עברית
Prayer and Blessings
Where Can One Request Personal Requests in the Amidah Prayer?
Question
Hello, esteemed rabbi, I would like to ask in which section of the Amidah prayer one can request personal petitions. Thank you.
Answer
Greetings,
In principle, one can add personal requests of all kinds in the blessing of Shomea Tefillah (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 118:1); however, it is preferable to make requests before the phrase "Yehi Ratzon" for several reasons:
A. There are opinions that one should not add a standard request in Shomea Tefillah (see Taz, Orach Chaim 128:2, and Aruch HaShulchan, Orach Chaim 118:2).
B. One should be careful not to include too many requests in Shomea Tefillah, but rather to make just one comprehensive request (Kaf Hachaim there, note 5).
C. The Mishna Berura (end of Orach Chaim 128) wrote that it is better to establish Tefillot (prayers) for all the matters they need after completing the entire Amidah so that they may respond to Kaddish and Kedusha afterwards. See there.
Best regards,
Hillel Meirs
