Tefilah and Birkat Kohanim – Chapter 5: The Proper Manner of the Amidah: Posture, Orientation, Conduct, and Supplication
Halachah 1 — Eight Required Elements of Prayer
Ideally, prayer requires attention to eight matters:
- standing
- facing the Temple
- preparation of the body
- proper clothing
- a fitting place
- proper voice control
- bowing
- prostration
If one is pressured, hindered, or even intentionally neglects them, the prayer is still valid after the fact.
Halachah 2 — Standing During Prayer
Prayer should normally be recited standing.
If one is unable—such as one who is ill—he may pray seated or even lying on his side, provided proper intent is possible.
One riding an animal should not dismount but should pray seated to maintain focus.
One who is hungry or thirsty is considered ill; if concentration is impaired, he should eat or drink before praying.
Halachah 3 — Facing the Temple
One must pray facing:
- Eretz Yisrael (from the Diaspora),
- Jerusalem (from Eretz Yisrael),
- the Temple (from Jerusalem),
- the Holy of Holies (from the Temple).
If direction is unknown or impossible, one should direct his heart toward the Divine Presence.
Halachah 4 — Bodily Posture and Bearing
During prayer:
- the feet are placed together,
- the eyes lowered,
- the heart directed upward,
- the hands folded over the heart, right over left.
One should stand humbly, like a servant before his master, and not rest his hands on his hips.
Halachah 5 — Proper Clothing
One must dress respectfully for prayer:
- not in an undershirt,
- not barefoot where shoes are customary,
- not bareheaded.
One should not hold items that cause distraction (money, utensils, Torah scrolls), except for the lulav on Sukkot.
If carrying a load:
- less than four kabin: shift it,
- more than four kabin: put it down.
The custom of sages was to pray wrapped in a tallit.
Halachah 6 — The Proper Place
Prayer should be in a humble, fixed place, facing a wall.
Windows or doors facing Jerusalem should be opened if possible.
One should not pray in a ruin or behind a synagogue unless facing it.
It is forbidden to sit near or pass directly in front of someone praying within four cubits.
Halachah 7 — Elevated Places
One should not pray from a surface three handbreadths or more above ground, such as a bed or chair.
However, a raised platform:
- four cubits by four cubits, or
- surrounded by walls,
may be prayed on, since it is considered its own area.
Halachah 8 — Workers at Heights
Laborers working high up must descend to pray.
Exception: those in olive or fig trees may pray there due to the effort involved.
If working for wages, they recite an abbreviated Amidah;
if working for meals, they recite the full Amidah.
They may not serve as prayer leaders or perform priestly blessing.
Halachah 9 — Control of the Voice
Prayer should be recited quietly, audible only to oneself.
One may raise his voice only if ill or unable to concentrate—and never in a congregation.
Halachah 10 — Bowing During the Amidah
One bows five times:
- twice in the first blessing,
- twice in Modim,
- once at the conclusion while stepping back.
The High Priest bows in every blessing;
a king bows at the beginning and remains bowed throughout.
Halachah 11 — Why One Steps Back Left First
One steps back first with the left foot, because it corresponds to the right side of God’s Presence, as when one withdraws from before a king.
Halachah 12 — Depth of Bowing
Bowing should be deep enough that the spine protrudes.
If physical limitation prevents this, a visibly forceful inclination suffices.
Halachah 13 — Prostration After Prayer
After completing the final bow, one may sit and offer personal supplications.
Definitions:
- kneeling: on knees,
- bowing: bending forward,
- prostration: fully stretched face‑down.
Halachah 14 — Restrictions on Prostration
Prostration on stone is forbidden outside the Temple.
An important person should not fully prostrate unless certain of exceptional righteousness.
Supplicatory prayers may be said in a different location from the Amidah.
Halachah 15 — When Supplications Are Omitted
Supplicatory prayers (Tachanun) are not recited:
- on Sabbaths, festivals, Rosh Hashanah,
- Rosh Chodesh, Chanukah, Purim,
- Minchah before Sabbaths or festivals,
- or any Evening Prayer.
On Yom Kippur, supplications are recited in every prayer.
