- Halacha
- General Questions
Kavanna during prayer
Question
I have been Baal Tshuva for almost 20 year, almost half my life. I have been working on my Kavannah for a few years now, and feel significant improvement in some areas like Brachot and the Amida. I generally Daven in a Minyan 2 or 3 times a day. My problem is maintaining concentration during the longer Davenning services. I’m fine for Mincha and Maariv but some mornings, especially those with Mussaf and/or Torah readings (soon Slichot!) I get restless, loose focus, feel hungry, and generally find it hard to concentrate for most of the time. There is a bit of a paradox, because I feel there is never enough time for the silent amida, but so much time devoted to other things. I have small kids at home and often feel I should rather go home early and help my wife with them. Any advice?
Answer
You should not go home and and help your wife. Help your wife before Shul, after Shul etc. but not instead of Shul. Find a "no-frills" Minyan without "Mi Shebeyrachs" that will not tax your concentration. In some places there is an "early" or "late" minyan that on Shabbat takes an hour and a half or even less. If you get hungry during Davening, it might mean that you should eat more before you leave for shul.

Are gummyvitamins okay?
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Iyyar 4, 5781
order
Rabbi Daniel Kirsch | Sivan 9, 5782

Shmonei Esrei
Rabbi Jonathan Blass | 5 Sivan 5763

Mi’sheberach for Cholim
Rabbi Jonathan Blass | 21 Iyyar 5763

Rabbi Jonathan Blass
Rabbi of Neve Tzuf and Rosh Kollel "Ratzon Yehuda".

End of Shabbat
5 Cheshvan 5763

Skipping prayers or prayers in English
26 Tishrei 5763

Zimun alone at a Wedding
16 Tishrei 5763

Aliyah Latorah for a Non Cohen
14 Tishrei 5763

Naming a baby girl Romi
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Nisan 18, 5774

Naming a baby girl Romi
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Nisan 18, 5774

Carrying House Keys
Rabbi David Sperling | Sivan 14, 5774

Bracha on water
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | Cheshvan 16, 5769

If you knew the Mashiach should you alert him and others?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Av 15, 5782

melave malka
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Av 4, 5782

Can an electric tea kettle be assumed to be kosher?
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Av 13, 5782
