Thursday, September 20, 2007

Quick Question About Shabbos, Yom Kippur and Avinu Malkeinu

Normally, on Yom Kippur, we say Avinu Malkeinu (Our Father, Our King) after each of the services. This year, however, because Yom Kippur comes out on Shabbos, it will be omitted (as the prayer is always omitted on Shabbos). Nonetheless, it *will* be recited following the last service, Neilah, at the close of the day.

My question, very simply, is why?

I came up with two hypotheses:

1. Since it is after shkiah (sunset) and it is only a safek (doubt) as to whether it is really Shabbos or not (depending on whether the day begins at shkiah or tzais hakochavim [when the stars appear]), we say it.

2. Neilah, being the last prayer of the day, is meant to end on a spiritual and emotional high note, and so the prayer is recited anyway, *despite* the fact that it is Shabbos.

Of course, the real answer could be a combination of these, or neither of the above.

Anyone have any thoughts?

The Wolf

4 comments:

Ezzie said...

(Perhaps) because while Ne'ilah is special for Yom Kippur, and it is clear the Avinu Malkeinu is for YK, if we had it by other tefillos people might mistakenly think it's okay on Shabbos in general if there's reason to? Or something along those lines?

Rafi G. said...

IIRC, Mishna Mrura says it is because it is the time of "gmar din". I guess that means that is supercedes shabbos because of its importance.

Orthonomics said...

My Siddur has an abridged Avinu Malkeinu for Shabbat Teshuva. Ashkenazim omit this. But, perhaps there really isn't an issue with most of Avinu Malkeinu and combining 1 and 2, it can be said.

rescue37 said...

My Rav spoke about this before Neilah. He said one reason as being something to the effect that it is brought down (mishna berurah?) "Im lo acshav aimasai" menaing that pikuach nefesh is known to be docheh shabbos and as we are standing at the time of the "gates" being closed, it now becomes a matter of pikuach nefesh for ourselves and klal yisroel.