Halocho #1163 - Understanding one's prayers

During Elul one gets ready for the upcoming Days of Judgement (Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur) with a three-pronged approach:

•Teshuva; repenting. Improving one's Mitzva observance 
•Tefilla; praying. Asking Hashem for help and praising and thanking Him for being good to us. 
•Tzedaka; giving charity to those less fortunate than ourselves. 

In order to pray properly one needs to understand what one is saying. If one is not fluent in Hebrew, one should get a Siddur and Machzor with an English translation. 

One should remember that one is praying - talking - to the One Above. If one's thoughts wander during prayers one should pause and recollect one's thoughts. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 18: 3-4.

Ktiva Vechatima Tova; with wishes for a Happy New Year,

- Danny
 Sunday, 12 Elul 5773

Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy recovering from lymphoma:

יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה