1) In many Kehilos it is customary to say special Tefilos, known as "Yotzros" which are interjected into the Brachos of Chazaras HaShatz, the Chazzan's repetition of the Shemona Esrei, of Shacharis and/or Mussaf on each Shabbos of the "Four Parshiyos".
Some Congregations have the Minhag to say these Yotzros after the completion of the Chazaras HaShatz and not within the Brachos of the Chazaras HaShatz. (Custom of the Gaon of Vilna quoted in Ma'aseh Rav Os 127. This was also the custom of the Chasam Sofer quoted in Minhagei Chasam Sofer Perek 11:4 and other Poskim.)
2) Some congregations do not say these Yotzros at all, while others say them on some of the "Four Parshiyos" and not on others; each congregation should follow their respective custom. (See Aishel Avraham, Butchatsh, Siman 68 that as long as their intent is L'Shem Shomayim, every minhag has merit)
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
What do you regard as the minimum kavanah for the four-letter name of Hashem and for Elokim in davening and brachos, etc.?
Some rabbis I've spoken to say there are no shortcuts;Having in mind "The Master of Everything" is insufficient, but perhaps better than nothing.
Rabbi Simcha Bunim Cohen's book references Reb Moshe's Tehuvah regarding Shma, which seems to say "Gott" (G-d) is good enough, but it's from a chelek (volume) of Igros Moshe that some seem to deem less than authoritative or authentic.
What do you think?
I'm having trouble with kavanah for these names during a fast minyan!.
Answer:
The minimum for Hashem is "Adon HaKol- master of everything" and if possible to also think "Haya Hoveh and Yihyeh- was, is and will always be".
The minimum for Elokeinu is "Ba'al HaYecholos Kulam" or "Kol Yachol" the One who can do anything. If possible, also think "Mashgiach Oleinu B'Pratus" the One who is involved in every small detail in our lives.(Divine Providence)
This is most important by Shema and the first Bracha of Shemona Esrei, but should ideally be done by all Brachos.
There is an opinion of the Aishel Avrohom and the Ben Ish Chai that the first time every day when Hashem's name is uttered you should have in mind that for the rest of the day whenever I say this name the Kavanah should mean what I am thinking now! This is indeed a leniency, but it is at least a way to make it doable for many people.
Although some don't consider the last volume of Igros Moshe as authorative as the rest of the volumes [as it was published after Rav Moshe's passing], many do indeed rely on it, also the fact that Rav Cohen, who is a talmid of Rav Moshe Zatzal quotes it gives this psak credence, any you can rely on it.
Important Numbers
