However, by the beginning of the geonic period, and with the assemblage of the first complete liturgy for the synagogue- Seder Rav Amram Gaon in the ninth century-the content of all three services expanded significantly in both breadth and depth. Though a consensus was never reached, rabbinic authorities agreed that three daily services are the basic requirement of Jewish daily prayer.įor the majority of the rabbinic period, when the Mishnah, Talmud, and other early rabbinic sources refer to “ tefillah,” they are always specifically referring to the Amidah prayer.įor much of the rabbinic period, the three services most likely only consisted of the Amidah and nothing else. Shacharit corresponds to the morning offering, Minhah corresponds to the afternoon offering, Maariv corresponds to an offering made on the evening, and Musaf corresponds to an offering brought on certain special occasions. In opposition, Rabbi Joshua ben Levi cites Rabbi Hanina, who says that the three daily prayer services were instituted in accordance with the daily sacrifices of the Temple period (Berakhot 26b). Rabbi Yose bar Rabbi Hanina says that the weekday prayers were instituted by the patriarchs: Shacharit by Abraham, Minhah by Isaac, and Maariv by Jacob. The Babylonian Talmud also declares that men should pray three times a day, and a famous dispute emerges about the origins of this practice. The Mishnah records that there are three daily services, each connected to a particular time of day (Mishnah Berakhot 4:1). Origins of the Daily Prayer Servicesīy the talmudic period, the institution of praying three times day was an assumed part of Jewish life. In traditional Jewish practice, the daily tefillot or prayers are divided into three separate services: Shacharit (the morning service), Mincha (the afternoon service), and Maariv (the evening service). My Jewish Learning is a not-for-profit and relies on your help Donate
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