From the Rav’s Desk: Lifting one’s foot to itch one’s leg in middle of Shemoneh Esrei

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  1. Question: [Monday 18th Kisleiv 5782]

If I have an itch by my ankle in middle of Shemoneh Esrei, may I lift my other leg in order to itch it with my shoe and the like?

 

Answer:

If the itch is really bothering you, then you may use your foot to itch your ankle even though you will have to lift it in the process. This, however, should only be done if you are unable to itch it with your hand, or if you are embarrassed to do so using your hand.

Explanation: One is initially required to put his feet together during Shemoneh Esrei and make them appear like a single thought in order to emulate the Angels who also appear to stand on a single foot. Nonetheless, in a time of great need, it is even permitted for one to walk during Shemoneh Esrei, and hence certainly it is permitted for one to simply lift his foot in order to itch himself.

Sources: See Admur 95:1; 104:1-2; Michaber 95:1; Brachos 10b; Igros Moshe 5:38; Piskeiy Teshuvos 95:1

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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