Q. A woman has the option of davening before neitz (sunrise) standing with more kavana or after neitz sitting in a car with less kavana. Which is the better option?
A. Igrois Moshe (O.H. 3: 7), addresses a question regarding whether it is preferable to pray without a minyan, when one feels he can daven with more kavanna in a private room by himself. He rules that it is better to daven with the tzibbur, even at the expense of added kavanna. Igrois Moshe contends that the obligation stems from the fact that the tefilah of a person who is in a minyan, is certain to be honored, while the prayers of an individual are not necessarily recognized. A person has the responsibility to daven to the best of his competence and abilities, so he must go to daven where his
prayers are more readily accepted. Accordingly, the advantage of praying with a minyan is essential, for this can make all the difference whether one’s prayers are received or not. Davening with a bit more kavanna, can be only a subjective advantage. Therefore, a person must daven with a minyan, even though his kavanna may be somewhat diminished.
However in our case, Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it is better to daven before the neitz standing and with the required kavanna, than on its proper time, after the neitz but with lesser intent.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
Important Numbers
