Maariv

Maariv (pronounced [maʔaˈʁiv]; Hebrew: מַעֲרִיב, romanized: Maʿariv), also known as Arvit ([ʔaʁˈvit]; עַרְבִית), is a Jewish prayer service held in the evening or at night. It consists primarily of the evening Shema and Amidah.

The service will often begin with two verses from the book of Psalms, followed by the communal recitation of Barechu. The three paragraphs of the Shema are then said, both preceded and followed by two blessings; sometimes, a fifth blessing is added at the end. The hazzan (cantor) then recites a half-Kaddish. Everyone says the Amidah quietly, and, unlike at the other services, the hazzan does not repeat it. The hazzan recites the full Kaddish, Aleinu is recited, and the mourners' Kaddish ends the service; some groups recite another psalm before or after Aleinu. Other components occasionally added include the counting of the Omer (between Passover and Shavuot) and, in many communities, Psalm 27 (between the first of Elul and the end of Sukkot).

Maariv is generally recited after sunset and according to some opinions should preferably be delayed until after nightfall. However, it may be recited as early as one and a quarter seasonal hours before sunset (according to some opinions, before nightfall). This is common only on Friday nights in order to begin Shabbat earlier. At the conclusion of Shabbat and on holidays, the service is usually delayed until nightfall. While Maariv should technically be prayed before midnight, it may be recited until daybreak or even sunrise.

The word Maariv is the first significant word in the opening blessing of the evening service. It is derived from the Hebrew word erev (עֶרֶב), which translates to "evening". Maariv is a conversion of this word into a verb, which becomes "bringing on evening." The name comes from the end of the first blessing preceding the evening Shema:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר בִּדְבָרוֹ מַעֲרִיב עֲרָבִים בְּחָכְמָה פּוֹתֵֽחַ שְׁעָרִים וּבִתְבוּנָה מְשַׁנֶּה עִתִּים וּמַחֲלִיף אֶת הַזְּ֒מַנִּים וּמְסַדֵּר אֶת־הַכּוֹכָבִים בְּמִשְׁמְ֒רוֹתֵיהֶם בָּרָקִֽיעַ כִּרְצוֹנוֹ: בּוֹרֵא יוֹם וָלָֽיְלָה גּוֹלֵל אוֹר מִפְּ֒נֵי חֽשֶׁךְ וְחֽשֶׁךְ מִפְּ֒נֵי אוֹר וּמַעֲבִיר יוֹם וּמֵבִיא לָֽיְלָה וּמַבְדִּיל בֵּין יוֹם וּבֵין לָֽיְלָה יְהֹוָה צְבָאוֹת שְׁמוֹ: אֵל חַי וְקַיָּם תָּמִיד יִמְלֹךְ עָלֵֽינוּ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה הַמַּעֲרִיב עֲרָבִים:

Blessed are You, HaShem, our God, King of the Universe, Who, with His word He brings on evenings, with wisdom He opens the gates (of heaven); and with understanding changes the times and alternates the seasons, and arranges the stars in their watches, in the sky, according to His will. He creates day and night, He rolls the light away from before darkness, and darkness from before light; He causes day to pass and brings night, and separates between day and night; Adonoy of Hosts is His Name. The Almighty, [Who is] living and enduring will always reign over us forever and ever. Blessed are You, HaShem, Who brings on evening.

— The Metsudah Siddur (1981), Siddur Ashkenaz

Arvit is the adjective form of this word, roughly translated as "of the evening". It shares the same etymological root as maghrib, the Islamic evening prayer.