Berachot 30: More on How to Pray

The rabbis discuss the traveller's prayer; when and where and how it can be used.  We had learned in our Mishna that one who was riding on a donkey should dismount to pray, but might pray while riding if absolutely necessary while focusing his/her heart toward Jerusalem's Holy of Holies.  Staying on the donkey while praying might be distracting, the rabbis worry. 

Proofs are provided for each of the circumstances mentioned in our Mishna.  One who is blind is permitted to simply turn his/her heart toward Jerusalem.  If we are in the diaspora we face Jerusalem; if we are in HaAretz we should pray toward Jerusalem.  If we are in Jerusalem we pray toward the Temple and if we are in the Temple we should turn toward the Holy of Holies.  If we are in the Holy of Holies we should focus our hears on the seat of the ark-cover and if we are standing behind the seat of the ark-cover we should turn and face it regardless of the direction we are facing. 

A new Mishna teaches us that Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya says that the additional prayer is only recited in a chever ir, a city with a quorum of ten.The rabbis say that a chever ir is not necessary for prayer.  Further, we are exempt from saying the additional prayer if there is a chever ir. 

We begin Perek V with another new Mishna which teaches: One may only stand and begin to pray if their husbands grant permission.  Earlier generations of pious men and women would wait only for one hour.  the point is that they should focus =their minds on Heaven.  Even if a King greets him/her, he should not respond to him, and even if a snake is wrapped on his head, the prayer should not be interrupted.

The Gemara wonders why prayer should be said in an atmosphere of gravity.  Perhaps it is Channah, for she wept while she prayed (I Samuel 1:10).  But her heart was embittered.  Perhaps we should simply pray with reverence, like King David (Psalms 5:8).  Then again, the rabbis say that David would afflict himself in prayer because of his transgressions with Batsheva, and he is not a role model for the rest of us.

Rav Yehuda would adorn himself and then pray because he believed that we approach the King in our most beautiful clothing.  The rabbis ask about rejoicing and trembling.  They suggest that true rejoicing should include trembling, for we do not restrain ourselves.