Why do we stand for the tefilos we stand for?
Standing
Started by
rocksdontfly
, Jul 19 2012 09:16 PM
1 reply to this topic
#2
Rabbi Shapiro
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Posted 20 July 2012 - 07:55 AM
There are supposed to be concentrating on two things during our Tefilah. One, the meaning of the words, and two, that we are talking directly to Hashem.
During certain parts of Davening, the second type of concentration is more important. Like when we pray Shemoneh Esrei. We are certainly supposed to concentrate on what we are saying, but even more importantly, we are supposed to concentrate on the fact that we are standing directly in front of Hashem. Therefore, we Daven with a posture that is appropriate for someone who is talking face-to-face with the King of the World.
Other times we are supposed to concentrate mainly on what the worlds mean, such as during Krias Shema, where our job is to accept upon our self Hashem's Kingship. It is easier to concentrate on the meaning of the worlds when we sit, and so we sit during Shema.
Other parts of Davening are in between. But the rule is, when we are standing it is because there is a special amount of reverence for that tefilah, which is due to an enhanced directness with which we are talking to Hashem.
During certain parts of Davening, the second type of concentration is more important. Like when we pray Shemoneh Esrei. We are certainly supposed to concentrate on what we are saying, but even more importantly, we are supposed to concentrate on the fact that we are standing directly in front of Hashem. Therefore, we Daven with a posture that is appropriate for someone who is talking face-to-face with the King of the World.
Other times we are supposed to concentrate mainly on what the worlds mean, such as during Krias Shema, where our job is to accept upon our self Hashem's Kingship. It is easier to concentrate on the meaning of the worlds when we sit, and so we sit during Shema.
Other parts of Davening are in between. But the rule is, when we are standing it is because there is a special amount of reverence for that tefilah, which is due to an enhanced directness with which we are talking to Hashem.
