What does one do if one isn't sure if they prayed Shemoneh Esrei? If one is uncertain whether they already recited Shemoneh Esrei, they should pray again, but with a conditional stipulation making it a tefillat nedavah (voluntary prayer). The wording of this stipulation is: “If I am obligated to pray, let this prayer fulfill my obligation. If I am not obligated, let it be considered a voluntary offering”. In this case, one does not need to include a new personal request or id

What kavanah should one have by Shemoneh Esrei? It is essential for a person to have kavanah, focused intention and awareness, when praying Shemoneh Esrei, as this prayer is the heart of the daily tefillah and represents one’s personal audience with Hashem. Ideally, one should concentrate deeply on the meaning of every word throughout the entire Shemoneh Esrei. However, if someone finds it difficult to maintain such sustained kavanah, halacha places special emphasis on the fi

What are the halachot regarding taking three steps before or after Shemoneh Esrei when someone is davening behind you? If one has completed Shemoneh Esrei but the person behind them is still praying, it is forbidden to take three steps back—even if the person behind began Shemoneh Esrei later.

Can one walk in front of someone praying Shemonah Esrei? It is forbidden to walk directly in front of someone who is praying within four amot. However, it is permitted to walk behind them or to their sides. Some explain that the reason for this prohibition is that walking in front of someone disrupts their kavanah (concentration).

When does one bow during Shemonah Esrei? How does one bow?

May one pray Shemoneh Esrei  if one needs to use the restroom? Before beginning Shemoneh Esrei, one should make sure that they do not need to use the bathroom. Even if a person feels they can hold it in for as long as 72 minutes, it is still prohibited to initially begin Shemoneh Esrei while needing to relieve oneself.

What exactly is a Makom Kavuah? One should establish a makom kavua—a fixed place—for tefillah, and make an effort to consistently pray in the same seat and the same shul. This halacha specifically applies to the Shemoneh Esrei, which should ideally be recited from a designated spot each day. If one is unable to attend shul and must pray at home, it is still proper to designate a specific place in the house for tefillah.

What's the correct way to recite shema? Shema should preferably be recited aloud, as speaking the words out loud enhances one’s concentration. However, it is permitted to say Shema quietly, as long as it is loud enough that one can hear oneself. If, after the fact, one recited it so softly that even they could not hear their own voice, they have still technically fulfilled their obligation, though it is not the ideal way to perform the mitzvah.

May one walk during Shema? It is forbidden to walk while reciting the first pasuk of Shema ("Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad") and Baruch Shem Kevod Malchuto LeOlam Va’ed, as these are the most central declarations of Hashem’s unity and kingship, and they require complete stillness and focused attention.

What Kavana should one have during Shema? In addition to having the general kavanah (intention) to fulfill the positive mitzvah of reciting Shema, since we hold that mitzvot require conscious intent to be fulfilled(Shulchan Aruch 60:4), one must specifically have focused kavanah during the first pasuk, "Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad." [1] This is because this pasuk contains the central themes of Kabalat Ol Malchut Shamayim (acceptance of the yoke of Heaven) and Y

Why do we cover our eyes during Shema? The common practice is to cover one's eyes during the recitation of the first pasuk of Kriyat Shema in order to enhance concentration and prevent distraction while declaring Hashem's Oneness. By shutting out external visual stimuli, a person is better able to focus on the meaning and significance of the words.

What is the importance of tehillim? In times of danger, the Jewish heart knows where to turn. Right now, as Eretz Yisrael faces serious threats with the attacks from Iran weighing heavily on Klal Yisrael we are reminded once again that our greatest strength is not only in the hands of soldiers or in the halls of diplomacy, but in the tefillah that rises from the lips and hearts of Am Yisrael.

Are women obligated to pray every day? The Mishnah in Berachot (20a/b) teaches that women are obligated to pray daily. This might seem surprising at first, since women are generally exempt from time-bound positive commandments (mitzvot aseh she’hazman grama). However, the Gemara explains that prayer is fundamentally a plea for mercy and connection with Hashem, and is therefore not categorized as a time-bound commandment. As a result, women are included in this obligation.

May one make a minyan on a plane? It is inappropriate to daven with a minyan on an airplane. While praying with a minyan is a cherished mitzvah, it must never come at the expense of chillul Hashem, a public desecration of God's Name. Sadly, the disruption and discomfort caused to fellow passengers when a group gathers in the aisle or galley to form a minyan often results in exactly that: people feeling disturbed, annoyed, or even unsafe.

What's the most ideal time to pray Mincha? If one encounters a situation where a minyan is praying during bein hashemashot—the period of twilight that begins after shekiyah (around 13.5 minutes)—the proper course of action depends on one's custom. Click Here To Learn More :)

May one miss a minyan to pray at a more optimal time? When it comes to Shacharit: If someone consistently prays Vatikin at sunrise, he is permitted to daven alone rather than join a later minyan, as long as this is his regular practice. Among Sephardim, however, the preference is generally to daven with a minyan unless one experiences significantly greater kavana when praying vatikin.

Can one join a minyan from an adjacent room? If there is a minyan of 10 men in one room, and someone is davening in an adjacent room, he may still answer Kaddish, Kedusha, and Barchu, and according to many poskim, his tefillah is considered Tefillah B’tzibbur — as long as he can hear the congregation. This applies even though he could not be counted among the initial ten required to form the minyan.

What Is Considered Tefillah B’Tzibbur If I Miss the Start of Shemoneh Esrei with the Congregation? There is a discussion among the poskim regarding what qualifies as Tefillah B’tzibbur (prayer with the congregation). Some authorities hold that even if the congregation is already in the middle of their Shemoneh Esrei, as long as one begins their own silent Amidah at that time, it is still considered Tefillah B’tzibbur.

What Parts of Davening Require There to Be a Minyan? Certain parts of davening, known as devarim shebikdusha, sacred communal prayers, may only be recited in the presence of a minyan, which consists of ten adult Jewish men. These include Kaddish, Kedusha (during the repetition of the Amidah), Barechu, the Chazarat HaShatz (repetition of the Amidah), public Torah reading with blessings, Birkat Kohanim, and the Haftarah with its blessings. If there is no minyan, these parts are

Who is counted in a minyan? Can a deaf person be counted in a minyan? Read to find Out :)