Daily Halacha - How to Accept Shabbat?

How to Accept Shabbat?

According to the basic law, it is sufficient to have the thought "I accept Shabbat upon myself" and one may also accept it verbally [Mishnah Berurah 261, 21]. One who has accepted Shabbat verbally, such as by saying "I hereby accept Shabbat upon myself," is forbidden to perform work. In cases of great need, one may ask a friend to perform work on their behalf [Chazon Ovadiah Shabbat 1].

Someone who is late in praying Mincha on Friday evening, even if they finish their prayer after sunset, has not nullified the mitzvah of adding to Shabbat since they have refrained from work. Even if one verbally accepted Shabbat, they can stipulate that they are accepting Shabbat only regarding refraining from work and not for other matters [Chazon Ovadiah 1, 266].

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