Ahava rabbah
Encyclopedia
Ahava rabbah is a prayer and blessing that is recited by followers of Ashkenazi Judaism during Shacharit
(the morning religious services of Judaism
) immediately prior to the Shema, the "Hear O Israel..." prayer. Followers of Sephardi Judaism do not recite this prayer; instead they recite Ahavat Olam
, which is recited by Ashkenazim during Maariv
.
It was during the time of the Geonim
that the recitation of this prayer was added.
This prayer is an expression of thanks for the love God
has given the people. It thanks G-d for the gift of the Torah
, which provides life. and for making the Jewish people the chosen nation.
Ahava rabbah is recited during Shacharit, and Ahavat Olam
during Maariv as a compromise
. The Talmud
provides differing views on which one should be recited. Ahava Rabbah, being the longer of the two, is therefore recited in the morning, and Ahavat Olam in the evening.
Ahava rabbah is recited immediately before the Shema because its recital brings on the obligation to immediately learn, or at the very least, recite verses from the Torah. Since the Shema is composed of verses from the Torah, its recital fulfills that obligation.
The recitation of Ahava Rabbah fulfills the mitzvah of Torah
study. Normally, verses from the Torah are recited during Birkat HaShachar
. But if one forgets to recite these verses then, the obligation is met through the recitation of Ahava Rabbah. However, the recitation of the Shema does not meet this requirement, even thought it is composed of verses from the Torah.
It is during Ahava rabbah in which the four corners of the tzitzit
are gathered, which occurs at the words "Bring us peace at the four corners of the earth." They are held throughout the Shema and kissed four times during the third paragraph of the Shema and once during Vayatziv (the paragraph following the Shema) and then released. The gathering of the tzitzit on these words is symbolic of the gathering of the Jewish people
The prayer contains multiple requests to God. One of them is being enlightened to the Torah is a part of the prayer. Another is that G-d to protect us from shame
. It is stated that those who cleave to a life of mitzvot
will not be shamed. Another is that the Jewish people are gathered from the four corners of the world and returned to Israel.
Shacharit
Shacharit is the the daily morning Tefillah of the Jewish people, one of the three times there is prayer each day.Shacharit is said to have been established by the patriarch Abraham when he prayed in the morning...
(the morning religious services of Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
) immediately prior to the Shema, the "Hear O Israel..." prayer. Followers of Sephardi Judaism do not recite this prayer; instead they recite Ahavat Olam
Ahavat Olam
Ahavat Olam is the second prayer that is recited during Maariv. It is the parallel blessing to Ahava Rabbah that is recited during Shacharit, and likewise, is an expression to G-d for the gift of the Torah....
, which is recited by Ashkenazim during Maariv
Maariv
Maariv is a Hebrew language daily newspaper published in Israel. It is second in sales after Yedioth Ahronoth and third in readership after Yedioth Ahronoth and Israel HaYom. In a TGI survey comparing the last half of 2009 with the same period in 2008, Maariv saw its market share fall slightly...
.
It was during the time of the Geonim
Geonim
Geonim were the presidents of the two great Babylonian, Talmudic Academies of Sura and Pumbedita, in the Abbasid Caliphate, and were the generally accepted spiritual leaders of the Jewish community world wide in the early medieval era, in contrast to the Resh Galuta who wielded secular authority...
that the recitation of this prayer was added.
This prayer is an expression of thanks for the love God
Names of God in Judaism
In Judaism, the name of God is more than a distinguishing title; it represents the Jewish conception of the divine nature, and of the relationship of God to the Jewish people and to the world. To demonstrate the sacredness of the names of God, and as a means of showing respect and reverence for...
has given the people. It thanks G-d for the gift of the Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
, which provides life. and for making the Jewish people the chosen nation.
Ahava rabbah is recited during Shacharit, and Ahavat Olam
Ahavat Olam
Ahavat Olam is the second prayer that is recited during Maariv. It is the parallel blessing to Ahava Rabbah that is recited during Shacharit, and likewise, is an expression to G-d for the gift of the Torah....
during Maariv as a compromise
Compromise
To compromise is to make a deal where one person gives up part of his or her demand.In arguments, compromise is a concept of finding agreement through communication, through a mutual acceptance of terms—often involving variations from an original goal or desire.Extremism is often considered as...
. The Talmud
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
provides differing views on which one should be recited. Ahava Rabbah, being the longer of the two, is therefore recited in the morning, and Ahavat Olam in the evening.
Ahava rabbah is recited immediately before the Shema because its recital brings on the obligation to immediately learn, or at the very least, recite verses from the Torah. Since the Shema is composed of verses from the Torah, its recital fulfills that obligation.
The recitation of Ahava Rabbah fulfills the mitzvah of Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
study. Normally, verses from the Torah are recited during Birkat HaShachar
Birkat HaShachar
Birkot hashachar or Birkot haShachar are a series of blessings that are recited at the beginning of Jewish morning services...
. But if one forgets to recite these verses then, the obligation is met through the recitation of Ahava Rabbah. However, the recitation of the Shema does not meet this requirement, even thought it is composed of verses from the Torah.
It is during Ahava rabbah in which the four corners of the tzitzit
Tzitzit
The Hebrew noun tzitzit is the name for specially knotted ritual fringes worn by observant Jews. Tzitzit are attached to the four corners of the tallit and tallit katan.-Etymology:The word may derive from the semitic root N-TZ-H...
are gathered, which occurs at the words "Bring us peace at the four corners of the earth." They are held throughout the Shema and kissed four times during the third paragraph of the Shema and once during Vayatziv (the paragraph following the Shema) and then released. The gathering of the tzitzit on these words is symbolic of the gathering of the Jewish people
The prayer contains multiple requests to God. One of them is being enlightened to the Torah is a part of the prayer. Another is that G-d to protect us from shame
Shame
Shame is, variously, an affect, emotion, cognition, state, or condition. The roots of the word shame are thought to derive from an older word meaning to cover; as such, covering oneself, literally or figuratively, is a natural expression of shame....
. It is stated that those who cleave to a life of mitzvot
Mitzvah
The primary meaning of the Hebrew word refers to precepts and commandments as commanded by God...
will not be shamed. Another is that the Jewish people are gathered from the four corners of the world and returned to Israel.