4) "KAVANAH" IN SHEMONEH ESREH
QUESTION: The Gemara says that a person must have Kavanah when reciting Shemoneh Esreh at least for the first blessing, the blessing of Avos. This implies that if one does not have Kavanah during the rest of Shemoneh Esreh, he nevertheless fulfills his obligation.
The RAMBAM (Hilchos Tefilah 10:1) cites this as the Halachah. Yet in another place (Hil. Tefilah 4:1), the Rambam seems to rule that if one does not have Kavanah during any of the blessings of Shemoneh Esreh, he does not fulfill his obligation! How are the two rulings of the Rambam to be reconciled?
WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM?
Zev Cohen, New York, USA
The contradiction is that in one place the Rambam says that Kavanah is only necessary for the first Berachah, and in another place he says that Kavanah is necessary for all of the Berachos.
Is that any clearer?
Best wishes,
Kollel Iyun Hadaf