Dear Friends:
~
Once again we are going to be experiencing a Yom Tov under unusual circumstances. Because of the pandemic, we are unable to join together to Daven in Shul. But even if we cannot come together as a Tzibbur, Hashem still wants to hear our T'fillos. Please see below or attached a day-by-day guide to the Davening and Minhagim of Shavuos, tailored specifically to the current situation.
We pray that this difficult situation ends soon and we can meet each other once again in our beautiful Shul.
שבועות תש"פ
Erev Shavuos
● עירוב תבשילין (Eiruv Tavshilin) should be prepared.
● 8:31 pm: הדלקת נרות- Candle lighting - for Yom Tov with Shehechiyanu
First Day of Shavuos
Thursday Night
● 9:39 pm: צאת הכוכבים (Tzeis HaKochavim). After this time, Maariv for Yom Tov with the proper insertions for Shavuos.
● Kiddush for Yom Tov with Shehecheyanu.
Daytime (Friday)
● 4:34 am: משיכיר - The earliest time for טלית (Tallis).
● One who stayed up for the entire night, should try to time Davening to reach the Amidah at נץ החמה (sunrise) - 5:40 am.
● B'rachos for one who stayed up the entire night:
○ If one slept for a half hour at night, even if it was in the course of learning, one may recite all of the B'rachos.
○ The B'rachah of N'tillas Yadayim may be recited when washing one’s hands (with a cup) after using the bathroom, provided it is after Alos HaShachar (3:45 am).
○ The B'rachah on Tallis (Gadol) may be recited. If someone doesn’t wear a Tallis and wants to fulfill the B'rachah on Tzitzis, one can either hear the B'rachah from someone who wears a Tallis or one can switch to a different pair of Tzitzis (either before or after Davening) and recite the B'rachah.
○ Elokai N'shamah and Hamaavir Sheinah are usually recited by someone who slept that night on behalf of those who didn’t. If nobody is available to recite those B'rachos, they are omitted. In such a situation, one should have in mind to fulfill the B'rachah of Elokai Neshama when reciting the B'rachah of M'chayeih HaMeisim in the Amidah. If a member of the household who didn’t stay up wakes up before the learner who stayed up the whole night goes to sleep, that person can recite these two B'rachos for the learner.
○ If one slept on Thursday afternoon (and certainly if one slept Thursday night), one may recite Birchos HaTorah. If not, one can listen to the B'rachos from someone who did sleep. If nobody is available to recite the B'rachos, one should have in mind to fulfill these B'rachos when reciting Ahavah Rabbah. If one fulfills these B'rachos with Ahavah Rabbah, one must learn a portion of Torah immediately after Davening without interruption (reading the Torah portion would count).
● ברכות קריאת שמע (Blessing of the Sh’ma) begin with המאיר לארץ.
● Shacharis Amidah for Yom Tov with the proper insertions for Shavuos followed by complete Hallel with its B'rachos.
● Shir Shel Yom for Friday.
● The Torah reading for the first day is בחדש השלישי (Sh'mos 19:1-20:23), the Maftir is וביום הבכורים (Bamidbar 28:26-31) and the Haftarah is from Yechezkel 1:1-28, 3:12.
● There is no requirement to recite Akdamus when Davening at home but one is permitted to do so.
● Mussaf Amidah for Yom Tov with the proper insertions for Shavuos.
● Minchah Amidah for Yom Tov with the proper insertions for Shavuos. Minchah should be recited before שקיעה (sunset) - 8:50 pm.
● If one is accepting Shabbos early, one should recite Minchah before before פלג המנחה
● (P'lag HaMinchah) - 7:15 pm. One cannot accept Shabbos before this time. Friday night candle lighting should take place after this time..
● The B'rachah for candle lighting is להדליק נר של שבת ויום טוב.
Second Day of Shavuos
Friday Night
● Abridged קבלת שבת is recited .
● We recite both ושמרו and וידבר before the Amidah.
● Maariv Amidah is for Yom Tov with proper insertions for Shavuos and Shabbos.
● Vay'chulu is recited after the Amidah followed by Aleinu.
● Kiddush for Yom Tov with proper Shabbos insertions. Kiddush begins with יום הששי. Shehecheyanu is recited.
Shabbos Day
● Birchos K'rias Sh’ma begin with הכל יודוך followed by ק-ל אדון.
● Shacharis Amidah for Yom Tov with the proper insertions for Shavuos and Shabbos, followed by complete Hallel with its B'rachos.
● מגילת רות (Megillas Rus) is traditionally recited with the Tzibbur at this point — The custom was clearly only for a Tzibbur. Nonetheless, one is allowed to read it without a Minyan.
● The Torah reading for the second day is עשר תעשר (Devarim 14:22-16:17), the Maftir is וביום הבכורים (Bamidbar 28:26-31) and the Haftarah is from Chabakuk 2:20-3:19. One may recite Yatziv Pisgam (though it is not required).
● יזכור (Yizkor) can be recited without a Minyan. One should pledge money to Tz'dakah before its recital.
● אב הרחמים (Av HaRachamim) should be recited (even if one does not recite Yizkor).
● Mussaf for Yom Tov with proper insertions for Shavuos and Shabbos.
● Minchah for Yom Tov with proper insertions for Shavuos and Shabbos.
● 8:51 pm: שקיעה (sunset)
● Shalosh S'udos should begin before Sh'kiah.
Motzaei Shabbos
● 9:41 pm: מוצש"ק וים טוב – Motzaei Shabbos and Yom Tov
● Weekday Amidah should be recited including Atah Chonantanu.
● ויהי נועם is recited.
● Kiddush L'vanah should be recited (weather permitting) if not already said.
● הבדלה (Havdalah) for a regular Motzaei Shabbos.
