Halakhah zu Tehillim 35:10

Many people are accustomed to “shuckling” (swaying) while reciting the Amida. Rema writes (§48; MB 95:7) that this is the proper way to practice le-khatḥila, as it expresses the excitement and trepidation of the prayer experience, and in order to involve one’s whole body in the service of prayer, as the verse states: “All my bones will say: ‘God, who is like You?’” (Tehilim 35:10). In contrast, Shlah states that one should not sway during prayer. On the contrary, standing motionless strengthens one’s kavana. Furthermore, it says it is not respectful to sway. If one were to come before a human king and begin to shake his whole body, the king would dismiss him immediately. If so, one should certainly not act that way in prayer. Shlah explains that the recommendation to sway applies specifically to Torah study or to singing songs and praise. However, during the intense and inward-focused Amida, in which we stand before the King, it is not proper to move at all; only one’s lips may move (Shlah, Masekhet Tamid, Ner Mitzva). Since each custom has opinions on which to rely, every person may practice in the manner that allows her to concentrate the best (MA, MB 48:5; and see Kaf Ha-ḥayim 48:7-9).

If there is some excrement on the body, even if it is covered with clothing it is forbidden to speak about sacred things as it is said: "All my bones shall say, Hashem who is like You?"⁵Psalms 35:10. Therefore the entire body must be clean. Some authorities are lenient in this matter, but it is proper to follow the stricter opinion. If there is even the slightest bit of excrement on the edge of the anus, even if it is covered, according to all opinions it is of no avail, because in its original place it is more loathsome. In the case of one ill with hemorrhoids, see Magen Avroham 76: 8 who quotes from the Responsa of Radvaz, Volume III 315. The Magen Avraham concludes that such a person is not required to do anything [in order to pray.]⁶As long as there is no odor. This is true only if the hemorrhoids are external and without pus. If they are internal and there is constant seepage of internal, odorous matter, one must not pray or utter sacred words.

[Gloss: And we say the section of the daily offering. And there are those who say the order of the woodpile (Yoma 33a) and "Master of the World, You commanded us", etc. And if it is not possible to say with the congregation, one can say it in one's house and come back to read the section of the daily offering on one's own with the congregation [i.e. in its presence]. And the second time, one should intend it like reading in the Torah (Tur)] On Shabbat we say the verses of the additional offering of Shabbat instead of the section of the daily offering, but not on Rosh Chodesh or Yom Tov because we read the verses of the additional offering in the Torah. [Gloss: And there are those who also mention the additional offering of Rosh Chodesh - and so we practice in order to publicize that it is Rosh Chodesh, and so it is below in Siman 421 (Tur). And those who are exacting have practiced to shake at the time that we read the Torah as an illustration of the Torah that was given with trembling, and so too at the time that we pray, because of "all my bones will say to you, Lord who is like You?" (Abudarham)