After one finishes the Amida, before he recites, "Ose Shalom Bimromav," he must take three backward steps. Stepping back is necessary as an expression of respect to the Almighty. While reciting the Amida, one stands directly in God’s presence, and it would be disrespectful to simply walk away after completing the prayer. Therefore, we take three backward steps as though we ask permission from God to take leave of Him.
What is the proper procedure for stepping back and reciting "Ose Shalom"?
First, before one steps back, he must bow. Hacham Ovadia Yosef, in his work Halichot Olam, writes that this must be a complete bow, meaning, that one’s spine bends and his vertebrae protrude. While bowing, one should move his left foot back, such that the toes of his left foot are near the heel of his right foot. The reason why one begins stepping back with the left foot is because it is generally the weaker foot, and by beginning with this foot one shows that he is reluctant to take leave of the divine presence. At this point, one should move his right foot back so that its toes are near the heel of the left foot, and then move back his left foot so that it becomes next to the right foot.
Once the feet are together, one should turn his head to the left and recite the words, "Ose Shalom Bimromav," and then turn to the right and recite, "Hu Be’rahamav Ya’ase Shalom Alenu." Thereafter he turns his head to the center and recites, "Ve’al Kol Amo Yisrael." He then stands straight and recites, "Ve’imru Amen."
There is a debate as to whether one should remain bowing throughout this recitation, and simply turn his head in the various directions, or if one should bow and then stand straight three times. According to the Zohar and Kabbalistic teaching, one should bow a separate bow for each of the three stages of this recitation, bringing his body upright in between each bow. Hacham Ovadia Yosef maintains that this is not necessary, and one may simply remain bowing throughout and just turn his upper body in the three different directions. As we generally follow the customs of the Kabbala, it is preferable to take three separate bows while reciting "Ose Shalom Bimromav."
Summary: After one finishes the Amida, he should bow and take three steps back, beginning with his left foot, ending up with his feet together. He should then bow to the left and recite, "Ose Shalom Bimromav," to the right and recite, " Hu Be’rahamav Ya’ase Shalom Alenu," and then to the center and recite, "Ve’al Kol Yisrael." He should then stand up straight and recite, "Ve’imru Amen."
