Shmoneh Esrei: Difference between revisions

# If one is outside Israel one should face Israel and also have intent to face Yerushalyim, the Bet HaMikdash, and Kodesh Kodashim, meaning that one should picture oneself in the Bet HaMikdash in Yerushalyim in the place of Kodesh HaKodeshim. <Ref>

* The Gemara [[Brachot]] 30a quotes a Briattta which learns from a pasek in Melachim (Aleph 8:48) that a person outside Israel should pray towards Israel. The Rif 20a, Rosh ([[Brachot]] 4:19), and Rambam ([[Tefillah]] 5:3) rule like this Briatta in the Gemara.

* Tosfot ([[Brachot]] 30a s.v. LeTalpiyot) writes that even though there are opinions in Bava Batra 25b which say that the Shechina rests in the east or west specifically, nonetheless, we hold like this Gemara [[Brachot]] which says that one should always pray towards Israel. This is quoted by the Rosh ([[Brachot]] 4:19) and Tur 94:1-3.  

* Rabbenu Yonah ([[Brachot]] 20b s.v. Haya) explains that one who prays from outside Israel should not only face Israel but more also have intent to face Yerushalayim, the Bet HaMikdash, and the Kodesh Kodashim. S”A 94:1 rules like the explanation of the Rabbenu Yonah. Kitzur S"A 18:6 concurs. The Mishna Brurah 94:3 explains the S”A to mean that one should face Israel and also picture oneself in the Bet HaMikdash in Yerushalyim in the place of the Kodesh Kodashim. </ref>

# If one is in Israel one should face Yerushalyim and also have intent to face the Bet HaMikdash and Kodesh Kodashim, meaning that one should picture oneself in the Bet HaMikdash in the place of the Kodesh Kodashim. <Ref>Gemara [[Brachot]] 30a, Tur and S”A 94:1 (see above footnote)</ref>

# If one doesn’t know which way to pray one should have intent to pray to Hashem. Similarly, a blind person who doesn’t know which way to pray should have intent to pray to Hashem. <ref>The Gemara [[Brachot]] 30a quotes a Briatta which says that a seeing person who is unable to determine the direction to pray or a blind person should pray to Hashem. The Rif 20a, Rosh ([[Brachot]] 4:19), Rambam ([[Tefillah]] 5:3), and Tur 94:3 rule like this Briatta. Interestingly the S”A 94:3 summarizes this halacha that anyone who is unable to determine the proper direction to pray should have intent to pray to Hashem and leaves out the mention of a blind person. Halacha Brurah 94:1 and Aruch HaShulchan 94:1 quote both that generally anyone who doesn’t know which direction to pray and also a blind person who doesn’t know which direction to pray. Beiur Halacha 94:3 s.v. Mi SheAino writes that it’s preferable to pick one direction to turn one’s body and the face another direction in order that there’s a greater chance that one is facing Israel. </ref>

# If one is on a donkey one should still turn one’s face in the direction of Israel. <Ref>Magan Avraham 94:2 in explanation of S”A 94:2. Mishna Brurah 94:8 agrees. </ref>

# The Rabbis tell us that one who wants a blessing in wisdom should pray towards the south and one who wants a blessing in wealth should pray towards the north. If praying towards Israel is a different direction than one wants to pray in order to receive a blessing, then according to some one should turn one’s body towards the south or north and one’s face to Israel, and according to others one should turn one’s face to towards the south or north and one’s body to Israel. <Ref>  

* The Mahari Avuhav (commentary on the Tur, Siman 94) writes that it’s a wonderment why our minhag is to pray towards the north or south if we should pray to the east in order to face Israel (considering that the Mahari Avuhav lived in Europe). The Mahari Avuhav concludes that it’s sufficient to have one’s body face north or south and one’s face in the direction of Israel.  

* The Gemara Bava Batra 25b says that one who wants wisdom should pray to the south and one who wants wealth should pray to the north. The Gemara asks how one could face north or south if one has to face the Shechina (the divine providence, which we hold is in Israel). According to Rashi (D”H DeMetzaded) the Gemara answers that one should just turn one’s face to the north or south but leave one’s body facing the Shechina. The Bet Yosef 94:1-3 says that it seems that Rashi would hold that one should face Israel and have one’s body turned north or south.

* The Bet Yosef answers that once (in regards to praying north or south) we see that turning one’s face satisfies praying in that direction, so too, by praying to Israel turning one’s face is sufficient. The S”A 94:2 rules like the Mahari Avuhav that one who is praying to any direction other than Israel should turn one’s face to Israel.  

* However, the Taz 94:3 argues that it’s preferable to follow Rashi and have one’s body in the direction of Israel and just turn one’s face north or south so that one doesn’t appear to separate from the congregation. Mishna Brurah 94:12 holds like the Taz.  

* The Mishna Brurah 94:8, 12 explains that this dispute is also relevant in the case where one wants to pray to the south or north in order to receive blessing. The Rama 94:2 says that if one wants to pray south or north for blessing one just turn one’s face towards Israel. However, Mishna Brurah 94:12 writes that the minhag is to follow the Taz and turn one’s body north or south but not one’s face. </ref>

# The congregation should set up the Heichal (in which the Sefer Torah is kept) in the direction of Israel (which in America is East). Even if the Heichal in another direction, nonetheless, the congregation should still pray in the direction of Israel. <Ref>Mishna Brurah 94:9, Halacha Brurah 94:2 </ref>

# The beracha of [[hashivenu]] follows the beracha of atta chonen because we are asking Hashem to help us distinguish between right and wrong so that we can recognize our sins and do proper teshuva. <ref> Mishna Brurah 115:1 </ref>

# The beracha of slach lanu follows the beracha of [[hashivenu]] because after we pray for teshuva we need to focus on the sins themselves and ask forgiveness for them. <ref>Mishna Brurah 115:1 </ref>