Fundamentals ofKuzari,(Metsudah Publications, 1979) pages 269, 271, 273. When recitingShemoneh Esrei,*you must adhere to these rules:

1. Before beginning the prayer, take three steps backwards and then return to your former position. Upon completing the prayer, take three steps backwards and return.
2. Keep your feet together.
3. Concentrate on the meaning of the words you are uttering. Remove all distracting thoughts and worries from your mind.
4. You may not interruptShemoneh Esreiby talking, not even by answering Amein. If you should hearKedushah, Kaddish,orBarechuwhile saying the*Shemoneh Esrei,*you should remain silent and listen to the Chazzan’s words.
5. At the beginning and end of the first blessing, at the beginning and end of the blessing that begins: “We are thankful to You,” (page 133) and ends with “The Beneficent is Your Name,” (page 140) we half-kneel and bow in the following manner: At the word “Blessed,” bend your knees; at the word “You,” bend forward until the vertebrae of your spinal cord are loosened; at “Adonoy,” return to your upright position in keeping with the verse, “Adonoy straightens the bent” (Psalms 146:8).
6. Each individual recitesShemoneh Esreiin silence. Only the prayer leader, the*Chazzan,ever recites it aloud, and then only after the entire congregation, himself included, has recited it silently.

My Master,¹ it means “my Master”, i.e., it is a personal declaration of the person uttering it. When it is spelled Yud-Hey-Vov-Hey, it indicates God as the Creator of all.—Avudraham open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.²

footnotes: ¹ When God’s name is spelled Alef-Daled-Nun-Yud ² Psalms 51:17.

Blessed³ contains eighteen expressions of praise which parallel the Eighteen Benedictions. are You, Adonoy, our God, and God of our fathers, God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, the Almighty, the Great, the Powerful, the Awesome, most high Almighty, Who bestows beneficent kindness, Who possesses everything, Who remembers the piety of the Patriarchs, and Who brings a redeemer to their children’s children, for the sake of His Name, with love.

footnotes: ³ The first blessing of Shemoneh Esrei

(During the Ten Days of Penitence add: Remember us for life King, Who desires life; and inscribe us in the Book of Life, for Your sake, Living God.)⁴

footnotes: ⁴ We ask God for life so that we can fulfill His purpose in creating us, i.e., to observe and fulfill His commandments.

If you forgot to say this, and became aware of your omission before saying the blessing, you should recite it. If you have already said “Blessed are You Adonoy,” you must continue the prayers without saying “Remember.”

King, Helper, and Deliverer and Shield.⁵ in all the fortunes of life by giving us the necessary energy and talents to succeed. He delivers us from both moral and physical suffering, and He shields us by keeping tragedy and evil influences from us. Blessed are You, Adonoy, Shield of Abraham.⁶ called “Avos” (Patriarchs). And here too we bend our knees and bow when saying, “Blessed are You.” The major theme of this section is to praise God as “the Great”, as manifested in the Divine protection and providence He gave to the Patriarchs, of whom Abraham was the first.—Vilna Gaon

footnotes: ⁵ God is a helper ⁶ These words complete the first blessing of Shemoneh Esrei