Siman - Berachos Daf 34
- How to approach the three different parts of Shemoneh Esrei
R’ Chanina taught how one should comport himself while davening Shemoneh Esrei:
-When he recites the first three berachos, he is like a servant who states words of praise before his master before daring to make a request.
-When he recites the middle berachos, he is like a servant who requests his allotment.
-When he recites the last three berachos he is like a servant who received his allotment from his master, begs leave and goes on his way, expressing gratitude.
- The proper times to bow during Shemoneh Esrei
The Gemara discusses the proper times to bow during Shemoneh Esrei and teaches that the more exalted the stature of the individual, the greater the need to humble oneself through bowing:
a.A regular Jew: At the beginning and end of the first beracha of Avos as well as the beginning and end of the beracha of Hoda’ah (Thanksgiving).
b.Kohen Gadol:
- One opinion states at the end of each beracha.
- Another opinion states at the beginning and end of each beracha.
c.Melech:
- One opinion states at the beginning and end of each beracha.
- Another opinion states that he remains bowed from the first beracha until the completion of the tefillah.
- Ba'alei teshuva vs. Tzadikim Gemurim
The Gemara introduces the question of who is more exalted: Ba’alei teshuva or Tzadikim Gemurin (The completely righteous):
-R’ Abahu is of the opinion that the place where ba’alei teshuvah stand, the completely righteous do not stand.
-במקום שבעלי תשובה עומדין צדיקים גמורים אינם עומדין
His opinion is based on the pasuk, "שלום שלום לרחוק ולקרוב" – Peace, peace to the distant and to the near. (Isaiah 57:19). Hashem extends greetings to those that are distant (ba’alei teshuva) before those that are close (tzadikim gemorim):
-R’ Yochanan, who is of the opinion that tzadikim gemurimn are nore exalted, interprets “the distant” as those that are distant from sin, and “the near” as those nearer to sin.
