The Evening Service: Maariv

“According to various Kabbalistic and chassidic sources, the reason that tzedakah is given before prayer is to secure that Divine blessings are drawn down as far as the material world. If so, the same rule should apply to Maariv as to the other prayer services. In the section on Tefillas Shacharis in Nagid U’Metzaveh, however, it is written that ‘the night is not an appropriate time for tzedakah.’

“One possible explanation as to why Maariv differs: Insofar as the drawing down [of Divine blessings] depends on our endeavors, this has already been accomplished at Shacharis and at Minchah. (This accords with the way in which Chassidus explains the optional nature of the Maariv service [in Talmudic times; cf. Berachos 27b].) Another possible explanation: It is only at Shacharis and at Minchah, when the Sefirah of Malchus [of Atzilus] rises to [the higher Sefiros; lit., ‘to Him’], that particular efforts are needed in order to draw the Divine blessings down as far as the material world; this is not the case at Maariv, when the Sefirah of Malchus [of Atzilus] is [concealed] in the Worlds of Beriah, Yetzirah and Asiyah. This is especially relevant at night, [when this Sefirah relays spiritual sustenance to the lower worlds,] as alluded to by the verse, ותתן טרף לביתה [lit., ‘She gives food to her household’; Mishlei 31:15].” (From a letter of the Rebbe Shlita [reprinted in his Igrois Koidesh, Vol. II, pp. 152].) [See also footnote 56, above.]

The Alter Rebbe’s Siddur; see also Shaar HaKollel 17:12, and Piskei HaSiddur, sec. 65.

Machzor HaShalem, p. 219a, note 10.

From the Notes of the Rebbe Shlita.

The Alter Rebbe’s Siddur.

Piskei Dinim of the Tzemach Tzedek, Orach Chayim 236.