DVAR HALACHA 28

DVAR HALACHA 28

The Shulchan Aruch in siman reish samech ches, seif vav rules that if a person accidentally davened the Friday night, Shacharis, or Minchah Shabbos Shemoneh Esrei in place of one of the others, he does not repeat the Shemoneh Esrei. However, if he mistakenly said one of these tefillos in place of Musaf, or vice versa, he is not yotzei and must daven the correct Shemoneh Esrei.

The Mishnah Berurah in seif katan yud daled explains that the three Shabbos tefillos of Maariv, Shacharis, and Minchah all share the same essential middle berachah, beginning with "Retzei b'menuchaseinu" and concluding with "Mekadesh HaShabbos." Musaf, on the other hand, centers on the Korban Musaf. Since it is a completely different tefillah with a different purpose, it is not interchangeable with the other three.

The Mishnah Berurah adds that one does not need to correct his tefillah, only if he realized his mistake after saying Hashem's Name in the concluding berachah. If he noticed his mistake beforehand, he should return to the proper nusach of "Atah Kidashta," "Yismach Moshe," or "Atah Echad", and continue from there.

The Tur in siman reish tzadi beis asks if the essential berachah is the same in all three Shabbos tefillos, why did Chazal compose three different introductions? Why not establish one Shabbos Shemoneh Esrei for all three tefillos, as they did on Yom Tov?

He explains that each of the three Shabbos tefillos corresponds to a different special "Shabbos."

Friday night begins with "Atah Kidashta," describing Ma'aseh Bereishis. Shabbos first proclaims Hashem as the Creator of Shomayim v’aretz and reminds us that the entire universe exists because He willed it into existence.

Shacharis begins with "Yismach Moshe," recalling Matan Torah. Here our relationship with Hashem deepens. He is no longer only the Creator of the world, but the Giver of the Torah, Who chose Klal Yisrael and established a unique relationship with them.

Minchah begins with "Atah Echad." It looks ahead to l'Asid Lavo, when Hashem's Oneness will be revealed to all mankind, and the purpose behind Creation and Matan Torah will become completely clear.

The Avudraham offers a different perspective. He explains that the progression of the three Shabbos tefillos parallels the relationship between a chosson and kallah.

On Friday night, we say "Atah Kidashta" and "Veyanuchu bah." This corresponds to the beginning of the marriage, the kiddushin, when the kallah has become connected to the chosson but still remains in her father's home.

By Shacharis, we say "Yismach Moshe" and "Veyanuchu vo." This corresponds to the joy of the chasunah itself, when the chosson takes center stage.

By Minchah, we say "Atah Echad" and "Veyanuchu vam." At this point, the chosson and kallah have entered yichud, representing the complete unity between Hashem and Klal Yisrael that Shabbos is meant to create.

Good Shabbos,

 Rabbi Reuven Eidlitz

Yeshiva Eitz Chaim, Monsey NY 

This dvar halacha is l’zchus refuah sheleima for Avraham ben Chaya Leah and Shmuel Avigdor ben Rivka b’soch sha’ar choley Yisroel