Ask a Question

Stopping the Amidah to Unlock a Door for Someone

Question

While I am praying the Amidah, if someone is locked out behind an inner door of my house and no one else can open it, may I stop the Amidah to unlock the door for them and then go back and continue from where I left off?

Answer

Why can’t they wait a few minutes until you finish? You should stop the Amidah only for emergencies or close to it.

Sources

The Mishnah teaches that one may not interrupt the Amidah, even if a king greets him or a snake is wrapped around his heel. The Gemara explains that one does stop for a scorpion or for oxen coming toward him, because these are real dangers. The Shulchan Aruch likewise rules that one may not interrupt even to answer a Jewish king. He may interrupt for a non-Jewish king only when it is impossible to avoid him. So stopping is reserved for emergencies or near-emergencies, not for a door that can wait a few minutes.

The Mishnah Berurah adds how strict this is: even a hand signal is forbidden. He allows gesturing only in limited cases, such as quieting a crying child who is disturbing one’s prayer.

  • Mishnah Berachot 5:1 — even if a king greets him he does not answer, and even if a snake is wrapped on his heel he does not interrupt
  • Gemara Berachot 33a — one stops for a scorpion or approaching oxen, cases of real danger
  • Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 104:1 — one may not interrupt the Amidah even for a Jewish king, and interrupts for a non-Jewish king only if there is no other way
  • Mishnah Berurah 104:1 — even a mere gesture is forbidden during the Amidah, except in limited cases such as a crying child

Author

Rabbi Shay Tahan

Have a question of your own?

Ask Rabbi Tahan

More on Tefillah

Israel and the NationsThe Ramifications of Negative Intentions in Torah Reading and Tehilim Recitation

It is clear that it is permissible to pray and recite Tehilim for the success of our soldiers in war, and recite Tehilim with the explicit intent that the enemy be destroyed and suffer punishment, and also to curse them with curses such as "Yimach shemo" (may his name be erased) and the like. The question we like to address…

Answer: Indeed, it is permissible to recite such Tehilim, particularly when directed towards cruel and wicked individuals. As there are Tehilim chapters, such as 109, in which King David invokes curses upon his enemies with verses like: "Let there be appointed over him a wickedness, and let the Satan stand at his right hand…When he is judged, let him go out guilty, may his days be few and may strangers inherit…

Read the full answer → The Ramifications of Negative Intentions in Torah Reading and Tehilim Recitation
TefillahFinishing Kiddush Levana Indoors

On Motzaei Yom Kippur my brother looked at the moon through a window to say Kiddush Levana, then while starting the blessing he left the room, closed the door, and finished the blessing and the rest in another room. Is that acceptable?

Answer: It is best to say the bracha outside under the sky. If it is very cold, etc., say the bracha outside and say the rest inside.

Read the full answer → Finishing Kiddush Levana Indoors
PesachStarting Shnayim Mikra in a Week When the Pesach Reading Replaces the Parasha

Can I start Shnayim Mikra this week even though this Shabbat a special Pesach reading is read and not the regular Torah reading?

Answer: Yes, you can start Shnayim Mikra this week even though this Shabbat a special Pesach reading is read.

Read the full answer → Starting Shnayim Mikra in a Week When the Pesach Reading Replaces the Parasha
TefillahSaying Shnayim Mikra and Parashat HaMan by Heart

When reading the Torah, the Baal Koreh must actually read the words from the scroll. When doing Shnayim Mikra VeEchad Targum or reading Parashat HaMan daily, if you know it by heart, or repeat the words you hear without actually looking in the text, are you yotzei?

Answer: You don’t need to read Parashat HaMan or Shnayim Mikra from the text to be yotzei, but there are opinions (among those who argue) that one is not allowed to say it by heart.

Read the full answer → Saying Shnayim Mikra and Parashat HaMan by Heart
TefillahLearning Torah During Chazarat Hashatz

Are we allowed to learn during the chazzan’s repetition of the Amidah (chazarat hashatz)?

Answer: No, one is not allowed to learn during the chazarat hashatz.

Read the full answer → Learning Torah During Chazarat Hashatz
ChanukaWhen Is Hallel Said on Chanukah?

We say full Hallel each day of Chanukah. When is it said? Right after lighting, half an hour after, or any time during the evening? I also say Ana BeKoach after lighting. What is the best order and timing?

Answer: Hallel is said only in the morning after the Amida at Shacharit. If you say the bracha for Hallel at night, it is a bracha levatala.

Read the full answer → When Is Hallel Said on Chanukah?