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PREVIOUS HALACHOT


Learning During Chazarat HaShatz?
What are the halachic guidelines for behavior during Chazarat Hashatz?
May one learn during Chazarat Hashatz?Those who are meticulous to fulfill the mitzvah of wearing both Tefillin of Rashi and Tefillin of Rabbenu Tam should be careful not to remove their Rashi Tefillin and put on the Rabbenu Tam Tefillin during Chazarat Hashatz. [1] This is because Chazarat Hashatz requires complete attention and participation, and any form of distraction or interruption even for a mitzvah.
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Sitting Or Standing During Chazarat HaShatz
Does one sit or stand during Chazarat HaShatz?
There are differing halachic opinions regarding whether one must stand during Chazarat HaShatz. Most Ashkenazic poskim encourage standing throughout the repetition. Among Sephardim, the widespread custom is to sit during Chazarat HaShatz; however, it is considered praiseworthy to stand.
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Answering Amen During Chazarat HaShatz
When the Shaliach Tzibbur recites the Chazarat HaShatz, the congregation is obligated to listen attentively and respond with "Amen" at the conclusion of each beracha. This communal response is not merely ceremonial; it is an essential part of the tefillah. If there is no minyan of individuals responding "Amen," the berachot recited by the Shaliach Tzibbur may be considered close to berachot levatalah, blessings said in vain.
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The First "Pasuk" in Shemoneh Esrei
Why do we say "Hashem, sefatai tiftach u’fi yagid tehilatecha" before Shemoneh Esrei?
The verse “Hashem, sefatai tiftach u’fi yagid tehilatecha” (“Hashem, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise” – Tehillim 51:17) was instituted to be said immediately before beginning the Shemoneh Esrei. This pasuk serves not only as a beautiful introduction, asking Hashem to help us speak His praise properly, but also carries a deeper meaning.
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Direction Of Prayer
What direction does one pray in?
If one is outside of Eretz Yisrael, they should face toward Eretz Yisrael, and in their heart have intent to direct their prayer toward Yerushalayim, the Beit HaMikdash, and the Kodesh HaKodashim, meaning, one should envision themselves standing in the Holy of Holies in the Beit HaMikdash in Yerushalayim.
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Lost The Place/Focus During Shemoneh Esrei
I lost my place during Shemoneh Esrei what should i do?
If someone begins to doze off during Shemoneh Esrei or loses their place for any reason, many poskim rule that they should go back to the last beracha they are unsure about and continue from there.
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Unsure If One Prayed Shemoneh Esrei
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
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Proper Kavanah During Shemonah Esrei
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
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Taking Three Steps Back After Shemona Esrei
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.
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Walking In Front Of Someone Praying
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).
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