Shemoneh Esrei in the Rain

Q. I am out camping and began davening outside. I am in the middle of Shemoneh Esrei when suddenly it begins to pour. If I remain where I am, I will get soaked. Am I permitted to walk under an awning or get an umbrella to protect myself from the rain?

A. Ordinarily, one is not permitted to walk around during Shemoneh Esrei, but it is permitted if there is a pressing need to avoid a distraction. For example, Shulchan Aruch (OC 96:2) writes that if one began Shemoneh Esrei and realizes he does not have a siddur, he can retrieve the siddur if he knows where the siddurim are kept and will not have to search. Rav Chaim Kanievsky (Ishei Yisroel 32, n.19) writes that if one becomes confused during Shemoneh Esrei and cannot continue without a siddur, he may even search for a siddur, since there is no other choice. Similarly, Mishnah Berurah (104:1) writes that one may distance himself during Shemoneh Esrei from disturbances that affect his concentration, and this would seemingly include rain.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.