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Arvit is the evening prayer service. Its main components are Shema, blessings before and after it and the Shemoneh Esrei (standing) prayer. Though the classical sources call it optional, it has evolved in common practice and become a type of obligation for Jewish men.
Notable Sources
All Sources
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Illuminating the Darkness with Maariv
CHASIDUT
The evening prayer (Maariv) is a powerful tool for connecting with God, even in times of darkness and distance. The Sefat Emet, a monumental Hasidic commentary by Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter, explores Jacob's institution of Maariv and the transformative power of personal will and spiritual effort.
The Debate Over the Nighttime Prayer
REFERENCE
The debate over whether the nighttime prayer is obligatory or voluntary underscores the dynamic nature of Jewish law and the importance of communal discussion among scholars. This text recounts the differing opinions of Rabban Gamliel II and Rabbi Joshua on the status of the nighttime prayer, reflecting the need for resolution in Jewish practice.
The Obligatory Nature of Ma’ariv
COMMENTARY
The debate over whether Ma’ariv is obligatory or voluntary may hinge on whether Jewish prayers are based on the patriarchs or the Temple sacrifices. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks explores this debate in his essay, providing insights into the historical and theological underpinnings of the evening prayer.
The Unique Timing of the Evening Prayer
GUIDES
The evening prayer (Arvit) is unique in that it does not have a specified time like other prayers, reflecting its distinct historical and spiritual significance. Adin Steinsaltz explores the flexibility and essence of Arvit, tying it to the transition from day to night and the recitation of the Shema.
The Reflective Evening Shema
JEWISH THOUGHT
The evening Shema and its blessings offer a reflective conclusion to the day's spiritual journey, emphasizing rest and renewal. In his 18th-century work, Derekh Hashem, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto explains how the evening Shema serves as a shorter, reflective counterpart to the morning Shema, including a specific blessing for rest and sleep.
Timing the Evening Shema
HALAKHAH
The timing of the Keriat Shema during Ma’ariv is crucial, as it ensures the fulfillment of a biblical commandment while accommodating practical human limitations. Rabbi Eliezer Melamed’s contemporary halakhic work explains the biblical and rabbinic guidelines for reciting the Keriat Shema at night.
"Evening prayer", Alphonse Levy (1883). Musée d'art et d'histoire du Judaïsme, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
"Evening prayer", Alphonse Levy (1883). Musée d'art et d'histoire du Judaïsme, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
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