The Amidah is the core of every Jewish worship service. The word “Amidah,” means “standing” and refers to a series of blessings recited while standing. Sometimes the Amidah is recited out loud and sometimes silently.

Walking into a synagogue, it is easy to tell when the congregation is saying the Amidah. Immediately before reciting the Amidah, there is a tradition of taking three steps backward and then forward again to symbolize entering into God’s presence. The idea is to step into a place of prayer, even though you haven’t moved far (if at all) from your original spot.

According to the Mishna B’rura 123:13, the correct way to take these steps is as follows: “take a small stride with [the] left foot, then take a large stride with [the] right foot, then take a stride with [the] left foot in a manner that [will ensure the] feet are adjacent.” This sounds like a dance step! In practice, people take the steps in a way that is comfortable for them.