כשיגיע הלילה יתפלל תפלת ערבית. ואינה חובה שלא נתקנה אלא כנגד איברים ופדרים של תמיד של בין הערבים שלא נתעכלו ביום שקרבין והולכין כל הלילה. ומ"מ מצוה איכא ואין לבטלה. ורב אלפס כתב דהאידנא קבעוה חובה ואין לבטלה כלל (טור או"ח רל"ה) Unlike the morning Shacharis and afternoon Mincha services which correspond to the two daily communal sacrifices (Tamid), offered in the Temple, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, the evening Maariv service has no counterpart in the Temple service, since sacrifices were never brought at night in the Temple. The Maariv service was instituted to correspond to the Temple ritual of keeping on the altar the unconsumed parts of sacrifices that had been offered earlier in the day. These parts were kept on the altar at night so that they could be completely consumed by its fire. This ritual was applicable only if there actually were uncon- sumed parts of offerings. Although the Maariv service was instituted to correspond to this ritual, and may therefore seem to be non-obligatory (see Maseches Berachos 27b), Rabbeinu Yitzchak Alfasi and all the other codifiers have ruled that Maariv has been accepted and hallowed by custom, and is therefore an obligatory service. The Shema is preceded by two blessings and followed by two other blessings.
וְהוּא רַחוּם יְכַפֵּר עָוֹן וְלֹא־יַשְׁחִית וְהִרְבָּה לְהָשִׁיב אַפּוֹ וְלֹא־יָעִיר כָּל־חֲמָתוֹ: יְהֹוָה הוֹשִׁיעָה הַמֶּֽלֶךְ יַעֲנֵֽנוּ בְיוֹם־קָרְאֵֽנוּ: And He, the Merciful One, atones iniquity; and does not destroy. He frequently withdraws His anger and does not arouse all His rage.1Psalms 78:38. This verse consists of thirteen Hebrew words. It recalls the “thirteen attributes of Divine mercy” (Exodus 34:67). In the evening when man pauses from the rush of his daily activities, he is conscious of having sinned during the day, and thus begins his prayer with this appeal for Divine mercy.—Machzor Vitry
Midrash Tanchuma (Pinchos 13) notes that the morning sacrifice (תמיד של שחר) atoned for sins committed during the night, while the afternoon sacrifice (תמיד של בין הערבים) atoned for sins committed during the day. Since the evening service does not represent Temple sacrifice, it became customary to recite this verse because it mentions that God “atones iniquity.”—Avudraham Adonoy, deliver [us!] The King will answer us on the day we call.2Psalms 20:10.
ואומר שליח צבור: The Chazzan says:
בָּרְ֒כוּ אֶת יְהֹוָה הַמְּ֒בֹרָךְ: Bless Adonoy Who is blessed.
ועונין הקהל: The congregation responds and the Chazzan repeats:
בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה הַמְּ֒בֹרָךְ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד: Blessed is Adonoy, Who is blessed forever and ever.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר בִּדְבָרוֹ מַעֲרִיב עֲרָבִים בְּחָכְמָה פּוֹתֵֽחַ שְׁעָרִים וּבִתְבוּנָה מְשַׁנֶּה עִתִּים וּמַחֲלִיף אֶת הַזְּ֒מַנִּים וּמְסַדֵּר אֶת הַכּוֹכָבִים בְּמִשְׁמְ֒רוֹתֵיהֶם בָּרָקִֽיעַ כִּרְצוֹנוֹ. בּוֹרֵא יוֹם וָלָֽיְלָה גּוֹלֵל אוֹר מִפְּ֒נֵי חֽשֶׁךְ וְחֽשֶׁךְ מִפְּ֒נֵי אוֹר וּמַעֲבִיר יוֹם וּמֵבִיא לָֽיְלָה וּמַבְדִּיל בֵּין יוֹם וּבֵין לָֽיְלָה יְהֹוָה צְבָאוֹת שְׁמוֹ: אֵל חַי וְקַיָּם תָּמִיד יִמְלֹךְ עָלֵֽינוּ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה הַמַּעֲרִיב עֲרָבִים: Blessed are You, Adonoy, our God, King of the Universe, With His word He brings on evenings, with wisdom He opens the gates3These are the gates of sunrise and sunset through which God, in His infinite wisdom, has divided life on earth into two complementary halves.—Rabbi S.R. Hirsch (of heaven); and with understanding changes4He alternates the three daily periods—evening, morning, and afternoon.—Avudraham the times and alternates the seasons, and arranges the stars in their watches,5The stars appear as watchmen appointed by God to stand guard over the sleeping world below. He also appointed them their places in definite orbits, according to His will, and for purposes known to Him alone.—S.R. Hirsch in the sky, according to His will. He creates day and night, He rolls the light away from before darkness, and darkness from before light; He causes day to pass and brings night, and separates between day and night; Adonoy of Hosts6His Name, ה’ צבאות, means “He Who takes all the infinite variety of hosts and creatures and unites them to act and interact as parts of one unified Universe.”—S.R. Hirsch is His Name. The Almighty, [Who is] living and enduring will always reign over us forever and ever. Blessed are You, Adonoy, Who brings on evening.
אַהֲבַת עוֹלָם בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל עַמְּ֒ךָ אָהָֽבְתָּ תּוֹרָה וּמִצְוֹת חֻקִּים וּמִשְׁפָּטִים אוֹתָֽנוּ לִמַּֽדְתָּ. עַל כֵּן יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ בְּשָׁכְבֵֽנוּ וּבְקוּמֵֽנוּ נָשִֽׂיחַ בְּחֻקֶּֽיךָ וְנִשְׂמַח בְּדִבְרֵי תַלמוּד תּוֹרָתֶֽךָ וּבְמִצְוֹתֶֽיךָ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד. כִּי הֵם חַיֵּֽינוּ וְאֹֽרֶךְ יָמֵֽינוּ וּבָהֶם נֶהְגֶּה יוֹמָם וָלָֽיְלָה. וְאַהֲבָתְ֒ךָ אַל תָּסִיר מִמֶּֽנּוּ לְעוֹלָמִים. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אוֹהֵב עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל: [With] An everlasting love7This prayer is an abbreviated form of the אהבה רבה prayer in the morning service. It thanks God for the sacred gift of Divine Revelation that He granted Israel. It declares that Torah alone is the eternal heritage of the Jewish people and that all other goods and gifts of life are transitory.—S.R. Hirsch You loved the House of Israel, Your people. Torah and commandments, statutes and laws, You taught us. Therefore, Adonoy, our God, when we lie down and when we rise, we will discuss Your statutes, and rejoice in the words of the teachings of Your Torah and in Your commandments forever. For they are our life and they lengthen our days, and on them we will meditate day and night. [May] Your love never be removed from us Blessed are You, Adonoy, Who loves His people Israel.
יחיד אומר The following three words should be said when praying without a minyan:
אֵל מֶֽלֶךְ נֶאֱמָן: (Almighty, faithful King)
שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ יְהֹוָה אֶחָד: Hear, Israel: Adonoy is our God, Adonoy is One.
יש להפסיק מעט בין אחד לברוך כי עיקר קבול עול מלכות שמים היא פסוק ראשון. ויאמר בלחש: The following three lines are to be said silently:
בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתוֹ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד: Blessed [is His] Name, Whose glorious kingdom is forever and ever.
וְאָהַבְתָּ אֵת יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ בְּכָל֯־לְ֯בָבְ֒ךָ וּבְכָל־נַפְשְׁךָ וּבְכָל־מְאֹדֶֽךָ: וְהָיוּ הַדְּ֒בָרִים הָאֵֽלֶּה אֲשֶׁר֯ אָ֯נֹכִי מְצַוְּ֒ךָ הַיּוֹם עַל֯־לְ֯בָבֶֽךָ: וְשִׁנַּנְתָּם לְבָנֶֽיךָ וְדִבַּרְתָּ בָּם בְּשִׁבְתְּ֒ךָ בְּבֵיתֶֽךָ וּבְ֒לֶכְתְּךָ בַדֶּֽרֶךְ וּבְ֒שָׁכְבְּךָ וּבְ֒קוּמֶֽךָ: וּקְ֒שַׁרְתָּם לְאוֹת עַל֯־יָ֯דֶֽךָ וְהָיוּ לְטֹטָפֹת בֵּין עֵינֶֽיךָ: וּכְ֒תַבְתָּם עַל־מְזֻזוֹת בֵּיתֶֽךָ וּבִשְׁ֒עָרֶֽיךָ: And you shall love Adonoy your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your possessions. And these words which I command you today, shall be upon your heart. And you shall teach them sharply to your children. And you shall discuss them when you sit in your house, and when you travel on the road, and when you lie down and when you rise. And you shall bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be for totafos between your eyes. And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house and upon your gateways.
וְהָיָה אִם־שָׁמֹֽעַ תִּשְׁמְעוּ אֶל־מִצְוֹתַי אֲשֶׁר֯ אָ֯נֹכִי מְצַוֶּה אֶתְ֒כֶם הַיּוֹם לְאַהֲבָה אֶת־יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם וּלְ֒עָבְ֒דוֹ בְּכָל־לְבַבְ֒כֶם וּבְכָל־נַפְשְׁכֶם: וְנָתַתִּי מְטַר֯־אַ֯רְצְכֶם בְּעִתּוֹ יוֹרֶה וּמַלְקוֹשׁ וְאָסַפְתָּ דְגָנֶֽךָ וְתִירשְׁךָ וְיִצְהָרֶֽךָ: וְנָתַתִּי עֵֽשֶׂב֯ בְּ֯שָׂדְ֒ךָ לִבְ֒הֶמְתֶּֽךָ וְאָכַלְתָּ וְשָׂבָֽעְתָּ: הִשָּׁמְ֒רוּ לָכֶם פֶּן֯־יִ֯פְתֶּה לְבַבְ֒כֶם וְסַרְתֶּם וַעֲבַדְתֶּם אֱלֹהִים֯ אֲ֯חֵרִים וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶם לָהֶם: וְחָרָה אַף־יְהֹוָה בָּכֶם וְעָצַר֯ אֶ֯ת־הַשָּׁמַֽיִם וְלֹּא֯־יִ֯הְיֶה מָטָר וְהָאֲדָמָה לֹא תִתֵּן אֶת֯־יְ֯בוּלָהּ וַאֲבַדְתֶּם֯ מְ֯הֵרָה מֵעַל הָאָֽרֶץ הַטֹּבָה אֲשֶׁר֯ יְ֯הֹוָה נֹתֵן לָכֶם: וְשַׂמְתֶּם֯ אֶ֯ת־דְּבָרַי֯ אֵֽ֯לֶּה עַל֯־לְ֯בַבְ֒כֶם וְעַל־נַפְשְׁ֒כֶם וּקְ֒שַׁרְתֶּם֯ אֹ֯תָם לְאוֹת עַלּ־יֶּדְ֒כֶם וְהָיוּ לְטוֹטָפֹת בֵּין עֵינֵיכֶם: וְלִמַּדְתֶּם֯ אֹ֯תָם אֶת־בְּנֵיכֶם לְדַבֵּר בָּם בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ בְּבֵיתֶֽךָ וּבְ֒לֶכְתְּ֒ךָ בַדֶּֽרֶךְ וּבְ֒שָׁכְבְּ֒ךָ וּבְ֒קוּמֶֽךָ: וּכְ֒תַבְתָּם עַל־מְזוּזוֹת בֵּיתֶֽךָ וּבִשְׁ֒עָרֶֽיךָ: לְמַֽעַן֯ יִ֯רְבּוּ יְמֵיכֶם וִימֵי בְנֵיכֶם עַל הָאֲדָמָה אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּע יְהֹוָה לַאֲבֹתֵיכֶם לָתֵת לָהֶם כִּימֵי הַשָּׁמַֽיִם עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ: And it will be— if you vigilantly obey My commandments which I command you this day, to love Adonoy your God, and serve Him with your entire hearts and with your entire souls— that I will give rain for your land in its proper time, the early (autumn) rain and the late (spring) rain; and you will harvest your grain and your wine and your oil. And I will put grass in your fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied. Beware lest your hearts be swayed and you turn astray, and you worship alien gods and bow to them. And Adonoy's fury will blaze among you, and He will close off the heavens and there will be no rain and the earth will not yield its produce; and you will perish swiftly from the good land which Adonoy gives you. Place these words of Mine upon your hearts and upon your souls,— and bind them for a sign upon your hands, and they shall be for totafos between your eyes. And you shall teach them to your sons, to speak them when you sit in your house, and when you travel on the road, and when you lie down and when you rise. And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house and upon your gateways. In order that your days be prolonged, and the days of your children, upon the land which Adonoy swore to your fathers to give them [for as long] as the heavens are above the earth.
וַֽיֹּאמֶר֯ יְהֹוָה אֶ֯ל־משֶׁה לֵּאמֹר: דַּבֵּר֯ אֶ֯ל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם וְעָשׂוּ לָהֶם צִיצִת עַל־כַּנְ֒פֵי בִגְ֒דֵיהֶם לְדֹרֹתָם וְנָתְ֒נוּ עַל־צִיצִת הַכָּנָף֯ פְּ֯תִיל תְּכֵֽלֶת: וְהָיָה לָכֶם לְצִיצִת וּרְ֒אִיתֶם֯ אֹ֯תוֹ וּזְ֒כַרְתֶּם֯ אֶ֯ת־כָּל־מִצְוֹת֯ יְ֯הֹוָה וַעֲשִׂיתֶם֯ אֹ֯תָם וְלֹא תָתֽוּרוּ אַחֲרֵי לְבַבְ֒כֶם וְאַחֲרֵי עֵינֵיכֶם אֲשֶׁר֯־אַ֯תֶּם זֹנִים֯ אַ֯חֲרֵיהֶם: לְמַֽעַן תִּזְכְּרוּ וַעֲשִׂיתֶם֯ אֶ֯ת־כָּל־מִצְוֹתָי וִהְיִיתֶם קְדשִׁים לֵאלֹהֵיכֶם: אֲנִי יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם֯ אֲ֯שֶׁר הוֹצֵֽאתִי אֶתְ֒כֶם֯ מֵּאֶֽרֶץ מִצְרַֽיִם לִהְיוֹת לָכֶם לֵאלֹהִים֯ אֲ֯נִי יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם֯: And Adonoy spoke to Moses saying: Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them to make for themselves fringes on the corners of their garments throughout their generations; and they will place with the fringes of each corner a thread of blue. And it will be to you for fringes, and you will look upon it and you will remember all the commandments of Adonoy, and you will perform them; and you will not turn aside after your hearts and after your eyes which cause you to go astray. In order that you will remember and perform all My commandments; and you will be holy unto your God. I am Adonoy, your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am Adonoy, your God—
יש לצרף אֱלֹהֵיכֶם לאֱמֶת You must be careful to connect the last words of Shema, ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶם (Adonoy, your God), with the word אֶמֶת (is true) without pause or interruption so that these three words form one sentence, meaning “Adonoy your God is true” (Maseches Berachos 13a).
אֱ֯מֶת —is true—
שליח ציבור: The chazan repeats:
יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם֯ אֱ֯מֶת: Adonoy, your God, is true.
אמת ואמונה אינה פותחת בברוך דהויא סמוכה לחבירתה דק"ש לא הוי הפסק (טור או"ח רלו) This is the first of the two berachos that follow the Shema.
וֶאֱמוּנָה כָּל זֹאת וְקַיָּם עָלֵֽינוּ כִּי הוּא יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ וְאֵין זוּלָתוֹ וַאֲנַֽחְנוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל עַמּוֹ: הַפּוֹדֵֽנוּ מִיַּד מְלָכִים מַלְכֵּֽנוּ הַגּוֹאֲלֵֽנוּ מִכַּף כָּל הֶעָרִיצִים: הָאֵל הַנִּפְרָע לָֽנוּ מִצָּרֵֽינוּ וְהַמְ֒שַׁלֵּם גְּמוּל לְכָל אֹיְ֒בֵי נַפְשֵֽׁנוּ: הָעֹשֶׂה גְדוֹלוֹת עַד אֵין חֵֽקֶר נִסִּים וְנִפְלָאוֹת עַד אֵין מִסְפָּר: הַשָּׂם נַפְשֵֽׁנוּ בַּחַיִּים וְלֹא נָתַן לַמּוֹט רַגְלֵֽנוּ הַמַּדְרִיכֵֽנוּ עַל בָּמוֹת אֹיְ֒בֵֽינוּ וַיָּֽרֶם קַרְנֵֽנוּ עַל כָּל שׂוֹנְ֒אֵֽינוּ: הָעֹֽשֶׂה לָּֽנוּ נִסִּים וּנְקָמָה בְּפַרְעֹה אוֹתוֹת וּמוֹפְ֒תִים בְּאַדְמַת בְּנֵי חָם: הַמַּכֶּה בְעֶבְרָתוֹ כָּל בְּכוֹרֵי מִצְרָֽיִם וַיּוֹצֵא אֶת עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל מִתּוֹכָם לְחֵרוּת עוֹלָם: הַמַּעֲבִיר בָּנָיו בֵּין גִּזְרֵי יַם סוּף אֶת רוֹדְ֒פֵיהֶם וְאֶת שׂוֹנְ֒אֵיהֶם בִּתְהוֹמוֹת טִבַּע: וְרָאוּ בָנָיו גְּבוּרָתוֹ שִׁבְּ֒חוּ וְהוֹדוּ לִשְׁמוֹ. וּמַלְכוּתוֹ בְרָצוֹן קִבְּ֒לוּ עֲלֵיהֶם משֶׁה וּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לְךָ עָנוּ שִׁירָה בְּשִׂמְחָה רַבָּה וְאָמְ֒רוּ כֻלָּם: —and faithful is all this,1All that we have affirmed in the Shema. is true and trustworthy.—Etz Yosef and it is permanently established with us that he is Adonoy, our God, and there is nothing besides Him, and that we, Israel, are His people. [He] Who liberated us from the hand of kings,2He redeemed us from Pharaoh, and saved us from Sichon and Og in the days of Moses and from the thirty-one kings in the days of Joshua.—Etz Yosef [is] our King, Who redeemed us from the grasp of all the tyrants.3“Tyrants” include Amalek and others who wanted to destroy us.—Etz Yosef [He is] the Almighty Who exacts payment [punishment] from our oppressors,4The Malbim says that “oppressors” (צרינו) refers to those who actively persecute us whereas “enemies” (אויבינו) refers to those who would rejoice over our misfortune without necessarily contributing to our downfall in an outright manner. and brings retribution on all those who are enemies of our soul. He does great things5“Great things” refers to the way God rules according to the laws of nature and “wonders” refers to those things that are classified as miracles.—Siach Yitzchak beyond comprehension, miracles and wonders without number. He sustains our soul in life6Not only does God sustain our souls in exile, but He also sustains our physical well-being.—Siach Yitzchak and does not allow our feet to slip. He makes us tread upon the high places of our enemies, and exalts our strength over all who hate us. He performed miracles for us and vengeance upon Pharaoh, signs and wonders in the land of the Hamites. He slew in His wrath, all the firstborn of Egypt, and brought out His people, Israel, from their midst to everlasting7The redemption from Egypt is the source for all later redemptions; it is the source from which our final and total salvation will spring. We became free, never again to taste the bitterness of spiritual or physical bondage.—Sfas Emes freedom. He led His children through the divided parts of the Sea of Reeds, their pursuers and their enemies He drowned in its depths. And His children saw His mighty power— they praised and gave thanks to His Name, His sovereignty they willingly accepted; Moses and the children of Israel sang unto You with great joy, and they all said:
מִי כָמֹֽכָה בָּאֵלִם יְהֹוָה מִי כָּמֹֽכָה נֶאְדָּר בַּקֹּֽדֶשׁ נוֹרָא תְהִלֹּת עֹֽשֵׂה פֶלֶא: מַלְכוּתְךָ רָאוּ בָנֶֽיךָ בּוֹקֵֽעַ יָם לִפְנֵי משֶׁה זֶה אֵלִי עָנוּ וְאָמְ֒רוּ: “Who is like You among the mighty, Adonoy! Who is like You? [You are] adorned in holiness, awesome in praise, performing wonders”8Exodus 15:11. Your children beheld Your sovereignty when You divided the sea before Moses. “This is my God,”9Exodus 15:2. they exclaimed, and declared,
יְהֹוָה יִמְלֹךְ לְעֹלָם וָעֶד: וְנֶאֱמַר כִּי פָדָה יְהֹוָה אֶת יַעֲקֹב וּגְאָלוֹ מִיַּד חָזָק מִמֶּֽנּוּ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה גָּאַל יִשְׂרָאֵל: “Adonoy will reign forever and ever.”10Exodus 15:18. And it is said, “For Adonoy has liberated Jacob and redeemed him from a hand, mightier than his.”11Jeremiah 31:10. Blessed are You, Adonoy Who has redeemed Israel.
אומר השכיבנו וחותם שומר את עמו ישראל לעד מפני שלילה צריכה שימור מן המזיקין. ואע"ג דקי"ל כרבי יוחנן דאמר שצריך לסמוך אף גאולה של ערבית לתפלת ערבית השכיבנו לא הוי הפסק דכיון דתקינו ליה רבנן כגאולה אריכתא (טור או"ח רלו) This is the second of the benedictions that follow the Sh'ma.
הַשְׁכִּיבֵֽנוּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ לְשָׁלוֹם וְהַעֲמִידֵֽנוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ לְחַיִּים טוֹבִים וּלְשָׁלוֹם וּפְרוֹשׂ עָלֵֽינוּ סֻכַּת שְׁלוֹמֶֽךָ וְתַקְּ֒נֵֽנוּ בְּעֵצָה טוֹבָה מִלְּ֒פָנֶֽיךָ וְהוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ מְהֵרָה לְמַֽעַן שְׁמֶֽךָ. וְהָגֵן בַּעֲדֵֽנוּ וְהָסֵר מֵעָלֵֽינוּ אוֹיֵב דֶּֽבֶר וְחֶֽרֶב וְרָעָב וְיָגוֹן וְהָסֵר שָׂטָן מִלְּ֒פָנֵֽינוּ וּמֵאַחֲרֵֽינוּ וּבְצֵל כְּנָפֶֽיךָ תַּסְתִּירֵֽנוּ. כִּי אֵל שׁוֹמְ֒רֵֽנוּ וּמַצִּילֵֽנוּ אָֽתָּה כִּי אֵל מֶֽלֶךְ חַנּוּן וְרַחוּם אָֽתָּה. וּשְׁמוֹר צֵאתֵֽנוּ וּבוֹאֵֽנוּ לְחַיִּים וּלְשָׁלוֹם מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה שׁוֹמֵר עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל לָעַד: Adonoy our God; make us lie down in peace, our King, raise us again to good life, and peace12Undisturbed peace, and strength for a new day of vigorous living, are the gifts that night brings and for which we pray to God.—S.R. Hirsch Spread over us the shelter of Your peace, and direct us to better ourselves through Your good counsel;13We particularly ask of Him at night to bless us with wise counsel. Daytime is the time for achievement, but the rest that comes with nightfall is made to allow man to compose his thoughts. By virtue of the complete relaxation It affords, sleep endows the mind and spirit with renewed vigor. We pray therefore for Divine aid so that our nightly rest will help us take wise counsel and affirm worthy resolution for future days.—Avudraham and Siach Yitzchak and deliver us speedily for Your Name's sake. Shield us, and remove from us14Shield us from trouble before it comes, and remove it from us if it has already come.—Siach Yitzchak enemies, pestilence, sword, famine and sorrow. Remove the adversary15The Hebrew word שטן (Satan) used in the Prayer Book refers to the Evil Impulse, the lower passions which are a hindrance to man's pursuit of the nobler aims in life. It is against the dominance of this impulse that the Jew prays. The “adversary,” therefore, is any person, spirit, or Evil Impulse that seduces us to do wrong.—Dover Sholom and others from before us and from behind us, and shelter us in the shadow of Your wings. For, Almighty, You are our Protector and Rescuer, For, Almighty You are a gracious and merciful King. Guard our going out and our coming in for life and peace for now forever. Blessed are You, Adonoy, Who guards His people Israel forever.
מה שנוהגין להפסיק בפסוקים ויראו עינינו וקדיש לפי שבימים ראשונים היו בתי כנסיות שלהם בשדות והיו יראים להתאחר שם עד זמן תפלת ערבית ותיקנו לומר פסוקים אלו שיש בהם י"ח אזכרות כנגד י"ח ברכות שיש בתפלת ערבית ונפטרין בקדיש ועתה שחזרו להתפלל ערבית בבתי כנסיות לא נתבטל מנהג הראשון ומ"מ אין להפסיק בדברים אחרים ויש מן הגדולים שנהגו שלא לאמרם (טור או"ח רלו) The following prayer was originally a compilation of eighteen verses instituted during the Gaonic era as a substitute for the Shemoneh Esrei. According to Avudraham, the Shemoneh Esrei was omitted because of decrees issued against the Jews that banned them from participating in the Evening Service. These eighteen verses, adopted in place of the Shemoneh Esrei, have remained a part of the Maariv service. Some Halachic commentaries maintain that these verses should not be included in Maariv, because they constitute an interruption between the final blessing after Shema and the Shemoneh Esrei.
בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה לְעוֹלָם אָמֵן וְאָמֵן: בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה מִצִּיּוֹן שֹׁכֵן יְרוּשָׁלָֽםִ הַלְ֒לוּיָהּ: בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהִים אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עֹשֵׂה נִפְלָאוֹת לְבַדּוֹ: וּבָרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹדוֹ לְעוֹלָם וְיִמָּלֵא כְבוֹדוֹ אֶת כָּל הָאָֽרֶץ אָמֵן וְאָמֵן: יְהִי כְבוֹד יְהֹוָה לְעוֹלָם יִשְׂמַח יְהֹוָה בְּמַעֲשָׂיו: יְהִי שֵׁם יְהֹוָה מְבֹרָךְ מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם: כִּי לֹא יִטּשׁ יְהֹוָה אֶת עַמּוֹ בַּעֲבוּר שְׁמוֹ הַגָּדוֹל כִּי הוֹאִיל יְהֹוָה לַעֲשׂוֹת אֶתְכֶם לוֹ לְעָם: וַיַּרְא כָּל הָעָם וַיִּפְּ֒לוּ עַל פְּנֵיהֶם וַיֹּאמְ֒רוּ יְהֹוָה הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים יְהֹוָה הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים: וְהָיָה יְהֹוָה לְמֶֽלֶךְ עַל כָּל הָאָֽרֶץ בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא יִהְיֶה יְהֹוָה אֶחָד וּשְׁמוֹ אֶחָד: יְהִי חַסְדְּ֒ךָ יְהֹוָה עָלֵֽינוּ כַּאֲשֶׁר יִחַֽלְנוּ לָךְ: הוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ וְקַבְּ֒צֵֽנוּ מִן הַגּוֹיִם לְהוֹדוֹת לְשֵׁם קָדְשֶֽׁךָ לְהִשְׁתַּבֵּֽחַ בִּתְהִלָּתֶֽךָ: כָּל גּוֹיִם אֲשֶׁר עָשִֽׂיתָ יָבֹֽאוּ וְיִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לְפָנֶֽיךָ אֲדֹנָי וִיכַבְּ֒דוּ לִשְׁמֶֽךָ: כִּי גָדוֹל אַתָּה וְעֹשֵׂה נִפְלָאוֹת אַתָּה אֱלֹהִים לְבַדֶּֽךָ: וַאֲנַֽחְנוּ עַמְּ֒ךָ וְצֹאן מַרְעִיתֶֽךָ נוֹדֶה לְּךָ לְעוֹלָם לְדוֹר וָדוֹר נְסַפֵּר תְּהִלָּתֶֽךָ: בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה בַּיּוֹם בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה בַּלָּֽיְלָה בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה בְּשָׁכְבֵֽנוּ בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה בְּקוּמֵֽנוּ: כִּי בְיָדְ֒ךָ נַפְשׁוֹת הַחַיִּים וְהַמֵּתִים אֲשֶׁר בְּיָדוֹ נֶֽפֶשׁ כָּל חָי וְרֽוּחַ כָּל בְּשַׂר אִישׁ: בְּיָדְ֒ךָ אַפְקִיד רוּחִי פָּדִֽיתָה אוֹתִי יְהֹוָה אֵל אֱמֶת: אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַֽיִם יַחֵד שִׁמְךָ וְקַיֵּם מַלְכוּתְ֒ךָ תָּמִיד וּמְלֹךְ עָלֵֽינוּ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד: Blessed is Adonoy forever, Amein and Amein!16Psalms 89:53. Blessed is Adonoy from Zion Who dwells in Jerusalem, Praise God.17Psalms 135:21. Blessed is Adonoy, God, God of Israel Who alone performs wonders.18Psalms 72:18. Blessed is the Name of His glory forever and may His glory fill the whole earth; Amein and Amein!19Psalms 72:19. The Glory of Adonoy will endure forever; Adonoy will rejoice in His works.20Psalms 104:31. The Name of Adonoy will be blessed from now forever.21Psalms 113:2. For Adonoy will not cast off His people, for the sake of His great Name, because Adonoy has determined to make you His people.22I Samuel 12:22. And all the people saw it and they fell on their faces, and proclaimed, “Adonoy, He is God!23I Kings 18:39. This verse describes the reaction of the people when they saw the miracle performed by God on behalf of Elijah on Mount Carmel when he disproved and ridiculed the false prophets of Baal. Adonoy, He is God!” And Adonoy will be King over the whole earth; on that day Adonoy will be One and His Name One.24Zecharyah 14:9. Adonoy, may Your kindness be upon us as we have hoped for You.25Psalms 33:22. Deliver us, Adonoy, our God, gather us from the nations to give thanks to Your Holy Name, to be extolled in Your praise.26I Chronicles 16:35. All the nations which You have made will come and bow down before You, my Master, and they will give honor to Your Name.27Psalms 86:9. For You are great and do wondrous things, You alone are God.28Psalms 86:10. And we, Your people, the sheep of Your pasture, will give thanks to You forever, from generation to generation we will recount Your praise.29Psalms 79:13. Blessed is Adonoy by day, Blessed is Adonoy by night, Blessed is Adonoy when we lie down, Blessed is Adonoy when we rise. For in Your hand are the souls of the living and the dead: [as it is written]: for in His hand is the soul of every living thing, and the spirit of every human being.30Job 12:10. In Your hand, I commit my spirit; You have liberated me Adonoy, Almighty of truth.31Psalms 31:6. Our God in heaven, reveal the unity of Your Name, preserve Your kingdom always and reign over us forever and ever.
יִרְאוּ עֵינֵֽינוּ וְיִשְׂמַח לִבֵּֽנוּ וְתָגֵל נַפְשֵֽׁנוּ בִּישׁוּעָתְ֒ךָ בֶּאֱמֶת בֶּאֱמֹר לְצִיּוֹן מָלַךְ אֱלֹהָֽיִךְ: יְהֹוָה מֶֽלֶךְ יְהֹוָה מָלָךְ יְהֹוָה יִמְלֹךְ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד: כִּי הַמַּלְכוּת שֶׁלְּ֒ךָ הִיא וּלְעֽוֹלְ֒מֵי עַד תִּמְלֹךְ בְּכָבוֹד כִּי אֵין לָֽנוּ מֶֽלֶךְ אֶלָּא אָֽתָּה: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה הַמֶּֽלֶךְ בִּכְבוֹדוֹ תָּמִיד יִמְלוֹךְ עָלֵֽינוּ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד וְעַל כָּל מַעֲשָׂיו: May our eyes behold, our heart rejoice, and our soul exalt in Your true deliverance, when it will be said to Zion: “Your God has begun His reign.” “Adonoy is King, Adonoy was King Adonoy will reign for ever and ever” For the kingdom is Yours and to all eternity, You will reign in glory; for we have no king except You. Blessed are You, the King in His glory, will always reign over us forever and ever, and over all His creation.
ואומר שליח צבור חצי קדיש: The Chazzan recites the following half-Kaddish
יִתְגַּדַּל וְיִתְקַדַּשׁ שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא בְּעָלְ֒מָא דִּי בְרָא כִרְעוּתֵהּ וְיַמְלִיךְ מַלְכוּתֵהּ וְיַצְמַח פּוּרְקָנֵהּ וִיקָרֵב (קֵץ) מְשִׁיחֵהּ. בְּחַיֵּיכוֹן וּבְיוֹמֵיכוֹן וּבְחַיֵּי דְכָל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, בַּעֲגָלָא וּבִזְמַן קָרִיב וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן Exalted and sanctified be His great Name in the world which He created according to His will and may He rule His kingdom bring forth His redemption and hasten the coming of His Mashiach. In your lifetime and in your days, and in the lifetime of the entire House of Israel, speedily and in the near future— and say Amein.
יְהֵא שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא מְבָרַךְ לְעָלַם וּלְעָלְ֒מֵי עָלְ֒מַיָּא May His great Name be blessed forever and for all eternity.
יִתְבָּרַךְ וְיִשְׁתַּבַּח וְיִתְפָּאַר וְיִתְרוֹמַם וְיִתְנַשֵּׂא וְיִתְהַדָּר וְיִתְעַלֶּה וְיִתְהַלָּל שְׁמֵהּ דְקוּדְשָׁא, בְּרִיךְ הוּא לְעֵֽלָּא (בעשי"ת וּלְעֵֽלָּא מִכָּל) מִן כָּל בִּרְכָתָא וְשִׁירָתָא, תֻּשְׁבְּחָתָא וְנֶחֱמָתָא, דַּאֲמִירָן בְּעָלְ֒מָא, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן: Blessed and praised, glorified, and exalted and uplifted, honored and elevated and extolled be the Name of the Holy One, blessed is He; above (Ten Days of Penitence: far above) all the blessings and hymns, praises and consolations which we utter in the world—and say Amein.