Amidah for Wheelchair Users

Question

Hi, I’m a wheelchair user (paralysed from chest down) and I’ve been wondering what I’m supposed to do during Amidah. There’s no wheelchair-accessible shul near me, so I haven’t been in years and daven at home. Obviously I don’t stand, and based on this (https://judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/9795/a-wheelchair-users-taking-steps-before-shmone-esre) I’ve always moved my chair roughly 3 steps – I also try to make sure it’s 3 distinct little taps to my wheels, so it’s similar to steps. But I’ve never known what to do about bowing; Ashkenazi custom is to bow from the knees, which I can’t do, and equally if I bowed from the waist my body would flop fully onto my knees because I have very little trunk control! Should I bow from the neck / chest, even though it’s not a proper bow? Or should I put my siddur down and brace myself with my arms so I can bow from the waist? Likewise, I can’t move my legs so I can’t hold them together; I can position my feet together, but not my knees unless I use my hands or a Velcro strap or something (which I do for sport). But something about that seems weird to do during prayer.

I realise I’m over-thinking this, but (a) that’s Jews for you, and (b) they’re interesting questions when considering where each rule comes from!

Thanks for your input

0

Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    Please accept my Brocha that Hashem allow a cure to be found for your specific problem and that you are able to regain complete use of your body.

    Under your specific circumstances, the correct way to bow is to lower your head at the prerequisite places and that is sufficient.

    If you can place your feet together that would preferable even if your knees are not touching each other. If putting your feet together is too difficult for you you do not have to do so.

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team