[Avodah] When do the malachim come

[T613K at aol.com]

From: "Akiva Blum" _ydamyb at actcom.net.il_ (mailto:ydamyb at actcom.net.il) 



>> I know a number a people that daven mincha and kabolas shabos  with an 
early shabos minyan, go home for the seuda, and after finishing the  seuda...they 
return to shul to join the late- shabos maariv.... when is the best  time for 
singing shalom aleihem? When do the malachim come? After kabolas  shabos, or 
after maariv?
What should someone do if he decided to say kabolas  shabos at home?<<

Akiva





>>>>>
I can put this in a cynical sounding way, or in a chassidish sounding  way, 
but either way the answer would be the same:  a. cynical -- do you  /really/ 
think malachim come to your house every week -- and that it  matters to them 
when, or whether, you sing to them? Do  you really think  the malachim come home 
with the Abba from shul, and if he doesn't go to shul --  they don't come?    
b. chassidish -- the malachim come when they are  welcomed.
 
In either case, the answer is the same:  you sing Sholom Aleichem  when you 
want to.  
 
Until about 500 years ago, there was no such song as Sholom Aleichem, so  I 
don't think there is really a "must" time for singing it.   I've  heard of 
people not wanting to keep hungry guests waiting on a very late Friday,  and 
therefore singing Sholom Aleichem after the first course.     We never make Shabbos 
early except when invited out to the homes of others who  do, but if we did 
make Shabbos early, I would opt for singing before the  meal.  
 
Since the malachim look around to see if the home is Shabbosdik, they  must 
come right after kabalas Shabbos -- not after a late ma'ariv when  you've 
already put the food away, the table is no longer set, and the candles  have gone 
out!  Would you want them to look around then and say, "So may it  be every 
Shabbos"?!




--Toby  Katz
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