16.1) The Shema (three portions of the Holy Scriptures in Deuteronomy and Numbers; one of only two prayers that are specifically commanded in Torah) and its benedictions are more important than the Pesuke dezimerah (special verses of Psalms). 16.2) It is permissible to respond “Amen” to all benedictions of the Shema. 16.3) Only say “Amen”…
15.1) Do not read these unless ten male adults are present. 15.2) A male adult is considered someone who is thirteen years old, going on fourteen. 15.3) Do not count people by their polls; rather, count them by Psalms 28:9. 15.4) All ten worshipers and the hazan (cantor of a synagogue) must be present in…
14.1) Do not interrupt prayers from Baruh sheamar (blessed be He who said) through Shemoneh esreh (eighteen; silent prayer). 14.2) Recite the Baruh sheamar in a moderate, pleasant voice, while standing and take the two front tzitzit (fringes) of the tallith (prayer shawl) and kiss them. 14.3) Do not touch any part of your body…
13.1) Be reverent when you enter the synagogue and the House of Study. 13.2) Wipe your feet before entering the synagogue or the House of Study. 13.3) Do not enter a place of worship to escape the rain. You may enter to sit and may call a friend while there. 13.4) Do not eat, drink,…
12.1) Wear a sash to pray in communities where this is custom. 12.2) Give charity before praying. 12.3) Go to the bathroom before praying or reading the Torah. 12.4) It is better to pray after Shema (three portions of the Holy Scriptures in Deuteronomy and Numbers; one of only two prayers that are specifically commanded…
11.1) Affix a mezuzah (small, prayer scrolls rolled up to place on doorways, entryways, and gates) to every door of your house. 11.2) Affix mezuzot to every gate of the courts, the alleys, the cities and the provinces of your community. 11.3) Affix mezuzah to the right-hand side of the door’s entryway. 11.4) Be guided…
10.1) Precepts regarding the tefillin (phylacteries) are important because the Torah is compared to the tefillin. The tefillin represents your willingness to subjugate your body in worship. Consequently, you must not put on defective tefillin. 10.2) Put on tefillin in the morning “as soon as you would be able to recognize a neighbor from four…
9.1) Observe and apply the precept of fringes. 9.2) Varying opinions abound on the make and quality of threads permitted to be used for fringes of different lengths. 9.3) Rules govern the placement of the threads in relationship to the corners of your garment, so be sure that the fringes are attached at the corners…
8.1) As soon as dawn arrives, you are not permitted to begin any work, commence doing business, or start a journey until after you have prayed. [R]ighteousness shall go before Him; and he shall make its footsteps a way to walk in. 8.2) Do not eat or drink before prayers. However, if you need to…
7.1) Saying “amen” to the benediction “to engage in the study of the Torah” is a debatable topic. (See source for details, or consult a rabbi.) 7.2) Do not say the morning benediction, “He that gives the cock understanding,” until daylight. 7.3) A blind person may say the benediction, “He that opens the eyes of…