Shabbat Davenings: Difference between revisions

==Kabbalat Shabbat==

# The minhag is to say VeShamru on Shabbat and VaYidaber Moshe on [[Yom Tov]] after the Brachot Kriyat Shema before [[Shemona Esreh]]. <ref>Mishna Brurah 267:9 </ref>

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<ref>Kaf Hachaim 268:33</ref> on Friday night. It is recited twice within the course of the Maariv prayer and the again at home as part of the Kiddush.<ref>Shabbat 119b, Rambam Shabbat 29:7</ref> We are taught that one who says Vayechulu on Friday night is considered to be a partner with God in creation.<ref>Shabbat 119b, See Likutei Maharan II:8</ref> So too, it is in merit of the recitation of Vayechulu that one is provided with the two escorting angels<ref>Shabbat 119b</ref> and additionally all of one's sins are forgiven.<ref>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. </ref>

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.<ref>Rambam Shabbat 29:6, Magen Avraham 271:1, but see Rabbi Akiva Eiger ad loc.</ref> Some authorities however do not consider Kiddush properly discharged until it is recited over a cup of wine.<ref>Rashi;Berachot 25b, Rabbi Akiva Eiger, ad loc.</ref> 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.<ref>Pesachim 117b</ref>

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.<ref>O.C. 268:7, Tosfot;Pesachim 106a</ref> 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.<ref>Ibid. Ta'amei Haminhagim 289</ref>

# Ashkenazim have the minhag to stand for the announcement and bracha of Rosh Chodesh on Shabbat the week before Rosh Chodesh. <ref> Magen Avraham 417:1, Igrot Moshe 1:142 </ref> However, the Syrian minhag is not to stand for this. <ref> [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/displayRead.asp?readID=1352 Rabbi Mansour] on Dailyhalacha.com </ref>

# 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). <ref>Mishna Brurah 188:9 </ref>

# If one forgot to say Mincha on Friday one should say Arvit on Friday night, two [[Shemona Esreh]]s of Shabbat, the first one for Arvit and the second as a makeup for Mincha (Tashlumin). <Ref>S”A 108:9 </ref>