Mi Yodeya Stack Exchange
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Questions tagged [tefilla]

Questions about Jewish prayer (the fixed order of typically-thrice-daily prayers, or prayer generally).

Questions about Jewish prayer (the fixed order of typically-thrice-daily prayers, or prayer generally).

For questions about specific parts of the prayers see , , , and perhaps others.

For questions about b'rachos ("blessings") see ; for questions about specific b'rachos see the list in the description of that tag.

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How to pray for something

How is one supposed to pray for something he needs? Is he/she supposed to request it from God once or repeat the request over and over, or make arguments why he deserves it or something else? It says for example that Isaac and Rebeca prayed years…
ray
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how do Jews pray?

I am an Indian (from India) and there are hardly any Jews here, except for some Israeli tourists. There are more than 150 million Muslims however. I want to know if the Jews pray and how they pray. I have read that Muslims and Jews pray in similar…
Arjun
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How "with" the congregation do you have to be to avoid saying "Kel Melech Ne'eman" before Shema?

As I understand it, when reciting the Shema by yourself, you add the words "Kel Melech Ne'eman" beforehand; but when praying with a minyan, you don't. How "with the minyan" do you have to be? What if you start your Shema a minute earlier than…
Shalom
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How to pray in public places?

If you're stuck in a public place (e.g. airport, mall) and need to daven (pray) -- usually it's Mincha, right before sunset: what's the best way to do it?
Shalom
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What happens in a modern Jewish liturgy?

Forgive me for using the word liturgy, I'm not sure if that's the correct terminology in Judaism but it sums up the sort of information I'm looking for. Most of my knowledge of what happens in a synagogue comes from the movies and pop culture, so my…
TheIronKnuckle
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Chant or read the prayers when praying alone?

I am Reform and have never davened privately but am considering davening more often. One thing I am confused about is what to do with tunes (nusach). Are they only for public worship, or is it necessary/preferable to chant the prayers even when…
Ruth Wang
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Is there anything wrong with hitbodedut?

According to the teachings of Breslov Chassidus, it is recommended to spend some time alone in a quiet place engaged in personal prayer and self-introspection (hitbodedut). Are there any opinions that are against this practice? Are there any…
Ani Yodea
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Is there a limit to what you can pray for?

Must one, should one, or can one pray every little detail of life? For example, can one pray for his sports team to win? Is there a limit of what to pray for?
Hacham Gabriel
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Why do we say "Ve'Atah Kadosh"?

Why do we say "Ve'atah Kadosh" on Motzei Shabbos (after Shabbos). After reading the Megilla. After reading Eicha? What is so special about these days? EDIT And what connection does this have to do with the prayer of "Ve'atah Kadosh"? Moreover,…
ertert3terte
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Why are sins and hatred mentioned in Avinu Malkeinu?

At the end of Chazaras HaShatz on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we say a brief prayer that (in Nusach Ashkenaz) appears as follows: אבינו מלכנו זכר רחמיך וכבוש כעסך וכלה דבר וחרב ורעב ושבי ומשחית ועון ומגפה ופגע רע וכל מחלה וכל תקלה וכל קטטה וכל…
DonielF
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To whom is the kaddish addressed?

The first paragraph of the kaddish includes these words: "let His kingship be established in your lifetime and in your days..." The question is, to whom is this part of the kaddish addressed? Why does it not say "in our lifetime and in our days"?
Yehuda W
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If two people daven for each other, who is answered first?

Based on the principle that כל המבקש רחמים על חבירו והוא צריך לאותו דבר הוא נענה תחילה - anyone who davens for someone and he himself needs the same thing, he is answered first - who is answered first if two people daven for each other? The Daven…
Scimonster
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Looking around before and after Shemona Esrei

I have noticed that many, many very religious people look around the shul prior to starting Shemona Esrei and then, when they take three steps back, they again look around the shul whilst saying the final Yehi Ratzon after Oseh Sholom. Is there a…
user2817
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Why bow differently for Borachu and Amida?

When bowing for three brachot in the Amida I've seen some people bend their knees. For Borachu I've seen those people do not bend the knees. What is the logic or source underlying this difference in bowing?
Yehuda W
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In the morning prayer ראשית חכמה how do we translate the word בעזרתי?

In the morning prayer ראשית חכמה how do we translate the word בעזרתי in the phrase א-ל שד-י בעזרתי? The ב in בעזרתי does not seem to fit?
Ben
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