1) One who is ill, or cannot stand due to age or any other medical reason, may daven Shemona Esrei while sitting down.
One who is davening while sitting in a wheel chair, should roll the chair backwards at the conclusion of Shemona Esrei in place of walking backwards the three steps (Psak of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal)
2) If he/she is unable to sit, Shemona Esrei may even be recited while laying down (if possible, lay on the side, and not flat on the back).
If it is possible for them to at least stand for the four places in Shemona Esrei where we bow (First Baruch Ata, Magen Avraham, Modim, Hatov Shimcha) they should try to do so.
If the only way they can stand is by leaning on something (which is generally prohibited, as we learned yesterday, as it isnt considered standing) it is better to do that than to sit. However, if by standing in such a way it will cause him/her to have less Kavanah, it is better to sit.
As we mentioned previously, even when davening sitting or laying down, the feet should be together for the duration of Shemona Esrei, if possible.
Reader's Question:
...Thank you so much for your work in providing the "Rabim" with these "Halachos Bechol Yom". I have signed up numerous people and I now read these Halachos on the [name of city removed] Bus every day after Davening (bus of frum Jews that davens shacharis on the bus daily on the way to work)
They are read on the [ name of company] Bus by my chaver as well.
We were wondering on today's "Halacha" why the[following] 2 sentences [that you wrote] are not a "Stira"(contradiction).
The 2 sentences you wrote are as follows:
1) "If even one word or letter was omitted [ fromKrias Shema] the obligation of Krias Shema has not been fulfilled."
2) "If a word was pronounced wrongly, or in a way that changes the meaning, though it isn't proper and one should be more scrupulous in the future, the obligation for the current recital has been satisfied. (Aruch HaShulchan)"
If you said [the word "Tizkiru" in Krias Shema] and it sounds like "Tiskaru" did you not omit a letter which should invalidate Krias Shema?
My Answer
Thank you for the kind words, and thanks for spreading the word of Hashem even further on the bus. May Hashem repay you for your good deeds.
Regarding your question: Yes, it is seemingly a setira, and this was alluded to by no less a personage than the Chofetz Chaim himself in Mishna Berura! (Interestingly, the precise example he chooses is the one you inquired about)
However, he differentiates as follows: When one skips a word or letter it invalidates the Krias Shema, and it must be repeated because a word or letter is missing. However, when one does in fact say the word or letter, but inadvertently pronounces it wrong, though it should be avoided, it cannot be considered as if that word was actually skipped. It was said. Just not properly. You said the right word, but by mispronouncing it, it "seems" as if you said the wrong word. See Mishna Berura inside Siman 62 S'if Koton 1.
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
Important Numbers
