Is it OK to recite prayers by heart?
I remember reading that you are supposed to pray by reading from a siddur -- that it is not OK to recite the prayers by heart. Is this true? If it is, what is the reason, given that in olden days there were no siddurim and people relied on their memory?
tefilla prayer-book
asked Feb 3 at 0:47
Maurice MizrahiMaurice Mizrahi
1,685214
add a comment |
I remember reading that you are supposed to pray by reading from a siddur -- that it is not OK to recite the prayers by heart. Is this true? If it is, what is the reason, given that in olden days there were no siddurim and people relied on their memory?
tefilla prayer-book
asked Feb 3 at 0:47
Maurice MizrahiMaurice Mizrahi
1,685214
I don't have Eliyahi Kitov's Sefer Hatoda'ah before me. But, I recall his mentioning specifically that the Musaph of Rosh Hodesh Heshvan should not be recited by heart. This implies that apparently there was no general problem reciting prayers by heart. Of course, if you are on the road without a siddur and need to daven mincha, I highly doubt that anyone rules that you should not daven by heart just because you have no siddur.
– DanF
Feb 3 at 2:11
Please define your "OK" level? Do you ask if the Halacha allows - of course as you see thousands praying by heart? So what's your question about?
– Al Berko
Feb 3 at 13:26
add a comment |
I remember reading that you are supposed to pray by reading from a siddur -- that it is not OK to recite the prayers by heart. Is this true? If it is, what is the reason, given that in olden days there were no siddurim and people relied on their memory?
tefilla prayer-book
asked Feb 3 at 0:47
Maurice MizrahiMaurice Mizrahi
1,685214
I remember reading that you are supposed to pray by reading from a siddur -- that it is not OK to recite the prayers by heart. Is this true? If it is, what is the reason, given that in olden days there were no siddurim and people relied on their memory?
tefilla prayer-book
tefilla prayer-book
asked Feb 3 at 0:47
Maurice MizrahiMaurice Mizrahi
1,685214
asked Feb 3 at 0:47
Maurice MizrahiMaurice Mizrahi
1,685214
asked Feb 3 at 0:47
Maurice MizrahiMaurice Mizrahi
1,685214
asked Feb 3 at 0:47
Maurice MizrahiMaurice Mizrahi
1,685214
asked Feb 3 at 0:47
Maurice MizrahiMaurice Mizrahi
1,685214
1,685214
I don't have Eliyahi Kitov's Sefer Hatoda'ah before me. But, I recall his mentioning specifically that the Musaph of Rosh Hodesh Heshvan should not be recited by heart. This implies that apparently there was no general problem reciting prayers by heart. Of course, if you are on the road without a siddur and need to daven mincha, I highly doubt that anyone rules that you should not daven by heart just because you have no siddur.
– DanF
Feb 3 at 2:11
Please define your "OK" level? Do you ask if the Halacha allows - of course as you see thousands praying by heart? So what's your question about?
– Al Berko
Feb 3 at 13:26
add a comment |
I don't have Eliyahi Kitov's Sefer Hatoda'ah before me. But, I recall his mentioning specifically that the Musaph of Rosh Hodesh Heshvan should not be recited by heart. This implies that apparently there was no general problem reciting prayers by heart. Of course, if you are on the road without a siddur and need to daven mincha, I highly doubt that anyone rules that you should not daven by heart just because you have no siddur.
– DanF
Feb 3 at 2:11
Please define your "OK" level? Do you ask if the Halacha allows - of course as you see thousands praying by heart? So what's your question about?
– Al Berko
Feb 3 at 13:26
I don't have Eliyahi Kitov's Sefer Hatoda'ah before me. But, I recall his mentioning specifically that the Musaph of Rosh Hodesh Heshvan should not be recited by heart. This implies that apparently there was no general problem reciting prayers by heart. Of course, if you are on the road without a siddur and need to daven mincha, I highly doubt that anyone rules that you should not daven by heart just because you have no siddur.
– DanF
Feb 3 at 2:11
I don't have Eliyahi Kitov's Sefer Hatoda'ah before me. But, I recall his mentioning specifically that the Musaph of Rosh Hodesh Heshvan should not be recited by heart. This implies that apparently there was no general problem reciting prayers by heart. Of course, if you are on the road without a siddur and need to daven mincha, I highly doubt that anyone rules that you should not daven by heart just because you have no siddur.
– DanF
Feb 3 at 2:11
Please define your "OK" level? Do you ask if the Halacha allows - of course as you see thousands praying by heart? So what's your question about?
– Al Berko
Feb 3 at 13:26
Please define your "OK" level? Do you ask if the Halacha allows - of course as you see thousands praying by heart? So what's your question about?
– Al Berko
Feb 3 at 13:26
add a comment |
2 Answers
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Mishnah Brurah 93 s.k. 2 writes:
האר"י ז"ל היה מתפלל מתוך הסידור כדי שיכוין מאוד גם שלא להבליע נקודה והכל לפי מה שמרגיש האדם בנפשו
Loosely translated: The Arizal would pray using a siddur in order to aid in concentration and pronunciation, but generally speaking whether or not to use a siddur depends on what the individual feels will benefit his prayer the most.
answered Feb 3 at 1:46
JayJay
3,833417
Are you Arizal or the like? Are we? What does it say about the rest of us?
– Al Berko
Feb 3 at 13:24
add a comment |
Sefer Hayashar (4) recommends closing the eyes during prayer, i.e. praying by heart.
It is likely he refers only to the the Amidah, though.
ומאברי הגוף, העינים, צריך להשתמש בהן כראוי, צריך להיות עוצם עיניו מראות ברע, ומראות עבירה, ואל יישן כל הלילה, וצריך שיהיו עיניו סגורות בשעת התפילה, וישים טוטפות בין עיניו, וישא עיניו לשמים, ויבין כל יצירות האל יתברך, ויתבונן תמיד בתורת השם יתברך.
Another among the organs of the body are the eyes. One must make proper use of them. One should close one’s eyes from looking upon evil and from seeing sin: one must not sleep all of the night. One should keep his eyes closed during the time of the tefillah. And he should put frontlets between his eyes, and he should lift his eyes to the heavens, and he should ponder over the creations of God, blessed be He, and let him meditate always upon the Torah of the Lord, blessed be He.
answered Feb 3 at 10:36
Dr. ShmuelDr. Shmuel
2,9351945
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Mishnah Brurah 93 s.k. 2 writes:
האר"י ז"ל היה מתפלל מתוך הסידור כדי שיכוין מאוד גם שלא להבליע נקודה והכל לפי מה שמרגיש האדם בנפשו
Loosely translated: The Arizal would pray using a siddur in order to aid in concentration and pronunciation, but generally speaking whether or not to use a siddur depends on what the individual feels will benefit his prayer the most.
answered Feb 3 at 1:46
JayJay
3,833417
Are you Arizal or the like? Are we? What does it say about the rest of us?
– Al Berko
Feb 3 at 13:24
add a comment |
Mishnah Brurah 93 s.k. 2 writes:
האר"י ז"ל היה מתפלל מתוך הסידור כדי שיכוין מאוד גם שלא להבליע נקודה והכל לפי מה שמרגיש האדם בנפשו
Loosely translated: The Arizal would pray using a siddur in order to aid in concentration and pronunciation, but generally speaking whether or not to use a siddur depends on what the individual feels will benefit his prayer the most.
answered Feb 3 at 1:46
JayJay
3,833417
Are you Arizal or the like? Are we? What does it say about the rest of us?
– Al Berko
Feb 3 at 13:24
add a comment |
Mishnah Brurah 93 s.k. 2 writes:
האר"י ז"ל היה מתפלל מתוך הסידור כדי שיכוין מאוד גם שלא להבליע נקודה והכל לפי מה שמרגיש האדם בנפשו
Loosely translated: The Arizal would pray using a siddur in order to aid in concentration and pronunciation, but generally speaking whether or not to use a siddur depends on what the individual feels will benefit his prayer the most.
answered Feb 3 at 1:46
JayJay
3,833417
Mishnah Brurah 93 s.k. 2 writes:
האר"י ז"ל היה מתפלל מתוך הסידור כדי שיכוין מאוד גם שלא להבליע נקודה והכל לפי מה שמרגיש האדם בנפשו
Loosely translated: The Arizal would pray using a siddur in order to aid in concentration and pronunciation, but generally speaking whether or not to use a siddur depends on what the individual feels will benefit his prayer the most.
answered Feb 3 at 1:46
JayJay
3,833417
edited Feb 3 at 2:11
answered Feb 3 at 1:46
JayJay
3,833417
answered Feb 3 at 1:46
JayJay
3,833417
answered Feb 3 at 1:46
JayJay
3,833417
3,833417
Are you Arizal or the like? Are we? What does it say about the rest of us?
– Al Berko
Feb 3 at 13:24
add a comment |
Are you Arizal or the like? Are we? What does it say about the rest of us?
– Al Berko
Feb 3 at 13:24
Are you Arizal or the like? Are we? What does it say about the rest of us?
– Al Berko
Feb 3 at 13:24
Are you Arizal or the like? Are we? What does it say about the rest of us?
– Al Berko
Feb 3 at 13:24
add a comment |
Sefer Hayashar (4) recommends closing the eyes during prayer, i.e. praying by heart.
It is likely he refers only to the the Amidah, though.
ומאברי הגוף, העינים, צריך להשתמש בהן כראוי, צריך להיות עוצם עיניו מראות ברע, ומראות עבירה, ואל יישן כל הלילה, וצריך שיהיו עיניו סגורות בשעת התפילה, וישים טוטפות בין עיניו, וישא עיניו לשמים, ויבין כל יצירות האל יתברך, ויתבונן תמיד בתורת השם יתברך.
Another among the organs of the body are the eyes. One must make proper use of them. One should close one’s eyes from looking upon evil and from seeing sin: one must not sleep all of the night. One should keep his eyes closed during the time of the tefillah. And he should put frontlets between his eyes, and he should lift his eyes to the heavens, and he should ponder over the creations of God, blessed be He, and let him meditate always upon the Torah of the Lord, blessed be He.
answered Feb 3 at 10:36
Dr. ShmuelDr. Shmuel
2,9351945
add a comment |
Sefer Hayashar (4) recommends closing the eyes during prayer, i.e. praying by heart.
It is likely he refers only to the the Amidah, though.
ומאברי הגוף, העינים, צריך להשתמש בהן כראוי, צריך להיות עוצם עיניו מראות ברע, ומראות עבירה, ואל יישן כל הלילה, וצריך שיהיו עיניו סגורות בשעת התפילה, וישים טוטפות בין עיניו, וישא עיניו לשמים, ויבין כל יצירות האל יתברך, ויתבונן תמיד בתורת השם יתברך.
Another among the organs of the body are the eyes. One must make proper use of them. One should close one’s eyes from looking upon evil and from seeing sin: one must not sleep all of the night. One should keep his eyes closed during the time of the tefillah. And he should put frontlets between his eyes, and he should lift his eyes to the heavens, and he should ponder over the creations of God, blessed be He, and let him meditate always upon the Torah of the Lord, blessed be He.
answered Feb 3 at 10:36
Dr. ShmuelDr. Shmuel
2,9351945
add a comment |
Sefer Hayashar (4) recommends closing the eyes during prayer, i.e. praying by heart.
It is likely he refers only to the the Amidah, though.
ומאברי הגוף, העינים, צריך להשתמש בהן כראוי, צריך להיות עוצם עיניו מראות ברע, ומראות עבירה, ואל יישן כל הלילה, וצריך שיהיו עיניו סגורות בשעת התפילה, וישים טוטפות בין עיניו, וישא עיניו לשמים, ויבין כל יצירות האל יתברך, ויתבונן תמיד בתורת השם יתברך.
Another among the organs of the body are the eyes. One must make proper use of them. One should close one’s eyes from looking upon evil and from seeing sin: one must not sleep all of the night. One should keep his eyes closed during the time of the tefillah. And he should put frontlets between his eyes, and he should lift his eyes to the heavens, and he should ponder over the creations of God, blessed be He, and let him meditate always upon the Torah of the Lord, blessed be He.
answered Feb 3 at 10:36
Dr. ShmuelDr. Shmuel
2,9351945
Sefer Hayashar (4) recommends closing the eyes during prayer, i.e. praying by heart.
It is likely he refers only to the the Amidah, though.
ומאברי הגוף, העינים, צריך להשתמש בהן כראוי, צריך להיות עוצם עיניו מראות ברע, ומראות עבירה, ואל יישן כל הלילה, וצריך שיהיו עיניו סגורות בשעת התפילה, וישים טוטפות בין עיניו, וישא עיניו לשמים, ויבין כל יצירות האל יתברך, ויתבונן תמיד בתורת השם יתברך.
Another among the organs of the body are the eyes. One must make proper use of them. One should close one’s eyes from looking upon evil and from seeing sin: one must not sleep all of the night. One should keep his eyes closed during the time of the tefillah. And he should put frontlets between his eyes, and he should lift his eyes to the heavens, and he should ponder over the creations of God, blessed be He, and let him meditate always upon the Torah of the Lord, blessed be He.
answered Feb 3 at 10:36
Dr. ShmuelDr. Shmuel
2,9351945
answered Feb 3 at 10:36
Dr. ShmuelDr. Shmuel
2,9351945
answered Feb 3 at 10:36
Dr. ShmuelDr. Shmuel
2,9351945
answered Feb 3 at 10:36
Dr. ShmuelDr. Shmuel
2,9351945
2,9351945
add a comment |
add a comment |
I don't have Eliyahi Kitov's Sefer Hatoda'ah before me. But, I recall his mentioning specifically that the Musaph of Rosh Hodesh Heshvan should not be recited by heart. This implies that apparently there was no general problem reciting prayers by heart. Of course, if you are on the road without a siddur and need to daven mincha, I highly doubt that anyone rules that you should not daven by heart just because you have no siddur.
– DanF
Feb 3 at 2:11
Please define your "OK" level? Do you ask if the Halacha allows - of course as you see thousands praying by heart? So what's your question about?
– Al Berko
Feb 3 at 13:26