Chapter 12:1-3
Preparing Oneself to Pray
1. [Amos 4:12]states: "Prepare to meet your G-d, O Israel" - i.e., a person
should prepare himself to stand in the presence of G-d, blessed be He. He
should wear becoming clothes when he goes to pray, as if he were presenting
himself before an honorable official.* Even if one prays alone in his
house, he should dress himself in the proper manner.
* {The Shulchan Oruch HoRav 91:5 writes that it is improper to pray while
barefoot or while wearing only sandals. The Misnoh Beruroh 91:12 adds that
it is improper to pray in boots if it is not customary to stand in the
presence of great people while wearing them. Similarly, that text rules
against praying while wearing gloves and advises wearing a second hat in
addition to the yarmulke during prayer.}
In places where it is customary to wear a belt, it is forbidden to pray
until one puts on a belt.
2. Giving charity before prayer is desirable, as [Psalms 17:15] states: "I
will see your face with righteousness." Also, before each prayer service
one should resolve to fulfill the mitzvoh to "love your neighbor as
yourself" (Leviticus 19:18), having the intention to love every single Jew
as oneself.
If, heaven forbid, there is a division of hearts among Jews on the physical
plane, then there is also no unity in the spiritual realms. In contrast,
the unity on this physical plane causes a oneness and clinging of the souls
in the spiritual realms. Also, this unifies their prayers. The greater
communal quality of these prayers makes them more desirable before G-d,
blessed be His name.
3. [Ecclesiastes 4:17] states: "Guard your feet when you walk to the house
of G-d." [Brochos 23a] explains that the term "your feet" [was used
euphemistically and] refers to one's excretory organs, which are located
near the feet.
Therefore, before prayer a person should check to see whether he must
urinate or defecate. If he feels even a slight need to relieve himself, he
is forbidden to pray. He is even forbidden to recite words of Torah as long
as his body is detestable, until he cleans his system.*
* {There is no opinion which prevents a person who feels a need to relieve
himself, but can contain himself for an hour and twelve minutes, from
studying Torah. Some opinions are lenient and also allow such a person to
recite the Shema and other portions of the prayer service (Mishnoh Beuroh
92:7)}
Should he have prayed despite the fact that he felt a need, his prayer is
acceptable after the fact, provided he feels that he would have able to
contain himself for the time it takes to walk a parsoh (one hour an twelve
minutes). If not, despite the fact that he has already prayed, his prayer
is considered an abomination and he must pray again. *
* {Most authorities (Mogen Avrohom, Shulchon Oruch HoRav, Chayei Odom)
maintain that this applies only if one feels he must defecate. If he needs
only to urinate, he is not required to pray again. However, other opinions
are most stringent.}
Others maintain that a person who can contain himself for the time it takes
to takes to walk a porsoh is granted permission to pray. One may rely on
this opinion if waiting to relieve oneself will cause one to miss the time
for the morning prayers. (See also Chapter 18, Law 16.)
