Is it prohibited to hold tefillin in one's hand while praying the Amidah?
Synopsis
The Talmud (Berachot 23b) prohibits holding tefillin during prayer because one's attention is diverted to ensuring they don't fall. Authorities debate whether this is a l'chatchila prohibition only or also invalidates the prayer b'dieved.
More in Things That Invalidate Prayer
Does the prohibition against holding objects during prayer apply only to the specific items listed in the Talmud (tefillin, sefer, full plate, knife, money, loaf) or to any object?
7 opinions across 3 eras
Is it permitted to hold a lulav in one's hand during the Amidah on Sukkot?
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Is it permitted to hold a siddur (prayerbook/machzor) in one's hand while praying the Amidah?
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Should one who prays from a siddur mark all necessary pages/places before beginning the Amidah to avoid searching during prayer?
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Is it permitted for the chazan (prayer leader) to hold the Sefer Torah while reciting Yekum Purkan and similar prayers on Shabbat?
1 opinions
Is it permitted to hold tefillin or a Sefer Torah during prayer when one fears thieves?
1 opinions
Does the prohibition against holding distracting objects during prayer also apply during Shema and Pesukei D'Zimra?
1 opinions
Is it appropriate for the chazan to have the siddur open before him during the chazan's repetition (chazarat hashatz) of the Amidah?
1 opinions
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Discussion
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