Hilchos Tefilah and Birkat Kohanim – Chapter 2: The Structure of the Amidah: Variations for Seasons, Sabbaths, Festivals, and Special Days
Halachah 1 — The Nineteenth Blessing
In the time of Rabban Gamliel, heretics increased and sought to harm Israel and turn Jews away from God.
Therefore, he and his court instituted an additional blessing in the Amidah asking God to destroy the heretics.
As a result, the daily Amidah now contains nineteen blessings.
Halachah 2 — When to Recite the Full Amidah or an Abbreviated Version
Under normal circumstances, one must recite all nineteen blessings daily in their proper order.
However, if a person is distracted, distressed, or unable to pray fluently, he fulfills his obligation by reciting:
- the first three blessings,
- one abbreviated blessing summarizing all middle blessings,
- and the last three blessings.
Halachah 3 — Text of the Abbreviated Middle Blessing
The Sages formulated a single comprehensive blessing that includes:
- wisdom,
- repentance,
- forgiveness,
- redemption,
- healing,
- prosperity,
- ingathering of exiles,
- judgment,
- destruction of the wicked,
- rebuilding Jerusalem,
- restoration of the Davidic monarchy,
- and God’s responsiveness to prayer.
This blessing concludes with “Blessed are You, God, Who hears prayer.”
Halachah 4 — When the Abbreviated Blessing May Not Be Used
The abbreviated blessing may be recited only in summer.
In winter, one must mention the request for rain in the blessing of prosperity, so the abbreviated version may not be used.
Likewise, on Saturday night or after festivals, it may not be used because Havdalah must be included in the blessing of knowledge.
Halachah 5 — Amidah on Sabbaths and Festivals
On Sabbaths and festivals, one recites seven blessings:
- the first three,
- the last three,
- and one middle blessing relevant to the day.
Each day has its specific concluding formula (Sabbath, festival, Rosh Hashanah, or a combination thereof).
Halachah 6 — Musaf of Rosh Hashanah
In the Musaf prayer of Rosh Hashanah, one recites nine blessings:
- the first three,
- the last three,
- and three special middle blessings:
- Malchuyot (God’s kingship),
- Zichronot (God’s remembrance),
- Shofarot (the shofar).
Each blessing has its own concluding formula.
Halachah 7 — Yom Kippur Prayers
On Yom Kippur, one recites seven blessings in each of the five prayers of the day.
The middle blessing concludes with:
- “Who sanctifies Israel and the Day of Atonement,” or, if it is Shabbat,
- “Who sanctifies the Sabbath, Israel, and the Day of Atonement.”
Halachah 8 — Jubilee Year Fast
On ordinary fast days, the usual Amidah structure applies.
However, on the Fast of the Jubilee Year, one recites a Musaf of nine blessings, identical to the Musaf of Rosh Hashanah.
This applies only when the Jubilee Year is in force.
Halachah 9 — Verses Before and After the Amidah
Before beginning the Amidah, one recites:
“God, open my lips…”
After concluding, one recites:
“May the utterances of my mouth…”
and then takes three steps backward.
Halachah 10 — Rosh Chodesh and Chol HaMoed
On Rosh Chodesh and Chol HaMoed:
- the weekday prayers contain nineteen blessings,
- with the insertion of “Ya’aleh v’Yavo” in the Avodah.
Musaf differs:
- On Chol HaMoed, the Musaf of the festival is recited.
- On Rosh Chodesh, Musaf consists of seven blessings, concluding with
“Who sanctifies Israel and the New Moons.”
Halachah 11 — Sabbath Combined with Rosh Chodesh or Chol HaMoed
On such days:
- Evening, Morning, and Minchah follow the seven‑blessing Sabbath Amidah with Ya’aleh v’Yavo added.
- Musaf combines the themes of Sabbath and the day, with the appropriate concluding formula.
Halachah 12 — Havdalah in Prayer
When a festival begins on Saturday night, one inserts Havdalah into the blessing of knowledge in the Evening Prayer.
Throughout the year, Havdalah is likewise included in that blessing on Saturday night, even when also recited over wine.
Halachah 13 — Chanukah and Purim
On Chanukah and Purim, one adds “Al HaNissim” in the blessing of thanksgiving.
When Chanukah falls on Shabbat, this insertion is made in Musaf as well.
Halachah 14 — Fast Days
On fast days:
- an individual adds “Answer us” in “Who hears prayer.”
- the prayer leader recites it as a separate blessing, making twenty blessings.
On Tisha B’Av, a special lament is added in “Who rebuilds Jerusalem.”
Halachah 15 — Mentioning Rain or Dew
In the rainy season, one says “Who causes the rain to fall.”
In summer, one says “Who causes the dew to descend.”
The transition points are:
- rain: from Shemini Atzeret Musaf to Pesach morning,
- dew: from Pesach Musaf onward.
Halachah 16 — Petitioning for Rain
In Eretz Yisrael, one begins requesting rain on 7 Mar Cheshvan.
In Babylonia and nearby lands, the request begins 60 days after the autumnal equinox.
Halachah 17 — Unusual Climates
In places that require rain in summer, one petitions for rain when needed, in “Who hears prayer.”
Mention of rain always begins on Shemini Atzeret, even where Yom Tov is observed for two days.
Halachah 18 — Changes During the Ten Days of Repentance
During the Ten Days of Repentance:
- “the Holy God” becomes “the Holy King,”
- “the King who loves righteousness and justice” becomes “the King of Justice.”
Halachah 19 — Additional Insertions in the Ten Days
Some communities add special supplications during these days, including:
- “Remember us for life,”
- “Who is like You, Merciful Father,”
- additions in Modim and Sim Shalom,
- and extended prayers in the third blessing.
On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, these additions are universally accepted.
