Laws of Davening Shemoneh Esray
Part 5: THE PRAYER
1. The custom is that one steps backwards three steps and then takes three steps forward before shemoneh esray, as if approaching a king.
2. One must concentrate on the meaning of all the words of the entire shemoneh esray, for if he were standing in front of a human king, wouldn't he concentrate? All the more so must he consider what he is saying in front of the King of Kings, Who knows all thoughts. And if another thought comes into his mind during prayer, he should be silent until the thought passes.
(Pathway to Prayer, Rabbi Mayer Birnbaum)
A One Minute a Day Torah Thought !
"A person can master a foreign language in a short while, but some people live an entire lifetime without ever truly understanding what they themselves are saying.".
(Rabbi Wolf of Strikov ZT'L - Sefer Torah Tavlin)
50 Suggestions for Concentrating during Prayer!
(25) The sefer Derech Chaim says, when one prays in the language he's used to, his familiar everyday language, it will be easier for him to concentrate. Therefore, one who can accustom himself to speak the Biblical Hebrew language with his friends should do it, and he will have acted wisely.
(Pathway to Prayer, Rabbi Mayer Birnbaum) |