How to Pray Mincha: A Guide to the Afternoon Prayer

Mincha is the Jewish afternoon prayer service, traditionally attributed to Isaac who would pray in the fields toward evening. The name 'Mincha' refers to the afternoon grain offering in the Temple. It is the shortest of the three daily prayers but is considered especially significant because it requires interrupting one's daily activities to turn to God in the middle of a busy day.

Mincha can be prayed from half an hour after midday (Mincha Gedolah) until sunset. The preferred time according to many is Mincha Ketanah, which begins 2.5 halachic hours before sunset. The time varies daily based on the length of the day. Many pray Mincha close to sunset so they can follow immediately with Maariv. Check the Am Hazak app or a Jewish calendar for exact times in your location.

Mincha is the most straightforward of the daily prayers: 1. Ashrei (Psalm 145 with introductory verses) - about 3 minutes 2. Half Kaddish (in a minyan) 3. The Amidah (standing prayer) - about 5-10 minutes 4. Tachanun (supplication, on weekdays) 5. Full Kaddish and Aleinu. The entire service takes about 15-20 minutes. On Shabbat and holidays, there is also a Torah reading.

Many people pray Mincha during their workday. Find a quiet corner, conference room, or even a stairwell. Many offices have meditation or prayer rooms. If you can't stand, sitting is acceptable in pressing circumstances. The prayer takes only 10-15 minutes if said individually without the minyan portions. Some workplaces have organized minyanim - ask around or check local Jewish directories.

1. Find a quiet place and face Jerusalem (east in most Western countries). 2. Begin with Ashrei - this psalm praises God and prepares the mind for prayer. 3. Proceed to the Amidah. Take three steps back, then three forward. Stand with feet together. 4. Recite the Amidah quietly but with moving lips. 5. At the conclusion, take three steps back while bowing. 6. If time permits, add Tachanun and Aleinu. 7. If praying with a minyan, include the Kaddish responses.

The Talmud teaches that one should be especially careful with Mincha because Elijah was answered during the Mincha hour (1 Kings 18). Mincha demonstrates commitment - it's easy to pray when waking up or going to sleep, but stopping midday shows dedication. The Kotzker Rebbe said that the essence of Mincha is 'stopping' - creating a pause in worldly pursuits to remember what truly matters.

On Friday afternoon, Mincha is prayed before Shabbat begins. This is called 'Mincha Gedolah of Erev Shabbat.' After Mincha, there's time to prepare for Shabbat. In synagogues, Friday Mincha is often followed by Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv. Be sure to finish Mincha before candle lighting time - check local times carefully.