Editing The Evening Shabbat Prayer - kabolas shabbos (section)

== Order of Prayer ==
We begin the prayer with Borchu, followed by the blessings "Maariv Aravim" and "Ahavat Olam," then we recite the Shema. We continue with the blessings after Shema, and before praying the Amidah, we say "Hashkiveinu." Unlike other prayers, we don't conclude with "Shomer et amo Yisrael la'ad" because Shabbat guards us, and instead conclude with "Blessed are You, Hashem, who spreads the shelter of peace, etc."

Some communities have the custom to say the verse "V'shamru" before the Amidah to express that Shabbat guards us, and that if Israel keeps two Shabbats they will be redeemed. However, many communities, including Chabad, do not say this passage as it constitutes an interruption. It is told that Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev asked the Alter Rebbe why he omitted "V'shamru," saying that when it is recited, a great fair of angels takes place. The Alter Rebbe responded, "We don't need to participate in every fair."

The Shabbat evening Amidah contains seven blessings: three opening blessings, three regarding Shabbat, and one concluding blessing. After the prayer, we recite Vayechulu, which should be said together aloud while standing, even when praying alone. We then say the blessing "Me'ein Sheva" which the Sages instituted because people used to pray in fields, and to prevent those who extended their prayers from remaining alone in the fields, they lengthened the prayer. It should be said with a minyan, though an individual may say it and should not be prevented from doing so. Afterward, we say half-Kaddish, then the psalm "Mizmor L'David," another half-Kaddish, then Aleinu L'shabeach, and before saying Aleinu, we say Borchu.