Barechu (Hebrew: ברכו, lit. 'to bless'; may also be transliterated as bar'chu or barekhu) is a part of the Jewish prayer service, functioning as a call to prayer.[1] The wording has its origins in Psalms (134: 1-2, 135: 19-20), but the blessing was standardized later, in the Talmud.[2][3]
Practice
The barechu is recited twice daily (in the morning prayers, shaharit, and in the evening prayers, ma'ariv) as part of the formal public prayer services. It is only recited in the presence of a minyan.[1] In addition to morning and evening prayer services, the barechu is also recited as part of each aliyah (Torah reading).[3]
While the barechu is always read before the Shema, it is common in some communities, particularly Mizrahi and some Chasidic communities, to recite the blessing again at the end of both shaharit and ma'ariv for the benefit of those who arrived late to the service. This has been adopted by many Israeli Ashkenazi communities as well,[2] although most Nusach Ashkenaz communities in Israel omit the last Barechu on morning with Torah Reading (since Barechu is recited before the Torah reading) and on Friday nights (when it is uncommon to have latecomers).
The leader must stand for barechu; in the Ashkenazic tradition, the congregation stands as well, but in the Sephardic tradition the congregation remains sitting. The leader of the service bows at the waist upon reciting the first word (barechu), and the congregation bows as they say the word "baruch (in the Sephardic tradition, the congregants slightly stand up for a moment just enough to be able to bow)."[4]
According to the old Ashkenazic custom, when the Chazzan says "Barekhu", the congregation recited a series of verses beginning "Yitbarach" in an undertone.[5]
