Chazan Having Trouble Taking Three Steps Back

As chazan, I was unable to take three steps back after my silent Shemoneh Esrei because someone was davening close behind me even when the gabbai signaled me to start chazarat hashatz. What should I have done at that point?

The Rain in Spain – and in Israel: Why Pray for It at Different Times?

Changes in Tefilla for those Visiting Israel?

I hope to visit Israel this summer. Should I say “morid hatal” in Shemoneh Esrei like Israelis, and should I continue to say Baruch Hashem L’olam at Ma’ariv?

Terms of Service

At the Shabbat Table

When to Say Yehiyu L’ratzon

Does Yehiyu L’ratzon come before or after Elokai Netzor and/or personal requests at the end of Shemoneh Esrei?

How Does the Chazan Act During Modim D’Rabbanan?

I have seen some chazanim wait, during their Modim, at “l’olam va’ed” for the tzibbur to finish Modim D’Rabanan. That seems to make the most sense, so everyone can hear all of Modim. Should everyone be doing that?

How to Time Vatikin?

When minyanim closed, I started davening vatikin (starting Shemoneh Esrei (=SE) at hanetz hachama (sunrise=netz)). If I do not know precisely when netz is, is it better to err on the side of starting SE before or after netz?

Take a Bow

Personal Requests on Shabbat

What types of requests are prohibited on Shabbat? Is davening for peace and tranquility in one’s own words permitted?

Personal Thanks in Shemoneh Esrei

Following our grandchild’s birth, I have been adding personal thanks to HaShem in “Modim.” Is it appropriate to do so on Shabbat?

Sitting Next to Someone Who Is Davening on the Bus

I was sitting next to my wife on a bus, and she was davening. Was I allowed to remain seated when she got up to Shemoneh Esrei?

Davening in Front of a Mirror

Is the prohibition against davening in front of a mirror or reflective glass a chumra or a serious halacha?

Announcements before Shemoneh Esrei of Ma’ariv

I thought that at Ma’ariv of Rosh Chodesh (or other times there is something new to say), the gabbai calls out “Ya’aleh V’Yavo” (=YVY) before Shemoneh Esrei. But in many shuls, someone just bangs. Which way is correct?

Infidels and Judaism

Listening to Laining During Shemoneh Esrei