they knew G-d's name. I am searching for it but I have not found it yet.
2
votes
0
answers
79
views
Mispronouncing G-d's name "Adee-noy"
If a shaliach tzibur pronounces the name of G-d as "Adeenoy",
can one say "amen"?
Can one say "Boruch hu uvaruch shemo"?
Does one fulfil the requirement of tefila B'...
- 1,014
0
votes
0
answers
77
views
Order of Selichos
In most siddurim used by ashkenazim, nussach Ashkenaz or Sefard, we have a daily addition for selichos sandwitched between tefilas Amidah and Tachnun. Some people suggested to me that it was taken ...
- 5,006
2
votes
0
answers
74
views
Touching dogs obstructs prayers - source?
One of the first things I learned in yeshiva was that there is some source that says that:
if one touches a dog, then their prayers are "held up in heaven" for 40 days.
I don't remember ...
- 14.7k
3
votes
1
answer
80
views
What is the origin and history of Nusach Roma?
This year I visited Italy. There I found that, at least in Rome, the Jewish community uses a unique prayer order that differs greatly from other nuschaot, like Sephardic and Ashkenazic. Does Rome’s ...
- 16.3k
2
votes
0
answers
46
views
When you repeat shema must you have kavanah [duplicate]
So shema requires a lot of kavanot: having in mind the mitzvah of shema, loving Gd, willing to die for Gd, reward and punishment, tzizit, yetziat mitzrayim. Plus there’s the halachot of saying it slow ...
- 3,271
5
votes
1
answer
360
views
how to pronounce ריש גלותא
I always thought was pronounced "galuta".
However I just noticed in my sidur today in יקום פורקן , the words there are "reshei galvata".
Is that just the plural of "galuta&...
- 1,014
2
votes
3
answers
243
views
How is it possible that man can sometimes dissuade HaShem if HaShem's will cannot be changed and He knows best?
For example, G-d wanted to annihilate the Israelites in ch. 32 of Shemot and yet, Moshe was able to change G-d's mind. This happens again Bamidbar 14. Yet, we see in Bamidbar 23 that G-d is not a man ...
- 493
4
votes
0
answers
131
views
Is it permissible to say personal prayers either sitting or laying down?
By "personal prayer" I mean expressing personal thoughts, hopes, and concerns, unlike the structured prayers found in the Siddur.
- 21
4
votes
1
answer
160
views
Why does the Shulchan Aruch allow a Tefillas Nedavah on Motzaei Shabbos?
The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 108:11) brings down a case where one should pray as a Nedavah on Motzaei Shabbos, because of a doubt.
My question is: how can one pray as a Nedavah on Motzaei Shabbos, ...
- 402
1
vote
0
answers
89
views
Can Nusach be changed throughout the day?
Is there an issue with davening, for example, Nusach HaArizal for Shacharit, and then Mincha according to Nusach Ashkenaz?
- 11
6
votes
1
answer
244
views
How to daven for a hostage of unknown status
What should I do if I am unsure of the status of a hostage that I took responsibility to daven for? I don’t know if they are still hostage, freed, or Chas v’shalom not alive anymore.
- 61
4
votes
1
answer
97
views
Why does the 2nd Ata in Ata Gibor have different Emphasis?
Why does the 2nd "Ata" in Ata Gibor have the emphasis on the first syllable (AH-ta),
unlike the 1st "Ata" which is pronounced as normal (ah-TA)?
- 363
1
vote
0
answers
36
views
Why do some people from Nusach Sefard say Shalom Rav only by Mincha - not by Maariv
Every day, towards the end of שמונה עשרה for שחרית, after ברכת כהנים we say the ברכה of שלום. To be specific, we say שים שלום, regardless of what נוסח you Daven. At מנחה and מעריב - people who Daven ...
- 859
0
votes
0
answers
32
views
Customs for a ceremony for changing back the Torah covers
We would like to make a special ceremony for changing back our Torah covers (me'ilim) after the High Holidays. Are there any special readings and/or prayers said when changing the Torah covers from ...
13
votes
1
answer
107
views
Order of events in Shacharit vs Maariv: crossing the sea and drowning
In the morning prayer, in עֶזְרַת אֲבוֹתֵינוּ before the Amida we say:
מִמִּצְרַיִם גְּאַלְתָּנוּ, מִבֵּית עֲבָדִים פְּדִיתָנוּ, כָּל בְּכוֹרֵיהֶם הָרַגְתָּ, וּבְכוֹרְךָ גָּאַלְתָּ, וְיָם סוֹף ...
- 44.7k
0
votes
1
answer
61
views
Standards of a Place for Davening
Is a Jew allowed to daven in bed? Can one daven in their pajamas in a place? Can a Jew daven in the same room as an unmade bed?
PS: This question is alluding to ALL contexts (i.e. whether is person is ...
- 167
2
votes
1
answer
258
views
Can you daven in the same room as a sleeping person?
If two Jewish people are in the same room, can one daven in that room if the other is asleep in the same room? Is there anything that would prohibit one from davening in the same room as a sleeping ...
- 167
4
votes
0
answers
58
views
Why specify individuals in a mi sheberach?
The standard template for a "mi sheberach" always ends with something along the lines of, "V'et kol khal hakadosh hazeh".
That being the case, why do Olim laTorah (and gabbaim) ...
- 1,014
1
vote
0
answers
103
views
Grammar of Pausal Forms in Selichos, Hoshanos, etc
In the S'lichos of Nusach Lita we read towards the end a tefila, which is stated using the ךָ-ֶ (-ekha) pausal form:
עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן אֲמִתֶּךָ. עֲשֵׂה לְמַֽעַן בְּרִיתֶךָ. עֲשֵׁה לְמַֽעַן גָּדְלֶךָ ...
- 5,006
0
votes
0
answers
46
views
Hakol Yoducha versus HaMeir La'Aretz on Shabbat Yom Tov
Why is it that according to minhag Ashkenaz (Nusach Sfard) the blessing of the Me'orot (in Shacharit) on Yom Tov that falls on Shabbat, they say Hakol Yoducha (הכל יודוך), while if Yom Tov falls on a ...
- 1,659
0
votes
0
answers
51
views
2 Oseh Shaloms for the price of one?
One finishes both Shmone Esre and Kaddish with the very same "Oseh Shalom", often including 3 steps back.
One can say Kaddish before one said Shmone Esre's "Oseh Shalom"
When the ...
- 14.7k
4
votes
1
answer
58
views
Started Yaale ve'yavo on rosh chodesh Iyar/Cheshvan and then lost concentration
The halacha is, that until one has accustomed themselves to repeating a phrase in prayer (e.g. mashiv haruach) for 30 consecutive days, OR they have repeated it 90 times, if they cannot remember ...
- 1,014
0
votes
0
answers
29
views
Bidieved, if one davens Shemoneh Esrei with Chazarat Hashatz, is it considered Tefillah Bztibbur? [duplicate]
Let's say someone comes a bit late to Shacharit or if the Minyan is very fast. Bidieved, if one started Shemoneh Esrei with the Chazan's repetition, is this considered Tefillah Bztibbur?
- 621
2
votes
0
answers
49
views
Origins/Information sought for the words דּוֹק and חֶלֶד, which appear in אַדִּיר וְנָאוֹר - translated as "Heaven and Earth"? (RH/YK Machzor)
I've never seen דּוֹק וָחֶלֶד before except in this prayer. Looking them up hasn't been particularly useful - I can't find a second source that defines דּוֹק as heaven (and can't find any uses in ...
- 14.7k
3
votes
0
answers
128
views
Hypothetically, if one only has half an hour to pray the Yom Kippur evening service, what are the most important prayers to include?
I was wondering if there is prayers that are absolutely necessary to be said at the Yom Kippur evening service, (such as Kol Nidre, or Shema) if someone was in a situation where they had to do an ...
6
votes
1
answer
138
views
Meaning of "Av Harachamim"
Time-sensitive question (today is 29 Elul..!)
Artscroll translates the phrase "Av Harachamim" as "father of mercy".
What does this mean exactly? How can G-d be the Father of a ...
- 1,014
0
votes
1
answer
102
views
Chazan's repetitions for verses right after opening the Ark for the Torah
After opening Ark to get sefer Torah on Shabbos and Yom Tov in Ashkenazy custom many congregations sing verses:
כִּי מִצִּיּון תֵּצֵא תורָה. וּדְבַר ה' מִירוּשָׁלָיִם:
בָּרוּךְ שֶׁנָּתַן תּורָה ...
- 5,006
3
votes
0
answers
33
views
When we say brachos, why are there 2 pronouns for Hashem? [duplicate]
When we say shehakol for example, we say "ברוך אתה ה" and "שהכל נהיה בדברו"
Why refer to Him in the second person, and for the rest of the bracha in the 3rd? Shouldn't it be "...
- 63
1
vote
1
answer
68
views
Insertions in the amida from Rosh Hashanah to Yom kipur
In the gemera brachos 34a it says one is not to make any additions to prayer in the first three and last three brachos of the amida. This is also brought down in rambam in chapter 1 of tefila and ...
- 4,686
1
vote
0
answers
87
views
Optional personal requests in prayers according to Rambam
Following "Praying-for-too-many-people".
In my understanding, Rambam had a peculiar and somewhat unorthodox view of God's immutability and inability to be influenced by our Earthly prayers. ...
- 28k
3
votes
0
answers
75
views
Davening and learning when emotionally distressed
In similar but slightly different light to this question: If one is mentally drained, should a person still daven? Even if that person cannot concentrate?
What is the halacha for one who is very angry,...
- 14.7k
3
votes
1
answer
125
views
Praying for too many people?
I have a list of people that I daven for, for many different things (shidduch, health, for them to lachzor betshuva, etc) It seems this list became too long though and I'm not able to focus on each ...
- 63
0
votes
0
answers
57
views
Why do we say Tzidkatcha Tzedek almost every Shabbat Mincha
It is known that in the Shabbat Mincha we use to say Tzidekatcha Tzedek for accepting the decree for the death of Moshe Rabbino who passed away during these hours as can be seen here. However, he died ...
- 1,659
1
vote
0
answers
77
views
Mah Tovu And Shem of 42 Letters
Does anyone know a source connecting the common nusach of Mah Tovu, which has 42 words to the Shem of 42 letters?
I have searched online, Sefaria, and Otzar HaChochma without success yet.
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
92
views
Source for the permission to imagine Hashem as a person while davening
I have seen mentioned by a Rav the following regarding how we interact with Hashem during tefilah:
"However, when we speak to Hashem, so for our benefit, He gives us permission to imagine that a ...
- 11
2
votes
0
answers
55
views
Praying Shemoneh Esrei with a big piece of spinach stuck between your teeth
Before saying the Amidah prayer, many men put on a hat and jacket. They want to look good before they address Hashem, the King of Kings.
Imagine that you have a big piece of spinach stuck between ...
0
votes
2
answers
164
views
What is so special about "ve'sechezena" that it is the one word in bold in the whole Amida?
Practically every Siddur I've seen puts it in bold along with the first words of every blessing.
Is there any reason for this?
- 593
5
votes
1
answer
128
views
Personal Bakashot in Shema Koleinu or Elokai
When we speak to Hashem in our own words and make our personal bakashot, is it more proper to say this in Shema Koleinu (right before כי אתה שומע) or do we say it in Elokai Nezur (after the paragraph ...
- 3,271
1
vote
1
answer
90
views
Menstruation leniencies on Shabbat
Is a menstruating woman exempt from any positive and negative aspects of Shabbat?
0
votes
0
answers
33
views
What is the criteria for doubling the verse "ויהי נועם" in the Tefila?
There are cases, usually after "יהי רצון" (May there be a desire), that double the verse "ויהי נעם ה' אלקינו עלינו ומעשה ידינו כוננה עלינו ומעשה ידינו כוננהו. ". On the other hand, ...
- 1,659
1
vote
0
answers
70
views
Why do nusach sefard/ sefardim interrupt kaddish with a seemingly unnecessary amen?
Nusach sefard, sefardim and maybe others have the following nusach for Kaddish:
יתגדל ויתקדש שמה רבא (אמן) בעלמא די ברא כרעותה וימליך מלכותה ויצמח פורקנה ויקרב משיחה (אמן) בחייכון וביומיכון ובחיי ...
- 5,064
2
votes
1
answer
89
views
Can one repair an "Amen Chatufa"?
Going by the second definiton of an Amen Chatufa in Shulchan Aruch OC 124:8, i.e. saying Amen before the Beracha one is responding to is finished - is it possible to repair this or has the opportunity ...
- 14.7k
7
votes
1
answer
356
views
1 amen for 2 berachot?
If I say בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה', שׁוֹמֵר אֶת־עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל לָעַד אָמֵן, does the אמן at the end count towards a response to a Beracha I heard at the same time? E.g. if the Chazzan says Kaddish, and ...
- 14.7k
1
vote
1
answer
59
views
Tefillin with runny nose
Can one put on tefillin when he is mildly sick, and might need to cough or blow his nose while wearing them, assuming he is able to keep his mind focused otherwise?
- 11