Mel asked me to write a post on this and I thought it was a great question. What do you think about during shmona esray?
I would have to say that every day is different, I think that shmona esray is the one prayer in all of davening where all the distractions are gone and you have time to let your thoughts run. I understand that this isn’t the best thing to do, but its the time that cell phones have to be turned off and you cannot look around for that other sock. Even while in shull you cannot look at those emails from Monsey that are scattered around the tables and see if you know the names on some benchers left over from the last shalosh suedos.
For instance today I was not able to make it shull and while I was davening I thought about work, then I thought about breakfast and then I thought about where I would bike in the afternoon. Pretty pathetic eh, though I think many of you can relate to this. The only times I have true kavanah during shmona esray is when something bad happens, when I am asking for forgiveness or for something.
For me the worst possible time to think only good thoughts is during the high holidays. Yom kippor and Rosh Hashanah are the absolute worst. I remember in high school I was told to have the utmost kavanah during these times and boom- I start thinking about all the bad things I want to do- usually centered around sex.
Can you relate to this? I would like to hear your thoughts and comments about this activity that we do every day- yet we never seem to get it right. What exactly is the right thing to do or think about during shmona esray. I do think shmona esray is one of the most NON-abstract prayers with most of verses we modern day folks can relate to and take in- yet I still tend to lose concentration and let my thoughts wander.
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I always wander off and start thinking about hot babes. Before ya know it, I’m finished and commence doing the 3 step backup.
Anyone who reads the words (not from memory) will not think of anything else.
Agreeing with A23. Also, sometimes I wish I were awake enough to really think about something during sh’monei esrei, but more often than not, I’m in a semi-zombie state until at least 10am.
You do not need to pay attention the entire davening….start small and build your way up.
Here is a link to http://www.TheShmuz.com on the Shmuzin on davening.
http://www.theshmuz.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=Davening
reading that u think of rated Rs during shmoneh esreh made me cringe! not that im any better but were just so….human
For me, each Shemoheh Esrei comes with different thoughts. Like Heshy, i have the most kavanah when I’m in a bad situation, or in a hurry. This is especially true when the shaliach tzibbur is a speed davener. I always try to finish my Shemoneh Esrei before he begins the repetition.
I look around and wait till at least three people are finished until I sit down, so no one thinks I didn’t actually daven. I never actually say it, just trim my nails and try and think about life.
i usually focus on the bruchos cuz i dont daven often enough
B”H Ain kavannah, ain tefillah, wetzarikh lahzor. (prayer w/o kevannah is like you didn’t pray at all, and have to repeat the “18″) Paraphrase from Mishnah Torah Hil. Tefillah 4:1, 15-19. Yeah, I know many of you will whine at me saying that you don’t hold by the Ramba”m. Still, I think it’s a profound statement, and worth thinking about. I think a lot of people have trouble concentrating. I know I do. My mind definitely wanders, but I don’t think that makes evil or anything. I’m just doing the best I can. Removal of distractions is another requirement of the Ramba”m before one prays. I’m not perfect. I try to concentrate on the words, and visualize what they’re saying, bringing Jews to Israel, Mashiah coming, and remember the additional things I’m personally thankful for during “modima anahnu lokh…” …and add something after “18.” Rash”i on TB Berakhoth 29b: “Ha’oseh tefillato qeva’, ain tefillato tahanunim.” (One who makes his prayer set [in stone, w/o personal addition], his prayers are not really supplications.)
Read the words in the siddur and actually stare at the letters, taking in their shape. Read slower. And before davening, study something that has G-d in it. Chassidus always works for me.
If there are no hot studs standing on the other side of the mechitza then I am okay with my kavanah. lol.
Before SE I am usually trying to squeeze my siddur out of my drawer where I sit, the Chabadniks always stuff their tefillin bags in my drawer. On Pesach they put a pesachdige matza roller into my drawer. What’s up with that?.lol.
p.s. on the men’s side there are no drawers or tables for them to lock up stuff, it’s like a little stiebel.
You know the old joke about the guy who was just getting to sleep when he gets woken up by this tapping on his chest, only to realize that it’s his right hand, and he’s davening shmonah esrei? Yeah, well, it’s not just a joke.
your blog
Banging slach lonu on shabbos morning… how embarrassing!! And guys it CANNOT be hastily disguised as scratching an itchy chest.
Do people stlll do that ritual?
Wow I can totally relate to what goes on during the Rosh Hashana/YK shmona esrei. I thought I was the only one! Something about the solemnity of the moment and my natural instinct to rebel against the norm make that time very difficult to concentrate.
This morning I thought about this post. Thanks a lot, Hesh!
You know I tend to have the most kavanah when I am in a minyan that would not have happened without me. Being the tenth man rocks.
R’ Avigdor Miller zt’l would say ALWAYS THINK ABOUT HASHEM, EVEN DURING DAVENING i find that very funny
See Y. Berakhot 2:4 towards the end, and you won’t feel so bad.
know the translation… its the simplest way to understand wat you’re saying and therefore are able to concentrate better. also in your own sidur you can make notes on wat each bracha means to you and think about that
Jana I know the translation but I don’t have kavanah in the presence of handsome men standing on the other side of the mechitza. LOL.
Oh Rebel I can agree- I get all fuzzy inside when hot men are around.
I relate to banging slach lanu on shabbos, i think i usually get away w/ disguising it as an itch..i just keep banging my chst..lol…
Rafi I was davening on Rosh Hashanah this year and I was going along nicely and clopping my chest until I realized I had a Yom Kippur machzor and felt like a retard doing my al chaits.
Almost every shabbos I end up pulling a silach lanu during maariv.