Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim · Siman 91

Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim 91 — English translation

Translation: Sefaria Community Translation. Section numbers match the Hebrew text above.

1. 1That One Should Gird One's Waist and Cover One's Head During the Time of Prayer: containing six s'ifim. If there was a garment (i.e. cloak, sheet) tied around one's waist, to cover from their waist down, then it is forbidden to pray until they cover their heart (ie. put on a shirt). If one did not cover their heart or is unable due to having nothing to cover themselves, since they covered their nakedness [genitalia] and prayed, they have fulfilled their obligation.
2. 2One needs to wear a belt at the time of prayer, even if he is wearing pants, such that his heart does not "see" his nakedness, because of הכון/prepare ("Prepare to meet your God, O Israel" (Amos 4:12)). But [regarding] the rest of the blessings, it is permitted to bless them without a belt, so long as one is wearing pants. Rem"a: and one's heart does not see the nakedness (Ran, First Chapter of Shabbat and the Rosh, Chapter "ha-Ro-eh", and Hagahot Maimoni on Tefillah Chapter 5)
3. 3There are those who say that it is forbidden to mention [God's name] with an uncovered head. And there are those who say that one should object that people should not enter the synagogue with an uncovered head.
4. 4Hats ("kopilah" in the vernacular) which are woven from straw are considered a covering, but placing one's hand on his head is not considered a covering. And if another [person] places his hand on this one's head, it can be considered covering.
5. 5One should not stand with one's money-belt ("taska" in the vernacular), and not with an uncovered head or uncovered legs if it is the practice of the people of that place not to stand in front of important people unless their legs are covered.
6. 6It is the way of Torah scholars and their students to only pray while they are wrapped. Rem"a: And at a time of anger [in the world], one should clasp [his] hands during the Prayer "like a servant before his master". And at a time of peace, one should adorn himself in nice clothes to pray. (Tur)

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