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Introduction to How To Pray in Synagogue
The synagogue (shul) prayer service may confuse the unfamiliar. Here is a brief guide to following the congregational prayers.
Note This Guide may be printed and given to people who are unfamiliar with the prayer services (or to people who are not yet completely comfortable in following the prayer services). It may be particularly useful for people who do not normally attend weekday minyans, especially people who are saying kaddish!

A printed copy may also be useful as a guide to a specific siddur. Before the prayer service takes place, the actual page numbers may be copied from the siddur onto the pages of the Guide for quick reference during the service. (This could be done by the user or by someone who is more familiar with the prayer services, as an aid to help the user follow what is going on.)
 
General Rules in Following/Answering the Leader
Ends/Beginnings of Paragraphs
Each individual says most of the prayers, but the leader sets the pace. He says out loud the last line or two of many paragraphs (and sometimes the next paragraph's first few words), to help others find where he is in the prayers.
Hint If you get lost, listen to the leader and try to find those words at the beginning or end of one of the paragraphs near where you think you should be!
 
Saying Amen
When the prayer leader/chazan says a blessing (Baruch ata adonai...) and finishes the final word, everyone usually replies amen.
 
Baruch Hu U'Varuch Shemo
It is common (but not required) to say baruch hu u'varuch shemo after hearing God's name (Adonai) when it is said in a blessing.
Exception No one should say baruch hu u'varuch shemo between bar'chu and the beginning of the amida.
Note Some people say the phrase very loudly and slowly (pretentiously), but this wrong practice may prevent themselves and others from hearing the blessing's end and knowing when to say amen.
 
Praying Shacharit
This list mainly includes the parts of the prayer service that are said together or when in synagogue, not those said individually or at home.
NoteIf you need to use the toilet between baruch she'amar and yishtabach, say asher yatzar after saying yishtabach and before saying yotzeir or.
Note If you need to speak during the early part of shacharit, it is best to speak after yishtabach but before bar'chu. You should not speak during psukei d'zimra unless it is urgent or about the shacharit service.
 
Initial Blessings/Asher Natan
The initial blessings beginning with asher natan... through the end of ven brit may be said at home.
 
Ma Tovu
Upon arriving in synagogue in the morning, say Ma tovu....
 
Talit
Married men (and also those with a tradition to wear a talit from bar mitzva age) normally put on their talit gadol on all days (except Tish'a b'Av morning).
For more details, see Talit (Gadol).
 
Tefilin
On weekdays, all men put on tefilin. They do not interrupt putting on tefilin to respond to other's prayers, not even to say amen
For more details, see Tefilin.
 
Birchot HaShachar/Initial Blessings
If you have not yet said the initial blessings beginning with asher natan... through the end of ven brit, say them once you are in synagogue and after you have put on talit/tefilin (if relevant).  
Everyone stands while the prayer leader reads the initial blessings aloud.  They say amen after each one. 
Note Individuals should not intend to fulfill their personal requirement to say those blessings by answering amen, since everyone should say the blessings for him/herself.
 
L'Olam Yehei Adam/Shema
L'olam yehei adam is said quietly, with everyone saying the shema line together.
 
Order of the Sacrifices
Some read (quietly) the order of the sacrifices.
 
13 Principles of Talmud Explanation/Kaddish
  • The 13 principles of how the Talmud is explained are read quietly.
  • Kaddish is said by any mourners.
  • Everyone says, amen, yihei shmei raba...
Note Everyone, not just mourners, stands for kaddish; this is the custom for all kaddishes and for all services.
 
Mizmor Shir/Kaddish
  • Mizmor shir is read quietly.
  • Another kaddish is said by the mourners.
Baruch SheAmar
            Baruch she'amar is said by everyone, standing.  The leader says the final blessing out loud.
 
Verses (Psukim)
The following several pages are verses (psukim) from various sources, said by everyone quietly.
Note The leader says several intermediary lines aloud due to their importance and so that everyone else knows where he is. 
 
Mizmor L'Toda/Yehi Chevod
  • Everyone stands to say mizmor l'toda quietly (just for this paragraph).
  • The next paragraph (yehi chevod) is read quietly.
Note Don't say mizmor l'toda the day before or during Passover (the Thanksgiving offering/Toda was chametz), or before Yom Kippur.
 
Ashrei and 5 Psalms
Ashrei and the following five psalms (#146 to 150) are said quietly by everyone; the leader says the final line or two out loud.
 
Baruch Adonai L'Olam Amen v'Amen
Baruch adonai... is said by the leader.  
 
VaYevarech David
The next section (from va'yevarech David until after bar'chu) is said quietly by everyone while standing.
 
Shirat HaYam
Shirat ha'yam is read quietly by everyone.
 
Yishtabach/Kaddish
Yishtabach is said quietly by everyone together. The leader says the final line of yishtabach out loud and then kaddish.
 
Bar'chu
  • The leader says Bar'chu et Adonai ha'mevorach.
  • Everyone bows from the waist and replies (aloud), Baruch Adonai ha'mevorach l'olam va'ed (which is then repeated by the leader).
  • Everyone says the blessing's ending ...u'vorei et ha'kol.
 
Shema and Its Blessings
The next paragraphs lead up to the shema:
  • Leader says, “Et shem ha'el...”
  • Everyone says aloud, together: Kadosh, kadosh, kadosh... and Baruch kevod Adonai mi'mkomo.
  • Leader says the final line or two of La'el baruch ne'imot... and everyone responds amen.
  • Everyone says ahavat olam quietly.
  • Leader reads the final lines aloud.
    Note It is the custom to not say amen to the blessing before shema.
  • Everyone says the first line of the shema together and aloud, but Baruch shem... silently. 
  • Everyone reads the shema individually, and the leader repeats out loud Adonai eloheichem emet.
  • Everyone reads the next paragraphs, through ezrat avoteinu, together, quietly.
 
Mi Chamocha
Stand for Mi chamocha until after the amida.

Adonai Yimloch
Everyone reads together and aloud: Adonai yimloch... until the final blessing before the amida.
Note At some time before completing that blessing, step back far enough (one large step is fine) so that you can take three small steps forward to begin the amida. If there is no room to step back, you may pray the amida without stepping forward.
 
The Amida
Amida: Details and Direction
For more details on saying the amida, see What To Pray: Set Prayers: Amida
For where to face during the amida, see Amida: Location: Where To Face
 
Stepping To Begin the Amida
After saying ga'al Yisrael, symbolically approach God by taking three steps forward (any size of steps is fine):
  • Step forward with your right foot,
  • Step forward with your left foot, and
  • Step forward with your right foot.
  • Bring your left foot to meet the right one, so that both feet are touching at the heels and at the balls (so that you are standing as if you had one leg, like the angels!)
Bowing in the Amida
Next, with your feet still together, do knee-bowing at the start and end of the first paragraph.  You will also be bowing at:
  • Beginning of modim (waist-bowing).
  • End of modim (knee-bowing at Baruch ata Adonai of the blessing ending u'lecha na'eh l'hodot).
Note For how to do knee-bowing and waist-bowing, see Amida: Actions: Bowing.
           
Slach Lanu
In slach lanu, when saying ki chatanu and ki fashanu, hit your chest over your heart with your fist.
Reason We are saying that we sinned, so we strike our heart for leading us astray.
 
Ending the Amida
Symbolically take leave of God by taking three steps back after Adonai tzuri v'go'ali:
  • Step back on your left foot,
  • Step back on your right foot,
  • Step back on your left foot (and then place your right foot next to your left foot).
  • Bow to the left while saying Oseh shalom bi'mromav...,
  • Bow to the right while saying Hu ya'aseh shalom alenu, and
  • Bow to the middle (straight in front of you) while saying Ve'al kol yisrael v'imru amen.
Then pause for at least three seconds before walking forward or sitting down.
 
Reader's Repetition of Amida
At kedusha, everyone stands (even if they were sitting so far for the amida's repetition) with their feet together, again imitating the angels who only have one leg.
  • The leader says nekadeish (in some places, everyone says nekadeish).
  • Everyone says the next line together (kadosh, kadosh, kadosh...).
Note When saying kadosh each of the three times, rise up on the balls of your feet and return to “feet flat” so you will be able to rise up three times total.  Some people also rise on their feet when they say the next line (baruch kevod), but it is neither required nor a universal practice.
  • After the leader says Halleluya, everyone else may move their feet (or sit down, if that is their custom).
  • On fast days, the leader says an extra paragraph in shacharit (other paragraphs in mincha are said by everyone).
Note These extra paragraphs usually appear in small--or tiny!--print in siddurs near where they get said. Look for asterisks to show where to insert them. It might be helpful before beginning shacharit to ask someone to point out exactly what to say and when.

Tachanun

When To Say Tachanun
Tachanun is usually said on weekdays.

How To Say Tachanun
Tachanun is said differently, depending on if there is a Torah scroll in the room, as follows:
Tachanun If Torah Scroll Present
Tachanun with Torah Scroll: Sun., Tues., Wed., Fri. 
To say tachanun on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, when a Torah scroll is present:
  • Say Va'yomer David sitting down, while resting your head on your left arm (unless you are wearing tefilin on your left arm, in which case lean onto your right arm). 
Note Rest your head on your left arm even if you are left-handed. Some type of cloth should separate your face and your arm when doing this, but if your arm is bare and you don't have a talit or other garment with which to cover your arm, you do not need to put your head down at all. There is no problem with not being permitted to put your face on your bare arm, just that there is no point in doing so.
  • When you reach shomer Yisrael, lift your head up and sit normally while saying the paragraphs until v'anachnu lo neida ma na'aseh.
  • Before saying “na'aseh,” stand up for the remainder of tachanun.
Tachanun with Torah Scroll: Mon., Thur.
To say tachanun on Mondays and Thursdays, when a Torah scroll is present:
  • Say tachanun standing until Va'yomer David... at which time, everyone sits down.
  • Follow the directions above for the remainder of tachanun.
 
Tachanun If No Torah Scroll
Put your head down only if there is a Torah scroll in the room.  When you say tachanun in a room in which there is no Torah scroll, sit for the first part (without resting your head on your arm), remaining sitting for shomer yisrael..., then stand for va'anachnu lo neida.
For more about putting your head down for Tachanun, see Tachanun.


Hallel
  • When hallel is said, most of the psalms are said quietly by everyone.  (In some synagogues, several of the psalms are sung in unison.)
  • The lines beginning Hodu l'adonai... are read aloud by the leader.
  • Everyone else responds aloud, Hodu l'adonai... and reads quietly the next line (which the leader then reads aloud when they finish).
  • Similarly, Ana adonai is read responsively by the leader, followed by everyone else.
 
Kaddish
The leader says kaddish out loud.
 
Torah Reading (Mondays and Thursdays)
  • Everyone reads quietly the phrases va'yehi be'nso'a... and brich shmei.
  • The Torah is taken out and carried to the bima.
  • As each man (called an oleh) is called up to the Torah:
    • The oleh says Bar'chu...
    • Everyone responds Baruch Adonai....,
    • The oleh repeats that line and says a blessing.
    • Everyone answers amen.
  • After each reading, the oleh says one more blessing and everyone replies amen.
  • After the third aliya, the Torah is lifted up.
  • Everyone says, V'zot haTorah....
  • The Torah is rolled and wrapped.
  • Meanwhile, the leader reads four paragraphs beginning, Yehi ratzon mi'lifnei avinu...
  • The final paragraph, Acheinu kol bet yisrael... is read by everyone aloud.
  • The Torah is put back while everyone reads two psalms quietly.
 
Ashrei/U'va L'Tzion

  • Everyone reads ashrei quietly, followed by la'menatzeiach and u'va l'tziyon.
  • Everyone together says, Kadosh, kadosh, kadosh and Baruch kevod.
 
Kaddish
The leader says kaddish.
 
Alenu
Everyone says alenu together.
 
Kaddish
Mourners say kaddish.
 
Psalm for the Day
Psalm for that day is read by everyone.
 
Kaddish
One more kaddish is said by the mourners.
 
L'David
  • During Elul and into Tishrei, L'David is read by everyone.
  • One more kaddish is said by the mourners.
 
Praying Ma'ariv
 
V'hu Rachum
Everyone reads the two introductory lines of v'hu rachum.
 
Bar'chu
  • Leader says bar'chu.
  • Everyone else responds, baruch Adonai....
  • The leader repeats that line.
  • Everyone reads the next paragraph/blessing.
  • The leader says that final line out loud.
  • Everyone responds amen.
Note Don't say baruch hu u'varuch shemo at all during ma'ariv.
 
Shema and Its Blessings
  • The leader repeats the final two words of the shema and the word emet.
  • Everyone continues quietly saying the phrases until Mi chamocha.
  • Mi chamocha is said by everyone together including by the leader, who then also reads the next line.
  • Everyone says Adonai yimloch... together, continuing through the end of the next blessing, which is repeated by the leader.
  • Everyone says hashkiveinu quietly.
  • The leader says the blessing shomer amo Yisrael la'ad out loud.
  • Baruch Adonai l'olam... is said through to the end by everyone quietly.
  • The leader says the final line and the final blessing out loud.
Note Baruch Adonai l'olam is not said in Eretz Yisrael.
 
Kaddish
The leader says kaddish.
 
Amida
Everyone says the amida silently and individually.
 
Kaddish
The leader says kaddish.
 
Alenu
Everyone says alenu together.
 
Kaddish
Kaddish is said by any mourners.

 
Al HaMichya: Forgetting To Add V'Zachreinu L'Tova
Don't repeat al ha'michya on Rosh Chodesh if you forget to add v'zachreinu l'tova….
Witnesses: Women in Jewish Courts
It is customary today for Jewish courts to accept the testimony of Jewish women.  
Witnesses: Non-Jews in Jewish Courts
It is customary today for Jewish courts to accept non-Jews of both genders as witnesses in some circumstances.  
Greetings for the New Year
For greetings for the New Year, say:
  • Ketiva V'Chatima Tova
              From: Rosh Chodesh Elul
              Until:  Eve of (erev) Rosh Hashana (when the holiday begins).
  • L'Shana Tova Tikateiv V'Tichateim
            From:  First night of Rosh Hashana (when the holiday begins)
            Until:   Musaf of the first day of Rosh Hashana.
  • Gmar Chatima Tova
               FromMusaf Rosh Hashana
               Until:   End of Yom Kippur.
  • Gmar Tov
               From: Yom Kippur
               Until:  Musaf Hoshana Rabba.
 
Teruma/Ma'aser: Quantity: How Much Is Teruma Gedola
Teruma gedola is 1/50th of the total food. But today, since the cohen does not eat it, we remove a smaller amount.
Introduction to Shabbat: Coloring (Tzovei'a)
Since wool and/or leather was dyed for the Tabernacle in the desert, similar actions are forbidden today on Shabbat. Any action that causes one item or substance to change its color may be forbidden, even if it is not related to dyeing wool and/or leather.
Introduction to Jewish Festivals: Coloring (Tzovei'a)
Since wool and/or leather was dyed for the Tabernacle in the desert, similar actions are forbidden today on Jewish festivals (and Shabbat). Any action that causes one item or substance to change its color may be forbidden, even if it is not related to dyeing wool or leather.
Belt/gartel with Robes
You only need to wear a belt/gartel (for saying blessings, prayer services and for studying holy texts) if:
  • You are wearing an open and loose garment such as a robe (or other toga-like garments) and
  • You are not wearing any undergarments.
Note The belt separates upper from lower parts of your body and this requirement is not normally relevant for Western attire. If it is your family tradition, you should follow that. There may also a kabalistic reason to wear one.
Witnesses: Relatives in Jewish Courts
These relatives of participants in a Jewish court case or wedding may not be witnesses:
  • Parents and their spouses
  • Children and their spouses
  • Siblings and their spouses
  • First cousins and their spouses.
However, it is customary today for Jewish courts to accept relatives as witnesses in some cases.
 
Introduction to Agriculture
All of the Jewish festival holidays had an agricultural element to them.
 
Agricultural laws include Kilayim, Orla, Reishit, Teruma/Ma'aser, Shmita, and Yashan, as well as special laws applying only to fruit trees. Some of these laws still apply today by Torah law (d'oraita) while others, such as First Fruits (bikurim), only apply when the Jerusalem Temple stands and so are not practiced now. Others are observed today as "practice" for when the Temple is rebuilt.
Introduction to Separating Challa
Although challa refers to the two loaves of bread (or matza) over which we say the ha'motzi blessing at Shabbat and Jewish festival meals, challa also means the portion of dough or bread that we are obligated to give to the cohen/priests during Temple times.  Today, we burn a token portion (“challa”) of dough.
Note Burning the challa is not considered to violate bal tashchit (needless destruction), since the challa is separated and destroyed to fulfill a mitzva.
Shabbat: Moving Animals
All animals are muktza on Shabbat, even pets, since they do not have a practical use. Moving the animal or its fur or picking up an animal is a violation of muktza.
Reason Originally, all animals were owned for specific practical purposes (cats to catch mice, dogs for protections, horses for traveling...) and they were not used as pets as they are today (for companionship, to pet, etc). Some poskim say that some pets are not muktza since they are similar to toys.
Talit Gadol: Color
A talit should be primarily white.  Here are some details:
  • A talit gadol should be either all white or white with black stripes. Avoid a very colorful talit that makes the white part look insignificant.
  • Blue stripes used to be used: as with techelet, the blue reminds us of the sky, of God's throne (kisei ha'kavod), and of God.
  • Even though the talit was originally supposed to have blue stripes, it is not the custom today to use blue stripes.
  • Black stripes have no significance or importance.
Introduction to Tahara/Tum'a
The Torah commands us to be kedoshim (holy, or set apart), requiring purity in what we eat, how we speak, what we wear, and how we behave. Tum'a is spiritual impurity generally resulting from transitions from life to death (even in a small measure; for instance—sleep or cutting nails). Tum'a inhibits or blocks us from achieving holiness.
Since we do not have a “red heifer” with which to make purifying water solutions, all people are considered to have some level of tum'a today.
Although there are three reasons to ritually wash hands--to add kedusha; to remove tum'a; and to remove dirt--tum'a normally has nothing to do with physical dirt. There are many types and levels of tum'a, with no exact progression. The following guideline is approximately in descending order from most impure to least:

Sources of the Different Levels of Tum'a
  • Dead body (touching or being in same building with a dead body);
  • Cemetery;
  • Carcass of any dead animal not slaughtered by shechita;
  • Women during and after menstruation or after childbirth (but before they immerse in a mikva);
  • Sleep;
  • Possibly a bathroom;
  • Your hands' transferring tum'a to wet food;
  • Your hands' transferring tum'a to bread;
  • Food from under a bed on which someone slept;
  • Intercourse or seminal emission;
  • Having your beard, hair, or nails cut;
  • Leather shoes;
  • Touching body parts.
Depending on the level of tum'a, purifying may require:
  • Washing your hands by the Three-Times Method.
  • Washing your hands by the One-Time Method.
  • Immersion in a mikva. OR
  • Sprinkling with water that had been treated with ashes from a red heifer (which we do not have now).
Note Wearing a glove does not block your hand from receiving tum'a from urination or defecation. However, wearing a glove does block tum'a from touching your shoes or petting a dog.
Note Even though some tum'a can only be transmitted by contact (and sometimes by contact when the tamei item is wet), tum'at meit (the ritual impurity of a dead person) does get transmitted simply by being in the same covered area.  Therefore, food stored under a bed will get ruach ra'a during sleep, since sleep is considered to be a small version of death.