עברית
Prayer and Blessings
How to Pray the Amidah
Question
Hello Rabbi,
I pray the morning prayer, Shacharit, but I do not say the Amidah. I really want to pray it but I am afraid because I do not know how to do so, as it is known that it involves steps and I have no idea how many or how to do it. Can you help me?
Thank you very much.
Answer
Hello and blessings,
Fortunate are you that you merit to pray to the Creator of the world! It is important to know that imperfect prayer is better than no prayer at all. Do not be afraid if you do not know a certain Halacha or how to conduct yourself; your prayer will always be accepted with mercy and goodwill. Of course, it is indeed necessary to learn the laws of prayer properly.
Here is the order of prayer:
Before reciting `Hashem, open my lips,` you should walk three steps forward to the place where you are standing to pray, and you should start with your right foot.
If you are already standing in your place, you should take three steps back so that you can walk three steps forward.
If you are already standing in your place, you should take three steps back so that you can walk three steps forward.
You need to bow four times during the Amidah: at the beginning and end of the first blessing and at the beginning and end of the blessing of Modim.
When you say `Baruch` at the beginning of the first blessing of the Amidah, bow down and bend your knees, and when you say `You,` bow with your head lowered down. Before you say the Name, you should straighten up.
You should do the same at the conclusion of the first blessing of the Amidah when you say `Baruch Atah Hashem, Shield of Abraham.`
In the blessing of Modim, bow down until you reach the Name of Hashem then straighten up.
Similarly, when concluding the blessing of Modim and saying `Baruch Atah Hashem, Your Name is good, and it is fitting to give thanks to You,` you should do as mentioned above for the first blessing.
At the conclusion of the prayer, before saying `He who makes peace in His heights,` take three steps back(starting with your left foot), with your head slightly bowed, and say `He who makes peace in His heights` with your head bowed to the left, `He shall make peace upon us` with your head to the right, and `and upon all Israel` with your head straight.
Blessings,
Binyamin Shmueli
