Q & A
SHABBAS & YOM TOV PRAYERS
IN THE SYNAGOGUE
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QUESTION
Why do some people shake their body back & forth while they pray?
Quivering or shaking during prayer is a matter of personal preference.
- If it stimulates proper intention during praying, then it is desirable.
- If it detracts from serious prayer, then it should not be done.
- Aruch HaShulchan (ibid.48.3)
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QUESTION
If I'm late to shul, can I skip parts of Peshukei D'zimra?
Pesukei Dezimrah should minimally include
- "Baw'ruch sha'awe'mar"
- "Ahsh'reyi"
- From "Nish'mas" thru "Yish'tah'bach"
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Can a woman say Kaddish in shul?
- Women who wish to attend religious services in a shul & to recite Kaddish should be encouraged & acknowledged as faithful adherents of our heritage, not as innovators
seeking to restructure or liberalize halakhic practices - The recitation of Kaddish generates a sense of respect to loved ones
- Not all women seek such a process but those who do should be treated with respect & honor.
Rav Henkin (Zt'l) wrote: If she does keep these basic mitzvoth, it is permissible for
her to say Kaddish in the women's gallery while the men are doing so in the synagogue proper." (Teshuvot Ivra. The entire text of the teshuva is translated by David Telsner, The
Kaddish, p. 301.)
Rav Moshe Feinstein (Zt'l) does not question the propriety of the woman who comes to
the Bet haMidrash to recite Kaddish. He seems to assume that there are no halakhic
qualms at all with such a function of women at religious services. The only problem is
whether there need be a Mehitza during her recital. Indeed, it is apparent that Rav
Moshe accepts a woman reciting Kaddish as a normal, unquestionable practice.
Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik (Zt'l) ruled that is was permissible for women to recite
Kaddish in synagogue (cited by Joel Wolowelsky in a letter to the editor of HaDarom,
vol. 57, Ellul 5748/1988, pp. 157-158.)
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When I’m trying to catch up with davening in shul
do I have to answer to Kaddish?
- While saying "Shma"
"Yeh'hay shmay rah'baw" & the "awe'main' after "tush'bih'chaw'soe v'nech'eh'maw'so" is answered in the midde of "Shma"
- While saying "Sheh'moe'nah Ess'ray"
No interruptions whatsoever until after you've recited the verse of "Yih'hee l'erotzon"
just prior to "eh'lo'kai neh'tzore" at which point you may answer "yih'hay shmei rah'baw"
- While saying Psukei D’Zimrah
1. In the middle of "Baw'ruch Sheh'awe'mar" you may answer "Yi'hay shmei rah'baw" &
the "'Awe'main" after "tush'bi'chaw'so vi''nech'eh'maw'so"
2. In the middle of "Yish'tah'bach" one may answer "Yih'hay shmei rah'baw" & the
"Awe'main" after 'tush'b'chaw'so vi'nech'eh'maw'so"
3. Throughout Psukei Dezimrah you should answer "Awe'main" to any bracha at any time
that your are at the end of any posuk If you’re in the middle of another prayer,
make sure to keep your finger on your place so you can continue after you
panswer to the Kaddish
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QUESTION
On Shabbas, do I have to say Shacharis Shemoneh Esrei
if they’re already on Musaf when I get to shul?
- Shacharis shemoneh Esrei is the most important prayer for women to say
- Say the Shacharis Shemoneh Esrei while the congregation is reciting musaf
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QUESTION
There are parts of the davening where you add a phrase if it's a leap year.
How do we know if it is a leap year?
- The 1st day of the Jewish calendar year is the 1st day of Nisan which usually happens
towards the end of March or early in April - The last day of the Jewish calendar year is the last day of Adar
- When there are 2 Adar months the Jewish calendar year ends after the 2nd Adar
- When there are 2 Adar months in the year it is a leap year
- Aask your Rabbi after Rosh Chodesh Nisan if the coming year is going to be a leap year
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QUESTION
Often there are words in parentheses but there are no instructions.
How do we know if we should say them?
- It is your choice if you want to add them
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QUESTION
On Yom Tov, when the Kohanim bless the congregation (Duchan),
what do I do if I can’t finish that huge paragraph
- You just have to listen to the Kohanim
- You don’t have to say that long paragraph after each section of the prayer
- If you do say some of the prayer make sure to stop at a semi colon or a period.
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QUESTION
Can I sing along with the men when they return the Torah?
- Yes
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Questions are answered by orthodox Rabbis
including Rabbis who who are Rosh Yeshivas
Please consult your Rabbi if you need additional information
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