Author Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein

  What is one to do if his Tallis Gadol/Katan arrived in middle of Davening? Pesukei Dezimra:[1] One who did not have a Tallis [Gadol/Katan] [or forgot to put on a Tallis[2]] until he reached Yishtabach, is not to recite a blessing over the Tallis [Gadol/Katan] between Pesukei Dezimra [i.e. […]

1. May one repeat words in Davening? Certain words and sentences of reference to Hashem are forbidden to be repeated in close proximity if it can be viewed that the repetition is for the sake of a second deity. Although in the Talmud and Shulchan Aruch only specific phrases of […]

Saying Shema prior to sunrise:[1] When Davening in a Vaasikin/Neitz Minyan:[2] The initial time for Davening Shemoneh Esrei is by sunrise. It is a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar to read the Shema slightly prior to sunrise, intending to complete the Shema and its last blessing of Goal Yisrael with sunrise. Immediately […]

  May one pray or learn in a room if he can see feces from his open door/window?[1] Cannot smell feces: If a person is in one room reading the Shema and the feces are in another room, then even if the door is opened between the two rooms and […]

Praying and learning Torah near a bathroom:[1] It is Biblically forbidden to learn Torah or pray within the sight or within a four cubit radius [i.e. two meters] of the walls of a bathroom, just as it is prohibited to learn or pray within the sight or within four cubits […]

Previous Halacha:: [1] If the bathroom in the park is its own structure, such as a mobile bathroom, or a building that is designated only as a bathroom, then one may not learn or pray within its four cubits [i.e. two meters]. Likewise one may not learn or pray if the […]

How to pray on behalf of another:[1] One who is praying and arousing mercy on behalf of another, needs to mention his name in the prayer, if he is not making the request in front of the person. [Even one who is praying for his father is to mention his […]

Davening for Reshaim:[1] It is a Mitzvah to Daven for Reshaim that they should repent and not enter Gihennim. It is forbidden for one to Daven for a Rasha to die. [1] Zohar Parshas Vayeira; Midrash Hanelam p. 105; Kaf Hachaim 119/7 Bookmark

  May one Daven for a gentile or Mumar, such as for him to recover from an illness, or for him to have blessing in his Parnasa, or to find a spouse and have children?[1] It is permitted to Daven on behalf of a gentile or Mumar that does good […]

Davening for healthy children that follow the path of Torah:[1] It is proper for one to Daven daily on behalf of his livelihood and that the words of Torah do not cede from his mouth or the mouth of his children and that all of his descendants be true servants […]

May one pray for a person who has a terminal and painful illness, to pass away?[1] Although one is to pray for a person to be healed even if “a sword is resting on his neck”, and the situation seems hopeless[2], nevertheless, if a person is suffering much pain and […]

  Saying Shema prior to sunrise:[1] When Davening in a Vaasikin/Neitz Minyan:[2] The initial time for Davening Shemoneh Esrei is by sunrise. It is a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar to read the Shema slightly prior to sunrise, intending to complete the Shema and its last blessing of Goal Yisrael with sunrise. […]

Joining a Minyan from a different area:[1] Answering Kaddish and Kedusha from a different area than the Minyan:[2] Once there is Minyan of ten Jews in one area that are saying Kaddish or Kedusha, anyone who hears their voices can[3] answer with them. This applies even if one is in […]

This Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer Obligation to answer Amen: A. The greatness and the obligation:[1] See Yesod Veshoresh Havoda 5:6 [page 110 in file] It is an obligation to answer Amen towards the blessing said by a Jew.[2] This applies even if the person who hears the […]

Must one answer Amen, and answer to Kaddish and Kedusha of a Minyan that he is not participating in? Not in same room as Minyan: If one is not in the same room as the Minyan and hears Kaddish or Kedusha, some Poskim[1] rule that although he is allowed to […]

Speaking/Hefsek for the sake of Davening: The subject of speaking [i.e. Hefsek/interval] during Davening carries many laws and details, regarding the cases in which it is permitted to be done. It is beyond the scope of this article to summarize all these detailed laws, and its focus is solely on […]

  May one ask someone if he can join the Davening in order so they have a Minyan?[1] Yes.   [1] Peri Hasadeh 2/15; Hisorerus Teshuvah 4/4 Bookmark

May Kaddish Derabanan of before Hodu be recited after Baruch Sheamar? Some Poskim[1] rule it may be recited, even if both the Minyan and the person reciting it is already after Baruch Sheamar. Other Poskim[2] however rule it may not be recited after the Minyan has reached Baruch Sheamar, even […]

May one say Kaddish Yasom in the midst of Davening: If one who generally says Kaddish is still in the midst of Davening [such as due to coming late, or due to Davening in length] and the congregation has reached the saying of Kaddish Yasom or Kaddish Derabanan, the question […]

  May more than one person say Kaddish if there is exactly a Minyan or ten people present? It is permitted for many people to say Kaddish together even if there will not remain a Minyan to answer Amen. This allowance applies even if the entire Minyan is reciting Kaddish […]

When reciting Kaddish together with another person, must one recite Kaddish aloud for the congregation to hear? Some Poskim[1] rule it is not necessary for one to recite Kaddish out loud if another person is saying the Kaddish loudly. Other Poskim[2] however rule it is necessary for every person saying […]

  How to answer Amen:[1] Answering Amen to a blessing contains a number of laws and restrictions. The proper answering of Amen is so severe that Ben Azaiy states in the Talmud that on one’s form of answer is dependent the longevity of his life.[2] These laws apply towards Amen […]

1. Baruch Hu Uvrach Shemo:[1] A. The Mitzvah:[2] Any time one hears any blessing the custom is to recite Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo.[3] This is a custom and was not instituted by the Sages.[4] [The saying of Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo has high mystical intent.[5]]     Q&A Is one […]

Personal requests in Shema Koleinu:[1] It is permitted for one to request from Hashem anything he needs during Shomeia Tefila [i.e. Shema Koleinu] as this blessing incorporates all the requests of a person. How to request in the blessing:[2] One must first begin the blessing and only afterwards is he […]

Confessing and then requesting livelihood:[1] It is proper [based on Kabala] for one to confess [his personal sins[2]] in Shomeia Tefila using a singular wording [i.e. Chatasi, Avisi, Pashati[3]] and then request [money for] his sustenance. This applies even if one is wealthy [and does not need money, nevertheless he […]

If one forgot to say Mashiv Haruach:[1] Nusach Arizal/Sefarad-Said Morid Hatal:[2] One who [Davens Nusach Arizal or Sefarad, and] during the rainy season [accidently] mentioned Morid Hatal [as is normally said in the summer months] instead of Morid Hageshem, does not need to repeat [the blessing, or Shemoneh Esrei].[3] Remembered […]

This article is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy here Lifting the eyes during Kedusha:[1] It is customary to lift one’s eyes upwards [towards heaven] upon saying the words Kadosh Kadosh Kadosh[2] [during Kedusha of Chazaras Hashatz].[3] It is proper for the eyes to be closed while they are raised.[4] […]

What is the Chazan to do if he accidently skipped Kedusha and said the blessing of Ata Kadosh?[1] Did not yet say Hashem’s name in the blessing of Hakeil Hakadosh: If the Chazan did not yet say Hashem’s name in the concluding blessing in Ata Kadosh, he is to go […]

Is Birchas Shema viewed as an independent blessing or as preceding blessing said prior to the Mitzvah of Kerias Shema?[1] This matter is disputed in Poskim. Some Poskim[2] rule that it is a preceding blessing to the Mitzvah of Shema, just as any other blessing that precedes a Mitzvah or […]

Finishing the blessing of Habocher Beamo Yisrael Behava quietly:[1] The Chazan [and the individual[2]] is to conclude the blessing of Ahavas Olam silently.[3] [The Chazan is to say aloud the words Baruch Ata Hashem and then conclude the remaining words in silent.[4]] [1] Sefer Haminhagim p. 25 [English] Ruling of […]

Finishing the blessing of Oheiv Amo Yisrael quietly:[1] The Chazan [and the individual[2]] is to conclude the blessing of Oheiv Amo Yisarel silently.[3] [The Chazan is to say aloud the words Baruch Ata Hashem and then conclude the remaining words in silent.[4]] [1] Sefer Haminhagim p. 48 [English] Ruling of […]

Saying Yihiyu Leratzon at the end of Chazaras Hashatz:[1] Some Poskim[2] rule the Chazan is not required to recite the verse of Yehiyu Lertatzon at the conclusion of his repetition.[3] Other Poskim[4] however rule the Chazan is required to recite the verse of Yehiyu Lertatzon at the conclusion of his […]

  Are the listeners obligated to stand for Birchas Kohanim? From the letter of the law it is not necessary for the listeners to stand when the Kohanim recite Nesias Kapayim.[1] Nevertheless, the widespread custom is for everyone to stand during recital.[2] If one is sick or weak and has […]

Listen here to Shiur Saying Barchu at the end of Davening? Letter of the law:[1] One may recite Barchu at the end of Davening for the sake of people who did not yet hear Barchu that day.[2] Certainly, if one did not yet hear Barchu he may say Barchu on […]

May one Daven Mincha and Maariv within Plag Hamincha on Erev Shabbos or during the week? It is forbidden to Daven both Mincha and Maariv on a single day within the period of Plag Hamincha.[1] [Some Poskim[2] however are lenient to allow a congregation to Daven both prayers one after […]

  The order of Kadima/precedence for Chazan:[1] It is a great virtue for one to Daven for the Amud on behalf of a loved one who has deceased. At times, there may be several people who desire to Daven for the Amud simultaneously, and therefore the laws of precedence for […]

Washing hands between Mincha and Maariv:[1] If one washed his hands prior to Mincha he is not required to rewash his hands prior to Maariv, so long as he did not remove his mind from his hands in the interim period. If one left the Shul and returned: If one […]