11 Lessons
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions 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?
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions 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?
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions 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?
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions 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?
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions 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?
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions Personal Requests on Shabbat
What types of requests are prohibited on Shabbat? Is davening for peace and tranquility in one’s own words permitted?
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions 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?
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions 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?
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions 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?
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions 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?