Vihi Noam

A prayer known as “ vihi noam, ” is recited after the shemoneh esrei of Ma’ariv on motza’ei Shabbat. It begins with the verse “ vihi noam,” (1)  (hence the name of the reading) and continues with Tehillim chapter 91 and then “v’atah kadosh” and the kedusha d’sidra. (2)  Reciting vihi noam on motzaei Shabbat is an ancient practice recorded in the siddur of Rav Amram Gaon and Rav Saadia Gaon.

One reason why vihi noam is recited on motza’ei Shabbat is based on the teaching that the verses of vihi noam and v’ata kadosh arouse a flow of blessing for the coming week. As the workweek is about to begin, we pray that God bless all our endeavors. (3) We also recite vihi noam verse because it is the same verse that Moshe Rabbeinu used to bless the Jewish people upon the completion of the Mishkan. (4) So too, the Mishkan was finished on a Sunday and motzaei Shabbat is considered to be Sunday on the Jewish calendar. (5) It is also noted that the vihi noam verse comes from one of the ten chapters of Tehillim that were composed by Moshe Rabbeinu himself. (6)

As mentioned, Chapter 91 of Tehillim is also recites, and is known as the " shir shel negaim " (psalm of plagues) and " shir shel pegaim " (psalm of damagers), referring to the protective benefits that reciting this chapter of Tehillim is said to provide.(7) On Shabbat we are protected from demons and other spiritual dangers. Once Shabbat concludes, however, we ask God for His protection from these dangers in the coming week. Another reason it is recited motzaei Shabbat is in order to welcome the “weekday angels” just like we welcome the Shabbat angels every Friday night with the singing of shalom Aleichem. It is taught that the verse “Ki malachav yetzaveh lach…” (“He will send His angels to protect you”) is a reference to the weekday angels. (8)

The last verse of chapter 91, " orech yamim ", is recited twice, as doing so equals the gematria of God's name. (9) Another explanation is that Chapter 91 has 124 words. If we recite it twice, we arrive at 248 words which corresponds to the number of limbs in the body. However, in order not to overly burden people by making them recite the entire chapter twice, only the last verse is repeated to symbolize this teaching. It is also said that this chapter of Tehillim recalls the Maccabean victory, as the number of words in the psalm corresponds to the number of kohanim who served during the Maccabean era. Furthermore, the Maccabees would recite this chapter of Tehillim when going out to battle against the Syrian-Greeks. (10)

Vihi noam and v’atah kadosh should be recited slowly and prolonged somewhat. This is because punishment in Gehenom is suspended from the start of Shabbat until its conclusion at the end of Ma’ariv. (11) As such, as an act of kindness to those who must return to Gehenom, we delay the departure of Shabbat as much as possible. (12) We are taught that the dead return to Gehenom when Ma’ariv is completed in the city they are buried. As such, we delay the conclusion of Ma’ariv.

Vihi noam should be recited in the same spot that one recited the shemoneh esrei. (13) It is not recited on Motzaei Shabbat if a Yom Tov falls out in the coming week. (14) Most Sefardim recite vihi noam every motzaei Shabbat of the year without exception (15) even when a Yom Tov falls out in the coming week. (16)  Vihi noam should be recited while standing (17) one may recite v’atah kadosh while sitting. (18) although the Chazon Ish would recite it standing, The sefardi minhag is to recite v'atah kadosh sitting.

1. Tehillim 90:17.

2. Rema, OC 295:1.

3. Siddur Haroke’ach p. 101; Tur, OC 295; Mateh Moshe 497.

4. Rashi, Shemot 39:43; Shemot Rabba 39:43; Rashi, Vayikra 9:23; Tur, OC 295.

5. Siddur Rashbash p. 186; Siddur Chassidei Ashkenaz p. 186.

6. Rashi, Shemot 39:43; Bamidbar Rabba 12:9; Shemot Rabba 39:43; Rashi, Vayikra 9:23.

7. Shevuot 15b.

8. Sefat Emet, vayeitzei, 5661

9. Magen Avraham 295.

10. Magen Avraham 295

11. Rema, OC 295; Mishna Berura 295:2.

12. Tur, Bach, OC 295; Seder Hayom.

13. Kaf Hachaim (Palagi) 31:11.

14. Kol Bo 41; Abudraham; Mishna Berura 295:3.

15. It appears to me that no one recites vihi noam when motzai Shabbat coincides with Tisha B’av. OC 559:2; Mishna Berura 559:7.

16. Kaf Hachaim, OC 295:9

17. Mishna Berura 295:1; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 96:2; Rivevot Ephraim 4:99; Kaf Hachaim (Palagi) 31:11.

18. Shaarei Teshuva, OC 295:1; Biur Halacha 489:1; Kaf Hachaim (Palagi) 31:11.