(Hakhel)
1. By the following link download an excellent descriptive and visual summary of the Halachos of sitting, standing and passing around someone who is davening Shemone Esrei. The summary was prepared by The Halacha Hotline of Far Rockaway and the Five Towns under the leadership of HaRav Binyomin Forst, Shlita. Spread the word… and the link!
2. When davening, one should not cross his legs, or stretch his legs out in a manner which indicates a lack of humility. (Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 95: Mishna Berurah, seif katan 2)
3. Before beginning Shemone Esrei, one should picture himself as if he is standing in the Beis HaMikdash itself, and focus his mind towards the heavens. In fact, the Bach writes that before one begins Shemone Esrei he should look through the windows in the Shul or room where he is davening in order to gain a greater appreciation of who he is and what he is about to do! (ibid., 95:2, Mishna Berurah seif katan 4)
4. If one must daven in a public place, it is most imperative that he find a spot in which he will be the least disturbed. If necessary in order to daven with Kavannah, it is better to daven sitting down in a more remote location than to daven standing up where one will be disturbed. (ibid., 94, Mishna Berurah seif katan 30)
5. If one is traveling and must daven sitting down (or for any other reason must daven sitting down), then if at all possible he should stand at least when reciting the first bracha of Avos. Even if one must recite Shemone Esrei sitting, he should keep his legs together, and not sit back or lean, and he should keep his head bowed. Additionally, if it is at all possible to stand in order to bow during one of the four places of bowing in Shemone Esrei and when taking three steps back at the end of Shemone Esrei, he should try to do so at these points. Even if one cannot stand at the points of bowing, he should bend his head down further in his sitting position at these times. (Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 94:4, 5 and Dirshu Notes 14 and 17)
6. If one does not know the proper direction to daven to–Yechavein Libo L’aviv Shebashomayim--he should never forget that he is davening to his Father in Shomayim! (ibid., 94:3)
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