[Avodah] What should you wear for davening?

[Harry Maryles]

--- On Thu, 6/23/11, Liron Kopinsky <liron.kopinsky at gmail.com> wrote:







In a message dated 6/23/2011, llevine at stevens.edu writes:
>From http://tinyurl.com/6yyq2r2

The gemara (Shabbos 10) states that a person cannot daven without a gartel (belt).
I was learning recently in (I think) the Chayei Adam that it is a machloket whether this is an actual requirement or not., but if you regularly daven with a belt, then it is necessary.
Based on this, if you regularly wear underwear with an elastic, you would be unable to daven without underwear and without a belt.
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I haven't really been following this thread so much and apolgize if this has been mentioned. 
 
The primary idea of a Gartel (belt) is to make a separation between the heart and the Erva. 
 
Back in the good old days when both men and women wore one piece robe like outer garments there was no separation. So a Gartel was required for prayer. Today where the vast majority of men wear pants, the sepeartion is alraedy there and there is no need for a Gartel at all. 
 
Chasidim still wear one because putting on a Gartel shows that one is preparing for prayer (which is IIRC is also mentioned in the SA). Misnagdim (mostly from Lita) just put on a jacket or hat or simply do any act at all (e.g. buttoning or straightening a jacket) to show prerparation. The idea being that one should not just rush into prayer but take a moment to show that he knows before Whom he is standing and demonstrate proper respect and awe.
 
The bottom line is that if you wear pants there is absolutely no Halachic reason to put on a Gartel today other then to perpetuate the Minhag.
 
HM
 

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