Rosh Hashanah on Shabbos: Laws and Customs
The Weekly Chiddush | August 30, 2023
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Rosh Hashanah on Shabbos: Laws and Customs

The Weekly Chiddush | December 31, 2025

In the Amidah for each of the Tefillos, the insertions for Shabbos are included as noted in the Machzor.

Candle-lighting and Maariv

When lighting candles, the Bracha is להדליק נר של שבת ויום הזכרון.

Maariv starts with part of Kabbolas Shabbos. Some communities begin with Mizmor Shir Leyom Hashabbos after Lecha Dodi. Chabad custom, based on Nusach Sfard starts from Mizmor ledovid before Lecha Dodi.

After the Amidah, the Chazzan begins with Vayechulu. In the Bracha Me’ein Sheva, the words ל הקדוש-הא is substituted with המלך הקדוש. According to the Chabad Nusach, Kapitel 23 is recited followed by Barchu as is done every Friday night.

There are different customs on whether Shalom Aleichem is recited. Chabad custom is that Shalom Aleichem and Eishes Chayil and the Tikunei Shabbos prior to Kiddush are said quietly. The Siddur Yaavetz writes that the custom is that Shalom Aleichem should be said in a pleasant voice, but should not be sung as Rosh Hashanah is a day of judgment and we should be in a state of awe. There are different opinions on whether Azamer Bishvachin is recited.

In the Maariv Amidah on the second night we insert the Havdalah of Vatodienu. If one forgot to recite Vatodienu, they do not need to repeat the Amidah. However, they may not do any Melacha that is forbidden on Shabbos until they have recited the Havdalah in Kiddush or said Baruch Hamavdil Bein Kodesh Lekodesh.

Women and children who are not Davening need to recite Baruch Hamavdil before doing any Melacha that is forbidden on Shabbos and also before doing any preparation work for the second night meal.

Kiddush on the second night is the formula referred to as Yaknehaz that includes Havdalah for Shabbos in the Kiddush for Yomtov.

Shacharis

Some communities have different Piyutim that are included when Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbos and some Piyutim that are omitted. The Piyutim that are omitted should be recited on the second day. Chabad custom is that there is no change to the Piyutim recited, except for minor changes within the Piyut, such as changing from בשופר to בזכרון שופר and leaving out the paragraphs of שבח מגדל עוז.

According to Siddur Rav Amram Gaon and Raavan write that Avinu Malkeinu is still recited on Shabbos. This is the practise of the Sefardim. Ashkenazim follow the opinion of the Ram”o that we do not recite Avinu Malkeinu. The Acharonim explain that this is because we do not recite Techinos on Shabbos.

In some communities, the 13 Attributes and the Yehi Ratzon composed by the Ariza”l, are not recited when taking out the Sefer Torah. Chabad custom follows those who do recite the 13 Attributes on Shabbos, even though they are not recited on Yomtov that falls on Shabbos.

The Krias Hatorah is divided into 7 Aliyos. The Shofar is not sounded on Shabbos. After the Haftorah, the Chazzan begins with Yekum Purkan. Av Harachamim in not recited.

In the Musaf, the verses of the Korban Musaf of Shabbos are added, beginning with Uvyom Hashabbos. The passage Yisemechu is also added in the Musaf.

Bowing in Aleinu

There were communities who had the custom that when Rosh Hashanah fell on Shabbos, they would not bow down on the floor during Aleinu. One explanation is that bowing down is an expression of subservience that reflects our relationship with Hashem as a servant to their Master. This only applies on the weekdays. On Shabbos, a deeper level of our relationship with Hashem is revealed where we are like a son to their father and so we do not bow.

This also relates to one of the reasons why we do not blow the Shofar on Shabbos. The Shofar serves to confound and push away the accusations of the Satan. While someone may slander a servant to their master, they would be afraid to slander a son to their father. Since we do not have to fear the Satan, the Shofar is not required.

Chabad custom and that of most Kehillos, is to still bow down during Aleinu.

Shofar

When Rosh Hashana falls on Shabbos, the Shofar is not blown on the first day. Hayom Haras Olam is still recited on Shabbos in the repetition of the Amidah at the conclusion of each of the Brachos; Malchios, Zichronos and Shoafros. Areshes Sefaseinu is omitted.

Since the Shofar was not blown on the first day, on the second day, the Baal Tokeia does not require a new garment to avoid the doubt as to whether Shehecheyanu should be said.

On Shabbos, the Shofar has the Muktzah status of a Kli Shemlachti LeIssur. Therefore, it may be moved if its place is needed or to use for a permissible purpose. It may not be blown and may not be handled for reasons other than the above. It may not be moved to put it in a safe place so that it not get damaged.

Some Poskim write that nowadays the Shofar has the status of Muktzah Machmas Chisaron Kis – an object that one would not use for any other purpose, for fear of it becomes damaged. This would mean that it cannot be moved even for the reasons above.

In Kiddush, the introductory verses of the Shabbos Kiddush are recited quietly.

Mincha includes Krias Hatorah. There is a dispute whether Tzidkasecha is recited in Mincha. Machlokes. The Mateh Efraim rules that we do not recite Tzidkasecha. The Machzor Nusach Ariza”l based on the Alter Rebbe, does not include Tzidkascha in the Rosh Hashanah Mincha, suggesting that it is not recited.

  1. Mateh Efraim 582:24
  2. See Ktzeh Hamateh 582:1. Elef L’magen writes that Shalom Aleichem is not said
  3. Ktzeh Hamateh 582:2. Mateh Efraim writes that it should not be recited.
  4. MAteh Efraim 601:2
  5. Levush, Magen Avraham 584:3, Elya Rabbah 584:7. Avinu MAlkeinu is different to the other Techino which are recited as part of the Amidah
  6. See Mateh Efraim 584:16, Darkei Chaim Veshalom 715
  7. Based on the Siddur of the Alter Rebbe
  8. Mishna Rosh Hashanah 4:1, Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 588
  9. Tur and Shulchan Aruch Siman 500, Shulchan Aruch Harav Orach Chaim 600:7
  10. Ram”o 588:5, Shulchan Aruch Harav 588:5
  11. It may be moved K’lachar Yad such as with the back of one’s hands.
  12. 598:3

In the Amidah for each of the Tefillos, the insertions for Shabbos are included as noted in the Machzor.

Candle-lighting and Maariv

When lighting candles, the Bracha is להדליק נר של שבת ויום הזכרון.

Maariv starts with part of Kabbolas Shabbos. Some communities begin with Mizmor Shir Leyom Hashabbos after Lecha Dodi. Chabad custom, based on Nusach Sfard starts from Mizmor ledovid before Lecha Dodi.

After the Amidah, the Chazzan begins with Vayechulu. In the Bracha Me’ein Sheva, the words ל הקדוש-הא is substituted with המלך הקדוש. According to the Chabad Nusach, Kapitel 23 is recited followed by Barchu as is done every Friday night.

There are different customs on whether Shalom Aleichem is recited. Chabad custom is that Shalom Aleichem and Eishes Chayil and the Tikunei Shabbos prior to Kiddush are said quietly. The Siddur Yaavetz writes that the custom is that Shalom Aleichem should be said in a pleasant voice, but should not be sung as Rosh Hashanah is a day of judgment and we should be in a state of awe. There are different opinions on whether Azamer Bishvachin is recited.

In the Maariv Amidah on the second night we insert the Havdalah of Vatodienu. If one forgot to recite Vatodienu, they do not need to repeat the Amidah. However, they may not do any Melacha that is forbidden on Shabbos until they have recited the Havdalah in Kiddush or said Baruch Hamavdil Bein Kodesh Lekodesh.

Women and children who are not Davening need to recite Baruch Hamavdil before doing any Melacha that is forbidden on Shabbos and also before doing any preparation work for the second night meal.

Kiddush on the second night is the formula referred to as Yaknehaz that includes Havdalah for Shabbos in the Kiddush for Yomtov.

Shacharis

Some communities have different Piyutim that are included when Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbos and some Piyutim that are omitted. The Piyutim that are omitted should be recited on the second day. Chabad custom is that there is no change to the Piyutim recited, except for minor changes within the Piyut, such as changing from בשופר to בזכרון שופר and leaving out the paragraphs of שבח מגדל עוז.

According to Siddur Rav Amram Gaon and Raavan write that Avinu Malkeinu is still recited on Shabbos. This is the practise of the Sefardim. Ashkenazim follow the opinion of the Ram”o that we do not recite Avinu Malkeinu. The Acharonim explain that this is because we do not recite Techinos on Shabbos.

In some communities, the 13 Attributes and the Yehi Ratzon composed by the Ariza”l, are not recited when taking out the Sefer Torah. Chabad custom follows those who do recite the 13 Attributes on Shabbos, even though they are not recited on Yomtov that falls on Shabbos.

The Krias Hatorah is divided into 7 Aliyos. The Shofar is not sounded on Shabbos. After the Haftorah, the Chazzan begins with Yekum Purkan. Av Harachamim in not recited.

In the Musaf, the verses of the Korban Musaf of Shabbos are added, beginning with Uvyom Hashabbos. The passage Yisemechu is also added in the Musaf.

Bowing in Aleinu

There were communities who had the custom that when Rosh Hashanah fell on Shabbos, they would not bow down on the floor during Aleinu. One explanation is that bowing down is an expression of subservience that reflects our relationship with Hashem as a servant to their Master. This only applies on the weekdays. On Shabbos, a deeper level of our relationship with Hashem is revealed where we are like a son to their father and so we do not bow.

This also relates to one of the reasons why we do not blow the Shofar on Shabbos. The Shofar serves to confound and push away the accusations of the Satan. While someone may slander a servant to their master, they would be afraid to slander a son to their father. Since we do not have to fear the Satan, the Shofar is not required.

Chabad custom and that of most Kehillos, is to still bow down during Aleinu.

Shofar

When Rosh Hashana falls on Shabbos, the Shofar is not blown on the first day. Hayom Haras Olam is still recited on Shabbos in the repetition of the Amidah at the conclusion of each of the Brachos; Malchios, Zichronos and Shoafros. Areshes Sefaseinu is omitted.

Since the Shofar was not blown on the first day, on the second day, the Baal Tokeia does not require a new garment to avoid the doubt as to whether Shehecheyanu should be said.

On Shabbos, the Shofar has the Muktzah status of a Kli Shemlachti LeIssur. Therefore, it may be moved if its place is needed or to use for a permissible purpose. It may not be blown and may not be handled for reasons other than the above. It may not be moved to put it in a safe place so that it not get damaged.

Some Poskim write that nowadays the Shofar has the status of Muktzah Machmas Chisaron Kis – an object that one would not use for any other purpose, for fear of it becomes damaged. This would mean that it cannot be moved even for the reasons above.

In Kiddush, the introductory verses of the Shabbos Kiddush are recited quietly.

Mincha includes Krias Hatorah. There is a dispute whether Tzidkasecha is recited in Mincha. Machlokes. The Mateh Efraim rules that we do not recite Tzidkasecha. The Machzor Nusach Ariza”l based on the Alter Rebbe, does not include Tzidkascha in the Rosh Hashanah Mincha, suggesting that it is not recited.

  1. Mateh Efraim 582:24
  2. See Ktzeh Hamateh 582:1. Elef L’magen writes that Shalom Aleichem is not said
  3. Ktzeh Hamateh 582:2. Mateh Efraim writes that it should not be recited.
  4. MAteh Efraim 601:2
  5. Levush, Magen Avraham 584:3, Elya Rabbah 584:7. Avinu MAlkeinu is different to the other Techino which are recited as part of the Amidah
  6. See Mateh Efraim 584:16, Darkei Chaim Veshalom 715
  7. Based on the Siddur of the Alter Rebbe
  8. Mishna Rosh Hashanah 4:1, Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 588
  9. Tur and Shulchan Aruch Siman 500, Shulchan Aruch Harav Orach Chaim 600:7
  10. Ram”o 588:5, Shulchan Aruch Harav 588:5
  11. It may be moved K’lachar Yad such as with the back of one’s hands.
  12. 598:3
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