Shabbat Service Sections
Save
Copy
Add to Collection
Export to Google Docs
ShareAn examination of the different services on Shabbat
Shabbat Service Sections “on one foot”:
It is traditional to pray 3 times a day, but that breaks down to a number of different services on Shabbat.
It is traditional to pray 3 times a day, but that breaks down to a number of different services on Shabbat.
Kabbalat Shabbat
- Last section of the liturgy to be universally accepted
- Created in the 1500s by Jewish mystics in Tzfat who were inspired by a Talmudic statement of rabbis who would go out into the fields as the sun was setting in order to welcome Shabbat.
- Traditionally starts with “Yedid Nefesh”, written by Eliezer Azikri
- Then 6 psalms that represent the days of the week, Psalms 95-99 and Psalm 29. The nusach for these are in the Hashem Malach mode.
- Next “L’cha Dodi”, written by Shlomo Alkabetz. This is always done to a congregational melody, though the Shabbat before Tisha B’Av it is traditional to use “Eili Tziyon”.
- Finally Psalms 92-93, the Psalm for Shabbat and for Friday that were recited in the Temple. These are either done in the Hashem Malach or minor modes.
- Many communities end Kabbalat Shabbat with the Mourner’s Kaddish
- Last section of the liturgy to be universally accepted
- Created in the 1500s by Jewish mystics in Tzfat who were inspired by a Talmudic statement of rabbis who would go out into the fields as the sun was setting in order to welcome Shabbat.
- Traditionally starts with “Yedid Nefesh”, written by Eliezer Azikri
- Then 6 psalms that represent the days of the week, Psalms 95-99 and Psalm 29. The nusach for these are in the Hashem Malach mode.
- Next “L’cha Dodi”, written by Shlomo Alkabetz. This is always done to a congregational melody, though the Shabbat before Tisha B’Av it is traditional to use “Eili Tziyon”.
- Finally Psalms 92-93, the Psalm for Shabbat and for Friday that were recited in the Temple. These are either done in the Hashem Malach or minor modes.
- Many communities end Kabbalat Shabbat with the Mourner’s Kaddish
Ma’ariv / Arvit
- Starts with Barchu, the call to worship. This, along with anything else in this section which is chanted, will be in the Magein Avot mode.
- Then we have a prayer about Creation (HaMa’ariv Aravim) and one about Revelation (Ahavat Olam)
- Next comes the 3 paragraphs of the Shema, done with Torah trope, though in the evening the last 2 paragraphs are usually done silently because reward and punishment is morally questionable and you can’t easily see the tzitzit at night before electricity.
- Then is a prayer about Redemption (Mi Chamocha), followed by a prayer for protection at night (Hashkiveinu) and about Shabbat (V’Shamru)
- We transition from this section, which is known as “The Shema and its Blessings” to the Amidah via the Chatzi Kaddish.
- The Amidah is done silently, in recognition that the evening service is mandatory but neither replaces the morning nor afternoon sacrifice. It has a Creation emphasis.
- After the Amidah comes a mini-repetition (the Me’ein Sheva), and then the Kaddish Shalem, indicating the historical end of the service. The Kaddish Shalem is in the Hashem Malach / major mode.
- We do the Friday night Kiddush after that, because in the Middle Ages travelers used to eat and sleep in the synagogue and so this way they could hear Kiddush.
- Finally we end with Aleinu, the Mourner’s Kaddish, and Yigdal or some other concluding prayer.
- Starts with Barchu, the call to worship. This, along with anything else in this section which is chanted, will be in the Magein Avot mode.
- Then we have a prayer about Creation (HaMa’ariv Aravim) and one about Revelation (Ahavat Olam)
- Next comes the 3 paragraphs of the Shema, done with Torah trope, though in the evening the last 2 paragraphs are usually done silently because reward and punishment is morally questionable and you can’t easily see the tzitzit at night before electricity.
- Then is a prayer about Redemption (Mi Chamocha), followed by a prayer for protection at night (Hashkiveinu) and about Shabbat (V’Shamru)
- We transition from this section, which is known as “The Shema and its Blessings” to the Amidah via the Chatzi Kaddish.
- The Amidah is done silently, in recognition that the evening service is mandatory but neither replaces the morning nor afternoon sacrifice. It has a Creation emphasis.
- After the Amidah comes a mini-repetition (the Me’ein Sheva), and then the Kaddish Shalem, indicating the historical end of the service. The Kaddish Shalem is in the Hashem Malach / major mode.
- We do the Friday night Kiddush after that, because in the Middle Ages travelers used to eat and sleep in the synagogue and so this way they could hear Kiddush.
- Finally we end with Aleinu, the Mourner’s Kaddish, and Yigdal or some other concluding prayer.
P’sukei D’zimra
- Begins with warm-up prayers in the Birkot HaShachar section, followed by the Mourner’s Kaddish. These are in the HaShem Malach mode.
- Then Baruch She-amar says that we will praise G-d.
- This is followed by a number of Psalms that praise G-d, including the first Ashrei of Shabbat and Psalms 145-150. This part of P’sukei D’zimra is usually in Minor.
- Then we have some more Biblical texts, including the Song of the Sea, and we finish the section with a prayer called Nishmat Kol Chai.
- Begins with warm-up prayers in the Birkot HaShachar section, followed by the Mourner’s Kaddish. These are in the HaShem Malach mode.
- Then Baruch She-amar says that we will praise G-d.
- This is followed by a number of Psalms that praise G-d, including the first Ashrei of Shabbat and Psalms 145-150. This part of P’sukei D’zimra is usually in Minor.
- Then we have some more Biblical texts, including the Song of the Sea, and we finish the section with a prayer called Nishmat Kol Chai.
Shacharit
- First we bookend P’sukei D’zimra with Yishtabach, which says that we did praise G-d.
- After transitioning with a Chatzi Kaddish, there's Barchu, the call to worship
- Then we have a prayer about Creation (Yotzer Or) and one about Revelation (Ahava Rabba). These start in Minor and switch to the Ahava Rabba mode.
- Next comes the 3 paragraphs of the Shema, usually done in Torah trope.
- Then is a prayer about Redemption (Mi Chamocha)
- This leads straight to the Amidah. The middle part is different from the Shabbat evening Amidah, but it is still about Shabbat. This one has a Revelation focus. This starts in Major and switches to the Ahava Rabba mode.
- This section concludes with the Kaddish Shalem.
- First we bookend P’sukei D’zimra with Yishtabach, which says that we did praise G-d.
- After transitioning with a Chatzi Kaddish, there's Barchu, the call to worship
- Then we have a prayer about Creation (Yotzer Or) and one about Revelation (Ahava Rabba). These start in Minor and switch to the Ahava Rabba mode.
- Next comes the 3 paragraphs of the Shema, usually done in Torah trope.
- Then is a prayer about Redemption (Mi Chamocha)
- This leads straight to the Amidah. The middle part is different from the Shabbat evening Amidah, but it is still about Shabbat. This one has a Revelation focus. This starts in Major and switches to the Ahava Rabba mode.
- This section concludes with the Kaddish Shalem.
Torah Service
- There are some introductory prayers, the Ark is opened, and there are a few more prayers. This whole service is in Major, with congregational melodies.
- The Torah is removed from the Ark
- The Shema and 2 other lines are said mostly responsively with the congregation, and then the Torah is paraded around so that people can feel close to it.
- The Torah is read in 7 aliyot plus the Maftir aliyah.
- Then the Torah is dressed and the Haftarah is chanted by whomever said the blessings for the Maftir aliyah.
- After prayers for the country, for Israel, and for other things like peace and/or the community, there is the second Ashrei of Shabbat and the Torah is paraded around to Psalm 29 before being put back in the Ark with Eitz Chayim.
- Somewhere in the Torah Service, often at the end, there is a D’var Torah.
- There are some introductory prayers, the Ark is opened, and there are a few more prayers. This whole service is in Major, with congregational melodies.
- The Torah is removed from the Ark
- The Shema and 2 other lines are said mostly responsively with the congregation, and then the Torah is paraded around so that people can feel close to it.
- The Torah is read in 7 aliyot plus the Maftir aliyah.
- Then the Torah is dressed and the Haftarah is chanted by whomever said the blessings for the Maftir aliyah.
- After prayers for the country, for Israel, and for other things like peace and/or the community, there is the second Ashrei of Shabbat and the Torah is paraded around to Psalm 29 before being put back in the Ark with Eitz Chayim.
- Somewhere in the Torah Service, often at the end, there is a D’var Torah.
Musaf
- Musaf begins with a Chatzi Kaddish to indicate that we are in a new section of the service. This service is in Major, switching to Ahava Rabba.
- Then there is the Amidah. Like the Shacharit Amidah, this one can be done either first silently and then repeated (called a “chazarat haShatz”) or out loud through the Kedushah and then silently (called a “hechi Kedushah”). Yet again, the middle is different, this time focusing on sacrifices, but still about Shabbat.
- After the Amidah comes the Kaddish Shalem, marking the historical end of the service.
- Then there are concluding prayers: Ein Keloheinu, Aleinu, the Mourner’s Kaddish, Announcements, and Adon Olam. These all use congregational melodies if they are sung (Adon Olam is traditionally done to “Eili Tziyon” the Shabbat before Tisha B’Av).
- This is usually followed by the Shabbat morning Kiddush and the Motzi so that people can eat as soon as they get to the food after services.
- Musaf begins with a Chatzi Kaddish to indicate that we are in a new section of the service. This service is in Major, switching to Ahava Rabba.
- Then there is the Amidah. Like the Shacharit Amidah, this one can be done either first silently and then repeated (called a “chazarat haShatz”) or out loud through the Kedushah and then silently (called a “hechi Kedushah”). Yet again, the middle is different, this time focusing on sacrifices, but still about Shabbat.
- After the Amidah comes the Kaddish Shalem, marking the historical end of the service.
- Then there are concluding prayers: Ein Keloheinu, Aleinu, the Mourner’s Kaddish, Announcements, and Adon Olam. These all use congregational melodies if they are sung (Adon Olam is traditionally done to “Eili Tziyon” the Shabbat before Tisha B’Av).
- This is usually followed by the Shabbat morning Kiddush and the Motzi so that people can eat as soon as they get to the food after services.
Mincha
- The first thing in Mincha is Ashrei, the third one of Shabbat. It, like the next part of the service, is in the special Mincha Minor mode because we are sad that Shabbat is leaving.
- On Shabbat, Ashrei is followed by Uva L’Tziyon and a Chatzi Kaddish to indicate transitioning between sections of the service.
- Again, special on Shabbat, we then have a Torah Service, though not as elaborate as in the morning.
- After just one sentence, the Ark is opened. After another short paragraph, the Torah is taken out. After one line, not said responsively, the Torah is paraded around.
- The Torah reading has only 3 aliyot and is a “sneak preview” of the coming week’s Torah portion.
- The Torah is dressed (no Haftarah) and returned to Psalm 24. It is put back into the Ark with Eitz Chayim. There’s another Chatzi Kaddish to transition out of the Torah Service. This is in the Study Mode Minor.
- This leads to the Amidah. Like the morning Amidahs, it can be done silently and repeated, or just the first 3 blessings done out loud. Again, the middle is different but still about Shabbat. It has a Redemption emphasis. The Amidah starts off musically like the weekday Amidah in the Pentatonic Mode and then switches to the Shabbat Mincha Minor Mode by the end of the Kedushah.
- The Kaddish Shalem marks the end of the Amidah, and then there’s Aleinu and the Mourner’s Kaddish. The first two of these are in Study Mode Minor.
- Mincha can be thought of as the AAA service — Ashrei, Amidah, and Aleinu, with a Kaddish after each one. On Shabbat, it just goes a step further to include a Torah Service before the Amidah.
- The first thing in Mincha is Ashrei, the third one of Shabbat. It, like the next part of the service, is in the special Mincha Minor mode because we are sad that Shabbat is leaving.
- On Shabbat, Ashrei is followed by Uva L’Tziyon and a Chatzi Kaddish to indicate transitioning between sections of the service.
- Again, special on Shabbat, we then have a Torah Service, though not as elaborate as in the morning.
- After just one sentence, the Ark is opened. After another short paragraph, the Torah is taken out. After one line, not said responsively, the Torah is paraded around.
- The Torah reading has only 3 aliyot and is a “sneak preview” of the coming week’s Torah portion.
- The Torah is dressed (no Haftarah) and returned to Psalm 24. It is put back into the Ark with Eitz Chayim. There’s another Chatzi Kaddish to transition out of the Torah Service. This is in the Study Mode Minor.
- This leads to the Amidah. Like the morning Amidahs, it can be done silently and repeated, or just the first 3 blessings done out loud. Again, the middle is different but still about Shabbat. It has a Redemption emphasis. The Amidah starts off musically like the weekday Amidah in the Pentatonic Mode and then switches to the Shabbat Mincha Minor Mode by the end of the Kedushah.
- The Kaddish Shalem marks the end of the Amidah, and then there’s Aleinu and the Mourner’s Kaddish. The first two of these are in Study Mode Minor.
- Mincha can be thought of as the AAA service — Ashrei, Amidah, and Aleinu, with a Kaddish after each one. On Shabbat, it just goes a step further to include a Torah Service before the Amidah.
Weekday Ma’ariv / Arvit
- The differences between this and Shabbat Ma’ariv / Arvit are as follows:
- This service is in low Ahava Rabba, though it is often done in Study Mode Minor.
- The weekday service has a short 1-sentence introduction before Barchu.
- Shabbat has V’Shamru before the Chatzi Kaddish.
- The weekday service has the Weekday Amidah, with a special addition in the blessing after the Kedushah which technically ends Shabbat.
- Shabbat has a mini-repetition after the Amidah.
- After the Amidah at the end of Shabbat there are extra prayers added for the coming week.
- There’s no Kiddush on a weekday.
- The service after Shabbat ends with Havdalah.
- The differences between this and Shabbat Ma’ariv / Arvit are as follows:
- This service is in low Ahava Rabba, though it is often done in Study Mode Minor.
- The weekday service has a short 1-sentence introduction before Barchu.
- Shabbat has V’Shamru before the Chatzi Kaddish.
- The weekday service has the Weekday Amidah, with a special addition in the blessing after the Kedushah which technically ends Shabbat.
- Shabbat has a mini-repetition after the Amidah.
- After the Amidah at the end of Shabbat there are extra prayers added for the coming week.
- There’s no Kiddush on a weekday.
- The service after Shabbat ends with Havdalah.
