Popa is Brave

Yeah, but you knew you can whip out your BB and go to iDaven.

Yeah but half the time instead of concentrating on what you were saying you were thinking, “I can do this, I can do this!”

I know, because I did it too.

Aren’t you supposed to daven WITH a siddur? that’s what we always learned.

Popa, I believe the halacha is that you are supposed to use a siddur/machzor/text for something that you did not say in the last 30 days. That is why we use a machzor for kiddush on yom tov – for sure the first night. And that is why the first time you say al hanisim should also be with a siddur.

Popa_bar_abba: Gonna be dan l’kaf zechus and say that just like the speeches of presidents have modernized from paper to teleprompter, i’m gonna go out on a limb and say that you did too!

Hi DassYochid.

I am no expert, and I may be wrong, but I would think the concentration may be more on remembering the words than concentrating on the feeling and thoughts behind them. How can one really do all three successfully (remembering correct words, corresponding thoughts, and increasing intensity of feeling)?

It seems in all cases, and I may be wrong, of making brachos, I have always read it is better to read them even if one knows them inside and out. I have never read where it is preferable to eventually recite by memory.

Is it a merit to strive to daven without a siddur?

BTG: merit to daven w/o siddur?

The thing is to do what it takes to daven like your standing in front of The One and Only Hashem. I believe halacha advises eyes closed or down and siddur as a second alternative if the words won’t come otherwise.

Is it a merit to strive to daven without a siddur?

Not that I know of. Everyone should do what works best for them.

Popa: I did it too. Do you remember whether you said v’achar kein or v’achrei chein?

always runs with scissors fast: No, it’s a halacha brought in RaMBa”M and shulchan aruch. RaMBaM recommends looking over the special prayers before yomtov so you can say them. The mechaber, writing after printing gives looking at a siddur as a second option in general.

“And without checking first to make sure I could say al hanissim. I could.”

Impressive. What about vi’al haporkun?

Interesting, V’al Hanisim you have no problem saying by heart, although you do not say it from year to year.

However Tachnun which is said twice each week you take a siddur.

I live about a 16 minute walk from the place I daven at Shabbos morning. I’ve found that if I walk out the door with Asher nasan lasechvi vina, I get to the shul at Az Yashir. If I’m late, I will sometimes skip the Halleluka halleu es Shem Hashem (too confusing with Hallel Hagadol), then Hallel hagadol (always get thrown off with 26 times ki l’olam chasdo) and Ranenu Tzadikim (too interchangable with Yehi ch’vod). (Can you tell that I daven Ashkenaz?) The rest goes smooth without any trouble. With proper concentration I sometimes can do those as well. I make up the missing parts when I have a siddur, right before Nishmas, and all is well.

Just a random story. A while back my brother was davening for the amud on shabbos morning and managed to get up to ashrei without anybody noticing he was davening weekday psukei dzimra.

midwesterner- I haer you, but at least one person in the entire shul (which only has about 11 congregants) should notice.

My place likes to stay in SHabbos Chanuka. Chanuka is a celebration of conquering the yavanim who were anti limud Hatorah and listening to chazal. Kisvu lachem al Keren hashor etc and all the rest. We have a big melave malka, and bnai Torah from around the cournty who have an off Shabbos come to our event. Guest speaker is scheduled to be the rosh kollel of the newest kollel in the neighborhood, RYR of KOT.

And I never get an off Shabbos anyway. Even if the guys would be away, I’d still be working. Refer to my previous comment about my intolerance of most other baalei kriah. (Although I’d be curious to hear what The Wolf sounds like.)