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In Jewish life, Shabbat is a
very important day of the week. It is a day families get together to
pray, sing and celebrate. There are many traditions, customs and laws
associated with the Shabbat day. On Friday evening we begin our prayers
with Minha, followed by Kabbalat Shabbat (these are perakim of Tehillim
and Piyutim to herald the beginning of the Shabbat), Shir Hashirim (one
of the five Megilot that is written by King Solomon) and Arbit.
At the Friday night dinner, we sing Eshet Hail and say the Kiddush
(prayer before a meal on Shabbat). On Shabbat morning, we say the
Shahrit prayer. Following Shahrit, we read a parasha from the Torah (see
Torah
section in Tanach webpage). After that we have the musaf prayers. Prior
to the Shabbat lunch, we have Kiddush as well.
In the late afternoon, we come back to the synagogue for the Minha and
Arbit prayers. After Arbit, Havdalah is said to conclude the Shabbat. In
the Havdalah we pray for success and good health for the upcoming week.
Once a month, a few days after Rosh Hodesh we say the Birkat Halebana
(prayer for the new moon) following Havdalah. In the future I hope to
add some of the pizmonim that we sing on Shabbat.
"What maqam do we use for...?" is a common question I get. The following
is one version that is based on what I have learned over the years:
1. Friday Mincha is done in maqam Sigah.
2. Kabbalat Shabbat in maqam Nawah and Arbit in Maqam Nahwand
3. Each week Shahrit is prayed in a different maqam (see
Hazzanut section). The "Adonai
Melech" is sung in the maqam of the week. From Baruch SheAmar till
Nishmat is done in
Maqam Bayat unless the maqam of the week is Bayat. In that case we
use another maqam
like Nahwand or Agam.
4. For Musaf we use the Maqam Shahrit of upcoming week
5. Mincha Shabbat is done in Maqam Rast.
6. Mosae Shabbat Arbit is done in Maqam Bayat.
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