What You Can (and Can’t) Pray for on Shabbat

Shabbat is a sacred time set aside for rest, renewal, and spiritual connection. This guide explores key halachic (Jewish legal) principles on Shabbat prayer practices, helping readers understand how to respect the day’s sanctity while still engaging in meaningful personal and communal tefillah (prayer).

Can You Pray for Spiritual Success on Shabbat?

Jewish law generally prohibits praying for physical or material needs on Shabbat, such as for health or livelihood, because such prayers reflect personal distress, which contradicts the peaceful spirit of the day (Mishnah Berurah 288:22). However, there is debate about whether it is permitted to pray for spiritual growth, like increased wisdom or connection to Torah.

Some authorities allow prayers for spiritual matters if they don’t stem from emotional pain or distress (Shulchan Aruch HaRav 288:6). But if a spiritual issue is also causing distress, many rule that even those prayers should be avoided. For those who do allow it, the best time to include such a prayer is at the end of the silent Amidah, before reciting the final "Yihyu L’ratzon."

Early Friday Night Services: When and How

On weekdays, praying the evening service (Ma’ariv) before nightfall is acceptable only in pressing circumstances. On Shabbat, however, it is entirely permissible to begin Ma’ariv early, after a certain halachic time called “plag hamincha.” This is because welcoming Shabbat through prayer is considered equivalent to the actual onset of night (Shulchan Aruch 267:2).

However, one must first complete the afternoon Mincha prayer before plag hamincha to avoid conflicting practices. If Mincha was not recited early, Ma’ariv should wait until nightfall. In urgent situations, some leniencies apply, particularly in Sephardic communities.

Responding to “Barchu” Before Praying Mincha

If someone enters a synagogue on Friday night and hears the call of “Barchu” during Ma’ariv but hasn’t yet prayed Mincha, may they respond?

According to Shulchan Aruch (263:15), answering “Barchu” signifies accepting Shabbat, which then prevents the person from reciting the weekday Mincha due to conflicting statuses. Even if one doesn’t intend to accept Shabbat by answering, many authorities still consider it binding. Therefore, one should avoid responding if they haven't yet prayed Mincha.

This applies whether the “Barchu” is said at the beginning or end of the service, as both have the same status in halachah.

Changing Customs

If a Sephardic Jew visits an Ashkenazic synagogue where the custom is to sit during the singing of Lecha Dodi, should he follow his own custom and stand?

Even among Sephardic communities, there is no halachic obligation to stand during Lecha Dodi. Therefore, one should not stand among a congregation that follows the Ashkenazi custom of sitting.

And even if there were a halachic basis for standing, it is not appropriate to act differently from the local custom. As taught in Masechet Derech Eretz (chapter 4, halacha 5): “One should not stand among those who are sitting, nor sit among those who are standing… In general, a person should not behave differently from the community."

Behavior and Distractions During Shabbat Prayer

Respecting the sanctity of prayer means avoiding distractions. For example, it's forbidden to read Shabbat pamphlets or Torah newsletters during tefillah, even outside the Shema and Amidah, especially during key moments like Kaddish (Mishnah Berurah 56:1). However, one may read them during synagogue fundraising auctions or similar pauses.

Distributors of these pamphlets need not worry. If the material includes a clear warning not to read during prayer, they are not responsible for those who ignore it. Distributing these pamphlets is still a valuable form of spreading Torah learning.

Conclusion:
Shabbat prayers are an opportunity to step away from the weekday grind and elevate our souls. Knowing when and how to pray, especially regarding spiritual requests, early services, and respectful behavior, helps us keep Shabbat special.