...Continued from previous week
1) After completing Shemona Esrei, saying “Elokai Netzor” and saying “YihYu L’Ratzon”, three steps must be taken back, while simultaneously bending the back and bowing, the way a servant takes leave of a master. (See Mishna Berura Siman 123:1)
One of the reasons for the three steps is because Nebuchadnezzar was allowed to destroy the Bais HaMikdash due to his running three steps forward in honor of Hashem; therefore we take three steps back and ask Hashem to rebuild the Bais HaMikdash (Mishna Berura Siman 123:2 quoting the Bais Yosef. See Talmud Sanhedrim 96a (where it says 4 steps This is also how it is stated in the Zohar Parshas Mikeitz. The Gra has a version 3 and a half steps) In Midrash Megilas Esther Chapter 3:1 it is brought as three steps. It is also quoted by Rashi to Yirmiyah Perek 12 Posuk 5 as three steps. See MaHarsha to Sanhedrin ibid.)
The first of the three steps should be taken with the weak foot (for righties, usually their left foot, and for lefties, usually their right foot).
The reason for starting with the weak foot is that we “step away” from Hashem with our weaker foot, so it should seem like it is difficult for us to take leave of Hashem (See Mishna Berura Siman 123:13)
The size of the step should be the length of one foot, i.e. the big toe of the weak foot should reach right behind the heel of the stronger foot.
The second step is then taken with the stronger foot. The size of this step should be the length of 2 feet, i.e. the big toe of the strong foot should now reach right behind the heel of the weaker foot.
The third step, again with the weak foot, should be the length of one foot, which will once again bring the two feet together. (See Biur Halacha Dibur Hamaschil K’ShePosaya, quoting the Chayei Adam and Shulchan Aruch HaRav who rule as we wrote. This is also the ruling of the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch and the Mogen Avraham. The Biur Halacha also quotes another opinion of the Taz who rules that even lefties begin with their left foot. The Kaf HaChaim Siman 123:23 and the Shu”t Be’er Moshe Vol. 2 Siman 3:9 rule like the Taz. The prevalent custom is the way the Biur Halacha rules. For Halacha L’ma’aseh, of course, a Rav should be consulted.)
2) Some Poskim maintain that the aforementioned measurements, which are derived from the way Kohanim must stand during the Avodah, are not applicable to women. (See Sefer Ishei Yisroel, quoting Sefer Orach Ne’eman Siman 123:11)
3) After the three backward steps are taken, and while the back is still bent and the feet are together (like they were during Shemona Esrei), the head should be tilted to the left side and the 3 words “Oseh Shalom B’Meromav” should be recited.
The head should then be tilted to the right side and the next 4 words “Hu Ya’aseh Shalom Aleinu” should be recited.
Then you should bow your head to the direction directly in front of you and the last 5 words “V’Al Kal Yisroel V’Imru Amen” should be recited.
It is important to make sure not to start saying “Oseh Shalom...” while the three backward steps are being taken, rather make sure to follow the method described above.
The same Halacha applies when saying “Oseh Shalom” at the conclusion of Kaddish. (Mishna Berura Siman 123:3)
4) When taking the three steps backwards after Shemona Esrei, a left handed person also tilts his/her head to the left first when saying Oseh Shalom, as the reason for this is that the Shechina is in front of us and we are bowing to the right of the Shechina. (Psak of Rav Chaim Kanievsky Zatzal)
Immediately following the recital of “Oseh Shalom” the body should be straightened out and “Yehi Ratzon...SheYibaneh Bais HaMikdash” should be recited, asking Hashem to rebuild the Bais HaMikdash so that we can once again perform the real Avodah and not need to rely on the Avodah of Tefilah, which is its substitute.
...to be continued next week B’Ezras Hashem
