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PREVIOUS HALACHOT


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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3 min read


Bowing In Shemonah Esrei
When does one bow during Shemonah Esrei?
How does one bow?
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Praying Shemoneh Esrei When Needing The Restroom
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.
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2 min read


What Is A Makom Kavuah?
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.
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2 min read


Proper Way To Recite Shema
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.
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3 min read


Proper Kavana For Shema
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
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Harnessing the Power of Tehillim for Israel's Safety and Security
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.
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3 min read


Are Women Obligated To Daven?
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.
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3 min read


Should One Make A Minyan On A Plane?
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.
Halacha Moment
2 min read


Most Ideal Time For Mincha
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 :)
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2 min read


Joining A Minyan From An Adjacent Room
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.
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2 min read


Missed the Start of Shemoneh Esrei with the Congregation
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.
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3 min read


What Prayers Require A Minyan
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
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Who's Counted In A Minyan
Who is counted in a minyan?
Can a deaf person be counted in a minyan?
Read to find Out :)
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2 min read


The Importance Of Praying In A Minyan
Is one obligated to pray in a minyan?
A person should make every possible effort to pray with a minyan a quorum of ten Jewish men, not merely as a matter of tradition or routine, but because of the immense spiritual power and holiness that is present when Jews unite in communal prayer. Chazal emphasize that when one prays with a minyan, his tefillot, his personal pleas, praises, and requests are much more likely to be accepted by Hashem.
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3 min read


Why Do We Recite Blessings?
Why do we recite blessings?
What's the proper way to recite a blessing? Read To Find Out :)
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2 min read


Traveling Before Prayer
May one travel before praying?
Read To Find Out :)
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Type of Learning Requires Birchot HaTorah
What Type of Learning Requires Birchot HaTorah? Read To Find Out :)
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What Is Birchot HaTorah? 🕍
What is Birchot HaTorah? Read To Find Out :)
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Up All Night & Birkot HaShachar
Does one recite Birkot HaShachar if one was up the whole night? Read to Find Out :)
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2 min read
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