What is the Jewish Evening Prayer (Maariv)?

Maariv (also called Arvit) is the Jewish evening prayer service, recited after nightfall each day. It consists primarily of the Shema and its surrounding blessings, followed by the Amidah (silent standing prayer), and is the third of the three daily prayer services alongside Shacharit (morning) and Mincha (afternoon).

Key Takeaways

Maariv was instituted by the patriarch Yaakov (Jacob), based on the verse "וַיִּפְגַּע בַּמָּקוֹם" — "And he encountered the place" (Genesis 28:11).
Unlike Shacharit and Mincha, Maariv was originally considered optional (reshut), though it is treated as obligatory in practice today.
The prayer corresponds to the limbs and fats of the daily Temple offering (tamid) that continued burning through the night.
The correct time for Maariv is after nightfall (tzet hakochavim — the appearance of stars).
A special blessing called Hashkiveinu is added at night, asking for God's protection from harmful forces.

Origins and Institution

The Patriarchs and the Three Prayers

The Talmud teaches that the three daily prayers were instituted by the three patriarchs [Berakhot 26b]. The Kedushat Levi (R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev) explains this beautifully:

"אברהם תיקן תפילת שחרית... ויצחק תיקן תפילת מנחה... ויעקב תיקן תפילת ערבית כמו שאמר הכתוב ויפגע במקום ההוא" "Abraham instituted the morning prayer... Isaac instituted the afternoon prayer... and Jacob instituted the evening prayer, as the verse states: 'And he encountered the place.'" [Kedushat Levi, Genesis, Chayei Sara 27]

The word vayifga (וַיִּפְגַּע) — "he encountered" — is interpreted as a term for prayer, just as sicha (שִׂיחָה) in Isaac's case means prayer: "תְּפִלָּה לְעָנִי כִּי יַעֲטֹף וְלִפְנֵי ה' יִשְׁפֹּךְ שִׂיחוֹ" — "A prayer of the afflicted when he pours out his siach before God" (Psalm 102:1).

Correspondence to the Temple Service

Maariv was instituted to correspond to the limbs and fats (eivarim u'fdarim) of the afternoon tamid (daily offering) that were not fully consumed during the day and continued burning on the altar through the night:

"ואינה חובה שלא נתקנה אלא כנגד איברים ופדרים של תמיד של בין הערבים שלא נתעכלו ביום שקרבין והולכין כל הלילה" "It is not obligatory, for it was instituted only corresponding to the limbs and fats of the afternoon tamid that were not consumed during the day and continued burning through the night." [Siddur Ashkenaz, Weekday Maariv, Source 4; Siddur Sefard, Weekday Maariv, Source 8]

Is Maariv Obligatory or Optional?

This is one of the most discussed questions in halacha regarding Maariv.

The Talmudic Debate

The Talmud [Berakhot 27b] records a dispute: Rabbi Yehoshua holds Maariv is reshut (optional), while Rabbi Gamliel holds it is chova (obligatory).

Later Authorities

The Rif (Rabbi Yitzchak Alfasi) rules definitively: "האידנא קבעוה חובה ואין לבטלה כלל" — "In our times, it has been established as obligatory and may not be abandoned at all." [Siddur Ashkenaz, Source 4]
The Siddur Ashkenaz notes that despite the debate, "מצוה איכא ואין לבטלה" — "there is a mitzvah and it should not be nullified." [Source 4]
The accepted practice (minhag) follows the Rif's ruling — Maariv is treated as fully obligatory.

Structure of Maariv

1. Barchu — The Call to Prayer

The prayer leader recites Barchu, the formal call to communal prayer.

2. Blessings Before the Shema

Two blessings precede the Shema at night, including Ma'ariv Aravim (blessing over the onset of evening).

3. Shema Yisrael

The central declaration of Jewish faith: "שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל ה' אֱלֹהֵינוּ ה' אֶחָד" — "Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One" (Deuteronomy 6:4).

4. Hashkiveinu — The Night Protection Blessing

A special blessing unique to the evening is recited, asking God to protect Israel through the night:

"אומר השכיבנו וחותם שומר את עמו ישראל לעד מפני שלילה צריכה שימור מן המזיקין" "One recites Hashkiveinu and concludes with 'Guardian of His people Israel forever,' because the night requires protection from harmful forces." [Siddur Ashkenaz, Source 1]

Importantly, this blessing is not considered an interruption between Geulah (redemption) and the Amidah, because the Rabbis instituted it as an "extended geulah" (geulah arichta). [Source 1]

5. The Amidah

The silent standing prayer — on weekdays, the full 18 (actually 19) blessings; on Shabbat and Yom Tov, an abbreviated version.

6. Veyiru Eineinu and Kaddish

The Siddur explains a historical note about an additional paragraph recited between the Amidah and Aleinu:

"מה שנוהגין להפסיק בפסוקים ויראו עינינו... לפי שבימים ראשונים היו בתי כנסיות שלהם בשדות והיו יראים להתאחר שם" "The custom to insert the verses of Veyiru Eineinu [originated] because in earlier times synagogues were in the fields and people feared to remain there late... They instituted verses containing 18 Divine Names corresponding to the 18 blessings of the Amidah, concluding with Kaddish." [Siddur Ashkenaz, Source 2]

Although synagogues are no longer in fields, the custom was retained — though some great authorities (gedolim) did not recite these verses. [Source 2]

Time for Maariv

The proper time for Maariv begins at nightfall (tzet hakochavim — appearance of three stars).
On Friday night (Erev Shabbat), Maariv may be prayed earlier, from plag hamincha onward, to bring in Shabbat early. [Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 263:14, Source 3]
The Mishnah Berurah notes that it is preferable for those who daven Maariv at its proper time (after night

What is the Jewish evening prayer (Maariv)?