101. Preparing Ourselves for Shemoneh Esrei

18:1 The time for morning prayer – meaning the Shemoneh Esrei – begins at the appearance of the sun as per Psalms 72:5, which says, “They will see You with the sun.” Nevertheless, if one prays after dawn, it is acceptable. The time to say Shemoneh Esrei lasts until one-third of the day. One may not procrastinate beyond this but if one did delay after this time – even intentionally – he may say Shemoneh Esrei until noon. (“Noon” does not mean 12:00, it means the midpoint of the daylight hours.) If a person intentionally procrastinated past noon, the verse “that which is crooked cannot be made straight” (Koheles 1:15) applies to him. We will address the case of one who was prevented by circumstances beyond his control or went over the time limit by accident in chapter 21.

18:2 When one reaches the phrase “tehillos l’keil elyon” in the bracha of Ga’al Yisroel, he should rise and prepare himself to say Shemoneh Esrei. He should clear out his mouth and take three steps back while reciting from “tehillos l’keil elyon” to the end of the blessing. He then takes three steps forward in the manner of one approaching a king. One may not interrupt between the conclusion of the blessing Ga’al Yisroel and Shemoneh Esrei, not even for Kaddish, Kedusha or Barchu. This is because we must connect the concept of redemption (in Ga’al Yisroel) to our prayers. One should pace himself so that he completes the blessing “Ga’al Yisroel” with the shaliach tzibbur. Doing so removes any question of replying Amen since, when one completes a blessing simultaneously with another person, he certainly does not say Amen. This scenario is not a problem with the night-time Shemoneh Esrei. Since the preceding blessing does not end with the theme of redemption, one may interrupt between sections in response to other prayers and blessings. Before saying Shemoneh Esrei, one recites Psalms 51:17, “Hashem s’fasai tiftach…” (“God, open my lips…). This is not considered an interruption since it is a necessary component of prayer. However, Deuteronomy 32:3, “Ki Shem Hashem ekra…” (“When I call the Name of God…”) would be considered an interruption. Therefore, this verse is only said before the Mincha and Musaf prayers, where interrupting before Shemoneh Esrei is not an issue.