For donations Click Here

Repeating Words of Shemoneh Esrei

When one davens Shmoneh Esrei is one allowed to repeat words (besides the actual bracha) in order to arouse feeling and connection to HaShem – for example v’timloch’; v’timloch; v’timloch?

Answer:

It is permitted to repeat words of davening for added intent in prayer. However, there is a virtue of having full intent the first time, and not repeating words. One can certainly say the word, and then reflect on its meaning, without saying it again.

Sources:

The Mishnah (Berachos 33b) writes that one who says “modim, modim” is silenced by the congregation. The reason for this is suspected heresy.

The implication is that only one who repeats the word modim is silenced, and not others.

Furthermore, Rav Nissim Gaon and Tosafos quote from the Yerushalmi (Berachos 5:3) that the ruling applies only to the chazzan, and not for somebody who repeats the word in his private prayer, where it is considered a form of increased supplication. Some commentaries write that this distinction will not apply to the word modim itself. Yet, the Tur (Orach Chaim 61) notes that the distinction is not found in the Bavli, and therefore rejects it from halachah. The Bach, however, rules that the distinction of the Yerushalmi is valid.

However, even where there is no concern for heresy, it emerges from the Gemara and Rashi that a chazan must not repeat words, for this is disrespectful to the davening (see Rashi).

Several poskim thus write against the practice of chazanim repeating words of the davening just for the sake of the tune (see Aruch Hashulchan 338:8; Shemesh Marpeh Orach Chaim 4; Iggros Moshe, Orach Chaim 2:22; among others).

However, this problem applies when there is no good reason to repeat the words. If a person said words without proper intent, and he wishes to repeat them with proper intent, it is permitted to repeat words of davening (see Iggros Moshe, loc. cit.; Or Le-Zion 7:39; Hillel Omer 192; Pekudas Elazar, Orach Chaim 25; Eishel Avraham, end of Orach Chaim 51).

Yet, some authorities raise the issue of a hefsek, and mention that even for an individual it is disrespectful to repeat words. The Maharam Schick (Orach Chaim 31) thus writes against the practice of repeating words even for an individual (see also Yabia Omer Vol. 6, Orach Chaim 7:4).

There is therefore a virtue of having proper and full intent the first time, and not repeating words.

Join the Conversation

1 Comment

  1. During Davening it is improper to repeat any word, even if it does not have connotation of a second deity. The reason for this is because it constitutes an interval if one is found in an area of Davening in which an interval is forbidden. Furthermore, even if one is found in an area of Davening in which an interval is permitted, it is improper to repeat words of Davening, as the dialect of the prayer was given an exact number of words and letters. [Lubavitcher Rebbe in Toras Menachem 35/60; Ben Pras Yosef Toldos in name of Baal Shem Tov; Makor Chaim 61/11 “I have seen people repeat words 3-4 times and this is strange and very bad”; Piskeiy Teshuvos 51/6; Tur 113 “My brother Rebbe Yechiel taught that Chassidei Ashkenaz would count and weigh the exact number of words in prayer and blessings.”]

    The above applies even if one desires to repeat words due to lack of Kavana, and in such a case he is to think the words in his mind rather than verbalize them.
    Some Poskim however are lenient in such a case. Igara Deparka 62; Shulchan Hatahor 61/3-4; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid footnote 56

    See Sefer Peninei Tefillah by Rav Benzion HaKohen Kook that according to Rav Elyashiv one may repeat words within a bracha if he feels that he said them without kavana.

    Aruch Hashulchan (121:2):

    A person should refrain throughout the entire davening from simultaneously repeating words. Since you wouldn’t talk this way in front of a King of flesh and blood (repeating things all the time), all the more so we should not talk this way in front the King of Kings!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *