Shabbat Davenings

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Friday afternoon

  1. At Mincha on Friday there’s no Tachanun even if one prays mincha Gedolah (six and a half hours). [1]
  2. If one has a meal after midday on Friday should say Shir HaMaalot and not Al Neharot Bavel. [2]

Kabbalat Shabbat

Friday night

  1. In the Bracha of Hashkivenu (השכיונו) on Friday night the Sephardic minhag is that one doesn’t conclude the usual way rather starting from ובצל כנפיך תסתירנו one should add ופרוס סכת שלום עלינו ועל ירושלים עירך ברוך אתה ה' הפורס סכת שלום עלינו ועל כל עמו ישראל ועל ירושלים. [3]
  2. The minhag is to say VeShamru on Shabbat and VaYidaber Moshe on Yom Tov after the Brachot Kriyat Shema before Shemonah Esrei. [4]

Vayichulu

The principal sanctification of Shabbat is consummated with the recitation of the "Vayechulu" passage. Based on mystical considerations, the Vayechulu passage is to be recited no less than three times[5] on Friday night. It is recited twice within the course of the Maariv prayer and the again at home as part of the Kiddush.[6] We are taught that one who says Vayechulu on Friday night is considered to be a partner with God in creation.[7] So too, it is in merit of the recitation of Vayechulu that one is provided with the two escorting angels[8] and additionally all of one's sins are forgiven.[9]

So important is this passage, that according to most authorizes, once one has recited Vayechulu one has discharged one's true obligation of reciting Kiddush. The common custom of reciting the Kiddush at home over a cup of wine is essentially a rabbinical enactment and not necessarily a pre-requisite for fulfilling the Torah's mitzva of Kiddush.[10] Some authorities however do not consider Kiddush properly discharged until it is recited over a cup of wine.[11] The recitation of Kiddush at home, in addition to repetition of Vayechulu, also recalls the exodus from Egypt. There are several authorities who argue that one has not truly fulfilled the mitzva of Kiddush unless one has made reference to the Exodus in the Kiddush.[12]

It is interesting to note that it may just be that the only reason Vayechulu is repeated after Maariv all year long is simply to ensure that it be recited on a Yom Tov which would coincide with a Shabbat, in which case the Vayechulu would not have been recited as part of the Maariv Amida.[13] Similarly, the recitation of Vayechulu at Kiddush is actually not truly required. Rather, it is recited for the benefit of those present who may not yet have heard or recited Vayechulu as is often the case by women and children who don't normally say the Maariv prayer.[14]

The Vayechulu that is recited following the Maariv Amida is to be recited standing, out loud, and in unison with the rest of the congregation.[15] The purpose of this recitation of Vayechulu is to serve as a form of testimony, proclaiming our belief that God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. As such, some authorities require it to be recited with at least another person,[16] while others call for it to be recited as part of a minyan.[17] If need be, Vayechulu may be recited while sitting.[18]

Another reason that Vayechulu is recited three times on Friday night is because the word "asher" appears three times. The word "asher" also appears 3 times in reference to the Para Aduma, red heifer. The rabbis derive form here that just as the Para Aduma brings forgiveness and purity, so too does the thrice recitation of Vayechulu.[19]

It is recommended that one not overly prolong one's Amida in order to be able to recite Vayechulu with the congregation.[20] Other authorities are not too particular about reciting it along with someone else. According to this approach, if one missed the opportunity of saying Vayechulu along with the congregation then it is best recited alone afterwards.[21] Some authorities rule however that those praying alone should never recite Vayechulu after the Amida.[22]

It is noted that reciting Vayechulu three times on Friday night contains within it deep kabbalistic secrets.[23] If one is in the midst of reciting the silent Amida when the congregation about to recite Vayechulu together, one should aim to recite the Vayechulu of one's Amida along with the congregation, if possible.[24] Talking during the public recitation of Vayechulu is strictly forbidden.[25]

Mussaf

  1. If Rosh Chodesh is coming up in the next week, before Mussaf the congregation says the bracha for the new moon and announces the rosh chodesh. [26]
  2. Ashkenazim have the minhag to stand for the announcement and bracha of Rosh Chodesh on Shabbat the week before Rosh Chodesh. [27] However, the Syrian minhag is not to stand for this. [28]
  3. See Mussaf

Saying the weekday Shemonah Esrei by mistake

Personal requests

  1. One should refrain from making any personal requests in davening on Shabbat unless it is part of the established texts (such as the HaRachaman's in benching). [29]

If one forgot to say Mincha on Friday afternoon

  1. If one forgot to say Mincha on Friday one should say Arvit on Friday night, two Shemonah Esreis of Shabbat, the first one for Arvit and the second as a makeup for Mincha (Tashlumin). [30]

Learning on Shabbat

  1. People who work during the week should make an extra effort to learn Torah on Shabbat and Yom Tov. [31]

Credits

Special thanks to Rabbi Ari Enkin for his contribution to the Vayichulu section from his books Amot Shel Halacha.

References

  1. ↑ S”A 267:1, Mishna Brurah 267:1
  2. ↑ Mishna Brurah 267:1
  3. ↑ S”A 267:3
  4. ↑ Mishna Brurah 267:9
  5. ↑ Kaf Hachaim 268:33
  6. ↑ Shabbat 119b, Rambam Shabbat 29:7
  7. ↑ Shabbat 119b, See Likutei Maharan II:8
  8. ↑ Shabbat 119b
  9. ↑ Shabbat 119b. The Abudraham suggests that the word ‘asher’ which appears three times in the Vayechulu also appears three times in the portion of the red heifer thereby connecting the two, with the Red Heifer being the ultimate source of purity and forgiveness from sin.
  10. ↑ Rambam Shabbat 29:6, Magen Avraham 271:1, but see Rabbi Akiva Eiger ad loc.
  11. ↑ Rashi;Berachot 25b, Rabbi Akiva Eiger, ad loc.
  12. ↑ Pesachim 117b
  13. ↑ O.C. 268:7, Tosfot;Pesachim 106a
  14. ↑ Ibid. Ta'amei Haminhagim 289
  15. ↑ O.C. 268:7
  16. ↑ Mishna Berura 268:19
  17. ↑ Taz;O.C.268:5
  18. ↑ Kaf Hachaim 268:36
  19. ↑ Kaf Hachaim 268:34
  20. ↑ Biur Halacha
  21. ↑ Chazon Ish O.C. 39:10, Kaf Hachaim 268:36
  22. ↑ Taz 268:5
  23. ↑ Kaf Hachaim 268:33,35
  24. ↑ Halichot Shlomo I 14:5, Tzitz Eliezer 14:24
  25. ↑ O.C. 268:12, Mishna Berura 56:1
  26. ↑ see next note
  27. ↑ Magen Avraham 417:1, Igrot Moshe 1:142
  28. ↑ Rabbi Mansour on Dailyhalacha.com
  29. ↑ Mishna Brurah 188:9
  30. ↑ S”A 108:9
  31. ↑ Kitzur S”A 77:24
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