# Shacharit

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For the Israeli think tank, see [Shaharit (NPO)](/source/Shaharit_(NPO)).

***Shacharit*** ʃaχaˈʁit (Hebrew: שַחֲרִית *šaḥăriṯ*),[1] or ***Shacharis*** in [Ashkenazi Hebrew](/source/Ashkenazi_Hebrew), is the morning *[tefillah](/source/Jewish_prayer)* (prayer) of [Judaism](/source/Judaism), one of the three daily prayers.

Different traditions identify different primary components of *Shacharit*. Essentially all agree that *[pesukei dezimra](/source/Pesukei_dezimra)*, the [Shema](/source/Shema_Yisrael) and its [blessings](/source/Berakhah), and the *[Amidah](/source/Amidah)* are major sections. Some identify the preliminary blessings and readings, as a first, distinct section. Others say that [Tachanun](/source/Tachanun) is a separate section, as well as the concluding blessings.[2] On certain days, there are additional prayers and services added to shacharit, including [Mussaf](/source/Mussaf) and a [Torah reading](/source/Torah_reading).

## Etymology

*Shacharit* comes from the Hebrew root שחר (*shaħar*), meaning [dawn](/source/Dawn).

## Origin

According to tradition, *Shacharit* was identified as a time of prayer by [Abraham](/source/Abraham), as states, "Abraham arose early in the morning," which traditionally is the first *Shacharit*.[3] However, Abraham's prayer did not become a standardized prayer.

*Shacharit* was also instituted in part as a replacement of the daily morning [Temple service](/source/Temple_in_Jerusalem#Temple_services) after the destruction of the [Temple](/source/Temple_in_Jerusalem). The sages of the [Great Assembly](/source/Great_Assembly) may have formulated blessings and prayers that later became part of *Shacharit*,[4] however the [siddur](/source/Siddur), or prayerbook as we know it, was not fully formed until around the 7th century [CE](/source/Common_era). The prayers said still vary among congregations and [Jewish communities](/source/Jewish_ethnic_divisions).

## Service

See also: [Jewish prayer](/source/Jewish_prayer)

### Weekdays

During or before *Shacharit*, those Jews who wear [tallit](/source/Tallit) or [tefillin](/source/Tefillin) put them on, in each case accompanied by [blessings](/source/Berakhah).[5] Some do not eat until they have prayed.[6]

The main components of *Shacharit* are:

- [Birkot hashachar](/source/Birkot_hashachar), a series of blessings originally recited upon arising, now incorporated into the prayer service.
- [*Korbanot*](/source/Korban#The_korbanot_section_of_prayer), a series of recitations related to the Temple sacrifices.
- *[Pesukei dezimra](/source/Pesukei_dezimra)*, a series of psalms, hymns, and prayers. *Pesukei dezimra* is said so that an individual will have praised God before making requests, which might be considered rude.
- The *[Shema Yisrael](/source/Shema_Yisrael)* and its related blessings. One should "concentrate on fulfilling the positive commandment of reciting the *Shema*" before reciting it. One should be sure to say it clearly and not to slur words together.[7]
- [Amidah](/source/Amidah) (*Shemoneh Esreh*), a series of 19 blessings. The blessings cover a variety of topics such as [Jerusalem](/source/Jerusalem), crops, and prayer.
- [Tachanun](/source/Tachanun), a supplication consisting of a collection of passages from the [Hebrew Bible](/source/Tanakh) (Tanakh). A longer version is recited on Mondays and Thursdays. Tachanun is omitted on holidays and other celebratory days on the civil calendar.
- On certain holidays, [Hallel](/source/Hallel) is recited.
- [Torah reading](/source/Torah_reading) (on certain days)
- [Ashrei](/source/Ashrei) and [Uva letzion](/source/Uva_letzion)
- [Aleinu](/source/Aleinu) and [Shir shel yom](/source/Shir_shel_yom)

[Kaddish](/source/Kaddish) is recited between most of the above sections.

### Shabbat and holidays

Various changes to the Shacharit service take place on Shabbat and holidays:

- In *[Pesukei dezimra](/source/Pesukei_dezimra)*, most communities omit [Psalm 100](/source/Psalm_100) (*Mizmor LeTodah*, the psalm for the thanksgiving offering), because the *todah* or thanksgiving [offering](/source/Korbanot) could not be offered on [Shabbat](/source/Shabbat) in the days of the [Temple in Jerusalem](/source/Temple_in_Jerusalem).[8] Its place is taken in the [Ashkenazi](/source/Ashkenazi) tradition by Psalms , , , , , , , , . [Sephardic](/source/Sephardi) Jews maintain a different order, add several psalms and two religious poems.
- The *[Nishmat](/source/Nishmat)* prayer is recited at the end of the *Pesukei D'Zimrah*, as an expansion of the weekday *Yishtabah* blessing.
- The blessings before *Shema* are expanded, and include the hymn *El Adon*, which is often sung communally.
- The intermediate 13 blessings of the [Amidah](/source/Amidah) are replaced by a single blessing on the topic of Shabbat or the holiday. In [Nusach Ashkenaz](/source/Nusach_Ashkenaz) (and [Nusach Sefard](/source/Nusach_Sefard)) the [Kedushah](/source/Kedushah_(prayer)) (recited during the [Hazzan](/source/Hazzan)'s repetition of the third Amidah blessing) is significantly expanded; in the Sephardic rite, it is recited in the same form as on weekdays.
- After the repetition is concluded, some recite the [Shir shel yom](/source/Shir_shel_yom) (others recite it at the end of the [Mussaf](/source/Mussaf) service)
- A [Torah reading](/source/Torah_reading) always takes place on Shabbat and holidays. In the Eastern Ashkenazic rite, the prayers surrounding the reading are much longer than on weekdays, but in the Western Ashkenazic rite, they are almost identical. The [weekly portion](/source/Parsha) is read, divided into at least seven Aliyot (plus a "maftir" Aliyah), followed by the *[haftarah](/source/Haftarah)*.
- In [Nusach Ashkenaz](/source/Nusach_Ashkenaz) (and [Nusach Sefard](/source/Nusach_Sefard)), prayers for the community are recited after the [Torah](/source/Torah) reading: *[Yekum Purkan](/source/Yekum_Purkan)*, as well as the subsequent *[Mi sheberakh](/source/Mi_sheberakh)*, a blessing for the leaders and patrons of the synagogue. In the Western Ashkenazic rite, the *Mi sheberakh* is omitted on the [Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh](/source/Special_Shabbat#Shabbat_Mevorchim).
- In some communities, prayers are then recited for the government of the country, for peace, and/or for the State of [Israel](/source/Israel). On the Shabbat before [Rosh Chodesh](/source/Rosh_Chodesh) (*Shabbat mevorchim*) a special prayer blessing the new month is recited.
- After these prayers, [Ashrei](/source/Ashrei) is repeated and the Torah scroll is returned to the Ark in a procession through the Synagogue. Many congregations allow children to come to the front in order to kiss the scroll as it passes.

This is followed by the [Mussaf](/source/Mussaf) service, which generally is recited immediately after Shacharit.

## Timing

See also: [Zmanim](/source/Zmanim)

According to [Jewish law](/source/Jewish_law), the earliest time to recite the morning service is when there is enough natural light "one can see a familiar acquaintance six feet away." It is a subjective standard. The usual time for this prayer service is between sunrise and a third of the day. If one missed a third of the day, it may be recited until astronomical noon, referred to as *chatzot.*[9] After that (technically, half an hour after *chatzot*), the afternoon service ([mincha](/source/Mincha)) can be recited.

## See also

- [Mandaean prayer at dawn](/source/Daily_prayer_in_Mandaeism)
- *[Fajr](/source/Fajr)*
- [List of Jewish prayers and blessings](/source/List_of_Jewish_prayers_and_blessings)
- *[Suhur](/source/Suhur)*

## References

1. Shachrith (Hebrew: שַׁחרִית) – with a שוא נח – in the [Yemenite tradition](/source/Yemenite_Hebrew).

1. ["What is Shacharit?"](http://www.askmoses.com/en/article/287,134/What-is-Shacharit.html). Askmoses.com. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003603/http://www.askmoses.com/en/article/287,134/What-is-Shacharit.html) March 4, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2013-04-07.

1. ["Daily Services"](http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/services.html). Jewishvirtuallibrary.org. Retrieved 2013-04-07.

1. Mishneh Torah, Laws of Prayer 1:4

1. [Isaac Klein](/source/Isaac_Klein), *A Guide to Jewish Religious Practice*, Ktav Publishing House, 1979, p.4-5

1. ["Eating and Drinking Before Amud HaShachar"](https://ph.yhb.org.il/en/02-12-08/). *Peninei Halakhah*. Retrieved 3 May 2026.

1. The Artscroll Siddur, Second Edition

1. In the [Italian Nusach](/source/Italian_Nusach), however, this psalm is recited only on the Sabbath and holidays and omitted on weekdays.

1. ["Torah Tidbits – Shabbat Parshat B'chuotai"](https://archive.today/20120907201054/http://www.ou.org/torah/tt/5763/bechukotai63/print.htm). Orthodox Union Israel Center. Archived from [the original](http://www.ou.org/torah/tt/5763/bechukotai63/print.htm) on 2012-09-07.

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