Introduction to Prayers
Prayer brings us closer to God. When we ask for things from God, even though God already knows what we want and need, we get merit (zechut) for the prayer.
Particularly in synagogue, a holy place, we must be always cognizant of God's presence and take special care to show respect to God in His house. This awareness is even more important than memorizing the halachot of prayer: those who speak in synagogue are showing disrespect to God as well as disturbing others and preventing them from praying with concentration (kavana).
The three daily prayer services--shacharit, mincha, and ma'ariv--are related to the three forefathers who instituted them. They partly take the place of—and are modeled after--the Temple sacrifices.
If you find you have made an error in saying a blessing or prayer, you may correct your error without having to repeat any previous parts if you do so within 2.5 seconds.
Pre-Prayer
Introduction to Mental Preparation for Praying
Before saying blessings, but especially before saying any of the prayer services that include the amida, consider that you are speaking to the Creator of the universe and focus your thoughts on whatever prayers you will be saying.
Attire for Amida
The minimum attire required for men and women to say the amida is to be dressed appropriately to meet an important and respectable person.
Praying in Bare Feet on Stone Floor
You may pray in bare feet on any type of floor, even a stone floor, except when saying the amida.
Note: You may not say the amida in bare feet.
Praying in a Kittel on Rosh Hashana
For those who have the custom of wearing a kittel on Rosh Hashana, the kittel is only worn for shacharit and musaf.
Charity To Enhance Prayers
It is an enhancement of our prayers to give charity at shacharit and mincha (except on Shabbat and Jewish festivals).
Washing Hands before Prayer Service with Amida
You should wash your hands, even if they are not dirty, before saying any prayer service that contains the amida, but you do not need to go out of your way to wash them.
Washing Hands after Touching Animal
You must wash your hands after touching an animal, before saying blessings or prayers.
Pre-Shacharit: Greeting People
Greeting people before shacharit is OK; just don't go out your way to meet someone.
Copyright 2015 Richard B. Aiken. Halacha L’Maaseh appears courtesy of www.practicalhalacha.com Visit their web site for more information.