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Kavanah whilst Davening: Difference between revisions

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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]].
In general, when performing a mitzvah one must have intent to fulfill that mitzvah (See [[Having Kavana for Mitzvot]]).
==What to have in mind==
Additionally, since one is reciting brachot when davening he must also ensure to have all of the proper kavanot when reciting brachot see [[Kavana During Brachot]].  
# 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. <ref> Rabbi Haim Levy in Anshei Hayil page 8 quoting the introduction to Shaar Hakavanot. </ref>
 
# Whenever reciting elokeinu or elokim, one should have in mind that Hashem is omnipotent. <ref> Shulchan Aruch 5:1 </ref>
There are specific additional kavanot (intentions) one should have that are unique to [[davening]]:
# 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. <ref> Or Litzion 2:1:18 </ref>
 
==Relative importance==
# 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)." <ref> Menachot 110a </ref> The same idea applies to [[Tefillah]]. <ref> Tur and S"A 1:4 write that it's preferable to pray a little with Kavana than to pray a lot without Kavana. </ref>
# 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. <ref> 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. </ref>
# 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. <ref> Halacha Berura 5:2 </ref>
==Proper Frame of Mind for Davening==
==Proper Frame of Mind for Davening==
# One should not pray while one is in the state of sadness. <ref> Ben Ish Chai (Parshat Miketz, 5) </ref>
# One should not pray while one is in the state of sadness.<ref> Ben Ish Chai (Parshat Miketz, 5) </ref>
# One should not begin to daven while in a state of laughter and levity; rather, one should enter davening with a state of seriousness ("koved rosh").
# One should begin to pray with a sense of happiness for the mitzva he is about to fulfill similar to the joy one experiences when one is involved in the study and pursuit of Torah knowledge.  This is why we recite [[Pesukei Dezimrah]] and [[Ashrei]] (words of Torah) before beginning [[Shacharit]] and [[Mincha]].<ref>Tosfot 31a s.v. Rabanan</ref>
 
==Bringing the Proper "Korban"==
# 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)." <ref> Menachot 110a </ref> The same idea applies to [[Tefillah]]. <ref> Tur and S"A 1:4 write that it's preferable to pray a little with Kavana than to pray a lot without Kavana. </ref>
# Accordingly, 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. <ref> 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. </ref>


==Sources==
==Sources==
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[[Category:Prayer]]
[[Category:Prayer]]