Kavanah whilst Davening

From Halachipedia

In general, there when performing a mitzvah one must have intent to fulfill that mitzvah (See Having Kavana for Mitzvot). Regarding Davening, there are specific Kavanot (intentions) one should have when davening.

What to have in mind

  1. When reciting Hashem's "shem adnut" (yud-key-vav-key) one should have in mind that Hashem is the master of all, and that He was, is, and will be for eternity. [1]
  2. Whenever reciting elokeinu or elokim, one should have in mind that Hashem is omnipotent. [2]
  3. When reciting Hashem's name not in the context of a beracha or the first pasuk of the shema, it is not necessary to have the proper kavana. [3]

Relative importance

  1. Chazal tell us that "regardless, if one brings a large Korban or a small one as long as one's intentions are for heaven (one's korban is accepted)." [4] The same idea applies to Tefillah. [5]
  2. If one can pray a lot with Kavana or a little with Kavana, clearly it's better to pray more. However if there are extenuating circumstances and it's not possible to pray a lot with Kavana or one judges that if he prays more he'll pray without Kavana, one should pray less with Kavana rather than more without Kavana and it's considered before Hashem as if one prayed a lot with Kavana. [6]
  3. One should not be doing anything else while reciting a beracha or a prayer even if he feels it won't mess up his kavana. [7]

Proper Frame of Mind for Davening

  1. One should not pray while one is in the state of sadness. [8]

Sources

  1. ↑ Rabbi Haim Levy in Anshei Hayil page 8 quoting the introduction to Shaar Hakavanot.
  2. ↑ Shulchan Aruch 5:1
  3. ↑ Or Litzion 2:1:18
  4. ↑ Menachot 110a
  5. ↑ Tur and S"A 1:4 write that it's preferable to pray a little with Kavana than to pray a lot without Kavana.
  6. ↑ Tur and S"A 1:4 write that it's preferable to pray a little with Kavana than to pray a lot without Kavana. Mishna Brurah 1:12 writes that clearly it's preferable to pray more with Kavana than to pray less with Kavana, however the S"A is talking about a case where such isn't possible. Halacha Brurah 1:11 concurs.
  7. ↑ Halacha Berura 5:2
  8. ↑ Ben Ish Chai (Parshat Miketz, 5)
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