Question:
Dear Rabbi,
I have OCD and have intrusive thoughts and compulsions during prayer. Should I stop and do prayer later? Also, some of my thoughts are disturbing like racism, antisemitism, and about satan/devil. One can never give soul away, but thoughts still scare me. Are they sinful thoughts and should I repent?
Answer:
You should still pray then. Later on you will still have the same OCD, and there is no guarantee that these thoughts won’t come up later. When a person has disturbing thoughts, don’t fight them, rather gently think about the things you are supposed to without getting upset about it.
Have a good day
Is this true even during the Shema?
Yes, but during the first pasuk of shema (until after Boruch shem…) we have to concentrate on the meaning of the words, and if we didn’t it has to be said again.
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