Translation:Shulchan Aruch/Orach Chaim/89
Laws of Prayer
89: Laws of prayer and its time. Contains eight seifim.
1 The mitzvah of praying the morning prayer begins when the sun rises. As it says "They shall fear You with the sun". And if one prayed at the crack of dawn, and the eastern side was lit up, one fulfilled his obligation. And its time ends at the end of the fourth hour which is a third into the day. And if one erred or transgressed and prayed between the fourth hour and midday, even though he does not have a reward as praying at its time, he does have a reward of praying. Gloss: And after midday, it is forbidden to pray the Shacharit prayer (Beit Yosef in the name of Rabbi Shlomo ibn Aderet, Chapter "Prayer of Shacharit").
And see below, beginning of Chapter 108.
2
Since the time of prayer approached, it is forbidden for someone to go to the entrance of one's friend to give him "Shalom", since the Name of the Holy One, blessed is He, is "Shalom". However, it is permitted to tell him "good morning". And even this is not permitted, except when he needed to go to see a certain business; but if he is only going in order to welcome him, before praying, even this language is forbidden. And likewise, it is forbidden to kneel down to him when he rises to his entrance. And some say that kneeling down is forbidden even without rising to his entrance. And if he began to recite the berachot (afterwards) one does not have to be that concerned. And if he is not rising to his entrance, rather, he met him on the way, he is permitted to give him "Shalom". And some say that even if he finds his friend at the market, he should only tell him "good morning" in order that he should give heart that he is forbidden to linger with other things until he will pray.
3 It is forbidden for one to carry out his needs or travel until he will pray the 18 blessings. (And there are those who are lenient after they said some of berachot, before they said Baruch she'amar; and it is good to be strict on this issue) (Terumat HaDeshen, Chapter 18). And one should not eat nor drink. But it is permitted to drink water before praying, whether it is a weekday, Shabbas or Yom Tov. And likewise, eating and drinking for the sake of healing is permitted.
4 One who is thirsty and one who is hungry are included in the category of the sick. If he can concentrate, he should pray. And if not, if he wanted, he is permitted to refrain from prayers until he will eat and drink.
5
And if one started to eat before the crack of dawn, one is required to stop. And some say that one is not required to stop.
6
Even to learn Torah is forbidden when the time for prayer arrives. And that is regarding one who is accustomed to pray at his house of study and is not accustomed to go to the synagogue; for there is reason to be concerned that he might get busy with his studying and the time of reading the Shema and prayer will pass. But one who is accustomed to go to the synagogue is permitted. And if he teaches others, even if he is not accustomed to go to the synagogue, it is permitted since the time passes; for the merit of many is a great thing and if they will not study now, they will be idle and will not be able to study.
[And see below, Chapter 106.]
7 It is permitted to get a haircut or to enter the bathhouse close to the time of Shacharit, because they only decreed close to the time of Mincha which is a common thing.
8 In an emergency, like when one has to travel, one is allowed to pray at the crack of dawn. And he should refrain from reading the Shema until its time will arrive. [If one can read Shema while travelling, meaning as long as he concentrates during the first verse; and as was explained above, Chapter 58.] [Beit Yosef quoting the Rashba]. And although one does not get to have "semucha geullah litphila", this way is better, that he should pray at home while standing; rather than to pray at its time while travelling and get "semucha geullah litphila".