From the Rav’s Desk: Where to Insert Personal Requests in Shema Koleinu (Monday, 9th Teves)

Question

Where exactly within the blessing of Shema Koleinu should one insert personal requests? I have heard many different opinions: one teacher advised doing so at the conclusion of the blessing, just before the words Baruch Atah Hashem Shomea Tefillah. Another suggested placing them in the middle of the blessing, while others said it should be done before the phrase Ki Atah Shomea Tefillas Kol Peh. What is the proper practice in this matter?

Answer

Personal requests should not be placed at the very end of Shema Koleinu before Baruch Atah Hashem Shomea Tefillah. Instead, they should be inserted after reciting part of the blessing and preferably before the words Ki Atah Shomea Tefillas Kol Peh. One should not begin the blessing with personal requests; first say some of the established text. While some suggest placing them before U’Milifanecha Hashem Elokeinu Al Tashiveinu, the most accepted practice is prior to Ki Atah Shomea Tefillas Kol Peh.

Explanation:

The answer to this question involves three distinct considerations:

• Whether personal requests may be inserted before beginning the blessing or immediately after reciting its opening words.
• Whether personal requests may be added just before the blessing’s conclusion.
• Whether, and where, personal requests should or may be made in the middle of the blessing.

Regarding the end of the blessing:

Many authoritative sources clarify that personal requests should not be made at the very end of the blessing, prior to Baruch Atah Hashem Shomea Tefillah. The reason is that the conclusion of a blessing must correspond to its theme, and personal requests may not always align with the concluding formula. Therefore, one should insert personal requests before the words Ki Atah Shomea Tefillas Kol Peh.

Regarding the beginning of the blessing:

Furthermore, it is ruled that one should not begin the blessing with personal requests. At the very least, one should recite several words—or ideally a full verse—of the established text before adding personal supplications, so that the blessing begins with the wording instituted by Chazal and make that the primary aspect of the blessing and his personal requests the secondary.

Regarding where in the middle of the blessing:

With regard to the specific positioning following the opening, there are no definitive rules, and, according to the letter of the law, this decision is subject to individual discretion. However, it is apparent that such placement should be avoided within the middle of a sentence or statement, as this may interrupt the intended content or expression of the prayer. Furthermore, we do find some suggestions regarding where the personal prayer should be inserted even though these are not binding as law: Some authorities based on Kabbalah suggest inserting requests before the words U’Milifanecha Hashem Elokeinu Al Tashiveinu. Others indicate that the most appropriate place is immediately prior to Ki Atah Shomea Tefillas Kol Peh. This latter view is supported by multiple sources and aligns with established practices regarding missed additions, such as She’elas Geshem, Visein Tal Umatar when omitted at the appropriate time, Anneinu on fast days, and various forms of Yehi Ratzon prayers found in siddurim. For each of these additions, siddurim note that they should be recited before the words “Ki Atah Shomea Tefillas Kol Peh,” suggesting that the same approach applies to personal prayers. This position is also logical, as it places the addition after the initial opening statement of the prayer and before the closing phrase that precedes the concluding blessing, consistent with prior halachic guidelines.

Sources:

See regarding not saying it in the beginning of the blessing: Admur 119:1; Rama 119:1; Beis Yosef 119; Rosh; Tur 566; Darkei Moshe 119:1; Kaf Hachaim 119:8; One is to first recite an entire phrase of the blessing and is not to suffice with merely a few words: Taz 119:1; P”M 119 M”Z 1; M”B 119:3; Kaf Hachaim 119:8

See regarding not saying it in the end of the blessing: Pischeiy Teshuvah 119; Orchos Chaim Spinka 119:2; Piskeiy Teshuvos 119:1 footnote 3; 119:2 footnote 23

See regarding making up Visein Tal Umatar Livracha prior to Ki Atah Shomea Tefillas Kol Peh: Kitzur SHU”A 19:6; M”B 117:16; Kaf Hachaim 114:45; 117:37 and 42; Piskeiy Teshuvos 117:6

See regarding saying Yehi Ratzons and personal prayers prior to Ki Atah Shomea Tefillas Kol Peh: Siddur Yaavetz; Pischeiy Teshuvah 114:6; Pischeiy Olam 114:19; Kaf Hachaim 114:45; 117:42; Piskeiy Teshuvos 119:2

See regarding saying Aneinu prior to Ki Atah Shomea Tefillas Kol Peh: All Siddurim

See regarding saying personal prayers prior to U’Milifanecha Hashem Elokeinu Al Tashiveinu: Darkei Chaim Veshalom 171 in name of Peri Eitz Chaim and Shaar Hakavanos; Piskeiy Teshuvos 119:2 footnote 23