I just do a normal three step retreat from shmona esray at the end of it and bust out regular old generic bows, however, I am not alone in noticing that there are some pretty different and downright strange ways that folks do the three step retreat.
Opera Bow:
My roommate mentioned that many BT’s do the Opera Bow. This when they take three large steps back, the full three steps, not the baby ones that folks tend to do regardless of whether they are in between those benches with no room. Nope, in this case the dude will take three big steps back, usually still lost in their shmona esray stance, and you have to get the hell out of the way, because of the trance. They then bow very far like the guys at the end of the opera, you can usually tell who is going to bust it this move based on their bows for Modim and other shmona esray brachas, they are always exaggerated to the point that you may think they will fall over.
Pre-Bower:
The folks who bow as they walk back, I have no idea why they do this and its usually a half assed bow that goes straight until they reach their desired bowing destination, and then it takes on the regular old bow. These folks usually take the full three steps back as well, except they are not giant steps as the pre-bower types have usually been doing the shmona esray shuffle for many years and have tried to develop a certain style to their three step retreat to set them apart from the regulars.
Tippy Toes:
Dude its not kedusha I always want to say, yet these folks will take three baby steps in quick succession and instead of bowing they vfly up to their tippy toes a few quick times and return to their seats.
Look Backs:
This was me in high school, I would take three steps back look around to make sure other folks were done so the Rabbis wouldn’t suspect that I hadn’t actually said the whole thing and then I would sit down without my three bows. Shmona esray was the best sleeping time since the Rabbis couldn’t smack you on the back of your head during shmona esray.
One Steppers:
They take one step back and bust out a few disoriented nod-like bows. Almost like the guy sees someone he knows yet doesn’t want to make the effort or give the recognization of a full bow, so he just nods in your direction.
Continuous Shucklers:
These folks go back but they don’t bow for like ten minutes, in that time they usually have their hands clenched together or rubbing each other as if they were very dirty and they are swaying side to side lost in their own violent shuckel. Watch out for these guys because even when you think its safe to sit down and enjoy your time until kedusha they will be hocking around above your head and providing you with a gentle breeze from their shuckeling.
If you liked this post you should definitely check out my classic post on shuckeling- the complete guide.
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I think you really have to give special mention to the guys who combine a standard forward and back shuckel with side to side twist and almost always toss in a pained face contortion, pleading with the judge, begging for the tender mercy of the court. Real convincing, by the way. Whatever it was this guy did, I’d just as soon forget about it, if he’d give up the pleading. You know?
Love it dude, I should link up my classic post on shuckeling- which goes hand in hand with this
There’s also the circle bow, where you get the left, right, and forward bow all in one circular motion. Can be done as a “pre-bow” to be even more time efficient!
i always think someone is observing my shmoneh esrie i guess its not too strange of a thought. ynever know who’s gonna do a post about it
I guess my goal of this blog is to bring to light the little nuances of daily life within the frum community that no one else really cares enough to write about.
i like! I take 3 teensy steps back very quickly, the steps being honed by years of having like 2 F’n inches between my big jewish tuchus and the guy/chair behind me, then a barely perceptible 3 way shake, mostly little jerks of the head in each direction. i fell it is a crisp finish to my crisp prayers. I like it crinkly!
How could you possibly include a blog on shmonei esre step backs without mentioning famous bloopers and collisions.
In 7th grade we had a rebbe who did shtender love making shuckle. So one day the class perv during shmonei esreh davens behind him and simulated anal sex. Apparently he was a little too close and the three step back collision was spectacular. ya had to be there
I actually do not know if other BTs are into the Opera Bow. I was just speaking for myself.
I still haven’t memorized (if anyone has) when to do the “Baruch Atah HaShem” bows during the Amidah. Some siddurim indicate it, others don’t. To be sure, I bow at all of them. During Modim, I sometimes forget to straighten up at “HaShem”.
“shtender love making shuckle”
I’m glad I’m not the only one who’s noticed that. I’ve also seen that done to the bimah.
I am definitely into the opera bow as a bt. I feel like it’s a satisfying end to shemonah esrai.
You forgot the bouncing bow.
Hi,
I definitely like your place here. Thanks for visiting and linking.
Reciprocated.
Best.
Thank you my man
ELIEZER ( LOUIS ) Kestenbaum was also arrested with the rabbi of spinka as being a part of the money laundering team. Kestenbaum is the president of the ODA …
What the hell does that have to do with shull benches???