Q & A
THE SILENT PRAYER- SHEH'MOE'NEH ESREI
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What do I say when I take the 3 steps backward & 3 steps forward
when I start the Shemoneh Esrei?
- You say nothing while taking the 3 steps backward & the 3 steps forward
- When you've finished taking these steps, you then start the Sheh'moe'neh esrei with
With the verse that starts אֲדֹנָי שְֹפָתַי תִּפְתָּח (Ha'shem Sih'faw'sigh Tiftach)..."
for Shacharis (morning prayer)
OR
With verse that starts (Key'shame Adonai)..." for Musaf (additional prayer on
Shabbas, Rosh Chodesh & Yom Tov )
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What do I do if I'm in the middle of Shemoneh Esrei
& they start doing Kedusha?
- If you haven't reached 'Sim Shalom', stop & listen to the Kedusha & finish Shemoneh Esrei when Kedusha is over
- If you have reached 'Sim Shalom' say the normally optional 'Yihi Ratz'own'
- If you don't have time to say the 'Yihi Ratz'own,' some Rabbis say it's ok
- Say the following sentences of the kedusha
Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh...
including raising of your heels for the first 3 words
Baruch Kovod....
Answer 'Amen' to the bracha that ends in 'Haw'ale haKodesh' - Complete the Shemoneh Esrei
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During Shemoneh Esrei, my mind wanders
& I start thinking about what I’m going to cook for dinner
or that my son forgot his knapsack, etc
What should I do about this?
- It is not unusual to lose focus when davening
- If you know the meaning of the words it helps you stay focused
- Some siddurim with English translation on the opposite page have the title for each bracha paragraph
- You can glance at that & it will remind you what the paragraph
is about - Rabbis say to focus at least on the bracha for each section
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I started thinking about something else
& forgot to hit my chest with my fist for the forgiveness (חָטָאנוּ & פָּשָׁעְנוּ)
part of the Shemoneh Esrei. Do I have to start over?
- No
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When do bow & take the 3 steps backward & then 3 steps forward
towards the end of the Shemoneh Esrei?
- Towards the end of the Shemoneh Esrei, when you finish the 2nd Yi'he lih'raw'tzone you
BOW LEFT
Say the phrase עֹשֶֹה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו (Oh'seh shalom bim'roe'mahv)
BOW RIGHT
Say the phrase Bow right and say:
(Who yah'ah'seh shalom awe'leinu)
BOW FORWARD
Say the phrase עַל כָּל יִשְֹרָאֵל אָמֵן (V'al coal yisrael v'imru amen)
- Stand in place while saying the last paragraph Yi'hi' Raw'tzone
- After you say the last sentence of the Shemoneh Esrei, pause in place before moving
or sitting down
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In shul, some women bounce on their toes
at the end of Shemoneh Esrei
while others sit down & others don't move.
What is the correct thing to do?
- Beginning with the left foot, you take 3 steps backwards
- While saying Oseh Shalom we bow to our left, right & center
- Stand where you are until Kedusha is reached
- Beginning with your right foot, take 3 steps forward & begin the Kedusha
Note: When davening at home just remain in place for a few seconds before continuing
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Please send your questions to us at
office@KosherWoman.com
When we receive an answer
from our Rabbinical advisory staff
it will appear on this page
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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