Shulchan Aruch: Chapter 48 - Recitation of Passage Concerning Daily Burnt-Offering together with Verses Concerning Shabbos Offering

SECTION 48 The Recitation of the Passage Concerning the Daily Burnt-Offering together with the Verses Concerning the Shabbos Offering. (1–3)

1 The entire Jewish people have accepted the custom — and have undertaken it as an obligation — of reciting the passage concerning the daily burnt-offering1 every day before prayer. For through the recitation of this passage, the Holy One, blessed be He, considers it as if the daily burnt-offering was offered at its appointed time,2 as explained in sec. 1.3

It is also desirable to recite the passage concerning the incense offering after the passage concerning the daily burnt-offering, as stated there. It is the custom of some people to add the passage “Abbaye recounted the order of the daily offerings”4 and [the prayer beginning] Ribon HaOlam.5

If it is impossible to recite all of the above together with the congregation because they recite only the passage describing the daily burnt-offering,6 one may recite all [of these passages] at home from daybreak onward7 and recite the passage describing the daily burnt-offering again together with the congregation. One need not be concerned that this will appear as if he is offering the daily burnt-offering twice8 and thus violating the prohibition against adding [to the Torah’s commandments], for [mere] recitation is not considered a forbidden addition. The most preferable option is that one should have in mind [when reading] the second time that he is to be considered as if [merely] reading from the Torah.

It is desirable to recite the passage[s] concerning the sacrifices while standing, just as the sacrifices were offered while [the Kohanim were] standing.9

2 On Shabbos, after [reciting] the passage concerning the daily burnt-offering, it is customary to recite the verses concerning the Mussaf offering brought [in addition] on Shabbos.10 Although one has not yet recited the Morning Service and it is forbidden to offer the Mussaf offering before the morning burnt-offering,11 [this presents no difficulty]. The reason: he has already recited the passage describing the daily burnt-offering, and if reciting the verses concerning the Mussaf offering is to be considered as equivalent to offering a sacrifice, [his previous] recitation of the passage concerning the daily burnt-offering was also considered as such.

On Rosh Chodesh and on the festivals, there is no need to recall [and read] the verses concerning [their respective] Mussaf offering together with the passage concerning the daily burnt-offering, because the verses concerning these sacrifices constitute part of the public Torah reading on those days. In these countries, [nevertheless,] it is customary to recall [and read the verses concerning the additional offerings] also on Rosh Chodesh, to publicize that [that day] is Rosh Chodesh.¹⁰

3 People who are punctilious in their observance customarily sway when they read the Torah, recalling the Giving of the Torah [that was accompanied by] trembling, as it is written,12 “The people saw and shuddered.” This is also customary when praying, [as implied by the verse],13 “My entire being shall declare: ’G‑d, who resembles You?’ ”

Some authorities hold that one should sway only during Pesukei DeZimrah, for these are verses of praise and adulation, but not during Shemoneh Esreh. Only at the conclusion of the blessings [of Shemoneh Esreh], there are a few people whose custom is to sway gently, in the spirit of the verse,14 “Before My name, he trembled.”

In practice, everyone should do as he is accustomed, as long as his intent [is for the sake of Heaven].