According to the custom of Aleppo, the congregation reads the entire book of Shir Ha’shirim collectively as part of the Friday night service. This is in contrast to the custom observed by Moroccan Jews, whereby the book of Shir Ha’shirim is divided among the members of the congregation, and each member reads a chapter in a different tune. According to our custom, the entire congregation together reads all of Shir Ha’shirim in the special melody reserved for this book.
Three different customs exist among Syrian Jews regarding the point in the prayer service when Shir Ha’shirim is read. In the Yoab Ben Seruya Synagogue in Aleppo, the first Minyan on Friday night would leave the synagogue after Arbit and go into the nearby Eliyahu Ha’nabi Cave, where, according to tradition, Eliyahu would appear. There they would read Shir Ha’shirim, after which they would read some Mishnayot, sell some synagogue honors, and then recite Kaddish. After they left the cave, the second Minyan would leave the synagogue and enter the cave for the reading of Shir Ha’shirim.
Eventually, however, this synagogue was used only for special occasions, and the Friday night prayers were held in a different synagogue, called the Jamaliya Synagogue. There, the custom was to read Shir Ha’shirim before the Kaddish preceding Barechu. Meaning, the congregation would recite Lecha Dodi, Mizmor Shir, Ba’meh Madlikin and Hashem Malach, and then read Shir Ha’shirim before Kaddish.
Later, a third custom arose, which was to read Shir Ha’shirim between Minha and Arbit, and this is the custom observed today by most synagogues that follow the customs and traditions of Aleppo. It is important to note, however, that this custom results in the recitation of Lecha Dodi after the onset of Shabbat. The Halacha of "Tosefet Shabbat" requires accepting Shabbat several minutes before sunset, and if Lecha Dodi – through which we accept Shabbat – is recited after sundown, one does not fulfill this obligation. The way to solve this problem is to formally accept Shabbat immediately after the Hazan’s repetition of the Amida during Minha. One should declare, "Hareni Mekabel Tosefet Shabbat Kodesh" ("I hereby accept upon myself the additional time of Shabbat") in order to fulfill his obligation. Of course, one must then ensure not to perform any Melacha (activity forbidden on Shabbat), as he has formally begun Shabbat. Those who recite Shir Ha’shirim before Arbit – which, as mentioned, is the prevalent custom among Syrian Jewish communities today – must make a point of accepting Shabbat several minutes before sundown in order to fulfill the obligation of "Tosefet Shabbat."
Many communities have the practice during the summer months to read Shir Ha’shirim before Minha on Friday. In the Lawrence Ave. Synagogue in Deal, for example, Minha begins at 7pm, and Shir Ha’shirim is read at 6:45pm. This is done in order for the services to end at a reasonable hour, so people will not be returning home at a late hour for the Shabbat meal.
It must be emphasized that the Friday night reading of Shir Ha’shirim is a very important and valuable custom which must be observed. Our Sages tell us that while all books of the Tanach are sacred, the Book of Shir Ha’shirim is "Kodesh Kodashim" – especially sacred. Ashkenazim read Shir Ha’shirim only on Pesah, but our custom is to read it on Pesah and every Friday night. Reading this book brings great bounty, holiness and blessing, and in fact, a certain contemporary Torah Sage recently commented that Sepharadim were spared the persecutions suffered by European Jewry because of their adherence to this custom of reading Shir Ha’shirim every Friday night. It is incumbent upon us to follow this cherished custom, and we will then be worthy of receiving the special sanctity and blessings associated with this precious text.
