Shabbat Evening Service

The Shabbat evening service, typically held on Friday night, marks the transition from the ordinary weekday to the sacred time of Shabbat. It's a time for community gathering, spiritual reflection, and joyfully welcoming the 'Sabbath Queen' or 'Sabbath Bride'.

The service generally consists of two main parts:

• Kabbalat Shabbat ("Receiving Shabbat"): A series of Psalms and the poem Lecha Dodi, introduced relatively recently (16th century) by mystics to create a spiritual gateway into Shabbat.
• Ma'ariv (Evening Service): The standard evening prayer service, including the Shema and its blessings, and the Amidah (standing prayer), adapted specifically for Shabbat.

Exploring Traditions: Different Jewish movements approach the liturgy with varying emphases. Orthodox services adhere closely to traditional texts and structures, primarily in Hebrew. Conservative (Masorti) services also follow traditional structures but allow for some textual adaptations (like including Matriarchs) and greater use of instrumental music or egalitarian practices than Orthodoxy. Reform (Liberal/Progressive) services prioritize thematic relevance and accessibility, often using significant amounts of English, contemporary readings, abbreviated texts, and embracing full egalitarianism and diverse musical styles. Reconstructionist services view tradition as evolving and emphasize democratic community values, often resulting in creative and adaptive liturgy.

Use the dropdown menu above to explore the typical flow and key prayers within different traditions, or view a specific example service. This guide aims to provide clarity on the structure and meaning behind the prayers.