Services - Contents

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Services are held in the synagogue every day. Morning (shacharit), afternoon (minchah) and evening (maariv) services are held on ordinary days. An additional service (musaf), is held after the morning service on the Sabbath (Shabbat). Prayers are recited at each service. In addition, the Torah is read at morning services on Monday, Thursday, Shabbat and holidays.

Many practices vary among denominations, and even among congregations. In Orthodox synagogues, for instance, men and women sit in separate areas, but not in Conservative or Reform temples. Some Conservative congregations call women to read the Torah, while others do not allow it. All services, however, feature certain key elements based on traditions that are centuries old. These are described here, mainly from a Conservative perspective.

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Roles of the major prayers

Birkhot Hashachar | Pesukei De-Zimra | K'riat Sh'ma | Amidah | Aleinu | Kaddish

The meaning of ritual actions and garb

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Laws and customs governing public readings

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The distribution of honors

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Symbolism in the physical environment

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