Halacha for Tuesday 14 Tevet 5785 January 14 2025

Concentration While Praying

Our Sages taught in Pirkei Avot (Chapter 4): “Rabbi Shimon says: Be cautious regarding the reading of Shema and prayer and when you pray, do not do so in a burdensome manner; rather, it should be like requests and supplications before Hashem.”

The saintly Shelah (Rabbeinu Yeshaya Ha’Levi Horowitz zt”l) quotes the Sefer Derech Ha’Chaim who writes that there are ten primary aspects which impact a person’s prayer positively or negatively. They are: Torah, novelty, necessity, language, movement, voice, preparation, entrance, neighbor, and time. We shall now briefly explain each of these points.

“Torah” refers to the idea that the more one delves in Torah by participating in Torah classes and the like, this aids one’s concentration during prayer because Torah causes one to come closer to Hashem and to cleave to Him. Thus, when one stands in prayer, one will not find it difficult to concentrate and pray in a supplicating manner.

“Novelty” refers to one composing new personal prayers within the blessings of the Amida. For instance, one should pray for one’s livelihood during the “Shema Kolenu” blessing and for a speedy recovery for those who require it in the “Refaenu” blessing.

“Necessity” refers to the idea that when one feels reliant upon the mercy of Hashem, one will then pray with much more concentration and fervor. For instance, if one’s child is ill, G-d-forbid, one will certainly pray from the depths of one’s heart. One must constantly feel completely dependent on Hashem’s mercy and this, in turn, will cause one to pray with utmost concentration.

“Language” refers to the idea that one should pray in the language one is accustomed to speaking. This is because the text of the Amida prayer was established in the language our Sages spoke in earlier generations. Nevertheless, one may add personal requests and prayers in the language one feels most comfortable with.

“Movement” disturbs concentration during prayer for some people and aids the concentration of others. It all depends on one’s nature.

“Voice” refers to some who are able to concentrate better when they pray somewhat louder (obviously, within the confines of what is permitted by Halacha) and others who have optimal concentration when praying less audibly.

“Preparation” refers to the idea that one should sit idly before beginning to pray, focusing only on Hashem’s utmost kindness to him and removing any other foreign thoughts from one’s mind.

“Neighbor” refers to the idea that when one prays in a serious environment among others who are praying properly and with concentration, this aids one’s concentration during prayer as well. One should therefore see to it to choose a place for prayer that is a serious and devoted environment. One should not pray in a synagogue where people speak during the prayer and treat it disrespectfully. (Similarly, when one takes one’s children to the synagogue, they should observe people acting appropriately in the synagogue.)

“Time” refers to the idea that should pray calmly and not speedily. This certainly aids one’s concentration as well.

In the Sefer Ohr Le’Zion, Volume 2 (page 69), there is a piece of advice quoted from Hagaon Rabbeinu Ben-Zion Abba Shaul zt”l to help boost one’s concentration during prayer which is that every time one concludes a blessing in the Amida, one should not immediately begin the blessing before contemplating the subject of the next blessing. In this way, one will maximize one’s concentration like the pious individuals in generations gone by who would wait a little before praying and their prayers were answered.

8 Halachot Most Popular

The Laws of Bowing During the Amida Prayer-Continued

In the previous Halacha we have discussed the basic laws of bowing during the Amida prayer, i.e. at the beginning and end of the “Magen Avraham” and “Modim” blessings. We have likewise explained the proper way to bow. Let us now discuss whether or not the custom that many hav......

Read Halacha

The Laws of Concentration During the Amida Prayer - The Laws of Bowing During the Amida Prayer

Question: At what points of the Amida should one bow and what is the correct method of bowing? Answer: Our Sages that one should bow several times during the Amida prayer. The blessings during which one must bow within the Amida are as follows: At the beginning and end of the “Magen Avra......

Read Halacha

Mincha Prayer on the Fast of the Tenth of Tevet

By popular request: This year when the Fast of the Tenth of Tevet coincides with Erev Shabbat, what is the best time for Mincha prayers to be held? The Custom Throughout the Year In general, Mincha on Friday afternoons is held in the synagogue approximately twenty minutes before sunset, after wh......

Read Halacha

Parashat Beshalach

 (From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l) (written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds UK) Paro’s Regret at Freeing Am Yisrael, he Only Appreciated Their Qualities After......

Read Halacha


The Fast of the Tenth of Tevet When it Coincides with Erev Shabbat

This coming Friday will mark the Tenth of Tevet, a public fast day observed throughout the Jewish nation until the arrival of Mashiach which marks the day the king of Babylon besieged Jerusalem with the intent of destroying it. The verse (Yechezkel 24) states: “And the word of Hashem was to me......

Read Halacha

Parashat Bo

(From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l) (written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds UK) Examining the Significance of Certain Phrases Used Regarding the Plagues, and the Differen......

Read Halacha

Parashat Vaera

(From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l) (written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds UK) Hashem’s Divine Providence (Hashgachah Pratit) and The Epic Story of Hananyah, Mishael an......

Read Halacha

The Custom of Spreading One’s Palms Wide Open While Reciting the Verse “Pote’ach Et Yadecha”

Question: Is there any basis for the custom of opening one’s hands wide while reciting the verse “Pote’ach Et Yadecha U’Masbia Le’Chol Chai Ratzon” or is this an incorrect custom? Similarly, should one rise while reciting “Yishtabach Shimcha” during th......

Read Halacha