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Covering Our Eyes During Shema

The Daily Halacha Moment - Covering Our Eyes During Shema


״כל השונה הלכות בכל יום - מובטח לו שהוא בן העולם הבא״ (נידה עג ע״א, מגילה כח:)

“Anyone who studies Halachot every day is guaranteed that he is destined for the world-to-come” (Megilla 28b, Niddah 73a)

Question:

Why do we cover our eyes during Shema?


Answer:

The common practice is to cover one's eyes [1] during the recitation of the first pasuk of Kriyat Shema in order to enhance concentration and prevent distraction while declaring Hashem's Oneness. [2] By shutting out external visual stimuli, a person is better able to focus on the meaning and significance of the words.

Another reason for this practice is based on an allusion found in the pasuk "V’Yosef yasheet yado al einecha"—"And Yosef will place his hand over your eyes" [3]. This is understood to symbolize how Yosef’s presence helped Yaakov Avinu reinforce his emunah and clarity in Hashem’s unity. In that spirit, covering one’s eyes during Shema serves as a physical act that mirrors the spiritual focus on emunat Hashem, His oneness and kingship. 

It is customary to use the right hand to cover one's eyes when saying Shema [4], even for those who are left-handed. [5] This is in accordance with the general halachic principle of giving precedence to the right side when performing mitzvot.

Wearing glasses while covering one’s eyes is not problematic; doing so does not pose an issue of chatzitzah (an interposition), as the intent of the covering is to block visual distractions, not to create direct physical contact with the skin. [6]

There is a difference of opinion regarding whether one should also cover the eyes for the phrase Baruch Shem kevod malchuto le’olam va’ed. Some authorities maintain that the covering should remain until after this line, while others hold that it is only necessary for the first pasuk. [7]


Sources:

[1]. Magen Giborim (A"H 61:7) 

[2]. Shulchan Aruch 61:5 based on the Rosh 2:3 and Berachot 13b.

[3]. Bereshit 46:4

[4]. Ateret Zekenim 61:6; Shaarei Teshuva 61:6; Mishnah Berurah 61:17. Dibrot Shlomo p. 235 quotes the Arizal (Pri Etz Chaim, Shema ch. 6) who says that one should cover one's eyes with one's right hand based on Kabalah. He explains that there's two layers of darkness, one associated with the left and the higher layer with the right. 

[5]. Orchot Rabbenu 1:53; Ben Ish Chai, Od Yosef Chai, Vaera 3.

[6]. Halacha Berurah 61:5; Piskei Tehuvot 61:5 in the footnote 31& 32. 

[7]. The Alim Lterufa 5766 cited the Shaar Kavanot of the Arizal (Aleinu drush 1) writes that one should cover one's eyes even for baruch shem while the Maharil (Minhagim Tefilah 1) only did it for Shema.


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