Various Interesting Halachos Related to the Recitation of Vayechulu on Friday Night Part 1

This year (5785) with Simchas Torah being on Thursday or Friday depending on where you are in the world, we aren’t left with much time to discuss Parshas Bereishis, however, it’s such a fundamental Parsha that it’s worthwhile spending some time on it. Additionally, it is the first Parsha in the Torah, and it would be wrong not to write something on it. However, in case you end up seeing this sheet after Parshas Bereishis, don’t worry, as I have specifically chosen a topic which is relevant all year round - every single Friday night. In this week’s Parsha we learn about the Creation of the World. After the Torah finishes discussing what was created on each day, we have the pasukim of “Vayechulu HaShomayim ....”. Therefore, I have chosen to discuss the topic of reciting “Vayechulu” on Friday night.

When exactly should it be said? During davening? During kiddush? Or perhaps both? What if one only ends up making kiddush very late on Friday night? What does it mean when the Gemara says when saying “Vayechulu” one’s sins are forgiven - which sins? What did the Ohr HaChaim HaKodosh learn on erev Shabbos? Must one stand when reciting it? May one lean on a shtender? Should one rush through his silent shemonah esrei to be able to say “Vayechulu” together with the tzibbur [congregation]? Does the Chazon Ish agree? If one missed reciting “Vayechulu” with the tzibbur should he try and find someone to say it together with, or is he perhaps doing so wrong? Must one stand when reciting “Vayechulu” during kiddush? Is “Vayechulu” considered eidus [testimony]? May one say it with a ba’al aveirah [someone who commits sins and is disqualified from giving testimony]? Can one say it together with someone on the other side of the street? This is just some of what will be discussed below, read on and gain a new understanding of what the recitation of “Vayechulu” on Friday night is really all about.

The Gemara in Shabbos (119b) teaches:
אמר רבא ואי תימא ריב״ ל אפילו יחיד המתפלל בער ב שבת צריך לומר ויכולו דאמר רב המנונא כל המתפלל בערב שבת ואומר ויכולו מעלה עליו הכתוב כאילו נעשה שותף להקב״ ה במעשה בראשי ת שנאמר וי כולו אל תקרי וַיְכוּלּוּ אל א וַיְכַלּוּ – Rava said, and some say it was Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi who said: Even an individual who davens on Shabbos evening (Friday night) must recite the passage of “Vayechulu”, as Rav Hamnuna said: Anyone who davens on Shabbos evening and recites the passage of “Vayechulu”, the pasuk credits him as if he became a partner with Hakodosh Boruch Hu, in the act of Creation. As it is stated: “And the heavens and the earth were finished [vayechulu].” Do not read it as: Were finished [vayechulu]; rather, as: They finished [vayechalu].”