11 Lessons

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?
Rabbi Daniel Mann

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?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Av 18 5781

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?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Cheshvan 8 5781

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?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Av 20 5780

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?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Iyar 10 5780

Personal Requests on Shabbat
What types of requests are prohibited on Shabbat? Is davening for peace and tranquility in one’s own words permitted?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Tishrei 29 5780

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?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Tishrei 25 5780

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?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Iyar 4 5779

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?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Shvat 18 5779

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?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Cheshvan 27 5779
