Hard to concentrate on prayer
Question
Dear Rabbi! Sometimes it’s impossible for me to concentrate on the words of “Shema Yisrael” and on the first blessing of the “amidah” prayer; and sometimes it takes a long time, with all the dreaming and interruptions. My question is, am I exempt from prayer? Or maybe I’m exempt from concentrating, but obligated to actually pray? Or maybe I’m obligated to make an effort up to the point that I will actually achieve concentration? Or maybe I should just try to concentrate, and be happy with whatever comes out of that? Thanks for your reply
Answer
Dear …!
Obviously, there is no exemption from prayer and “Shema Yisrael” for someone who has trouble concentrating. However, the level of concentration that one has to achieve in each prayer can vary, because at times it’s more difficult to think clearly about the meaning of each word, and at other times it’s easier.
Thus, you have to make an effort to do everything properly. And you are exempt from what’s impossible for you (by making a reasonable effort) in the state that you are at any given time. But you should never stop trying to do as well as you can just because you can’t do it perfectly.