What is the Shemoneh Esreh (Amidah) prayer?

The Amidah is the central standing prayer, also called Shemoneh Esrei, “Eighteen.” Its weekday form now has nineteen blessings, including the blessing instituted against heresy (Rambam, Hilchot Tefillah 2:1–2). Its opening praises and closing thanks frame the middle requests. On Shabbat and ordinary festival services, seven blessings replace the weekday structure; Rosh Hashanah Musaf has nine (Rambam, Hilchot Tefillah 2:5–6).

It is said three times every day, at Shacharit, Minchah, and Arvit, with an additional Musaf Amidah on Shabbat and festivals (Rambam, Hilchot Tefillah 1:5–6).

Ashkenazi and Sephardi prayer books have wording differences, but these basic requirements are shared. Use the text of your community and identify the correct weekday, Shabbat, or festival section before beginning.

A Beit Din may ask why this prayer is called “Eighteen” despite having nineteen blessings, or ask you to identify praise, requests, and thanks. A common mistake is interpreting “silent prayer” as prayer entirely in one’s thoughts. Quiet articulation is required (OC 101:2); silence means avoiding a voice that disturbs others, not omitting the words.