Mussaf (also spelled
Musaf) is an
additional service that is recited on
Shabbat,
Yom Tov,
Chol Hamoed, and
Rosh Chodesh. The service, which is traditionally combined with the
Shacharit in
synagogues, is considered to be additional to the regular services of Shacharit,
Mincha, and
Maariv.
During the days of the Beit Hamikdash, additional offerings were offered on these festive days. Mussaf is presently recited in lieu of these offerings.
Mussaf refers to both the full service (which includes the Amidah and all prayers that follow that are normally recited during Shacharit) and the Amidah itself that is recited for Mussaf. The main addition is a fourth recitation of the Amidah specially for these days. It is permissible to recite the Mussaf prayer at any time during the day on these days. Nevertheless, the tradition is that it be recited immediately following Shacharit as a combined service.
Etymology
The name "Mussaf" refers to
addition, since it is an additional prayer service recited on festive days that is taking the place of additional offerings that were once made on these days. It is related to the name
Joseph (
Yosef).
Beliefs of movements
Orthodox
Orthodox Judaism is most active at reciting Mussaf, including it as part of the regular prayer service on the days it is recited.
Conservative
In
Conservative Judaism, Mussaf is recited but has been adapted. The liturgy has been changed, identifying the State of
Israel as the Jewish homeland, but recognizing the
Temple only as historical and not as a structure that will one day be restored.
Reform
Reform Judaism completely omits Mussaf. There are two reasons why the Reform movement has decided not to include Mussaf. One is that it would involve reciting some prayers four times in a row. The other is their lack of belief in sacrifices as a legitimate way to become close to G-d.
Mussaf by day
Rosh Chodesh
During Shabbat and Yom Tov,
Tefillin are not worn at all. But on Rosh Chodesh, they are worn during Shacharit, and they are removed prior to Mussaf.
During leap years on the Hebrew calendar, a verse is inserted for the atonement of willful sin.
Rosh Hashanah
On most days Mussaf is recited, the Amidah contains seven blessings - the three at the beginning and three at the end of every Amidah, and one in the middle in regards to the particular day. But on
Rosh Hashanah, the Amidah contains nine blessings. The three middle blessings are in reference to
Kingship,
Rememberance, and the
Shofar blowings.
While not required, the shofar is traditionally blown during Mussaf as well as Shacharit in order to confound the Satan.
Simchat Torah
On most Jewish holidays in the
Diaspora,
Birkat Kohanim is recited during the chazzan's repetition during Mussaf. But on
Simchat Torah, it is recited during Shacharit. This is because there is a tradition to drink prior to Mussaf, and Birkat Kohanim cannot be performed by drunk Kohanim
Prayers included
The
Mussaf service starts with the silent recitation of the
Amidah. It is followed by a second public recitation that includes an additional reading known as the
Kedushah. This is followed by the
Tikanta Shabbat reading on the holiness of
Shabbat, and then by a reading from the biblical
Book of Numbers about the sacrifices that used to be performed in the
Temple in Jerusalem. Next comes
Yismechu, "They shall rejoice in Your sovereignty";
Eloheynu, "Our God and God of our Ancestors, may you be pleased with our rest"; and
Retzei, "Be favorable, our God, toward your people Israel and their prayer, and restore services to your Temple."
After the Amidah comes the full Kaddish, followed by Ein ke'eloheinu. In Orthodox Judaism this is followed by a reading from the Talmud on the incense offering called Pittum Haketoreth and daily psalms that used to be recited in the Temple in Jerusalem. These readings are usually omitted by Conservative Jews, and are always omitted by Reform Jews.
The Musaf service culminates with the Rabbi's Kaddish, the Aleinu, and then the Mourner's Kaddish. Some synagogues conclude with the reading of An'im Zemirot, "The Hymn of Glory", Mourner's Kaddish, The psalm of the Day and either Adon Olam or Yigdal.
Do women recite Mussaf?
There is a debated over whether, in Orthodox Judaism, women are required to recite Mussaf, being that it is a time-bound commandment, and that women are only obligated to pray once a day. The Mussaf service contains only a commemorative mention of the sacrifices, and does not contain any personal requests, thereby making there be no special reason for women to recite it.
Nevertheless, women are permitted to recite Mussaf. On Rosh Hashanah, a woman who does not wish to remain in the synagogue for the Mussaf service must still listen to the shofar blowing.
Sefardic authorities feel a woman should come to the synagogue and listen to Mussaf, but not recite it.
On High Holidays, women are required to recite Mussaf and Ne'ila.
Offerings
The verses recited during the Mussaf Amidah (which are also read for the
Maftir on the corresponding days) are all derived from the
Book of Numbers chapters 28 and 29 (
Parshat Pinchat). The following additional offerings are commanded on each day Mussaf is recited. Due to the fact that Jewish holidays are observed two days in the
Diaspora rather than the one day commanded in the
Torah, the schedule for recitation is modified.
{|class="wikitable"
|-style="background-color:#DDDDDD;text-align:center;"
!Day
!Offerings
!Biblical verses
!Other notes
|-
|Shabbat
|Two lambs
2/10 meal offering of fine flour and olive oil
|Numbers 28:9-10
|
When Shabbat coincides with Yom Tov or Chol Hamoed, the Yom Tov Mussaf Amidah is recited with Shabbat verses inserted.
When Shabbat coincides with Rosh Chodesh, a special Shabbat-Rosh Chodesh Amidah is recited, beginning with the verse "Ata Yatzarta" and containing verses for the offerings of both.
|-
|
Rosh Chodesh
|Elevation offering
Two young bulls
One ram
Seven lambs
|Numbers 28:9-11
|
|-
|
PassoverDay 1
|Fire offering
Elevation offering
Two young bulls
One ram
Seven male lambs
|Numbers 28:16-19
|Recited days 1-2 in Diaspora
(
Nisan 15-16)
|-
|
PassoverDays 2-7
|Fire offering
Elevation offering
Two young bulls
One ram
Seven male lambs
|Numbers 28:19
|Recited on days 3-8 in Diaspora
(
Nisan 17-22)
|-
|
Shavuot
|Elevation offering
Two young bulls
One ram
Seven male lambs
|Numbers 28:26-27
|Recited two days in Diaspora
(
Sivan 6-7)
|-
|
Rosh Hashanah
|
|
|
|-
|
Yom Kippur
|
|
|
|-
|
SukkotDay 1
|Elevation offering
Fire offering
13 young bulls
2 rams
14 lambs
|Numbers 29:12-13
|Recited on first two days of Sukkot in Diaspora
(
Tishrei 15-16)
|-
|
SukkotDay 2
|12 young bulls
2 rams
14 lambs
|Numbers 29:17
|Recited on the first day of Chol Hamoed (third day of Sukkot) in the Diaspora
|-
|
SukkotDay 3
|11 young bulls
2 rams
14 lambs
|Numbers 29:20
|Recited on the first and second days of Chol Hamoed (third and fourth days of Sukkot) in the Diaspora
|-
|
SukkotDay 4
|10 young bulls
2 rams
14 lambs
|Numbers 29:23
|Recited on the second and third days of Chol Hamoed (fourth and fifth days of Sukkot) in the Diaspora
|-
|
SukkotDay 5
|9 young bulls
2 rams
14 lambs
|Numbers 29:26
|Recited on the third and fourth days of Chol Hamoed (fifth and sixth days of Sukkot) in the Diaspora
|-
|
SukkotDay 6
|8 young bulls
2 rams
14 lambs
|Numbers 29:29
|Recited on the fourth and fifth days of Chol Hamoed (sixth and seventh days of Sukkot) in the Diaspora
|-
|
SukkotDay 7
(
Hoshana Rabbah)
|7 young bulls
2 rams
14 lambs
|Numbers 29:32
|
|-
|
Shemini Atzeret/
Simchat Torah
|Elevation offering
Fire offering
one bull
one ram
7 lambs
|Numbers 29:35-36
|
|}
See also
Shacharit
Mincha
Maariv
Ne'ila
References
Category:Jewish services
