Is it permitted to hold a siddur (prayerbook/machzor) in one's hand while praying the Amidah?
Synopsis
The Mechaber permits holding a siddur during the Amidah because it is held for the sake of the prayer itself, analogous to lulav. All major authorities agree, though conditions are imposed on when it may be picked up.
More in Things That Invalidate Prayer
Is it prohibited to hold tefillin in one's hand while praying the Amidah?
6 opinions
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?
3 opinions
Should one who prays from a siddur mark all necessary pages/places before beginning the Amidah to avoid searching during prayer?
2 opinions
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
Related from other topics
May one raise one's voice during the Amidah if one cannot concentrate while whispering?
Kavvanah in Prayer
After completing one's own prayer, may one take three steps backward if someone is praying behind?
Not Passing Before Someone Praying
If one prayed a second time intending it to be voluntary due to doubt, but then one's intention or conditions change mid-prayer, may one continue praying?
Rain Prayers
If a person enters the synagogue and finds the congregation already praying the Amidah, may they begin their own Amidah?
Individual Additions to Prayer
Is it permitted to request personal needs during the first three or last three blessings of the Amidah?
Qualifications of Prayer Leader
Is it permitted to request communal needs (e.g., Ya'aleh v'Yavo, Zochreinu l'Chaim) during the first three or last three blessings of the Amidah?
Qualifications of Prayer Leader
Discussion
Discussion coming soon.
The Daily Law
One question. Every opinion. Every morning.
A new halakhic question and the full spectrum of rabbinic thought, delivered daily.