Mussaf

Mussaf is a term used in Jewish liturgy to denote the additional service added to the Shacharit morning prayer on Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh, and major Jewish holidays. The word Mussaf comes from the Hebrew for “added” or “additional,” reflecting its function as an extra service beyond the ordinary daily prayers.

Historically, Mussaf corresponds to the additional sacrifice that was offered in the Temple in Jerusalem on Shabbat and festival days. With the destruction of the Temple, Rabbinic authorities preserved the practice in prayer, creating the Mussaf liturgy to commemorate the former sacrificial rite and to sanctify the day in the absence of the Temple service.

In typical practice, Mussaf is recited as a distinct Amidah (the central silent prayer) following the Shacharit Amidah on days when Mussaf applies. The Mussaf Amidah is longer and includes day-specific content that reflects the sanctity of Shabbat or the particular festival. Many communities also insert special phrases or blessings, such as Ya’aleh and Veyavo, in the Mussaf Amidah on Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh, and Yom Tov.

The Mussaf service is not recited on ordinary weekdays, when only the standard Shacharit Amidah is said. Variations exist among different Jewish traditions (e.g., Ashkenazi, Sephardi, and others) in wording and structure, but the core purpose remains the same: to remember the ancient Temple offerings and to honor the sanctity of the day within the morning prayer cycle.