Halacha is based on certain set rules, beyond which it, at times, realistically takes into account different personal natures and circumstances. Such is the case regarding the issue of where one should look during davening. As a strict rule, one’s eyes should be looking nowhere but in a siddur, especially during Shemoneh Esrei.[1] Despite this fact, our rabbis knew that we would not always be able to succeed in maintaining tunnel vision. Therefore, one should not daven opposite colorful paintings or the like, which might distract him.[2] It is even proper to have windows (preferably, twelve) around the shul[3] so that, prior to davening, in between sections, or if one loses his concentration, he can look through them and be inspired. However, during davening, the proper choices are looking in a siddur and closing one’s eyes. Which is better?
In truth, each has advantages. The Sha’arei Teshuva[4] and Mishna Berura[5] cite the Zohar that it is important to have one’s eyes closed. Although both are quick to point out that looking in a siddur is also acceptable,[6] it is unclear whether it is as preferable.[7] Moreover, one of the main ideas upon which one should concentrate during davening is picturing himself standing before the Shechina.[8] For many people, this is more easily achieved with closed eyes. One is also usually less susceptible to outside influences with his eyes closed.
Nevertheless, there is also another side of the picture. The Mishna Berura[9] mentions that the Arizal[10] would look in a siddur to help his concentration and to be exact. Looking in a siddur is even more helpful during the repetition of Shemoneh Esrei, when concentration is harder to achieve,[11] and for the chazan, who is more susceptible to getting confused.[12] In general, anyone who is susceptible to skipping sections or reciting incorrectly has strong reason to favor looking in a siddur.
The bottom line is that one should use the system that helps his concentration.[13] (Some people employ different “tricks” to maintain focus and meaning in their tefilla, most of which are fine halachically). There are, unfortunately, communities where people consider one who davens with his eyes closed a showoff.[14] There is value in avoiding causing people to make such judgments (which in some cases may be correct), but one need not change his practice if he has serious difficulty concentrating with his eyes open even when looking at a siddur.
A factor that seems pertinent to our discussion with respect to P’sukei D’Zimra and Kri’at Shema, which are composed of p’sukim, is the rule that one should not recite p’sukim by heart.[15] However, the Shulchan Aruch justifies the widespread practice of reciting large parts of davening by heart considering that most people know the words well.[16] [17] On the other hand, it probably wouldn’t hurt most people to look at the text during these parts of the tefilla. Consider also that many grammatical mistakes are made during the davening, and careful reading of the text could help rectify some of them.