1) It is customary to add at the end of Shemona Esrei, right before the second "YihYu L’Ratzon" a Posuk from Tanach (Torah, Neviim or Kesuvim) that begins with the first letter of the person’s name and ends with the last letter of their name. Alternatively, a Posuk that contains the person’s name in it can be used. (e.g. Someone named DevoraH, which begins with a "Daled" and ends with a "Hei" would say " Da’agah B’Lev Ish YashChenah V’Davar Tov YiSamchenaH- Mishlei 12:25, while someone named AvrahaM could say a Posuk that begins with an "Aleph" and ends with a "Mem" or say a Posuk that contains in it the name Avraham. If a Posuk with both these criteria is found, it is the best choice to use, hence Avraham should say "Atah Hu Hashem HaElokim....V’Samta Shemo AvrahaM- Nechemia 9:7 ". Most Siddurim today have a printed list of Pesukim to choose from)
2) The reason for this Minhag is because it’s a Segulah that after Techiyas Hameisim, you will remember your name (Elya Rabba Siman 122:3).
Another reason brought is that saying "your" Posuk daily will save a person from going to Gehinom (hell)(See Rashi on Micha Perek 6 Posuk 9)
If one has 2 (or more) names, a Posuk for each name should be said. It is a good idea to memorize "your" Posuk (or Pesukim) so they can easily be added to the Shemona Esrei each day.
Reader’s Question:
After Z’man krias shema what am I not allowed to say? Can I still say birchos krias shema after zman krias shema until zman tefilla? What about the bracha Goal Yisroel? Until when may that be said? Are the zmanim halachos different for men and women?
My Answer
If Zman Krias Shema passed, one should still recite Krias Shema with Birchos Krias Shema (Including Ga’al Yisroel), as long as it is still before Chatzos (halachic midday).
After Chatzos, the third Parsha of Krias Shema must be said, as the mitzvah of mentioning Yetzias Mitzraim is applicable all day. The rest of Krias Shema should also ideally be said in order to accept Hashem’s reign. Birchos Krias Shema are not said after Chatzos.
Women are exempt from Krias Shema. However they should say the first Posuk. Many women do in fact have the Minhag to say the entire Krias Shema (and many Poskim do encourage them to do so).The Eishel Avraham and other Poskim say that even women who have accepted upon themselves to say the entire Krias Shema, are not obligated in saying it before Zman Krias Shema.
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
