Morning Prayer
We begin the morning prayer as on every Sabbath: “Korbanot”, “Psalms of Praise”, and “Shema”. In the “Amidah” prayer, we recite the “Shalosh Regalim” prayer, and afterwards say the full “Hallel”.
For the “Torah Reading” we bring out two Torah scrolls. In the first scroll, five people are called up to the Torah, and in it we read the portion of “Matan Torah” and the “Ten Commandments” from the portion of “Yitro”.
Reading the “Ten Commandments”
In the center of the “Torah Reading”, we read the story of the Mount Sinai event and receiving the “Ten Commandments” from God. These verses are read in a special melody, and the entire congregation is to stand on its feet and face the direction of the reading platform. It is customary to honor the synagogue or community rabbi with this aliyah.
In the second scroll, one person is called up for the “Maftir”, and in it we read a section dealing with the festival sacrifices from the portion of “Pinchas”.
The “Haftarah” of the holiday is taken from the book of “Ezekiel”, and is called “Maaseh Merkavah” – a heavenly and ‘mysterious’ description that describes what happens in the heavens and the ways of God’s providence.
Remembrance of Souls
After reading the Torah, we recite a special prayer in memory of the souls of departed relatives called “Yizkor”. Anyone whose parents are still alive leaves the synagogue, and only those who have lost a father, mother, or both, remain inside. The content of the prayer is that God ‘remembers’ the soul of the departed, that his/her soul enters paradise, and we will give charity in elevation of their souls after the holiday.
Mussaf Prayer
We recite the “Mussaf of Shalosh Regalim” prayer, and include in it the sections relevant to the Shavuot holiday.
In the “Mussaf” prayer, the Kohanim bless the congregation with the “Priestly Blessing”. On holidays, during the Priestly Blessing, an additional prayer is added – whose content is that all our dreams will be for the good – which begins with the words “Master of the World”. This prayer is recited by the congregation while the priests ‘chant’ the words: “May He grant you peace”, at the end of the “Priestly Blessing”.
After the “Mussaf” prayer, we recite “Aleinu L’Shabeach” and “Shesh Zichorot” and finish the prayer. Afterwards, we usually recite the chapters of “Psalms” as they are divided into days of the month.
Holiday Meals
It is customary to eat dairy foods at the holiday meal, but since it is also a mitzvah to eat meat, we therefore make two meals: a dairy meal, and after a complete break of a full hour, a meat meal.
The “Kiddush” order:
- Holding the cup – as in every Kiddush. We recite the verse “These are the appointed festivals of the Lord, holy convocations, which you shall proclaim in their appointed season”, continue with “Creator of the fruit of the vine” and drink the wine.
- At the dairy meal, we can eat kinds of pastries and the like, without the need to “wash hands” and eat challah. After the meal, we recite the “After Blessing” – “Al Hamichya”, clean the table, and make a break of an hour between meals.
- For the main and meat meal, we “wash hands” for the meal, exactly as we practiced on the eve of the festival.
- The blessings “HaMotzi” are said over two complete loaves of bread. Then, the festive meal is eaten, and at its conclusion, the “Birkat HaMazon” is recited, with the addition of “Ya’aleh VeYavo” and “Harachaman” for the holiday.
Mincha Prayer
The beginning of the Mincha prayer is said like every Sabbath, but without Torah reading.
We say “Korbanot”, then “Ashrei” and “Uva Letzion”. In the Amidah prayer, we say the “Tefillat Shalosh Regalim” and finish with “Aleinu L’Shabeach”.
Maariv Prayer
The Maariv prayer is recited as on any weekday, but in the Amidah prayer, we add “Atah Chonantanu”. Then, the prayer concludes with “Aleinu L’Shabeach”.
Havdalah
After the Maariv prayer, everyone returns home and conducts “Havdalah”. The formula for “Havdalah” is the same as every Saturday night: we start with saying “Hineh El Yeshuati” and continue until “Hamavdil Bein Kodesh L’Chol”.
The difference is that in this “Havdalah” we do not bless over the “Besamim” and the “Meorei HaEsh”, therefore, there is no need for spices and a candle.
