Shemoneh Esrei 3: Practical Tips for Maintaining Focus
Practical Tips for Maintaining Focus
The Sifsei Chaim1 quotes Rambam who states that maintaining focus during the entire Shemoneh Esrei is a realistic long-term goal and it is within our reach. He tells us that this can take many years and we should not give up hope and settle for less. Each person is different in the amount of time it will take, but if we are persistent in our efforts, Hashem will assist us and we will succeed, b’ezras Hashem.
As with any other long-term important goal, we must begin with small steps and make consistent but manageable efforts, building brick upon brick, until we have built a magnificent structure, bonding with the Sh’chinah daily during our Shemoneh Esrei. Here are some practical tips to assist us in our efforts:
1. Our approach leading into the Shemoneh Esrei is crucial. For two out of the three daily recitations of the Shemoneh Esrei, we have recited Ashrei, and our efforts in garnering and enhancing our emunah through Ashrei should place us in the right frame of mind. During Maariv, we have recited the Shema, and that should help us in the same way. We then have the items discussed in the previous two Shemoneh Esrei segments, especially the pasuk “ה' שפתי” that we recite in all three Shemoneh Esreis, immediately prior to the Shemoneh Esrei. The key to all of the above for men who daven with a minyan, especially Minchah, is to make it a habit to come (at least a couple of minutes) early, to contemplate some of these things and get into the proper frame of mind.
2. Regardless of where in the world we are, Siman 94 in the Shulchan Aruch instructs us to envision ourselves in Eretz Yisrael, in Yerushalayim, in the Beis HaMikdash, inside the Kodesh HaKodashim, before each Shemoneh Esrei. “דע לפני מי אתה עומד–Da lifnei Mi atah omeid” (Know before Whom you stand) is a short phrase worth recalling as we step into the Shemoneh Esrei.
3. Selecting one of the many s’farim available on davening in general or the particular segment we are working on, as well as reviewing that week’s focus piece for two to five minutes before one of the daily tefilos each day, provides a focused entry into that tefilah, which can provide a boost for that entire tefilah.
4. Rav Chaim Volozhin provides guidance on how to concentrate and feel reassured that the words will hit their intended mark (as discussed in our introduction). He tells us to focus intently on looking at each word in the siddur (or for those who have better kavanah with their eyes closed, to mentally picture each word). Pointing with our finger can help achieve this focus. Remember that regardless of how basic (a simple translation) or complex our kavanah in a particular word is, the 120 Elders (אנשי כנסת הגדולה), which included many Prophets, formulated these words with ruach ha’kodesh. If we focus on seeing each word, it will go up and accomplish what was intended when they formulated it.
5. Personalizing our tefilos is a very powerful method to enhance focus. In fact, Rav Chaim Volozhin, in Ruach Chaim on Avos 1:2, tells us that when the Shemoneh Esrei was formulated by the 120 Elders, everything each of us includes in personalizing our tefilos was actually included in that formulation through their ruach ha’kodesh.
We must daven for our own personal spiritual and physical needs. If we truly believe that our fate is controlled by Hashem and that tefilah has a great impact on whether we receive that which we desire (if in our best interests), that alone should keep us focused. Remembering that our Avos and Imahos and many others before us had to daven for many years before their requests were granted should provide us with the strength to persevere and continue to consistently pour our hearts out in tefilah for ourselves and others.
Davening for klal Yisrael and for other individuals is one of the highest forms of chesed we can do for others. We may think that chesed is limited to physical acts, listening to others unburden their troubles, or providing financial assistance. However, if we remember that Hashem produces all results, then we understand that davening with heart for another in need is at least as much a chesed as any kind action taken, which, though absolutely necessary, will not produce results without Hashem. Both the physical efforts of chesed and tefilah are vital. We stress the tefilah here because, perhaps to some, it is less obvious.
6. The Chofetz Chaim, in his sefer Sheim Olam, suggests that we should daven from a siddur and that, before each brachah, we should think very briefly about what we are going to praise Hashem about or what we plan to request in this brachah. (Note: some siddurim contain a one-word introduction before each brachah in Shemoneh Esrei.)
7. Using our own siddur, writing notes inside our siddur, and perhaps even alternating siddurim periodically, also can help to increase focus.
This is by no means a comprehensive list. We are all unique, and some techniques will work for some and not for others. Some of us will do best to focus on seeing the words and the basic translation. Others will prefer deep meanings and associations. Yet others are pulled more by emotion and will prefer personalization. Each person knows himself or herself and understands what will work and what will not. Consider trying some of these suggestions that you have not tried yet, to see which may help you. The key for all of us, though, is to ask Hashem to help us succeed and to put forth a consistent and persistent effort. Never give up. We can and will, b’ezras Hashem, succeed.