Why No Avinu Malkeinu on Shabbat?

Question:

Why do we omit Avinu Malkeinu from the Yom Kippur prayers when Yom Kippur is on a Saturday?

Response:

One of the highlights of the High Holiday service, the Avinu Malkeinu is a beautiful prayer in which we beseech G‑d for healing, sustenance and other things that we need. On Shabbat we do not say prayers that directly ask G‑d for our needs. This is because referring to the material things that we lack can cause us distress, something that is inconsistent with the Shabbat atmosphere of pleasure and bliss. For this reason we do not say Avinu Malkeinu on Yom Kippur if it is also Shabbat.

Please let me know if this helps.

Best regards,

Rabbi Baruch S. Davidson

Source:

Code of Jewish Law OC 584:5.

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13 Comments

AVI Santa Clara October 9, 2024

If the purpose of Yom Kippur is to pray for these things, and if Yom Kippur has precedence over Shabbat, then it does not make sense to me... Reply

Ron Balofsky Jerusalem October 9, 2024

in response to AVI:

Shabbat is holier than Yom Kippur (Gemara Megillah). Reply

Eliezer Zalmanov for Chabad.org October 10, 2024

in response to AVI:

The purpose of Yom Kippur is not to pray for these things, the purpose of Yom Kippur is to reveal our intrinsic connection with G-d. On a regular day, we use these requests as a means to an end, but on Shabbat we don't need them. Reply

Ari October 6, 2024

Super helpful! Baruch Hashem and so blessed He gives us His Torah and mitzvot! Reply

Julie Dallas, Texas June 19, 2023

I love Judaism. You don't know how much! Reply

irene Vzla October 31, 2015

Thanks for explain the point "On Shabbat we do not say prayers that directly ask G‑d for our needs" Reply

Rachel ohayon TZFAT September 14, 2021

in response to irene:

Thank you Rabbi your explanation for what to do on Yom Kippur is outstanding, the best I have ever read will make a donation to Chabad. Reply

philip washington dc October 4, 2014

how about singing the familiar (and gorgeous) tune of Avinu Makeinu in the yom kippur/shabbat service as a niggun (i.e, no words asking for healing) ? Reply

Moshiach WestBank, BC/Canada October 12, 2011

2 reasons I can think of-speculation only
1)Neila is the holiest time of the year -the most concentrated time of Yom Kippur so therefore its appropriate to ask G-d for whatever you need being this is the time of absolute unity
2)by the time Avinu Malkeinu is recited it is generally nightfall at the time (the emergence of 3 stars)and therefore not being Shabbos anymore A"M can be recited.
Moshiach Now! Reply

Anonymous Jerusalem September 27, 2017

in response to Moshiach:

I believe Mussaf is holier than Neila

It is said at Neila since it is considered Pikuach Nefesh Reply

Aaron Levitt Bronx, NY September 20, 2010

Don't we ask to be inscribed... in the Book of Life and things of that sort, even when Yom Kippur falls on Shabbat? Assuming I'm not misremembering, why the difference? Reply

Erica PA September 19, 2010

Neilah? So then why do we say Avinu Malkeinu during the Neilah prayer? Reply

Merl Schachet Louisville, Colorado September 17, 2018

in response to Erica:

Yes, I understand this reason for not saying the prayer on Sabbath. But is there another reason, which states that the Sabbath day represents the day of our rest and when G-d rested, and so that G-d would not be able to or should not help us with our material needs on the Sabbath?
In addition, the celebration of the Sabbath day is so great and spiritual, that we do not need to worry about our supplications or material needs on this day.

Merl Schachet
Louisville, Colorado Reply

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