What is the reason that people sway when praying? S.G.

It is based on Psalm 35:10: “All my bones shall say; “God, who is like You?”

However, Rabbi Menachem Azariah da Fano (1548-1620) in Responsum 113:1, rules that the verse applies only to praises of God and not to prayer. The prototype of prayer is provided by Hannah, of whom it is said, “only her lips moved,” (Samuel I 1:13). Only Hannah’s lips moved, not her body. External movements of the body prevent adequate concentration in prayer. Although the Chayot (Living Creatures) in Ezekiel’s vision moved about, yet it is said: “when they stood, they let down their wings.” (Ezekiel 1:25) We, too, when we stand in prayer, should make no movements at all. Some people sway slightly at the beginning and end of each blessing on the basis of the verse (Isaiah 6:4) “And the posts of the door were moved at the voice of them that called.”